<![CDATA[Grist - Comment Feed for Stand up for rural America while you still can]]> Grist Comment Feed en Comment #1 by Tasermons Partner http://www.grist.org/article/stand-up-for-rural-america-while-you-still-can/ Thu, 18 Jun 2009 09:35:18 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/stand-up-for-rural-america-while-you-still-can/1 Several problems with this article:

First, you provide us with percentages of rate of growth for imported dairy...but fail to recognize that even with those increases, the total percentage of imported dairy products is very small, compared to the amount produced domestically.  Dairy is one of those products that just doesn't make sense, economically or otherwise, to import in massive numbers, 'specially in un-powdered form.

So don't think that most of dairy will come from foreign countries anytime soon, okay?

Second, you failed to provide a solution or course of action.  You state the problem, what you think is the cause of the problem, and that we need to urge Congress and others to stop it.  But you didn't provide a means for us to do that or how to approach them, or what we need to urge them to do (other than a vague and general "Save the industry!").

This leads me to think that you have no plan of action, and thus are just trying to rally support and attention more than anything.  While it's good to bring attention to an issue and rally support, without a firm plan of action, it ain't gonna do anything.

I suggest you come up with a plan first, then rally supoort behind it.

]]> Several problems with this article:

First, you provide us with percentages of rate of growth for imported dairy...but fail to recognize that even with those increases, the total percentage of imported dairy products is very small, compared to the amount produced domestically.  Dairy is one of those products that just doesn't make sense, economically or otherwise, to import in massive numbers, 'specially in un-powdered form.

So don't think that most of dairy will come from foreign countries anytime soon, okay?

Second, you failed to provide a solution or course of action.  You state the problem, what you think is the cause of the problem, and that we need to urge Congress and others to stop it.  But you didn't provide a means for us to do that or how to approach them, or what we need to urge them to do (other than a vague and general "Save the industry!").

This leads me to think that you have no plan of action, and thus are just trying to rally support and attention more than anything.  While it's good to bring attention to an issue and rally support, without a firm plan of action, it ain't gonna do anything.

I suggest you come up with a plan first, then rally supoort behind it.

]]> Comment #2 by wunder http://www.grist.org/article/stand-up-for-rural-america-while-you-still-can/ Sat, 20 Jun 2009 08:55:53 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/stand-up-for-rural-america-while-you-still-can/2 wow look at all these pro industry people on grist trying to slam everyone for the truth... hell yea this article is there for 'attention' .... we are not writing a biology term paper that you should be DEMANDING' a solution to a course of action' need the attention of people to create a plan of action that will work... unfortunately it is individuals that are really going to make things happen. It's as if there is a task force set out to demonize and discredit people who aren't pro-industry...wow the truth is gonna or is hurting the bad guy aye? Congress is already bought and sold... and it's ashame that in this once great country 'the truth' is vehemently denied to protect such a corrupt and deadly science. GMOs have to GO. Big Ag has to go... but congress does not care what people want... only what lines thier pockets

]]> wow look at all these pro industry people on grist trying to slam everyone for the truth... hell yea this article is there for 'attention' .... we are not writing a biology term paper that you should be DEMANDING' a solution to a course of action' need the attention of people to create a plan of action that will work... unfortunately it is individuals that are really going to make things happen. It's as if there is a task force set out to demonize and discredit people who aren't pro-industry...wow the truth is gonna or is hurting the bad guy aye? Congress is already bought and sold... and it's ashame that in this once great country 'the truth' is vehemently denied to protect such a corrupt and deadly science. GMOs have to GO. Big Ag has to go... but congress does not care what people want... only what lines thier pockets

]]> Comment #3 by The Other Borden http://www.grist.org/article/stand-up-for-rural-america-while-you-still-can/ Sat, 20 Jun 2009 14:11:03 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/stand-up-for-rural-america-while-you-still-can/3 Bad as it sounds, let's remember that with every crisis comes an opportunity.

I can tell you all about a group of Texas organic cotton farmers who, after losing money growing conventional for so long, had finally decided to go organic and learn some sewing skills so that they could get rid of those money hungry middlemen and sell their own products, generate their own profit.

How does this translate to dairy farms?  Maybe family farmers can cut costs by cutting out expensive farm chemicals, feeding their cattle on the grass that grows free on their property, and by keeping their cattle healthy to avoid costly vet bills.

Additionally, us common folks don't have to turn to the government to keep these men and women afloat.  Maybe it's about time we take this opportunity to seriously get to know the people who produce food in our local community.  Now that you have gotten our attention turned to this impending crisis, none of us no longer have an excuse to not only get to know these people, but to also get our friends and family to know these people.  Now is the time to rebuild our communities.

It's easy, trust me.  I think I've gotten 6 or 7 of my friends to come down to the farmer's market to see what all the fuss is about.  Now they're regular visitors, and I don't even have to drag them with me.

No need for government internvention, we just have to get to know some people.

]]> Bad as it sounds, let's remember that with every crisis comes an opportunity.

I can tell you all about a group of Texas organic cotton farmers who, after losing money growing conventional for so long, had finally decided to go organic and learn some sewing skills so that they could get rid of those money hungry middlemen and sell their own products, generate their own profit.

How does this translate to dairy farms?  Maybe family farmers can cut costs by cutting out expensive farm chemicals, feeding their cattle on the grass that grows free on their property, and by keeping their cattle healthy to avoid costly vet bills.

Additionally, us common folks don't have to turn to the government to keep these men and women afloat.  Maybe it's about time we take this opportunity to seriously get to know the people who produce food in our local community.  Now that you have gotten our attention turned to this impending crisis, none of us no longer have an excuse to not only get to know these people, but to also get our friends and family to know these people.  Now is the time to rebuild our communities.

It's easy, trust me.  I think I've gotten 6 or 7 of my friends to come down to the farmer's market to see what all the fuss is about.  Now they're regular visitors, and I don't even have to drag them with me.

No need for government internvention, we just have to get to know some people.

]]> Comment #4 by lilcheese http://www.grist.org/article/stand-up-for-rural-america-while-you-still-can/ Tue, 21 Jul 2009 17:39:46 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/stand-up-for-rural-america-while-you-still-can/4 I live in a farming community in the San Joaquin Valley of California, which is often called the "agricultural center of the world." The Valley is the top dairy producer in the country. For some dairy farmers it is already too late. They have already sold their cows. Along with the dairy crisis, farmers in the West Side of the Central San Joaquin Valley are facing a water shortage, which has left some Valley towns (like Mendota) in dire economic straights.

A few years ago a congressional study was conducted that referred to the Valley as the new Appalachia. The Valley regularly has a high unemployment rate. Coupled with the national economic situation, some Valley folks are facing dire circumstances.

 

 

]]> I live in a farming community in the San Joaquin Valley of California, which is often called the "agricultural center of the world." The Valley is the top dairy producer in the country. For some dairy farmers it is already too late. They have already sold their cows. Along with the dairy crisis, farmers in the West Side of the Central San Joaquin Valley are facing a water shortage, which has left some Valley towns (like Mendota) in dire economic straights.

A few years ago a congressional study was conducted that referred to the Valley as the new Appalachia. The Valley regularly has a high unemployment rate. Coupled with the national economic situation, some Valley folks are facing dire circumstances.

 

 

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