Touches on the reality of how the beef market is uneasily caught between scale v margin.

Great article. It's so important--I am a vegetarian, so this means something coming from me. I cook meat, but started buying grass fed and properly sourced meats and serving less. I can smell the chemicals in store-bought meat now. My family doesn't like it. It can't be good. Food sourcing is so important. It can't be overlooked. 

Less meat that's higher quality would be better for everyone except perhaps the giant beef farms.

Yeah, but I'm not talking about mainstream American consumerism here--if everyone listened to this gospel, then the food quality I'm talking about would be dilute. That's a fact. It's not sustainable at this level of quality for everyone--now, this sounds awful, I know, but there will never ever be a run on grass fed beef. Americans want low prices, in the same way as we intellectually know that paying a few cents extra can lead to fair trade, and yet we, en masse, refuse to pay this systemically ("it'll only lead to inflation anyway").  

I'm talking about a new type of simplicity for those ready to embrace it. Food quality comes of that. It's one of the lessons I've learned in trading and foraging for foods, growing foods, and sourcing foods. It's not just about a steak. It's about a way of life. In general, I find that most Americans will not pay attention to these messages. I'll still preach them, but ultimately, there is a supply chain issue.  

We get all these "if/then" messages from the media, "If we didn't water golf courses, then the world could eat." Well, no one will ever eschew golf for someone in a country they can't spell. Nor do those water resources reallocate, geographically. Moot points. 

For me, I use these messages to remind myself that simplicity, does, in fact, matter. I'll continue to improve--maybe keep teaching people about making simple things--bread, cheese, canning, sourcing ingredients. It's a funny hobby, I know--teaching and tech on one hand, and sustainability/homesteading on another, but I think it makes me a better and gentler human being. One of my favorite convos here ever was the one on composting about six months back:) 

So what's the main point of an if-then message like this?

To move some people on the fence to pick a side?

Everyone can make small changes.

Agreed. But that the system has to change if we hope for equity. 

Here's a start:

http://www.jamieoliver.com/us/foundation/jamies-food-revolution/school-food

"Imagine a world where children were fed tasty and nutritious, real food at school from the age of 4 to 18. A world where every child was educated about how amazing food is, where it comes from, how it affects the body and how it can save their lives". - Jamie Oliver

"Our Food Revolution Toolkits are designed to inspire you to start a Food Revolution in your school and help ensure kids get real food on their lunch trays. These toolkits arm you with facts, empower you with ideas, and support you in making real change on the ground. Our team has worked with experts in the field to create toolkits specific to a number of different issues facing our schools. They are meant to be used, printed, shared and passed on! Together we have an opportunity to support schools in making sustainable change."

I love everything that man does. He's inspiring. I feel sorry that he wasn't successful in some of the larger districts, but he made such an impact grassroots. I've wanted to plant the school grounds for a while. I may not have time to keep it up. But I thought maybe some fruit trees, raspberries… Things that do not need upkeep. 

Came across this while I was reading the Elephant Journal this morning. Nice perspective. 

http://www.elephantjournal.com/2013/03/gmo-or-omg/

"However, we can make personal choices and live in harmony with our beliefs at a grass roots level."

No pun intended.

Would have been a good pun. And you are so right. My entire goal in making this year to make a garden, which, hopefully will not be destroyed by wild animals, is to be able to give stuff away.  If you were closer, you could have some stuff too. Maybe some jam though…

It's funny, you're both on the east coast so I figured that Rhode Island and Florida aren't THAT far away.

Dawn, are there any good articles about gardening you recommend?

I'm always looking for more articles for my "Home Sweet Home" stash:

http://pandawhale.com/ifindkarma/home-sweet-home

Carol is trippin' balls.