Happenings on the Ranch

The winter of 2010/2011 was relatively mild compared to what we are used to here in West Central Missouri.  Lower snow totals, fewer ice storms and fewer subzero cold snaps.  That translated inot a very cold, very wet spring that put planting way behind.  We got so backed up on planting, in fact, that most crops went in very late and several crops didn’t even make it into the ground at all.  The summer turned into a very dry, extremely hot season that put more difficulties on growing crops.  We farmers just adjusted our crop plans as we went along and shifted our planting and harvesting times accordingly.

This winter and the upcoming season seem to be shaping up the same way.  The weather has been downright balmy off and on this winter, we’ve had no snow to speak of and very little in moisture overall.  I have a feeling this is, again, going to translate into a cold, wet spring and an extremely hot and dry summer.  We can plan for this and have contingency plans in place for our early spring crops; more planting in the greenhouse, cold frames, row covers, etc.  Let’s just hope it’s not too wet to work the ground.  If it is, it just may mean a later harvest than what we’ve been used to.  But all the veggies will come in eventually, like they always do.

So, is this the massive climate change everyone is talking about or is this just Mother Nature’s natural cycle?  As farmers we make it a habit to watch the natural cycles of the weather.  We notice the smallest things that can give us a hint as to what the weather will look like.  I and my friend Terrie Shepherd, from Butterfly Fields Nursery, noticed early on last fall that we would have a long fall and mild winter based on the color changes (or lack thereof) in the wooly caterpillars.  (Really, it works – we haven’t been wrong yet.)

Many weather forcasters have their own way of determining how the seasons will set up for us.  If you listen closely to many of these you will hear them talk of systems and patterns.  It’s the only way they can predict what’s coming.  So, if farmers notice these cycles and weather folks notice these cycles, why does it seem others are up in arms that our climate is dramatically changing because of something we as a society have done?

Global warming theories aside, I think too much emphasis is being placed on this supposed “climate change.”  Yes, our climate is changing.  Yes, areas of warmth are getting cooler, and some areas of cold are getting warmer.  But if you look back to ancient history you can see this pattern repeat itself time and time again.  Perhaps it’s the rotation of our planet in alignment with our sun.  Perhaps it’s just Mother Nature evening out the playing field a little bit and allowing each ecosystem to evolve once again.  Who knows?

Should we try to protect our earth and keep all this garbage, waste, chemicals and other such nonsense out of our ecosystem?  Absolutely,  Should we panic that the world is coming to an end?  Not hardly.  Just like farmers, we just have to prepare for what’s to come next and be flexible with whatever Mother Nature has in store.

‘Tis the season!  Two of our markets open tomorrow for the first time this sseason.  We are so ready!

Devon running our market stand in Lee's Summit at age 13.

Lee’s Summit Farmer’s Market:  Wednesdays and Saturdays, 7am to sellout.  Lots of vendors with a wide variety of produce, plants, baked goods, jams and more.

Peculiar Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market: Saturdays, 7:30 a.m. to noon.  This is the first year for this market which will be featuring local, sustainably produced fruits and veggies, baked goods, art, and fine crafts.  Plans include entertainment, demos and workshops.

Tomorrow we will have jams, chicken, beef, eggs, spring crafts, veggie and flower plants for your gardens, green onions and maybe some greens.  The weather has us a little bit behind on our planting/growing but as the weeks go on, we will have more and more fresh produce available.  Come on out and say, “hi!”

I have just had it with the mainstream “organic” and “natural” movement.  What started as a grass-roots effort for people to live healthier lives while rejecting the constant pollution of our soil, air and water with chemicals and monster seeds has now, obviously, turned into nothing but a hypocrital money maker.  I will henceforth be boycotting Whole Foods, Stonyfield Farm, Organic Valley, all their sub-companies and any other two-faced, money-hungry, “natural” company I see.

Let me take a step back for a moment.  This rant of mine has been prompted, once again, by Monsanto and their GMO monstrosities.  Organic dairies and farmers have been fighting to keep another in a long line of Roundup Ready seeds out of the market.  This time it’s alfalfa.  Anybody heard of an alfalfa shortage?  Anybody hear any farmers complaining of too many weeds and too little yield from their alfalfa fields?  No?  Me neither.  But the chemical giant decided years ago they wanted to add another seed to their long line of genetically engineered, herbicide resistent, superweed-creating GMOs by producing Roundup Ready alfalfa.

Obviously, organic farmers and dairy producers don’t want this.  We’ve had enough problems of cross contamination of fields from Monsanto planted farms.  For years we’ve been fighting to keep these crops from contaminating organic produce and feed crops.  For a while I thought we had an ally in Whole Foods and some other major organic companies.  I know Whole Foods has plenty of downfalls … why would I buy organic garlic from China or organic tomatoes from Chile when local producers can grow it?  Besides, I rarely by vegetables out of season or that’s been shipped in.  And many of their supposedly “natural” products are produced from GMO crops.  But WF does have a good selection of other non-edible organic goods and by shopping carefully and paying close attention I could get the things I needed and support local (or at least U.S.) farmers while still occasionally treating myself to some off-season organic produce.

I hereby withdraw my support for Whole Foods after seeing they have now surrendered to Monsanto.  Two days before WFs blog post announcing this, the CEO of Organic Valley publically caved in on their website.  Two days before that, the CEO of Stonyfield Organic did the same thing.

They all say it in a roundabout, thinly veiled attempt to make it look like they are fighting against GMOs.  All three companies basically state that the only choices we have are to either allow the complete deregulation of genetically engineered seeds or to find a way to co-exist.  All three companies have decided we should opt to co-exist, as the lesser evil to allowing full deregulation.  Excuse me?  What about a third option of complete and total regulation of GE seeds, research (real research) into the effects of GMO foods, and real punishments for contamination of organic and non-GMO crops?  How about some truth in labeling?  If you’re using GMO crops to create my “all natural” cereal or granola bars, I want to know.  Nope, the organic elite don’t think that’s an option.  Better to lay down with the devil to “co-exist” than to use your significant market power to battle against them instead.

Sorry, guys.  I have a better option.  I’ll continue to grow my own food, buy from local producers whose sources I can verify, eat with the seasons and leave your Frankenstein crops blowing in the tainted wind.  I will no longer support your stores or your products.  I will make my own, find my own or do without.