They said there are varying degrees of noncompliance but that they remain certified. I spoke with the USDA at length and sent them more information yesterday.
I remember when I ordered chicks from a hatchery (my first flock). Because the hatchery was across state lines, I had to fill out a USDA form. Then, a year later I think, the USDA sent me another form: Do you still have chickens? How many? etc. etc. I found that a bit invasive. I mean, they have a job to do, but why not pick on the mega-producers, not me with half a dozen chickens. I never ordered from a hatchery again.
They're not picking on you. That's the USDA NASS, census of agriculture. It's important (to me, at least) to fill it out. From the census website: "The Census provides the only source of uniform, comprehensive and impartial agricultural data for every county in the nation. Through the Census, producers can show the nation the value and importance of agriculture, and they can help influence the decisions that will shape the future of American agriculture for years to come."
It's like the only chance we small farmers/livestock owners get to make our voices heard, and to show how many of us there are. Much of funding allotment for resources like Extension trainings, informational meetings, etc. is decided by the population of animals in that particular area.
It's anonymous, and in cases where it may be possible to determine who answered (for example, if there are only 2 goat owners in a county), that info isn't published.
Ridiculous. There should have been a line-by-line list of violations, thereby giving them something to work from and something to hold them accountable to on their next inspection, same as OSHA and USDA does on their inspections.
Ayrshire Farm should not even have an organic status to discuss. It is unbelievable the extent of abuse these certifiers and authorities will work with based on who is involved.
I saw this working for the Town of Purcellville and is a contributing factor to why I left. Ms America's zoning violations would never be enforced...you think that leeway was given to the ugly, ethics, underprivileged? No way. They did not enforce uniformly and that is what is going on here.
So...what exactly did they determine...or do about it?
ReplyDeleteThey said there are varying degrees of noncompliance but that they remain certified. I spoke with the USDA at length and sent them more information yesterday.
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DeleteI remember when I ordered chicks from a hatchery (my first flock). Because the hatchery was across state lines, I had to fill out a USDA form. Then, a year later I think, the USDA sent me another form: Do you still have chickens? How many? etc. etc. I found that a bit invasive. I mean, they have a job to do, but why not pick on the mega-producers, not me with half a dozen chickens. I never ordered from a hatchery again.
ReplyDeleteThey're not picking on you. That's the USDA NASS, census of agriculture. It's important (to me, at least) to fill it out. From the census website:
Delete"The Census provides the only source of uniform, comprehensive and impartial agricultural data for every county in the nation. Through the Census, producers can show the nation the value and importance of agriculture, and they can help influence the decisions that will shape the future of American agriculture for years to come."
It's like the only chance we small farmers/livestock owners get to make our voices heard, and to show how many of us there are. Much of funding allotment for resources like Extension trainings, informational meetings, etc. is decided by the population of animals in that particular area.
It's anonymous, and in cases where it may be possible to determine who answered (for example, if there are only 2 goat owners in a county), that info isn't published.
I find their language in that letter really vague.
ReplyDeleteMe too. In an email they said there are varying degrees of noncompliance for farms that still remain certified.
DeleteCall a spade a spade or say nothing of concern was found. Good grief. No one wants to be straight forward.
Integrity and honesty take back seat to money and politics.
Ridiculous. There should have been a line-by-line list of violations, thereby giving them something to work from and something to hold them accountable to on their next inspection, same as OSHA and USDA does on their inspections.
DeleteThere likely is though I am not privy to it.
DeleteAyrshire Farm should not even have an organic status to discuss. It is unbelievable the extent of abuse these certifiers and authorities will work with based on who is involved.
I saw this working for the Town of Purcellville and is a contributing factor to why I left. Ms America's zoning violations would never be enforced...you think that leeway was given to the ugly, ethics, underprivileged? No way. They did not enforce uniformly and that is what is going on here.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
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