Yearly Archives: 2016

58 posts

Big Chicken Companies Own or Control Everything Except the Farm, But Why?

July 14, 2016
Ninety-seven percent of the chicken we eat is produced by a farmer under contract with a big chicken company. In 2015, people consumed 112,000,000 metric tons of chicken globally. That’s an unfathomable quantity. So here’s one way to visualize it: That amounts the weight of two-thirds of all the cars on the road today in the United States—in chickens.  
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What Debt in Chicken Farming Says About American Agriculture

July 12, 2016
Poultry farmers are a major contributor to the statistics on rising debt levels in American farming. The contracts they have with Big Chicken companies are also the premiere model for production contract agriculture, which is spreading across agricultural industries. As other agricultural industries move in this direction, they are systematically exposing more farmers to higher stakes in debt related risks. The current combination of rising farm debt with decreasing farm income means that farmers are facing a financial squeeze, and that should raise serious red flags about the health and sustainability of our agricultural system.
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2016 Grant Recipient Geoff Seelen on "The Farm Kitchen"

June 10, 2016
We spoke with Geoff Seelen of Piedmont Biofarm about the farm’s innovative project to create an on-farm experience that combines the operation’s talents in farming, culinary skills, and education to create a new enterprise that adds to the farm’s overall profitability.
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Shirley Sherrod Presents "Arc of Justice" Film at RAFI

June 9, 2016
Check out the trailer for the film, "Arc of Justice" - a new documentary that traces the remarkable story of the nation's first community land trust, New Communities, and tells a deeply inspiring story of racial justice, community organizing, and perseverance in the face of enormous obstacles.
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RAFI & Burt's Bees #BringBacktheBees: March 8 - June 30

June 7, 2016
Our pollinators are in jeopardy and so are the important ecosystem services they provide. The Burt’s Bees brand has supported honeybee health since 2007, and we’ve worked to inform employees and consumers about the issues facing our pollinators. Still, many people aren’t aware of the threat to honeybees.
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Bee Ready: June is National Pollinator Month

June 7, 2016
June 1st kicks off National Pollinator Month. It’s a great time to learn more about pollinators like the famed honey bee. It's also time that we show these hard-working pollinators a little respect. After all, one mouthful in three of the foods you eat depends on pollination by honey bees, according to the USDA.
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