Letting the Perfect be the Enemy of the Good
Sunday, November 8, 2009 at 12:08AM We are not happy.
We receive a fair number of unsolicited emails each week, and we are very fortunate that most of them are encouraging emails, thanking us for what we are doing. Those emails really help keep us going during all the long days when there is never a day off. Should we ever have a moment when we wonder why we completely changed our lives and devoted it to farming, these emails remind us of what an important job we are doing.
However, on Friday we received an unsolicited email that included the following:
"After much reading of your blog, I found that my respect for your farm has decline immensely as a result of false claims and constant contradictions. You claim the following:
- Improve the soil
- Improve the health and welfare of our animals
- Improve the taste and security of food for our customers
- Mimic nature and allow nature to take its course
- Serve as a local food shed
- Operate transparently and inclusively
- Operate sustainability
In regards to, "mimic nature and allow nature to take its course"; Mother Nature doesn't gives its cows 'sweet feed', and its bees honey water. Equally as important, nature doesn't artificially inseminate and implant embryos from "one of our best-bred cows into other Murray Greys, or into recipient cows....By the way, your processor or natures harmony has a bad habit of placing a turquoise label and other ink smears directly on the meat."
This email made it very difficult for me to go to sleep on Friday. False claims? Constant contradictions? I didn't dare share it with Liz until Saturday as she definitely would have been up all night. For you see, we actually do care. Not only do we read every single email or comment sent to us, but we consider them thoughtfully and on occasion even adapt our practices for our customers. It's easy to say just ignore this type of nonsense, but we work way too hard to just let our energies be wasted and insulted by something like this.
The bullet points referenced were taken from our values page on this website, and they are indeed our values. The comments about artificial insemination and feeding bees were obviously extracted from blog posts. All are accurate, yet misguided and uninformed. We do not feed our cows sweet feed. Only grass. It is true that to get them on the trailer we sometimes entice them with sweet feed to board, but it is then removed and completely irrelevant, as they are processed hours later anyway. Our blog posts have been clear about that point and even discuss how sometimes this last resort is useless since our cows have never even tasted sweet feed and are sometimes not enticed by it. I'd sure like to see her come SAFELY catch and load a cow with little stress in the middle of the pasture.
Alarmingly, the person who sent this is the leader of a chapter of Weston A. Price, an organization that we are members of and whole-heartedly support. Or at least we did. We will discuss this issue with them next weekend, as we're driving all the way to Chicago to attend their annual conference next weekend. Some of our best customers are members of or leaders of Weston A. Price. We should be united in informing and inspiring people to make more informed choices regarding food, nature and how we can maximize personal health and protection of the environment.
There are a number of things that bothered us about this email. To begin with, who asked her? Why would a (potentially) new customer, someone we've never met and who certainly has never visited the farm be inspired to send us an unsolicited condemnation? I only wished that she blogged so that we could analyze her life and habits and then fire off derogatory missives describing our disatisfaction with her life's choices. Oh wait...that's right, we wouldn't do that. We are not the world’s police nor do we see fit to judge others or impose our values on anyone. If we didn't agree with what she wrote we'd just ignore her. She's like the PETA people who want to push vegetarinism down your throat. Isn't it funny how you never see the carnivores cold-calling the vegetarians encouraging them to eat more meat?
Secondly, her comments reveal a great deal of naïveté. "Nature doesn't give bees honey water"? No, and nature doesn't put bees in wooden bee boxes either. However, we have decided to keep bees, which is of course as unnatural as keeping pigs inside electric fencing, but we are farming and that does involve compromising a completely natural existence. We do our best to mimic nature as closely as we can in this agricultural context. Let's see, we decided to not use plastic frames and instead deal with real wax as nature would, we don't spray anything on our bees and use only cinnamon to help with ants, and yet this person condemns us because we have taken some of the bees honey, mixed it with water and fed it back to them when we first got the bees and they had not yet had the opportunity to store up their own honey reserves. What does this person suggest? Letting the bees starve before they have a chance to adjust to their new home? Or maybe she didn’t take the time to thoroughly understand our values and realize that this was only done in the beginning to get our hives established and that we took only 6 frames of honey from our two hives this year in order to make sure that they had enough food for the winter and thereby eliminating the need for feeding them something artificial ever again. But if that is the case, I sure wouldn't expect that from someone representing such a fine organization as Weston A. Price!
Further, the issue regarding artificial insemination is a valid perspective on an issue that does not have a right answer. But since when did this become a food safety issue and was this her only personal perspective or was she speaking on behalf of Weston A. Price? For us, this is an issue about our trying to replicate a genetic line of cows that in fact can "finish" on grass. It's great that we all turn cows out to eat grass, but after 60 years of genetic selection to finish on grain, most cows can't finish on grass. The result is poor marbling, tougher meat and unhappy cows that are thin and hungry. We have a few cows that demonstrate great genetics, so here's what we have done. We have artificially inseminated them and done an embryo flush, thereby producing 8-10 viable embryos. We then take otherwise poor cows that would have been slaughtered only for ground beef and implant the embryos and let them graze our land in rotation with other cows. This has four positive outcomes.
- The cow gets to enjoy a much longer life doing nothing but eating grass, feeling sunshine and drinking cool water.
- The cow is allowed to experience the joy of having a calf AND raising it through the weaning process, thereby developing a maternal bond, a desire for which is deeply ingrained in all species.
- The cow and her calf help to improve the soil by grazing grasses that will quickly regrow and disturbing the seed bank with their hoof action.
- We get to accelerate the number of potential breeders/meat animals that we have, so that we can feed more people WHILE giving animals a completely natural life while they are with us.
But I suppose that's not good enough.
And the bad habit of a turquoise label (what she means is a blue meat stamp) on the meat? Sorry lady, that's a USDA requirement, one that we, like you, don't care for at all. Only we're not so naïve to think that it's the farmer who wants it on there.
Too many people like this desire to let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Clearly she has never farmed. She only sits back in an arm chair, reads about others who do farm and then launches unsolicited criticisms. The irony of her criticism is that she would never be able to launch the grenade our way if we didn't believe in, and (obviously) practice complete transparency. How else would she know what we're doing?
So I suppose she can find a farm that better suits her, or more likely, shop at a grocery store. But attitudes like hers will do nothing to encourage our farmers to do better. Farming is hard work...we all know that. The farmers we know have a passion for trying to do what's right, to give animals a great life (in the case of livestock), to offer customers a safe, clean and nutritionally dense alternative to the nutrient-void, unpronounceable and fabricated alternatives offered by factory farming monoliths that hide behind a very non-transparent wall. We have collectively gotten ourselves into a food crisis. We didn't start it, and neither did you. But at least we are determined to do something positive about it and to encourage anyone who wants to make a positive contribution to do so rather than firing off criticisms and judging people who, whether you agree with their practices whole heartedly or not, are at least doing something to contribute to a greater good. Whether they change their eating habits, work on a farm, actively support changes in food policy or cheerlead those who do, there are a number of ways we can turn the tide, but by discouraging anyone who is less than your view of perfect is just wrong and very hurtful.
There's no reason to let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Let's just focus on continuous improvement, and do better today than we did yesterday.
We still believe in the teachings of Weston A. Price and will continue to support the organization, at least until next weekend when we can confirm whether this approach to the market reflects their organizational philosophy or just one person's misguided approach.
We love our customers and we love what we do. We'll soldier on because it's the right thing to do.
Local Food 
Email Article to Friend
Reader Comments (30)
Now, I don't necessarily agree with everything y'all do Tim, but this was very well said and well written. Power to you man, keep up the good fight. Don't let this sort of thing get y'all down.
Tim,
Your post is a very well thought out response to a very ignorant bandwagon member of the natural food movement. Frankly, the person who wrote that email is not even worthy of such a fine, robust response. However, I understand your reasoning for responding. I am sure you get plenty of positive comments but wanted to let you know how much we appreciate your efforts as well as the gobs of information you post. We live in the West and feel blessed to have such fine people as you and Liz to learn from and even bounce ideas off of. Thank you for your dedication, hard work, and transparency.
Keep up the good work! We depend on farmers like you for healthy and ethical choice in our source of food.
I'm so sorry. I know emails can be very upsetting, especially when you care so much. This is just one (misguided) person's opinion. She must have been having a very bad day. All of us make hundreds of choices every day...and compromises. I am always amazed by the number of people that are to the left (or right) of me on any given issue. You have more choices, or maybe more important choices, than I do, and I think that's a good life, where you get to decide those things. But it does put a burden on you being a provider and making those decisions for others. You gotta have a tough hide, in addition to all the other things you need. Keep on keeping on and thinking everything through and making good choices. Many of us are behind you, almost 100%! Take a deep breath, go admire your animals, give each other hugs, eat something yummy. It won't feel quite as bad. Love, Patty
Focus on what you're doing and let armchair critics like her flap their jaws in the wind. I know it hurts to hear criticism that is just blatantly false, but one must wonder how naive she could be to think that you can get enough honey to share without feeding bees. Don't take it personally, keep doing the good, hard, honest work you're doing to help improve lives one meal at a time.
When I was a new real estate agent (thank goodness I am retired now!) I had a real hard time with several older more established agents who wanted to make sure this upstart was kept in her place. They questioned every type of marketing I did and one even called to threatened me over calling "her" expired lisitings. (By the way expried that have not relisted with an agecy are legally fair game). My broker told me that bad talk or bad publicity is sometimes as effective as good (which we all want) and a lot better than no talk about you or your business or profession. If you are doing nothing they will ignore you. They know your are out there; now it is making them nervous. You know you cannot hope to please everyone, no one can and if you put yourself on the intenet, ads, business cards, etc and are sucessful, someone will surely take a swipe at you. (Jealous?)
I don't agree with everything you do but I read your blog and have gotten several good ideas that I have decided to use on our place. At least you are out there trying and learning and evolving into something that just might be a little better than what we have now as alternatives.
I have no right to judge your practices or choices as long as what you do is legal, ethical and moral. I enjoy reading about your adventures. I still think you should publish a book on this journey you all are taking.
Patricia
I had to laugh at her criticism "Mother Nature doesn't gives its cows 'sweet feed'..." since Mother Nature didn't create cows in the first place. Like dogs, they are a product of human intervention.
Tim, the lady who wrote that email, would have probably critized, Ghandi, M.L.King or Mandela with the same intensity and lack of understanding of nature's laws that she expressed towards you.
She has the typical "can't see the forest for the tree" narrow mentality.
Too bad she belongs to the Weston A. Price foundation. I would bet they are not proud of having their name associated with those comments of hers.
In any case, yours and Liz's work is far much greater and has a much broader social and health benefits for the community than an ink label in a single slice of meat.
Remember on the visit I made to your farm in October, you mentioned at some point that all animals and vegetables had a reason to be, except you couldn't figure out the role of the fire ants? 8-)
I think this lady belongs on that category!
Cheers. Luis
There will always be people like this. You can't please everyone. You all do a fine job and love what you do, which is the most important thing.
It is difficult to do, but ignore them. Don't even waste your energy on them.
Best wishes,
Ricki Linnenkohl
I appreciate and mostly agree with what you are saying. However, couldn't the title of this blog entry also be applied to your recent comments about Polyface?
I agree with you in that that Cornish X is not a sustainable breed, and it is better to raise heritage breeds that can breed, which is what we are doing. But I also think it is a bit over the top to call Salitan hypocritical for shipping in his birds. That is not much different from the broadside this person threw at you.
Neither you nor Polyface is perfect. But let's not let the perfect be the enemy of the good. :)
Keep up your good work. I've only recently discovered your blog and it has inspired me in many ways. There will always be people out there who try to tear others down. It hurts to hear from them, be we have to trudge on.
Clearly the gal emailing you is not a farmer. If she feels she knows so much better, let her go ahead and raise her own animals. And if she doesn't like your products or practices, you didn't ask her to buy from you. This is a classic case of "whatever dude". Not everybody cares about your (meaning her's) personal psychosis.
Thanks everyone for participating in the discussion.
Buster - Well, I don't think so, but of course I respect your opinion. But before I say anything else, keep in mind that, as we have repeatedly said, we have tremendous respect for Polyface, and have stated so in many blog posts. But I stand by the specific point you refer to. I do believe it is completely hypocritical for Joel to say that he won't ship product on one end of the food chain because there are local alternatives (other farms) while he will ship product on the other end of the food chain when there are also alternatives (brood your own chicks). Hey, you don't have to agree, but it's hypocritical in my eyes. And we're not above making mistakes and being hypocritical, so call us out on it when we are. There's no hiding when the walls are transparent.
As a Weston A Price Chapter Leader.
I would first of all like to issue an Apology to Nature's Harmony Farm and assure them and any of the viewers that this idiots comments DO NOT reflect the Views of any of the True Weston A Price Chapter Leaders or the Organization or our feelings regarding Nature's Harmony Farm.
There has been a recent trouble maker who got involved with the Organization and has now been removed from the Organization. I am sorry that Tim was under the impression that this person was a spokesperson for the organization or anyone else for that matter. Weston A Price does not endorse or support this type of irresponsible behavior. As a matter of Fact everything we do is to support and assist farmers because of the value they add to each and everyone of our lives. All of the current Chapter leaders work very hard to support the local farms and to send them customers. I am sorry this post was posted drawing negative attention to our Oganization which it unjustly deserves, esp after all we do for farmers.
A Weston A Price Chapter Leader.
Tim -
I'm so sorry you were targeted for this loose cannon attack. It was completely unwarranted, spiteful, and without reason. I understand your frustration with the person who emailed, and your wanting to express that frustration and get the record straight.
I am surprised, though, at the aspersion you cast on the Weston A. Price Foundation because of the actions of a single person who happens to be a chapter leader. Surely your experience with WAPF and the chapter leaders you've been personally involved with would assure you on the credibility of that organization and the values it holds. Obviously, this person does not fit the character of what you'd expect, and perhaps should not be representing the WAPF at all, given his (yes, his) tendency to spout inflammatory charges at people he's never met. But that is no reason to cast a shadow of doubt on the entire Weston A. Price Foundation and its philosophy and values.
As another chapter leader of WAPF, I have nothing but respect and admiration for you, your wife, and all the farmers out there working hard to produce good food and make your part of the world better. I should hope you would know that those of us who are real, dedicated WAPF chapter leaders want to support our farmers in any way we can. As for the flash-in-the-pan types, they are gone as quickly as they ignite. You can trust the organization on that one.
All the best,
Celeste Skousen
To be more constructive, my first time reading your post evoked some negative feelings of non-constructive criticism... If you disagree with someones practices you have no business commenting and criticizing unless you have an alternate solution. Complaining gets none of us anywhere, collaborating is the key to everyone's success. You guys rock and you know it.
Celeste - You're right. WA Price is a fine organization and we have deep respect for its values and its people. We were just shocked by the approach of someone representing the organization, but I should have known that it had no reflection on WAP.
Tim...
I have been to the farm...your farm...and I am very impressed at your thoughtfulness, perseverance and compassion for your animals...let it go...she [and her ilk] can never get it...let her go...
My comment is only slightly related to this post, but have you previously posted about your AI or embryo transfer methods, experiences, or the resulting calves?
If it is possible, the details of AI/embryo transfer process would be interesting.
What is your source for grass-based Murray Gray semen? Are all your cattle AI'd or do you use a bull to service most of your cows (and only AI the 'best' ones)?
Since you seem to be focusing on embryo-transfer, are you planning on having a maternally-based herd drawn from a handful of donor cows?
Hi Tim,
I'm one of the long time Weston Price chapterleaders in Georgia. Cathy called today to tell me about this and I'm so sorry it happened. The person who wrote is very young...early 20s...and has flown off the handle on another issue with the same type of posts. They are no longer officially associated with the Weston Price Foundation.
I own the two Ga yahoo groups many people post to so have followed Liz and your work on your farm since you first wrote about it. I know the energy and commitment you both put into producing high quality products so of course it's a blow when someone comes at you like that.
I'm so glad you're going to the WP conference and hope you have a chance to meet Sally. But even there's no time to talk to her, the conference itself will be fabulous. I think you both will come away knowing how committed we eaters are to supporting the work of people like you, who grow our food.
And again as a chapterleader, I can say this does not at all represent what Weston Price is about and it shouldn't have happened.
Take care and enjoy the conference,
Lynn Razaitis