This isn’t the first time that ecosystems in the Gulf of Mexico have been threatened by toxic substances from human activity. Excessive nutrient runoff in rivers such as the Mississippi and the Atchafalaya, has created unnaturally high nitrate levels in the river deltas and large areas of the northern Gulf of Mexico. This condition of “Hypoxia”, or low oxygen, has created a “Dead Zone” that can no longer support living aquatic organisms. Now, there is still some debate around the specific causes and sources of all the excessive nitrogen creating the dead zone, but it seems pretty obvious that it’s another man made problem. It’s also pretty difficult to deny that a leading contributor of excessive nutrient runoff is chemical based fertilizer that washes into various river systems from farmers’ fields. However, the cause and effect of this environmental catastrophe isn’t as easy to pin point as the obvious leak from the BP oil well that currently threatens the Gulf of Mexico. When a disaster of this magnitude happens suddenly and has a single cause that can be blamed, it’s easy to point our fingers at the culprit and demand an immediate response and some lasting consequences. It’s easy to demand and expect some real change. But when it comes to the complicated issue of polluting our waterways, where fertilizer runoff is only one part of the problem, it’s a lot harder to measure the effects and also a lot harder to convince an industry to make changes.

One can only hope that events like this will cause our industrial world to stop and rethink the way we are doing things, and realize the true price that is paid by the environment as a consequence of our insatiable desire for cheap energy and cheap food, and excessive consumption of natural resources. Hopefully, we will start to find more environmentally responsible ways of producing food and energy, without the need for a disaster to motivate us.

I have been starting to think about all the things that need to be addressed in the very near future. Obviously for most farmer they are starting to get prepared and thinking about the state of their fields and what the year will look like for them. When they will start, will there be enough moisture, all of the usual stuff.  It seems like I am in a race against time. I can’t find quite enough time in the day to do some research on what I will need to get done.

This year my Husband and I are doing our own garden. This is the first year we have been able to do this. I had gardens when I was younger but there is no way I remember everything from then. So, I am looking for suggestions on really great ways to get my soil ready for planting?!

What did you do to get ready to plant?  What’s happening on your farm right now to get ready for the busy season ahead?

A quick overview of the show for anyone who has not seen or heard of it. Jamie Oliver has a message on his website for the show that says “I believe that every child in America has the right to fresh, nutritious school meals, and that every family deserves real, honest, wholesome food. Too many people are being affected by what they eat. It’s time for a national revolution. America needs to stand up for better food!”  His show is based out of the community Huntington, WV.  And Associated Press story used federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data to proclaim the five-county Huntington metropolitan area the country’s fattest and unhealthiest.  In the first episode Jamie starts his journey in Huntington at the school cafeteria.

He is not met with the kindest of receptions. The majority of the people around him on the show seem reluctant and angry that he is even there, trying to change them.  It was really fascinating to watch but at the same time a little bit scary. I know some things can be edited to make for a better show, but there truly were some really disappointing sections of the show. Like seeing the cooks for the food program at the school say that they did not see a problem with feeding the kids pizza for breakfast!!  I could not imagine sending my child to school knowing that is what they are going to start their day with.  The scariest part to me was that the things the kids were being fed actually met the standards they were told to!!

I am not the greatest cook that there is, I do OK but really could use some more time in the kitchen. Luckily my Husband is a great cook. We eat quite well. After seeing this show it makes me want to do even better. It makes me want to make sure that the things we are eating as a family are healthy and going to give our kids the best shot at a healthy life as possible.

Did you watch the show? What did you think? Did it inspire you to make any changes with your family?

I am not too sure what I think about this. I am personally not a supporter of PETA. I  obviously believe in supporting ethical treatment of animals, I think most farmers do.

The latest incident involved a pie and the Federal Fisheries Minister Gail Shea.   It is now being asked that PETA be looked at to see if they have crossed a line attacking a federal minister.  The article explains that: “Canada’s Criminal Code describes a terrorist organization as any group that disrupts lawful activities to commit an act for political, religious or ideological purposes and that causes the public to be intimidated.” – CBC Article

What do you think? Should PETA be labelled as terrorists or should they be left alone?

As the film progressed not only did you see the heartbreaking trapping and killing of the dolphins, but you learned what they were wanting to do with some of the dolphin meat as well as what they were already doing.

A recent study shows that, on average dolphin meat contains approximately 5 times the amount of mercury exposure recommended by organizations like the Food and Drug Administration.  The film also depicts that after doing some testing in a lab, stores in Japan were already selling the mercury heavy dolphin meat to the general public. BUT it was under false pretenses the packaging only informed the consumer that it was ‘whale meat’ .

Then they wanted to go ahead and put this dolphin meat into the mandatory school lunch programs.  At the end of the film we did find out that the thanks to the help of two city councillors the dolphin meat was pulled from the lunch menu!

So what do we do? It seems like more and more stories trickle out every year about our food that is so negative its  a wonder people even feel safe purchasing food or know that it was killed humanely. Where are the voices pushing the good things about food? Telling people where they can find safe food! There are obviously farmers out there doing good, and doing things in a safe manner…so SPEAK UP!! It’s also time we speak up to things like this dolphin situation. Yeah I know they are not exactly a farm animal but I urge you to watch the show and then decide that you don’t want to speak up!

In fact until I did some reading that 71% of Fortune 500 companies use mentoring programs – that is a huge number - I have often sort of pushed the thought of a mentor to the side. I mean I know everything I need to…right?! I mean I grew up on a farm I possibly could not need to know much more than I already do.  Then a sort of calm reality hits. I know a lot about nothing!!

Ok not nothing. A lot of the things I know about are very valuable. But being a part of FarmOn.com has really taught me some amazing things about business that I had no clue about before. I now look at things more with a business mind than I ever had.  Even after being in this company for as long as I have, I can now look and see that a mentor in certain areas would be so beneficial. Especially in an area like finances.

It was rather humbling to realize I did not have all the answers and that there just might be someone out there who knows more than I do But coming to that realization gave me a sense of relief, just acknowledging that it is something I want and need.

Do you have mentor? In what areas do you think you would benefit from one?

I have been looking at the way we live. My husband and I do a pretty good job of trying to make some changes to be a little ‘greener’. We compost, recycle, walk when we can, buy local (as often as possible) and try to eat very few processed foods.  Now, i am not saying we have it all right or that we are even doing the things we do, perfectly. We still contribute in different ways to things that are not great for our environment.

My first thought is I am not going to beat myself up for not doing things perfectly. The point is we are very aware of our choices. But, I think this next year I would like to look at some of the things and see what we can do more of….or less of. Figure out ways we can fine tune some of our green living ways.

Next year we are going to be having our own garden (we finally own our own place so its easier), use our own compost. My husband is hoping to grow enough that he can also preserve excess veggies so we have them past the season. We are also looking into energy efficient vehicles. Buying local has been pretty easy for us already….but even easier next year. My sister will be producing chickens and pork so we will have easy access to meats and eggs (we already get all our beef local).

As of right now the next year is looking promising. It seems like our resolutions will be reachable. Have you put any thought into resolutions? Maybe pick one meat to buy local, or find a local vegetable producer…..

Recently I had to go into the travel nurse to get caught up on some shots, so I can head to Central America, she asked me if I had intentions of getting the vaccine?!  Hmmm….I couldn’t answer her question. Instead I turned it on her and asked if she was. She sort of seemed unconcerned and shrugged her shoulders saying she wasn’t sure. I told her I was having a hard time deciding. Especially since if you search you hear such conflicting reports. In one article you can read that the vaccine and the flu altogether are a hoax and a way for pharmaceutical companies to make big money. Then in the next one you read that it could cause up to 90,000 deaths in the U.S. alone (http://tinyurl.com/kndf84).

So, I really don’t know what to do.  I am not sure if I should just trust that the vaccine is what’s best for me, or believe that i have been able to battle every other flu without a shot and this one will be no different.  Being a young woman looking to conceive in the next year also throws a wrench into it. Since it appears pregnant woman are being attacked by this flu.  The overload of information, that is constantly conflicting, leaves me at a standstill in the middle of a storm that I don’t know if I should run and take cover ….or dance in the rain ?

Have you decided what to do? Or do you have any good links to well balanced information?

Today was the second kind of reading. It is no shock to anyone that there has been a lot of media on Michael Pollan. He has a couple of very popular books out on food and sustainable farming. Now I do have to say I myself have not read his books yet. In some ways I am reluctant. There are so many people who love the books and really get inspired and motivated to make changes and seek more information. THEN you have the people who are so turned off by what he has to say they are willing to do anything to stop him from spreading his word.

I read an article about a man in California that threatened to pull his funding if the University allowed Pollan to give a lecture! ( http://tinyurl.com/yh5mudx ) The man who threatened this is the Chairman of Harris Ranch Beef Co. Which to my understanding is a feedlot in California.  It is my belief that responses just like this are huge part of why farming gets such a bad name in the media.

Now, I am all for defending what we do and why we do it. But, shutting down someone who is of different opinion by force is not going to be very affective. If we can learn to listen to the other side and logically and calmly debate the points and give the reasons why we do the things we do on farms and feedlots etc. I think people would have a far better understanding of our world. Jumping to defense by disclaiming someone like Pollan really is not going to push us forward in anyway. And reality is he might actually have some good points!

I don’t believe that we can set up a system the way we have and not expect that at some point we are going to have to look at the sustainability of it and the effects it is having on our environment and economy. It is time we take a look at how we are running and see what kind of changes we can make to have a more sustainable system. I know when I see that a few cases of BSE can literally bring a billion dollar industry to it’s knees….that’s when it is time to take a look and see what we can do!  The lost connection between the farmer and consumer is proving to have grave affects on our industry. It’s time to reconnect and build that relationship back to what it once was!

THEN….I discovered other people using twitter. There are a few people who tweet too much for my liking, it starts to feel like spam. But, it is proving to be a very effective communication tool. One of the FarmOn partners discovered a chat on Twitter called #agchat.  This is a chat that is every Tuesday, it is moderated and has a new (sort of controlled) topic.

Last Tuesdays was about youth in agriculture. I started out like everyone else on the chat, I introduced myself and tried to keep up. It didn’t help that I totally had a mental lapse and was removing the #agchat from the end of my sentences …thus leaving me frustrated that my tweets were not showing up. Someone kindly did fill me in!   The conversation really got me thinking. I agreed with a lot that was said…and well….my view point slightly differed from a lot of what was said.

I believe our youth in agriculture problem is a lot bigger than trying to get everyone to take a 4 year degree program so they can become better farmers and/or support the farm through a ‘real’ job(not that anyone on there used those terms….but I know people out there think it!).  I have watched a countless number of my friends go into diploma programs or degrees to learn about….production?!  Isn’t that what they spent most of their life doing already. Reality is we know how to produce. It’s the business end of things that needs help. And not in a stuffy classroom from some professor who likely has not marketed a farm in years, if ever!  We need to learn from our peers. We need to learn from the innovative farmers out there who are making it happen!

We also have problems beyond that. We have farms who have never addressed succession planning. Farms that the 70 year old grandpa or father is still running the show, like I said they know how to produce the heck outta anything. But our world has changed people want to know the farmer more intimately….how do they want to do that?  I would say Social Media is a big one. Places like Facebook and Twitter are exploding with people sharing ideas, pitching their product, connecting and networking.

So I ask….is there a place for tweets on your farm?