COVID-19 Continues: Here’s what you can do to keep supporting independent farms
COVID-19 continues to spread. In the early days of the pandemic, many farmers and ranchers made fast and major adjustments to their businesses as markets shifted. Some producers experienced a huge increase in demand from people finding empty meat counters and grocery store shelves. Other farms, especially those set up to supply restaurants and institutions, experienced a drastic decrease in business as many of those outlets restricted operations or closed for extended periods of time. Now months have gone by,…
Leading International Certifier Announces New Partner Project In India
LEADING INTERNATIONAL CERTIFIER ANNOUNCES NEW PARTNER PROJECT IN INDIA --A Greener World, home of world-leading sustainability certifications, establishes launch team and executive leadership to serve a growing Indian market for ethical foods and beverages-- In response to local interest and demand for verified sustainability labels, the nonprofit farm certifier A Greener World (AGW) is establishing programming in India. Based in the U.S. in Terrebonne, Oregon and currently operating in North America, the UK/Europe and South Africa, A Greener World…
USDA’s New GMO Labeling Guidance: Untested, Undisclosed
For anyone following the labeling of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), you already know about the U.S.’s problems with transparency. Last week, the USDA released guidelines that made things even worse. In a notice in the Federal Register, the USDA rolled out guidance on how to comply with the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard, also known as the “BE Standard” (more on the controversial history of this law here). The notice explains how companies decide if consumers need to be told…
Meet the Farmer: Farming With TLC
Annette and Mark Thomas raise Certified Animal Welfare Approved and Certified Grassfed by AGW beef cattle in northern Oklahoma. They market their beef as TLC Grassfed Beef, selling direct to consumers and local stores who are looking for local, certified grassfed beef. How did you get into farming? Mark and I grew up working on our families’ farms in west Oregon and east Texas, respectively. After both earning college degrees in agriculture, Mark worked in the grass seed business and…
Meet the Farmer: High On the Hog
Mark Florenz and his family are bringing an old New Hampshire farm—rich with agricultural heritage—back to life by producing the highest quality Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW pork. Archway Farm pork products are sold direct from the farm and wholesale to markets, restaurants and food establishments in the region. How did you get into farming? Although I’ve been involved in farming most of my life, when our two boys were young we decided to have one of us…
