Family Farms Archives - Page 18 of 23

Family Farms

A Growing Bounty of Farmer’s Markets

October 8, 2009
A Greener World
Agricultural Policy, Consumer Buying Power, Family Farms, The Big Picture

With fall harvest season in full swing, there was good news from the USDA for consumers who prefer to buy their produce, meat, dairy and eggs directly from farmers: the number of farmer’s markets in the United States has grown by 13% over the past year. According to the agency, 5,274 farmer’s markets are now operating nationwide, up from 4,685 reported in 2008 (a gain of 589 markets). The USDA has just launched the “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” initiative to help develop local and regional food systems and spur economic opportunity.

October 7, 2009
A Greener World
Agricultural Policy, Family Farms, Food Labels, Food Safety, Grass-Fed Beef

In response to a recent press release announcing that La Cense Ranch has become the first grassfed beef producer to be certified under the USDA “Grass Fed” standard, Animal Welfare Approved Program Director Andrew Gunther made the following statement: “I am seeing a re-emergence of the arguments that surrounded initial discussions about the USDA’s ‘Grass Fed’ definition. The USDA standard only partially addresses buyers’ expectations for grassfed meat. We are concerned that consumers may assume that a USDA Grass Fed certification means that ruminants are raised on pasture for the duration of their lives, without confinement or feedlots.”

October 7, 2009
A Greener World
Consumer Buying Power, Family Farms, The Big Picture

AWA staffers Emily Lancaster, Brigid Sweeney and Beth Hauptle were honored to represent Animal Welfare Approved at Farm Aid this year from October 2-4 in St. Louis Missouri. AWA farmers Mark and Patricia Whisnant, David and Lana Price and Henry and JoAnn Fudge joined us for the festivities. It was the 24th year of Farm Aid and board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews continue to work hard to promote family farms.

October 6, 2009
A Greener World
Family Farms, The Big Picture

Well, it's official. Giving your cows names can increase their milk yield. I’ve just read in The London Times that scientists at the University of Newcastle in the UK were awarded one of this year’s Ig Nobel Prizes for finding out that cows who are given names produced a higher milk yield than those who weren't. I laughed, too. But then it got me thinking. You see, while the Ig Noble Prize ceremony is all rather tongue in cheek, there is a serious side; the prizes are awarded to research achievements that "first make people LAUGH then make them THINK." While this research might seem a little ridiculous, it was actually a serious study into cow welfare.

October 3, 2009
A Greener World
Agricultural Policy, Consumer Buying Power, Environment, Family Farms, Nutrition, The Big Picture

Willie Nelson appeared on CNN yesterday, talking about Farm Aid and the struggle of America's family farms. In this clip, he also performs a new song to be premiered at Farm Aid, which he co-authored with Bob Dylan. Animal Welfare staff members and three Animal Welfare Approved farmers are on hand at Farm Aid this weekend to spread the word about the benefits of pasture-based farming and high-welfare standards. Hope to see you at the Homegrown Village and at tonight's Farm Aid Eve dinner where all of the pork and beef served will be from AWA farmers Fudge Family Farms (pork) and American Grass Fed Beef. Photo: Paul Natkin/Photo Reserve Inc. 2008 CLICK BLOG TITLE ABOVE TO SEE THE VIDEO.

October 2, 2009
A Greener World
Agricultural Policy, Consumer Buying Power, Environment, Events, Family Farms, The Big Picture

Come see Animal Welfare Approved staff members Beth, Brigid and Emily at the annual Farm Aid concert, featuring Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews. Farm Aid has raised awareness about farm preservation since the first concert in 1985. One of Farm Aid's core goals is "Growing the Good Food Movement," which it defines as: "growing the number of Americans reaching for and demanding family farm-identified, local, organic or humanely-raised food." We couldn't agree more.

September 23, 2009
A Greener World
Agricultural Policy, Family Farms, Food Safety, Processing Plants

The USDA's Federal Safety and Inspection Service recently proposed regulations that will allow certain state-inspected plants to ship meat and poultry in interstate commerce. This impressive development is part of USDA's larger initiative, "Know Your Farmers, Know Your Food," which seeks to develop economic opportunities within regional and local food systems. Secretary Vilsack and Under Secretary Mande are to be applauded for such a far-sighted decision, one which could have a transformational effect on independent livestock producers.

September 21, 2009
A Greener World
Events, Family Farms

The Carolina Farm Stewardship Association (CFSA) held its 4th annual Eastern Triangle Farm Tour this past weekend. This year's tour featured four AWA farms, including Dew Dance Farm, MAE Farm, Rare Earth Farms and Doug Brown of Fowl Attitude Farm, giving a presentation. AWA staff members Julie Munk, Brigid Sweeney and Emily Lancaster were present at three of the farms and had a great time meeting everyone and sharing information about our program. If you missed the tour, read on for our reports from the field!

September 15, 2009
A Greener World
Consumer Buying Power, Family Farms, Grass-Fed Beef

Cow-Pooling - the practice of getting neighbors, family and friends together to buy meat in bulk to reduce costs and make use of the entire animal-was recently featured in Time Magazine. Time illustrates a $10-$12/lb price difference when comparing the…

September 14, 2009
A Greener World
Events, Family Farms

This coming weekend (September 19th & 20th) the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association will hold its 4th Annual Eastern Triangle Farm Tour. Visitors will be able to tour 20 different farms in the Raleigh, NC area with the purchase of one $25 button. Each button admits a full carload, so pack your friends and family in and come see where your food comes from!

September 9, 2009
A Greener World
Agricultural Policy, Chefs and Restaurants, Consumer Buying Power, Events, Family Farms, Nutrition, The Big Picture

FROM OUR FRIENDS AT SLOW FOOD Dear members, supporters and friends, On Labor Day, more than 20,000 people came together in all 50 states to tell Congress it's time to give kids real food at school. If you went to an Eat-In, we'd like to say thank you. And if you're one of the Slow Food Chapter Leaders and Eat-In Organizers who put incredible time and energy into the 300 Eat-Ins that took place nationwide, we'd like to shout thank you -- you made the day possible. The momentum helped us surpass our Labor Day petition goal - there are more than 20,000 signatures online, another 10,000 on paper, and many more still coming in. That's a huge show of support. When Congress starts debating the Child Nutrition Act this fall, we'll be able to take those signatures to legislators and make a strong case for reform.

September 2, 2009
A Greener World
Agricultural Policy, Consumer Buying Power, Events, Family Farms, The Big Picture

Join Joan Gussow and hundreds of other leaders of the local and organic food movement in Santa Fe at this ground-breaking event. Folks from all around the U.S. and five other countries are coming. Be part of the launch of the Slow Money Alliance which is organizing a million members to begin fixing America's economy...from the ground up.

A Growing Bounty of Farmer’s Markets

USDA “Grass Fed” Label Claim Leaves Loophole for Confinement

“Farmers are the Real Rock Stars”

Got Milk? Want more? Ask Bessie…

Willie Nelson Shares New Nelson/Dylan Tune for Family Farmers

Headed to Farm Aid!!

Proposed Regulations Favor Interstate Commerce, Independent Plants

From the Field: Eastern Triangle Farm Tour

Cow-Pooling: great for consumers, but what about the farmers?

Join us at the Eastern Triangle Farm Tour!

Labor Day Eat In Spotlights Healthy School Lunches

Last Week to Register: From The Ground Up

Recent Posts

Recipes From AGW-certified Producers

How AGW Certifications Earn Your Trust, and Why it Matters

Kreher Family Farms – Clarence, NY

Contact

Follow Us

A Greener World is Global