Dairy farmers take co-op to task
After years of private gripes and government investigations, 17 Southeast dairy farmers filed two federal class-action civil lawsuits in Tennessee July 5 charging the nation's milk giants with "conspiracy
Animal cruelty is the cause du jour
There is concern, and rightfully so, among many on today's farms as outside influences converge to voice opinions on everything from long-standing ag business practices to animal treatment.
Accident highlights the need for vigilance
Farming is a great lifestyle, but it can also be dangerous.
Prison life easier than dairy farm life
As I sat talking with a couple of friends one day last week, the subject of prisoners and prison life came up, somehow connected to all the media hype over poor little rich girl, Paris Hilton.
Is it The Year for farm bill? Well ..
The ag world treats the cyclical years when the farm bill is written as The Years. As in "this could be The Year that meaningful reform streamlines ag programs" or "this could be The Year that environmental mandates include substantial financial assistance.
Dear readers: Bail me out of jail
There is an old but tried saying that you can't fight City Hall. I have found it indeed true. In fact, because I have been fighting a utility instead of city hall - but it is the same thing - I may be in jail by the time you read this.
The measure of a man and a marriage
Pity the people who flocked to be married this past weekend, convinced that all it took was a magic number, in this case the date of 7-7-07, to insure their wedded bliss.
The Right Stuff: Tips for Successful Grilling
Everything off the grill is a special treat, maybe in part because a cookout usually means we're gathered with family and friends.
An eating trip through New Mexico
When the lovely Catherine and I slipped out of steamy Illinois for a driving trip to New Mexico June 30, the last item I tossed into her car was a rain parka.
Birthday parties are a piece of cake
It was the use of the phrase "party circuit" that finally put me over the edge. The phrase was used in conjunction with the word "birthday" as in, "Are you doing the birthday party circuit?" The term used to explain that any self-respecting modern child must first have their "actual birthday day party" with cake and presents from immediate family followed by their "class party" whereby they take treats into class.