Beef Producers Promote Positive Image of Agriculture

A Chicago-area mom gave beef producers Mike and Lynn Martz and the entire Larson family the ultimate endorsement after touring their Maple Park farm Oct. 18. She expressed concerns about hormones in beef, but after a discussion about hormones in food from Mike she said she feels confident about choosing beef for dinner.

“I started this journey wondering many things: one of them was ‘Should I pay more for naturally raised, free range, non-hormone added beef? Is it worth the extra money per pound? Am I being an irresponsible parent to NOT want to pay the extra money in feeding my kids?’ Last week, at Larson Farms I got my answer – NO, there is no way I am paying extra. For me, it will be about the cut – not the hormones. In the end, when it comes to added hormones in my beef, ‘Frankly my dear I don’t give a beef.’,” said Lynn Prehm of Naperville.

Welcome to the third year of Illinois Farm Families (IFF) Field Moms – a program for Chicago-area mothers who have questions about farming and how their food is raised. IFF is a coalition of commodity groups for beef, pork, dairy, corn, soy and the Illinois Farm Bureau.

The Field Moms were able to tour the Larson Farms cattle handling facility and learned about the process of ultrasounding cattle. They also viewed the cattle in barns while Mike explained the benefits of confinement feeding from an animal welfare standpoint. He also showed the Field Moms a variety of cattle feeds and discussed nutrition.

 

Before a tapas-style lunch featuring a variety of hearty ground beef meals prepared by Larson Farms family member, Barb, the tour hosts presented a cooking demonstration, and explained marbling, steak selection, and the USDA beef grading system.

Mike pointed out the moms weren’t the only ones that learned from the experience.

“We get a better idea of our consumers and their thoughts,” he said. “The moms were very open-minded and had great questions. The Field Moms program is a great way to share our story about the beef industry.”

The tour was extended to 17 Field Moms and guests, a dietician and national blogger, and Rep. Robyn Gabel (R-Evanston) and constituents. After the tour, the Field Moms were asked to blog about their experience. Read their thoughts about the tour and beef at www.watchusgrow.com.

Farmland Documentary is Coming to Illinois

Academy Award-winning filmmaker James Moll’s new feature length documentary, Farmland, will be released nationally yesterday, with a special advance screening of the film hosted by the Illinois Farm Families coalition at AMC River East Theatre in Chicago.

Farmland offers viewers an intimate and firsthand glimpse into the lives of six young farmers and ranchers across the U.S. chronicling their high-risk-high-reward jobs, and their passion for a way of life that has been passed down from generation to generation, yet continues to evolve.

“In Farmland, audiences will hear thoughts and opinions about agriculture, but not from me, and not from a narrator,” Moll says about his film. “They’re from the mouths of the farmers and ranchers themselves.”

The film will be shown to the public for a week starting May 2 at the AMC River East Theatre in Chicago. Other Illinois locations will follow at a later date.

For more information, visit www.FarmlandFilm.com.

“With the average American several generations removed from farm life, we hope that this film finds a wide audience of those interested in where their food comes from,” said Reid Blossom, IBA executive vice president. “The six farmers in the film discuss many misconceptions about agriculture. Illinois farmers and agriculturists can expand this conversation by promoting Farmland to others.”

Beef Producers Promote Positive Image of Agriculture

Moms from the Chicago area toured Larson Farms of Maple Park and learned about the beef industry.

A Chicago-area mom gave beef producers Mike and Lynn Martz the ultimate endorsement after touring their Maple Park farm on Sept. 21. She expressed concerns about hormones in beef, but after a presentation about hormones in food from Mike she said she feels confident about choosing beef for dinner.

Welcome to the second year of Illinois Farm Families (IFF) Field Moms – a program for Chicago-area mothers who have questions about farming and how their food is raised. IFF is a coalition of commodity groups for beef, pork, dairy, corn, soy and the Illinois Farm Bureau.

The Field Moms were able to tour the Martz's cattle handling facility and learned about the process of ultrasounding cattle. They also viewed the cattle in barns while Mike explained the benefits of confinement feeding from an animal welfare standpoint. He also showed the Field Moms a variety of cattle feeds and discussed nutrition.

Moms experience a cattle handling facility.

Before a lunch of roast beef sandwiches, Mike gave a presentation about hormones in food and explained marbling, steak selection, and the USDA beef grading system.

Mike Martz used M&Ms to help Chicago moms visualize the hormone estrogen levels in food. Mike took four jars, enlisting the help of his grandson, and filled each with an M&M to represent each nanogram in the following: (from l to r) 29,400 nanograms (ng) in a single birth control pill, 225 ng in a baked potato, 1.9 ng in a 3 oz.  steak from a steer treated with growth-promotants, and 1.3 ng in a steak from an untreated steer.

Mike pointed out the moms were not the only ones that learned from the experience.

“We get a better idea of our consumers and their thoughts,” he said. “The moms were very open-minded and had great questions. The Field Moms program is a great way to share our story about the beef industry.”

After the tour, the 18 Field Moms in attendance were asked to blog about their experience. Read their thoughts about beef by clicking on the select links below or by visiting www.watchusgrow.org.

Why Consumers Can't Have the iPhone 5, Sprawling Suburbs and the Pitchforked Farmer Too

Amina Nevels, Chicago

“With farmers being charged with feeding more than just their family and their town, and with less space to do it, farmers (although still good stewards of the land) are seeking efficient and effective ways to raise livestock and cultivate the land within the changing times.”

Let’s Talk About Hormones in Meat

Christa Grabske, Mt. Prospect

“After my visit to a cattle farm, I feel even more confident about choosing beef for dinner."

Visiting A CAFO

Katie Grossart, Chicago

“I was amazed at both the amount of work and the amount of technology that goes into farming on Larson Farms.”