bitsandbytes

The upcoming election in BC is a chance to address the new meat regulations that have caused havoc to small-scale farmers throughout BC. This video is focused on the North Okanagan region of BC, where many farmers are impacted. The new regulations have increased our reliance on industrial foods and reduced the amount of organic and ethically raised meat produced in the region. We would like to see a campaign across BC and urge all citizens to contact their local MLAs regarding this issue.

Wisconsin-based organization promoting economic justice for family-scale farming (especially organic). Website contains news, action alerts, survey results and reports on various topics from the effect of Wal-Mart choosing organics, to the health risks associated with synthetic Omega-3 & 6 fatty acids in baby formula, to a scorecard rating 68 different organic dairy brands in the U.S. on organic farming practices and ethics.
 

Advocates for land stewardship and organic farming; brings together farmers for education and advancement of sustainable practices; helps Northern Plains farmers convert their farms to organic systems; increases the region's land grant research in organic and sustainable agriculture; helps protect the integrity of the organic label; promotes healthy trade relationships in the organic industry; and helps develop local food systems in
North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Montana, as well as neighboring states of Iowa, Wyoming, and Nebraska.

Data tables from Statistics Canada (2006) containing such information as farm type, type of land tenure, crops planted, land management methods used, irrigation, conservation, inputs (e.g., pesticides), livestock (including hatcheries and bees), and farm business practices.
 

Maps reflecting census data on agriculture: e.g., area in production for grapes; changes in greenhouse use and potato production; area occupied by very large livestock farms; and area irrigated in Western Canada.

Natural Resources Canada.
 

A 2000-acre ranch (mixture of certified organic pasture and forest) in the Cariboo region of British Columbia (75 km from Williams Lake). Ranchers raise Angus/Hereford-cross cattle, Tamworth-cross pigs, Bronze Breasted Turkeys, and Rhode Island-cross chickens. Owners also breed and train Icelandic Horses and grow own vegetables. All animals are pasture raised and the cattle are grass-fed and grass-finished. Ranch has two guest cabins and welcomes visitors.
 

Farm near Richmond, BC, specializing in raising natural beef, specializing in Belted Galloway and Angus crossbred animals, and producing seed for the Heritage Seed Program, which preserves heirloom and endangered seeds, fruits, grains, and herbs. Steveston Farm grows about 75 varieties of heritage vegetables and seeds that are adapted to our climate - everything from artichokes to watermelons and a wide selection of fall and overwintering crops such as mangels, beets, cabbage, Swedes, turnips, swiss chard and overwintering cauliflower.
 

This report looks at corporate concentration and proprietary strategies in the livestock genetics industry - including patents on animals - which are increasing corporate power and contributing to the development of a global genetic monoculture.

By Susanne Gura, League for Pastoral Peoples and Endogenous Livestock Development, supported by Greenpeace Germany, 2007 (30 pages).
Also available in Spanish and German.

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livestock_genetics_en.pdf

The League for Pastoral Peoples (LPP) and Endogenous Livestock Development is an advocacy and support group for pastoralists who depend on common property resources. LPP works and conducts research with pastoral communities, primarily in India.
This website documents the challenges faced by pastoralists and facilitates networking among similar agencies. Contains a wealth of fascinating and excellent publications not widely available elsewhere.

The forecast doubling of demand for livestock products by 2020 is both a threat and an opportunity for poor livestock keepers, and represents a challenge for devising livestock policies that benefit the poor.

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endogenous_vs_globalized.pdf