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International Biscuit Festival May 16-19
The International Biscuit Festival celebrates one of the most perfect foods. Yes, you guessed it, the biscuit. This year the event boasts live music, plenty to taste, a biscuit bake off, and a celebration of Southern culture. The festival takes place May 16-19, 2012 in Knoxville, TN.
“For the past two years, the International Biscuit Festival has created an experience in Knoxville that is authentic and fun,” said Kim Bumpas, President of Knoxville Tourism and Sports Corporation. “The Festival brings together biscuit makers, artists, musicians, vendors, and thousands of attendees to downtown to enjoy southern culture and home cooking. The event offers fun and exciting activities, and highlights Knoxville’s authentic culture throughout the weekend.”
Read more about the festival here.
Do cows really lie down when it rains?
Brad Johnson of the Salisbury Post takes on two popular livestock myths: "Do cow lie down when it rains?" and "Do goats eat tin cans?" Spoiler alert: The answer to both questions is "No," but Johnson does some research for us and explains his reasoning.
Farmers' Markets Return to Prague
In the past two years, farmers markets have returned to the Czech city of Prague and have been very popular with residents. There are now 26 weekly markets throughout the city. Jiří Sedláček is an organizer of three such markets. He was inspired by a trip to Switzerland where he saw successful local farmers markets in action.
Following the European Food Festival Trail
What better way to experience a culture than through its food? Lucy Gillmore of The Independent rounds up an incredible list of European food festivals, new and old, that are sure to make your mouth water. You may not be able to resist booking tickets today.
Trujillo is the location of the Spanish Cheese Festival (28 April-1 May), where you can taste hundreds of cheeses. Trujillo Villas Espana (trujillovillasespana.com) has five self-catering properties in the historic old town from £248 per person a week staying in the Artists Studio.
FDA Asks Drug Companies To Limit Animal Antibiotics Amid Health Concerns
The use of antibiotics in livestock is under scrutiny by the FDA, who argues their use will develop resistant strains of bacteria, which would resist antibiotics in humans as well, posing a serious health risk.
Antibiotic drugs like penicillin are routinely mixed with animal feed and water to help livestock, pigs and chickens put on weight and stay healthy in crowded feeding lots. Scientists have warned that such use leads to the growth of antibiotic-resistant germs that can be passed on to humans.
The FDA has struggled for decades with how to tackle the problem because the powerful agriculture industry argues the drugs are a key part of modern meat production.
Welsh Farmers Teach Urbanites the Art of Farm Life
After incurring a moderate amount of fame from appearing on BBC's "Lambing Live," Kate and Jim Beavan have opened their barn doors to the public. Their country life classes cover a variety of topics, including butchery, cider-making and lambing. It's not always easy for the students:
Paul Mapstone, erstwhile computing whiz-kid and urbanite, tugs gently on a pair of legs protruding from the ewe beside him and observes with concern that, slippery hooves aside, there is little as yet to show for his midwifery efforts in the lambing shed.
"He just doesn't want to come out," he says, a note of desperation creeping into a hitherto tranquil demeanour. But the man next to him, Jim Beavan – farmer, proud Welshman and lamber extraordinaire – sees no cause for panic. He once delivered 2,000 lambs in 17 days.
Vermont Farmers Lobby for Dairy Insurance Program
Vermont farmers want the dairy industry to be a little more reliable, and the Dairy Security Act would offer farmers voluntary insurance coverage, guaranteeing a return on their investment:
With milk prices dropping because of increased production nationwide — particularly west of the Mississippi — Vermont dairy farmers once again are worried about staying in business, just three years after declining milk prices and increasing costs in 2009 threatened the survival of many Vermont farms.
“Everybody was hit in 2009; dairy farmers in the Northeast especially were hit very hard,” Mark Magnan said on his farm outside of Fairfield earlier this week. “Fuel went up; fertilizer costs went up.”
Magnan said this year is beginning to look a lot like 2009.
Brooklyn Whiz Turns NYPD Van into Portable Grilled Cheese Biz
With a little TLC, an old NYPD van became a grilled cheese-centric food truck. "Morris Grilled Cheese" is quickly becoming known in the neighborhoods of DUMBO, Chelsea, and Midtown, serving up sandwiches and egg creams.
“I wanted to take a step into something that wasn’t high risk,” said Jacober who launched Morris Grilled Cheese last January selling nosh like the $10 Croque Monsieur melt - smoked ham, pickled spring onion with provolone.
“It’s not like investing in a restaurant where the start up costs are much higher,” said Jacober who lives in Park Slope and is a former cook at fancy spots like Per Se in Columbus Circle.
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Photo by Steven Depolo
Flock of miniature sheep "invades" Penrith
Made from natural sheep's wool, more than 4,500 tiny sheep have been put on display to raise awareness of farming, as part of the Flock art project in Cumbria, U.K.
One of the key elements of the project is to promote the use of sustainable and biodegradable wool from sheep farmed in the Cumbrian fells as a natural alternative to man-made materials.
After Penrith, the exhibition will visit Farfield Mill in Sedbergh and the Sheep and Wool Centre in Cockermouth before arriving at Grizedale Visitor Centre in September.
A film titled Hefted, which deals with the theme of how sheep - and people - feel a sense of belonging to their landscape, will premiere alongside the art installation.
Cow Escapes New Jersey Slaughterhouse
A 750 pound cow was running rogue through the streets of Patterson, New Jersey after it apparently escaped from a slaughterhouse. Talk about stopping traffic!
Animal control officer John De Cando tells The Record newspaper (http://bit.ly/IqWC6F) it was like "Dodge City" with police cars trying to corral the 750-pound animal. But the cow managed to break loose.
De Cando tranquilized the cow after it became trapped between a fire hydrant and a truck.
De Cando says the slaughterhouse owner has promised to take the animal to a farm.
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Photo by Julie A Brown
