Comments on: The Empire Strikes Back

Comment on The Empire Strikes Back by: Barbara Fisher

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 15:59:59 +0000

When faced with the decision between locally grown not certified as organic, or certified organic shipped in from other places, I will choose locally grown every time. It is fresher, more full of nutrients and better for the local economy.

Also note that there are a lot of local farmers who use organic methods who have not bothered to undergo the process of getting officially labelled as “organic” by the standards of our government. There are a lot of expensive hoops to jump through for organic certification that leave a lot of smaller farmers with a hard choice.

In situations like that, I will choose them over big-corporate “certified organic” every time.

It comes from my background as a farmer’s granddaughter–I know how much work and energy and time and love smaller farmers put into growing and producing great food for everyone, so I want to support that in every way.

Comment on The Empire Strikes Back by: Laurel

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 15:59:59 +0000

I agree Barbara. We grow organically what we can in our space and try to buy local and organic for the rest. Organic is hard in our area though unless you have Trump as an uncle. You are totally spot on about the food industry, current slaughter house policy, and downers. I grew up on a farm with beef cattle. I remember touring various “high tech” cattle and chicken operations with 4-H and being disgusted by the new directions. So were my 4-H leaders who were all wonderful people. Thanks to a Dad who was organic before it was a popular word, I never bought into the big business way of doing things. My brothers who are chiropracters are deeply involved in educating others about these issues because in the end it effects all of us, no? Thanks for the reminder.

Comment on The Empire Strikes Back by: Noddy

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 15:59:59 +0000

You tell ‘em, Barbara! This is exactly whe, if we ever get the bakery open, we’ll use as many local suppliers as possible, and why we keep track of food legislation and laws that effect it (like our own state’s desire to impose a 5¢ a gallon sales tax on gasoline).

We’ve already encountered problems with small chicken ranchers and the large chicken farms like Tyson’s and Pilgrim’s Pride.