“My life is balanced; it’s time for
me to give back,” remarks Biga. Fees
globalbrief
recent changes as a good thing.
for consulting services are unbiased,
“The cost of certifying organic
negotiable and contingent on circum-
Good Food
can be prohibitive if you are a be-
stances. Birth parents are never charged
ginning farmer,” Crawford explains,
New Farm Bill Favors Sustainable
a fee. Biga’s one-on-one consulting
“when, for three years, you are using
and Organic Farming
allows each person(s) the opportunity to
organic methods, but still getting paid
For most of its 70-plus year history, the
explore their own specific and personal
conventional prices.” He says that is
term ‘farm bill’ has conjured vast acre-
issues in regard to adoption and then
the reason why many of his neigh-
ages of uniform rows of subsidized corn
assess readiness. Once determined, he
bors ultimately decide not to convert.
and soybeans stretching toward the hori-
passionately walks the adoption path
Crawford considers helpful new farm
zon. Once the purview of a few farmers
with those who heed the call to parent
bill programs as imperative in ensuring
and fewer big agriculture lobbyists, today,
and with birth parents who choose “the
that U.S. producers can meet consum-
everyday people have started to notice
adoption option.”
ers’ rising demand for organic foods.
that federal farm legislation is also about
Among other provisions, the
the quality of our food and the environ-
Bill Biga is an independent adoption
current farm bill provides individual
ment. The attention of these conscien-
consultant located in Boones Mill, Vir-
producers up to $750 to offset the aver-
tious eaters is making a difference.
ginia. For more information,
age $1,000 cost of certifying organic.
Last May, the most recent farm
call 540-312-0054 or visit
Another new program provides up to
bill—the $300 billion Food, Conser-
adoptionserver@yahoo.com.
$20,000 a year in financial assistance
vation and Energy Act of 2008—was
to support conservation practices
signed into law. The good news is that
Dr. Victor Groza is an Associate Profes-
related to the transition from conven-
this new bill gives greater support than
sor and the Interim Associate Dean for
tional to organic systems. This, accord-
ever before to sustainable farming and
Reseach and Training at Case Western
ing to Crawford and others, goes a long
food systems.
Reserve University in Ohio. “Clinical
way toward making the conversion to
Yes, additional measures are still
and Practice Issues in Adoption”, edited
organic tenable for farmers. It all means
needed to make healthy food and
by Victor Groza and Karen Rosenberg,
that more healthy, sustainably produced
sustainable farming practices a more
presents seven professional articles on
food will be available to the public.
central focus of legislation. But or-
the theory and practice of infant-placed
ganic farming has received a big boost,
To learn more, visit Sustainable
and older adoptions. Source: Interview
thanks to grassroots efforts. Jim Craw-
Agriculture.net and check out the
with Victor Groza, by Allison Martin;
ford, who has owned and operated
National Sustainable Agriculture Co-
comeunity.com/adoption/Groza.html.
New Morning Farm, in south-central
alition’s Grassroots Guide to the 2008
Pennsylvania, since 1972, sees the
Farm Bill.
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