Farm To Table Talk

Grazing is getting attention for a natural mitigation of fire hazards. Herbicides can run off, are dangerous to handle, and lead to genetically resistant weeds.  Power equipment burns fossil fuel and produces CO2.  Goats go where people can't, eat what most animals won't, and leave behind nothing but fertilizer. Today goats offer an added enterprise to farms and beginning farmers to capitalize the demand for both targeted grazing and goat meat from the growing population of people from parts of the world where goat meat is preferred.Aaron Steele is the found or of Goats On the Go and the author of the new audio book Goats for Good that is available at www.goatsonthe go.com and available through podcast apps.

McDonald’s operators in Michigan supply their Happy Meal  customers and support Michigan farmers  by purchasing 14 million pounds of state grown apples annually.There are are over 500 locally-owned McDonald’s restaurants with over 80 Owner/Operators in 90% of Michigan counties. They support Michigan by purchasing 135.9 million pounds of corn, 54.9 million dozen eggs, 22.2 million gallons of milk, 14 million pounds of apples, 5.6 million pounds of butter, 3.4 million pounds of pork, , 3 million pounds of beef, 1.2 million pounds of cheese, and 625,000 pounds of blueberries. Mike Maynard is a 2nd generation owner/operator from southern central Michigan (Coldwater, Battle Creek area) with 12 stores owned between his mom and dad, Jim and Laura Maynard, and Mike and his wife Jessica.

Many dream of  moving to the country and some take the steps to make that dream a reality. Paula Whyman had a "crazy" idea to cultivate a small native meadow  where wildlife could thrive. Then she set foot on 200 acres of old farmland atop a Virginia mountain  and her dream became a reality. In BAD NATURALIST: One Woman’s Ecological Education on a Wild Virginia Mountaintop, Paula Whyman explains how she cares for her mountain-sized ecological restoration challenge and discovered that it’s impossible to be a “good” naturalist.

The biggest issue threatening the food system now is not climate change. It is the emerging policies to deport undocumented workers that make the wheels turn from fields to processing plants and retail. Gary Nabham is an Agricultural Ecologist, Ethnobotanist, Ecumenical Franciscan Brother, and author whose work has focused primarily on the interaction of biodiversity and cultural diversity of the arid binational Southwest. He also is a keynote speaker at Eco Farm where he brings a different message.  It's time for people in the country to come together, regardless of their politics to support the immigrants we need to  grow, process, deliver and prepare our food from farm to table.  garynabhan.com    eco-farm.org

Regenerative is a 'thing'.  More than just a farm to table buzz word there is real rebuilding and restoration taking place that ultimately improves the soil and improves nutrition. As the word gets out and consumer demand increases for rest0red soil and more nutritious  foods, how can the consumer know whether they're getting the "real thing"? Regenified certification is stepping up to this job says Chief Marketing Officer Kristine Roots.  Diestel Famiily Ranch turkeys are on that track explains Heidi Diestel. An analysis conducted by the Center for Human Nutrition Studies at Utah State University on behalf of Regenified and Diestel Family Ranch showed that Diestel turkeys grown with regenerative farming practices are not only better for the land, but also have improved nutritional profiles over conventionally raised turkeys. www.diestelturkey.com      www.regenified.com

What happens when women take the lead in tackling climate change through the food we grow and eat? Stephanie Anderson grew up on a ranch in western South Dakota and is the author of From the Ground Up. With a background in creative nonfiction, a deep understanding of regenerative agriculture, and years of exploring the intersections of equity and sustainability, Stephanie brings a fresh and thought-provoking perspective to our table. Movements start broad and grow in participation and focus creating transformation, reshaping system and inspiring hope in the face of environmental and s0cietal challenges.

Sunshine makes food farming possible in more ways than one. Emerging farmers can access land and landowners can add solar income through, Agrivoltaics an approach that combines solar energy production with agricultural practices — allowing for renewable energy generation alongside farming activities like crop production and livestock grazing. This dual-use approach brings significant benefits to the land, farmers, and the local community. Peter Schmitt is the Director of Project Development with Minneapolis based, US Solar.

www.us-solar.com

Going it alone is a noble idea but for many solo ventures  cooperation with others pays off. Cooperatives are a unique legal business form that facilitates people coming together to tackle challenges that are overwhelming or impossible for the individual. Kim Coontz is the Executive Director of the California Center for Cooperative Development.  CCCD demonstrates the power of the self-help elements of cooperatives to help new farmers gain viability through cooperative purchasing, sales and product promotion, plus enabling food security in rural as well as urban enclaves through food cooperatives. http://www.cccd.coop/membership

Change is coming to Agriculture, in policies and people. It's a time to be thankful for the USDA team who came to Washington four years ago to give their best to help farmers and time to welcome a new team coming to the Capitol ready to give their own best.  Jeff Van Pevanage is the President and CEO of Columbia Grain. Marketing  to and from foreign markets he remembers the effect of the trade war with China and sees implications of the announced unprecedented tariffs with our neighbors in Canada and Mexico.  With new leadership, Farm Bill, tariffs, labor shortages and more the best efforts of all will be welcome.

www.columbiagrain.com

Mitigating Climate Change will require implementing a data driven approach on every level of global food production. Agriculture-oriented satellite constellations are beginning to provide a critical perspective on the size and condition of nearly everything we grow to eat, nearly every where in the world.  With Ukraine still in the news we are bringing back a previous conversation with Vera Petryk who spoke to us from her home in Kyev with optimism for Ukraine and an optimistic view of the future of food on our 'Blue Dot'.