Category Archives: Sustainable Farming

Ceara Westaby, fifth generation and Generation Organic farmer

My name is Ceara Westaby and I’m a fifth generation farmer. I grew up on my family’s 150 year-old dairy farm with my sister and two brothers in Northwest Illinois in a town called Stockton. Today, we have 81 milking cows and we farm 645 certified organic acres of land. But back in the 1990s, my family’s farm almost didn’t survive selling milk in the conventional market. We decided to transition to organic—no pesticides, synthetic fertilizers or synthetic hormones—and in 2002 our farm was certified organic. We were able not only to preserve our five-generation, 150-year farm but also to raise a healthier herd, contribute to a safer environment, and ultimately, produce better milk.

Ceara Westaby and fellow Gen-O farmer Elainna Coehlo, playing in the leaves during a fleeting moment of downtime. Photo by fellow Gen-O farmer Johan Doornenbal.

Going Organic saved our farm and has given me the chance to meet amazing new people and form new friendships with people who understand organic farming. When I found out I was chosen to be a part of the Generation Organic 2011 “Who’s Your Farmer?” Tour earlier this year I was excited, but I honestly didn’t realize how big the impact was going to be. People came up to me saying they drove 45 minutes just so they could meet their farmer in person.

I felt proud that many people are rooting for organic farming and are interested in why we are driving around the Western United States in a painted school bus talking about Organics. It’s enough to make you feel like a rock star—imagine that, young organic farmers drawing crowds! Continue reading →

By Mark “Coach” Smallwood, executive director of the Rodale Institute

A debate exists within the United States government and society at large, over whether pennies should be eliminated as a unit of currency in the United States.  Here at the Rodale Institute, we think the penny can and should be saved – we see it as the springboard to our future and the future of a strong organic community.

Drawing on the adage “put in your two cents,” I recently developed a new, innovative program at the Rodale Institute which encourages companies to share their spare change.  We see the value in every penny and encourage companies to share their 2 Cents.  By working together with producers, consumers, researchers and educators, here at the Rodale Institute, we believe that just a little change can make a big difference. Continue reading →