What is it about heading to your favorite restaurant with your family for a bite to eat? For some, it is the atmosphere, for others it is the food and for many it is the fact that their kitchen can stay spic and span for more than an hour or two. No matter what the reasoning, eating out is time that my family and I enjoy on occasion.

How much do you know about your favorite eatery? Do you ever think about what goes on behind the swinging doors that your waitress pops in and out of with full and empty trays?

I am not trying to put negative thoughts in your head about where you eat, although you might have already done thate yourself. It is a good thing that we trust other people enough to let them prepare food for us. It says a lot about our society, if you ask me.

Every once in a while you may have a not-so-enjoyable experience dining out. Maybe your fries were cold, your steak a bit overdone or the server went M.I.A. Who do you blame? Perhaps the management or the chef is called out. Do you ever think about blaming the farmer that produced the food? Of course not, but we’re getting closer to that happening.

The farmer is taking a lot of heat these days. From pigs in gestation stalls, to BSE (Mad Cow), to LFTB (Pink Slime), the farmers just can’t seem to get any positive news out there. Now their use of antibiotics is being questioned and likely to be changed dramatically in the near future.

What is the best way to combat all of the negative views of agriculture? It’s high time for Ag to tell its side of the story. If you don’t tell your story, someone else will…and they are.

This requires farmers to change the way they perceive their own operations.

When I was a kid, society was a very “mind your own business” kind of world. That even pertained to how we ran the farm. We closed the doors to the milking parlor, not because of what was happening behind those doors, but because we just as soon kept to ourselves. Those days are long gone with the advent of social media and 24-hour news cycles.

I’m not suggesting that you make your farm an amusement park, open to all ages both day and night. Although you have to admit that having a “scrambler” and funnel cakes on the property at all times would have its perks.

What I mean is to open your doors to the kitchen. Think of it as the “Subway” (yes the sandwich shop) approach to farming. Putting everything that we do and take pride in “out there” for anyone to see (sneeze guard required).  This will not only give the consumer the peace of mind that what they are getting from the producer is the best possible product, it will also hold every producer accountable for how they produce their commodity and take it to market.

Agriculture knows how to do things right and that shows with the success of producing enough food for a rapidly growing world. Let’s put the same trust into the farmer that produces the food that we do into the person that prepares the food right before we chow down. That only seems logical, doesn’t it?

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Look at everything happening in D.C. lately. Almost every day there is a bill sent to the House or Senate floors that go absolutely no further by design. All of these bills are built to make the other party look pitiful when they fail and sway the voters one way or another during a vicious election year.

There is bickering about healthcare, social security, food stamps and most important to the ag industry, farm programs.

I was disappointed to find out that the Buffett rule was not about getting a plate and making numerous trips to the food line. Adding one “t” can ruin everything for a guy.

That rule and all of the squabbling in Washington got me thinking that instead of thinking of “sharing the wealth” as an economic recovery tactic, maybe we should consider it more of “sharing the debt”.

Agriculture has already tried to do this by volunteering to delete over $20 billion dollars from farm programs late last year during the Super Committee process. Farmers have no qualms about giving up something for the sake of saving our country. Heck, Ag is the only thing saving our country as it is.

Well, here we go again as work starts on a new farm bill.

Understand that the farm bill includes much more than ag-based programs. In fact, the majority of the farm bill is focused around food stamps or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This program gave benefits to 45 million people in 2011 with the tab for taxpayers totaling $72 Billion!

Can’t some of that cost be cut as well? According to the Senate Ag Committee, which wrote their draft of the 2012 Farm Bill last week, it can.

Last week, the Agriculture Committee approved cut of more than $33 billion from SNAP. Understanding that many out-of-work Americans are in need of the program for the first time in their lives, the Committee intends on closing loopholes, tightening standards and requiring greater transparency.

Sounds very familiar to what others on the Hill were suggesting needs to happen to some farm programs, doesn’t it?

One lawmaker on the Committee was against any cuts to SNAP, suggesting that it takes food right out of the mouths of kids. You know what else does that very same thing? Cuts to farm programs that are useful, helpful and worthy of strengthening the sometimes weary backbone of American Agriculture. These programs are put in place “in case” a farmer needs a hand for reasons out of their control. It is never a proud moment for an American to ask for a little help, especially a farmer.

Do some things in the previous farm bill need to be revamped, or eliminated?

Quite frankly the answer is yes.

In fact, once again it is the farmers themselves that say that direct payments need to go and it looks as though they will.

At the same time the committee’s draft, which would reduce the deficit by $23 Billion, strengthens risk management, consolidates and streamlines programs, improves SNAP’s integrity and accountability and grows America’s ag economy.

The real test begins Wednesday (April 25^th), when the full Committee marks up the 2012 Farm Bill.

All I ask of our distinguished men and women of Congress is to not only consider where federally funded food is going as you write this new farm law, but most importantly where that food came from.

He may look all alone

With Earth Day this Sunday, April 22, it never hurts to point out how farmers are caring of the land.

In the middle of his field

All he sees is all he owns

Where a silent partnership is sealed.

He’s not talking to himself

And he’s not praying to The Devine.

It’s a conversation with the land

That has his future on the line.

It’s a mutual agreement

With everything in view,

“Land, you take care of me

And I’ll take care of you”

Then, a handshake with the soil

He’s knows no other way.

A relationship he will never foil

For to him, every day is Earth Day.

I was never really good at sports. I was born with an incomplete left hip and I have always had a hitch in my giddy-up, if you will. The problem is I love sports and I love competition. I would live my sport-life vicariously through my brother, who was (I would say is but he is in his 30’s as well) a great basketball player. When he played basketball my athletic heart was racing as I cheered him on. When he dunked I was as high off the bleachers as I could get and when he would be called for a foul I would nearly get kicked out of those same bleachers.

I have the heart of a quarterback but my body just can’t follow.

Enter my son, Calvin. He is almost 5 and just started his first season of soccer. Now let’s be honest, soccer at 5 years old is like herding cats. No one knows which goal to head towards and 5 year olds are just too nice to push another kid out of the way. Plus, my son would rather hold a girl’s hand than kick her in the shin just for the sake of a silly ball.

His first game was last weekend. I was excited to see him in his new uniform and being a part of a team. Little did I know just how “into it” I would get once the game started, but I ran up and down the sidelines, yelling things like “attack the ball”, “hustle green team” and “pretend the ball is a steak Calvin”.

As all of the other teammates when fighting for the ball, Cal would look over at me and give me a thumbs up and I would return the gesture.

Then the moment came where the ball was rolling right in front of him and his eyes got real big. I want to think that steak line did the trick but I can’t verify that for sure. It was Cal, the ball and about 10 yards of green grass to the net. He kicked it will all of his might and SCORED!

It took me back 15 years and I was jumping as high as I have ever jumped. My athletic heart was pumping mightily again and my pride shown through my ear to ear smile. That’s my boy. My biggest concern now is what I will do if he ever gets red-carded in a few years. Look out for that Higgins guy; he can be a bit over the top.

What a game it was. Of course, at age 5 we don’t keep score and everyone is a winner.

It was 15 to nothing.

to make the strongest possible case for this most basic of daily

Here is just some of the article.

Ethically speaking, vegetables get all the glory. In recent years, vegetarians — and to an even greater degree vegans, their hard-core inner circle — have dominated the discussion about the ethics of eating. From the philosopher Peter Singer, whose 1975 volume “Animal Liberation” galvanized an international movement, to the novelist Jonathan Safran Foer, who wrote the 2009 best seller “Eating Animals,” those who forswear meat have made the case that what we eat is a crucial ethical decision. To be just, they say, we must put down our cheeseburgers and join their ranks.

In response, those who love meat have had surprisingly little to say. They say, of course, that, well, they love meat or that meat is deeply ingrained in our habit or culture or cuisine or that it’s nutritious or that it’s just part of the natural order. Some of the more conscientious carnivores have devoted themselves to enhancing the lives of livestock, by improving what those animals eat, how they live and how they are killed. But few have tried to answer the fundamental ethical issue: Whether it is right to eat animals in the first place, at least when human survival is not at stake.

While I have no intentions to enter this contest, I did want to see how some of the readers were responding to the challenge and how agriculture, or the “pro-meat” agenda was being represented. Although there are plenty of views and opinions from the vegetarian and vegan worlds about the article and contest, I was pleasantly surprised.

One reader wrote: “The earth produces tremendous amounts of animal food and fuel in terms of plant life, producing herbivores, and carnivores. Man, and man’s ancestors, were both predator and prey, which ate to survive, and displaced the carnivorous competitors.

The fatty and protein rich diet permitted man to spend more time developing their brain, such that we could we reach a state of mental development where we could even ponder the question of the importance of the food source most attributable to our success.

I can’t wait for the next ethical dilemma, i.e., “Is it OK to cut down living trees to build shelter?”

Another weighed in: “Humans evolved to eat meat. For most of human history, the decision to eat meat was not a choice but a means of survival. Do we fault the lion for eating a zebra? Humans are able to access sufficient resources to survive without meat only recently. While the evolution of a behavior does not mean that said behavior is ‘moral,’ I think this issue needs to be discussed in the proper historical and evolutionary context.

With regards to domesticated animals, the survival of these species is dependent on their consumption by humans. If people did not eat chickens, cows, and pigs, these animals would simply not exist (save for some zoo dedicated to their preservation). For animals to pass on their genes, they must reproduce, and this is the single biggest selective factor on animal behavior. I believe that if given the “choice” between being a factory farmed animal or not being alive at all, an animal would “choose” to exist and pass on it’s genes. If one looks at human meat consumption from the point of view of the domesticated animals: humans are helping these animals spread their genes and ‘succeed,’ in exchange, these animals are “giving” us their bodies to eat. I do feel that it is our responsibility to ensure that animals are treated well when alive.”

There are plenty more comments, as you might imagine. Read them and weigh in on behalf of agriculture by reading the article.

I would love for you to share your thoughts with us below as well.

By Ty Higgins, Ohio Ag Net

This week I traveled to Washington D.C. with The Ohio Farm Bureau Federation County Presidents. Every year they make the journey to lobby on behalf of Ohio agriculture as they visit with their district’s Congressmen and women.

The attitude toward our Nation’s Capital is far from favorable and no matter who you talk to inside the beltway, nothing of importance will get done the rest of this year.

I have now been to D.C. twice and to walk around that beautiful city can really inspire a guy. No, I am not running for office anytime soon, but seeing the historic buildings and hearing the great stories of how our Country came to be can put your imagination to work.

It is a city of power, too much some would say, but at one time that power was used to mold a country of great opportunities. A century ago, our leaders worked together to make a difference in every class America welcomed. Now the term “class warfare” is used on a daily basis and it is causing gridlock in Washington.

From what I gathered, you can lobby as much as you want and yell as loud as you can for an issue that you would like to see implemented or changed, but nothing much will happen. Congressmen on both sides of the debates tell you that the other side won’t budge and there is no middle ground. If compromising is an art, there is not a Picasso in town.

As you have probably heard by now, The Ohio Department of Agriculture has a new leader at the helm. His name is David Daniels and he makes his way to ODA via the Statehouse where he served as a State Senator for Ohio’s 17th District for four terms.

For the past 3 months, State Vet Dr. Tony Forshey added the title of Interim Director of ODA. During his short tenure, you would have never guessed that he even knew that “interim” was part of his new role. He hit the ground running knowing that there would be no time for Ohio agriculture to slow down and just wait on a new Director. Dr. Forshey traveled the state to speak at numerous events, spearheaded working groups to discuss water quality and nutrient management and I would even put money on him looking forward to making the county fair rounds had his time at the post lasted until summer.

As Senator Daniels was being announced as ODA Director last week, I sat down with Dr. Forshey to chat about his experience as the leader of Ohio’s #1 industry.

“It’s been fun,” Dr. Forshey shared with a smile. “I’ve met a lot of people and it was interesting to shift from my State Veterinary job to Director. We certainly look forward to the new Director coming in and getting him up to speed on where we are today.”

Between the water quality and nutrient management, dangerous wild animals, and livestock care standards, there are a lot of issues facing Director Daniels from day one. Before you give the car keys over to a new owner they want to know how it drives and so Dr. Forshey is ready to help with the transition in whatever way possible.

“One of the things about ODA is that even though we are a very small agency we are so important to the state,” said Dr. Forshey. “We are small but mighty, if you will. We have a lot of great chiefs of different divisions and we work really closely as a team and teamwork is what it is all about at ODA.”

Dr. Forshey emphasised that Senator Daniels is well qualified to take over as Director and looks forward to putting his focus solely back on his position as Ohio’s State Vet.

Dr. Forshey thank you for the extra hours, miles and effort. Well done.

This, of course, raised a few poignant questions, like did the Director use a bull horn? Is this just a “trailer” for the full length moovie? When a cow messed up a line, did someone yell “Cud, Cud”?

I doubt this movie will make millions at the box beef office, but it is yet another great way to show consumers what happens on the other side of the fence to provide them a safe wholesome product at the meat case…enjoy.

As if feeding the World wasn’t enough to keep you busy, Ohio Agriculture, wait until you see everything else you need to concern yourself with in 2012.

This realization came to me last week as I travelled to a couple of speaking engagements centered around crop insurance. I was very fortunate to have a minute or two to talk to the audience about The Ohio Ag Net and how we are a resource to not only keep farmers informed on the latest developments that effect their livelihoods, but to also work as a bridge to consumers to help them better understand agriculture.

Here is a laundry list of topics I highly recommend you stay on top of. To help, I have put some links within this blog to help you find more information on the various subjects.

The 2012 (maybe) Farm Bill – I have been told recently that there is a 50/50 chance that the farm bill will be written this year. Understand that we were a smidge short of reaching a farm bill in 2011 until the so-called Super Committee failed to do anything even mediocre. Be involved. Ag has had a string of a few good years and no one will feel sorry for making cuts that are far beyond necessary to our sector of the economy. It is my belief that getting it done this year is more beneficial as 2013 will bring a lot of new and uneducated lawmakers to Washington. Ag has many advocates in D.C. now that know what is best, under these economic circumstances, for American agriculture.

Nutrient Management and Water Quality – Holy smokes will this be a hot topic this year. So much so that we have categories on our website specifically for it. Stay on top of this one as it may change the way you farm in just the next year or two. Not familiar with the 4Rs? You will be.

Crop Insurance – Some of the changes in crop insurance, like lower premiums for Ohio, are very welcome news. However, did you know that your bill will be due a bit earlier starting this year? Plus, if you plan on tearing up your wheat your agent needs needs to know (and not as your doing it).

CAUV’s – Your land value is increasing, but that is not the surprise. Sticker shock and ticker shock may abound when you get your tax bill. Do you still like Ohio’s CAUV program? Believe it or not, it is one of the best programs in the Country. Uncle Sam will always get his cut, again no surprise, but it could be worse.

Weed Resistance – This may be the most important year to discuss, and do something about. Next year may be too late. The Ohio AgriBusiness Association and Ohio Soybean Association are holding meeting to talk about preparing, defending and defeating weeds. Get the details about these meetings and make a point to be there.

HSUS – Yep, they’re at it again. This week The Humane Society of The United States released more videos from two Oklahoma pig breeding facilities. Keep the barn doors open as this usually has consumers asking questions about the way you operate. Show them, explain to them and educate them on why you do what you do and how your wouldn’t have an operation if you didn’t do it right.

Did I mention weather, corn and soybean demand, child labor laws, and CRP? The list truly does go on and on, but that is where we at The Ohio Ag Net come in. We are in front of all of these issues, allowing you to continue on with making sure people around the World are fed. Just be sure to check in from time to time for update at OhioAgNet.com and be sure to sign up for Digital Dale as well.

See you down the road!