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Earlier this year, the USDA suddenly and without warning lifted all restrictions on the planting of genetically engineered (GE) alfalfa, also known as Roundup Ready Alfalfa.
This surprise move occurred shortly after release of the USDA’s Final Environmental Impact Statement on GE Alfalfa in which it admitted that this frankencrop may indeed pose a risk not only to organic farmers but to conventional farmers as well.
Unrestricted planting of GE alfalfa is a potentially devastating blow to grassbased dairy farms across North America. Alfalfa is considered the “queen forage” for dairy farms that are organic or grass-fed as it has the highest protein and calcium for lactating cows.
Bees and wind have the potential to cross pollinate GE alfalfa with natural alfalfa and, over time, destroy the grass-fed dairy industry.
While GE alfalfa is indeed a serious threat to grassbased dairy, one farmer in Texas is not sitting on his hands waiting for disaster to strike.
Aquaponic Sprouting System to Combat the Scourge of GE Alfalfa
Kelvin Edwards of Pure Milk Farm in Winnie, Texas decided to think outside the box and plan construction of an aquaponic sprouting system and greenhouse to produce quality forage for his herd of jerseys, replacing his dependence on alfalfa hay.
This “grow vertical” solution is designed to cultivate organic grass and legume for livestock year round even during the winter without the use of any chemical fertilizers.
This project will be the first of its kind in the United States and will have the capacity to produce 1000 lbs of organic grass and sprouts per day. Not only will the system allow Pure Milk Farm to harvest grasses at their nutritional peak for the dairy cows, but it will also use 98% less water and land than conventional farming and will protect the farm from the ravages of GE crops.
Of course, the jersey cows will still graze on the beautiful, unsprayed pastures of Pure Milk Farm. The aquaponic system will simply provide supplemental forage – wheat grass juice for cows, if you will – which they are currently receiving as alfalfa hay.
The sprouted wheat and barley grasses will also provide supplemental food for the pastured chickens on the farm.
Take that Monsanto!
Can you help?
Pure Milk Farms is trying to raise the $20,000 necessary to build the aquaponics system plus greenhouse by January 3, 2013.
So far, Kelvin has raised $6,000 via the fundraising tool Kickstarter.
Are you able to help them reach their goal of $20,000? Can you share the information about this project with others you know who might also be able to help?
This is the type of innovative project that needs to succeed so other grassbased farms can follow Pure Milk Farm’s lead in the coming years as GE alfalfa cross pollination gradually reduces the affordable supply of clean alfalfa hay.
Real Food Gift for Your Donation
Pure Milk Farm is offering gifts as a thank you to those who are able to pledge and help them bring this exciting project to fruition. Pledges of $10 will receive a bar of handmade soap from an independent day school whose students drink raw milk.
For a pledge of $20, Pure Milk Farms would like to send you a sample of their “Anything Yogurt Dressings”. These dressings contain all natural and organic ingredients with no preservatives, nothing artificial, and always soy free, gluten free and of course, NO GMO’s.
- Texas Ranch dressing: Yogurt, whey, organic dill, organic parsley, lemon juice, sea salt, celery seed, garlic salt.
- Southwest Chipotle dressing/dip: Yogurt, whey adobe sauce, chipotle peppers, lime, cumin, chili powder, natural spices, sea salt.
- Honey mustard dressing: Yogurt, whey, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, raw honey.
- Creamy kefir dressing: Kefir(made with kefir grains), whey, dill, garlic powder, white pepper, lemon juice, pinch of sea salt.
- Greek Yogurt dressing: Yogurt, whey, olive oil, stevia, rice vinegar, oregano, garlic, white pepper, lemon juice.
Oh! Makes me proud to be an American and a Texan! Way to go! NEVER GIVE UP! I will be sending a donation! God bless Pure Milk Farms!
way to go!!!
Errr! Suddenly, without warning … Or communicating!
Thankful this farmer has found a way around it but yes, it is depressing.
Thank you Sarah for letting others know about Pure Milk Farm’s Kickstarter project. We’ve been buying raw milk, raw cream, and other products from Kelvin for many years. We’ve visited his farm and met his family. He is conscientious and dedicated to producing quality non-GMO raw milk. We’ve donated to the project. I hope it can be a model for other farmers faced with the spread of GMO alfalfa.
Yes, the problem is not widespread yet … but the threat is there. Options need to be investigated and pursued before a dire emergency presents itself.
Thank you for commenting Carolyn 🙂 I hope Kelvin reaches his goal and is able to prototype this sprouting system and work out the kinks over time so other grass-fed farmers can benefit from what he has learned.
Well, unless every grass-fed farmer in the USA can afford to pay for alternative ways to grow alfalfa.
Wouldn’t it be cool if there was an anti-Roundup? A chemical that kills GMOs and doesn’t harm anything else around it?
That is what prayer is for :}. Use liberal amounts. “Where two or more shall ask in my name, it shall be given”. Most people don’t understand prayer – you don’t just ask once and then go your way. You keep asking till it is lowered into manifestation.
So eventually all grass-fed cows will be eating GE alfalfa. This is depressing.
Even as we post here there are those that still cry out for ‘ less regulations ‘ on big business.
Pandora? Meet the box. Box? Meet Pandora.
Monsanto and the govt will find a way to get around this too. I will donate too tho.
I just donated. I love supporting things like this! It needs to be done!