Re: Hey --Naughty List entry?

[Guest guest]

For these type of farm stands that you see in parking lots randomly, it is

absolutely safe to assume they are selling out of state produce. The little

stand makes them look quaint and cute, but the only way it is local is if you

consider the US local (which is kind of true, but not the same kind of local as

the farmer down the road or the next town over).

I don't care about licensing at all, and I would rather that people not have a

'license' to sell food, validating a thoroughly corrupt system. All of our

produce is sold under the table, this is a fundamental right, I don't care what

anyone else thinks about that. I'll defend my right to sell food I grow under

full discosure (meaning I'll tell you every last detail you want to know about

rearing/production protocols) without conditions. The state has NO business in

food, there is not ONE benefit to its involvement, but soooo much detriment.

The list I was thinking of was more specific to each farmer's market in the

area. And people can start lists for farmers/markets in their areas

respectively. I want to tackle Mpls/St. farmer's market because they are

the largest and it shouldn't take too long to ID the 'good' vendors.

Again, these parking lot vendors, assume the produce came from anywhere in the

US unless you ask very detailed questions and get convincing answers, if they ho

and hum or say " well I think so " this is code for " I really haven't the

slightest clue! "

[Guest guest]

For these type of farm stands that you see in parking lots randomly, it is

absolutely safe to assume they are selling out of state produce. The little

stand makes them look quaint and cute, but the only way it is local is if you

consider the US local (which is kind of true, but not the same kind of local as

the farmer down the road or the next town over).

I don't care about licensing at all, and I would rather that people not have a

'license' to sell food, validating a thoroughly corrupt system. All of our

produce is sold under the table, this is a fundamental right, I don't care what

anyone else thinks about that. I'll defend my right to sell food I grow under

full discosure (meaning I'll tell you every last detail you want to know about

rearing/production protocols) without conditions. The state has NO business in

food, there is not ONE benefit to its involvement, but soooo much detriment.

The list I was thinking of was more specific to each farmer's market in the

area. And people can start lists for farmers/markets in their areas

respectively. I want to tackle Mpls/St. farmer's market because they are

the largest and it shouldn't take too long to ID the 'good' vendors.

Again, these parking lot vendors, assume the produce came from anywhere in the

US unless you ask very detailed questions and get convincing answers, if they ho

and hum or say " well I think so " this is code for " I really haven't the

slightest clue! "

[Guest guest]

So I popped into the minnetonka farmers market tues evening and spoke with

some farmers there, they said they can not afford to get organic

certification but they follow all the organic standards and don't use

pesticides. Usually I would have accepted that as good to go. I am so glad

I saw this thread because I asked MORE questions. What do you use for

fertilizer. Answer, miracle gro. Me- that's a chemical. Them, no it's

safe and natural. Says who I ask. The guy at menards they say. sigh. I

bought nothing from them.

[Guest guest]

So I popped into the minnetonka farmers market tues evening and spoke with

some farmers there, they said they can not afford to get organic

certification but they follow all the organic standards and don't use

pesticides. Usually I would have accepted that as good to go. I am so glad

I saw this thread because I asked MORE questions. What do you use for

fertilizer. Answer, miracle gro. Me- that's a chemical. Them, no it's

safe and natural. Says who I ask. The guy at menards they say. sigh. I

bought nothing from them.

[Guest guest]

Thank you Carol, that is absolutely and precisely what I'm talking about. You

can not get anymore perfect an example than that. In your case they even

consider it organic whereas at least the folks at the St. market weren't

pretending to be organic. Also, even IF the particular Miracle Gro product they

used was MOSA certified, or congruent with organic protocols, Miracle Gro is a

CHEMICAL company, why would you support them ever? You have to be the change you

want to see, and settling for products from chemical manufacturers is ENABLING

those practices to continue.

Ask lots of questions and be prepared for less than satisfactory answers. But

don't just walk away in a huff, or tisk tisk. Explain to them exactly why you're

not going to buy their product, and do it in a loving a nurturing fashion. I

wouldn't have wanted anyone scolding me for being ignorant when I didn't know

squat about food, and same for these people. There are plenty of folks out there

with the 'Mere organic' mindset, who are just barely being organic, or are being

technically organic, but not really getting what makes quality food. This stems

from being taught what to think but not how to think. In our schools we get

taught what to think but not how to think. It is a real effort learning to

actually think! It takes years to undo that kind of conditioning. But the payoff

is huge!

[Guest guest]

Hey ,

These farm stands as you go north are mostly real farm stands. In many of the

small towns up here a farmer (usually Grandpa with the grandkids) will be

selling out of the back of a truck or have a stand at the end of a long

driveway. Most of those are real. At least on the north side and farther up in

this state. Many are not even watched, a simple coffee can is left with the

produce with the hope that honest people stop. You would have to go to the

house to ask questions.

The stand I was talking about had signs out 1/2 mile in all directions stating

farm fresh corn, melons, etc. That is not true and to me is a fraudulent

statement and a misrepresentation to real farmers who have done the work.

And as far as the licensing, in this case--where a " farmer " is reselling food

just like any grocer or big box store, they can get the damn license. They are

nothing more than a vegetable and fruit jockey, they are not doing the work

other than buying someone elses produce (from who knows where and with who knows

what done to it) and reselling it. That is not a farmer, that is a resale biz,

perhaps on a smaller side but still not a farmer.

Alvin has a buying club, that may be different. I can see both sides there and

tend to agree with him more than the state.

And every farmer in the state is protected under our constitution, article 13,

section 7 link here:

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/cco/rules/mncon/Article13.htm

That does not, and in my opinion should not, include fake " farmers " .

[Guest guest]

Hey ,

These farm stands as you go north are mostly real farm stands. In many of the

small towns up here a farmer (usually Grandpa with the grandkids) will be

selling out of the back of a truck or have a stand at the end of a long

driveway. Most of those are real. At least on the north side and farther up in

this state. Many are not even watched, a simple coffee can is left with the

produce with the hope that honest people stop. You would have to go to the

house to ask questions.

The stand I was talking about had signs out 1/2 mile in all directions stating

farm fresh corn, melons, etc. That is not true and to me is a fraudulent

statement and a misrepresentation to real farmers who have done the work.

And as far as the licensing, in this case--where a " farmer " is reselling food

just like any grocer or big box store, they can get the damn license. They are

nothing more than a vegetable and fruit jockey, they are not doing the work

other than buying someone elses produce (from who knows where and with who knows

what done to it) and reselling it. That is not a farmer, that is a resale biz,

perhaps on a smaller side but still not a farmer.

Alvin has a buying club, that may be different. I can see both sides there and

tend to agree with him more than the state.

And every farmer in the state is protected under our constitution, article 13,

section 7 link here:

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/cco/rules/mncon/Article13.htm

That does not, and in my opinion should not, include fake " farmers " .

[Guest guest]

Good Stuff !

Can't say I ever see how anyone should need a license to do something unless

they want to but we can disagree there.

Didn't realize it was real farm folks. The only farm stands I ever see around

the metro are the reselling stands, cept maybe once in a while a guy selling out

of a pickup truck, but never asked what's what because that was

pre-consciousness.

I guess the take away is fairly simple, always ask, early and often, never

assume anything...unless you grew it yourself!

[Guest guest]

Good Stuff !

Can't say I ever see how anyone should need a license to do something unless

they want to but we can disagree there.

Didn't realize it was real farm folks. The only farm stands I ever see around

the metro are the reselling stands, cept maybe once in a while a guy selling out

of a pickup truck, but never asked what's what because that was

pre-consciousness.

I guess the take away is fairly simple, always ask, early and often, never

assume anything...unless you grew it yourself!