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| What used to be a green lush pasture field from my former Uncle's farm now has been cleared for high-volume factory farming by the new owner. Lush, beautiful green trees have been shoved into huge piles taking away more greenery to attract local natural habitat animals and birds. Back in the fall, the new owner started burning the trees and the stench lasted for days. Now with the Spring rains, as I drive by, the runoff is eroding what valuable top soil did exist into the streams. |
Usually, my writing begins with one of my photographs of living out here in the country. These photographs show that despite being neighbor to a Factory Farm, the visual beauty still astounds me. This entry is no exception but the photos are not quite as idyllic. It's time for a little reality, folks.
This blog's title draws attention to the fact that every single member of my immediate family as well as some good friends and neighbors are currently suffering from what started as sinus discomfort, moved into everyone's chests and now we've progressed from our prescribed allergy medications to hardcore Sinus Cough & Cold Congestion drugs to combat this crap. It is not just the real farmers in my family, my sis-in-law, close relatives, my dogs and me are all coughing and feeling the impact. With me, I'm never sure if it is the Factory Farm next door .... or real live allergies and dust. Whatever it is, it is not joyful to deal with after gardening or other chores outside. Last Friday, while substitute teaching, I felt so weak outdoors on the playground from this stuff - I had to lean against a tree to keep from falling over while the children were playing outside. It was sad, because usually I like to join in on the games and the play that imaginative little ones can come up with when allowed to frolic outdoors.
This Facebook posting from GMO Free USA last year warranted more than my attention so decided to use it to open this blog entry. It was posted last Fall, but as my relatives and I suffer from what has been thought to be sinus allergies or common chest colds this Spring that have now turned into deep hacking coughs for some of us .... this GMO Free USA article came back to my mind and signaled what might be happening on a larger basis in my little part of the world; not just at harvest time, but in the spring, too.
Respiratory illness in the heartland. With the heavy use of Roundup associated with GMO crops has come an increase in harmful fungi in the soil. During the harvest, the air is filled with GMO crop dust contaminated with harmful fungi - and respiratory complaints soar. There's even a medical name for it. They call it "Farmer's Lung", but it should be called GMO Farmer's Lung. Do you live in the heartland and develop respiratory problems during harvest season? Tell your story.
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| "This Was My Uncle's Barn," Copyright 2014. All Rights Reserved Courtesy of Photoartdb Consulting |
In the place of that barn, these pictures were taken during its destruction and the demolition of the beautiful lush tree stand into flat furrowed land. One day, I just drove by the corner on my way into the nearest town and this is what I saw on my way to town and then when I came another direction into my little house. Factory farming at its finest - mow all the trees and usable buildings down and then irrigate the heck outta everything:
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| All of the above photographs were taken down the road from my little house in Southwest Missouri. Once these fields had beautiful lush tree stands and now are shoved to the ground into piles for burning. My brother and I estimate that the new owner barely gained little more than perhaps an acre of additional land to plant corn. We've known these fields to be very rocky since my father and brother used to farm it for my uncle. It would have made GREAT pasture land for cattle instead of commodity grain farming. No one asked our opinion though. Too bad ... cattle grazing would have been more picturesque and be better for the sustainable land quality of this farm acreage. |
My apologies for not posting as often in the past few months. We've had a lot of family things going on that have required my attention more than usual. Plus I've been involved in creating and promoting my own art photography and teaching as much as I can. My 89-year-old dad went into the hospital a few months ago, but given that he has great family genes, is now recovered, back in action on the farm and with his busy life. We've also been helping other relatives cope with different things in their lives as well. As school ends for the various districts, my time will be more available for writing and blogging as well as taking photographs of this land that I love in Missouri and where I was raised.
It's always great to end these blogs on a positive note. The Missouri Rural Crisis Center board and staff along with the help of their membership and volunteers were successful in defeating the Beef Checkoff Tax in the state legislature. This defeat means a lot for the independent small farmer who practices sustainable agricultural practices with their cattle operations and farming. If you were one of those who helped, you have our gratitude for making it easier to make a living out here in Southwest Missouri! Check out how you can get involved at www.morural.org.
Even though I do not actively participate in the real farming stuff like driving a tractor or working cattle, I wholeheartedly support the efforts of those who do and have for generations. My family is proud to be members of this organization. As one of their volunteers when they call upon me to help phone, email or otherwise engage folks about important issues -- they can consider it done once I get the word to move into action. It's a family affair at our place and we all do what we can. Here's a link to the article announcing that the Beef Checkoff Tax was rejected: Missouri Farmers Overwhelmingly Reject Beef Checkoff Tax.
Just for fun and if you are into really great festivals this weekend. You should check out the 16th Annual Bakers Creek Heirloom Seed Planting Festival in Mansfield, Missouri. Unfortunately, my chest cold will keep me from attending again this year, but if you're close by -- it is the best place to get great plants, heirloom seeds and other goodies to create your own garden and grow your own food. Here are some links so you can make it there on Sunday, May 1 & Monday, May 2. Wish I could join ya, but am there in spirit. Here's a link to their Facebook Page: Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company And their website: Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company
And ... here's another link to the article about the 16th Annual Planting Festival for more information from the Webster County Citizen: Bakers Creek 16th Annual Planting Festival It's only $5 admission for adults and free for children with music, plants, seeds, great food and other fun. Enjoy it and celebrate the fact that some suppliers and human beings are still engaged in overcoming Corporate Agricultural's attempts to control our rights where seeds are concerned, where our health is concerned and preserving other areas of sustainable agriculture.
And to end on a really fun and positive note, turn up the music .... get up and dance or sing along to celebrate this Earth that we live on. Earth Day was last Friday and we only have one planet. We need to respect and preserve it. So in honor of the MRCC win, the beauty of spring springing to life in my garden with greenery and plants that survived our mild winter. Go ahead ... Get up and dance! Everyone around the world ... come on....it's a celebration! Besides these guys know how to move and dance to show how we need to come together and make it happen around the world. Until next time ...."Celebrate Good Times" by Kool & The Gang
Comments are by this individual writing the blog and no other company, nonprofit or other organization has approved or endorsed them. Am not a scientist, so can't claim my own scientific research but just comment on what is happening. These words are my sole opinion and no one else is responsible for these remarks. Anonymous comments not accepted. Stand up for your opinion. Thanks for your thoughtful and kind responses. Please keep language clean and our farmlands green. :)
