Managing weeds isn't just about making our fields look pretty! Weeds are detrimental because they compete with our crops for limited resources. If farmers didn't manage weed presence, the weeds would eventually get so big that they choke out the planted crops. That means our efforts, inputs, and … [Read more...]
An Open Letter to Everyone Who Eats
Dear Everyone Who Eats: I’m Amanda. I’m currently a practicing attorney, but I was born and raised on my family’s farm in Southwest Michigan. We currently have about 2,000 acres of corn and soybeans. When I was growing up, my brothers and I worked on the farm alongside our parents and … [Read more...]
Poultry Production Inspection Act
We're not just winging it! The Poultry Production Inspection Act was signed into law in 1957 by President Dwight Eisenhower. It requires the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service to routinely inspect chicken-processing facilities, ensure sanitary conditions in the facilities, and that the … [Read more...]
Almond Growers Use Less Water
Did you know? Almond growers today can produce a pound of almonds using 33 percent less water than they did 20 years ago. It's yet another example of how U.S. farmers are leaders in sustainability. … [Read more...]
USDA Launches Bioproduct Pilot Program
The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture is launching a Bioproduct Pilot Program as directed by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Through the program, the USDA will partner with at least one qualified institution to invest $10 million in the scale-up of sustainable bioproduct … [Read more...]
Survey Shows Confusion Over Meat and Alternatives
Does chicken by any other name taste like, well, chicken? Consumers might just be asking themselves that question. A survey conducted by the National Chicken Council shows that one in five Americans have purchased meat, only to later discover they accidently purchased a plant-based product. … [Read more...]
Consumer Confidence in Produce Safety Grows
Consumers encounter so many mixed messages on produce, ranging from the Dirty Dozen's disinformation to the just-eat-your-veggies slogan. How do we know if these messages are resonating with people? And maybe more importantly--who's winning? A recent survey by the Alliance for Food and Farming … [Read more...]
I lost my temper at the grocery store.
I'm not proud of it, but it happened. This older woman was picking out sweet corn. She picked up an ear, tore back the husk, and set it back on the pile. Over and over again. So I walked up next to her to grab another item and said (in the nicest voice possible), "you know, when you open the … [Read more...]
Dr. Oz Is On The Ballot Today.
And he has to lose. I'll offer an apology for my regular readers that I'm only now covering this story. I randomly heard in passing that Dr. Oz was running for the U.S. Senate. But I suppose I didn't take it very seriously. I mean, honestly, who would vote for Dr. Oz? So you'll forgive my … [Read more...]
How Do Farmers Know When to Plant?
“When Mother Nature gets her act together,” is my brother’s response to that question. This year it seems like Mother Nature is really moody. The weather this spring, at least in our area, is wet and cool. As of the date of publishing, we haven’t started planting yet. Not one seed has gone in … [Read more...]
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