A Message from our President, Peter Schanz
– reprinted from the 2012 Summer print newsletter*
We had a very successful Farmer’s Share Breakfast this year thanks to the help and input from over fifty volunteers who spent Saturday morning hosting our members and others in the community to a breakfast that cost them only what the farmer’s share would have been – in this case about $.75.
(That included scrambled eggs from “real” eggs, sausage and pancakes with “real” 100% maple syrup and beverage.)
For me, it is always a fun time, but this year was special because I was able to recruit our oldest grandson to help out. Seeing his work ethic made me proud and to think he is only a second generation off the farm but lucky (for me anyway) to be able to help when it comes down to baling hay or mucking stalls.
The most revealing thing was our conversation on the way home where I learned that he was glad that we raised our own beef and didn’t have to buy it in the store.
Upon questioning further I found out that he had heard about “pink slime” in a movie entitled “Food, Inc.” which he saw in his high school health class.
WOW. Is this what it has come to?
It made me think… yes, it is possible that our children and, I am afraid, many adults know only that milk and meat come from a cooler at the grocery store. I tried to explain that what that movie was referring to was a name given to a product that was given by ABC news as used by a former scientist at USDA.
Later, after getting more information, I informed our grandson what I found out and what they were referring to was actually a product known as Lean Finely Textured Beef or L.F.T.B. By now most of you have probably heard about this and how it has negatively impacted not only the major supplier (BPI) of L.F.T.B., but also the industry as a whole.
The reality is that nothing has changed in the production of ground beef from what it was twenty-five years ago, except someone sensationalized the way it is done and that made the news which spread like wildfire. The result is higher priced ground beef, short supplies, and a company who has had to curtail a large portion of its production and must now restore its good name.
The amazing thing that is seldom mentioned is that all of this happened to a product that made better use of the animal parts that went into it and maintained an exemplary safety record for never having a food borne illness associated with it.
This also points out a glaring need on the part of agriculture and everyone involved in it that we have to become more active in our associations within the industry and within our communities. We have to teach and educate whenever the opportunity arises so that correct science-backed information is presented to the public.
We on your Summit County Farm Bureau Board of Trustees are striving to keep as many people in our urban and sub-urban neighborhoods informed and to some extent educated as to where and how we fit into the cycle of life that includes the nourishment of our bodies.
To that extent, we have recently provided an interactive Kiosk to be in service this summer at the Akron Zoo. If you have a chance, visit the Zoo and have your youngsters take an active part in using the hands-on Kiosk.
Our Ag-mobile has had a busy season making eleven in-school visits with several weeks planned for projects this summer. If you know of a school in your community that could benefit from this experience, contact our office to set up an appointment.
Also, our scholarship committee has granted six scholarships to deserving graduates who will be going to college this fall.
Lastly, we have been conducting a number of informational seminars throughout the area and we will continue to do so. These classes have dealt with berries, chickens, equine topics, and of course oil and gas issues and how they affect the landowner and the general public.
For further information on any of these topics, contact our county office.
One additional thought: right now (May/June) we are formulating our new policies for the upcoming year. This is the most important function in which you as a member can take part. If you have any suggestions about policy on a Local, State, or National level, write your suggestion down and send it along with your name and address to our office in Canton. Now is the time to be heard.
Believe me, if your suggestion has merit – it will be heard.
Pete Schanz, President
Summit County Farm Bureau
*The Summit County Farm Bureau mails out a print newletter to each of its more than 1,000 members each year. To become a member, apply online here.