Organic Valley’s Post

In honor of Mother's and Father's Day approaching, the Bishop daughters talked about what it was like growing up with farmers as parents and how it shaped their lives today. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/eAXkJt-t . . . #MomsofDEFB #defarmbureau #defb #delawarefarmbureau #Agriculture #MothersDay #HappyMothersDay #DadsofDEFB #FathersDay #HappyFathersDay #Delaware

Even though it is plantain off-season, Springboard's farmers are still harvesting. This is not surprising because it is a testament to our effort to see to the growth and success of our farmers. Furthermore, we want to do more as we are committed to empowering and helping these rural farmers so they can raise their income and better support their families. #SpringboardPlantainChips #FarmersProsperity #Springboardcooperative #Organicfarming #RuralJobs #FoodSecurity

As I become more involved in agriculture and engage with farmers in our region of the country, it is all too alarming how fast farmland is disappearing. I don't blame a farmer for selling their land, but we should wonder where our food will come from if we no longer have farms. We should put more value on land staying land and make it affordable for those that wish to nurture it and grow food. https://lnkd.in/eCCbNkCe

Getting to tour other forms of Agriculture across the country might just become a new hobby of mine. 👀🤩 While in Virginia last month, I was able to tour an elderberry farm right in the heart of the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains. ⛰️ Whispering Meadow Farm is an all organic, homegrown, elderberry farm that creates elderberry juice, tea, and nectar all on their historic farmstead property. The farm manager, Jean, was gracious enough to give me a tour of the farm and the everyday processes that occur to create the products.🫙 Knowing absolutely nothing about elderberry production, I was fascinated. I learned more that day than I think I did a whole week in school. 😅 🫐🥬🧅And the more I have reminisced on that experience, the more I realize the vital importance of people learning about how their food is made and where it comes from. We as consumers have the choice in who we support. We keep farms and businesses alive by choosing where to put our dollars. 💲In a world where the ag industry is already hurting and less and less individuals are choosing farming as a career, it has never been more important to SHOW the world what we do and WHY supporting local farmers matters. 👩🏼🌾 Whether you’re a larger scale operator or a small farmer in the mountains of Virginia, we need to share with the world why supporting local American farmers is important. 🇺🇸 #supportlocal #smallfarms #americanagriculture #directtoconsumer

Who can relate to this? For me, it's the "Lovejoy 160" who to this day I have no idea who they are or much of anything about them. I would argue this is a name from 3 generations ago. When I make an initial estate assets summary, I always start with the farms, First is always the "Home farm" Then, typically a bunch of random names of farms none of which are family names. Sorta like giving directions by saying turn at the 4 corners where the old country school used to sit. You either get it or you don't - but I love it! #agriculture #farmers #familyfarm #legacyplanning #farmraised ------------------------------------ Hello, my name is Mike Downey. I help farmers and ag professional grow, diversify and transition their family legacies through farm business coaching and written succession plans.

In Santa Clara County, Calif. (Silicon Valley) we pay farmers and ranchers directly - up to $30,000 - for providing ecosystem services: rotational grazing, compost application, hedgerow planting, These land management practices provide real benefits to the community: clean air & water, less flooding, and wildlife habitat. We call it Agricultural Resilience Incentives, and it works. Not everything can be integrated into markets. Our economic system of seeking infinite growth is inherently contradictory to our limited space on this planet. Let's make sure we understand how this will work. If you turn land into an investment vehicle, a nature walk so to speak, then the investor will want a return on his investment. That means your nature walk will cost money. Like everything else in this country, we will drive the poor out of such walks. The investors will drive the price of a nature walk as high as they can to maximize their profit. Capitalism has many strengths, but this is it's biggest weakness. It values the making of money over everything. Religion for profit, health for profit, nature for profit, and integrity for profit. It's a pretty ugly commentary on the philosophy. Currently, because farming isn't really capitalist, we subsidise certain crops, but we also pay farmers to leave land fallow. That lowers the competition and maximizes profits. Farmers, typically conservative and distainful of the government helping others, take all theyy can get. Before we start leasing land to the highest bidder why don't we consider selling that land back to government as a trust? We can use the money we are giving to corporate farms to buy this land and make it available to all.

Great words of wisdom: "Take your kids to a farm so they don't think food comes from a box!" -Willie Nelson So true! And so important for us to educate our kids & consumers in general! #agriculture #familyfarm #farmers #farmland #farmraised ----------------------------------- Hello, my name is Mike Downey. I help farmers & ag professionals grow, diversify and transition their family legacies through farm business coaching, succession planning, and diversifying through off-farm real estate.

Raising chickens remains one of the great ways to make money in agriculture/farming business. Not only does chicken business generates income for you by selling them as a chicken farmer, you can also use them as gifts and food yourself. #Agriculture

The Monahan family of Springhill Farms Partnership, currently tending 260 acres of peanuts in #Sussex and #Surry counties, captured this year's Peanut Efficiency Award for the Upper Southeast by Farm Progress. Sussex County is the birthplace of commercial peanut production; the first crop was harvested on land near Waverly in 1842. According this sixth-generation farming family, the keys to efficiency include a team approach to management, timeliness, a good rotation program and not planting more peanuts than they can manage. Their 2024 crop features three Virginia peanut varieties; they're growing cotton, corn and soybeans on the rest of their 3,500 acres. Get to know the Monahans: https://ow.ly/a70O50SQNNk #peanuts #nativecrop #farming #beacons #legacy

🐄 National Cow Appreciation Day: Celebrating the Backbone of the Texas Economy! 🐄 Happy National Cow Appreciation Day! 🎉 Today, we honor the incredible contributions cows make—not just to our daily lives, but also to the robust economy of Texas. 🏆 Texas: Home to Cattle Excellence Texas is renowned for its cattle industry, a cornerstone of our state's economic prosperity. Here’s why cows are vital to our economy: - Economic Impact: The cattle industry generates billions in revenue annually, supporting local farmers, ranchers, and countless businesses down the supply chain. - Employment: Thousands of jobs in Texas are linked to cattle farming, from agricultural workers to food processing and transportation services. - Global Influence: As a top exporter of beef, Texas plays a significant role in international markets, enhancing our global economic footprint. - Sustainability: Many Texas ranchers are leaders in sustainable and ethical farming practices, ensuring we meet today’s needs while preserving resources for future generations. 🌱 Beyond Beef: Diverse Contributions Cows provide more than just delicious steaks: - Dairy Products: Texas is also a major producer of milk, cheese, and other dairy products, contributing significantly to our agricultural output. - By-products: From leather goods to important pharmaceutical ingredients, cows offer valuable resources that permeate various industries. 🤝 Community and Culture Cows and cattle ranching are deeply woven into the cultural fabric of Texas. They represent the hard work, resilience, and pioneering spirit that define our great state. On this special day, we celebrate the farmers, ranchers, and entire agricultural community that support our economy and sustain our way of life. #NationalCowAppreciationDay #TexasEconomy #CattleIndustry #Sustainability #EconomicGrowth #Agriculture #CommunityCulture #SupportFarmers #CowsRock