Comments on: Petaluma Poultry Pioneers http://jcarrot.org/petaluma-poultry-pioneers Jews, Food, and Contemporary Issues Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:20:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Avigail http://jcarrot.org/petaluma-poultry-pioneers/comment-page-1#comment-14901 Avigail Tue, 31 Mar 2009 12:21:31 +0000 http://jcarrot.org/?p=4870#comment-14901 I meant kitchen, not chicken scraps. Sigh. That's what I get for posting comments pre-coffee. I meant kitchen, not chicken scraps. Sigh. That’s what I get for posting comments pre-coffee.

]]> By: Avigail http://jcarrot.org/petaluma-poultry-pioneers/comment-page-1#comment-14900 Avigail Tue, 31 Mar 2009 12:17:08 +0000 http://jcarrot.org/?p=4870#comment-14900 The Hazon food conference happens in California's South Bay whereas Petaluma is North Bay, but I want to make sure that people get a chance to see that film about our favorite Comrades and Chicken Ranchers (the title of the book about the same community). When I was growing up, and then when I lived in Portland, Oregon I had a couple of chickens in my yard - they're amazing at turning chicken scraps into food and quite charming to look at. We were no where near this scale of egg production, but I liked to think of myself in the tradition of Jewish poultry farmers...regardless, it was always amusing to watch the chickens peck around the yard. Thanks, Adam, for sharing this. The Hazon food conference happens in California’s South Bay whereas Petaluma is North Bay, but I want to make sure that people get a chance to see that film about our favorite Comrades and Chicken Ranchers (the title of the book about the same community). When I was growing up, and then when I lived in Portland, Oregon I had a couple of chickens in my yard – they’re amazing at turning chicken scraps into food and quite charming to look at. We were no where near this scale of egg production, but I liked to think of myself in the tradition of Jewish poultry farmers…regardless, it was always amusing to watch the chickens peck around the yard.

Thanks, Adam, for sharing this.

]]> By: Delilah http://jcarrot.org/petaluma-poultry-pioneers/comment-page-1#comment-14873 Delilah Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:24:19 +0000 http://jcarrot.org/?p=4870#comment-14873 I saw the movie you mention at the SF Jewish Film festival a few years ago. It's quite charming! I saw the movie you mention at the SF Jewish Film festival a few years ago. It’s quite charming!

]]> By: Mark Hurvitz http://jcarrot.org/petaluma-poultry-pioneers/comment-page-1#comment-14861 Mark Hurvitz Mon, 30 Mar 2009 15:31:19 +0000 http://jcarrot.org/?p=4870#comment-14861 Those interested in learning a bit more about the precursors of this phenomenon might want to check out: Jewish agricultural utopias in America, 1880-1910 by R. Uri D. Herscher who is now the director of the president of the Skirball Center in Los Angeles. `//rite On! ,\\ark Hurvitz Those interested in learning a bit more about the precursors of this phenomenon might want to check out:

Jewish agricultural utopias in America, 1880-1910 by R. Uri D. Herscher who is now the director of the president of the Skirball Center in Los Angeles.

`//rite On!
,\\ark Hurvitz

]]> By: Adam Jackson, Editor-in-Chief http://jcarrot.org/petaluma-poultry-pioneers/comment-page-1#comment-14845 Adam Jackson, Editor-in-Chief Sun, 29 Mar 2009 20:29:56 +0000 http://jcarrot.org/?p=4870#comment-14845 It's fascinating to hear about your grandfather, Susan; I'm sure he'd be proud of your involvement in the field of food nowadays. And I wish I could have tasted his eggs. Do you remember him making any particular egg dishes when you were growing up, if he was still alive? I find your comment about respecting those who pass on valuable traditions a poignant one. Sometimes it seems that what is lacking is the political will from a bureaucratic context to support people who want to grow food and raise animals humanely. As you say, sometimes financial pressures, skewed subsidies for agribusiness and the lack of government incentives and support for humane farming have caused honorable farmers who deserve our respect for their hard work and good intentions to turn away from farming, or towards less healthy modes of production. Where in Pennsylvania was your grandparents' farm? Did they come with farming experience from the "old country" or was it something they took on as a new profession in the USA? It’s fascinating to hear about your grandfather, Susan; I’m sure he’d be proud of your involvement in the field of food nowadays. And I wish I could have tasted his eggs. Do you remember him making any particular egg dishes when you were growing up, if he was still alive?

I find your comment about respecting those who pass on valuable traditions a poignant one. Sometimes it seems that what is lacking is the political will from a bureaucratic context to support people who want to grow food and raise animals humanely. As you say, sometimes financial pressures, skewed subsidies for agribusiness and the lack of government incentives and support for humane farming have caused honorable farmers who deserve our respect for their hard work and good intentions to turn away from farming, or towards less healthy modes of production.

Where in Pennsylvania was your grandparents’ farm? Did they come with farming experience from the “old country” or was it something they took on as a new profession in the USA?

]]> By: Susan http://jcarrot.org/petaluma-poultry-pioneers/comment-page-1#comment-14844 Susan Sun, 29 Mar 2009 19:22:56 +0000 http://jcarrot.org/?p=4870#comment-14844 My grandparents had post World War II chicken egg farm in Pennsylvania. The chickens were always treated respectfully and honored for their production of eggs. As modes of production changed, my Grandfather couldn't keep up with the new production techniques of industrialized farms - caging hens, hormones, and artificial feeds. He sold the farm, and is now not alive to witness the turnabout as more people seek free-range eggs and chicken meat. I think the story about Petaluma reminds us that there are always those among us who carry on certain traditions, and often good values, despite the noise of latest trends and innovations. My grandparents had post World War II chicken egg farm in Pennsylvania. The chickens were always treated respectfully and honored for their production of eggs. As modes of production changed, my Grandfather couldn’t keep up with the new production techniques of industrialized farms – caging hens, hormones, and artificial feeds. He sold the farm, and is now not alive to witness the turnabout as more people seek free-range eggs and chicken meat. I think the story about Petaluma reminds us that there are always those among us who carry on certain traditions, and often good values, despite the noise of latest trends and innovations.

]]> By: Making Love In The Kitchen http://jcarrot.org/petaluma-poultry-pioneers/comment-page-1#comment-14843 Making Love In The Kitchen Sun, 29 Mar 2009 16:42:00 +0000 http://jcarrot.org/?p=4870#comment-14843 I heart chickens! To my families dismay, I know longer eat them at our Friday night dinner- but there is nothing better than happy hens. I heart chickens! To my families dismay, I know longer eat them at our Friday night dinner- but there is nothing better than happy hens.

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