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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The Danger of Dirt (And Nature)

July 27, 2012

The beautiful thing about this time of the year is undoubtedly the fresh produce available, especially from farmer’s markets and roadside stands. What could be better than buying local, fresh produce right from the farmer that grew it?

Of course, that makes people at the FDA and other government agencies a little nervous. If it isn’t packaged, who knows what terrors may be lurking in the food! Such is the sentiment from this news station, which decided to highlight the dangers of buying produce at open air markets. Reportedly, this danger comes from researchers:

Purdue experts also noted that conditions at farmers markets pose unique food safety risks since products are sold outdoors where they’re exposed to dirt, insects and other potential contaminants.

Look, I don’t mean to be Captain Obvious here (although sometimes that and a little common sense is exactly what we need), but aren’t we missing a pretty obvious point?

Produce is grown outside…in the dirt…and exposed to insects and other “contaminants.” I understand we need to be more careful with meat and farm products that can spoil, but I’m not sure where this concern about being outside with dirt comes from.

The idea that dirt is dirty is found throughout the FDA’s recommendations for melons, too. We know melon rinds can be difficult to clean once contaminated, but the FDA goes far enough to suggest melon-soil contact should be minimized. In a moment of enlightenment, the recommendations let us know: “Melons frequently directly contact soil during growth and development.”

No joke.

The FDA also wants farmers to evaluate the soil in the fields and find ways to minimize the soil from getting wet where the plants are growing.

Look, we’ve been growing produce in the ground for quite a long time (since we’ve been growing food, probably). While some suggestions for reducing potential sources of contamination are helpful and common sense, this hysteria about food safety is getting out of control. At what point do we just start growing our food in science labs?

Eliminating dirt and considering it a “contaminant” is ridiculous. It is also completely out of touch with how food is actually grown on our family farms. And, normally, we don’t have massive outbreaks of food borne illnesses simply because we grow our food in the dirt. If that was case, human beings would not have lasted until this point.

Besides, do we really want to envision a future where it is considered “dangerous” for our food to be grown naturally?

Just in case you are concerned, the news station has a list of other safety concerns and how to avoid them. My favorite is making sure the person at the farm market is “neat and clean.” Please, don’t go pick that produce from the dirt and then try to sell it with dirt on your clothes! It’s better to pretend there was no dirt involved at all.

No wonder people from the city have no idea how food is grown.

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Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: FDA, federal government, food safety, fruit, FSMA, regulations

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
Some of the #soybeans are starting to turn--finall Some of the #soybeans are starting to turn--finally!
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. ๐Ÿ˜ Sunsets on the #farm are the best. ๐Ÿ˜
๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿ’œ ๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿ’œ
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!

#nationaldogday๐Ÿถ 
#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
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