How to avoid GM foods now

Non-GMO corn drying in our hot house right now! We know it is non-GMO because we bought seed that was specially bred for organic growers to prevent cross-pollination with GM varieties that might be growing nearby . Healthy deliciousness for humans and animals!

In our upcoming mid-term election, citizens here in Oregon are being asked to vote on Measure 92, which if passed would require the labeling of genetically modified foods sold here in Oregon. A similar measure is on the ballot in Colorado right now as well.

Perhaps it comes as no surprise to learn that folks have been asking Casey and me for our opinions on this measure. We are farmers after all, so we think about such things, and theoretically this measure could affect us too as farmers as well as consumers. Generally speaking, I prefer to keep my voting choices private, and I really don’t feel confident anymore in encouraging others to vote one way or another (perhaps I was “cured” of that confidence after campaigning so enthusiastically for Ralph Nader back in 2000 — that election didn’t go how I expected it to!). Especially with complex, far-reaching legislation, I feel quite nervous about accurately predicting the future impacts and significance. So, in spite of many requests, we have decided to not express a public opinion in regards to Measure 92. I encourage people to read the materials available and listen to the voices from people who are confident in giving voting advice.

If everything that contains GMOs really does get labeled accurately, it will be quite the wake up call for some consumers. Because, if you haven’t realized it yet, the bulk of the processed foods available contain genetically modified ingredients. If a food contains soy, canola, corn, or beet sugar and is not labeled “no GMOs” or “organic,” that food product contains genetically modified ingredients.

Perhaps part of my hesitancy in whole-heartedly endorsing Measure 92 resides in this: after reading the legislation thoroughly, I do not believe it would change how I shop. I believe that I would still seek out foods labeled as “Non-GMO” and “Organic,” and I would not trust an unlabeled food to necessarily be safe. There’s quite a lot of wiggle room in the legislation, not quite a lot of teeth, and some significant foods that will be untouched (for example, animal products from animals that have been fed GM-feeds will not require labels, and for me, this is a critical place to have knowledge when making my food choices). Folks, I want to be damned sure the food I am eating is not genetically modified. Someday, when I have not just quit drinking coffee at the same time that I have a teething toddler, I want to spend more time here talking about why avoiding genetically modified foods is so important to us as farmers and eaters. But tonight my brain is a bit fried, and all this political talk has me feel itchy (can you tell that I am not in my element when it comes to politics?).

But, back to my own purchasing choices: Having been through the organic certification process on our farm six times, I can tell you firsthand that it is a rigorous process. Knowing that GM seeds and GM feed are strictly prohibited from any organic foods (and that this prohibition is followed up with careful paperwork and inspection) is the confidence that I need when choosing foods at the store. When purchasing from other farmers, I trust their due diligence and open communication on the topic.

So, I suppose some of my ambivalence about this particular measure relate to its gaps and a concern that the passage of such a labeling law could give false confidence. A consumer who starts seeing “genetically modified ingredients” at the store would naturally assume anything unlabeled is free, and from what I read in the measure, I do not believe this will be the case. I think that many products will fall through the cracks, and animal products as a whole will not reflect the nature of their feed. Folks, with animal products, you are eating what they are eating. I understand why this was left out of the proposed law, because it would be incredibly huge and expensive to accurately label products from animals being fed GM-crops. But, to me, it is a very significant gap and one that, again, could create some false confidence. (Oh, and by the way, once again if an animal product doesn’t make the claim of “no-GMO feed,” the animal has most likely been fed genetically modified crops by way of GM corn, soy or alfalfa.)

To be clear, I’m not saying any of this to suggest you should vote “no,” for it also seems possible that the law could have all the positive ramifications proposed by its proponents! This law could pass and become the first important victory in Monsanto’s future downfall! Oh, how wonderful that would be! If you believe that to be the case, then please vote for the measure!!! In fact, if I think of Measure 92 purely in terms of a battle against Monsanto, then I think, “oh yes, let’s do it!” But if I think of it from the perspective of a future consumer looking for 100% accurate information about food in the stores, then I feel less sure that the measure will provide quite the total transparency it claims. Like I said above, predicting the future implications of something so complicated makes me feel nervous. And itchy.

I think people should know what they are eating, for sure. Yes, yes, yes. And, I feel confident today that I have choices for healthy clean food. And that is the good news I wanted to share with you. I wanted to remind you that the USDA organic label really does mean something, in spite of criticisms that get lobbed at it by folks who want it to “mean more.” With each passing year (and as more genetically modified crops are approved for use), I am so grateful to have that label as a consumer. I am also grateful for all the direct-marketing farmers like ourselves who do all the due diligence to grow healthy non-GM crops without the use of synthetic chemicals. I am especially grateful for those local farmers, because from them we can learn even more about our food: how the farmers prevent erosion; how they treat their workers; how they contribute to their wider community. These things matter to me too. At the end of the day, the how on the farm is what matters. But that organic label is still mighty useful when at a store.

Whew, am I done yet? This felt like a requisite newsletter, but can I go back to waxing poetic about vegetables and the season now? I hope so! (For what it’s worth, my 20-something self would have had no problem writing this newsletter, but the longer I live, the less sure I become of my own opinions! Experience is humbling!)

Wishing you a clear and thoughtful mind as you approach you ballot in coming weeks. For now, savor some non-GM goodness, and enjoy this week’s vegetables!

Your farmers, Katie & Casey Kulla

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Pumpkin Patch Open House this weekend!!!! Sunday, 2 -4 pm

Our fall CSA Open House is coming up this weekend! Please join us for a fun afternoon. The festivities include:

• Pumpkin picking!
• Live music by a new local trio, Awaken Jane (I am so excited to hear them play!!!)
• Farm tour by Farmer Casey (starting at 3 pm)
• Pepper variety tasting

Directions to the farm: Take HWY-18 to the Dayton exit. Drive through Dayton and head south on Wallace Rd / HWY 221. Stay on that road for about seven miles. Turn LEFT onto Grand Island Rd (you’ll see signs for Heiser’s Farm, which is also on the island). Go over the big bridge onto Grand Island. At the first intersection on the island, keep going straight. You’ll go over another small bridge. After that bridge, turn RIGHT onto the gravel driveway (there’s a Carlton Plants sign at the road). Follow the gravel driveway until it ends at our farm! Parking will be along the gravel, so when you start to see cars, park and then walk the rest of the way in.

Let’s all keep our fingers crossed for fine weather! Some years we’re basking in sunshine at our pumpkin patch open house, and other years it’s been a deluge. So it goes! Join us either way!

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Meet this week’s vegetables:

• Salad mix
• Pears
  
• Brussels sprouts — We almost always cook our Brussels sprouts the same way. It’s a real winner in our house with everyone, including the kiddos. First, clean and trim the Brussels sprouts. Use a paring knife to trim off the butt and then throw them in some water to soak and rinse. Some of the outer leaves will generally float off in the process. Then slice each sprout in half (maybe quarters for the biggest ones) and add to a pan with butter and sauteed onions/garlic. Saute over medium heat until the sprouts are cooked through and beginning to caramelize (covering the pan with a lid for a period of time will help in the cooking process). Simple and so good.
• Pie pumpkins — We love baking with the flesh from pie pumpkins! If you’re new to pumpkin-not-from-a-can, it’s super easy. Place pumpkin on a pan and poke the top a couple times with a knife. Then bake at 350° until soft all the way through (it will likely deflate a bit in the process!). Pull it out and cut it in half to let it cool. Once it’s cool enough to touch, gentle scoop out the seeds and stringy bits with a spoon. Then scoop the remaining flesh away from the skin. You can use this cooked pumpkin in place of canned pumpkin in any recipe. Our favorite is this delicious grain-free pumpkin muffin recipe (I use half the amount of honey she calls for, and it’s perfect). If I have leftover cooked pumpkin and am tired of baking, I will heat it up in a pan with lots of butter and salt and then puree it with my hand blender. Makes a great side dish!
• Sweet peppers
• Tomatoes
  
• Carrots
  
• Potatoes
• Summer squash & zucchini