Farmers help their communities with food bank donations

Dec 22, 2015

With Christmas a few days away, it’s time to recognize farmers

As Christmas inches closer, final preparations are being made across dinner tables North America-wide for the seemingly endless supply of food and desserts that will cover them.

However, there are many families who rely on food banks to supply their Christmas meals. Through the generosity of farmers donating their products to food banks and their commitment to supporting their communities, all families have the opportunity to enjoy a full holiday meal.

Here are a few examples of farmers putting their communities first by donating to local food banks:

On Dec. 16, California Department of Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross celebrated “Farm to Food Bank Month” in Fresno. Approximately five million people in California, or 13.5 percent of the population, use food banks. Farmers in California have donated nearly 150 million pounds of food to food banks in 2015.
In September, dairy farmers in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley agreed to donate $100,000 in milk within the next year.
Chicken Farmers of Ontario’s Food Bank Donation Program helps farmers donate 300 chickens each to local food banks. The organization’s annual target is for farmers to donate a total of 100,000 chickens.
On Dec. 12, New York Farm Bureau announced that 11.6 million pounds of food and farm products were donated in November – enough food for nearly 10 million people in New York.

Farms.com would like to thank farmers for donating their time, efforts and products to those who need it most; especially around the Christmas season.

Video: Sorting Ewes & Rams | Breeding Time On The Farm!

In this episode, we’re sorting ewes into their breeding groups and introducing them to unrelated rams. Moving rams between barns always comes with challenges, but once the boys meet their ewes, everyone was eager to settle in!

We also welcome back a returning customer who purchased a Suffolk ram from us last year. This season, she chose a Dorset cross ram, now named Benny, to strengthen her flock’s genetics. It’s always rewarding to see repeat customers who value the quality of our breeding stock.

Arnie then tours the crop fields as harvest season approaches. Despite drought conditions this summer, the crops are looking surprisingly good. We close the day with evening feedings and one last look at the rams with their new breeding groups.

?? Join us daily for life on a working sheep farm, from flock management and breeding strategies to crops, chores, and the everyday rhythm of farm life.