Vote "NO" on House Of Reprepresentatives BIll H.R. 4167

Vote "NO" on House Of Reprepresentatives BIll H.R. 4167 --
The House of Representatives will vote this week on a controversial "national food uniformity" labeling law that will take away local government and states' power to require food safety food labels such as those required in California and other states on foods or beverages that are likely to cause cancer, birth defects, allergic reactions, or mercury poisoning....
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Restless leg syndrome associated with Pesticides?

Farmgirl was just diagnosed with RLS, probably as a result of her multiple sclerosis. There was interesting comments online about a possible correlation between pesticides and the exasperation of RLS. Have you heard of this? CLICK HERE for more info...

Fainting Goats

Often called "fainting goats", the Myotonic Goat is good for a laugh, in addition to being a nutritional source of protein! Click Here to see the video and a giggle or two.

Farm visitors

One of our many Farm visitors...Even squirrels need to watch what they eat. You can help them out by making nut balls and suets. CLICK HERE for the recipe...

Farm to School Workshop

Hello Farm to School Enthusiast,
The Riverside Unified School District and the Center for Food & Justice at Occidental College are hosting a Farm to School Workshop on February 15, 2006 from 9am-2pm in Riverside, CA. The workshop is an opportunity for school food service staff, teachers, parents, and community members to learn about farm to school and gather information and resources about how to implement a farm to school program in their own school or district. More information about the workshop can be found online: http://www.farmtoschool.org/ca/upcoming.htm

For additional questions or registration information please contact Moira Beery at the Center for Food & Justice, (323) 341-5099 or beery@oxy.edu
Please forward this message on to friends or colleagues who may be interested in the workshop.

Thank you,
-Moira Beery

CA Farm to School Program Coordinator
Center for Food & Justice
Urban & Environmental Policy Institute
Occidental College
Los Angeles, CA

Happy New Year

Wow! This has been a busy year - from helping to promote National Agriculture Day to lobbying for Farm to School in California; from Blogs to newsletters, we have been growing. Thank you for all of your help and support. Your emails and ideas have been very much appreciated.

Thank you and Happy New Year! Keep the comments coming...

xo,
Farmgirl

Organic Milk Debate

Katy McLaughlin of the Wall Street Journal presents some good information in her blurb on the organic milk debate in the Weekend Journal of December 10-11, 2005. I find it disturbing that whether or not organic milk is more nutritious seems to be the determining factor for the value of going organic. Not to mention the health of the soil, the workers, the planet as a whole.

Regardless, Ms. McLaughlin covered some good facts - "Organic milk [is now] a $322 million business, ujp 126% since 2000, while sales of all milk have been flat, according to market analyst Mintel Group."

Organic move on the rise

Organic movement gains momentum
More and more dairy farmers like natural edge
Shelly Strom
Business Journal staff writer

In spite of reduced yields and higher costs, a growing number of Oregon's 300-plus dairy farms and 20 dairy processors are adjusting their practices to serve consumers looking for more pure dairy products. CLICK HERE FOR MORE

FarmGirl has a Birthday

Thank you, everyone, for your wonderful wishes during the past week. We have had a grand celebration here on the Farm. Healthy agriculture is making headway. Keep up the great work as smart consumers!
xo,
Farmgirl

Childhood Obesity in Public Schools - A must read!

The government subsidizes low-quality foods, corn and wheat for example, while neglecting far healthier items such as fruits, vegetables, beans, and nuts. Pediatrics specialist David Ludwig gives his assessment...

Celebrate Agriculture!

It's time to start planning your 2006 National Ag Day campaign. Teachers, community leaders, government officials and advocates of all ages will find at least one effective project in the new planning guide. CLICK HERE for more.

Shoppers Guide to Pesticides in Produce

Here is a necessary part of everyone's shopping intelligence - Stoneyfield Farm and Evironmental Working Group have put together this great resource. CLICK HERE to learn more. You can also download the full version of The Shoppers Guide to Pesticides in Produce - CLICK HERE for full version. Way to go Stoneyfield Farms - Keep up the great work!

Obesity Conference

Well, the largest obesity conference in the world is about to take place in Vancouver, B.C. CLICK HERE to learn more.

Governor Vetoes Farm to School Program

Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed AB826, the California Farm to School Child Nutrition Improvement
Program. As an organization, we supported this program and will look into reasons why it was vetoed. How disappointing tho...

Cows Pass Cars as Polluters

California's San Joaquin Valley for some time has had the dirtiest air in the country. Monday, officials said gases from ruminating dairy cows, not exhaust from cars, are the region's biggest single source of a chief smog-forming pollutant...CLICK HERE for MORE

OTHELLO, Wash. -- For 37 years, Pirie and Jane Grant have grown everything from hay and wheat to beans and potatoes on their central Washington farm. ...The art community is now recognizing the Grants _ and other farmers _ too. Through a partnership between the American Farmland Trust and the Maryhill Museum of Art in Goldendale, Wash., artists from across the Pacific Northwest are visiting farms in the region to document conservation efforts by farmers. CLICK HERE for MORE

New York Dairy Farmers get Organic Boost from Clinton

Belmont, NY - Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton met today with dairy farmers for a roundtable discussion about the potential of organic agriculture as an important value-added opportunity for producers in...CLICK HERE for MORE

10 Amazing Disease-Fighting Foods

"Super-foods are terrific, but what are more important to wellness are healthy dietary patterns that include a wide variety of nutritious foods that displace less nutritious foods," notes Alice Lichtenstein, DSc, professor of nutrition science and policy at Tufts University. Click Here for the top 10 healthy foods.

Nutritional education for "senior" market in High Demand

Farmgirl researches "senior" and "near senior" markets' need for nutrition education. And there is a need! Check out the full report - CLICK HERE

Medicare facing obesity problem

Silver Spring, MD August 25 - Medicare could save millions of dollars in overweight- and obesity-related medical expenditures if older beneficiaries increased their physical activity, according to research published in the most recent issue of Obesity Research. CLICK HERE FOR MORE