Showing posts with label Farms. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Farms. Show all posts

Monday, October 15, 2012

Dairy Farms In Danger Of Labor Law Non - compliance

Share farming job comes with some alike of danger and dairy farming certainly is no exception. The agriculture industry ranks as one of the top industries for accidents and fatalities. In terms of injury prevention, OSHA ( the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ) has mandated safety guidelines that farmers must fair in order to be in compliance with Federal and state labor laws. One of the biggest challenges is documenting a safety intention. Season many dairy farms have precautionary safety measures, meetings and trainings in quarter, unless its written down, the government doesnt consider the business to be in compliance.

According to OSHA, member dairy farm that employs over eleven employees is subject to OSHA standards, oversight and inspections. Although OSHA isnt pushing the dairy industry for inspections, that doesnt niggard they wont in the future. OSHAs object is to create a safe work environment for all workers regardless of industry. Dairy farmers who are out of compliance with OSHA standards can be fined heavily from a few hundred up to tens of thousands of dollars.

OSHA can and will fine for any of the following violations:

Lack of injury and illness prevention program ( must be documented )

Lack of work injury reporting

Lack of fire extinguishers

Lack of communication about and / or process when dealing with toxic, hazardous or harmful materials

Lack of respiratory protection

Lack of proper face and eye protection

Lack of proper medical services or first aid

In addition, dairy farms must adhere to all Federal and State labor laws that apply within their industry. There are specific rules and regulations for agricultural minimum wage, as well as for migrant workforce. Labor law posters with such laws must be displayed where the farms workers can readily view them. A labor law poster for the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act ( MSPA ) must be displayed if the dairy farm employs migrant or seasonal workers. A federal labor law poster for with the Fair Labor Standards Act for Agricultural Workers must also be displayed. OSHA is looking to California and the regulations set forth on the California labor law poster for agricultural workers as a precedent for the rest of the country, considering that CA law mandates an injury and illness prevention plan ( IIPP ) as part of standard safety training. OSHA strives to make this plan federally mandated.

In the meantime, dairy farmers across the U. S. need to be increasingly cautious and take care to make sure that all labor law compliance is met and that all proper labor law posters are posted. This will help to ensure workforce safety, as well as peace of mind when it comes to possible surprise OSHA inspections.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

How To Receive Government Grants For Farms

You can try for government grants for small farms if you own a small farm or field and have products which can be concerned, but don ' t have the money to do it. The Government wants to inspirit agriculture and small fields. You can make a good business plan with the help of many agencies. Some paperwork is needed but the effort is worth to get government money for your agricultural needs.

The Economy becomes strong and grows with the help of small agricultural businesses. This is also a source of employment for many people. The Government also wants people to have successful small agricultural businesses and gives government funding to help you.

You need to have a good business plan before applying for the grant for farms, agricultural loans or start up money with details like:

Your marketing plan

Product details

Prices

Distribution

In order to apply for government money for these purposes you will have to give a few things which include:

The details

Personal information

Prove of who you are through an ID

If your business plan considered successful and can be marketed you will be able to find cash to buy a small farm through the funds given by the government which includes:

Low interest loans

Awards

Forgiven loans

Leased land agriculture funding

Government grants

A good business plan also helps you make sure of what you will be doing for the coming five years in your small business. When you have a business plan ready, you will find it much easy to apply. You will have to do the required paperwork for the government funds.

Agriculture is important for the economy of United States and that is why the government offers money for small farm businesses.

Friday, September 21, 2012

Paul Martins American Bistro Supports Local Farms and Purveyors

In keeping with their errand " From the Market by the Season " Paul Martins American Bistro has always stocked their galley and bar with fresh, local and sustainable goods. These passionate restaurateurs havent cleverly relied on their initial brochure of purveyors to afford the foundation of their seasonal menus. Instead, they have supported local purveyors and sustainable farming through active wisdom in organizations like PlacerGrown and American Farmland Store and in their reinforcement work mansion relationships with a growing number of organic and sustainable farmers to expand their network of purveyors. This creates not by oneself a fantastic dining experience for Paul Martins guests, but also exposes each of their customers to the benefits of seasonal local foods fresh from the market, hopefully cubbyhole awareness and increasing demand for quality foods grown with a nostalgia.

For many diners, the idea of eating fresh, local ingredients is pleasing, but finding out what really goes into organic and sustainable farming might be surprising. Conceivably thoughts of a childhood vegetable garden and the walkover methods used to produce and harvest the bounty come to mind. The reality of sustainable and organic farming today is that it requires extensive knowledge and planning, as well as a serious commitment. Capay Organics began their organic farming in 1976, when the concept was in its infancy. Over the past 30 years, the family owned and operated business has expanded to growing over 150 varieties of fruits and vegetables on 700 acres of certified organic land. Maintaining their standards includes practicing healthy crop rotation, encouraging a diverse ecosystem around the fields, efficient use of local water sources and carefully selecting produce varieties that grow well and taste great.

Ocean Mist Farms provides Paul Martins with the freshest artichokes, grown locally in Castroville, CA. But its not just the ideal micro - climate that produces their exceptional artichokes; it is a targeted farm management strategy that includes soil management, water and resource conservation, integrated pest management, and commitment to employees and community. For example, by working crop residue back into the soil natural defenses in the soil are strengthened. The soil is then less reliant on chemicals to fight diseases and pest pressures. Cover crop also protects and enhances the quality of the Ocean Mist soil. Careful management of irrigation activities prevents nutrient runoff and keeps nutrients where they are needed. And soil management is just one component in the growing process.

Fresh Origins specializes in micro - greens and edible flowers. The family owned farm carefully harvests daily to order and waters by hand, and is especially proud of being accountable for food safety. Their facility is audited several times a year by third party USDA trained inspectors. Fresh Origins utilizes special screening to exclude pests from their greenhouses, as well as using sticky tape insect traps to minimize the need for spraying. Whenever spraying is necessary, safer materials such as garlic, clove and rosemary oils are used.

Produce supplier, GreenLeaf, puts people at the center of their core values. GreenLeaf maintains longstanding relationships with over 500 local growers, which helps small scale farming remain a viable way of life in California. They also take pride in supporting the local economy while providing clients like Paul Martins with the freshest seasonal produce. They maintain active affiliations with Community Alliance with Family Farmers ( CAFF ), Sustainable Agriculture Education ( SAGE ) and Eco Farm.

These are just a few examples of the dedicated California growers and suppliers that Paul Martins American Bistro chooses to work with to maintain the integrity of their food while staying true to their mission. Guests perusing the menus at Paul Martins Roseville restaurant, El Segundo restaurant, and Paul Martins American Grill Irvine restaurant will see the same commitment to procuring the freshest and most thoughtfully produced meats, cheeses, breads, wines and spirits of the area. These purveyors are willing to put in the extra work to produce food in a responsible and respectful way, and Paul Martins is one restaurant that truly appreciates it.

Friday, September 14, 2012

The Organic Farming Philosophy Of The Nutrilite Farms

NUTRILITE is the exclusive global vitamin and mineral trade name to grow, pluck and process plants on their own certified organic farms. Wherever NUTRILITE grow the ingredients used in NUTRILITE products, the crops are grown in accord with nature.

NUTRILITE avoids the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.

NUTRILITE replenishes the soil, rather than depleting it.

NUTRILITE uses natural, environmentally - friendly methods to control weeds, insects, and other harmful predators.

A requirement of all the farms supplying botanical materials span to the NUTRICERT farm certification program ensuring that these farms leash to NUTRILITE ' s own organic farming philosophy, guided by sustainable, organic principles. The main principles of the NUTRICERT program hold:

Crop and increase diversity, including vertical diversity of herbs, trees, and bushes; and integration of animal husbandry, beneficial insects, and microorganisms.

Healthy soil - crib practices, not unlike as the use of compost, beneficial soil microorganisms, erosion control, and scant use of mineral fertilizers.

No soil or environmental contamination, cognate as using genetically modified organisms. The idea is to use undocked pest management and protect the farms from potential sources of contamination from adjoining farms.

In - depth quality control standards, including proper documentation of farm inputs, traceability of crop sources, written plans to avoid contamination and control pests, and a quality assurance program for farm products sold.

Building a healthy social environment around the farm, providing farm employees with the opportunity for personal development, including education and training.

By owning and maintaining control over their own NUTRILITE farms, NUTRILITE can ensure that our supplements contain only high quality ingredients.

NUTRILITE ' s organic farming operations are truly multinational, with over 6, 400 acres in California, Washington State, Mexico, and Brazil.

Agricultural Research Farm - California - USA

NUTRILITE ' s Agricultural Research Farm in Lakeview, California, is the primary location where NUTRILITE farm researchers work to improve existing NUTRILITE products as well as identify nutrients and active ingredients for new products and the development of organic farming practices.

45 hectares ( 111 acres )

Located on a prehistoric lake bed, which accumulated nutrient - rich sediment, contributing to the fertile topsoil.

Primary crops: pomegranates, rosemary, and many test crops.

By feeding the soil with compost and by using carefully tested farming practices, NUTRILITE creates a better soil structure supplying crops with a vast array of nutrients.

At NUTRILITE ' s Agricultural Research Farm in Lakeview, local volunteers from the community help raise organic vegetables for their own use. In addition, the NUTRILITE Agricultural Research Farm organizes programs with local schools, bringing area students to the farm to grow crops as a school project each year.

Trout Lake Farm - Washington State - USA

Trout Lake Farm is the largest certified organic herb farm in North America. Located in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, the farm ' s irrigation is provided by the White Salmon River, fed by glaciers from the mountains.

283 hectares ( 700 acres )

The Trout Lake valley where the farm is located is all organic there is no conventional farming in the valley and the surrounding mountains help keep out pollution and contaminants.

Primary crops: Echinacea purpurea, St. John ' s wort, horseradish, white kidney beans, dandelions, Echinacea angustifolia, Valerian, peppermint, nettles, and many others.

At Trout Lake Farm, the temperature, sunlight, and moisture levels change from year to year at different altitudes in the valley, so the farm must be carefully managed to ensure consistent yields of its many crops.

The NUTRILITE farm supports many local community projects, including the Trout Lake Fair, the local youth association baseball league, the area arts council, and the local public schools.

Rancho El Petacal - Jalisco - Mexico

Rancho El Petacal, located in southwestern Mexico, has the ideal growing climate with plenty of sunshine and rainfall the perfect conditions for growing nutrient - rich plants for existing NUTRILITE products, and for growing test plots for research.

All 566 hectares ( 1, 400 acres ) are certified 100 % organic.

The farm is a major source of jobs for the small community of El Petacal.

Primary crops: lemons, red grapefruit, mandarin oranges, watercress, parsley, spinach, garlic, alfalfa.

NUTRILITE ' s commitment to sustainability goes beyond the edge of the fields at Rancho El Petacal. NUTRILITE ' s reforestation programs have helped increase biodiversity and maintain the natural equilibrium of the area.

The NUTRILITE farm at Rancho El Petacal runs a Cultural and Education Support Center at the farm. Here NUTRILITE provides basic education on nutrition and ecology as well as help with local projects, such as building a new church in the community.

Fazenda Nutriorganica - Ubajara - Brazil

Fazenda Nutriorganica is the largest NUTRILITE farm. The farm produces acerola cherries year - round. Over 300 head of cattle on the farm provide natural fertilizer for the crops.

All 1, 660 hectares ( 4, 100 acres ) are certified 100 % organic.

Acerola cherries provide 100 % of our need for the natural ascorbic acid ( Vitamin C ) used in NUTRILITE products.

Primary crops: Acerola cherries, coconuts, passion fruit, guava, and cashews.

Most plant pest and disease problems are solved preventively by providing balanced organic nutrients to ensure strong, healthy growth.

Fazenda Nutriorganica was formerly a desolate, undeveloped tract of land. It is now a beacon of productive work, learning, and professional and personal development. A reforestation project along the banks of the nearby Jaburu River, organized by NUTRILITE, is now underway.

My next article entitled " The NUTRILITE Manufacturing Process Never Compromises on Quality " will show their standards of quality in manufacturing are as much a part of their company culture as their natural farming practices.

See you on the Beaches of the World,