A Third of the Honeybees Didn’t Survive the Winter April 30, 2010
More than a third of the nation’s managed honeybee colonies were lost this past winter. The USDA Ag Research Service and Apiary Inspectors of America survey found starvation, poor weather and weak colonies going into the winter as the top reasons for the losses. The 33.8 percent loss compares to a 29 percent loss in the winter of 2008-2009 and 35.8 percent in the winter of 2007-2008.
Around 28 percent of the beekeepers reported their colonies perished without any dead bees present, a possible sign of Colony Collapse Disorder. This group also suffered substantially heavier losses than those without signs of …
Eat Your Veggies, Even Ones You’ve Never Tried Before! April 29, 2010
[caption id="attachment_1597" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Swiss Chard from Kelly Saxer's Desert Roots Farm"][/caption]By Julie Murphree
I recently joined a community supported agriculture (CSA) farm where I now get fresh vegetables delivered weekly to my front door. But now I’ve got to cook!
That’s a lot to ask of me, you know. I’m not a cook. I’m a great eater. A hearty eater, in fact. So, maybe my next step is to engage a personal chef.
But, first things first; what’s this CSA thing anyway?
I’ve purchased the 12-weeks spring season of vegetables. But being only one person (plus a college student renter), I’m only …
Food for Thought: Do You Need Farmers for a Farmers Market?
Growers Try to Weed Out Produce Poseurs as Sour Grapes Taint Blossoming Trend
Local farmer Ronald Waege, who grows his own apples and blueberries just outside of town, says resellers are buying up produce at an auction and peddling it here, sometimes undercutting his own prices. Mr. Waege, who insists he’s looking after the interests of consumers, has prodded the Tomah City (Wisconsin) Council to decide whether or not to ban resellers from the market. The council plans to vote on the issue next month.
Julie’s Notes: I also recently wrote an article about Farmers’ Markets in Arizona and how more farmers’ …
Agriculture’s Environmental Success Story: Growing More with Less April 28, 2010
[caption id="attachment_1590" align="alignright" width="133" caption="Bob Stallman, AFBF President"][/caption]
By Bob Stallman, American Farm Bureau President
The latest National Resources Inventory (NRI) report, released April 27 by the Agriculture Department’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, puts some substantial meat on the bones of an environmental message farmers and ranchers have long conveyed—that they are careful and caring stewards of our nation’s natural resources.
After scanning the massive NRI survey results, another very clear message has emerged: American agriculture is producing more with less. After looking over the NRI and the latest USDA productivity figures it becomes apparent that the shrinking environmental …
Noah’s Ark Discovered in a World Gone Wild
How ironic that Noah’s Art might possibily have been discovered in a time when the world seems to grow more and more godless. Here in America our president even seems to shun anything faith-based. How will the National Day of Prayer be treated? In any other time would Franklin Graham have been dis-invited to the Pentagon?
If Noah’s Art was truly discovered, what a story of mankind’s continuing saga to exhault himself above a Holy God. Is anybody listening?
Vilsack Emphasizes Broadband, Biotech and Biofuels April 27, 2010
Broadband, biotechnology and biofuels can be as important to economic development in rural America as traditional farm supports, says Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
In a luncheon address Monday to the North American Agricultural Journalists, Vilsack said the United States needs a broad approach to farm policy that includes quality jobs as well. Broadband Internet service, biofuels and biotechnology could create jobs in small towns and spur economic growth, according to Vilsack.
The agriculture secretary denied allegations that his focus on local food and rural development threatens to turn farming areas into bedroom communities. “That’s total nonsense,” Vilsack said. “What is a bedroom …
Arizona Legacy Beef is Built on Legacy April 26, 2010
[caption id="attachment_1581" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Their Criollo cattle are of Spanish decent, a breed that produces a very tasty meat"][/caption]By Julie Murphree, Arizona Farm Bureau.
I’ve fallen in love with another Arizona ranch family. When you meet Danny and Kacie Tomerlin of Arizona Legacy Beef in Humboldt, Arizona you will too.
Participants on Fill Your Plate and members of Arizona Farm Bureau, the young couple have poured their heart, soul and mind into their unique ranching operation. Arizona Legacy Beef is another all natural, grass-fed beef operation. But, it’s different. Much of it is about the Criollo breed of cattle they …
Lord, Grant Grandma Howard a View from Heaven! April 22, 2010
Local Arizona food celebrity Jan D’Atri has discovered Grandma Howard’s pie and in the process discovered my Grandma Howard. Jan has featured Grandma Lucille Howard’s Apple pie on her web site. Lord, grant Grandma a view from heavon. It’s a sweet (in more ways than one) tribute to my grandma!
AFBF Responds to Error-Filled Sunday Comic April 21, 2010
Dairy farmers across the nation are upset about an error-filled and rhetorically loaded Sunday comic strip aimed at providing facts to kids, and American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman is helping them set the record straight. The comic strip “You Can with Beakman and Jax,” carried in syndication and printed in newspapers across the nation, focused on a dairy theme this past Sunday. The strip was rife with blatant misrepresentations about America’s dairies and leaned heavily on the use of overheated rhetorical terms such as “factory” rather than farms.
In a letter to cartoonist Jok Church, copied to the president …
America’s Heartland Features Earth Day Episode April 19, 2010
A special Earth Day edition of “America’s Heartland,” the public television show that celebrates American agriculture, has been produced and posted to the “America’s Heartland” website. It has also been posted to AFBF’s Voice of Agriculture website.
Earth Day is April 22, but the show is available for viewing and sharing now, according to the show’s producers.
In celebration of Earth Day, the producers of “America’s Heartland” said they wanted to share some of their favorite stories about people they’ve met who are true environmental stewards.
The “America’s Heartland” Earth Day Webisode includes the following four stories:
Story one is …
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