Did you miss today’s episode of Anderson Live? See Rebecca, a show viewer attend The Food Dialogues: New York and visit Blythe Angus ranch to get answers to her questions about meat.
Each day consumers have questions about how their food is grown and raised – and who better to answer those questions than a farmer or rancher? Each week we’re highlighting an Anderson Live viewer question from our Facebook along with a farmer/rancher answer. Today, we are exploring “Do farmers rotate their crops? What is the benefit of this practice?”
Here’s what our farmer/rancher expert says:
FROM STARTRIBUNE ON OCTOBER 16, 2012
By Suzzane Vold
Once upon a time, as Johnny circled home base and Jane mastered cartwheels, moms sat in the bleachers, sharing the latest family news and swapping recipes based on meals they’d shared. The world has changed since then. We still gossip (let’s admit, who doesn’t?) and we still talk food. But, while our moms focused on bringing food to the table, we’re talking about how our food is grown and raised, before it ends up in our shopping carts.
We strive to serve healthy foods to our family, but we wonder about whether that glass of milk is safe and wholesome? Are farm animals treated humanely? Are we confident in the environmental stewardship of our farmers?
U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance continues to move the dialogue forward between farmers and ranchers and key influencers and consumers, answering questions and bringing to light how food is grown and raised. On June 20-21, 2012, farmers and ranchers head to Los Angeles – the entertainment capital of the world – for the second Food Dialogues event. Four separate discussions – held over two days – will bring together entertainment movers and shakers, chefs, academics, large restaurant operators, journalists, local leaders, farmers and ranchers for an in-depth conversation about food.
The New York Times announced in March a contest on whether it’s ethical to eat meat – calling all carnivores. In conjunction with this contest, we asked those who were planning to submit an essay to share theirs with us. We received more than 20 and here’s your chance to read them.
The Times announced their winner on May 3, and while it wasn’t one of the essays we received, here’s your opportunity to read why it is ethical to eat meat.
Farmer Brian Scott recently blogged about the importance of talking to consumers to listen to their concerns but also to clear up possible misperceptions around how farmers grow and raise food. Check out an excerpt from his blog about how he thinks it’s imperative for farmers do a better job connecting with consumers.
Tweet moms hear how their food is grown and raised – from a farmer and rancher
Moms are clearly mindful about what they feed their families, and following March’s Tweet chat, it’s clear they want to hear from farmers and ranchers about how their food is grown and raised. Tweets flooded #FoodD last week as USFRA hosted an online Twitter event – aka a “Tweet Chat” or “Twitter Party” – for moms, farmers and ranchers. Jeff Fowler, a farmer and rancher, was on hand to answer questions and provided insights into how he grows and raises food on his farm in California.
Take a look at some of the key questions and responses moms have regarding how their food is grown and raised.
USFRA Hosts Discussion in Chicago with Food Bloggers Last week, USFRA organized a breakfast discussion in Chicago at a local restaurant with 16 farmers and ranchers from around the country and six local food bloggers. There was no structured presentation, allowing bloggers to eat breakfast with actual farmers and ranchers in a casual setting. While at the table, discussions centered around farmers and ranchers family backgrounds and how their farms or ranches operate. Bloggers also had the opportunity to ask the farmers and rancher their questions.
FROM FOX NEWS ON MARCH 30, 2012
As a mother and RD, I have been curious about hormones in foods and whether or not they are a cause for concern. Hormones are in many foods – including plants. Instead of covering all foods, I am going to focus on cows. There is a lot of marketing that goes into products- especially milk and beef, which creates fear among consumers about the safety of our food supply.
Emily Webel gives us a glimpse into life on her grain and cow/calf operation on her blog Confessions of a Farm Wife, while sharing the joys of teaching her girls about farming. One of her recent blog posts talked about taking her kids to see an agricultural exhibit at a children’s museum. Check out what she has to say about the importance of encouraging farm visits by families and making sure young people get the whole story about farming.
To read more, visit her blog at www.webelfamilyfarm.blogspot.com
Today is Food Day, a day to promote "healthy, affordable food produced in a sustainable, humane way." This I support. But some of the lofty ideas, biased language and unsupportable premises offered by the promoters I do not support.
By Robyn Flipse
Many people have asked farmers and ranchers what we think about World Food Day, organized by the Food & Agriculture Organization of the U.N. (October 16) and Food Day, sponsored by the Center for Science in the Public Interests (October 24). In a month focused on food and Food Days, it is essential that farmers and ranchers continue our commitment to listening to Americans and to show our support for producing healthy choices for people everywhere. We can find common ground with many different voices on this purpose – even if we disagree on more granular issues.
It´s been said that the average American today has a richer, healthier, more varied diet than the wealthiest people enjoyed a century ago. A visit to any supermarket confirms that impression.
The way people shop for food has changed almost as much as the food they shop for. And it continues to evolve. For some people, it´s a case of “back to the future”-- relying on locally sourced products and farmers' markets, or making a daily trip to the grocery, the produce market and the butcher.
LANSING – The U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA), comprised of prominent national, regional and state agricultural groups and their partners including the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), has announced plans to lead a conversation with Americans, addressing concerns about their food, where it comes from and how it’s raised.
Read the full post at Drovers Cattle Network
Our mission is to relate to consumers; answer their questions; and build trust,” says Bob Stallman, chairman of U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance.
View the full post at agprofessional.com
This Week in Louisiana Agriculture’s Hillary Whittaker travels to New Orleans.
It seems like everyone is talking about agriculture and food production these days, except those closest to it – farmers and ranchers. That’s the motivation behind a new initiative the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance announced this week at the Agricultural Media Summit in New Orleans.
When Bob Stallman’s daughter called him a month ago to ask him if drinking milk would be bad for her kids, he knew farmers had an image problem.
By Vicky Boyd, Editor, The Grower
Whether it’s the Environmental Working Group’s “Dirty Dozen” list or Michael Pollan’s documentary Food Inc., agriculture is having to increasingly defend itself against widespread public criticism.
Washington–The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance, comprised of prominent national, regional and state agricultural groups and their partners, today announced plans to lead a conversation with Americans, addressing concerns about their food, where it comes from and how it’s raised.
Read the full post at Idaho Farm Bureau News
