Feeding your family without feeding them commercially-raised...

[Beekissed]

On the BYC, the discussion that sparked this subject was factory raised vs. freerange vs. small farmer and which was healthiest for the bird and for the consumer.

Funny, but the folks that were opposed to buying or supporting CAFOs were accused of being animal rights people, but we put them straight pretty quick. It is a terrible life for the birds, its true, but I seem to be more concerned with the end product and how unhealthy it is. Not to mention, the health issues are what NAIS is using to get at us small time growers. That steams my biscuits more than anything.

I could care less if everyone out there wants to eat poisoned meats, but I want to maintain my freedom to raise my own animals without government involvement. CAFOs' need to make a profit, regardless of how it affects the health of the consumer, is messing with my freedom to feed my family healthy meat, eggs and dairy!

 

[poppycat]

We raise our own eggs and fortunately it is pretty easy to buy meats and dairy from a good small farmer in our neck of the woods.

As far as in social situations, that's a little more dicey. My policy when I'm the "company" is to eat anything that is put in front of me, give thanks for the hands that prepared the meal, and call it good.

But when I am spending my money, I make sure it goes to a farmer who shares my values whenever it's possible.

 

[me&thegals]

Ditto to beekissed and poppycat. I used to be more vocal on my opinions on food and its sources and caused family problems. I still think I had the right to say what my kids ate, but anyway... Now I try to be more gracious and quiet about it.

I also think people should go right ahead and buy cheap food. Lots of people have no other option. But, cheap food comes at a tremendous price. People should at least know that price--poor wages and work environment, animal overcrowding, questionable slaughter practices, pollution, blah, blah.

I also believe raising my own food for my own family and friends is a basic human right, not affecting anybody but me and those who trust me enough to eat my food. Unless I am selling it, I don't think the gov't has any reason to be involved. Unless the way I raise things in a way that negatively affects environmental or community health, ditto.

 

[deb1]

On the BYC, the discussion that sparked this subject was factory raised vs. freerange vs. small farmer and which was healthiest for the bird and for the consumer.

Funny, but the folks that were opposed to buying or supporting CAFOs were accused of being animal rights people, but we put them straight pretty quick. It is a terrible life for the birds, its true, but I seem to be more concerned with the end product and how unhealthy it is. Not to mention, the health issues are what NAIS is using to get at us small time growers. That steams my biscuits more than anything.

I could care less if everyone out there wants to eat poisoned meats, but I want to maintain my freedom to raise my own animals without government involvement. CAFOs' need to make a profit, regardless of how it affects the health of the consumer, is messing with my freedom to feed my family healthy meat, eggs and dairy!

I am from the backyard chicken forum(same name) and thank you for starting this thread!

I agree with everything that you have said. I am a live and let live sort of person.

I was surprised at how defensive some of the factory farmers got on BYC when others said that they were doing things differently then them. The thread on Ross Cobbs seems to be a bit heated.

 

[deb1]

I also believe raising my own food for my own family and friends is a basic human right, not affecting anybody but me and those who trust me enough to eat my food. Unless I am selling it, I don't think the gov't has any reason to be involved. Unless the way I raise things in a way that negatively affects environmental or community health, ditto.

I live in NC. My husband and I looked into regulations for selling eggs at Farmers Markets. NC has wonderful rules for small farmers. Yes, there is some regulation but it is fair. So, I am blessed to live in a state that allows smaller farmers to sell their meat directly to the consumer.

 

[Sebrightmom]

I was lucky as a child. I was raised on a farm, where we had our own eggs and meat. My husband and I just moved into our new house a year ago. It has been a slow process, but we have our own chickens for eggs. I am thinking about the idea of raising some for meat next year.
My father-in-law raises beef cattle. So, we always have great beef to eat. We buy hogs from a local farmer and take them to be butchered. I am looking right now to buy some dairy goats for the milk. I have a garden this year. I want a bigger one next year. I started canning this year for the first time. I really enjoy it. We planted some apple trees this year. I hope to plant a lot more trees in the next few years. I want to get bees next year. I hope in a few years that I shouldn't need to buy much food from the store.

 

[me&thegals]

I also believe raising my own food for my own family and friends is a basic human right, not affecting anybody but me and those who trust me enough to eat my food. Unless I am selling it, I don't think the gov't has any reason to be involved. Unless the way I raise things in a way that negatively affects environmental or community health, ditto.

I live in NC. My husband and I looked into regulations for selling eggs at Farmers Markets. NC has wonderful rules for small farmers. Yes, there is some regulation but it is fair. So, I am blessed to live in a state that allows smaller farmers to sell their meat directly to the consumer.

In WI you have to be licensed to do either. For a small farmer like me, I would probably have to pay several hundred dollars and be told to install 2 large stainless steel sinks, etc., just for a washing station when my sink at home does a great job. So, I sell to friends and family, co-workers, etc., but I don't try to get away with it at market. People trust me, but I'm pretty sure I'm not technically legal.

 

[Gravelcreekfarms]

We are lucky in that all our meat is raised organically. We have chickens for eggs and meat. Beef mainly to eat. We still buy milk because milking a cow or a goat everyday isn't our thing. We were lucky enough to get a couple of young pigs free from a neighbor that didn't want to mess with a couple of bad legs. (they healed right up) We live 16 miles from the nearest town and often are without power or phone service. (we are the only ones living on this road)
We grown our own grain for our animals and could also use it for our own use if necessary. We have commerical meat processing equipment and process all our own meat.
Our water comes from the windmill behind the house and is some of the best water imaginable. Technically, we could easily live off the grid but are not going to do so right now.
Our garden is about 2 acres . We usually only go in to town to buy things we can't produce or don't want to take the time to produce.(we on occasion still make lye laundry soap)
In my neck of the hills it is bad form to criticize a neighbor in their own home. You might not like what they are serving,but you take a little bit and don't make a fuss. Our kids are taught not to comment on the food or how other folks live when we are at someone's home. Seems to me that it is just plain old common manners.

 

[me&thegals]

In my neck of the hills it is bad form to criticize a neighbor in their own home. You might not like what they are serving,but you take a little bit and don't make a fuss. Our kids are taught not to comment on the food or how other folks live when we are at someone's home. Seems to me that it is just plain old common manners.

I absolutely agree! Just common courtesy. When my kids were very young, I was just trying to prevent grandparents from giving my not-yet-1-year-olds candy, chips, soda, cookies, cake and all sorts of other junk. Otherwise, I would never, ever make any comments but complimentary ones when dining with others

I just finished the book "In Defense of Food." Talk about a distinct picture of CAFOs! Yikes!

 

[hollybird]

i try to do most of our food naturally but he kids and i still have treats and fast food sometimes. i garden and farm animals, then i know others that farm what i don't have already. i hesitate to pay more for organic because sometimes it's not really better. it's hard to certify if it's not a big farm with records. some buy and resell and just make the claim. good dairy is the hardest to find because of the liability with raw milk. i still hope to get a cow someday even though they are a big time commitment.