Food for Thought

Just watched W5's Food for Thought last night.  Found it very disturbing and saddening the way the pigs were being housed and treated by the staff.  Saddened also that it can be called farming.

We raise a few pigs, and I mean just a few.  Over the past years we have found it more difficult to find weaner pigs to raise as many farmers have stopped raising pigs due to the poor monetary return on their efforts.  When food prices are low it translates into the farmer not being able to make a sustainable living to maintain their farm.  You can only lose money for so long; emotion and love of farming doesn't put food on the table when there is no income from your efforts.

To me, real farmers have a respect for the land and their animals - treating both right as they are their partners.  Healthy soils and animals gives us healthy farms. The pig production farm featured in the show did not have farmers working for them, they had labourers.  I wonder what they were paid and how many hours they had to work and what support and respect they received?  Maybe it is not just the animals that were mistreated.

What would be different if the workers had respect for their efforts in caring for the animals, recognition for a job well done, adequate pay.  Can that be done and still have pork for low prices in the supermarket?  Not likely.  These stories along with those we are seeing in Bangladesh with the garment factory workers are going to keep happening as long as we seek abundance at cheap prices.  Someone or something always pays the price.

Makes me think twice when I see a good bargain.

Mothers Day Tradition

When we think of mothers we think of memories and traditions; big and small, happy and sad.  To have memories you need time to make them.  A tradition on our farm is to give moms of all ages free admission to our farm on Mothers Day when accompanied by their kids.

Mother's Day is this Sunday.

Take some time to enjoy your family and relax for a few hours.  The trilliums are blooming in the woods, the heron can often be seen at our pond, the lambs are hiding behind their mom who is more than eager to eat any green you have to offer her.

We wish all moms a great day making memories, making traditions.

Opening Day is Here

The last few weeks are a blur - getting the farm ready, coping with the cold and wet weather - would it ever end?

The sun and the warmth have arrived just in time - school tours have started, the farm and market is now open for the season.

It is such a beautiful time of year.  This morning at first light it was like a switch was flicked and the birds started singing.  A little early for my liking but beautiful just the same.  The robins are about, building their nests and fattening up on the worms.  The days are longer allowing us a slow relaxation into evening and the ability to do just a bit extra outside after dinner.  The grass is green and the buds are now visible on the leaves.  I've got some early spring flowers blooming.  Yeh Spring!!!

Hope to see you soon at the farm.