Are You Afraid of Your Food?

When I was a child, I was a picky eater.  Some things I just didn't like (for example, pineapple), but most things I wouldn't eat because I was afraid of them.  I was afraid of egg yokes because I thought they would taste gross.  I afraid of hot dogs for a while because I lost a tooth while eating one once.  I was afraid of lasagna because I didn't really grow up eating pasta and anything other than macaroni and spaghetti was just foreign.  However, I eventually overcame these fears.  I started eating hot dogs again and never lost any more teeth while doing so.  I tried lasagna and couldn't believe the deliciousness that I'd been missing all those years.  I tried egg yokes and discovered that I was right.  They do taste gross, but I'll eat them if I have to.  I will now eat almost anything put in front of me (except pineapple) and I am not afraid of my food.

Sometimes I think that the general population is afraid of their food.  I am getting my information on this  from the same source that consumers get their information about food.  I wish I could name that source, but I'm having a bit of difficulty pinpointing it.  It's sort of an amalgamation of restaurant and grocery store advertising campaigns, some farmer's market rhetoric, social media posts, and other odd bits.

Rather than going on a rant that is likely to offend a whole lot of people and help no one, I am going to ask you, my readers, some questions and then go into a brief discussion about each.

Are you afraid that the production of your food is harming the environment?

Farmers understand that if the land is properly cared for, it will produce more food that is healthier and will bring a higher price at market.  It is in our best interests to care for the environment.  Are you concerned about greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural operations?  We are too, and we are working to reduce and counteract these emissions.

Are you afraid that your food is full of pesticides and other chemicals?

Responsible farmers use chemicals responsibly to ensure that they do not enter the food chain.  There are ways to use chemicals that make food production more efficient, do not harm the environment, and do not put the chemicals into food.  If you are worried about chemical residues, wash your fruits and veggies, or buy organic.  If you buy organic, remember that the price will be ridiculously high (many farmers go organic for the high profits, not the environmental effects - can you blame us?) and that there are, in fact, some situations in which certain chemicals can be used in organic production.

Are you afraid that GMO crops will make you sick?

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency must approve all food products produced and sold in Canada. They will not approve anything that will make you sick.  Genetically modified organisms are not evil, creepy things grown in petri dishes.  They are crops that have been genetically modified (I know, that sounds scary) in order to make them somehow better for both producers and consumers.  Remember that humans have been playing with genetics in both plants and animals for centuries, crossing species to make new species, and making crops and livestock able to withstand different climatic conditions so they can be grown in different areas of the world.

Are you afraid that the antibiotics used in livestock contribute to antibiotic resistance in human medicine?
There are several reasons to use antibiotics in livestock.  Some antibiotics used in livestock have great significance to human medicine, while others have no significance to human medicine.  Antibiotics that do correlate to human medicine are used sparingly and only when necessary.  You must remember that all inputs (feed, medicine, etc.) in livestock production increase the cost of production.  Producers don't increase costs without a good reason.  We know the pros and cons of using antibiotics in our animals and carefully consider these before using them.  We also know how to prevent those antibiotics from entering the food chain.

Are you afraid that industrialized agriculture is destroying farming culture and distancing you from your food?

Industrialized agriculture is indeed destroying the old way of farming.  That way was inefficient and not always the best for the environment.  Agriculture is changing with the rest of the world.  In fact, throughout history, agriculture has often been at the fore of technological advancement and scientific discovery.  There are now fewer farms and larger farms than ever before.  The rest of the world is becoming more efficient.  There is no reason that agriculture should stay in the dark ages.  As for being removed from what actually goes on at the farm level, it just isn't possible any more for that to be a reality.  Can I expect to fully understand how my equipment works and is produced?  Can I expect to see how my well is drilled and how my water is cleaned?  No, I can't.  But I trust that those who do know how that stuff works are doing their jobs properly.

Are you afraid that livestock are being inhumanely treated in the production of animal products?
Unfortunately, there are people who don't know how to work with animals properly.  Every producer knows that livestock can be extremely frustrating to work with at times.  However, those who understand how to properly handle and care for these animals also understand that calm animals grow better.  In is in our best interest economically to treat our animals humanely.  Farmers are beginning to invest in handling systems that make it easier to safely and humanely handle the livestock.  We are also learning new techniques to keep our animals calm as we work with them.

Are you afraid that it is impossible to get real information about your food?

Sometimes I'm afraid that even farmers will never be able to really explain to consumers exactly how their food is produced.  It's just a lot of information.  What I do know is that marketing campaigns like to play on people's fears and reassure consumers that "we are the safe company".  I'm not blaming big business or small businesses.  I just want you to pay attention to what advertisers are really saying. Don't just repeat negative rhetoric if you don't have concrete evidence of what you are saying.  Don't post and share stuff willy-nilly on social media.  If you want to do research about agriculture, look at what members the agriculture industry (i.e. experts) are saying.

I realise that my very brief responses to these fears may be frustratingly vague.  I would like to address them more fully and will endeavor to do so in the weeks to come.  The main point in all of my responses is that farmers do everything we do for specific reasons that most consumers don't see.

In reading my blogs, please keep in mind that I am a farmer writing for non-farmers.  This means that I have a few limitations.  First and foremost, I don't know everything.  I have hands-on experience, with a diploma in agricultural management.  I'm not a scientist, I don't have expertise in every possible sector of agriculture in the country, and I don't work in all parts of the agricultural industry.  That being said, I know how to access reliable information and I know how things work at the on-farm level.  Second, I don't know what you know.  I have no clue what preconceptions you bring to this blog.  Maybe you agree with me.  Maybe I offend you on a regular basis.  I don't know, and I can't cater to everyone, so all I can do is write what I know and what my experience is.  Finally, I am a farmer speaking to non-farmers.  I have terms in my vocabulary and education in plant and animal biology that you won't understand and that I just don't have to time to explain to you.  My explanations will have to be simpler than I would like for that reason.

If you have any questions or concerns with this blog post or others, please let me know in the comment section below.

I (Finally) Graduated from Ag School

Yesterday I graduated from Olds College, one of the major agricultural schools in Western Canada.  I graduated from the Agricultural Management diploma program with a double major in production and marketing.  I'd like to share a few themes that have dominated my thoughts of my graduation experience with you.

Worldly Honour

At Olds College, as at many other educational institutions, it is possible for a student to graduate with honours if he achieves a high grade point average (GPA) or to graduate with distinction if he achieves an even higher GPA.  At Olds, those who graduate with honours or distinction are given a gold-coloured cord with tassles as they cross the stage.  Three years ago I watched as my sister graduated and got her cord as she crossed the stage at Olds College.  This year it was my turn, as I graduated with distinction.  I've never really understood the point of pointing out students with a particularly high GPA.  The way I see it, the practice only breeds pride and humiliation.  Yesterday as I stood in line waiting for my class's turn to cross the stage, the graduate behind me began making comments about how those students with honours and distinction must think they are so much better than the rest.  I didn't say anything.  I could think of nothing that would have convinced the irritated young man that I don't think I'm better than he is.  I wish I could have.

Years ago, when I was in elementary school, my parents were informed that my sister and I are considered "gifted", which means we are in a certain higher-than-average IQ range.  It means I do well in academic pursuits.  It means that God has blessed me with the ability to do well in school.  It doesn't mean that I'm better or smarter than anyone else.  There are many forms of intelligence, but only one or two are tested and nurtured in schools.  Many of my friends and classmates work hard just to get average grades, but from talking to them and getting to know them, I know that they are extremely intelligent and have gifts that allow them to be good at things that frustrate me.  Yet only those of us with particular gifts are given honour.  It's a poor honour if it degrades others.

Scrap Metal

I didn't just graduate with distinction.  I was bestowed with another honour at the graduation ceremony yesterday.  A little over a week before graduation I received a phone call from the college, informing me that I was to be the recipient of the Governor General's Collegiate Bronze Medal for Olds College.  I was told that this is a huge honour and that I was receiving it for my high grades.  When I got off the phone I went on with my work for the day, which meant washing windows - a rather humbling job for someone having just received news of a big honour.

I know I'm supposed to be honoured to receive this medal, but all I can think is that I'm the one who put the hard work in.  This wasn't just given to me; I earned it.  And besides that, I know that some of my classmates worked far harder to earn the grades they did and put much more effort into their assignments than I did.  With these thoughts, I'm struggling with a battle between feeling above the honour and feeling like I don't deserve it.

Furthermore, I am reminded of Isaiah 64:6, which says, "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away."  This medal can ultimately do nothing for me, just like my hard work can do nothing for me.  One day I will die and no worldly honour will keep that from happening.  I cannot take my stuff with me when I join my Lord in heaven.  I won't want it then anyways.  On that day, if my righteous acts, the good things I do, will be like filthy rags - useless, gross things my dad burns - then this medal is, at best, a fancy piece of scrap metal.  I'm sure my attitude will surprise and offend some readers, but I really can't see the honour.  It's a nice chunk of bronze, and the artwork done to engrave it is impressive, but in the end, it is nothing.

Friends and Family

Now that I've likely killed the joy in reading this post, let us move on to happier topics.  The best part of graduation was spending time with friends I haven't seen in over a month.  These are friends I saw on a weekly, or sometimes daily, basis.  I've also gotten to know some of their families and I got to see them again at graduation, too.  There were many friends who did not make it to graduation and I missed them, but it was absolutely wonderful to spend time with those who did make it, even if it was just a few brief moments of visiting with some of them.  I was blessed to be able to spend more time with a few of my friends, reminiscing and teasing each other like we always do.

My parents were able to come see the graduation ceremony and spend time with me, my friends, and their families afterwards.  It's nice to have supportive parents who haven't grown exasperated by my many years in post-secondary school and my many program changes.  My sister, who lives on the other side of the country, was not able to come, but she was able to watch most of the ceremony from the live feed on the college website.  I am honoured that she would take time from her busy day to watch speeches and wait to see me cross the stage for a brief moment.  A good friend in Ontario also watched the live feed, and two of my Alberta friends took time out of their weekends to come watch in person.

My favourite times of the weekend were spent hanging out with friends.  I was able to spend time visiting with some people at Tim Horton's the night before graduation, which was amazing!  I was used to visiting with my friends after Bible study in Olds at Tim Hortons, so this was sort of like old times, with a bunch of people crowded around a table late at night (except the crowd was smaller this time).  I also had fun after the ceremony spending time with my friends and visiting over cake, fruit, and lemonade.  Had my friends not been there and had my family not cared, there would have been no point in going to my graduation ceremony.  I would have just had the diploma mailed to me.

Hugs

Those who know me know that I generally am not comfortable with hugs.  Somehow they often end up being awkward, probably because I don't give hugs very often.  Other times the hugs themselves are okay, but I just don't see the point.  You see, I'm used to giving hugs only on special occasions, for example, if I see someone I haven't seen in a long time or am saying goodbye to someone I won't see for a long time.  Weddings are also good for free hugs.  For some reason I just don't like hugs under any other circumstances.  Because of this, I just try to avoid hugs in most circumstances or try to get it over with quickly.  Of course, I know that isn't the best way to go, but it's how I cope in uncomfortable situations.

However, there are the rare few hugs that are really great.  They aren't awkward at all, they are meaningful because they show how much a friend cares, and I'm usually not trying to avoid them.  I got one of those hugs from a good friend as I was leaving yesterday.  I also got some okay hugs - ones that were expected and not awkward, but nothing super special.  The hugs helped make the day special.

Learning

I've been learning plenty in the last few years.  There is so much I didn't know that I didn't know about farming.  One of my favourite teachers is retiring now.  It's too bad, because he challenged me to learn for the sake of expanding my knowledge, instead of just learning enough to get decent grades.  I'm sure more students would benefit from his wealth of knowledge.

Now that I'm done college, I won't have the chance to learn through lectures and assignments, or just walk up to an instructor and ask my questions.  However, my instructors and friends from the college have given me countless tips and resources that will help me to continue expanding my knowledge.  I look forward to learning more as I enter my career in agriculture.

Overall my day (and my whole time at Olds) was pretty great, but not because of all the formal honours of crossing the stage with my classmates.  My day was great because I got to spend it with friends and family.  Graduation means I have ended school, but it also means I get to keep learning, but in different ways.

My parents and I after the ceremony.