The Farmer's Daughter USA

Hi, I'm Amanda! My family farms corn and soybeans in Southwest Michigan. I'm also a practicing attorney.

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Maryland Family Farm Under Attack

October 25, 2012

There is a major case taking place in Maryland right now.

Waterkeeper Alliance, a radical environmental group headed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is suing Hudson farms and Perdue, the company that contracted to purchase Hudson’s  chickens, over a suspicious pile of…something.

Here’s what happened. Kathy Phillips, the self-proclaimed Assateague Coastkeeper, was flying over property in the area in order to find what she considered violations of federal environmental laws. Essentially, Phillips was looking for a lawsuit (under certain federal provisions, if a private citizen brings a lawsuit to enforce federal law, they may get all of their legal fees reimbursed by the government). What she spotted was a pile of what she thought was chicken manure. Tests in the area revealed that the nearby ditches carried high levels of nitrogen and other things. So Phillips teamed up with Waterkeeper Alliance and filed an intent to sue under the Clean Water Act.

The state of Maryland looked into the matter and realized the pile was actually legally purchased fertilizer; it was just being stored improperly. The Hudsons were told to move the pile and a fee was levied against them.  There was nothing to indicate that the pile or anything else on the farm had caused the higher levels of nitrogen in the nearby water.

But Waterkeepers Alliance and Phillips decided to go ahead with the suit anyway.

The case is so important though because not only did the sue Hudson Farms, they also sued Perdue. Perdue purchases the birds from Hudson Farms once they are full grown. The lawsuit claims Perdue is just as responsible for what happened on Hudson Farms as the Hudsons are, if the suit is successful.

The problem is, if this suit is successful, it changes who can be sued. Until now, a contractor up the chain could not be sued for what the farmer or someone else did down the line. This suit changes that and makes everyone up the line liable. As you can imagine, that means those larger buyers would now want more control over what is happening on the farms. It also means that when environmentalists bring up bogus lawsuits, they have some deeper pockets to settle with (in addition to not paying a dime of legal fees).

The trial just wrapped up yesterday. As soon as I hear the outcome, I’ll make sure to share it.

In the meantime, if you want to learn more or donate to support the Hudson family, check out Save Farm Families.

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Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: family farms, farm economy, food safety, legal, media, truth

Hi, I'm Amanda. My family farms corn and soybeans in Southwest Michigan. I'm an attorney and I'm passionate about agriculture!

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thefarmersdaughterusa

I'm Amanda. My family farms corn and soybeans in Southwest Michigan. I'm an attorney by day, and "agvocate" at night.

Amanda Zaluckyj
Green soybeans as far as the eye can see. I took Green soybeans as far as the eye can see. 

I took this photo over the weekend. These beans should be turning yellow and drying for harvest. So why aren't they? Because...the spring drought.

Seeds need water to germinate. But after we planted we didn't have rain for weeks. So those seeds just sat in the dirt and never sprouted. Then, finally, it rained. And the tiny plants started popping up.

The problem? It was several weeks too late for planting. The question is whether they'll be ready to harvest before the snow flies. We have shorter seasons in Michigan, so it'll be close.
Sunsets on the #farm are the best. 😍 Sunsets on the #farm are the best. 😍
💜💜 💜💜
Don't let anyone make you feel bad about not purch Don't let anyone make you feel bad about not purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables. It all counts.

#modernagriculture #foodproduction #usfarmers #usagriculture #usfarms #food #knowyourfarmer #knowyourfood #modernag #farms #sustainableagriclture #sustainablefarming
I visited one of my favorite local farm stands ove I visited one of my favorite local farm stands over the weekend. I thought I'd buy a couple zucchini and cantaloupe. But the zucchini looked more like clubs, and the cantaloupe was too ripe for my taste. So I passed on those and bought some tomatoes that maybe cost more than I would have preferred.

But you know what I didn't do? I didn't complain about the zucchinis' size. I didn't fuss about the melons' ripeness. I didn't criticize the tomatoes' price. Instead, I smiled at the lovely lady and made small talk as I paid and went about my day. 

Why? Because I remember what it was like being out by the side of the road hot day after hot day. I know that we all poured everything we had into that produce. I remember how defeating it felt when some criticized it. I know that the price is probably around market value, even if it's cheaper in the grocery store. And I know that the farm family behind that cash register is giving everything they have to chase a dream.

I won't be the one to rain on their parade. 

#Respect
Happy #nationaldogday from Mischa! #nationaldogda Happy #nationaldogday from Mischa!

#nationaldogday🐶 
#pittiemix 
#blacklab 
#mischa
Mischa and I are home on the farm for the weekend. Mischa and I are home on the farm for the weekend. And we're loving it.
It isn't one or the other. Farmers care about all It isn't one or the other. Farmers care about all of it.

#agriculture #farming #sustainablefarming #sustainability
I threw a birthday party for Mischa! It was over t I threw a birthday party for Mischa! It was over the top and wonderful. And she had so much fun surrounded by people that love her. 💕

Thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate my little love. 💜
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