Organic, non-GMO, grass-fed... what do they all mean?

There are so many buzzwords and labels and opinions floating around when it comes to sourcing healthy food. If you want to have confidence in the food you are feeding your family, it is important to understand what terms like “grass-fed” and “free range” and “all natural” really mean. Join me for this fascinating conversation with Tara as she shares what she has learned from her years of experience in the dairy farming industry and how she navigates the complexities of our current food system.
In this episode, we cover:
- Diving into the information overload available to us on the internet
- An examination of the “organic” label and what it does and does not mean
- Why the rBST labels on dairy products are misleading
- How to know what terms are actually beneficial on food labels
- A discussion on GMOs and hybrid crops
- Why it is important to understand the truth behind the buzzwords
- The simplicity of building your plate around animal protein
- Decoding the dairy aisle
- Finding the middle ground in the raw milk debate
- The importance of making your own informed decision
Thank you to our sponsors!
Azure Standard is a family-owned company dedicated to providing you with high quality, affordable organic, natural, and non-GMO groceries, health, and household products. Place your order at www.azurestandard.com/ and use the code SIMPLEFARMHOUSEWINTER10 to receive 10% off your purchase. This promotion expires February 29, 2024, and is only available for the first-time Azure customer order, with a minimum of $50 order (orders to drop locations only). One time use per customer.
Toups and Co Organics uses nourishing, organic ingredients to create simple and safe skincare products. Toups and Co is offering my listeners 10% off any one purchase with the code FARMHOUSE. Visit toupsandco.com/ to order today.
ABOUT TARA
As a fifth-generation dairy farmer hailing from the beautiful state of New Mexico, Tara has built a successful career out of a love for the land and her roots in agriculture. As an environmental scientist, Tara has worked on agricultural projects throughout the southwest, and as a professional speaker, her influence extends far beyond the borders of her home state. She has been invited to speak at prestigious national and global conferences, showcasing her knowledge and insights on agriculture sustainability.
Tara is also the co-host of the popular podcast and tv series Discover Ag where she melds food and pop culture to create captivating conversations that dive into the intricacies of our food system in a fun, light-hearted way. A fast talker with a quick wit, Tara engages audiences with her vibrant energy and captivating storytelling.
RESOURCES
Discover Ag Podcast: pod.link/1615443750
CONNECT
Tara Vander Dussen
Website: www.discoverag.com
Instagram: / taravanderdussen
Facebook: / themilkmanandmilkmaid
Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone
Blog: www.farmhouseonboone.com/
KZbin: / farmhouseonboone
Instagram: / farmhouseonboone
TikTok: / farmhouseonboone
Facebook: / farmhouseonboone
Pinterest: / _created
Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community: / 748012922264552
GET MORE FROM THIS EPISODE
Listen to this podcast episode:
View full show notes on the blog: simplefarmhouselifepodcast.co...

[@marge3157]

As a conventional cattle ranchers wife, I really appreciate this conversation.

[@morningstarhomestead]

I would prefer the label "glyphosate free" to non GMO

[@amandarada3242]

Ooh... I 2nd this motion!! ❤

[@homesteaddreams1000]

Yes!!!!

[@JnCFarmCO]

Many labels often mean next to nothing and generally not what consumers think. ❤thanks for spreading education! High hope for this episode!!

[@WildWestHomesteadMama]

I honestly love that I have received so much great and useful education the past few years on how to make my own Ferments, Herbs,🌿 Sourdough🥖🥐, cheese from Raw milk🧀🐄..etc.. The grocery store just isn't what it once was and the less we need to go in it the healthier💪 we will be🤍

[@Simplefarmhouselife]

Yes!

[@vickimontgomery5271]

Exactly!!

[@user-io4od6ve2e]

Many pediatrics offices are still pushing nonfat milk. I just smile and nod as i then question every following word that comes from their mouth 😂

[@birgitelisabeth9661]

I understand your approach but sometimes you also just have to switch doctors.

[@RuthEdelstein]

Speak up

[@kimwood6632]

The conversation about raw milk being banned "for our benefit" makes a direct connection to why Coke-a-Cola is buying milk. Corporate capture to profit, not to protect your health. I would be very wary of any milk product they put out. And when you spoke of GMO in feed, is it being tested for gylphesate?

[@birgitelisabeth9661]

The difference between simply crossing seeds to achieve a better product and genetically modified organisms (GMO) is that with GMO the DNA of an organism is altered in a way that you could not achieve in nature by simply crossing seeds. We do not know the effect of eating such altered organisms or even what effect they will have on the natural processes of our world in the long term. Everything is interconnected in some way, even the smallest of processes and even the slightest change can have significant and potentially devastating effects in the long term.

[@vickimontgomery5271]

Well said.

[@emilykelly2815]

Yes, it is definitely not just crossing seeds, it's actual plants that have the DNA edited. Who knows what editing goes on. They typically are then dependant on chemical applications in the fields and are also patented which is a whole other issue.

[@merijaydoconnor1506]

Also, they combine different species, for example adding BT to cotton and corn. Also, it's very hard to keep GMO crops from contaminating non GMO and organic. There is potential to do good with GMO's but we as consumers have the right to know what had been modified and all the environmental and health impacts for years to come need to be assessed before releasing them into production. Not to mention the way GMO crops contribute to farmer's committing suicide in India with the Roundup ready crops. So, there is a lot more to it than what was discussed in the podcast. But I appreciate the information that has been presented as a start.

[@emilywoodrum2933]

I was just researching this same topic yesterday. Thank you for the information, Lisa! I read grass fed can mean they've had grass at any point in their life. Not necessarily their entire life. 😮 I also learned, there is no wide spread standard for the label free range and pasture raised. They basically just say what that means to them and then they get the label. So often times, when we pay more for these labels, we're not getting what we think. Can't wait to listen to this podcast tonight when the kiddies go to bed!

[@kelliconlan8133]

This is one of the best pod cast I have listened to on your channel. Get to hear both of your view point and you having a CONVERSATION about them. Well done, ladies.

[@culturallydifferent]

It's a great conversation, especially when Lisa goes about how people can't discuss anything anymore. It's very annoying but absolutely true...

[@dhansonranch]

Very interesting conversation. I certainly agree with her assessment of organic - it is not all that folks think it is. But it certainly makes them feel better about their purchases. I wish there were those types of conversations you spoke of. But unfortunately, it always turns into a name calling, disrespectful diatribe. Thank you both for doing this.

[@vasgarcia]

I think with the gluten free labels, people are also concerned with where the food is processed and any possible cross contamination. I know that's the case with my sister-in-law anyway, who has Celiac disease. She won't buy things that don't say gluten free for fear of where it was processed.

[@elizabethbruner2686]

Coca-Cola producing milk, I will pass on that product!

[@Noname-cn4ly]

I would NEVER trust Coca Cola

[@nc8524]

I know- very disapponted to hear that too! The milk tastes good, but with food industries being "allowed" to not put " industry standards" on labels or hide bad ingredients under different terms, Im leery of it now. :( Thats too bad what happens to good products when big corporations buy them out.

[@amandathode4540]

More protein? The proteins are the issues to why people can’t have dairy allergies. Lactose is the most common known but Casin is the other that causes problems. I got a wild hair to try raw milk… NOPE! I about died.

[@lorim4863]

I heard they genetically modify things like corn and soy to withstand the toxic sprays and pesticides/herbicides like glyphosate which does damage to the gut in at least parts per million.

[@kellivossen8995]

Very few gmo crops but gmo corn which makes high fructose corn syrup which is in literally everything.

[@amysvob3066]

I don't understand why they didn't discuss this. It's as though it seemed she presented like its not a big deal.

[@dianasimplifies]

I just started listening did she seriously say there are very few gmo crops? That is simply not true. Not sure I want to stay tuned in that event.

[@juliegarmon]

Hi, loving this podcast, just have to add that I have celiac (was dx in 2007) and there are milk and milk products that contain gluten. Some store-brand products include it i their process. Thanks for this fascinating info! Xo

[@shannijones4587]

This has been my favorite podcast. I learned so much and I love the even keeled approach to all of it.

[@Simplefarmhouselife]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ImaOKay522]

Thanks ladies! Great discussion! 😊

[@Simplefarmhouselife]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@amysvob3066]

informative. I wish you both would have discussed more on glyphosate. Also find it interested they would sell to Coca Cola. I would suspect black rock and vanguard to be at the top of their shareholders. It's a shame being a large dairy farm they aren't consuming their own raw milk. I find that also interesting. I think it boils down to how everything has a label now and most of us recognize this.

[@Simplefarmhouselife]

the topic of food labels is unfortunately such a vast subject for us in America especially that one podcast just can't cover the whole subject...

[@HomemakerHelper]

Will you PLEASE do a summer capsule wardrobe this year?😂❤❤❤

[@brandiyoung4726]

I always felt the Kosher label meant better culling practices, cleaner butchering and quality control. I’m not Jewish and live in Central WV. I also put a lot of value in antibiotic free chicken to find that was just a trigger label. Label’s across America are very deceiving.

[@carolsuebane]

This was another great episode! Currently in my home state of Virginia, the sale of raw milk is illegal. Having a cow share is legal, so I am on the waitlist for that. We will pay for shared ownership of a dairy cow, which covers feed, lodging, etc. and have access to raw milk. Ironically there are two huge dairy farms within 10 miles or less of my home but they don’t offer cow shares.

[@Simplefarmhouselife]

Yes, it can be challenging depending on where you live...

[@pia9343]

I heard the receipt thing about 10 years ago. The powdery coating can cause illness.

[@malsierover182]

Yes it’s been awhile ago that we have heard of it too

[@rosepistilli223]

It's just really high in BPA

[@merijaydoconnor1506]

Just wash your hands or wear gloves when handling receipts when you are doing your accounting.

[@malsierover182]

@@merijaydoconnor1506 Good advice

[@a_butterfly2493]

Great podcast! Really informative and helpful

[@Simplefarmhouselife]

Thanks for listening

[@ashleyporter9330]

Good thing I don't buy Fairlife...

[@ozarkview928]

Thanks , A lot of common sense and educated information.

[@Simplefarmhouselife]

Glad it was helpful!

[@pattibealer]

She has very limited knowledge GMO’s. The seeds are sterile, and the genes are not interspecies inGMO crops. They aren’t corn to corn but adding non corn gene with a corn gene specifically to make them Round up ready. Meaning the herbicide is guarenteed to be sprayed onto the crops. You then have to go down the herbicide rabbit hole. It’s not just a sped up hybridize activity.

[@dianasimplifies]

Yes! They all have Glyphosate sprayed on them!

[@TheMennomilist]

I just heard the thing about the receipts the other day from my husband and I said, "Well, we're doomed." Since I was in retail for all my jobs (or a waitress for one of my past jobs) and he is in retail in the car industry. :: sigh :: My family loves Fair Life!

[@e.l.4443]

Good information, thank you. I would have loved to hear some information on meat treated with growth hormones though. You mentioned that 100% of milk sold at supermarkets do no longer contain RBST hormone, but what about the other growth hormones that are approved for use in cattle: three natural (estradiol, testosterone, and progesterone) and three synthetic (melengestrol acetate [MGA], trenbolone acetate [TBA], and zeranol)? Are these only used to fatten animals that will be killed for food or are they fed to cows used for milking purpose as well? I am really puzzled and have been buying organic milk at a much higher cost and would really like to know the truth about non-organic milk products. Thank you again for this information and for everything you do

[@dianasimplifies]

I will stick with organic.

[@loveGod211]

I'm glad that I am not the only one who was shocked by the Coca-Cola comment. She does seem knowledgeable.

[@lesliemore216]

Isn’t salt modified as well? Minerals stripped and abnormally iodized? It may not be a crop, but it is modified. A lot of the accounts I follow are using Redmond Real salt.

[@andrewsusen3154]

I've listened to enough videos to be curious now. Are there any other dads and/or husband's out there learning from this channel?

[@dianasimplifies]

I know the labels can be iffy however in my own life grass fed beef just tastes better and is better quality IMO. I can't follow all the farmers around but I know what tastes good and feels less gristly in my mouth. ❤

[@christineayre796]

What about seedless?

[@christineayre796]

The receipt thng is supposed to be "fixed" that is an old "thing" at least that is my understanding

[@palomino5223]

If FairLife was sold to Coke, you can bet it is no longer the same product.

[@terriculpon3006]

Do you soak your berries before milling them?

[@Simplefarmhouselife]

No, I don't

[@jessb4784]

I wish I could get raw milk in canada 😢

[@aloras405]

Me too for Colorado.

[@user-yo6vs5ol5b]

Corn! Originally was not meant for humans. It's been modified to such a degree, and most people don't know that because it was so long ago.

[@biancacatrucco2992]

do you only use organic flower ? and if ...how do you afford buying organic flower! so expensive

[@Simplefarmhouselife]

I have purchased large amounts at really great prices in an Amish community. Then I store it in the freezer.

[@mego1088]

I usually love your podcasts Lisa but it felt like this guest just skirted around your questions and wouldn’t just answer for some reason. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@rodneygray6978]

Promo sm