Today (Sunday, October 16) is observed for a couple of reasons that both impact the farmers who are empowering themselves with social media. If you didn’t know, today is both World Food day and Blog Action Day on food. Rather than try to tell a single story, we’ve asked some of the people who talk about food and farming on their blogs to share some of their favorite posts with us. We hope others will add their blogs to the post too highlighting several perspectives.

• Volunteering to Help the Harry Chapin Food Bank in Feeding America (jplovescotton.com) — We frequently hear of someone gathering food for those in need. and most Americans have probably participated in a food drive at a local school, church or business by bringing canned goods and or dry foods like rice. Is there a way to make sure fresh fruits & vegetables are part of the effort? Do you know how agriculture works with food banks? Get answers to those questions and a tour of the Feeding America efforts in Southwest Florida.
• Making It Personal (wagfarms.com) — “Going local” is one of the newest buzz words for consumers. Yet, in many areas, the chance of actually getting local food is very low. What is the definition of local food? Within county? Within state? Within country? This post takes a look at various counties in North Dakota (a largely agriculture state, without an enormous population base) and discovers what local would need to mean in order to feed its population.
• Organic vs. Conventional Dairy (TheWifeOfADairyman.blogspot.com) As one of the few dairies remaining in the county in which we live, here in northern California, meeting new people in town almost always sparks conversation about our family farm.  The conversation seems to often gravitate towards the topic of organic and conventional milk and the differences between the two.  This has inspired me to write a blog post explaining the differences which I hope you will find both  interesting and informative.
• High Fructose Corn Syrup and Corn Planting Decisions (daringrimm.wordpress.com)  As a grain farmer, I walk step-by-step through the decision making process of what I consider when I decide what crops to plant, that ultimately become the food on a grocery store shelf.
• Is it ok that I don’t buy organic food? (www.beyerbeware.net) We aren’t organic farmers. I feel that our non-organic practices are producing safe products for animal and human consumption. The pork in my freezer comes from my neighbor who has a pig farm that most would consider a factory farm. And it tastes good! Plus my kids helped butcher the pig. How do you get anymore intimate with your food? But, yet other moms who are not engaged in agriculture in a way besides eating make me feel guilty for not paying the extra money for organic food.
• Video Blog: Let’s talk about food on Blog Action Day (www.causematters.com/blog) Food is fundamental. It should not elicit feelings of guilt or elitism. Food is sustenance. So why waste Food Day or Blog Action Day posturing about our opinions on organic or conventional, small or large, animal or grain? I put together a quick video with some thoughts on food insecurity, farm values and faces behind our food.
• This Is So Country (www.agricultureproud.com) Most of my life and work has taken place on the beginning end of beef production – raising cattle that will one day end as beef on my plate. During calving season earlier this year I helped save a young calf with its mother got sick. Taking care of these calves and making sure they have a healthy start to life is just another day in my life on the ranch.
• Organic Propaganda (oregongreen.wordpress.com) In today’s society consumers are bombarded with Organic Propaganda. The Organic Food Movement, who doesn’t really care what your family eats, has done a great job of marketing organic food, mostly with scare tactics. It often times aligns itself with campaigns that create the illusion that it is healthier or safer for you, which is simply false.
• Veterinarians and food safety (cowartandmore.blogspot.com)  While I normally blog about art, I wanted to join in the conversation about food, especially since we all eat.  In my role as a large animal veterinarian, food safety is a part of my focus in working with farms.  What does a large animal veterinarian do to help keep your food safe?