There is a new story from Wisconsin about dairy farmers getting hassled by state agencies. Unfortunately, it's not an isolated incident, nor is it contained solely in Wisconsin. I recently read Raw Milk Revolution by David Gumpert, and it is filled with similar tales of government intimidation, unfounded fears and small farms scrambling to find ways to replace income, pay legal fees and rebuild confidence in their customers.

I've also read Everything I Want To Do Is Illegal by Joel Salatin. Same story. Small farms who find themselves on the wrong side of the law without provocation.

As a farmer and a supporter of farmers, I understand what it takes to produce healthy food. I buy raw milk directly from my neighbors because I trust them. They care about the quality of their milk, the health of their animals and the well-being of their customers. They are my friends, and they have my support. As a matter of fact, I'd like to see the big producers keep their standards as high as our neighbors instead of relying on pasteurization to keep their products "clean."

Your food choices should not be dictated by the government. If you consider all the chemicals they allow Americans to eat, their track record doesn't look all that good.

-Brian

"These are people who will do anything, and we mustn't be optimistic about their character." - Wendell Berry, speaking about agribusiness corporations

I admit that I'm afraid. I think it started when I read Joel Salatin's book Everything I Want To Do Is Illegal: War Stories From the Local Food Front. At least, that's when I realized the full scope of what I was getting myself into.

We became interested in farming as a result of our disgust with the American food system. We attribute our people's decline in health to be directly correlated with the decline in food quality. The pursuit of money through shortcuts is killing us and our environment. Never-ending chemical sprays. High density animal feedlots. Genetic engineering. It all goes against the nature of Nature to wring more dollars out of the public.

As a response, we decided to start farming in the opposite direction and support what we valued in food. Care. Flavor. Respect.

But, as I learned from Salatin, my actions are a threat to the singular vision of Corporate America and their allies in government. Time after time, small farmers who produce healthy foods are being harassed by government officials who do not share their vision. Another book, The Raw Milk Revolution: Behind America's Emerging Battle Over Food Rights, is showing me just how far the government will go to protect their corporate friends/donors.

You might be familiar with the case of Percy Schmeiser. If not, run a quick search on him. It will strike fear into your heart and shake your sense of justice.

While I am afraid of the threats facing people who value their food freedoms, I am glad to have friends who support us and our farm. They remind me why we need to continue our pursuit of pure, real food. I am proud to work for their trust, health and freedom.

-Brian

I've heard a lot of discussion around Food Inc., and I've read a lot of the reviews. One thing I've not done is see the movie. Surprised? Anyone who knows me understands that I take my food seriously. So why have I not rushed out to my theater?

Part of the reason is that we are farming. It's not convenient to take time off during the busiest season of the year to watch a movie. I work a full-time off-farm job, and Kelly runs Black Sheep Farms. I spend evenings and weekends helping with farm tasks. Add three kids, and time gets short.

Sure, I'll watch it on DVD. But I don't expect to learn a lot from it. Why?

I already know the issues. Heck, I'm a chemical-free farmer. I should know. I have studied Monsanto and their extensive programs. I know that they own or supply many organic seed companies. I have read most of Joel Salatin's books. My next-door neighbor at the farmers market has even had Joel stay at his farm a couple of times.

I think that it's fantastic that Food Inc. is making a splash in mainstream America. People should know why ground beef from a small farmer costs $6/lb instead of $1.77 at the grocery store. As a nation, we should be aware how Monsanto has infiltrated the federal government in order to promote their own agenda. Education is wonderful.

But education is wonderful only if it continues. Do this for me: go to a farmers market and ask some farmers how they farm. What are they doing in relation to the issues that are important to you? It's just like studying a political candidate... just more important.

At Black Sheep Farms, we have made a commitment to make sure that we don't buy any seed from Monsanto's seed companies (Seminis, this means you). We go a step further and research the companies that we buy from to make sure they don't buy from Monsanto/Seminis. We don't want any of our money to go to companies that support genetic modification or agrichemicals. We are opposed to chemical sprays, artificial additives and tinkering with Mother Nature.

So, please don't stop at watching Food Inc. Start a discussion with your farmers. Start a discussion with your friends. Buy some food when it's ripe and delicious. Swear off corn syrup. Do anything that makes you feel like you're making progress. But, just take the next step.

If you keep up with mainstream news, you have heard dozens of stories about food contamination. E coli here and salmonella run rampant through the system, and it's not a real concern until a major outbreak kills people and can be traced back to a certain producer. The federal government wants to install a gigantic tracking system, called NAIS (National Animal Identification System). They think that by following animals around, they will be able to recall tainted food more quickly.

I won't get into the details here, but this system puts a higher burden on small producers than the multinational producers who are causing the problem of dirty food. Someone with a herd of 10 cattle would have to register and pay for each one individually, but a company with a herd of 20,000 registers the entire group as one unit.

My proposition is to make food production safer in the first place. An ounce of prevention, right? Joel Salatin has a number of solutions in his book Everything I Want To Do Is Illegal, and Kelly and I participate in a healthier food system by opting out of the supermarkets as often as possible. Face it: you don't know anything about the food you buy there. You can't. The system doesn't allow it.

Safe meat, eggs and milk? We buy the majority of our meat from Pawnee Pride Meats and Beulahland Farm. Both raise pastured hogs and chickens, and Pawnee Pride never feeds grain to their cattle. We buy raw milk from Bryant Gardens. They were recently awarded by the State of Nebraska for the health of their Holsteins. This winter, eggs came from Fertile Ground Co-op. Our own chicks will arrive in 2-3 days.

I can count Paul, Victor, Beth, Celeste, Russ and Lori as friends. I trust their farming practices, philosophies and dedication to clean food. They have a vested interest in the products because it provides their own food, their income and their reputation. No amount of government can replace that.

-Brian