• What does "sustaninability" mean?
• A sustainable community food system is one in which food is grown, processed, distributed and consumed in an ecologically and socially responsible manner on a local, community scale and maintains the whole agro - ecosystem: humans, animals, land.
• Economically viable - self sufficient and reliant
• Just - resources and power are distributed so that the basic needs and rights of all members and components of the system are met.
• Humane - all forms of life are respected
• Adaptable - able to adjust and change according to external conditions
• Sustainable agriculture also refers to the capacity to remain productive while maintaining the resource base for future generations.

• What is "organic" when it comes to agriculture?
• "Organic farming is a production system which avoid or largely excludes the use of synthetically compounded fertilizers, pesticides, growth regulators, and livestock feed additives... "[ Report and Recommendations on Organic Farming ( Washington DC: USDA, 1980), p. xii NAL Call # aS605.5 U52]
• "Organic farming seeks to create and intregrated, sustainable agricultural system, relying first and foremost on ecological interactions and biologicaal processes for crop, livestock and human nutrition and protection from pests and diseases"- The Brithish Organic Farmers and Organic Growers Association

• What do we mean by "natural" when it comes to meat production?
• Those farmers who are not government organic certified or are in a transitional phase to becoming organic but use farming practices that are wholesome for the animals and the earth such as pasture feeding livestock

  • Conventional products also use the word "natural'. This ofter times does not mean anything certain.

• What do we mean by "pasture raised" livestock?
• Livestock that are raised on grass and are free to roam.

• What is the difference between grain and grass - raised livestock?
• 'GRAIN' RAISED
• Grain is used to mean corn specifically

• Corn is the standard feed used on farms today
• It makes the animals very fat in a short time
• Ruminants become prone to sickness due to a diet unnatural to them
• They require antibiotics & chemical supplements

• PASTURE RAISED

• Grass is the natural diet of ruminants (cows and sheep)
• Therefore they are healthier
• Their meat is more nutritious
• Nutritious benefits include:

• Omega 3 fatty acids
• Cla's
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin A