‘The Farm Babe’ blogger speaks out about food industry myths
MONONA, Iowa — After she moved to Iowa, Michelle Miller learned she had been lied to.
Miller, a Midwesterner by birth, went to Los Angeles for college and, after watching some documentaries and reading pointed articles, started to form some ideas about life in the food-producing world.
Michelle Miller, author of “The Farm Babe” blog, says she felt like she had been lied to as a consumer about the facts behind GMOs and livestock hormones. She created the blog to share information about production agriculture after moving to a farm in Iowa.
Farmer uses social media, blogging to talk about agriculture
VANDALIA, Mo. — Ralls County farmer Kylie Epperson enjoys different parts of the family farm experience. She and her husband, Jordan, have a diversified farm in northeast Missouri, and work with his family as well.
“I like working with Jordan,” Epperson says. “I like being a business owner.”
What’s in a label? Certain food claims carry the weight of certification
Not all labels carry the same weight.
While many food products have labels such as “natural,” not all of those labels have specific and well-defined meanings. And some products have a label that is technically true, but which can still be misleading.
‘Meat’ label presents challenge in new food landscape
Livestock producers are asking for a level playing field when it comes to labeling cell- or plant-based “meat” products.
Danielle Beck, senior director of government affairs for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, said she is hopeful more direct governmental involvement in labeling will help clarify the products for consumers.
Organic leaders hope more labels can fix industry issue
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Some organic food advocates see a schism between different groups within the industry over what should be labeled as certified organic food. Others believe the term organic is experiencing a “hostile takeover.”
Four organic experts talked to agricultural journalists about the role labeling has for consumers and producers at the North American Agricultural Journalist’s annual meeting in Washington, D.C., April 8.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — It’s a simple question: What do you call someone who raises pigs to produce pork?
But the answer depends on who you are talking to. If you are talking to a consumer, its best to call the person a “pig farmer,” and if you are talking to a farmer, “pork producer” may be the descriptor of choice.
