As a tax-paying adult, anything that requires my money generally is “too expensive.” Gas. Cell phone plans. Taxes. Insurance. New minivans. Taxes. Our children’s future college education. (Shudder.)

Last week was my reminder that food should NOT be among them. It was Food Checkout Week – the week when an average family of four like mine earned enough money since Jan. 1 to pay for a year’s worth of food. We as Americans spend less of our disposable income on food than any other country in the world. And fewer than 2 percent of Americans produce it!

In other words, our food is the most affordable on earth in part because of the productivity of farmers and ranchers. That puts my grocery bill in perspective.

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Our family farm started in 1953. Since then, our farm has grown to support eight families. We feel lucky to have a family that shares a passion for farming and works together to grow food for many families.

Here’s a new recipe to try with your family featuring one of our favorites, beef!

Beef & Vegetable Skillet

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I was standing at the Farm King checkout, waiting for my husband to pay for our Plan B attack on a mounding mole problem, when a farm magazine with colorful cauliflower on the cover persuaded me to pick it up. No grocery store tabloid tempts me to the point of touching, but I’m a sucker for anything about farms and gardening.

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First and foremost, I am a northsider.  I was born and bred to be a Cubs, Bears, Blackhawks, and Bulls fan.  I was born in Evanston and raised in Des Plaines.  I love deep-dish pizza with a sausage patty from Gino’s East, although I would never turn down Lou’s, either!  My farmer husband, John, grew up on the farm where we live and raise our three children, Bella, Mae, and Nolan.  We currently own and operate a 9,600 head pig facility, and raise corn and soybeans.  Through watching my husband work, reading farming magazines, and attempting to “help”, I have learned many things.  Here are a few of the things that I have taken to heart:

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It's days like today that make me dread the rain.  It is about 33 degrees rainy, misty and windy.  Days like these make it hard on our outdoor livestock.  It is easy to get wet and chilled and like humans, that makes your immune system work harder.  It is muddy and sloppy, one degree colder and at least things would be frozen.  Now on the other hand, our wells are really low from lack of rain throughout the summer and fall.  That means any moisture we get is a blessing, so I shouldn’t complain!  Easier said than done.

The hoop!

Today I am thankful that a few years back we built a large hoop building to feed cattle in.

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I am not a coupon-savvy shopper by any means, but I usually go for “store brand” items most of the time.  Recently, I was able to take my time and double-check prices and brands on milk.  I've always said that "milk is milk is milk", regardless of the label.  It is all safe and nutritious, and you can take your pick in the dairy case of whatever suits you and your family.

There is a really cool trick you can try at home with your milk.  Go to:  www.whereismymilkfrom.com, and type in a 4 or 5 digit code that is printed on every dairy product, next to the "use by date" info.

 

 

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