Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food

[Fridays Child]

Run time: 01:45 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tms8ye8mw_k   Posted on YouTube: September 14, 2009 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: September 20, 2009 By DU Member: Fridays Child Views on DU: 418

 
This is from the USDA? Forgive my cynicism but what's the catch? I'll be gobsmacked, if there's not something in this for ADM, Cargill, or Monsanto.

[JHB]

1. Here's some of the YouTube responses...

...more at the site.

From YouTube user homesweetfarm:
I'm a local farmer serving Houston with the largest CSA program in the area. We have been working to create a network of local farmers to serve more people and to expand our program. The help that local farmers need is the funding to create cooperative packing and distribution centers in the rural landscape along with the technical assistance to grow more growers. Small diversified vegetable growers have been largely ignored by Texas extension services so over the last 5 years we have been developing these programs on our own without any outside assistance. Considering our website has received over 1.3 million hits the last year proves we are on the right track. This new initiative by the USDA is encouraging, I'm just wondering how it can specifically help us. A current concern that we have is the regulatory issues that will burden small producers, i.e. the National Animal ID System and the Food Safety Enhancement Act (HR2749). No matter how much we promote local food, these regulatory issues will make all other efforts in vain unless farmers selling direct to the public are exempted from such regulations. I'm still encouraged! Thank you.


From YouTube user WickWares:
Part 1 I'm a local farmer serving a three county area in Northeast Texas. We are trying to put together a network of farmers from the local area to have a more diversified food supply. But the funding isn't there to support the need for cooperative distribution and packing operations. It looks like USDA with National Animal ID System and Food Safety Enhancement Act (HR2749) is working for the big operations and wants to let the small local food suppler fall by the way side. If a farm is selling direct to the public they should be exempted from this type of regulations. I have found that if it doesnt go Moooo the Texas extension services and USDA will have very little help for you.


From YouTube user rosecreekfarms:
We are a small farm in Texas and I hope Secretary Vilsack is genuine with the support of local small farms. This is a good sign from the USDA. I am hopeful and excited! There is much work to be done by those forming policy to protect the small farms and preserve their right to supply their community with these valuable uncompromised products. Let the USDA know you do not support the "HR2749" as it stands. It needs to do more to protect and preserve the small farms of america. Please do it now.

[Fridays Child]

2. Federal policy favors agribusiness pretty much exclusively...

...which is why I'm suspicious of public displays that amount to little more than window dressing. Let's see some legislation that supports local, seasonal food supplies and exempts the small producer from a regulatory environment in which he or she cannot hope to survive.