Blog - Nature's Gourmet Farm

Government IS RESPONSIBLE For That

January 2024 LtGov Hoseman wrote an opinion piece that was published in newspapers across the state. The jist of his opinion was Mississippi's labor market is at a critical inflection point where only 53% of our population is working and the balance is not. While I fully agree Mississippi has a critical labor market issue - I also know GOVERNMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT!!! Full disclosure - I tried three times to discuss this point with Hoseman, but he never returned my call. I will be sending him

It's About FAITH

This week represents the most important week of our Christian Faith - leading up to Resurection Sunday (traditionally called Easter Sunday) where believers gather to celebrate The Lord Jesus Resurection from death. Now, trust me, the last thing I want to do is offend anyone. However, with a bit of an open mind you may want to continue and check out some of what I share. Otherwise, we look forward to you joining us back next week where I hope to share my thoughts on recent legislative happenings. First, I believe Christian Faith is best defined by Paul

Customer's Speak Out

Last week's newsletter really struck home to many customers based on very positive responses received. Jennie, one of our Mobile customers (1st order April 2022 and has completed 18 nice orders since then) gave me permission to share her comments. “Maybe it will encourage others to get started,” she said. Jennie writes, “Wow, Ben, your newsletter really struck a chord with me today. Back in 2019 I was going through some personal trials that were causing me extraordinary stress, anger and frustration. I took up gardening as therapy. You may remember my t-shirt that said "I garden so I don't choke people." LOL! I had no clue how to garden so I started with a few pots of various greens that fall. They didn't do well, but

What Would You Say To This Headline?

What would you say to the following headline? Kellogg's CEO Tells Cash-Strapped Consumers That Cereal For Dinner Is A 'Great' Option — Meanwhile, Pepsi's CEO Encourages Struggling Gen Zers To Make Meals Out Of Chips And Pretzels I liked the comment from one man who said,

WOW!!!

Last week I shared our team processing ground beef for our farm’s March sales. This was after two days spent cutting and packing steaks, roast, etc. from eight beef. Once all the beef was stacked into our freezer I made a short video that you can watch by clicking HERE This video represents 8-beef. 1.5 beef were custom orders and 6.5 beef (about 1.5 more than our typical amount harvested) were for our farm store sales.

Beef Market Update

Last week I shared the impact and risk associated with imported beef into America and how that since 1940 the number of people living & working on American farms have dropped from 17% to a mere 2%. This week I need to update you on what the beef market (prices) are doing. First off, the last time Nature’s Gourmet Farm increased our beef prices was August 2023. Since then, live cattle prices have increased 17% - effectively taking out a big chunk of the profit we depend on to continue operations. At least part of what is driving BEEF prices is high demand and the fact that our American cattle herd is at a 70-year low. That is significant when you consider how much our population has increased in the past 70 years (since 1954).

Are Foreign Imports "Local"?

It may surprise you that I do receive AND read several weekly newsletters from other farms that I know and trust. Last week, Paul Brown who owns Nourished By Nature in Bismark, ND (son of Gabe Brown) wrote a really good article on import beef and he agreed to let me share with my customers. So, here goes! If you recall, the last newsletter we sent out referred to the statistic that today, only 2% of the population in the US produces food for the entire country (plus imports) as compared to 17% in 1940. This is unprecedented and it makes me wonder, what happened over the last 80 years? And where will we be in another 80? No wait, how about 10 years??? Will all US food production be outsourced?

Product Updates & More

First, a quick followup from last week's email where I shared my letter to Sec. Watson. This generated a lot of interest and response from our customers - ALL very positive and thankful for us taking the stand we do. Several customers also shared that they were personal friends with Sec. Watson and would contact him regarding our farm. So far, I have not heard from him. Cindy shared the following: Thank you for speaking out about issues that many of us are very upset about and feel like we have no voice. Hopefully, Secretary Watson will actually do something. In my opinion, Farm Bureau is against most Mississippians. They were against the illegal land sales to the Chinese and other foreign countries who want to harm us. I was at the meeting at the Capitol a few months ago and saw it firsthand. They are against any legislation to protect pets, such as dogs and cats, from animal abusers, in addition to the chicken and dairy issues you mentioned above. I am no fan at all of Farm Bureau. They are a detriment to our state. But they have a powerful lobby and lots of friends in influential places . And lots of farmers, big farmers, are fans. I have always been a fan of ag commissioner Gipson and I expect he will run for governor one day. I’m not sure if it’s a political play, but it seems that he is quiet on most of these issues. One exception is the Land deals, because he did chair those groups and hold the hearings.

Letter To Sec. Watson MS Secretary of State

This week I received an email from Sec. Watson regarding his offices' plan and successes in eliminating administrative and MS Code bottlenecks that hold back business growth. He also asked for input on areas that affect our business. Have you ever heard the saying, "Be Careful What You Ask For?" Well, here is my response to Sec. Watson. I'm still waiting to hear back from him - which I truly hope will happen. Sec. Watson, first let me thank you for aggressively tackling these tough issues. Too many politicians today are mere pawns of

Chicken, Chicken, Chicken

The "most asked" question from customers is - When Will You Have More Chicken? Well, the weather has been a bit challenging when it comes to raising chickens on pasture. Most recently, we delayed the last batch harvest because at the typical age we harvest they were very small. So, we elected to delay two weeks to give them time to grow to a reasonable market weight. Then, last week the weather was very cold.

"put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is"

"Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is" is a phrase used to show by your actions and not just your words that you support or believe in something. If you watched my video last week you noticed I believe that what we need are thousands more small farms that sell direct to consumers vs. all these mega corporate industrial "farms". Additionally, I believe our position should be to help others by duplicating our success with those who are interested in farming. That is the best solution for Food Security for the ever-growing population of customers seeking healthier food for their families. If you missed the video - here is the link on our YouTube channel. All that to say last summer Dr. Allen Williams asked if we would be interested

December Farm Video Tour

What our country needs are thousands of small family farms serving their communities with healthy food raised naturally and sold locally. Friday, December 15th I meet up with Olivia here on our farm to make a video that she would then share on their YouTube channel. Olivia and her husband Paul once owned a small direct market farm in Indiana...then sold their farm to travel and interview farmers and share their stories. You can watch Olivia and the other farms they have interviewed at this link. So, I decided to make the video to support my belief that what our country needs are