Why should we care about the farm bill?
By Jessica Domel
If you like food, you should support the farm bill.
The Senate voted for a new farm bill yesterday and action now shifts to the House. I’ve been keeping up with the farm bill’s progress in Washington, D.C., and I found myself asking others on our staff, “What does this mean for the typical American consumer?”
I have some answers for you.
The irony of the farm bill is that only about 20 percent of its funding is for farm-related programs. But that 20 percent is vital to American farmers. Without the funding provided through federally subsidized crop insurance, many farmers would probably have to leave the business.
read moreWhich meat will meet your summer grilling needs?
By Jessica Domel
Although summer doesn’t officially begin until next month, for millions of Americans the summer season unofficially began over the Memorial Day weekend with the firing up of the grill.
While I personally don’t grill, I love the taste of a good steak or a barbecued chicken breast fresh off a charcoal grill. The smell of the fire, the heat and the taste of the All-American beef evokes so many memories from my childhood that it just doesn’t feel like Memorial Day without it.
read moreFood safety is our top priority
By John Paul Dineen III
My family is in the business of agriculture, helping to feed the people of our state, nation and world. I farm and ranch full time on the Blacklands of North Central Texas. My wife, Heather, and I and our four children call Ellis County home, where we farm 1,800 acres of dryland crops. We also have a small commercial cow-calf operation.
Texas Food Connection Week, Feb. 17 -23, is being celebrated across the Lone Star State. I would like to talk with you about how we grow that food and the steps we take to ensure that food is safe, wholesome and nutritious.
read moreFarm families buy groceries, too
By Monica Minzenmayer
Like many of you, I wear a lot of hats. Of my many roles, I’m most proud of being a wife, a mom and a farmer. My husband and I raise our two kids on our farm in Rowena, located about 30 miles outside of San Angelo in West Texas.
My days are probably a lot like yours—jam-packed with responsibilities around our farm, shuttling kids to school events, volunteering for activities in our community. And, of course, there are the weekly chores around the house, laundry and grocery shopping… Yes, farmers buy groceries, too.
read moreHoliday food poisoning: Not even Martha is immune
By Amanda Hill
Did you hear? It’s true—the domestic queen herself, Martha Stewart, says she spent her Thanksgiving holiday recovering from salmonella poisoning after handling too many raw birds. Proof that no one is perfect when it comes to food safety during the holidays.
The holidays can be a hectic time, but it’s worth taking a few extra minutes to ensure your kitchen and meal preparations are bacteria-free. You want to enjoy the meal gathered around the table with family—not sick in bed.
The good news is, holiday food safety is easy. Just follow these tips from www.holidayfoodsafety.org:
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