New Food Bill Heading to Congress Could Outlaw Farms Like Ours

Dear Fellow Veggies,

Please click on the link to review the new food safety modernization act that is heading to Congress.

Unfortunately Sheila Bird Farms falls under two of their categories. As a food processor and also as a food production facility.

Obviously we are concerned about food safety but the possible new regulatory framework may make it too expensive to remain a going concern. Which of course is the goal of the supporters of the bill, large agribusiness companies. For instance we may be forced to build a special building and install expensive washing equipment. No more bringing veggies to market in coolers. The unfortunate part of the bill is that the rules are yet to be made, which leaves the rulemaking to some potentially influenced individual or group of individuals.

The regulations will encompass all aspects from seed production to market. We are deeply concerned that government will now intervene in your local farmers markets. This act encompasses ALL those that sell ANY kind of food at the farmers markets. There are no exceptions for "small" or "organic". Just the open-air venue may be potentially deemed hazardous. Remember the rules are yet to be made. Certainly if a food borne illness is traced back to a farmers market sometime in the future, you can kiss the whole farmers market idea goodbye. Potentially it could even affect selling produce to friends in the backyard.

Contact your congress people.

Wyoming

Gov. Dave Freudenthal (D) 307-777-7434

State Legislature Links

Sen. Mike Enzi (R) Fax: 202-228-0359

Sen. John Barrasso (R) Fax: 202-224-1724

Rep. Barbara Cubin (R-At Large) Fax: 202-225-3057

Stay tuned.

We’ll post more when we can.

Here are some links for your perusal:

http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h875/text

http://blog.friendseat.com/rosa-delauro-hates-small-farms/

Please pass these links along to whoever you think may be interested.

Cheers, Ricky and Danielle

Is it spring yet?

Hello fresh produce lovers!

Ricky and I are gearing up for another year at Sheila Bird Farms in Waverly, CO. We are creating this blog in hopes that it will help all of you keep connected to what we are doing and to your food. It is my hope that we will be able to keep you updated weekly as to what is going on at the farm and what veggies will be available at Big Hollow Food Co-op and the farmers market come July.

Ricky and I have been ordering seeds, potatoes and farm tools all winter long. Dreaming of the fresh spring greens; chard, arugula, mustard, Asian and baby lettuces that will cleanse and tone our organs from the heavy foods of winter.

Ricky has already started some baby seedlings in the greenhouse in Laramie and they are about a centimeter tall. On Saturday, March 7th my brother-in-law, Jud, pulled out the tractor from it's long winter nap and rotatilled the farm plot.

We are incorporating ground cover this spring. We spent a great deal of time pulling weeds last year (way too much time); so we are in the process of planting cover crops such as clover, and alfalfa mixes. Then we'll clear a strip and plant in our rows. We'll keep you posted on how that is working!

Waking up to snow this morning I realize we have a bit of winter left. However, as farmers we are thankful for all the moisture that we get. We plan on planting potatoes in April so keep checking back in as we'll have some more news! As the farm gears up you'll be able to check here weekly to see what we are havesting and will have offered at the market.

Hope you all had a good winter and thank you again for your support last year! We are excited for this year and will continue to bring you local, chemical free food from organic seedlings.


love,

danielle, ricky and sheila