Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
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.
I am so excited for this family. How inspiring! We too moved from the city 5 years ago to raise a small herd of dairy goats, chickens and bees. We just donated!
I remember hearing in the great depression, farmers used to feed their dairy cows green willow shoots. They used to cut them and dry them like hay as winter feed. Perhaps stands of willows could be the antitode to GE alfalfa?
if you are needing raw milk, eggs, etc… the larger donation amounts offer some amazing deals!!
Thank you Sarah for letting us know about efforts like this!
The FDA/USDA/etc. are all now incorporated profit making businesses that are in partnership with mega-agri corporations such as Monsanto. USDA scientists are allowed up to $100,000 a year in extra money from profits made on patents, etc. held by the USDA. This is why these alphabet agencies no longer listen to We the People…we aren’t their boss anymore. They have become their own shadow government ruling with the effect of law through regulations, rules, fines, confiscation of property and even prison time. The only way to stop them now is to demand that our legislators defund them…while we still can. Shut them DOWN….
you hit the nail on the head. we got to keep on our reps., senators, they sell us out, WE VOTE THEM OUT, and get people that are ” FOR THE PEOPLE”, God bless America
He isn’t the only one doing the aquaculture in the U.S. for fodder. FarmTek sells set ups to produce feed like this. Many might not be doing it for the same reasons and using organic methods but he could certainly use the components on that systems and adapt it to his growing methods.
Well, I guess it could work in Texas, here in Ohio, not so sure. I also doubt other farmers could raise the $ needed for an experimental way to feed your cows. Also, will the cows eat it ? I don’t know! A lot of questions before I’d jump on that bandwagon.
Unfortunately this is just a short term fix because the alfalfa seed crop could/probably will eventually be corrupted with GM pollen. Our government is so corrupt it makes me ill when I think about it.
That’s the point of this sprouting system. To develop an alternative to alfalfa before a very probably and terrible thing happens … cross pollination pollution of alfalfa crop becomes so widespread that it is tough to find clean alfalfa anymore .. just like what has happened to corn in the past 10 years.
Thank you, shared.
This is genius! Our family will be donating!