Choice or Legislation? What Shapes Your Food Supply?

More than any time in history America has a plentiful food supply for as little effort from the average person and yet the most critics. Critics don't really care about anything other than getting their point across, with many subscribing to the " if we can exploit that for the greater good, than I don't see anything wrong with that" theory.

In an article from the October/November 2010 Mother Earth News calld "75 Safe and Effective Herbal Remedies" Michael Castleman makes the point "Yes, drugs are regulated more stringently than herbs, but regulation doesn't guarantee safety." (Page 37)

So it's with that thought..."regulation doesn't guarantee safety"...ringing I look again at page 19 of the same issue "TheDanger Lurking in Factory Farm Chicken." You see, meats not only should be regulated (even though it doesn't guarantee safety!) but further farmers should be told how to care for their animals. Rather than - as herbs vs drugs - let consumers make a CHOICE, we should demand that farmers subscribe to certain measures whether it works for their situation or not.

Here's the big problem with the whole confinement/"factory farm" issue. ALL farms can fit it. After all - you raise chickens how humane is it to boot them outside in a North Dakota winter? Why is it wrong to give birds shelter from the extremes of weather - farmers call that good husbandry!

Many farmers find providing shelter from extremes of temperature is not only an improvement in animal comfort but given a choice the animals often seek comfortable places to be. If there is limited room there is often one of two things happen - all animals will crowd into the comfort area or, alternately, a few are inside and a boss animal in the doorway, preventing most from seeking comfort.

Jeff Fowle has a ranch in California and commented recently on Twitter "Modern farms & ranches, through improvements in technology, have reduced required labor input." Keeping a plentiful food supply is something of interest to consumers." Influence of consumers is important. "Legislation and regulations resulting from an uneducated/uninformed public has major negative impact on ag." Echoing the belief of many in agriculture he adds "Demand should be the driving force in any market. Artificial interruption is not good for anyone."

It isn't just livestock production that is affected by consumer demand. Dave Rahe is an Illinois corn farmer noted "Technology has helped corn yields tremendously but producers could do even better." He added "livestock production is very important to food production. Ruminants especially convert feeds that we cannot eat. Cattle also allow food to be grown on land that is not suitable for row crops."

Farm-urban blogger Janice Person noted "In Memphis, public support of farmers markets rapidly expanded their availability. Have several to pick from now. I've also seen more u-pick style farms in the immediate area. Each of them was created in areas where there was support for them. Have several choices for years in supporting fresh (food)."

The rise in undercover videos are said to shape demand but Kentucky Farmer Ray Bowman had another comment on it. "When someone applies for, then accepts a job they neither understand nor are truly qualified for with the sole intent of destroying their new employer's business and reputation, what do you call that? Animal activism? How about unconscionable deception, violation of trust and complete absence of ethics?"

Choices are good but before criticizing at least understand what you're criticizing, and the reality of why things are done certain ways. There's usually a very good reason for it that is missed in the judgment that is stated in terms like "factory farm" or "conventional farm". We all do the best we can with what we have, and what works for one may not work for five others!

Ask a farmer - more than ever they're on social media sites eager to talk to and hear from consumers. They're as close as your keyboard.