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Legislative Update

written by

Ben Simmons

posted on

February 1, 2018

Farm Update –

It has been a very busy week on the farm. With the record setting cold temperatures it creates much more work for us - out in the cold. Fortunately, the worst seems to be behind us.

Thursday I went to Jackson first to attend the Senate Ag Committee meeting. The room included 13-Senators, a few invited guest like me, the House Ag Committee Chairman and lobby folks. Senator Hudson brought up the bill and then introduced Senator Hill to give an overview. Two Senators asked very good questions and then a vote was called. Senate Bill 2060 passed unanimously! I was VERY pleased. So, what does this mean? Basically, it removes restrictions from MS law that are more stringent then the Federal law regarding on-farm slaughter and sale of poultry. The Federal law allows for up to 20,000 chickens per year and allows sales into retail markets. 

The next hurdle is to pass the Public Health Committee. Currently I do not have details of this committee plans. The good news is there are several folks on the Ag Committee who are also on the Public Health Committee.

Later Thursday morning I spoke at the MS Association of Conservation Districts at the Hilton on County Line Road. Based on questions and feedback I was pleased with the results. Unfortunately, because of the winter weather conditions there were about 100 cancellations that affected attendance.

Valentine's Day - is just around the corner. Now is a good time to get your steak orders placed to ensure availability (we will also pickup more from the processor the end of January). February delivery dates are only 2-weeks away - and are the week prior to February 14th. Check our these premium steak selections:

Filet

PorterHouse

Rib-Eye, Boneless

New York Strip

Rib-Eye, Bone-In

T-Bone

Sirloin

Customer Feedback- 

I have been ordering meat from this farm for over 4 years. The beef, chicken and pork is the best I have ever had. WOW!! And they are truly responsible farmers and care about their customers. I am so blessed to have a farmer so close to where we live to buy meats from that are not being feed the chemical infested grains and gmo feeds that a lot of the other farmers are feeding their cattle and chickens. The best tasting steaks, chicken, bacon, sausage, ham, roasts. I like being able to buy half of a cow and have it processed into the cuts of meat that I like most. Sheila 

Quote Worth Re-Quoting –  

“The care of the Earth is our most ancient and most worthy, and after all our most pleasing responsibility. To cherish what remains of it and to foster its renewal is our only hope.” -Wendell Berry

As always, thank you for supporting our regenerative, local farm.

Ben & Beth

More from the blog

MS Ag Commissioner Visits NGF

Commissioner Andy Gipson Visits NGF - Monday, Commissioner Gipson (Andy) visited our farm for the third time. First, was after he was appointed and Senator Hill and I were working to increase the poultry exemption for Mississippi. The second time was after we built the USDA poultry processing plant that Andy supported our LWT Grant which helped fund about 50% of the cost. This visit was to support Andy’s efforts to both support existing farmers as well as encourage more people to farm and help feed our citizens.

Amazing Recognition

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Farm Improvements

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