Make a Difference in Your Community by Buying Local

Posted November 30, 2010 By Sandra Matheson

By Martin Brossman

You can’t help noticing the current buzz about buying local, re-inspired by deep concern for the environment and the necessities of the economic slowdown.   Restaurants are proudly announcing more locally-grown foods on their menu, and many of our friends announce their decision to shop smaller specialty retailers instead of chain discount stores.

Aside from the warm fuzzy feeling you get from helping your neighbor, there are some strong tangible benefits to buying from local merchants.  Buying local is beneficial to the environment in a number of different ways, while at the same time boosting the local economy. There are also political implications to your buying choices. Here are a few of the ways your family wins when you buy local.

1. Reduced shipping distance equals lower environmental impact

When you buy goods in your home town, you reduce carbon emissions and fossil fuel consumption by virtue of the simple fact that no one has to ship the goods to you from a long distance. When you purchase industrially-grown produce, for example, it typically travels 1,500 miles1 or more before reaching your dinner table. The environmental impact is staggering. A 2009 study2 revealed that in the state of Iowa alone, fuel consumption could be reduced by up to 346,000 gallons per year if 10% more of the state’s food were grown locally. The same study stated that annual carbon dioxide emissions would likely decrease by up to 7.9 million pounds.

2.Local dollars stay in your community

When your dollars go to local merchants, they are much more likely to buy from other local merchants than large corporate-owned stores. Most larger merchants are contractually obligated to buy from suppliers outside the towns where they operate. They often buy in bulk from central locations. The increased number of steps in the supply chain not only adds no intrinsic value, but often results in lower product quality. The reinvestment of business revenues into other local businesses generates local tax revenues.

3. The economic boom and bust cycle stabilizes over the long term

A locally-based economic infrastructure is less likely to suffer radical oscillations, due to the fact that it doesn’t depend on a small number of large businesses for the majority of its revenue. For example, suppose a factory moves into town and employs a large number of the town’s residents. The newly created jobs will attract more people and create a swell in house prices. Then, if economic conditions force the factory to close down or move offshore, there will be no cushion to absorb the economic impact of these lost jobs. The real estate market will decline, leaving affected families underwater on their mortgages.

When a local economy derives its income from a large number of small businesses, economic recessions are less extreme. Since small businesses move into town one by one, and economic growth occurs at a slow, natural pace, the likelihood of a sudden “gold rush” drops off, and prices are less likely to artificially spike.

4. Communities have a greater say in their own future

Economic dependency on a few large businesses shifts political leverage away from the local community. Companies who dominate local economies tend to get their way, whether citizens of their host communities like it or not.  Your everyday decision to buy from small grassroots entrepreneurs or big-box stores has an impact on the power structure governing your home town.

5. Local  pride increases as revenues improve the local environment

A Google search can show you exciting evidence of nationwide support for local independents.  Innovative Chambers of Commerce and merchants’ associations are implementing downtown revitalization projects, local currencies, networking events, joint advertising and community education efforts to bring small towns back to life.

“Shop Local” campaigns are so successful that Corporate marketers are climbing onto the local message bandwagon.  They may use terms like  ”shop nearby” or “your local _____.”   It’s a trend that’s widespread enough to have gained the name “local washing.”

So how can you tell who is REALLY LOCAL in your home town? They are locally-owned AND independent,-and committed to making their community a better place to live. There are also many franchises with local owners that are important to support as well, keeping money in the community.

Just pause and think before you shop-can I get this from a locally-owned business? Help others become aware of the value of buying locally.  If you see the value, share it with a friend. I just invited a friend to lunch and said, “Let’s go to New World Coffee House for lunch; it’s good food and local-owned.”  Share your stories of buying  local!

- Martin Brossman – Success Coach / Trainer / Author

By Martin Brossman
Success Coach / Trainer / Author
See: Professional Networking on-line

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Martin_Brossman

Categories: General

Why Buy Grass Fed Beef?

Posted November 14, 2010 By Sandra Matheson

by Karen Whitehead

Cows eating corn instead of grass, how absurd? Think about it…cows aren’t suppose to eat corn or any other grain…they are ruminants (along with buffalo, deer, goats, etc.) which means they have multiple chambered stomachs designed for eating and digesting grass, like no other species can do. Then why are the majority of our beef cattle being force fed corn in feedlots instead of being allowed to graze on the pasture? A number of reasons…its cheap, it fattens them up very quickly, doesn’t require a lot of land, and doesn’t require much skill or knowledge from the labor force. But all of this has significantly adverse affects on our health, on the environment and on the well-being of these animals. Here are some of the major advantages when you buy grass fed beef over corn fed:

1. Less fat and better fat…..Meat from grass fed animals has much less total fat, saturated fat and calories than corn fed beef. It also contains Omega-3′s which are created from cells in green plants and algae, an extremely important fatty acid believed to play a significant role in human brain cell growth. The Omega 6 to Omega 3 ratio for corn fed cows is 20:1 while grass fed are only 3:1 This is virtually the same levels as fish and is considered ideal from a health standpoint. The high ratio in corn fed beef causes an essential fat imbalance which leads to a variety of health problems.

2. More nutritious. Grass fed beef has high levels of Beta-carotene and also up to 400% more Vitamin A and Vitamin E than corn fed beef…..There is no beneficial health reason to reduce your red meat consumption if you are eating grass fed beef.

3. More humane…I like animals, but I am not an animal rights activist by any means, however I absolutely object to the treatment and torture of feedlot animals….It is simply cruel and inhumane to cram hundreds or thousands of cows into a small space, force them to eat something that their systems cannot tolerate, give them unnecessary drugs to stop them from getting sick from the horrible living conditions, allow them to defecate on themselves and each other (this is something that even animals consider taboo), and then slaughter them at only 14 months (grass fed cows take an average of 4-5 years to reach slaughter weight). Once you understand this….how could you possible eat another corn fed burger when there are other options available?

4. No antibiotics or hormones…Because grass fed cows are out to pasture and eating what they are suppose to be eating, guess what, they don’t need to be treated with drugs and hormones…..Their digestive systems are functioning properly, they are growing at normal rates, they are exercising, breathing fresh air, defecating where they are suppose to (which in turn fertilizes the grass) and are free from the stress that feedlot cattle must endure…

5. Dramatically reduce chance of contracting E. Coli. Since 1993 over 500,000 American kids have become ill or died from the ingesting the E. coli bacteria (Escherichia coli O157:H7)….the new strain of intestinal bacteria present in the stomach of about 40% of feedlot cattle. Since these cows have much higher PH levels in their gut than their grass fed counterparts, this new strain of acid-resistant E. coli is now able to shake off the acid in the human stomach, thus making us very ill or even killing us. A simple solution to this is to take a corn fed cow and feed him grass for 3 days before slaughter which would reduce the acidity and to kill off the E. coli….simple, but yet unfortunately not done….unbelievable, but true! Also, the threat of Mad Cow Disease and Foot and Mouth Disease is virtually non-existent in a grass fed animal.

6. Better for the environment….What happens to all that cow poop on these feedlots? We commonly think of cow manure as good fertilizer for crops right? Well then it wouldn’t be too hard for these feedlots to dispose of it, if that was the case. However, corn fed cattle poop has such high levels of nitrogen and phosphorous, along with hormone residues, that their manure actually kills the crops…..Where does this toxic poop end up? In our rivers, lakes and oceans, nice-huh?

All right folks, now you know the facts…there are so many reasons to buy grass fed beef over corn fed that I am amazed it is not more readily available to us consumers. Hopefully, if you read this article you will make the switch and buy grass fed beef….in doing so you will help reduce America’s need for cheap, mass produced food, reduce environmental degradation, improve the lives of the animals that feed us and improve the overall health of your family….enough said.

For more information on the benefits of organic food visit http://www.captaincooksblog.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_Whitehead

Categories: Cattle and Beef

Autumn Update

Posted November 3, 2010 By Sandra Matheson

The leaves are falling as are the temperatures and rain! The calves are weaned.  The main cow herd has been moved to winter pasture. Let’s hope nature is kind to us again this winter. Unfortunately, the predictions are otherwise.

We have a quarter of USDA beef available for purchase this week. Reservations are being taken for December’s beef as well. There isn’t much left! Do your family a favor by feeding them wholesome, grass fed Matheson Farms Beef.

Matheson Farms heifer grazing on fall pasture

Categories: Cattle and Beef, News and Announcements