Pork Proud Bacon Blogger

The Bacon Blogger has always been Pork Proud but this time we are making it official.

Introducing our new site PorkProud.com!!

We are very excited about the changes coming for Team Bacon Blogger and hope you will all join us through our transformation. Last year was a hectic year. We went to San Francisco with U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance to learn more about the questions consumers are asking and how to better answer those questions. We also had the amazing opportunity to speak to some fantastic food bloggers at the International Food Bloggers Conference in Portland during the PorkCheckoff sponsored breakfast.  All this while working on the farm, working in town, going to school, and taking on a second job. I'm exhausted just thinking about last year! Oh well, we enjoyed all the experiences and I think the hectic schedule was in preparation  for exciting things to come.

Along with working more with these fine organizations the farm is expanding and that will bring some interesting (and hopefully educational) posts in the near future. I want my readers to see the family farm grow and experience the excitement (and perhaps the stress) of a growing business along with us.

I am also fortunate enough to be freelancing for a prestigious agriculture based magazine. More on that later...

Things are looking up for Team Bacon Blogger. The fact that I was able to leave my in-town-9-to-5 behind to pursue my dream is satisfying enough but to know the farm is growing along with the blog, well, that's just amazing!

I can't wait to see what the future holds for Team Bacon Blogger!

What would you like to see on the blog this year? Do you have any questions or concerns about farming you'd like us to address?

Introducing the new Faces of Farming & Ranching

A huge CONGRATULATIONS to the new Faces of Farming & Ranching!!!! Here at Bacon Blogger HQ we are so excited for all four of these wonderful farmers and ranchers. They will do a fine job representing agriculture and everything that goes with it.

A big congrats to a friend of the blog CHRIS CHINN!!! A fellow Missouri pork producer. We are very proud of Chris and couldn't think of a better face to represent the pork industry. Way to go, Chris!

Meet the new Faces of Farming and Ranching:

 Chris Chinn from Clarence, MO

Chris and her husband Kevin are 5th generation farmers - farming with his parents and brother. They raise hogs, cattle, hay and row crops.

Bo Stone from Rowland, NC

P & S Farms is owned jointly by Bo, his wife Missy, and his parents. They grow 2,300 acres of row crops (corn, wheat and soybeans). They also have six swine finishing floors.

 Katie Pratt from Dixon, IL

Katie and her husband Andy (7th generation farmer) raise corn, soybeans and seed corn.

Will Gilmer from Sulligent, AL

Will and his father own/operate a dairy farm in Lamar County, Alabama. The dairy has been in continuous operation since Will’s grandfather established it on his parents' farm in the early 1950s.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

I wish everyone a joyful and blessed Christmas this holiday season. Remember to be thankful for what you have and hug your loved ones tight every chance you get. Enjoy Christmas and have a safe and happy New Year.

Sincerely,

Team Bacon Blogger

VOTE, VOTE, VOTE

GET OUT AND VOTE!!!!!

November 6th is upon us and it is our civic duty to GET OUT AND VOTE!!! I'm not going to go on and on about which way you should or shouldn't vote (I'm sure you've heard enough of that from the campaign ads). We all have an opinion and lets just leave it at that; however, I am going to tell you that if you don't vote then you don't get to complain, whine, sneer, or other wise get snippy about anything that involves the government. Either vote or have your crabby-pants card revoked...that's my rule. 

Polls open at 6am so rise and shine people and lets VOTE!!!!!

Farmer Penpal Letters

We are very excited to receive our first penpal letters!!! We volunteered to be a farmer penpal with a classroom and here are the first of the letters. I can't wait to share our farm with these inquisitive students and answer their questions.

This is going to be so much fun!

Wordless Wednesday

 

http://facesofagriculture.blogspot.com/2012/08/hog-wild-with-jo-windmann-bacon-blogger.html

Foodista Conference a Blast

We survived IFBC in Portland!

Have I mentioned I hate commercial flying??? Well, I'm saying it now.

I HATE COMMERCIAL FLYING!

If you must fly then may I suggest Southwest. They have more comfortable seats and they give you free cheeznips and peanuts. Just say NO to United! I'm just saying...

Despite a rough beginning, Aaron and I made it to Portland and had a great time talking pigs, farming, and food with a bunch of great bloggers and foodies. We ate a yummy breakfast thanks to the PorkCheckoff. They served bacon...who'd a thunk it!? Good peppered bacon, not that cheap thin crap. It was very tasty.

I was incredibly impressed by how open everyone was and their great questions. I was prepared for some confrontational Q&A but everyone was genuinely curious and cared. It was really refreshing to speak to such a great crowd and I thank each and every one of them for sticking around to listen to our stories. It was also exciting to answer questions from the crowd and to hear what they had to say about farming.

The National Pork Board also gave away an all expenses paid trip to a pig farm. Very Cool!!! Congrats to @FoodWhiz for winning the trip. I can't wait to hear how it goes.

After a L-O-N-G flight home Aaron and I are both glad to be back home and Aaron is especially happy to get back to the business of caring for his pigs.

Keep the convo going! Be sure to check out:

The Bacon Blogger's FB page
3 Kids and Lots of Pigs
National Pork Board
@JoWindmann
@PorkCheckoff
@proudporkmom

Still Preparing for Portland and IFBC 2012

The clock is ticking...

Who knew preparing a speech/presentation, practicing my answers to panel questions, stressing over finals week (yes, I'm still in school...arrrg), going to work all day every stinking day after day after day...I'm digressing...and being a mom (not to mention a farmer's wife) could be so exhausting. Sometimes I wonder if I take on too much.

Might be a tiny, tiny bit stressed...

Nah! I can handle it. I may have a mental breakdown every now and again and start randomly screaming out profanities but my family is use to it by now. Right? I can do this. Right? Right?!

Okay, I'll admit it, I'm a tiny bit stressed but despite my temporary insanity I am super excited about IFBC 2012 in Portland. Not only do I get to tell my story but I also get to have what I am sure will be a fantastic breakfast sponsored by the National Pork Board.

Do you think they'll serve bacon?

I am amazed and proud that farmers and farming organizations are finally breaking their silence to tell their stories straight from the hog's mouth. This is a unique opportunity to speak with a group of people that under any other circumstances wouldn't know I even exist nor I them. Along with Heather from 3 Kids and Lots of Pigs, we will get a chance to tell our stories and answer questions and I am sure they will have plenty. It's nerve racking but exciting.

These conversations are so vital to the future of farming. Agriculture touches each and every one of our lives no matter your geographical location or your food beliefs. We don't all have to agree--heavens to Betsy, no--but we do need to keep an open mind and an open heart to move the conversation forward.

Missouri Farm--Corn Field

Farming has come such a long way but it still has a very long way to go. Improvements keep coming but we need to keep everyone involved to make sure we never stop striving to make farming better and better.

I am looking forward to the future of farming.

How about you?

Michelle Obama + USDA = Hungry Kids

This is the face of a little boy who is not impressed and neither am I.

 My kids need some serious food to keep up with their seriously active lives.

 

I have bumped Aaron’s Wordless Wednesdays because I cannot be silent on this day. I cannot sit by idly while children across the country have rumbling tummies. I’m not talking about under privileged children nor am I talking about the starving Pygmies in New Guiney—I am talking about our children and the new school lunch program.

 

My active kids on their tire swing.

The USDA has made some major changes to the school lunch program and so far, a week into school, I have hungry children. The new school lunch program implements larger portions of fruits, vegetable, and whole grains. I have no problem with that, I love fruits and veggies. HOWEVER, it also significantly reduces the amount of protein to practically nothing not to mention the calorie reduction. My kids are very active. They enjoy time outside, play with their friends outside, my daughter enjoys track while my son just likes to run and climb on anything and everything. My children also have a very high metabolism. By offering a “one-size fits all” style of lunch that reduces their proteins, carbs, calories, etc. they are lacking the nutrients their growing little bodies need.

 

I am not opposed to healthier eating but dictating what they eat right down to the amount of ranch dressing they can have (my daughter refuses to except that the gunk in her cup was ranch dressing, she said it tasted more like watery mayo) is not only ridiculous but it is doing more harm than good. Instead of starving the kids in an effort to control childhood obesity why not encourage more activity in conjunction with a healthy, FILLING diet. My daughter eats like she will never see another meal again yet remains a beanpole while my son eats like a bird and swears he is so full he will pop. However, my two very different children are offered the same amount of food at school. This does not play out well.

 

For example, I had high hopes for the new school lunch program because it promised to be healthier and the menu really looked good....on paper. We gave it a try. I hoped for the best and here's what I get: 

 

Today I asked my son, "How was lunch?" 

He said, "I guess it was ok."

Me: "Did it fill you up?" 

Him: "I guess so."

Me: "Are you hungry now?"

Him: "I feel pretty snackish."

Me: "Ok. Get a snack and let me talk to your sister."

So, I asked Kylee, "How was lunch?"

Kylee: "Ok."

Me: "Did it fill you up?"

Kylee: "NO! Two hours before school was out it felt like my stomach was digesting itself. I am soooooo hungry. Can I please take my lunch tomorrow?"

 

Both my children understand that a healthy diet is a balanced diet and everything is best in moderation. I also regulate how much my kids are on their DS's, Wii, and their TV time. They play outside, they stay active, and they need more food than USDA and our first lady is offering.

 

The new food regulations not only go so far as to regulate the amount of condiments a child can use but it also leaves schools with their hands tied. If a school chooses not to utilize this new program they will have their funding cut and then everyone goes without. Schools have been feeding us for generations and it feels like a smack in the face to all those people that have devoted their lives to planning, preparing, and serving school lunches. Schools have always had the choice of food programs and I believe they should be able to use their food dollars in a way they see fit. Every district is different, every kid is different so a one-size fits all just won't work. The schools know their kids, so let them do their job.

 

Get these kids some real food!!!

I understand the need for healthier foods and I am all for it but I do not like my children coming home hungry and their school left with no alternatives. The worst part of all this is how this will affect the low income families. Our family is fortunate enough to afford to brown bag it but what about the families that can’t? In our area there are several families that get reduced price or free lunches. We are in one of the poorest districts. In some cases the school is where these kids get their best meal so how does “one-size fit all” fit into their lives? Kids that are hungry can’t focus and kids that can't focus will do poorly in school.

 

I realize we have an issue with obesity in this country but over regulating school lunches is NOT the solution to this problem. We do NOT need more regulation, we need more accountability and less "quick fixes." Our school lunches did not cause obesity and individuals must be responsible for their own actions--food choices and level of activities.

 

What are your thoughts on this issue?

 

 

If you disagree with what our first lady and USDA are doing then I urge you to write your Congressman and Senators. I also incourage you to contact the following people about this issue:

 

Undersecretary of Food & Nutrition Services Kevin Concannon 1400 Independence Ave, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20250
 
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack 1400 Independence Ave, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20250

Other sites with some great info and some great stories:

Chris Chinn: Does Your Child Fit the "One Size Fits All" Lunch Program?

Pinkie Post: 3 School Lunch Solutions with Linky

Morning Joy Farm: School Lunch Soapbox