Last week I spent some time at the USDA AMS Meat Grading and Certification Training Program in Lakewood, CO. I learned about the USDA's value added service of meat grading and about the beef standards. It made me extremely excited to head back to school in the fall to exercise the skills I learned as I compete on the SDSU Meat Judging Team.
While in Colorado, I happened to find this vehicle touting anti-agriculture propaganda. After going to this website, it seems there is a growing wave of people determined to abolish animal agriculture and spread vegetarianism in this country. The disconnect between producer and consumer is a widening gap.
However, we have the power to close this gap if we allow our voices to be heard. We need to share our personal agriculture stories before the stories get told for us by people who don't know the truth. I wonder if the person who painted on this vehicle has ever even visited a farm. Consumers want the truth, and the truth is this: our food supply doesn't come from factories or from the grocery store. Our food supply comes from caring individuals who dedicate their lives to providing safe and wholesome products to feed the world. Know the truth, share the truth. Tell your agriculture story to a consumer today.
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Comments (5)
Amanda,
Just reading your blog for the first time. Wanted to share my nine year old's poem for a school assignment with you. Sounds a little like your story about falling in love with your bull....
Cows Are Cool
Cows are fantastic
Tails swish around and aroud
Moo for their babies
Eating grass, feeling lazy
Watching them do their cool stuff.
By Bailie Beer
Posted by Danni Beer | June 21, 2007 3:28 PM
Posted on June 21, 2007 15:28
It is always interesting to me the reasoning that people have for wanting to abolish animal agriculture. Like Amanda said, I feel it is extremely important that these people actually learn the facts rather than accepting a newspaper article or "factory farming" brochure as the gospel truth. As a 5th generation cattle rancher I am willing to share my way of life with anyone who would like to learn about the cattle industry. I have learned first hand all of the wonderful things that animal agriculture provides for this country.
Posted by Amanda Rankin | June 26, 2007 12:10 AM
Posted on June 26, 2007 00:10
This story was very inspiring!!! I know that I will continue to share the story of production agriculture so that people can begin to understand just how dedicated farmers are to producing safe and wholesome products for us all to enjoy.
Posted by Londa Johnson | June 26, 2007 5:20 PM
Posted on June 26, 2007 17:20
Danni-
Your daughter is truly a gem! I can remember when I was 9 years old: I loved going outside to sit in the feedbunks to let the curious bulls shyly come up to sniff me. I could spend hours just chatting away to those big old bulls. Cattle are fun as a kid, and I carry that love with me still today. I hope your daughter will never lose that fire in her heart for agriculture! Thanks for the poem!
Posted by Amanda Nolz | June 26, 2007 6:22 PM
Posted on June 26, 2007 18:22
Londa and Amanda,
Thank you both for your comments. I know as college kids, it isn't always easy to stand up for what you believe in. With other students in agriculture voicing the same message, it makes things a whole lot easier. Thanks for your dedication to agriculture. May we continue to share the truth about animal agriculture by sharing our stories of life on the farm! Thank you for your comments!
Posted by Amanda Nolz | June 26, 2007 6:25 PM
Posted on June 26, 2007 18:25