Just got sickened!

[SmittenChicken]

CMV, well said.

I'd also like to thank the OP, this is a really interesting topic and one I was just thinking about. If you have a link to an article, etc I'd love to read about the specifics.

I've been buying the organic, free-range supermarket eggs when I can't get them at the farmer's market (should have my own soon, I hope!). I was saving some shells to crush for my chickens when they start laying, then realized that the shells were probably treated with something and that might not be such a great idea.

While I fully support organic farming and am glad to see it becoming more mainstream, it's unfortunate that in many cases it's really no different from the conventional factory farms. For a long time I felt very good about buying organic chickens, eggs, etc. but have realized that organic doesn't necessarily mean the chickens are treated better than your standard battery chickens. And just because bananas or blueberries or tomatoes have a label that says "organic", doesn't mean they were grown in a sustainable way.

I'm very grateful to be able to grow my own food and living in a place where there are a lot of local options. I realize that not everyone has the means to eat this way but I am glad to see a movement in that direction. While some government regulations can seem intrusive to the individual, I agree with CMV that in most cases we just can't avoid them. But it does give me hope for our country to see victory gardens popping up all over the place, and local food becoming a trendy thing.

 

[bakerjw]

There must be some protections in place but all governmental agencies end up becoming bloated inefficient bureaucracies. When has any agency ever downsized? It is not only the government but also many "cause" agencies also become bloated and thrive on their perceived power.

I'm all for more natural foods. That's one reason why we strive for more self sufficiency where we can. Eggs are a good first step. Goats may come along eventually but they are a lot of work and time is scare these days.

 

[noodleroo]

CMV, let me get on my soapbox for a moment. You make a few good points. I was pretty brief in my statements and didn't realize that anyone would take them in any way other than how I meant them.

First of all, I AM an elected official and I did get involved because I wanted to be a part of the solution. I can tell you form experience that there ARE some people involved in government who are out to control every aspect of our lives; thank goodness for the check and balance system. And even that isn't fool proof.

Everything in the government is money driven. Lets take the pharmacutical companies. What does it cost to get a new drug on the market these days? Why is that? Do any of you feel 'safer' because of how much it costs for the FDA to give their blessing? I don't. I find it hard to believe that the FDA has my best interest at heart when they approve a product for mass comsumption one day and recall it the next because the side effects are more dangerous than the benefit of the product. All at a cost of what?

Lets take my pet peeve; preservatives. How can the FDA allow the mass use and deceptive labeling of products containing MSG (poison disguised as 'natural flavoring')? Oh, its so products will last on the shelf longer so that more money can be made by all that make and sell them. Then we can go on with out interrupting our sedentary lives by being botherd to eat something that was actually alive TODAY that might improve our chances of NOT needing a bazillion dollar medication that could be prescribed for the rest of our lives! I'm telling you, you have to think for yourself.

In my opinion, if you grow your own food and raise your own chickens, get out in the sun WITHOUT slathering yourself with sunscreen for at leat 10 minutes per day, drink clean water, breather clean air, eat foods that are in season and grown locally (if you don't have enough of your own) including nuts and seeds and at least a cup of leafy greens daily, you're probably going to be a lot healthier than someone shopping in the grocery store buying things that come in plastic bags and boxes and filling their prescriptions every month. Think about it; when did they start putting pharmacies in grocery stores?

I'm going to stop before the moderators get me, and I'll appologize now for getting off subject. I just want everybody to think for themselves, look around them and make the best decisions about their food and health. That's one reason that I have my own chickens. Just because the government tells you its OK doesn't mean that it is.

 

[Amyable]

Some regulations are necessary, yes. But in regard to raw milk, they are draconian. In WI, only incidental sales are legal, meaning farmers cannot advertise their product and one has to buy direct from the farm. Our DATCP has recently been heavily harassing farms that have set up farmshares to sell milk, including the one I buy from. They really don't want anyone to be consuming raw milk, no matter if it's from grassfed cows and much cleaner than milk intended for pasteurization.

Recent statements from the FDA in response to a Farm-To-Consumer-Legal-Defense-Fund suit challenging the interstate raw milk ban are very telling:

•"There is no absolute right to consume or feed children any particular food."
•"Plaintiffs' assertion of a 'fundamental right to their own bodily and physical health, which includes what foods they do and do not choose to consume for themselves and their families' is similarly unavailing because plaintiffs do not have a fundamental right to obtain any food they wish."

FDA believes I don't have the right to choose my own diet without their approval, plain and simple. I can't express how much that hacks me off. The big dairy industry in my state has been lobbying hard against raw milk, and the gov't is more than happy to oblige, all in the name of public safety. When do I get to be responsible for my own health? Sorry, but I don't have much faith in the system that gives products like aspartame it's blessing.

 

[Wifezilla]

Just because the government tells you its OK doesn't mean that it is.

High Fructose Corn Syrup
It is considered NATURAL by the gooberment.
Testing is showing it causes obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Think of this next time you see an obese kid drinking a Coke or Gatoraid.​

 

[rufus]

No sooner than some nut says "There ought to be a law" and there is a whole slew of laws and a government bureau with divisions to 1. To implement all of these laws and inform the public, 2. To enforce these laws and to prosecute violators, 3. To develop new laws to implement and enforce and to lobby for these newly developed laws and more draconian penalties.

Another monster has been created. The primary function of government should be to leave the people alone.

Government dictates what kind of fat my fast food can be fried in and how much salt it can contain, the length of the cord on my toaster and crock pot, how hot my coffee can be and how long my coffee pot can stay on. After two hours, I have to drink cold but perfectly legal coffee.

My lawn mower has so many government mandated safety features, I cannot get the darn thing started. Of course, no one has been hurt or killed by my lawn mower, so I guess they have achieved their goal But what about my goal to mow the lawn?

Now I read that the new health bill contains a provision that a 1099 must be issued for any purchase over $600. I hope they drown in paperwork.

Eventually, all of you criminals raising your own fruits and vegetables and eating your own unwashed eggs and raw milk will be brought to justice. God help you if you are found cooking with bacon grease.

Ronald Reagan said the scariest thing people can hear is "I am from the government, and I am here to help you."

Boy was he right.

Rufus

 

[noodleroo]

Rufus; you could be my new hero.....

 

[Wifezilla]

Eventually, all of you criminals raising your own fruits and vegetables and eating your own unwashed eggs and raw milk will be brought to justice. God help you if you are found cooking with bacon grease.

I am a rebel. You can't stop me!

(I think I am going to have a raw duck egg smoothie with extra coconut oil and home-grown ground cherries now. So there!

)​

 

[SkyWarrior]

Quote:
Okay, honestly, more people drink pasteurized milk than raw milk. There is more pasteurized milk out there. I would be curious as to the percentages rather than numbers. And even then, since raw milk isn't usually sold, the percentage might be skewed because the sample number is small.

Just an observation.

 

[Organics North]

Crack N' Egg :

Hey Everyone!
Now most of us, if not all of us on BYC have 'organic eggs'.

I beg to differ with this statement... Most on BYC worm for example.. that is not allowed under organic certifcation. Purina feed full of GMO Soy surely is not organic..

organic eggs are washed thoroughly in chemical mixtures before they are packaged and shipped off

I spent some time looking at it, it is complicated to say the least. The Organic certifying agency has approved some washes yes. Heck everything is a chemical. Vinegar is a chemical, so is baking soda.

I personally just wash them with warm water, no cleaners. (Which is allowed as a small producer the way I read the law.)

I agree organic factory farm eggs are not necessary better or healthier or safer than eggs from a local producer though.

I personally am a strong proponent of buying local from small producers, over national producers organic or not..

However......IT is my opinion, the "factory farm" anti organic group is waging all out war with their lobbyist's in Washington and their propaganda machine churning out garbage to fill the ears of conservative anti government types of folks, to turn them against the Organic label. The organic label is getting big enough to hurt their bottom line so they are attacking. I for one am on the side of the Organic label in this battle....

Is organic certification perfect? Heck no! Is it the answer? heck no! ... But still it is OUR lever to change agriculture into a more sustainable practice.

Personally I would rather deal with OMRI over Monsanto any day of the week.....

On government, The problem is not if we have Democrats or Republicans in office, the problem is the influence of big dollar lobbyists pitching for the mega agribusiness corporations

I do believe it was the past Republican president that vetoed the bill to restrict lobbyists..

(I personally would rather leave political comments out of my posts, but when some people must state their political opinions about the current President in their posts and signature lines, I feel compelled to respond.)
With that said, I would not mind if there were a whole lot less politicians and lawyers in the world....
ON​