Tuesday, March 30, 2010

MRSA

I've been reading lately about MRSA being in our food system.  Do you remember MRSA?  There was  lot of buzz about it a few years back.  Is that staph infection that they found so prevalent in hospitals.  It's a bacteria that has become resistant to anti-biotics.  It was pretty scary stuff when they were putting it on every news show from here to Texas.  It almost gave me a feeling of dread.  But, then, we stopped hearing about it and I forgot about it.

A book has been released on the subject and as the author was interviewed she indicated that MRSA has been released now into the "community" (meaning a place other than a medical facility) and our food system.  I wasn't exactly shocked that it had escaped, but as usual I marvel that the public media hasn't been reporting on it.  What was once a hot topic is now old news.  We're much better off hearing about Sandra Bullocks marriage woes or how national health care is being signed into law.  Funny...we focus on getting insurance and not on getting healthy.  But I digress.

Anyway, I did some digging to find out just how this has entered our food system.  The conclusions should have been obvious.  It's being found in livestock.  And how, you ask, were livestock exposed to this?  I'm not sure they were (my opinion).  Maybe they developed it for themselves (with a little help from humans).

What we know is that livestock, being raised on a typical factory farm, are given low doses of anti-biotics regularly.  In an environment where animals are kept standing in their own feces, fed things we'd never let our mouths touch, and living in amongst dead cage mates, it's clear to see why anti-biotics would be necessary.  How else would they survive?  And in this veritable paradise of filth, the staph would find a living situation perfectly suited to its liking.  Now, combine the anti-biotics and the staph and what do you get?  MRSA....for animals. 

Alarming as this is, I found very little evidence of MRSA in U.S. publications.  It seems that the U.S. is not tracking MRSA as part of its statistics.  However, a Dutch study from 2007 (as reported here by our government website) found that out of the 31 farms tested for MRSA, 11% of the livestock did indeed host the disease.  On our own soil, a study published in Veterinary Microbiology, also in 2007, showed a prevalence of MRSA in U.S. pig farms

The pro anti-biotic website, KeepAntibioticsWorking.com, indicates that what we need is stricter government oversight of farming operations to ensure they eliminate the infection.  They suggest that we should look at a separate batch of anti-biotics rated for livestock to prevent the same strains of staph from cross-contaminating humans and livestock.

But wait....

Well, I'm no scientist as Mr. Hammar, my high school science teacher, can attest to, but doesn't it seem like if we give animals a different anti-biotic that they'd simply inherit a different type of MRSA?  And if that were introduced into our food system, would we not simply create two separate things our body needs to fight against?

Is there any other way?

Why don't we demand that livestock be treated humanely and in conditions best suited for their species?  As much as possible, we need to focus on real food that is grown locally.  We should be visiting farms and farmers to see what their practices are.  Those farmers who use practices you approve of, patronize them!  Let them know you appreciate them.  One guy, after hearing my diatribe of food atrocities perpetrated on the American public said "What can I do then?"  I said simply "Hire me...or people like me.  People who want to make a difference.  People who genuinely want to raise clean and healthy livestock or produce.  Hire us and we'll get the job done."

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Climbing Trees

I remember climbing trees as a boy.  We had an old apple tree at our house that was great for climbing.  Apple trees don't generally grow real tall, but they have lots of great branches and they have that "fort" feel that is so essential to being a boy.

My boys like to climb trees.  They started this several years ago.  It's funny because I don't see a lot of kids climbing trees anymore.  In fact, I don't even see them playing outside much.  A neighbor kid came over last summer.  The boys asked if he wanted to wrestle.  He said he did and he had some great wrestling video games at home.  It didn't occur to him that they meant to like actually grapple one another and wrestle.

The tree in our front yard is pretty tall.  I would guess it's over 30 feet to the top most branches. Every year they seem to climb a little higher.  I come home from work sometimes and as I'm walking to the door I hear of chorus of "Hey Dad" coming from the leaves above me.  A few days ago they announced that they had climbed so high they could see the cars on the freeway near our neighborhood. 

When I watch them go that high, it does make me nervous.  But I haven't said anything (yet).  The truth is [personal admission coming]....when I look up into the boughs of that tree and see my three oldest sons plotting their next hand hold I am filled with admiration. 

Okay, I know their MY boys, but I think I'm putting that aside.  I'm filled with admiration because what they are doing is super cool...and I don't have the guts to do it.  I wouldn't have done it when I was a kid.

I think that mostly it reminds me of what real life is.  As men, especially, we've lost the drive to do something crazy, something hard. But when we look back, I think we need to ask; did Lewis and Clark go out because their journey would be easy?  Did Washington humbly consent to lead the rag-tag army of a newly formed nation because he thought it would be fun?  Did Edison persevere in failure after experimental failure because he thought it might improve his reputation?  No, they did the crazy things.  They followed something that God put inside them that craved exploration and adventure.  I'm sure each had different reasons for what he did, and I'm sure there were times when they wondered if they were making the right choices at all.  But in the end they persevered. 

I remember these things as the boys climb the trees.  And each time I look up and see them dangling on a limb, I'm reminded that I, too, can make a choice; to push myself; to persevere even when the way is long and hard.  And in the end I can give glory to God who gives me strength. 

Friday, March 19, 2010

Spring Newsletter!



Legacy Family Farm

Leaving a legacy of Biblical community through agriculture

Dear Friend,

We are thankful for a new year and looking forward to the challenges and joys God has in store for it.  As spring is slowly making its way, we are beginning to take orders for chickens.  But first, let’s revisit last year’s experience. 

We purchased 100 chickens last year and raised them at Keith Owens farm in Carleton, MI.  The chickens lived outside feasting on nature’s unpolluted pasture in movable pens.  We moved the pens daily. This allowed us to ensure fresh pasture every day for the chickens to forage while still protecting them from predators.  At the end of 9 weeks all the chickens were processed and sold.  We offered our chickens to a small group of people as a trial run.  It was a wonderful experience and I’d like to thank all those who came out to help.  It really felt like living in community together!  We are looking forward to the same experience this year!

This year our plans are similar to last year.  Here’s how it works:

    * If you’re interested, please fill in this sheet and return it to me.  You may email it back to me or you can print it off and put it in the mail or give it to me in person.
    * We require a $5 non-refundable deposit for each bird.  This will help us know that you are serious about your order and help defray the up-front costs. 
    * Next, you wait patiently for a hormone-free, chemical-free, antibiotic-free, pastured, locally produced and processed chicken.  Waiting time is 6-8 weeks.  Did we mention delicious?  By the way, we love visitors (especially kids) so give us a call!
    * We’ll contact you in advance with an estimated pick up date.
    * Early in the morning of the pick-up date we’ll begin processing the birds.  When you arrive, bring your cooler.  You’ll pick up the birds much like you see them in the store: no head or feet, plucked clean, thoroughly gutted, and packaged.  A lot of people ask questions about that.  If you want the feet or the giblets, please specify.
    * When you come to pick up your birds, we will subtract your deposit fees from the total cost of your birds and the remainder will be due.   If you’re not sure what you ordered, just let us know.  We’ll keep track of it for you!

In an attempt to remain competitive in our area, and to provide a product that we feel is affordable, the cost structure is as follows:
    *  Any birds 5lbs or less will be sold for $10.
    *  Any birds over 5lbs will be sold for $12.
    *  Keep in mind that a rotisserie chicken from a big box supermarket is typically 2 lbs.
Also, we realize that most of us don’t have deep freezers anymore.  Perhaps you want several birds but you do not have the freezer space.  Consider staggering your order.  Below you will see the estimated processing dates.  You can choose several dates, and the number of chickens per date.  We will do our best to accommodate.  There are approximately 3 week gaps between processing days.  We can only do this if we have enough orders so it’s subject to change.  If it does, we will let you know.



Chicken Ordering:

Chickens will have an average dress weight of approximately 5lbs.  This is comparable in size to the whole chickens you might get from the local grocery store. Similarly, this is how you will receive your whole, uncooked chicken.  These chickens have a 6-8 week life cycle.  On processing day we will keep them in a cooler until you arrive.  Due to space and regulatory restrictions we will not be able to freeze or deliver the meat.  As this is working on a cooperative model the money you invest cannot be refunded for any reason once the chicks have been ordered.  However, you will receive clean, fresh, locally grown meat for a reasonable price.  We would love to have you join with us in this vision!


Remember, this is estimated and depends on how many orders we receive.  For up to date and accurate information, fan our Facebook page (Legacy Family Farm) or track this blog.


Estimated processing date:    July 10th    July 31st    August 14th    August 28th

Number of birds:              

Family name:              

Contact info:              


*To ensure your order, down payment for the first batch is due April 18th.  Without a down payment, orders will not be placed.   Down payment dates for other batches will be emailed approximately 12 weeks prior to the dates above.


Send order information to legacyfamilyfarm@gmail.com.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Turkey

I think we're going to raise some turkeys this year.

We won't be offering them on a grand scale.  I haven't raised turkeys before.  I understand that they are very good at dying.  That said, I won't be actively selling very many this year.  Still, I 'm excited about it.  It's a new challenge.  I like challenges.

It's been interesting researching Turkeys.  There is so little information available as compared to chickens.  In researching chickens I was able to find blogs, white-papers, you tube videos, books, etc.  Not so with turkeys.  I've found some key information, but I really had to dig.

This got my wife to thinking.  That's always a good thing but often leads to more work for me.  This time was no exception.  She thinks I ought to become the local turkey expert.  Now, although that's work, the truth it I better become that in any case if I'm going to raise them.  So you may be seeing some you tube videos out there as we document our Turkey Adventure.

Hmmm...I think I need a better name.

Well, until then, keep watching.  Who knows?  Maybe next year we can offer pastured turkeys for Thanksgiving!