Professor Gary Brady-Herndon
English 122
November 11, 2013
Annotated Biography
Chait, Jennifer. "Free-Range." About.com Organic Business. About Organic, n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2013.
The article Free Range by Jennifer Chait explained the meaning of Free Range Farms and the differences between Organic and Free Range Farming. Free Range Farms are described as meat and produce from animals that were allowed to roam freely or had access to outdoor spaces. Organic Foods though the animal should be allowed to roam and graze freely like Free Range Farms, must be certified and meet a stringent criteria. Free Range Farms can also be referred to as Free-roaming, Cage-free or Pasture raised.
Free Range Farms are often confused with Organic Farms, explain above they are similar but have differences. Free Range farming incorporates meats eggs and dairy farming. I hope to explain further in my paper the definitions of Free Range. What allows farmers to claim Free Range and what consumers should look for when wanting authentic Free Range Farming products?

Pritchard, Forrest. "3 Secrets of Free-Range Farms." Smith Meadows. Smith Meadows, 24 May 2013. Web. 11 Nov. 2013.
In this very informative article by Forrest Pritchard, 3 Secrets of Free-Range Farms the importance of Free Range Farms on the eco-system and our environment is thoroughly explained. Pritchard explained the cycle where earth worms burrows through the soil irrigating; this helps farmers get ready for planting. Worms become food for livestock such as chickens; it is the circle of life. Free Range Farms need to grow grass year round to feed livestock, growing grass requires limited or no human or mechanical energy this allows Farmers to save on cost. Growing grass also creates moisture and provides a more fertile home for earth worms and other insect who aids in fertilization and irrigation of the soil.
Free Range Farming preserves the Earth. It is apparent in American History that the American Indians farmed and hunted. They did not cage their animals and alter them with toxins. Animals were not inhumanly mutilated but were given a clean kill. The land was planted and harvested without harsh pesticides. Pesticides such as round-up used in farming today get into our rivers and streams affecting our water supply. Animals drink this polluted water and humans consume these animals; it is a vicious cycle. Humans must respect the land and the environment; this will yield produce and help preserve animal and insect population and species.

Niman, Nicolette H. "A Way to Save America's Bees: Buy Free-Range Beef." The Atlantic. The Atlantic, 14 July 2011. Web. 11 Nov. 2013.
Niman expressed concerns regarding the decline in the bee population and what the decline in bees will do to pollination and plant production; this is becoming an alarming issue. Niman explained in her article A Way to Save America's Bees: Buy Free-Range Beef, states that the preservation of rangeland are not only a more human way to farm livestock but it has significant economic value for farms that need pollinators such as bees. Niman’s findings was based on study from the University of California Berkley, it was found that grazing lands provide critical habitats for wild bees and other pollinators.
The declining bee population is a concern in today’s environment. Bees are the main pollinators of plants. When the bee population dwindle so do plants, vegetation and trees life; what would happen to our environment and eventually our world without vegetation and plant life? There will be no life. Researchers have found that Free Range Farming helps the bee population by providing a safe open home and plenty of nourishments for the insect. Not only is Free Range Farming great for the soil but great for our winged friends, large and small.

The Organic and Free-Range Myth." PETA.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2013.
Although there are many reasons to support Free Range Farms, many people do not believe they are legit. Stated in a magazine article by PETA The Organic and Free Range Myth, animals on Free Range Farms, may have more area in which to roam, but many of the same factory farming practices are apply on Free Range Farms. Cattles have their horns and testicles cut off, birds are de-beaked all with no pain killers. The animals are taken to the same slaughter houses as factory farmed animals, hung upside down and their throat slit.
In interview and research it was found that consumers buy Free Range products and produce because of their minimal preservatives and the better treatment of the animals. Humans are at the top of the food chain; meat is important for protein and considered a main staple in the average American family’s diet. Most people would like to consume meat guilt free. Consumers swear Free Range Farms meat taste better. Would consumers support factory farms after reviewing and research their practices? Most people do not know what animals go through before becoming dinner. With so many pro and positives in Free Range Farming and their products why do people not fully support these farms? The answer I got was the cost. Can Free Range be cheaper? Why would the consumer pay more money for seemingly the same product? How can consumers confirm if they are getting what they pay for, if a Farm is indeed Free Range? I hope to address all these concerns in-depth in my complete paper.

Benson, Jonathan. "FDA Targets Free-range, Pastured Poultry and Eggs with Ridiculous New Draft Guidance Pushing for All Chickens to Be Raised Indoors."NaturalNews. Natural News, 10 Sept. 2013. Web. 12 Nov. 2013.
Benson article explains issues small farmers, Free Range farmers face from the Government. The FDA Food and Drug Administration are currently threatening to eliminate true free range and pasture poultry eggs. The new draft guidance suggests “All egg producers with 3,000 or more laying hens be forced to raise their birds indoors to avoid bacterial contamination, which would eliminate consumer access to chicken and eggs from birds raised naturally outdoors on pasture.” This guidance will force farmer to build tall fencing and roofing over the areas in which chicken typically would have roamed freely.
A good counter to this new law by the FDA is researching factory farms and the many diseases and issues they encounter. Stated in Factory Farm Map, “In 2010, the crowded unsanitary conditions at two Iowa egg companies caused a recall of more than half a billion potentially Salmonella tainted eggs.” Free Range Farming is just that ‘free’ where the animal will be in contact with environmental elements, it being the weather or a coyote; this was a hazard of farming our fathers and fore fathers before them dealt with. Animals maybe more protected from these elements being raised indoors, but who is going to help us when we are affected medically by the chemicals and GMO’s (Genetically Modified Organisms) pumped into products and produce from factory farms.
I have gathered over 20 sources and am pondering avenues on where my main thesis should lead, ‘Support Free Range Farms’. Through research I am learning how complex free range farming can be; to the environment, the economy, the lives and treatment of animals even on a political and medical stand point. I am also going to interview a farmer in Fort Morgan a friend of mine father, Edmond Genho. I have watched many videos on EarthLink as well.
Another question is; would I become vegetarian after researching and writing this paper, I am finding much darkness in my fellow man.