Food Day – Celebration of Food or Assault on Modern Agriculture?

Yesterday was national Food Day. I read several blogs, tweets and Facebook posts from farmers sharing their thoughts. Comments ranged from every day is Food Day on the farm to posts about being proud to produce quality products that feed the world. Some wrote about how today’s modern farming practices allow us to produce more food using less land and natural resources or why it’s important to sustain the productivity of the land. Some explained the reasons they love their animals, being farmers and living in rural America. All great stories to tell.

Jack and Lad talk while a cow licks her newborn twins

I also saw articles associated with Food Day promoting a plant-based diet and “reforming” the modern food system. Statements on the Food Day website revealed an anti-agriculture agenda claiming farmers are growing unhealthy food which is causing a variety of health problems, treat their animals and workers inhumanely and are polluting the environment. It seems to me the sponsors would like Americans to believe “big ag” and so-called “factory farms” are the enemy and the solution is “reforming” all farms that are not “small or mid-size”.  

Are we all celebrating the same Food Day?

I think we can agree on some basic ideas; we all want safe & healthy food, sustainable farms, to alleviate hunger, protect land and animals, and support fair working conditions.  

Jack and Garrett love visiting the calves

It’s important to remember 98% of U.S. farms are owned by individuals and families. These are family farms of all shapes, sizes and production methods. We should celebrate the diversity of U.S. agriculture by embracing all types of farms that employ a variety of farming practices, including conventional and organic. Not tearing down one production method and putting another on a pedestal. The diversity we enjoy gives consumers a multitude of choices in the grocery store. That’s a good thing.

What I ask of you as a consumer is to use common sense. Have a mind of our own. Don’t allow groups to make you feel guilty for purchasing products you enjoy that are a part of your family’s healthy diet. When I read or hear something, I seek the motivation of the person or group behind the message. Many groups aim to stir up controversy to further their agenda. Their true goals are often hidden behind neatly packaged sound bites.

It’s important to have conversations about food and farming. Here are some great resources to find information and dialogue about food:

• Common Ground – Creating Conversations about Farming and Food
• The Center for Food Integrity – Building Trust and Confidence in Today’s Food System  
• Animal Agriculture Alliance – Real Farmers Real Food
• FeedStuffs FoodLink – Connecting Farm to Fork
• Food Dialogues – Join the Conversation about Food
• Farmer Bloggers – Blogging Around the Farm

Lad driving a hayride tour of our farm - visitors can see where milk is produced

Here are links to blogs I’ve written in the past that pertain to topics featured on the Food Day website: 

• Hey Oprah - You Don't Have to Go Vegan to Be Healthy and Compassionate
• Food, Inc. or Black Sheep?  
• Sustainable Farms = Sustainable Food Supply 
• Family Farm Not Factory Farm

My wish is to see farms and farmers embraced and supported today as they were in the past. The same values of caring for land and animals still exist, but the look of the family farm and the production methods have changed for the better.

At the end of the day, you must make your own choices and take responsibility for them. Join me in celebrating the variety of food choices we are so fortunate to enjoy in our nation.