The Good American Post is dedicated to ensuring that our local food systems are SUSTAINABLE!  That means that we would not be dependent on any imports into our community – that we can provide for ourselves and our communities.  Please help us in this effort of gather information across the country of local farmers and producers that we can support locally with our “dollar”.

If you are a farmer or producer that wants to be included on this list, please email us at:  goodamericanpost@gmail.com

College Park, MD – Say the word “sustainable,” and most people in agriculture agree it means increased profits, sound stewardship of the air, water and soil, and improved quality of life for farming communities. But how do you get there? There are almost as many ways to achieve these goals as there are farms and ranches in America.

That is why the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program created What is Sustainable Agriculture?, a 12-page sampler of best practices in sustainable production. Along with descriptions of techniques, this full-color publication includes eight profiles from around the country of producers, researchers and educators who have implemented them to reap success.

What is Sustainable Agriculture? illustrates many of the tried-and-true methods for making agriculture more sustainable, including grazing, cover crops, on-farm energy conservation and production, marketing, conservation tillage, and more. In one profile, an Oregon couple used riparian buffers and rotational grazing strategies to triple their beef production while reviving their waterways. In another, a Connecticut Extension agent is showing local vegetable growers how to save money by slashing their pesticide use. In a third, a Texas researcher has spent years showing producers that they can help overcome a looming water crisis by establishing integrated cotton, forage and livestock systems.

What is Sustainable Agriculture? is not meant as a strict prescription for attaining better profits, better stewardship and better communities. Rather, readers will find it a concise and informative introduction to the widely varied landscape of sustainable agriculture. Hopefully, it will inspire producers across the country to see that they, too, can begin implementing sustainable practices on their farms and ranches.

Download SARE’s What is Sustainable Agriculture? for free at http://www.sare.org/publications/whatis.htm. To order print copies visit www.sare.org/WebStore, call 301/374-9696 or write to SARE Outreach, PO Box 753, Waldorf, Maryland 20604-0753. (Please specify title requested when ordering by mail.) Allow 3-4 weeks for delivery. Call 301/374-9696 for more information on bulk, rush or international shipments.

Published by SARE Outreach for the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program and features work supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), USDA. SARE’s mission is to advance – to the whole of American agriculture – innovations that improve profitability, stewardship and quality of life by investing in groundbreaking research and education. SARE Outreach operates under cooperative agreements with the University of Maryland and the University of Vermont to develop and disseminate information about sustainable agriculture. For more information visit www.sare.org.

In an article in Politico, one can see where members of the press may not be so happy with the current administration’s lack of disseminating information to the public.

Although this administration claims to be more transparent than any other, the truth is that they are not.  They have had less day-to-day interaction with the press and both the President and the press secretary are harder to reach than other administration.

Some may argue that this makes the message coming from the White House easier to control.

At the end of the day, the American people need the truth, and then they can decide for themselves what they like or dislike.  And, although it is arguably impossible for any reporter or media resource to be 100% unbiased (because we are all human and all have opinions), it would certainly make sense for media to at least have more access to the President.

We need new media, we need real people in Washington, and we have a lot of work to do.

Read the complete article HERE.

Another story about the amount and unsustainable nature of the amount of debt our country is incurring and will continue to incur in the President’s 2011 budget is not revisited.

How is it possible that the leaders of this country knowingly pass budgets that cannot be paid for?  And why in the world would some of these folks thinks that a TAX (value-added tax) would be the “cure” to raising more revenues when people are struggling beyond belief now?

The solution is to stop spending money we don’t have!  That is certainly what they would tell me and my company if I were doing what they are doing.  And doesn’t it sound so simple yet “they” would tell you how complex it is and tell you that such a move would be impossible and hurt us?  IT WILL HURT US NO MORE THAN IF WE CRUSH OUR ENTIRE ECONOMY.  As a matter of fact, we should wipe the slate clean and start over.

I am not an economist, I am not an “expert” in fiscal policy, I am not a politician.  I am an American and a small-business owner.  I think these guys should stop the income tax (which is arguably illegal anyway) (and so many people already DON’T PAY) (ever notice how honesty and working hard doesn’t pay off?), institute a flat-tax, and let people WORK, let people interact with a truly free-market.  Drastic times call for drastic measures – that does not mean catapulting over 300 million people into a unsustainable future with more taxes and more debt.

There MUST be a solution, and it is up to us the American people to find leadership to institute such, as well as become leaders ourselves.

-Tisha Casida

First of all, it is preposterous that in the name of crime, that law enforcement can access to real-time information about where people are located.  YES – I am sure it can benefit investigations, however at the same time, it could easily be used to track and pinpoint protesters and otherwise slightly unruly but LAW-ABIDING citizens.  There is a difference between someone defending our constitutional rights (and privacy) and someone leading a drug-trafficking ring, but with the current laws and administration this fine line could easily be white-washed.

I am 100% for this Country and for having protection from law-enforcement and national defense mechanisms.  I am NOT in favor of swapping my liberty for my security – at the micro-level this would mean that I do not want big-brother to have access to my cell phone records.  Be wary, this kind of behavior is being watched by magistrates and some other very good public officials, but it is going to take an outcry from the American people and the American consumer to make a difference.

Story is HERE.

By Tisha Casida

We are looking for stories about our troops – active duty and retired – that have given to our country and to our freedom.  Please send your stories to goodamericanpost@gmail.com, and let us share this with our readers.

Thank you to our troops for everything that you do for this fine Country!

SPC Francesco Boccia,a Combat Medic with C Co 1-185th Armor Battalion California Army National Guard, is the 22 year old son of Huerfano County (Colorado) resident, Debbie Boccia.

Frank joined the National Guard 3 years ago and did his basic training at Ft. Benning, Georgia. He did his medical training at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas and works as a civilian firefighter/EMT in Los Angeles County, California. Frank deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in August of 2008. Debbie says he plans on staying in the medical field, whether in the service or in the private sector. Valorie, Frank’s sister, and Debbie have much to be proud of in this fine young man.

Thank you, SPC Francesco Boccia, for serving those around you, us and our country! You are one of our heroes.

Have a soldier to be featured?  Email us at:  goodamericanpost@gmail.com