VFG Lives Vicariously Via SF Correspondent

I’ve been so busy on the Net for work that I haven’t had much time to focus on finding a new post. But as my Irish (Italian, German and a pinch of French Huguenot) luck would have it, I’ve found a VFG correspondent in San Francisco, who told me about a super cool restaurant. Here’sContinue reading “VFG Lives Vicariously Via SF Correspondent”

Prohibition Spawns Raw Milk Speakeasies

I’ve been nearly too busy to post this, which would be a shame since I have a particular affinity for this site. Needless to say, this post on the ABA Journal’s page is irresistible – Somewhat Illegal Substance: Raw Milk The post, which links back to the original article in the New York Times, focusesContinue reading “Prohibition Spawns Raw Milk Speakeasies”

Teen Farmgirl Preps to Take Over Family Farm

I’ve been pretty busy this week, but I wanted to share this cute story from the Brainerd Dispatch about a 19-year-old Minnesota farmgirl whose plan is to take over her family’s dairy farm. Ashley Hyovalti, who was home schooled, has apparently known she wanted to run the farm since she was 13. The farm hasContinue reading “Teen Farmgirl Preps to Take Over Family Farm”

Embarking on a 'Farm Adventure' at Fair Oaks

We’re headed for a farm adventure today at Fair Oaks Farm, a large dairy operation about 90 miles south of Chicago between Merrillville and Lafayette. The kids and I were there in October with my mother-in-law. It was the last big family trip the nearly 20 of us took together before she died. [Always upContinue reading “Embarking on a 'Farm Adventure' at Fair Oaks”

House Feels Sting of Honeybee Loss, Includes Pollinator $$s in Farm Bill

Money to research the mysterious disappearance of millions of bees – the country’s prime pollination workforce – was attached to the farm bill thanks largely to honorary Farmgirl Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif. She attached her $86.5 million Pollinator Protection Act, to the massive farm bill, which passed the House on Friday, reports the Daily Green.Continue reading “House Feels Sting of Honeybee Loss, Includes Pollinator $$s in Farm Bill”

Farmer John Movie Opening at a Theater Near You

An exciting new documentary opens today in Sacramento: The Real Dirt on Farmer John. A review published by The California Aggie, notes that the documentary chronicles the “unbelievably dramatic life story” of John Peterson, a farmer in rural Illinois who nearly lost his farm to unscrupulous lenders after reaching a peak in the 1950s. HeContinue reading “Farmer John Movie Opening at a Theater Near You”

Big Farm v. Small Farm Battle Lines Drawn

There’s a great story this week in the Pioneer Press about the front lines of the farm aid debate. The story masterfully draws the battle lines between big-farming operations supported by big subsidies and family farm operations supported by tiny subsidies. In Congress, it’s pitting Representative against Representative. Big farm against small farm. Eastern MinnesotaContinue reading “Big Farm v. Small Farm Battle Lines Drawn”