tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33914996223680776102024-03-05T08:02:06.595-08:00Through The WindshieldWhen life comes at you though the windshield of a tractor, pickup, or Peterbilt, ideas come to you in strange ways....The Agsalesman Speakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095034495952716221noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391499622368077610.post-89090548002095811072013-11-18T17:54:00.000-08:002013-11-18T17:54:47.602-08:00Lucky man.<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">So yesterday, the upper midwest saw some of the most severe storms we’ve ever seen this late in the year. While the damage was nothing like what the folks in places like Illinois saw, it was still significant around our area as well, and my family was affected.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">This morning, I arrived at the “main farm”, where my grandparents live, and saw for myself what had happened. One post frame building destroyed, debris around the yard, and no power. We spent most of the morning at afternoon removing building pieces so we could get equipment out, hooking up generators, and trying to get things up and running again. When the power went out, we had the grain dryers running, so we had thousands of bushels of wet corn in trucks and bins that would start molding quickly if we couldn’t get it dried, and fast. As I worked around throughout the day, one thought kept creeping into my head.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I’m a lucky man. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">My family is safe. My farm buildings and home are (for the most part) still standing. I didn’t loose any equipment.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Compared to many farm friends south of me, I’m damn lucky.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">When I took to social media this morning with pictures and stories, it wasn’t about looking for pity, or a “hey, look at how bad this is” moment. I’ve decided that I’m going to share my farming life with the world via social media, and this was part of that. The good, the bad, everything.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Then, something even more humbling that I can put into words started happening. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">First it was text messages. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Then the Facebook postings. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Finally, the phone calls.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Other farmers and ranchers all over the country were reaching out, contacting me, wondering how we were doing, how bad the damage was, asking if there was anything they could do to help out.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Then it struck me. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Compared to having a town leveled, or loosing half your cattle in a blizzard, or having an entire crop lost by flooding, this was a minor inconvenience. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">And these people, these wonderful friends, many of whom I know only on Facebook and Twitter, were asking if we were ok, telling me they were praying for us.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I was beyond words.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">And then, it hit me.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">This is farming. This is what I do. And this, and they, are why I do it.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I am truly, a very lucky man.</span></div>
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The Agsalesman Speakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095034495952716221noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391499622368077610.post-90398214800316648692013-07-04T07:39:00.002-07:002013-07-04T07:40:52.903-07:00An Idea, Not a Place.<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Today is July 4th, the day we celebrate our independence; and if you’re like most Americans, you’ll celebrate it in similar fashion: burgers and beer, boating and the beach, bar-b-que, and of course, fireworks. But what are you really celebrating? I’m challenging you to think about what all this means a little more today...</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">On a hot July day in 1776, a group of men, the Continental Congress, finished and signed a document that would change the course of history. In one swift move, and under penalty of certain death, they gave the most powerful man on the planet, King George, the finger. They informed him, and the rest of the world, in no uncertain terms that they were starting a new nation, based on some very basic principles:</span></div>
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<li style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">People have the right to express themselves, worship their personal God, and live without fear of government.</span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Said people also have the right to fair treatment if they screw up, and have the right to keep the government at bay with the use of deadly force. </span></li>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">There, I’ve summed up the declaration of independence and constitution in four lines. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">But what does it really mean?</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">It means that America isn’t a place. It’s an idea. America is about freedom, liberty, and personal responsibility. The American ideal says “we don’t need the government to take care of us, we can do it ourselves”. Today, I fear some of that is lost, which is were I get to the most important part of this blog: You.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">What are you willing to do to preserve the American ideal? If we don’t keep it alive and defend it, those men did that work for nothing. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">If we don’t defend it, then the soldiers who fought in Pennsylvania 150 years ago this week, did it for nothing. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">And if we don’t defend it, then the thousands of young men who grew up in the depression, and traveled half a world a way to storm beaches in France and on Iwo Jima, they too, did it for nothing.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">So here’s what I’m asking: As you flip burgers, or crack open another beer, or take another lap around the lake, ask yourself:</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>What am </i><b><i>I</i></b><i> willing to lay before the alter of Freedom to ensure this idea lives on?</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">If we are willing to sacrifice, in some way, then this Great Nation <b><i>of</i></b> the people,<b><i> by</i></b> the people, and<b><i> for</i></b> the people, shall not parish from the earth.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Happy fourth of July everyone.</span></div>
The Agsalesman Speakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095034495952716221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391499622368077610.post-54577593507330805682013-03-25T16:29:00.000-07:002013-03-25T16:29:18.518-07:00Why Food Democracy isn’t really about Democracy. <br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Right now, a group called Food Democracy is urging folks all over the country to try and stop the continuing resolution passed by congress last week from being signed. They claim there is a piece in the CR called the “Monsanto Protecting Act” (which, I might add, is a made-up BS term). What they are really pissed about is the fact that this small piece of the CR protects farmers from activists and activist judges. Let me explain...</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">This small piece allows the USDA to allow for the cultivation and harvest of a crop, even if a judge or court has ordered it to undergo further review, and be removed from the market place. And we aren’t talking about some wild ideas here-we are talking about a group who wants to remove all traces of GMO crops from the planet, by any means necessary (kiss your seedless watermelons goodbye). </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">For me as a farmer, this small piece provides me with much needed security. Without the USDA stopgap, a judge somewhere could rule that my corn crop growing in the field would have to be destroyed, with no recourse or remuneration for me as a farmer. A single judge in California could rule that my Roundup Ready corn, which has nearly 25 years of testing, regulatory approval, and real world experience could be banned, and I would be forced to destroy my entire crop, costing me millions of dollars. It would bankrupt my family overnight.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">But here’s a real world example for everyone:</span></div>
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Let’s say you buy a lot and build a new house. 2 months after moving in, a neighbor says that your house is too close to his, and he doesn’t like it. There’s no scientific or logical basis for his gripe, but he takes you to court anyways. In court, the judge rules that he’s not sure about the neighbors complaint, but just to be safe, you need to move out of your new house and bulldoze it. If he decides the neighbor is wacky, you can rebuild your house, but in the meantime, you must tear it down and find somewhere else to go.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">This is the world of uncertainty we live in. I would LOVE to have the time to talk to everyone in America about technology, Monsanto, GMO crops, and why I farm the way I do, but I can’t. So please, try to trust us, just a little, and try to trust the USDA. Anyone who thinks the USDA is in bed with bio tech companies, well, I’ve got some ocean front property in Indiana for you.</span></div>
The Agsalesman Speakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095034495952716221noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391499622368077610.post-90202131020044290402012-11-14T16:17:00.000-08:002012-11-14T16:17:29.582-08:00The Top 2 Percent<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">These days, we hear more and more about “The Top Two Percent”, those Americans, according to the President, who need to be paying more in taxes to help balance our budget. American farmers, who happen to also be two percent of the population, are caught in the crossfire of this claim. Now, I could go on and on about how Obama’s second term is going to hurt small business; but I’m going to focus on the main point: taxes. You see, family farms like mine are also small businesses, and, due to our wonderful tax system, are taxed as such. Let me explain...</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Most family farms, like mine, are incorporated into what’s called a LLC (Limited Liability Corporation). Now, an LLC is a great way to operate; it gives you some liability protection from lawsuits, and if your business does fail, it can help keep you from loosing everything you’ve ever made. But there is a bad part of LLC’s: the taxes.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Now, LLC owners, like most Americans, file a 1040 with income and expenses. So let’s just use some simple examples. Right now, President Obama wants to raise the tax rates on the “top 2 percent”--those who earn over 250,000 a year--substantially. That will cost family farms millions, and hurt folks like me who are trying to earn an honest living, and provide jobs to others. See, when I file taxes, I have to attach what’s called a “schedule F” to my 1040; it shows how much farm income is passed on to me. Let’s say my farm “makes” 200,000 dollars in profit. Now, anyone who owns a business can tell you, you never, NEVER, actually “make” that. That’s what you show on paper; in reality, you may not have paid yourself anything, or maybe only a few thousand dollars; you’re constantly reinvesting in your business. But that doesn’t matter; according to the IRS, you made 200,000 dollars. Now, if your spouse works in town, as mine does, and has a good job, you can eclipse 250,000 pretty fast. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">This rhetoric about “top earners paying their fair share” is a killer. I can tell you right now, we are sitting on capital, as many small business owners are, because we are unsure about what the future holds in terms of taxes, regulations, ect. Regulations like Dodd-Frank have made it harder and harder for the small town banks to lend us money to operate, forcing us to keep more cash on hand. Instead of spending hundreds of thousands of dollars with local contractors build more grain and fruit storage, we’ll sit on our hands and see what the future holds. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">This isn’t just in farming, folks. This is happening everywhere.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Elections have consequences, and we have to live with the will of the majority. Unfortunately, I believe far, far too many in that majority have never signed the front of a paycheck, balanced the books, and paid the taxes. But, if you understand what I’m saying, and if you agree that we need to keep small businesses hiring and growing, please, take the time to talk with your congressperson about this issue. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>Jeff VanderWerff is a 4th generation farmer from Sparta, Michigan. When not ranting about politics, he raises corn, wheat, soybeans, apples, and peaches. You can find him on YouTube at www.youtube.com/agsalesman</i></span></div>
The Agsalesman Speakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095034495952716221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391499622368077610.post-54267501031905352342012-08-28T18:38:00.000-07:002012-08-28T18:38:33.511-07:00Free (corn) Markets<br />
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Just incase you’ve been living under a rock for the last 3 months or so, the Midwest, hell, the whole country, has been gripped by a massive drought, which has crippled yields, especially for corn and soybeans. In fact, the crop failures are so massive, that corn and soybean “futures” (prices) have reached record levels; and those costs, unfortunately, will in some way be passed on to the consumer. </div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">It’s not that we want to charge you more, but our hands are tied. The corn cattle and chickens eat is more expensive; same goes for the soybeans that pigs and dairy cows consume. And then, there’s the pink elephant in the room: </span></div>
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Ethanol.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Many, many grain famers, like myself, sell some of their corn for ethanol production. Now, there is a by-product, called DDG, that is fed to cattle in place of “whole” corn, so it’s not a total net-loss for feed. However, that hasn’t stopped several livestock groups and some producers from calling for a “waiver” for the amount of ethanol the government says we need to put into our gasoline.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Now understand, I’m writing this from the perspective of a grain farmer; but I’m also writing as a consumer of meat and dairy products. What I have the biggest problem with, in this whole “waiver” debate, is that the government is picking winners and losers, and when that happens, we all loose.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">If we allow the government to shut down ethanol production to satisfy the demands of livestock producers, then what about the inverse? When corn prices crash, can we demand an increase in ethanol to prop up my industry? How about then dairy prices drop; should we control supply with a national quota system? The same quotas could apply to pigs, turkeys, ect. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>If we head down this road today, we are asking the government to take away our rights to free markets tomorrow. </i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I’m not going to propose a solution to this issue; I know folks at all corners of this table who are struggling, and who have strong opinions. The larger question I simply want to ask, is, are we as farmers and ranchers ready to give the government this much control over the principals of free market economics that we all thrive under??</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>Jeff VanderWerff is a 4th generation fruit and grain farmer from Sparta, Michigan. To learn more about his family farm, and the drought, visit </i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/agsalesman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px color: #2b00ae; text-decoration: underline;"><i>www.youtube.com/agsalesman</i></span></a></span></div>
The Agsalesman Speakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095034495952716221noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391499622368077610.post-54330299297086165512012-06-05T14:30:00.000-07:002012-06-06T04:03:05.431-07:00Bailouts, Handouts, and Crop Insurance<br />
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So there seems to be a lot of confusion out there by many people, including people who I believed understood how this system works for farmers. In the spirit of full disclosure, the numbers I’m sharing are generalized, and this blog is going to be long...so bail now if you’re not into understanding economics, farm finance, and insurance.</div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">People often see or hear about a crop loss, in this case fruit, and wonder about the “bailout” the farmers will receive. Well, first off, there is no bailout. My farm isn’t GM, and I don’t have union clout to demand help. The government does provide disaster payments, so I’ll address those first.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">When you hear about a farmer receiving a disaster payment, some would have you believe that a USDA or FSA (Farm Service Agency) person shows up at the farm, says “well Jeff, how bad was it?” and whips out a check for a couple of hundred grand. Let me impart some reality on you; we last had a major freeze event in 2010. Joe and I lost about 1/2 of our crop that year, and the government declared a disaster for our area. That started a going-on-two-year bureaucratic nightmare that still hasn’t resulted in my seeing a single damn dime of money. Is the government going to just “mail me a check”? Probably, but who knows when; if it was really that dire, I’d be bankrupt looonnnngggg before those ultra efficient government employees decided to act. Oh, and the amount? Probably about 20 or 30 thousand dollars which yes, sound like a lot, but when your farm has gross revenue north of 300 thousand a year, it’s peanuts.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">So that brings us to crop insurance, which most of us have, and all of us support. So here’s the basic rundown of how it works; every year in October, I have to decide if I want to have insurance for the next year; keep in mind, I’m still picking my current crop and now I need to start making decisions about my NEXT crop. And if I do want insurance, you pay now. Upfront. Like, 20 grand. And no, they don’t except monthly payments, food stamps, or American Express. It’s cash on the dash if you want to play. So let’s say we do have that catastrophic loss that we saw this year; first, it’s not like car insurance. They don’t run out, look at the damage, and pay. They wait; we MIGHT see an adjuster by July or August. And the check? Probably October 1, best case. So every year, you write this check, hoping you don’t freeze, or have hail, but if you do you have your crop insurance. Payday, right? Well, check out the math....</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">So here’s where the rubber meets the road. How much insurance money comes in, versus how much it costs to keep the lights on. So here it is:</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Crop insurance revenue: roughly 1100 dollars per acre; I farm about 120 acres.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Cost of sprays, trimming, mowing, and maintenance: around 1300 dollars an acre.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Cost of payments for such minor things as: land, bank loans, machine payments, insurance, utilities, ect: around another 75 thousand dollars a year.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">So do the math: at the end of the day, even this this “huge payout” I’m loosing my ass. Plain and simple. Crop insurance isn’t about a “giant payday”, it’s about keeping the wolves away and hopefully living to fight another day. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">And here’s where the shit really hits the fan; we have NO apples. NONE. ZERO. ZILCH. Ok, well, I did find enough for a pie the other day, but that’s about it. See, normally, a loss of 1/2 the crop would trigger an insurance payment; or a hail event would trigger it. In either case, you still have some apples to sell, for something. Even we lost 1/2 the crop, we’d have enough to sell, with the insurance proceeds, to break even. Not the case this year; the crop insurance check I’ll receive this fall is the only revenue my farm will have until about October....of 2013.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">So let me put it in real terms for most people: you make 100,000 dollars per year. Due to a disaster, you aren’t going to receive your pay, but you have insurance. In the analogy, you would be receiving about 40,000 dollars. Could your family live on that? Think you’d have to cut back on anything? </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Right now, the farm bill is being re-written; the main debate focuses on direct payments and crop insurance. This farmer supports eliminating direct payments, and improving crop insurance. I hope you’ll do the same.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span></div>The Agsalesman Speakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095034495952716221noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391499622368077610.post-46912465688565571362012-05-13T20:08:00.000-07:002012-05-13T20:08:08.046-07:00What's in a (local) name?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh079CDqfy6WRdmVRHQywkUytSs36bR1pEXy0lVWJIlNDU2SThFC1Sq7Yfr7GfR5hobhqJHJjIXJYoUhHngeRVPpTeXrwHD3aON_BCz7YW4ct3vl9f0pcNc4LpcvZOv-Ds5V4mlu4ASu4mG/s1600/2012-05-13_21-15-14_299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh079CDqfy6WRdmVRHQywkUytSs36bR1pEXy0lVWJIlNDU2SThFC1Sq7Yfr7GfR5hobhqJHJjIXJYoUhHngeRVPpTeXrwHD3aON_BCz7YW4ct3vl9f0pcNc4LpcvZOv-Ds5V4mlu4ASu4mG/s320/2012-05-13_21-15-14_299.jpg" width="180" /></a> So on our weekly trip to Meijer this week for groceries, Alyssa and I did our typical stroll through the dairy case for a few items, and to look at food in general (yeah, exciting life I live), when we made this discovery.<br />
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Now, at first glance, you say, wow, great, local, Michigan brand cottage cheese!! Finally, I can support a local brand for my cottage cheese needs!!<br />
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So, you spin the container around, and you see this....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicechKhhFw6TeL4bnktnVyzQY9iNUD0ghaXH2xBVEhtRoVYcBQFj0cn5L3jJiNbpaSfiK2ETYb0rFdsbnGuhec5wqP9zGCn4Irp0-sL-2FABZ_w1c67-qQgjDPUBMB4H1DqwfNLkrKnEaC/s1600/2012-05-13_21-15-50_998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicechKhhFw6TeL4bnktnVyzQY9iNUD0ghaXH2xBVEhtRoVYcBQFj0cn5L3jJiNbpaSfiK2ETYb0rFdsbnGuhec5wqP9zGCn4Irp0-sL-2FABZ_w1c67-qQgjDPUBMB4H1DqwfNLkrKnEaC/s320/2012-05-13_21-15-50_998.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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Ohio, you say!??! What the hell, I thought this was a Michigan product!??! Ohio!??!</div>
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So you read down a little further, and you start seeing this plant number codes...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHs48jKOzjtdXCS8Y56mjbRkDu681bYP6-pupCIOr248nP2iXOJM-PGN7Zv14uktRxIwJ7MJU4k9RmyJKHTVTuB3wGCoLIbVX7crDmOLUOocaDfqcUBD5akbiM93Wc-uO103z0uDXDJ7pU/s1600/2012-05-13_21-15-31_190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHs48jKOzjtdXCS8Y56mjbRkDu681bYP6-pupCIOr248nP2iXOJM-PGN7Zv14uktRxIwJ7MJU4k9RmyJKHTVTuB3wGCoLIbVX7crDmOLUOocaDfqcUBD5akbiM93Wc-uO103z0uDXDJ7pU/s640/2012-05-13_21-15-31_190.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plant Codes Here ^^^^</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFgs7R8WRrUdtip1kUNU6SrFPuN3RtVJIa662opDZhZ0oErdb08t1U4bHyFaf8nIFrOh4g88RDdmv0w7_Bh4udD5Y1wTXgBlmDoNC3gDNaeKk7NJYGPhOCN_HV3crNCARXt32ebeh4piJw/s1600/2012-05-13_21-16-20_186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFgs7R8WRrUdtip1kUNU6SrFPuN3RtVJIa662opDZhZ0oErdb08t1U4bHyFaf8nIFrOh4g88RDdmv0w7_Bh4udD5Y1wTXgBlmDoNC3gDNaeKk7NJYGPhOCN_HV3crNCARXt32ebeh4piJw/s320/2012-05-13_21-16-20_186.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
So what exactly are plant codes?? Well, my friend, the plant code tells you exactly where the product came from, mainly incase there is ever a recall. But for our purposes, it's going to tell us where the product was made, and most likely, where some of its ingredients came from. In this case, it came from plant 26-330. Using our handy-dandy <a href="http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/Product-SpecificInformation/MilkSafety/FederalStatePrograms/InterstateMilkShippersList/default.htm">link to the FDA's website</a> we see that the first numbers, 26, signify a Michigan plant. The second numbers, 330, are the plant code; plant 330 is the Country Fresh plant located in Grand Rapids. This plant uses milk from many of my neighbors, and a lot of milk from West Michigan in general.<br />
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Same product, same plant, same milk.<br />
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The "Michigan" brand: 3.99<br />
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Country Fresh brand: 2.49<br />
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Just because the label says where it came from, in this case Ohio, that doesn't mean it actually came from there. When in doubt, check the label, and if you're still unsure, do a little research. The information is out there.<br />
<br />The Agsalesman Speakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095034495952716221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391499622368077610.post-48511468910634857612012-02-29T07:41:00.004-08:002012-02-29T08:02:44.380-08:00Dale Carnegie: More important than John DeereRight now, there seems to be a lot of debate, some quite heated, within the ag community as to how we should or should not be connecting with consumers. We've started hearing words like "agtivist", which would imply that we have left the relm of rational discussion, and moved into the world of extremism.<div><br /></div><div>I would disagree with that.</div><div><br /></div><div>In nearly ten years on the road in sales, I becase a deciple of the teaching of Dale Carnegie. The Carnegie teachings of how to Win Friends, and Infulance People literally changed my life and the way I interact with people. That said, I belive strongly that we can't use a one-way approach to talk with consumers about what we do; they don't want to be told, they want to have a dialouge. However, we need to recognize that there are people who will confront us, question us, and villify us who have zero interest in polite conversation.</div><div><br /></div><div>I think back a couple of weeks ago to the Chipotle commercial issue; now, if a person saw that ad, had questions, and is truely interested in a conversation about what they saw and didn't understand, I'm all in. I'll spend hours trying to explain what we do, and how we do it, as long as your willing to listen. However, when you come out swinging with the typical "factory farm" and "corperate ag" remarks, I'm going to get defensive. At that point, you've pretty much shown me your not interested in a discussion, your interested in causing trouble.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, there are those among us that believe we can win everyone to our way of thinking by holding hands and singing a little song; but I'm more of a realist. When you really cut down to it, 20% are for us, 20% are against us, and 60% are in the middle looking for real answers; and it's that 60% I'm after. </div><div><br /></div><div>Conversation with consumers is valuable, and it's a necessary part of what we do now as farmers; just make sure that when you're talking, your audience is listening.</div>The Agsalesman Speakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095034495952716221noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391499622368077610.post-31106992288305639772012-01-02T10:08:00.000-08:002012-01-02T10:09:23.949-08:00Priorities.<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Like all farmers, we spent the last couple weeks of a successful year talking about what to do with the fruits of our labor (that would be profits, which can be rare in the farming world) and decided to come up with some priority items for 2012. Now, I’ve heard lots of chatter from other farmers about the new combine or tractor they wanted to pick up, or about pre paying for some of their fertilizer for next year. Our list, however, looked a little different. </p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Item number 1 on the 2012 goals list: obtain MAEAP (Michigan Agricultural Environmental Assurance Program) verification. For those that don’t know, this is a voluntary, grower-initiated stewardship program under which your farm goes through an extensive third-party audit to certify that you are using the best environmental stewardship practices. It can be costly, and is time-consuming, but it is worth it to know we are doing everything possible to protect our natural resources. We needed to complete a couple of major items before we could proceed, so that’s where the money went first.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i>Item number 1:</i> New orchard sprayer. Our old sprayer worked, but this new machine is the most state-of-the-art sprayer available. It will allow us to better control where we spray, and also allow us to use lower use rates of our pesticides, because the coverage is so much better. Expensive, but very, very worth it.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i>Item number 2:</i> Fuel containment diking and a loading pad. Now, this is something that we could have applied, and waited around for, government conservation funding, but this is important. We decided to make it a priority issue, get it built, and move on. In reality, this was the one major item that was holding our verification up, so now we should have no trouble obtaining our certification.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">When it comes down to it, we will end up making the same business investments that other farmers make; more grain storage, maybe a newer semi tractor, or a even a new combine. But right now, we’re going to make sure we’re doing whatever it takes to protect our natural resources, because at the end of the day, if we don’t have our land, then that combine is going to be a really expensive lawn ornament. </span></p>The Agsalesman Speakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095034495952716221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391499622368077610.post-80104145591835151952011-12-13T10:31:00.000-08:002011-12-13T10:43:12.006-08:00Grandpa's WaySurfing though my twitter feed today, I came upon a great quote from a friend of mine regarding how people who aren't involved in farming or ag today seem to think we should do things the way their grandfather did, on his farm. While my grandfather certainly did teach me a lot of things about farming, there are more than a few things that were common in his day that we've moved beyond. So, before we head down memory lane, let's look at a few common practices in "his day" versus what we're doing now.<div><br /></div><div>Things like...</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Used oil. Grandpa used to dump it in the driveway "to keep the dust down". Today, we recycle it, along with batteries, chemical jugs, and trash. Grandpa's solution was "the dump".</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Spray programs. Grandpa used to spray atrazine on corn by the gallon, and used chemicals in the orchard that killed every bug in the township. Today, we are using lower pesticide rates than ever before, and integrated pest management has changed how we manage orchards.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Conservation. Grandpa would plow, disk, and drag the soil into a powder, then plant the corn. We've been using no-till farming since the early 1990's, and have installed filter strips and wildlife habitat area around the farms. Stewardship is a major concern.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, as you can see, sometimes the "good ol' days" aren't so great. Farming has changed dramatically, but not always for the worse. So, before you criticize what we do, try to learn why we are doing it first. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>Jeff VanderWerff is a 4th generation farmer from Sparta, Michigan. Learn more about his family farm at www.youtube.com/agsalesman</i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>The Agsalesman Speakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095034495952716221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391499622368077610.post-45242557854257896782011-09-09T05:19:00.000-07:002011-09-09T05:24:10.145-07:00The 9/11 Blog.<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">10 years. So much happens in your life in 10 years, it’s hard to put it into quantitive terms sometimes. Think about it; what has happened to you? Did you graduate college, get married, start a family? For 343 of my brothers in New York, these things didn’t happen in the last 10 years, because they showed the supreme courage that firefighters all have. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">This is my 9/11 story.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">In the spirt of full disclosure, what you are about to read is something I’ve never talked about; not with my wife, my family, no one. Public servants are trained that when you see or experience something horrible, you don’t show any emotion; you bottle it up, and deal with it later. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Well, it’s later. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">In June of 2001, I decided to become a fireman; my cousin Jon, who had just finished his police academy, talked me into it. I liked the idea of serving my community, and helping people, but wasn’t real big on being shot at. Fire seemed pretty safe; I mean, hell, all that gear, lots of training, no biggie. So I joined Kent City Fire, a small volunteer department in northern Kent county. It’s your typical small town department, with lots of legacy members, lots of tradition, and not a ton of calls. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">In deciding that I wanted the best training, mainly because this sounded like a great career choice for me, I enrolled in the fire academy at Lansing Community College. We started the last week of August, 2001, and quickly began to gel as a group. The guys were fun, the training was exciting, and we got to wear some pretty cool uniforms to class. When I woke up on a tuesday morning, September 11th, and headed for our training tower, I had no idea how much different things would be when I got back to my apartment.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Class started at 8am, and by now we were starting to get into the meat of the program; we knew how to use our gear, and knew some basic techniques. Today’s lesson would be ladders; how to use them, where to place them, and how not to fall-pretty simple stuff. Around 9am, we stared hearing a lot of commotion coming from the command office where the battalion chiefs were having their weekly meeting. A plane had just hit the world trade center. Wow. Ok, well, it’s the FDNY, the world’s best. No sweat, class resumes. All of a sudden, people are running from the command center, jumping in their Tahoe’s, and screaming out, lights and sirens running. A second plane hit, and we were officially under attack. We all just kinda stood there for a minute, just going through the motions. We were all trying to process what was happening. Then, the next word from the TV; One World Trade had collapsed; we knew there must have been hundreds of guys inside when it came down; everyone stopped. One of our instructors, Captain Baker, told us we could head home, and told us to pray. What happened next, I believe, is when we became brothers, and when the bond was forged not just with us, but will all the guys in New York.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Gil Torres, a guy in our group, asked everyone if we would join him in prayer. Without a word, we all hit our knees, turnout gear and air packs still on, and joined hands. Gilbert prayed for the guys in New York, for the people on the planes, and for our troops who would soon be fighting this new enemy. We all prayed with him, because at that moment we began to know, began to realize a new, chilling fact. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">That could have been us. All of us. Together. Gone.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">The next couple of days were a blur, it seemed. We went to class, we continued to train, but with heavy hearts, and a lot on our minds. People looked at us differently on campus; they stepped aside, or just stared. I mean, how crazy were we? We had just watched 343 guys die on the job, and here we were, training to do the exact same thing.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Thursday morning is when it really hit me what had happened. I was heading east on Michigan Ave towards the capitol, and LCC. Stopped at a light, I noticed the bright sunshine just rising over the capitol dome, and there was the American Flag, flying in all it’s glory. As fate would have it, the radio began to play “God Bless the USA”, and it hit me; all the emotion, all the anger, all the sadness. As the light turned green, I tried to pull myself together, and noticed something that was strangely reassuring; the guy in the car next to me was crying too. For that moment, I realized that it was ok, everyone was hurting, scared, and angry. Someone had sucker punched us, but we weren’t going down without a fight. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Since that day, a lot has happened. There have been memorials, parades, and services. Publicly, we remember that day every September, and sadly, that’s the only day I think a lot of folks think about it. For those of us that are part of the brotherhood, we remember them everyday. I think about those guys every time I go into a fire, or respond to a wreck, or a medical call. I remember their courage, and their sacrifice, and sometimes I wonder what the world would be like if more people did as well.</span></p>The Agsalesman Speakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095034495952716221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391499622368077610.post-57332358852192393212011-08-23T07:12:00.000-07:002011-08-23T07:35:02.229-07:00Apple harvest brings new challangesWell, it's that time of year, time for the days to shorten, the air to chill, and the apples to come off the trees. Growing up in an area of fruit production, I guess I've always known how apples were picked, and generally assumed that most farmer knew as well; boy was I wrong! Sitting here at the AgChat Foundation Conference, I'm amazed that I've needed to explain several times now to people just how dependent of migrant labor we really are. Even other farmers didn't realize that apples are harvested by hand, one by one. <div>
<br /></div><div>In order to harvest apples correctly, we depend on migrant labor, and they are far more than just employees to us; they are a valued part of our team. We can do everything right, all year, and if we don't have skilled, efficient, workers to harvest our crop, it's all for naught. I guess this is why it's so disheartening to hear the discourse regarding migrant labor and immigration. Now, I'm the great-grandson of dutch immigrants; we waited in line like everybody else. However, we need to get real with this problem. Migrant labor is a vital part of, quite honestly, our national security, and we need to realize that. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Now, I'm not advocating a free pass; but right now, we have bigger problems in this country than this, and quite honestly, we could use the money (tax revenue). Secure the border, bring these people out of the shadows, and make them start paying taxes; they are already benefitting from our social system, we might as well get some money out of it.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Our country needs a secure food supply. Consumer demand is asking for more and more fresh fruits and vegetables, and we need to have them raised by our standards, on our land. Support common sense immigration reform, and remember, your next meal may depend on it!</div>The Agsalesman Speakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095034495952716221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391499622368077610.post-57710021804684995082011-06-02T04:55:00.000-07:002011-06-02T05:02:24.275-07:00Safest food on the planet, now at lower temperatures!<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Hopefully, you were able to enjoy the great weather this past memorial day weekend, and while you were waiting for some tasty cuts of pork or beef to come hot of the grill, you took the time to remember the brave American soldiers who paid the ultimate price to allow us such great freedom. I have nothing but absolute respect and admiration for those men and women, and I must say, I feel a little guilty bringing this up. However, in addition to thanking those brave souls for our freedom, we can also thank the American farmer who helped bring us that meal, and provided us with the safest food on the planet.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Last week, the USDA released a statement telling us something that many farmer have known for years; that it is perfectly safe to cook pork to medium, at 145 degrees internal temperature. This announcement is great news for consumers, and reinforces a basic truth about our food: that it is truly safe, and that modern farming practices have contributed to it. For example, years ago, people were leery of pork, especially under-cooked pork, for many good reasons. The pigs lived outside, basically running loose, eating whatever happened to appear in front of them (I won’t get into details). Today, pigs live comfortably inside clean, well-lit, climate controlled barns; which are probably a lot cooler than my old farmhouse right now. The pork is harvested and processed in state-of-the-art facilities, which are cleaned, scrubbed, and inspected daily within an inch of their lives. The USDA and its watchful eye are never more than a stones throw away, providing guidance and oversight to the industry. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">But outside of the processing world, pork farmers are doing the right things as well. Large and small alike, most farmers today are PQA+ Certified, meaning they have taken part in a voluntary program that holds them to a higher standard, and helps them produce a better product. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Farmers today care more about food and consumer safety than ever. As a farmer, it kills me to see a recall, or hear about people getting sick from a food-borne illness, because I feel like I have somehow failed. You depend on me for safe food the same as you would depend on a fireman to come save your house in a fire. We all have a job to do, and we want to do it well. From soldiers to farmers, we’re all working to protect American consumers. </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i>Jeff Vander Werff is a 4th generation farmer from Sparta, Michigan. Learn more about how safe your food really is at www.youtube.com/agsalesman</i></span></span></p>The Agsalesman Speakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095034495952716221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391499622368077610.post-86608002458560910682011-05-16T05:50:00.000-07:002011-05-16T05:52:19.192-07:00Recall This.<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">So last week a California company recalled 16,000 pounds of lunch meat due to concerns about listeria contamination. Hearing this on the news, I think the first reaction of most people is to thing, wow, that’s a lot of lunch meat, but when you really think about it, it’s not, and it proves why our food is the safest in the world.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Think about it; we live in a country, where for the first time in the recored history of the planet, we can enjoy food just about any way we want it. We can eat eggs over easy for breakfast without fear, have sushi for lunch, and then enjoy a rare steak and a caesar salad for dinner, all without the worry of a food borne illness. Imagine living in a country where you go to the market, and you have to live in fear of what might be lurking in your food.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Food recalls like this are actually a good thing; they prove and reinforce to us that our food is not only produced safely, but handled and processed safely; I mean, would you rather NOT know that there was an issue, and risk getting sick? No, you wouldn’t. That’s why the USDA inspects food and facilities; so we can find problems, correct them, and improve safety.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Finally, let’s put this recall in perspective. Sure, 16,000 lbs sounds like a HUGE number, and yea, that’s a lot of meat. But think of it this way; according to the last census, the Grand Rapids, Michigan metro area has around 1 million residents. Let’s assume that one in 10 of them eat a cold-cut of some kind for lunch everyday-that’s brown baggers, Subway, Jimmy John’s, ect, and that each consumes around a quarter pound of lunch meat-that’s about average. So that’s 100,000 people eating 25,000 pounds of lunch meats EVERY DAY. This recall is a drop in the bucket!! There literally isn’t enough meat in this recall to supply a mid-sized American city for a single day. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Food safety is top of mind these days for many Americans, especially farmers and ranchers. When I ship a product, whether it’s fresh apples or wheat to the flower mill, I want to make sure you’re receiving a safe, nutritious product. I know I’m doing my part, and you can rest assured the USDA and processors are doing their’s as well.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i>Jeff Vander Werff is a fourth generation farmer from Sparta, Michigan. Learn more about food safety and your food at www.youtube.com/user/agsalesman</i></span></span></p>The Agsalesman Speakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095034495952716221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391499622368077610.post-7519486710955154812011-04-15T04:42:00.000-07:002011-04-15T04:47:58.561-07:00Back to the Future.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; color: rgb(68, 78, 92); "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 17px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.55em; ">As spring approaches, more and more of us are heading out to the deck to throw a couple steaks on the grill, enjoying that timeless summertime tradition. This year, as your steak cooks, take a minute and think about the family that raised that beef, and how much their family farm, much like mine, has changed over the years.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 17px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.55em; ">In the mid 90's, when I was in high school, we looked like what I think most people envision a farm to look like. We had the classic red barns, a few fruit trees up on the hill, some beef cows in the pasture, and a few hogs in the barn. However, as idealistic as this appeared to be, it wasn't viable. We didn't have enough acres, or cows, or pigs, or apples to make a living off of. It was a hobby. As we shaped our vision for the future, and decided what we wanted the farm to look like for our children and grandchildren, it became evident what had to happen. Soon, the cows left, followed shortly by the pigs. Instead of the old red barn that held a 40 acre hay crop, we built a grain storage that holds 500 acres of corn production. The few apple trees on the hill were replaced when my brother and I broke off and bought a fruit farm of our own. The picture has changed, but the people painting it hasn't.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 17px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.55em; ">Whether we farm 10 acres or 10,000 acres, we are the same family. We abide by the same values, ethics, and morals now as we did then. We believe in hard work, fair pay, and being good stewards of the land. And it's not just us that feel this way; my neighbors, some who farm thousands of acres and may milk thousands of cows feel the same way. It is still their family farm; the picture has just changed.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 17px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.55em; ">Along with this growth, comes a new opportunity. As farms grow, and families grow, the need for help arises. I grew up working down the road on the neighbor's diary farm, milking cows, feeding calves, and spreading manure. Those jobs haven't changed-but now we are hiring people in the community to work full time, and providing them with not only the basics- good wages and benefits- but also a chance to be a part of our family. My grandfather jokingly refers to our main employee Dave as "the third son", because Dave often joins him in the house for coffee, or a beer after the day is done. He is a valued member of not only the farm, but in some ways, the family.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 17px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.55em; ">This is not the exception with farm families, it's the rule. The picture of agriculture has, and will, continue to change and evolve; however, rest assured, the people painting it never will.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 17px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.55em; "><i>Jeff VanderWerff is a 4th generation farmer from Sparta, Michigan. Learn more about his family farm at www.youtube.com/agsalesman</i></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 17px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.55em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "></span></p><div id="asset-9482223" class="entry_widget_small entry_widget_left" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 155px !important; float: left; "><span class="adv-photo-small" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: block; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(241, 241, 241); height: 205px; max-width: 155px; "><img class="adv-photo" alt="VWF Farm 1955.jpg" width="155" height="99" original="http://media.mlive.com/freshfood/photo/9482223-small.jpg" src="http://media.mlive.com/freshfood/photo/9482223-small.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; vertical-align: bottom; max-width: 155px; display: block; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; " /><span class="photo-data" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 5px; display: block; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-width: initial; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-right-color: rgb(213, 213, 213); border-bottom-color: rgb(213, 213, 213); border-left-color: rgb(213, 213, 213); font-size: 10px; "><a class="full-size-popup" href="http://media.mlive.com/freshfood/photo/vwf-farm-1955jpg-362bfd46bd2ba4e0.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 9px; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(48, 92, 182); text-decoration: none; display: block; width: auto; float: left; text-align: left; line-height: 1.35em; background-image: url(http://media.mlive.com/design/baseline/img/icons/plus.gif); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: 0px 4px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; ">View full size</a><span class="byline" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: block; width: 85px; float: right; text-align: right; line-height: 1.35em; ">Jeff VanderWerff, Farm Fresh Food</span><span class="caption" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 3px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 3px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; clear: both; display: block; text-align: left; line-height: 1.25em; ">Here's a snapshot of our farm in 1955.</span></span><span class="photo-bottom-left" style="margin-top: -7px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: block; float: left; width: 7px; height: 7px; background-image: url(http://media.mlive.com/design/baseline/img/corners.png); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(241, 241, 241); background-position: -28px -7px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; "></span><span class="photo-bottom-right" style="margin-top: -7px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: block; float: right; width: 7px; height: 7px; background-image: url(http://media.mlive.com/design/baseline/img/corners.png); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(241, 241, 241); background-position: -35px -7px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; "></span></span></div><div id="asset-9482234" class="entry_widget_small entry_widget_left" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 155px !important; float: left; "><span class="adv-photo-small" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: block; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(241, 241, 241); height: 195px; max-width: 155px; "><img class="adv-photo" alt="Grandpa's farm 1986.jpg" width="155" height="109" original="http://media.mlive.com/freshfood/photo/9482234-small.jpg" src="http://media.mlive.com/freshfood/photo/9482234-small.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; vertical-align: bottom; max-width: 155px; display: block; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; " /><span class="photo-data" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 5px; display: block; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-width: initial; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-right-color: rgb(213, 213, 213); border-bottom-color: rgb(213, 213, 213); border-left-color: rgb(213, 213, 213); font-size: 10px; "><span class="byline" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: block; width: 85px; float: right; text-align: right; line-height: 1.35em; ">Jeff VanderWerff, Farm Fresh Food</span><span class="caption" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 3px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 3px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; clear: both; display: block; text-align: left; line-height: 1.25em; ">And here it is when my grandpa owned it in 1985.</span></span><span class="photo-bottom-left" style="margin-top: -7px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: block; float: left; width: 7px; height: 7px; background-image: url(http://media.mlive.com/design/baseline/img/corners.png); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(241, 241, 241); background-position: -28px -7px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; "></span><span class="photo-bottom-right" style="margin-top: -7px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: block; float: right; width: 7px; height: 7px; background-image: url(http://media.mlive.com/design/baseline/img/corners.png); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(241, 241, 241); background-position: -35px -7px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; "></span></span></div><div id="asset-9482236" class="entry_widget_small entry_widget_left" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 155px !important; float: left; "><span class="adv-photo-small" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: block; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(241, 241, 241); height: 257px; max-width: 155px; "><img class="adv-photo" alt="VWF Farm, 2010.JPG" width="155" height="103" original="http://media.mlive.com/freshfood/photo/9482236-small.jpg" src="http://media.mlive.com/freshfood/photo/9482236-small.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; vertical-align: bottom; max-width: 155px; display: block; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; " /><span class="photo-data" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 5px; display: block; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-width: initial; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-right-color: rgb(213, 213, 213); border-bottom-color: rgb(213, 213, 213); border-left-color: rgb(213, 213, 213); font-size: 10px; "><a class="full-size-popup" href="http://media.mlive.com/freshfood/photo/vwf-farm-2010jpg-1ed11838f5545b01.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 9px; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(48, 92, 182); text-decoration: none; display: block; width: auto; float: left; text-align: left; line-height: 1.35em; background-image: url(http://media.mlive.com/design/baseline/img/icons/plus.gif); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: 0px 4px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; ">View full size</a><span class="byline" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: block; width: 85px; float: right; text-align: right; line-height: 1.35em; ">Jeff VanderWerff, Farm Fresh Food</span><span class="caption" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 3px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 3px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; clear: both; display: block; text-align: left; line-height: 1.25em; ">Here's our farm today, in the fall of 2010.</span></span></span></div></span><p></p>The Agsalesman Speakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095034495952716221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391499622368077610.post-80624832642418026632011-04-05T20:20:00.000-07:002011-04-05T20:22:17.421-07:00The Simple LifeSurfing Facebook tonight for a few minutes, I came a crossed a post by a friend, Will Gilmer, talking about he and his son listening to the ball game on an old radio that was his when he was a kid. You know, it’s little quips like this that make me so grateful to have grown up in the country.<br /><br />Where I grew up, we weren't that rural by a lot of standards. Grand Rapids, population 200,000 was only 25 minutes away. We lived just a mile west of Sparta, a town of 4,000 people that had everything you needed, including a McDonald’s!! But, even so, we grew up similar to so many other rural kids, and I think summertime baseball is the ultimate metaphor for that point in your life.<br /><br />As a kid, it was the Detroit Tigers, and the legendary Ernie Harwell. Many nights, after dinner, we’d go help in the garden for a little bit, or help dad pick up a few stray bales out in the field. Like most other farm kids, we did our 4-H chores, checked cows, and, if we were lucky, got to ride though the pasture with dad to check cows for the night. Then it was back to the house, and like so many other farm kids a crossed America, we’d tune the radio in to the ballgame. I can still see, feel, and smell it. Ernie Harwell on the radio, dad reading the paper and maybe having a beer, and the cool breeze finally coming in the windows of the old farmhouse. It was heaven on earth, and really, we didn’t think it got any better.<br /><br />People often wonder what it is about farmers, how they can have this almost surreal bond between them, even if they’ve just met. And the answer is simple: we all grew up the same. We all felt that simple life of living in the country, and learning to enjoy the very simple things in life. It’s how young farmers from all over the state, and even the country, and become friends in minutes, and stay friends for years, because no matter where we grew up, we all lived The Simple Life.<div><br /></div><div><i>Jeff VanderWerff is a 4th generation farmer from Sparta, Michigan. Learn more about him and his family farm at www.youtube.com/agsalesman<br /></i><br /></div>The Agsalesman Speakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095034495952716221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391499622368077610.post-4508045673820393392011-03-24T14:58:00.000-07:002011-03-25T07:42:15.897-07:00Our Duty.This morning, I was reviewing my twitter feed, looking to see what pithy comments were out there today, when I came upon this gem:<br /> <br /> <span style="font-style:italic;">follownathan: Nobody is gonna like this... but I am just waiting for #bigag to use the Japan tragedy as another PR spin to "feed the world"<br /></span><br />Wow.<br /><br />So let me get this straight; I happen to believe that as a good christian, and quite honestly, as an American, I should help those in need. The United States is the Saudi Arabia of food; we have considerable surplus quantities of grains produced every year. So why SHOULDN’T we help Japan?<br /><br />Because Nate and his “pro-food”, “whole food”, “real food” cronies don’t want us to. <br /><br />They want to drag our 8th wonder on the world, modern American agriculture, back to the days of 40 acres and a mule. They don’t want us to have the export capacity to help a country in dire straits, because they believe food is far too cheap and plentiful in this country.<br /><br />Right now, the Japanese people are suffering. They are hungry, and they truly need our help; and right now, I don’t think they would care if the food is BST, GMO, or Ei-Ei-O. They don’t care about the angry acronyms; they care about where they are going to find their next meal.<br /><br />At the end of the day, if having the ability to help the Japanese with food due to our agricultural prowess-and the desire to do so-makes me “Big Ag”, then I’ve never been prouder to have been insulted.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Jeff VanderWerff is a 4th generation fruit and grain farmer from Sparta, Michigan. Learn more about him at www.youtube.com/agsalesman</span>The Agsalesman Speakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095034495952716221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391499622368077610.post-53357392762691274462011-03-17T20:11:00.000-07:002011-03-17T20:12:22.712-07:003 Local Meals a day...Lately, I’ve been asking people what makes their food local, and most people seem to believe that you need to grow it in your community garden, visit the farmer’s market, or stop at a farmer’s road side stand. While all of these are great ideas, and they defiantly support farmers and local agriculture, I think you’ll be amazed to learn how local most of our food really is. <br /><br />Let’s start with one of the last places you’d expect to find local food: a fast food or quick service restaurant. However, you’d be surprised to learn how local that food is. At McDonald’s, for example, most of the apple dippers your kids enjoy instead of fries are fresh, locally grown Michigan apples, all of which come from a farm just like mine. Same goes for the apples in that new oatmeal they are selling. Rather have an Egg McMuffin? Rest assured, those eggs are raised on family-owned, family-run farms all over Michigan.<br /><br />Planning to stop by Panera Bread for lunch? No problem. Order a delicious turkey sandwich and enjoy Michigan Turkey Producers signature product. All that healthy, safe, turkey is produced on West Michigan farms, owned by West Michigan families. While you’re enjoying that sandwich, make sure you throw on a big handful of Lay’s potato chips; proudly produced with Michigan potatoes.<br /><br />Busy evening planned? No worries here, a fresh pizza is just the ticket. Allendale, Michigan is home to one of the largest mozzarella cheese plants in the US, all made with local Michigan milk. Don’t forget to add some sauce made with Michigan tomatoes, such as those grown by lots of farmers in southern Michigan for Red Gold Tomatoes!<br /><br />A huge majority of the products we enjoy everyday here in Michigan are grown and processed right here; they are produced on family farms, processed by grower-owned co-ops, and sold to families just like yours and mind. So the next time you’re out and thinking about buying local, just remember to buy Michigan; it’s more local than you think!!<br /><br />Jeff VanderWerff is a 4th generation fruit and grain farmer from Sparta, Michigan. Learn more about him and his family at www.youtube.com/agsalesmanThe Agsalesman Speakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095034495952716221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391499622368077610.post-12168487775047749502011-02-25T15:59:00.001-08:002011-02-27T19:39:48.168-08:00It all starts with a little trimming...One of the jobs we have on the farm this time of year is tree-trimming, a laborious task involving a three-wheeled machine called a Brownie with what is basically a 25 pound hydraulic powered chain saw attached to it. You see, you ride up in the air in a little bucket, kinda like the power guys, and swing this saw around like a powered machete, removing errant limbs (hopefully only on the tree). It is a boring, cold, tiresome job; I can honestly say I can think of well over 100 things I’d rather do then trim trees; however, it’s one of the most important jobs on the farm. A well-trimmed tree produces better fruit, with better size, and less pressure from insects and fungus. It’s truly an investment you make for future years; the better job you do trimming, the better quality fruit you’ll likely produce.<br /><br />Right now, we’re watching a lot of “fiscal tree-trimming” happen all over the United States, and Michigan is no exception. Governor Rick Snyder has climbed aboard his metaphorical “brownie”, and as we say when we need to do some hard trimming in a neglected orchard, he’s doing some major lumber-jacking. No tree is safe from Snyder’s saw, nor should any be; you see, for far too long our state legislature has worked off borrowed time; they’ve been growing some pretty lousy fruit, and the markets have changed. Consumers (and voters) are demanding fresh, high quality fruit, and they’ve hired a new farm manager to make that happen. Eventually, just like at home, the governor will replant the orchard with new trees that won’t need trimming for quite some time. But, for the meantime, stand back, cause the limbs are flying!!<br /><br />Everything in the world has a day of reckoning; and just like my back and shoulders after a long day trimming in the orchard, the governor is sure to go home with a few wounds and some soar muscles. But as an old farmer once told me, when you trim trees the hardest, that’s when you get the most new growth.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-style:italic;"></span> Jeff Vander Werff is a 4th generation farmer and blogger from Sparta, Michigan. Learn more about his family's farm at www.youtube.com/agsalesman<br /> </span>The Agsalesman Speakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095034495952716221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391499622368077610.post-92095012488226837022011-01-16T21:22:00.000-08:002011-01-16T21:23:38.767-08:00How do we measure success?This past weekend and week, the American Farm Bureau Federation held it’s annual meeting in Atlanta, and aside from Mike Rowe giving a keynote address, one of the major highlights are the Young Farmer and Rancher competitions.<br /><br />Now, these events are intense, competitive, and generally nerve racking. You are competing against the very, very best young farmers and ranchers from all over the United States for some nice prizes- such as a new Dodge pickup truck or a new tractor.<br /><br />This is the Superbowl of young farmer events.<br /><br />And it’s a hell of a yardstick to judge your program and state by.<br /><br />Or should it be?<br /><br />Now my state, Michigan, has enjoyed success in the past in national young farmer events, and we are thankful and proud of that. It is always great to be recognized for having a top-notch program, as well as winning some great prizes.<br /><br />But what are we really trying to do here?<br /><br />When I ask that question, I’m talking about looking at the young farmer programs in a larger sense. I think it’s worth asking the question: What are you trying to do, and how does your state measure success?<br /><br />Now, for many years, I believed we needed to win to prove our worth. Having 3 contestants come home with pickup trucks would certainly prove that we had a young farmer program that is one of the top in the nation.<br /><br />But then I thought about it a little harder....<br /><br />What does winning a big award accomplish, really? How does this improve the lives of our member families, build leadership skills, and give agriculture it’s next generation of leaders? And really, the answer is glaringly simple.<br /><br />It doesn’t.<br /><br />What does, is Michigan Farm Bureau and it’s Young Farmer Program.<br /><br />We have young farmers on virtually every one of our county boards, with many, many of them serving as presidents, vice presidents, and committee chairs.<br /><br />We have young farmers who attend our state annual meeting, speak on issues, and develop some of the finest policy in the nation.<br /><br />And that’s just what we do in Farm Bureau.<br /><br />Our young farmers serve as township trustees, clerks, and board members. They are on zoning boards, planning commissions, and preservation boards. They serve on county boards, committees, and task forces.<br /><br />And that’s just what we do at the local level.<br /><br />Our young farmers, products of our leadership training programs, now serve in the halls of Michigan’s legislature. Several more stepped up and ran in primary races.<br /><br />And that’s just what we do at the state level.<br /><br />Graduates and alumni of Michigan Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer program now serve, and have served, on national committees, including the American Farm Bureau board.<br /><br />That, is what we do.<br /><br />And it’s all worth a lot more than a new pickup truck.The Agsalesman Speakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095034495952716221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391499622368077610.post-67998192907212657472010-12-28T17:30:00.000-08:002010-12-28T17:47:18.688-08:00Fair Trade...MILK!??!??!Sunday afternoon, Alyssa and I made our weekly trip to Meijers, and like normal, I hung around the dairy and produce isles, seeing what type of marketing ploys a fringe group is aiming at production agriculture this week.<br /><br />Wow.<br /><br />Have you ever heard of the concept of fair trade milk? How about “humanely certified”? Or Pasture Raised?? Who makes this stuff up?? Well, after some Google time, I have the answer.<br /><br />It seems a slick talking, well-dressed gentleman by the name of Chad Pawlak is president of a group of farms called Grass Point Farms. Now, the fact that he is “President” seems a little contrary to the whole corporate-farms-are-killing-our-children routine he’s preaching, but we’ll get to that later. When you look at their website, which by the way, is written line-by-line out of what my friend Ben refers to as “Web Marketing For Dummies”, it’s obvious these people have done some homework. And when you read their info, background, and standards, I think we’d all agree with the concepts; safe, clean, healthy milk, produced by cows that are owned by families, cared for according to the highest standards, and are generally happy. <br /><br />But here’s where ol’ Chad looses me...<br /><br />He speaks at several points about how cows raised on pasture are happier, cleaner, and how they produce better milk.<br /><br />Sure. <br /><br />He then brings up several points to consider before you buy, such as: <br /><br />Who is profiting from this sale?<br /><br />How far did the product travel?<br /><br />Is the company socially responsible?<br /><br />There were many more, but I’ll focus on these to start.<br /><br />My family and I farm about 2 miles from a large dairy farm, where they milk around 1500 cows. The farm is run by a young man, along with his wife, mom, and about a dozen trusted employees. I know everyone on the farm by their first name; in fact, Jason, the owner, and I went to high school and MSU together. But back to Chad’s questions...<br /><br />Who’s profiting? Well, I’d say Jason, if I had to take a guess. You see Chad, most of the milk at Meijers is produced by guys just like him, from all over the area. They load their milk into trucks driven by local guys, who take it to a processing plant in Grand Rapids, which is within about 50 miles of virtually every place it will end up. By the way Chad, how far is it from Sparta, Michigan over to Wisconsin, because unless you think you can float it over, it’s gonna be a long pull through Chicago to get your milk here.<br /><br />As far as social responsibility, these farmers are just like the rest of us. We sponsor little league teams, coach soccer, donate to food banks, and pull floats in the Homecoming Parade. We live here too, and don’t you forget it. And while we're on it, remember, his profits get spent on things like my custom farm services, fuel from the local supplier, and feed from the co-op. You know, corporate America at its finest.<br /><br />If a farmer or company wants to cater to a market segment, that’s fine. But please, don’t bash the rest of us on your way to the top. Offering consumers a choice is never a bad thing, but remember, there were about 20 gallons of Chad's milk on the shelf, compared to about 5,000 gallons of the other guys. I don't think it would have lasted very long if it was the only choice.<br /><br />As the old saying goes, don’t piss on my leg and then tell me it’s raining.The Agsalesman Speakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095034495952716221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391499622368077610.post-87621889606029146292010-11-22T07:36:00.000-08:002010-11-22T07:48:54.549-08:00Times, they are a changing.So I haven't really had anything to blog about for a while; today, however, I do.<br /><br />Some of you know, but most of you don't, that in the last few weeks I've been talking to some folks about a new job with a totally different company. <br /><br />Well, I did it.<br /><br />Starting the second week of December, I'll be working with Stein Seeds as a District Sales Manager, overseeing farmer dealers, retailers, and making direct sales. It's a new, exciting opportunity doing something that I've never done, but always wanted to do. It's a big step for me, both personally and professionally. As career moves go, it's one I've wanted to make as it allows me to be more independent; I don't actually work for Stein; I'm a self employed contractor, which is exciting for me. I like working for myself, and I think I'm pretty good at it. <br /><br />Personally, I'm not sure I've struggled with a decision more in recent memory. At HFB, I worked with my dad, brother, and a couple of close friends-basically, I've worked with the exact same people for 3 different companies in the last 8 years. It's hard to leave them behind, but I know they support me and feel that I need to take a better opportunity as it comes along. <br /><br />No doubt the next few months will be exciting as I learn a new role, new job, and work a new sales area that I've never been in before-but I look forward to it. It's the constant challenge that gets me out of bed in the morning, and I know I can succeed at it. So if you're in southeast or west-central Michigan, look for me with a new hat on; if you're not, follow me on Twitter and Facebook to see how I'm doing.The Agsalesman Speakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095034495952716221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391499622368077610.post-72616684048029551232010-07-22T05:44:00.000-07:002010-07-22T06:04:28.792-07:00Accountability.So a few weeks ago, in light of the events that took place at Conklin Dairy in Ohio, my wife Alyssa replied to a post on Michigan Farm Bureau's facebook wall regarding animal abuse. Most of the comments were our traditional talking points-one rotten apple, bad actor, I take care of my animals; except for Alyssa's. She threw caution into the wind and openly challenged everyone else to start opening their eyes to what is happening around them. She knew it may not be a popular view, but I don't think either of us expected the reaction it has received.<br /><br />Two nights ago, I attended a Farm Bureau function in Lansing, where I had the chance to mingle and visit with probably no less than a dozen staff members, and they all said virtually the same thing to me: Alyssa said what needed to be said. It isn't popular, but it's true.<br /><br />So this has had me thinking more and more about this issue the last 36 hours; what is our responsibility as members of the ag community when we know about animal abuse, or pollution, or the misuse of pesticides? Do we, as agronomists, vets, feed truck drivers, hell, just as neighbors, need to start policing ourselves? I think so. We see what goes on around the farm "when no one is watching", and often have the means and ability to intervene. I guess this is what bothers me so much about Conklin Farms-there wasn't a vet, a feed truck driver, an agronomist who saw or at least HEARD about what was going on? If they did, and said nothing, then they are just as guilty as the guy who did the deed. <br /><br />It's time to be accountable folks, to ourselves, to others, and to our industry. If you have knowledge, you need to report it. Now. That includes folks that watch, laugh about it, or use a "undercover camera". Call the sheriff, and do the right thing, otherwise, the blood is on your hands also.The Agsalesman Speakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095034495952716221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391499622368077610.post-74154677098049548662010-07-19T18:40:00.000-07:002010-07-19T18:59:22.286-07:00But I'm not touching you!!!Anyone else out there have a little brother/sister that used to play that game? They'd hold their finger half an inch from your face and keep repeating "I'm not touching you!" At some point, the story always ended the same; you'd get sick of it, and smack them upside the head, sending them screaming to mom and, at least in my parents house, giving yourself a date with the wooden spoon right across the backside for hitting your brother. Seems we could have moved past this, doesn't it? I thought so to...until today.<br /><br />So, let me bring you up to speed, in case you've missed all the high-school drama that goes on in my little online world. A few months back, a group of farmers & ranchers from across the US came together and formed a new group, known as The AgChat Foundation. Now, the purpose of the foundation (I'm not on it, I'm just surmising here) is to educate and empower "AgVocates", farmers and ranchers who talk about modern agriculture with folks and help answer questions and dispel myths. Anyways, this group is putting together a workshop of sorts next month to teach people how to be better AgVocates. And surprise, surprise, it's filled mostly (from what I can surmise) with people who come from what I would call "mainstream" agriculture; Conventional farmers for some of you. <br /><br />So apparently, there are those who are upset because they are being "excluded" from the party, in their mind at least, due to their views on modern ag. Now, I highly doubt they are, (again, I'm not part of the selection. 10,000 foot view here) and from what interaction I've had with members of the Foundation they WELCOME all types of farmers and ranchers to join them in productive dialogue about agriculture. Remember that word, productive.<br /><br />Now, here's where my beef begins. I'm beginning to feel like the big brother who has a younger one trying to push my buttons. Am I open to a conversation about issues like sustainability (whatever that is), organics, pesticide usage, and land preservation? Sure I am. As Dale Carnegie says, "Let's examine the facts". No problem. But when you come out of the gate swinging and ask me how I sleep at night knowing I am ruining the environment, I get a little defensive. <br /><br />So here's the point. A group that I will, quite honestly, call "fringe agriculture" wants to drag us back to 40 acres and a mule. They attack me and my way of life in blogs, on YouTube, in the media, and in the movies. But as soon as my group, modern ag, steps up and swings back, they go crying to mommy about how they can't come into the tree house. <br /><br />Time to grow up folks. We will all have a differnt opinion, and that is what makes America great. But, start respecting mine, before demanding I respect yours.The Agsalesman Speakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095034495952716221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3391499622368077610.post-35004496109582891582010-07-14T12:53:00.000-07:002010-07-14T13:14:20.336-07:00Remove the EmotionLast night, I was chatting with a few hundred farmers from around the country in a weekly Twitter event we call "agchat". The purpose is to connect farmers with each other, and give consumers some insight as to our views on issues. Last night was sustainability, and it proved to be as interesting as I suspected it might be...<br /><br />A little bit into the forum, I was struck by a comment made by a young man from Vermont. He said "Emotion, not technology, will save the family farm!". Alright, aside from the obvious, does anyone else see a problem here? Emotion clouds vision and makes you do dumb things, like buy a new car or join a band, and it's a horrible way to run a business (oh, I forgot. Family Farms apparently aren't business). But there's more to the story...<br /><br />A few years ago, a piece of land my family had been farming for a few years came up for sale. It was a 260 acre single tract of land, the largest single piece left in the township. We wanted it. Bad. REALLY REALLY bad. But the asking price of over 1 million dollars was tough to stomach. My brother and I were in college, and not much help. My dad and uncle probably could have literally bet the farm and mortgaged everything to the hilt to make it work, but they didn't. And I will admit it, there were tears shed as we watched the dairy farmer who bought it rip up the crops we had planted to put in his own. But that was emotional attachment showing, and that emotion is a weakness. Emotional weakness like that causes farmers to ride a bad situation right to the bottom, instead of cutting their losses and living to fight another day.<br /><br />Now, don't get me wrong. I love farming and agriculture, and so does the rest of my family. We are emotionally attached to the way of life that we all grew up with, and still live today. But when hundreds of thousands of dollars are on the line every single day, there is no room for emotion. You MUST be able to step back, take a deep breath, and make an objective decision. Was it easy for us to tear down Grandpa VW's old barn? Hell no. But what were we going to do with it? It had no use, and was about to collapse on the pole barn next to it. Emotions aside, it had to go. <br /><br />I'm confident in the future of American Agriculture and the Family Farm (like mine). Farmers are strong people who see the facts through the fog and make clear, rational decisions. The vision you may have of farming is probably changing, but rest assured, my vision has not.The Agsalesman Speakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095034495952716221noreply@blogger.com2