Common Sense Agriculture's Blog

Making It To The Stump Was A Start

Happy – characterized by or indicative of pleasure, contentment, or joy

Last week, while I was heading someplace, I was listening to John Stossel, on my XM, “What Really Makes People Happy.”

I spent the next few days thinking about this question. I thought about myself and what makes me happy?

Late Saturday afternoon, my son could not have provided a better example.

I was loading the truck with hay when Kyle came running in the front of the barn Whooping and Hollering.

“What’s up buddy?” I asked.

“I did it daddy! I did it! I did it all by myself!” He yelled exuberantly.

“Did what?” I asked. (I was smiling from ear to ear seeing his expression and enthusiasm.)

“I climbed two trees (pause for breath) all by myself (pause for breath) without any help!” he exclaimed.

“Awesome, big guy, that’s great!” I said, still grinning.

“Can you do it again?” I asked.

“You bet I can! Come on dad, I’ll show you!” he said, as he pulled me down from the hay stack.

I proceeded to follow him to the lower horse pen and watched the HAPPIEST boy climb two trees, again, without help.

My son defined happiness through his expression and the emotion he brings out in me.

Getting Up To The Fork Was The Accomplishment!

Happiness cannot be bought; it is not achieved through accumulation of things, is not achieved by making more money and does not result from a handout.

Happiness is taking pleasure in being able to accomplish something through your own effort and energy, without interference from the outside.

Happiness is being able to achieve an endeavor, through ingenuity, creativity and determination.

Happiness is the joy in knowing that God has a plan for you and has you in the palm of his hand.

‘He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.’ Proverbs 16:20

Demonizing companies and individuals through the use of misleading and false information is never productive. More times than not, fissures are created, within families, communities, states, the country and even the world. It is very acceptable to question actions and results, but let us remember to remain objective in our assessment, research the origins of the information and pass on only that which is true. Passing this type of information along, without doing research on it, is just as irresponsible as passing along an email that says the world will end if you don’t forward to your whole address book.

I have seen a number of people posting on Facebook and Twitter lately, that they have signed one of a couple of petitions currently circulating with a host of claims against Monsanto. Many of these people I consider to be friends and respect. I felt inclined to write this post to provide some additional information in order to clarify several of the accusations that are being claimed. I, for one, as a small farmer and rancher, am very grateful for the work that work that Monsanto and others are doing to help farmers be more efficient and holistic in their management opportunities.

Read more…

I have written in other posts on my thoughts regarding the Farm Bill. Once again, we have the opportunity to make changes that could turn a program into a true safety net…meaning it would send producers back up, after falling, not catch them and not let go, or worse yet, promote a state of long-term dependence.

Being from California, I suspect I have a slightly different perspective on the issue of crop insurance. However, I also believe that there are others, particularly in Florida and Michigan, to name a few, who have some similar thoughts. I mention this because of our tremendous diversity in crops grown, many of which do not even qualify for support from the current or past Farm Bills. Read more…

I meant to get this post up last week, but, well…..

This year I give thanks for the consumers who purchase what we grow and raise, the farmers and ranchers who provide the bountiful choices we so enjoy and particularly the hands that prepare the food.

In preparing for Thanksgiving this year I was thinking of the wonderful and delicious dishes that I have been so blessed to be able to try over the years. Some of the recipes have been handed down, some are new. Read more…

This fall, the U.S. Farmers &Ranchers Alliance is partnering with Discovery Communications to continue to share its message to create an open dialogue with the American public about how food is grown and raised.

The partnership includes three 60-second vignettes and one longer format vignette (4-7 minutes long) shot documentary style.  The discussions range from conversations about the agricultural community’s commitment to continuous improvement to the role farmers and ranchers play in providing healthy choices for everyone.

The short vignette for the video that I shot with Discovery Channel for USFRA has been released.

The participating farmers and ranchers included:

Shana Beattie – Livestock and Grain Farmer in Sumner, Nebraska

Jeff Fowle –  Farmer/Rancher in Etna, CA

Ken Oneto – Crop and Produce Farmer in Elk Grove, CA

Dino Giacomazzi – Dairy Farmer  in Hanford, CA

Scott Long – Pork Producer in Manteca, CA

Jill Benson – Egg Producer in San Joaquin Valley, CA

To see the other vignettes, visit the Food Dialogues page.