From Field to Fork: How Safe is Your Food … Really? July 30, 2010
Editor’s Note: Much of this article also appears in the August 2010 issue of Arizona Agriculture, Arizona Farm Bureau’s monthly publication to Arizona Farmers and Ranchers.
By Julie Murphree, Arizona Farm Bureau
For three years now, consumer confidence in the safety of the American food supply has remained steady at nearly 50% of American consumers rating themselves as confident in the safety of U.S. foods, according to the “2010 Food & Health Survey,” which was recently conducted by the International Food Information Council Foundation.
And, individuals not confident in the safety of food and beverages fell significantly this year, …
Latest USDA Report details the Family Farm July 29, 2010
The farm I grew up on was owned by my parents, Murphree Farms. Our family was representative of the typical American farm. And today, it still holds true, 98% of U.S. farms are family owned.
According to the USDA’s Economic Research Service report “Structure and Finances of the U.S. Farms: Family Farm Report, 2010 Edition,” “Most U.S. farms — 98 percent in 2007 — are family operations, and even the largest farms are predominantly family run. Large-scale family farms and nonfamily farms account for 12 percent of U.S farms but 84 percent of the value of production. In contrast, …
Kitchen Contents Bear “USA” Labels July 28, 2010
By Dal Grooms, American Farm Bureau
U.S. manufacturers feel much-maligned by the business press, which consistently points out technology advances and productivity increases in developing markets such as China and India. Yet the National Association of Manufacturers just released a letter it wrote to the U.S. House of Representatives noting, “The United States remains the No. 1 manufacturing economy in the world, producing 21 percent of all manufactured products” in the world.
This should give one pause to stop and look at recent purchases of all types made by a typical American family to find what exactly is “Made in the USA.”
Let’s …
Corn DeTasseling: A Summer Rite On the Way Out July 27, 2010
So, growing up in the midwest did you ever detassel corn?
Mom did. Growing up in Iowa as a kid, it was a regular summer job for her and Terry, her younger brother. Though she might not miss the hot, humid work, it’s a summer job that may be changing.
Stand With the Right People July 26, 2010
By Julie Murphree, Arizona Farm Bureau
I was in Tucson this weekend for the Arizona Cattle Growers Convention. The Ranching families of this Arizona organization and those that have a dual membership in Arizona Farm Bureau are some of the most wonderful people I know. Quality people.
Greeted with hugs and smiles, tight handshakes and encouragement, the ranch families familiar with me asked all sorts of questions and got up to speed on the latest Farm Bureau news and Julie’s brand of news in general.
It’s a tough time among Arizona ranch families right now. Not just economics, but security. You could feel …
Farmers Encouraged to Participate in ‘Life in a Day’ July 22, 2010
On Saturday, farmers and ranchers are encouraged to capture video of life on the farm and post it as part of Google’s “Life in a Day” project, designed to document the lives of people around the world on one day.
Kevin Macdonald, the Oscar-winning director of films such as “The Last King of Scotland,” “Touching the Void” and “One Day in September,” will edit the most compelling footage into a feature documentary film, to be executive-produced by Ridley Scott, the director behind films like “Gladiator,” “Black Hawk Down,” “Thelma & Louise,” “Blade Runner” and “Robin Hood.”
The film will premiere …
Hickman Family Explain the Care of their Laying Hens July 21, 2010
Editor’s note: The following commentary from the Hickman family comes in the wake of a few letters to Hickman Family Farms about caging their chickens. To respond and correctly inform interested parties, Glenn Hickman and sister, Sharman, put pen to paper … or rather computer keyboard to computer. Meanwhile, Arizona Farm Bureau produced a video this year explaining the amazing production of eggs and how and why we must produce so many eggs for a growing population.
By Glenn Hickman of Hickman Family Farms
In November of 2008, the state of California passed a proposition, (Prop 2) regarding …
Renew the American Dream with Estate Tax Reform July 20, 2010
By John Hart, American Farm Bureau
Most Americans are taught from their youngest days that hard work and good planning increase the likelihood of a bright and prosperous future. In many ways, this is the American ethos—a key to the American dream.
Another distinctly American wish is for the next generation to experience a better life than the current. All parents want their children to do better than they did, and this hope is even greater for their grandchildren. Throughout our nation’s history this hope has held true.
For farmers, ranchers and other small business owners, the expectation is that their heirs will …
Continued Litigation on Public Lands Could Mean an End to Grazing July 14, 2010
Your tax dollars fund Environmental Groups’ Suits
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the July 2010 issue of Arizona Agriculture, Arizona Farm Bureau’s monthly publication for farmers and ranchers.
By Ty Kelly & Anita Waite, Mohave County Farm Bureau and Bonnie Jones & Philip Bashaw, Arizona Farm Bureau
Through the use of litigation, various environmental groups in Arizona are hampering government land management agencies’ ability to fulfill their mission. Arizona Farm Bureau members, many of whom depend upon leasing federal lands for their livelihood, are taking action.
For overview, these leases are predominately for grazing cattle and sheep. Grazing fees bring in more …
Growing for the Local Market: It Needs Your Ag Product July 13, 2010
By Julie Murphree, Arizona Farm Bureau
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the July 2010 issue of Arizona Farm Bureau
Yuma farmer Tim Dunn of Tim Dunn Farms already had a diverse crop portfolio. These included seed and specialty crops, black-eyed peas and garbanzo beans, wheat and even kosher wheat for a New York community. This array of crops represents various markets, too.
A third-generation farmer and someone always considering market opportunities, Dunn couldn’t imagine why the direct markets might need his grower expertise and product until Cindy Gentry heard about him.
Discussing the direct market with Arizona Farm Bureau, Cindy …
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