Inspire and be Inspired

My husband and I made some changes this year. We had been members of Ohio Farm Bureau Federation (OFBF) for several years running. As time passed, I began to realize that the OFBF seemed to split further and further away from my beliefs and ideas on agricultural practices. Perhaps they never really split, I just became more and more aware of their true stances on issues. I contemplated leaving the organization but I I had never been one to "jump ship" when things didn't go my way. Perhaps I thought I should stick with them and try to make a difference in the organization so that my ideals were reflected in their stances. You know....talk some since into them :). But as the last year progressed, I began to realize that I was just "feeding the beast" with my membership fees. I really had little time to make a difference and do more than participate from the fringes of such an organization.

OFBF's support of Issue 2 (Ohio Livestock Care Board) was the straw that broke the camel's back for me. My membership fees were helping drive a campaign that simply did not benefit small farmers and certainly did not benefit the animals we so love and respect in life and death. And so I began seeking those groups like myself that apposed the situation and came upon the organization Ohio Environmental Food and Farm Association (OEFFA). I was astonished as I read information on their website. What was this....a group that supported farming but believed that the animals and the land shouldn't suffer needlessly in the process! Eureka! I was sold and quickly became a member of this organization.

And so the campaign went on, Issue 2 passed. OEFFA was defeated in their campaign by the passing of Issue 2, but they fought the good fight and stood up for what they believed was right.... and they continue to do the same today. They won my support.

On this chilly Valentine's day weekend my husband and I attended the 31st annual OEFFA conference in Granville, Ohio. Apparently I am not the only one who found OEFFA this year, perhaps because of Issue 2 or maybe the growing movement towards sustainability. The conference quickly sold out and had 800 plus attendees.

As we attended the conference it became clear that I was now home. The energy that surrounded me was contagious. And yes the conference served as a channel for educating and allowing networking, but more important was how folks were inspiring one another. It was like a pep rally for sustainability!

The highlight of the conference was the locally grown and prepared meals. These were no skimpy cafeteria meals...these meals were awesome! For example, Saturday lunch consisted of the following options: meat and vegetarian lasagnas made by Mustard Seed Market and Cafe (featuring ground beef from Marshy Meadows Farm, Ferm's cheese and eggs from Green Field Farms, Butter from Hartzler Family Farms, Mik from Snowville Creamery), Garlic Bread (featuring, bread from Lucky Cat Bakery, garlic from Bluebird Farm, Butter made from Snowville Creamery cream), Green Salad (featuring greens from LocalCrop.com and Whole Foods Market (Dublin), Toppings from While Foods Market (Dublin), cheese curds from Blue Jacket Dairy, Dressing by Casa Nuewva), Cookies and Pastries (provided by Crumbs Bakery), Whole fruit (provided by Mustard Seed Market and Cafe), Milk (provided by Snowville Creamery), Soymolk (provided by Eden foods), and Herbal Iced Tea (provided by Bad Dog Acres).

As I happily filled my tummy on locally grown produce and meat, I realized how I no longer felt like an outsider or the minority. I don't eat meat from factory farm operations where the animals are mistreated and the meat is tainted with chemicals. For over a year now, I have struggled to find meal choices that did not contain meat when out with friends. For this reason I was often labeled a vegetarian and I excepted this label because it was just easier than trying to explain my food choices.

Sitting there at the conference I felt normal again. Like I had entered a new paradigm where you didn't have to feel guilty about eating meat and everyone was on the same playing field. And what struck me as humorous was this room was filed with fellow consumers and farmers, many of who apposed Issue 2, who were happily enjoying their lunches laden with sustainable meat. One of my least favorite parts of the campaign for Issue 2 was the myth that those that did not want issue 2 to pass were those that wanted meat farming to cease in Ohio. Hmmmmmm.....interesting.

The speakers were amazing. Rick and I picked through the difficult workshop decisions. Some of the highlights included several talks by Joel Salatan of Polyface farm. He has been featured in Michael Pollan's book The Omnivore's Dilemma and the anti-factory farming movie Food inc. If you haven't heard anything about him I urge you to take the time to peruse his website at http://www.polyfacefarms.com/ or better yet grab one of his many books to find out why everything he wants to do is illegal.

Joel's common sense comments concerning America's food system and regulations really began to bring the message home. His farm focuses on pasture production of turkeys, chickens, rabbits, eggs, and cows on a grand scale, serving more than 1,500 families, 10 retail outlets and 30 restaurants. His methods has defiantly influenced our farm management practices and so it was a great honor to see him speak in person......... OK, so how can I explain the magnitude of this experience.....You can equate that to a music groupie getting to talk to his favorite singer back stage....calm down.....I did not throw my undergarments at anyone...I do have some self control.

Another keynote speaker included Chef Ann Cooper. This fiery chef has been on the war path to get something done about the poor quality lunch foods offered to our children in public school. Her efforts have focused on getting big company contracts for highly processed food out of our schools and getting locally grown, organic, healthy alternatives in. How sad it is to think that our children don't know how to use knifes and forks anymore because everything is junk finger food. They think chicken comes in the shape of breaded dinosaurs and star shaped tidbits. Yes, meat does have bones regardless of what you might believe by viewing Farside cartoons.

Chef Cooper seems optimistic that with the First Ladies proposal to support a healthy change in our children's school lunches we are heading in the right direction. However, as she pointed out, the plan is lacking adequate federal funding per meal in order get the job done. She needs your help to make this a reality..... Please check out her website at http://www.thelunchbox.org/ to find a "virtual toolbox" including recipes, informative facts and literature, and to find out how you can help her efforts by a click of your mouse (emailing representatives).

Probably one of the most profound speakers I encountered at the conference was not one who has found national recognition, but an individual found right here at home in our neck of the Southeast Ohio woods. JB King, owner and operator of Kings Family Farm gave a short presentation on niche pork production. The information he presented concerning the pig livestock husbandry was useful and informative, but for me it was not what made his presentation so profound and unforgettable. This man had passion and love in his eyes for what he does.

For so long, I have read about the practices of factory farming, especially pertaining to pork production. And for so long, I have shared this information in the hope of shedding some light on the unknown and unseen horrors of this factory farming business. And every once in a while I would run into an individual that would tell me that I was simply being "brain washed" by "PETA propaganda". I knew in my heart that what I had read over and over could not be untrue...but like most people, doubts creep into our minds...what if I was wrong?....what if it was propaganda souly to attempt to spoil the carnivorous endeavors of our culture?

In JB's presentation, he carefully explained his farms animal husbandry choices including the choice to not use gestation stalls. He also explained his past employment as a production manager of a pork producing confined animal feed lot operation and the practices that led him to leave this position such as the use of gestation stalls, and intentional aborting piglets to synchronized births. I was deeply moved by this mans obvious love for his animals and his farm. He had been there and opted out of this system. He has seen and confirmed what I read and suspected. My heart immediately connected with his compassion for the animals he raises and how proud he was of his family and farm. KUDOS TO YOU, JB! You can find out more about where to find JB's farm products at http://www.kingfamilyfarm.com/

As we drove back from Granville Sunday evening, my mind was reeling with the experiences of the conference. My mission in life, has always been to inspire and be inspired. The conference certainly fit the bill in this category. It is all about "growing with integrity and eating with intention". Now, to figure out how to maintain this momentum of inspiration.......

*Disclaimer - the contents of this blog are not meant to express the opinions of any individual mentioned within. They merely express the writers opinion on specific subject matter. The contents have not been approved nor condemned by any individual mentioned within. The following sites are credited for the use of their photos/logos:
www.oeffa.org
www.thelunchbox.com