Organic dairy farmer’s book very telling

I've just finished reading “A New Vision for Iowa Food and Agriculture” by the Democratic candidate, organic dairy farmer Francis Thicke. He explains cutting-edge solutions to the U.S. food supply's problems in every meticulously documented chapter.

Concerned about vanishing small towns? Thicke's dairy has demonstrated how farmers can create jobs and keep food dollars close to home by doing the value-added option of bottling milk or making cheese and yogurt right on the farm.

Sleepless over a terrorist attack disrupting our food supply, 80 percent of which comes from out of state? Thicke explains how simple changes in policy that promote fruit, vegetable and meat production through farmers markets can help Iowans feed ourselves and offer an affordable gateway into farming for the next generation.

Wish farmers weren't so dependent on petroleum? Thicke explains why medium-scale organic farmers are among the few n agriculture who regularly turn a profit (unless you count huge corn and soybean subsidies). There's more good news at www.thicke

foragriculture.com

LaDawn Edwards

Cedar Rapids