From our perspective...

We are back – kind of! It’s a new year and with a new year comes a whole bunch of new things. Although Amie and I have been out of pocket for a couple of months, we are still working hard to change the world!

Since we last chatted, a few things have happened! I graduated college and Amie has started her student teaching. Yes, we’ve both entered into the semi-real-world…if that’s possible. I am still interning for the Kentucky Soybean Board – writing articles for our association’s magazine and taking care of membership. I plan to get married in May, move to Mississippi for a short time, and then start my job with Archer Daniel Midland (location to be determined). Amie is currently filling the brains of high school children with agriculture knowledge that is NOT useless and WILL change the world!! {more on that to come} She will graduate in May and become an AMAZING teacher (location also to be determined).

I started thinking about this blog today and I realized how awesome it was and although Amie and I have gotten insanely busy, there’s no need to let it fall by the wayside! Agriculture is still necessary and is increasingly being put under fire for all sorts of crazy things. You know that Amie and I still have hot opinions on what’s going on and we should share them! So, we are bringing it back!

Stay tuned…

—JP

GO RACERS!

P.S. Wanna see what ya missed while we were gone? Check out our personal blogs!

Amie - http://amiebbuckman.tumblr.com/

Jenni - http://jenniandluke.blogspot.com/

Long time no see!! It seems that our blog completely skipped out on the To-Do list for the month of July. Oops! We have been busy saving the world! =) Hopefully we will be able to make it up to you! 

Amidst our blogging, tweeting and facebooking, we have been introduced to many awesome organizations such as CommonGround and Kentucky Livestock Coalition. Both of which we highlighted earlier in our blog. We have also been following Animal Agriculture Alliance . They do an awesome job of informing consumers and the media of the truth about animal agriculture and it’s importance to our quality of life by providing us with good, hard science-based facts.

Yesterday I received an e-newsletter from Animal Ag Alliance that featured an article explaining why it is so important to ensure that we get our facts and figures straight before we share with others…if we want the truth we have to share the truth!

The article:

Statistics can be powerful- but sometimes it can be difficult to separate fact from fiction.

Activist groups are infamous for using headline-grabbing statistics to discourage Americans from eating meat, milk, and eggs. However, their numbers almost never seem to add up. Last month, the Environmental Working Group released its new “Meat Eater’s Guide”. It includes some mind-boggling images and numbers regarding the impact that meat production has on the environment. The report ultimately claims that if all Americans adopted vegetarianism, carbon emissions would be reduced by 4.5 percent, even though the EPA estimates that livestock production accounts for just 3.12 percent of total U.S. emissions. Where did that extra 1.38 percent come from?

Too often, these misguided numbers can come back to haunt agriculture. Case in point: the Union of Concerned Scientists claimed in 2001 that 70 percent of all antibiotics in the U.S. are fed to livestock – placing the sole blame of antibiotic resistant bacteria development on animal agriculture. UCS failed to acknowledge that nearly half of that total estimated amount is made up of ionophores and other compounds not used in human medicine that therefore do not impact human resistance.

Next time you hear a shocking statistic, don’t forget to double-check the math. Even more important, we must make it our job to share our own positive, and powerful, statistics. Did you know that compared to 1997, each pound of beef produced today uses 30 percent less land, 20 percent less feed, and 14 percent less water? Did you know that the estrogen (a naturally occurring hormone in many foods) levels in dairy and beef products from animals treated with growth promotants are essentially the same as products from untreated animals? In fact, a 4 oz serving of beef from a steer given hormones contains 1.6 nanograms of estrogen, while the average soy latte contains 30,000 nanograms!

Agriculture’s story and its facts need to be shared just as frequently and just as loudly as those of the opposition.

- Kay Johnson Smith
Executive Vice President

http://us1.campaign-archive2.com/?u=69c4e87210c5554923516496c&id=72efdefa97&e=eb7a4ffefa

This Activist Web is something else to check out!

“Activists often hide their true agenda in order to gain the support of unknowing pet lovers. Here, you will find current updates from the world of animal rights.”

(If you click on the picture it will link you to Animal Agriculture Alliance’s website where they explain in further detail.)

Don’t give up on us! We will be back!

All the Best,

Amie

Milk can become homemade ice cream in five minutes by using a Ziploc bag! This homemade, creamy treat is a summertime delight for kids of all ages. 

 What You’ll Need:

• 1 tablespoon sugar • 1/2 cup milk or half & half • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla • 6 tablespoons rock salt • 1 pint-size plastic food storage bag (e.g., Ziploc) • 1 gallon-size plastic food storage bag • Ice cubes

4 Simple Steps

1. Fill the large bag half full of ice, and add 6 tablespoons of rock salt. Seal the bag.

2. Put 1/2 cup milk, 1/4 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 tablespoon sugar into the small bag, and seal it.

3. Place the small pint-sized bag inside the large gallon-sized one, and seal it again carefully.

4. Shake until the mixture is ice cream, which takes about 5 minutes.

Ice Cream in a Bag: The Scoop

The last step is to pull the smaller bag out of the larger one, wipe off the top of the small bag, and open it carefully. Enjoy!

Tip:

A 1/2 cup milk will make about 1 scoop of ice cream, so double the recipe if you want more. But don’t increase the proportions more that that—a large amount might be too big for kids to pick-up because the ice itself is heavy.

Source: Kaboose.com 

Happy Tuesday everyone! I am pretty lonely here in the office today without my partner in crime! Amie is on vacation this week so I am manning the intern desk down. I was thinking about what important issues I might tackle today, but as I sat watching the cursor flash I thought that I might just give you a little insight on what’s been going on lately.

This past weekend I traveled north to Indianapolis, Indiana to a convention for my sorority. These events are always so much fun for me! Learning about new things that will impact my organization, polishing up my leadership skills, and meeting new people makes for a really great weekend. However, I learned a little something about agriculture and an appreciation for where I come from. Some people might wonder how a few days full of coach purse carrying, high heel wearing, big hair sorority girls can teach me about agriculture – but it did. Some of you readers may not know this, but I am currently engaged to the man of my dreams and I am diligently planning my wedding, as any twenty-something year old would be doing. So this weekend as different sorority sisters saw the glittering diamond on my left hand they reacted also as any twenty-something year old girl might and wanted to know every detail about everything! Different reactions came from different people but I was most surprised by the girls who were from north of the mason-dixon line. They couldn’t get over the fact that I was getting married at such a young age…but I guess that is one of those culture differences that I didn’t realize. As I continued to share they were yet again shocked by the fact that I am an agriculture major who loves farm-life and wants to get married in barn. Don’t get me wrong that can sound kind of hoedownish, but the responses from these girls blew my mind! It was at that moment that I realized I wouldn’t trade the small town I grew up in or the lifestyle I have been given for anything in the world! Where I come from people wave, say excuse me, yes ma’am, and thank you, they hold the door the door open for you, and even stop on the side of the road to change your tire. Rural America may seem like they are a little slow on some things, but I am thankful for that because I believe we have managed to save what little this nation has left of hospitality.

Another big event that has been going on lately is a really good friend of mine and Amie’s was in a bad car accident two weeks ago. She actually works in the office where we are interning. Being a member of the agriculture community may not seem like a big deal, but let me tell you, we are a family. In the past two weeks that Jaime has been out of the office we’ve received more phone calls then in the entire time I have worked there! People out here genuinely care. They have no benefit to calling and checking on Jaime, except for the fact that they care about her. Even people who don’t see her on a regular basis or only talk to her through the phone when they have a question – they still care. As I said before, living in this kind of place is sort of sacred in this day in age. 

I don’t know where all our readers are from. But whether you are from the city and have NO idea why I am rambling on about these crazy things, or you are from somewhere like me – thanks for reading! This blog is all about sharing our stances on important issues, but I also hope to bring you a little since of the reason we feel this way. —JP

In today’s world, going to the grocery store is a challenge. With so many options, new foods, and trends to eat “healthy” or “organic,” consumers are so bogged down with phrases they don’t understand that they don’t know what food to buy. There are many sites out there that attempt to explain what organic really is, but what about the rest? As a project for this intern, I have developed a list of critical terms that consumers need to know when purchasing foods.

Many people believe that organic, cage-free, free-range, or certified humane are all United States Department of Agriculture issued terms. However that is one of the many myths out there about processed food and agriculture. Below I am going to give several key terms that are frequently used on food and explain what they really mean.

·      “Antibiotic-free” – A term NOT approved by the USDA. Under the USDA regulations, meat and poultry products can be considered as “no antibiotics added” if documentation is provided showing that the animals were raised without antibiotics. However, NO labeling regulations are established. Similar terms that are allowed according to the USDA are “no antibiotics ever,” “no added antibiotics,” and “raised without the use of antibiotics.”

·      “Cage-free” – According to the USDA regulations, “cage-free” means that laying hens live uncaged, usually within a barn, warehouse, building, or other enclosed area. The hens must have unlimited access to food and water and the ability to roam freely within their enclosed area during their egg-production cycle. “Cage-free” does NOT necessarily mean the hens have access to the outdoors. A Cage-free” hens can engage in natural behaviors, such as nesting and spreading their wings. However, practices such as beak cutting are allowed. Poultry raised for meat are rarely caged.

·      “Certified humane” – A term NOT approved or regulated by the USDA. “Certified humane” is a voluntary certification and labeling program administered by the Human Farm Animal Care to ensure humane treatment of farm animals from birth through slaughter. Certified producers must meet species standards for such things as space, shelter, handling, fresh water, and a diet free of added hormones and antibiotics. Cages, crates, and tie stalls are prohibited and animals must be able to engage in natural behaviors. It is critical to remember that this term is voluntary is in no way affiliated with the USDA, so when purchasing “certified-humane, remember that it is not government regulated.

·      “Chemical-free” – Under the USDA regulations, this term is not allowed on meat or poultry labels, so if you see it be cautious about its meaning. Similarly federal regulations do not allow the terms “residue-free,” residue tested,” “naturally raised,” “naturally grown,” or “drug-free.”

·      “Free Range or Free Roaming” – According to the USDA, this term ONLY applies to poultry raised for meat. The USDA free-range designation means that poultry have been allowed some access to the outdoors. However, there are no USDA requirements on how much time the poultry spend outdoors or the quality or size of the outdoor area. There are no standards regarding the use of the term “free range” for egg-producing hens, although you might see the term on egg cartons. “Free range” hens for egg production typically are uncaged in barns or warehouses with some outdoor access. “Free-range” hens can engage in some natural behaviors. There are no USDA restrictions on what they’re fed, and beak cutting and forced moulting is allowed. In addition, the USDA doesn’t define free range in terms of beef, pork, or other nonpoultry animals. So if you see this term on these products, keep in mind that is has NO standard meaning.

·      “Grain fed” – A term that is regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture only as far as what products actually count as grain for feed. Under these regulations, a grain-fed diet for livestock defines these as grains: barley, canola, corn, flaxseed, mixed grain, oats, rye, sorghum, soybeans, sunflower seed, triticale, and wheat, and nay other food grains, feed grains, and oilseeds for which standards are established. Other feed that may be considered acceptable under grain-fed diet guidelines are rice, millet, amaranth, buckwheat, and distiller’s grain.

·      “Grass fed” – Another term that is regulated by the USDA. Under the regulations, grass-fed means that grass and forage are the feed source for ruminant animals (cattle) for the duration of their life after weaning. Animals cannot be fed or grain byproducts. They must have a continuous access to pasture during the growing season. Hay, silage, crop residue without grain, cereal grain crops in the pregrain stage and other roughage sources are acceptable feed.

·      “Hormone-free” – Under the USDA regulations, this term is not allowed on meat products. Beef may be labeled as “no hormones administered” if producers document that the animals were raised without hormones. An important fact to realize is that federal regulations prohibit the use of hormones in raising poultry, hogs, veal calves, or exotic animals. There, claims of “no hormones added” can not be used on the labels for these products unless the label also states, “Federal regulations prohibit the use of hormones.”

·      “Natural” – Under the USDA regulations, this term may be used on labeling for meat and poultry products if the product does not contain any artificial flavoring, coloring ingredient, or chemical preservative, or any other artificial or synthetic ingredient; and it the product and its ingredients are not more than minimally processed. The product label must explain what is meant by natural, such as whether a food contains no added colorings. This term has no relevance to animals feeding or welfare.

·      “Pasture raised” – This is a term that is regulated as part of the National Organic Program of the USDA and can sometimes be referred to as “access to pasture.” Manufacturers who use this label must meet certain requirements, such as providing year-round access to the outdoors for all ruminant animals, providing them with pasture throughout the grazing season in their area and ensuring that the animals get at least 30% of their dry-feed intake from pasture grazing over the course of grazing.

·      “Vegetarian fed” – This term is not regulated by the USDA. It is generally meant to suggest that an animal is fed a healthier diet and it is raised without being fed animal byproducts or dairy products. According to the USDA, manufacturers that use this term on package labels must be able to provide evidence to support the claim.

I got this information from a great source! The website is http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/free-range/MY01559 and anyone interested in learning more about nutrition labeling should check it out. They not only provide this information but they give links to other food labeling and health claims.

Another file I found online from the USDA gives us some insight into what “Organic” and some of the labeling with organic terms mean.

• “100% Organic”:

o   Must contain 100% organically produced ingredients, not counting added water and salt.

o   The label must show and ingredient statement when the product consists of more than one ingredient.

•  “ Organic”:

o   Must contain 95% organic ingredients, not counting added water and salt.

o   Must not contain added sulfites.

o   May contain up to 5% nonorganically produced agriculture ingredients which are commercially available in organic for form.

o   The label must show an ingredient statement. It also must list the organic ingredients as “organic” when other organic labeling is shown.

• “Made with Organic”:

o   Must contain 70% organic ingredients, not counting added water and salt.

o   Must not contain added sulfites.

o   May contain up to 30% nonorganically produced agricultural ingredients

o   The label must show an ingredient statement and list the organic ingredients as “organic” when other organic labeling is shown.

o   The label may not show the USDA Organic seal.

• “Some Organic Ingredients”:

o   May contain less than 70% organic ingredients, not counting added water and salt.

o   May contain over 30% nonorganically produced agricultural ingredients.

o   The label must show an ingredient statement when the word organic is used. It may no show any other reference to organic contents, the USDA organic seal, or the certifying agent seal.

There are always other issues about Organic being safer or more nutritious, however that is an entire other topic that we can address another time. Right now, I just want to encourage everyone out there to read up on the food labeling misconceptions because they may not be what you have always thought! So, the next time you head out to the grocery store, take along what all these food labeling terms mean so you can decode your way through the supermarket aisles.   —-JP 

Amie here!! Today while scrolling through my Facebook news feed, I ran across this article posted from a friend of mine called “Does 4-H desensitize to killing?” Immediately my blood gets boiling as I imagine what crude and cruel comments that these folks would have to say about 4-H, the club that was my LIFE as a child. And of course, first line of the article was: 4-H stands for “head”, “heart”,  “hands”, “health” and apparently fifth- for “haters”.  Haters?! Are you kidding me?

This article was actually a follow-up of a previous article ran by Eatocracy’s 5@5 featuring chef Kelly Liken on the topic of Five Reasons to Buy from Your Local 

The five reasons:

1. When you buy 4-H, it aids in supporting efforts to use the whole animal. 

2. 4-H animals are some of the best quality in the nation

3. 4-H supports the education of local children

4. Knowing where your food comes from is not only very important but it teaches a life-long lesson to children, while shaping their future decisions with regards to food, cooking, and nutrition

5. It’s fun!  

This article got so many comments (1,000+) that a follow up article was published. Here is my opinion…

YAY for supporting the 4-H! As a former 4-Her, I am thrilled that chef, Kelly Liken is recommending consumers to buy from local 4-H clubs. Having experienced what it is like to raise beef cattle from bottle to butcher, there is nothing more pleasing than knowing that you were just a little part in helping feed the rest of the world. However, it makes me furious to think that some people think that the 4-H desensitizes kids to the killing (slaughtering) of animals.

Desensitizing? Good grief, come on! Video games teach kids more about killing and murdering that 4-H! Just because these kids are actually being exposed to the real world where they understand that their hamburger comes from a cow in a field and not from McDonald’s doesn’t mean that these kids are becoming desensitized to the “suffering of animals”. On another note, butchering a cow TO FEED CONSUMERS isn’t the definition of a suffering animal! How many times do I have to say it?

Some of the comments on this article state that eating meat from 4-H is like eating a children’s pet. The children that are raising these animals do care for them as if they were any other pet by feeding them twice a day, seeing that they are in good health and providing them with a comfortable environment. Even though the family and 4-H’ers raising the animals may gain an emotional attachment to the animal, they understand that they were put on this earth for a purpose! You raise, sell, slaughter and consume these animals!

I could argue with all 700 negative comments about the 4-H but it’s not worth my time. I just want others to understand that the 4-H is not a club that “desensitizes kids to killing” animals!  For many of children it is their life! It is what they eat, breath and sleep! It is articles like these that give organizations that teach young kids valuable lessons, a bad reputation. It is organizations like 4-H that are teaching the younger generation the skills and knowledge needed so that they will be able to continue to provide you and your family with food on you plate and clothes on your back. I  can’t say it enough, WE FARM, YOU EAT! Don’t take it for granted!!

Hello all! Amie here.On Father’s Day I was traveling home from my grandparent’s farm and I just couldn’t get over how beautiful the drive was! Luckily, I  had my camera and I was able to stop here and there and snap a few pictures!