After our June 16 issue was published in Missouri, I received an anonymous letter in response to one of the articles we ran on raising and marketing naturally raised meat. Typically, we do not publish anonymous or unsigned letters to the editor. However, I’ve been really thinking about this letter and wanted to share parts of it with our readers and provide my response.
The letter signed by “Long-time Reader,” states, “It is fine and dandy for people to try to market their products, but the very obvious insinuation here is that the rest of us do not care for our animals as ‘humanely’ as they do… or that we do not produce as good of a product. This is simply a marketing ploy but the public should be aware that is all it is.”
The letter goes on to say, “… there is absolutely no valid scientific research showing ‘natural’ or organic, or grass-fed, etc., is any ‘better’ or healthier for consumers… or the environment for that matter. There are numerous conflicting studies showing miniscule differences in fat rations, etc., but nothing conclusive or definitive. In fact, the most recent one I read about showed the highest levels of ‘good’ fats are in most grain fed meat. The bottom line is nobody can accurately claim their products are healthier or ‘better.’
“Also, it is quite offensive to many of us who have been raising livestock for six generations in this country to find out that we are not as ‘sustainable’ as these trendy new producers. It is my experience that if someone is not a good steward of land or livestock, they are not around very long.”
My job, and the goal of Ozarks Farm & Neighbor, is to feature livestock producers in the Ozarks. There are many, many different types of livestock operations here. We do our best to feature small operations, big operations and everything in between. We feature new farmers and multi-generation farmers. We feature traditional farms and non-traditional farms. We also feature a variety of breeds and species. All of these things make up animal agriculture in the Ozarks.
OFN not only strives to promote the farmers featured in our paper but also aims to educate our readers. We are not saying that one way of farming is better than the other. We are simply sharing their stories and production practices. It is my hopes that our readers do their own research and make their own decisions on what is best for their farms and their families.
I want to say, thank you, to the author of the anonymous letter for expressing your thoughts and standing up for your production practices and production agriculture in the Ozarks. It’s important for farmers and ranchers to voice their opinions. If you have something to share with our readers I’d love to hear from you. All signed letters to the editor can be mailed to PO Box 6, Prairie Grove, AR 72753. (We will run letters on a space available basis).
I hope you enjoy the stories shared in this issue.
Best wishes,
