Friday, May 23, 2014

Guest Post: 24 Women Food and Agriculture Reporters You Should Know About

Here's a guest post this month by Naomi Starkman over at Civil Eats. The critical role these women play allows us to stay abreast of what's happening on the Hill and beyond that impacts our farms and our plates. (I would add Naomi Starkman to this list!)

If you're interested in following women food journalists work and thoughts on food, Civil Eats just created a Twitter group that will keep you in the know.

24 Women Food and Agriculture Reporters You Should Know About
Women are the backbone of today’s food media. Take a look at our site and you’ll not only see that most of our contributors are women, but many of our featured stories are focused on female food movement leaders and projects spearheaded by women. And yet, the women reporting on this issue area don’t always get the attention they deserve.
Read more...  

Monday, April 21, 2014

GMO Labeling Update

Just last week on Civil Eats I posted this article about the latest industry attempt to keep us in the dark about whether or not we're eating genetically modified organisms (better known as GMOs). Since this posting Vermont has passed their GMO labeling bill and over 30 states have legislation in the works including California.

As a person who prioritizes organic foods whenever I eat and shop, I'm dismayed to know that GMOs are still finding their way into my home and body via prepared foods and especially gluten-free choices. Are they in yours? Probably: The Coalition for Safe and Affordable Food, Big Ag's latest group created to squash GMO labeling efforts (among other things), says that GMOs are in 80% of the foods found in our stores. Only 7% of the population in this country doesn't care about whether or not they are labelled. It's time that our voices - the voices of the 93% - are heard.

Please join me in telling the FDA that you agree that we have the right to know what's in our food by signing two online petitions both here and here. Thank you for taking action!

Friday, February 28, 2014

Rural Chicks Mob the CA Small Farm Conference

Marissa Thornton of Thornton Dairy. Photo John Burgess.
If you're in Northern California, join me and the Rural Chicks on Tuesday, March 11th at the California Small Farm Conference in Rohnert Park, CA from 9:15 AM - 10:30 PM.

I can't wait to hear what these rowdy, talented, whip-smart ladies share. Farmer-panelists include Andrea Davis-Cetina of Quarter Acre Farm, Samantha Gilweit a former pig farmer, Lynda Hopkins of Foggy River Farm and Marissa Thornton of Thornton Dairy, with yours truly as moderator. I'll have some copies of "Farmer Jane" on hand for anyone interested.

About the Rural Chicks
The Rural Chicks is a 75-member group of farming women in Northern California that get together monthly for local dinners and dishing about the field of food and farming.