By
Andrew | November 28, 2012
In a recent test of pork chop and ground-pork samples from six U.S. cities, Consumer Reports found low levels of ractopamine in almost one-fifth of the 240 pork products analyzed, as well as a range of other nasties – including several strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Ractopamine is a growth promoter drug. It is widely used on intensive livestock farms in the U.S. because it increases the rate of weight gain and carcass leanness in pigs, cattle and turkey. It’s estimated that up to 80 percent of the U.S. pig herd is fed the drug every year. Of course, the drug doesn’t come without its costs.
By
Animal Welfare Approved | November 20, 2012
Tony and Sue Marzolino raise their AWA-certified laying hens on Marz Farm in Berkshire, NY. Sitting at the southern tip of the Finger Lakes region in upstate NY, the land has been actively farmed since 1887. The newest owners, Tony and Sue, raise their hens on pasture following the highest welfare standards in the U.S. and sell the eggs locally. They also grow organic hay and vegetables on the farm. For more information, visit the farm’s website at www.marzfarm.com.
Kristin Goettlicher had no farming background growing up, but she always wanted a home with land somewhere in the country. Her husband, Matt, was raised on a small farm and in 2009 the couple was finally able to buy a small farm for themselves.
Eve’s Orchards is comprised of an organic apple orchard with a variety of tree cultivars and rootstocks, ranging from recently established to long-standing mature trees. The Goettlichers grow many fruits and vegetables, and they are now experimenting with growing grain crops. All of the crops grown on their farm are traditional, open pollinated varieties. In fact, Kristin is a member of the Seed Savers Exchange and Minnesota Grown. “I am starting to experiment with plant breeding and hope to develop some open pollinated varieties that are tasty, beautiful, and suited to our northern climate,” says Kristin. “I enjoy growing my own food, learning skills, and trying to be self-sufficient.”
Cold Creek Ranch is a 12,000-acre operation split between the western side of the Lower San Pedro River Valley and the Mogollon Rim along the New Mexico border. As an AWA source farm for beef cattle, Cold Creek Ranch is approved to raise and sell cattle to other AWA-certified farms.
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Animal Welfare Approved | November 19, 2012
This Thanksgiving, give thanks for pasture-raised food. Watch this video to see why pasture-raised products are so special.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7JRQuMETZA&feature=youtu.be
Barbara and James Berry raise laying hens and dairy goats on 15 acres at Wildest Dreams Farm near Clinton, in the sand hills of North Carolina. They both felt a passion for sustainable agriculture early in their careers. Following inspiration from Barbara’s paternal grandfather, who often said a person will be happiest while working with the land, the two farmers created Wildest Dreams Farm together.
Jeneen Wiche and her husband, Andy Smart, took over at Swallow Rail Farm in 2003. Since then, they have focused on developing and marketing a diverse range of foods direct to consumers. Starting first with fruits and vegetables, the couple has now mastered raising a healthy flock of AWA laying hens, and is in the process of branching out into meat production, too.
By
Andrew | November 5, 2012
Last week, the “No on 37” campaign was called out for allegedly misusing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s logo on a campaign flyer opposing the labeling of genetically modified (GM) ingredients in food.
The “No on 37” campaign flyer includes the FDA logo next to a quote (allegedly) from the FDA which states that a GM labeling policy like Prop 37 would be “inherently misleading.”
The clear implication from this flyer is that the FDA stands with the “No on 37” campaign and opposes the labeling of GM ingredients in food. Yet according to a Reuters report, FDA spokeswoman Morgan Liscinsky has clearly stated that the agency had made no such statement and had no position on the initiative.
With over three decades of ranching from north to south Florida, the Sampson family knows beef. Jeff and Janet Sampson, along with their son, Jared, and daughter, Jessica, raise a growing herd of 70 Animal Welfare Approved Black Angus momma cows on 200 acres in north-central Florida. The farm sits on top of the Suwannee Valley River Basin and natural springs feed its ponds, providing some of the cleanest water around.
