Thanks to last year's federal budget sequestration, the 2012 Farm Bill is now the 2013 Farm Bill. And the passage of a year hasn't helped things much. There was action on this legislation - which is really America's food bill - last week. Some of the movement was positive and some's going to hurt. 

Let's face it, most people who grow up in the Bronx have little experience with cows and calves on a farm. Why? For the most part, it's a matter of opportunity. When I was growing up in the South Bronx, I didn't know a farmer I could approach and ask "can I visit your cattle?" The closest I came to livestock was the "chicken man" at the open-air market just blocks from my house. This was in the late 1950s, when there were still people who sold live chickens and slaughtered, feathered and gutted them for you on the spot. Yup, that was before most inner cities became food deserts.
Fortunately, things are changing because consumers in cities and countryside are demanding healthful foods.
For me, this has been a journey from the tenements of the Bronx to my own grass-fed beef operation in west central Wisconsin, an easy drive from the Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN metro.
I took this photo just this past weekend while I was repair fences on our 72-acre farm. Britta will nurse her calf for about 10 months. This is very unlike many conventional operations where the calf is weaned from the cow at a much younger age. I leave the calf and cow together for nearly a year because it gives the little bovine time to develop a strong digestive system - one better able to convert grass to strong muscle and bone.
Ultimately, this means a happier herd and better beef for our customers. More info at www.bullbrookkeep.com.
Sylvia 

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Bella's little calf is just 4 hours old in this 30-second video. Glad the little BueLingo calf missed last week's foot of snow and arrived into a 70 degree late afternoon.
This calf will nurse for about 10 months, but will start nibbling grass in about a month, just to get the hang of it.
Sylvia

Last Wednesday's 12-inch snowfall is rapidly sinking into the thawing sod or flowing down to Bull Brook. 

Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Smartphone.

Played: 66 | Download | Duration: 00:29:22

 Leigh Adcock, Exec. Dir. Women, Food & Agriculture Network (WFAN)

April 30, 2013
   JC Konecny's no quitter, yet this young mother jumped off the lucrative career track to devote her time and talents to raising her two little girls. The mind and wit behind the What Housewife blog, JC journals her experience into full-time homemaking.
   Last year, JC found and investigated the merits of grass-fed beef purchased at a local Target store. Concerned about the well being of her young children, JC went on to challenge herself to 100 days of buying and cooking foods that were local, not processed, and organic, if possible. She also cut out white sugar. Despite her focus on her family, JC found she didn't have enough time to hunt down the real, local and healthful foods she wants for her family.  In fact, JC halted the contest 41 days into the effort and found she'd learned lessons she'll be applying for years to come. JC's come away with interesting observations and insights about our nation's food system.
   I think you'll enjoy this candid, Deep Roots Radio conversation with JC.
  
Sylvia

Played: 103 | Download | Duration: 00:27:25

Please join me 

Played: 71 | Download | Duration: 00:23:24

 David S. Cargo, Exec. Director Upper Midwest Bakery Association

April 22,2013

What:  Deep Roots Radio conversation with David Cargo, baker, teacher, oven builder