Source: http://thebaconblogger.blogspot.com/2014/
Timestamp: 2017-08-19 15:00:19
Document Index: 439131124

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The Bacon Blogger: 2014
As you prepare to cast your vote tomorrow, please consider all the facts instead of all the hype. Below are links to resources that will allow you to make an educated decision. In this final video, you'll obviously see where I stand but I want you to think for yourself and make up your own mind.
Part 1: Does Amendment 1 Protect Corporations or Farmers?
Part 2: Is a Constitutional Amendment Necessary?
Part 3: Is Right to Farm a 'Blank Check?'
Part 4: Does Right to Farm Hurt Small Farmers?
Part 5: Who Supports Right to Farm?
In the final Right to Farm video with Brent Haden, you'll hear his big take away and I couldn't agree more.
If you don't know, read the amendment for yourself, get educated and make your own choice. Check our Missouri Farmers Care to see who supports this amendment and visit Vote No on 1 to see who opposes it. I believe those who support and oppose this amendment speaks for itself. It is clear that Missouri farmers support Right to Farm and who better to decide what happens in Missouri than Missourians!
BIG THANK YOU to Brent Haden for taking the time to talk to me and be part of my little piece of the Interweb.
Posted by Jo Windmann at 8:31 AM 1 comments
Labels: agriculture, amendment 1, farmers, Farming, Missouri, policies, Right to Farm
Right to Farm Part 5: Who Supports Right to Farm?
I've heard a lot of arguments saying that Amendment 1 is a corporate-pushed proposal and that farmers aren't actually supporting it. So I flat out asked Brent Haden, one of the members who helped draft the amendment, how did this come about and who actually supports it?
Part 1: Does Amendment 1 Support Corporations or Farmers?
Concern: This was created by corporations to try and control more Missouri farmland.
Question: Who created this amendment and who supports it?
Click here to see who supports Amendment 1.
Posted by Jo Windmann at 10:30 AM 0 comments
Labels: agriculture, amendment 1, Farming, food production, HSUS, Missouri, ranching, Right to Farm
Right to Farm Part 4: Does Right to Farm Hurt Small Farmers?
Many people are concerned that if Right to Farm passes in Missouri that it will hurt small farmers, however, Brent Haden--who helped draft the amendment--says otherwise. He believes that this amendment will impact farmers of all sizes but he see's it as a positive impact. Hear what he has to say.
Concern: If Right to Farm passes it will hurt small family farms and make it more difficult to maintain sustainable practices.
Question: Will this have an impact on small farms and/or organic farms?
Posted by Jo Windmann at 11:00 AM 0 comments
Labels: agriculture, amendment 1, Farming, HSUS, Missouri, ranching, Right to Farm, rights
Right to Farm Part 3: Is Right to Farm a 'Blank Check?'
Continuing our conversation on Amendment 1, Missouri's Right to Farm. I have Brent Haden of Haden and Byrne, who helped draft Amendment 1.
Read Part 1: Does Amendment 1 Protect Corporations or Farmers?
Read Part 2: Is a Constitutional Amendment Necessary?
Concern: Amendment 1 will give corporations and farmers a ‘blank check’ to do whatever they want without repercussion.
Question: How will it affect current or future regulations that protect the environment, animals, water, etc.?
Posted by Jo Windmann at 8:30 AM 0 comments
Labels: agriculture, amendment 1, animal ag, ballot issues, blank check, farmers, Farming, HSUS, Missouri, Right to Farm
Read the full story on Beef Today
Here are 12 problems that he sees with the current state of agriculture’s point of view towards animal welfare:
Assuming science will give us all the answers. Science doesn't solve ethical questions. -This is important because farming and animal welfare is such an emotional topic and too often we, farmers and ranchers, look at it from a logical standpoint
Using economics as justification for animal welfare practices. -Again, think emotional response, not logical. But it's OK to remind folks that farming is a business as well as a way of life.
Assuming the lunatic fringe is the general public. -The Fonz says, "Assumptions are the termites of relationships." True story! A lot of people just assume that you abuse animals because of how you raise them. Moral of the story: Don't add more crazy to the pot, it's filling up fast enough.
Being reactive instead of proactive. -How many times have we heard this one?! This is why it is so important to tell your story.
Building bridges is what it's all about. We need to stop leaping from one extreme to another extreme, instead, we need to jaunt along the middle ground.
Posted by Jo Windmann at 11:18 AM 3 comments
Labels: agriculture, agvocating, animal abuse, animal ag, animal welfare, communication, farmers, Farming, hogs, HSUS, PETA, ranching
Right to Farm Part 2: Is a Constitutional Amendment Necessary?
Again, we're hearing from Brent Haden, Haden and Byrne, who helped draft Amendment 1, Missouri Right to Farm.
This series is an effort to make this proposed amendment clearer so that you can make an educated decision before you cast your vote on August 5.
Concern: Farmers already farm so a constitutional amendment is unnecessary.
Question: Why a sudden need for a constitutional amendment giving people the right to farm in Missouri?
Labels: agriculture, amendment 1, animal ag, Brent Haden, farmers, Farming, HSUS, Missouri, ranching, Right to Farm, voting
Right To Farm Part 1: Does Amendment 1 Protect Corporations or Farmers?
In Missouri, there is a lot of talk about Amendment 1, also known as Right to Farm. This Amendment would change the Missouri Constitution to protect family farmers from attacks from radical groups like HSUS, however, it would NOT alter any of the existing regulations concerning the environment, water, public health, etc. It would also allow future reasonable regulations to be made, as needed.
I have heard many concerns about Right to Farm, so I spoke with Brent Haden from The Law Firm of Hayden and Byrne. Brent was involved in the drafting of this amendment and here is a series that answers several questions and concerns that people have.
Concern: Right to Farm is merely a curtain for corporations to hide behind.
Question: Does Amendment 1 protect corporations? What does it actually do?
Posted by Jo Windmann at 11:44 PM 0 comments
Labels: agriculture, amendment 1, August 5, Brent Haden, constitution, Farming, HSUS, Missouri, Right to Farm, voting
Waste Management on Hog Farms
The Hatton meeting regarding a proposed hog confinement operation brought up a slew of questions. In fact, a list of questions—which were somewhat answered—were handed out at the meeting.
So, with that in mind, how about a little Q&A? The following questions are from the community meeting and I will briefly answer them to the best of my knowledge and ability.
What is the management plan for air quality and smell control?
While every farm is different, there are a few options. On our farm, we rely on trees to help control odor and fans to maintain air quality within the barns. Some farms also add air scrubbers, which basically ‘scrub’ the ammonia out of the air to reduce atmospheric ammonia. To my knowledge, these are not widely used yet because of cost but they are still in the development phase and I look forward to seeing how they develop in the future.
Another fantastic invention that is gaining popularity is digesters. Digesters convert methane gas into electricity. These are fascinating but again, there is a cost issue so not everyone uses them.
One last way we control odor is by knifing manure into the ground instead of using a traveling gun or running it through a center pivot irrigation system.
Explain how below-building waste pits work.
Basically, the pig does his business wherever and whenever he (or she) pleases. Then, their ‘business’ falls through the slat flooring and is stored in a reinforced concrete basement that is about 8 feet deep and the same length as the barn. Then, twice a year—in the fall and spring—they are pumped out and knifed into the field as a natural fertilizer.
Pit under construction.
What is the average nutrient value of the waste? Does it add organic matter to the soil or only nutrient value?
The great thing about manure is that it is basically a nutrient package deal. Just like the phone and TV companies, they bundle it. In most cases, manure provides all your phosphorus and potassium needs and the bulk of your nitrogen. Of course, only soil and nutrient testing will give a for sure answer to what is there and what isn’t but those are the three nutrients farmers always need and they are the three that are always present in manure. For farmers that don’t use manure, they have to purchase separate chemical fertilizers to cover each of these nutrient needs. Manure also adds organic matter that improves overall soil health. If you care to learn more about the nutrient and economic value here are a couple resources:
Will the hog urine be applied to the soils and what is the expected effect on soil quality due to urine?
I was surprised to see this question on the sheet, but it is a valid question. Yes, the poop and pee fall through the slats and into the same pit so it’s all mixed up together into one big pot of liquid gold. See previous question for soil quality concerns
How frequently will the waste pits be pumped dry?
Every fall and spring the fields get feed—by way of manure.
Do you have any questions about farming? Let me know in the comments and I’m happy to answer them.
Posted by Jo Windmann at 10:28 PM 0 comments
Labels: agriculture, air quality control, animal ag, CAFOs, environment, Farming, hog farms, hog waste, manure management, odor control, pork production
Raising Havoc in Hatton
Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking at a community meeting in Hatton, Mo. Of course, I wasn't exactly invited to speak. I just temporarily took over the mic because that's how I roll. Aaron, my husband, begged me not to go up there. "Just leave it alone," he said. He's not much on public speaking and certainly doesn't like to stand out in a crowd. But, I just couldn't help myself. I couldn't stand there and let the crowd verbally beat down the farmer and his family without anyone to speak up for not just him but pig farmers everywhere.
This meeting was due to a proposed sow facility that an Iowa company wants to build on a Hatton farmer's land. Basically, the family farm in Hatton is teaming up with the company in Iowa to accomplish two things: 1) The Iowa company wants sows closer to Missouri finisher facilities, 2) The family farmer gets all the manure. Some may say the family farmer is getting the crappy end of the stick, but manure is invaluable to a farmer. It decreases costs, adds valuable organic nutrients to the soil and reduces the use of petroleum chemicals like anhydrous-ammonia.
The meeting was fun, for me anyway. I had forgotten just how much I love public speaking, especially when I'm talking about my family's farm. I also get a kick out of mild controversy. This meeting also reminded me that education is needed more now than ever.
Despite the efforts by farmers, ag organizations and others, consumers seem to be shifting further away from agriculture and more towards misconceptions. There's the belief that there is only one way to farm and that there must be some sort of rivalry between farmers--organic vs. modern, small vs. large, old-school vs. new technology, etc. Why?
The moral of this story is simple: If you ever get a chance to go to a community meeting regarding a local farm family, please go! In fact, any chance you get to share your farm story, do it.
My family didn't have to go to this meeting. We don't even live very close to Hatton and we have absolutely nothing to do with this business venture. We went to support a fellow farmer. We went because it was the right thing to do. I didn't have to speak. I could have just sat in the back row and kept my thoughts to myself, but I didn't. I saw an opportunity to represent farmers and I jumped on it.
My challenge to you: Make a point to share your story. Tell a neighbor, write a blog post, post something on Facebook or Twitter or go to a local meeting and start a conversation. It's easy to ignore the issue, but at what cost?
Consumers deserve to know where their food comes from and farmers—not lobbyists, extremist groups or the like—are the best ones to educate them on this matter. It's a heavy burden, but one we must carry.
Posted by Jo Windmann at 9:39 PM 0 comments
Labels: animal ag, CAFOs, Darren Horstmeier, Eichelberger Farms, Farming, Hatton, hog farms, Missouri, sows