This has been a full week of media coverage of farms and farm issues. Tuesday The Farmer and I went to a webcast talk by Joel Salatin of Polyface Farms fame. I have mixed feelings on Mr. Salatin's approach to farming--I love his article "Everything I Want To Do Is Illegal" but have issues with how he "makes a living farming" by taking in unpaid interns and by earning honorariums speaking around the country.
Today I read that agriculture and animal science are considered to be among the most useless college degrees (according to Yahoo, so I'm not giving it much weight, but still...).
Within the last few weeks, I found out that two local businesses that we are involved with are sympathetic to the work of the Humane Society of the US. I can't tell you how much the HSUS leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Do your homework before you support them. HSUS is an activist group that is very good at raising money to promote its causes. Its causes include eliminating animal agriculture, pet ownership and the eating of meat. All things that are sort of dear to my heart.
Yesterday McDonald's launched its PR campaign called "Meet The Farmers." The vitriolic comments on twitter and other social media were astonishing. There's a lot of folks who hate McDonald's and by extention, anyone who raises food for McDonald's menus. I'm not one who advocates a steady diet of Mickey-Ds, but they only sell what people buy.
I guess I'm glad that agriculture is in the news. I just wish I didn't feel like most of the news was an onslaught against farming in the US.
Sigh...I know what you mean, Lona ;( Sometimes it just seems like to much more to deal with on top of the day to day work! Recently we have been subjected to quite loud verbal "attacks", these from various family members who seemed to jump at the chance to go on and on about the stupidity and foolishness (their words, not mine)of those of us who continue to hold on to the dream and the reality of farming. This coming from folks who have benefited over the years from our "efforts". Its hard to know whether to be more hurt or angry.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, just wanted to let you know I'm still faithfully reading your blog, just not always able to post a comment ;) From your pretty pictures, it looks like you are enjoying the snow! We finally have a little bit. Take care!
That's exactly it, Cary. It's too much to deal with to fend off attacks when you are working so hard just to keep up with all the work.
DeleteI think it is interesting that some of my local churches will hold "Fair Trade" markets for things that are from Nicaragua or Guatemala but talk to them about the local farmer getting a fair price for the food he produces and they give you a blank look. They just don't understand how much work is involved especially with a subsistence farm.
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