By Mike Barnett

Whew, I’m glad 2012 is over. Elections, drought, bickering in Washington, no farm bill. 2013 has to be better. Doesn’t it? Here are my fearless agriculture predictions for 2013.

January: Voters push Congress over a physical cliff because we’re just tired of it all.

February: Rains bring widespread smiles to farmers and ranchers across the Lone Star State.

March: Voters respond favorably to initiative in Midwest that requires Humane Society of the United States to spend 90 percent of their funds taking care of homeless animals.

By Mike Barnett

I wandered the Cedar Park Farmers Market in Austin recently and found every kind of agriculture product under the sun.

Of course there were the standard “fresh” tomatoes and other “local” food.

But a young couple was making good money selling “sustainable” bean sprouts and micro-greens. Another was selling “organic” fresh meat—everything from duck to rabbit to beef and pork—cut up, packaged and ready to cook.

There was even a lady selling “grass-fed” pops, a popsicle made with milk from dairy cows that apparently were not fed grain. Each to their own.

By Gene Hall

Some believe the answer to future food needs is for many people to grow their own food.  As a nation, as a species, we once did that—nearly all of us at first. Now, more than 97 percent depend on those who work the land.

Could it be that way again?  Sure.  Growing up on the farm in the late ’50s, ’60s and early ’70s was an experience I would not trade for anything, but I left it willingly.  Since World War II, most of America has done the same.

By Mike Barnett

I read and hear a lot about “real food,” and I’m always puzzled when someone or some group uses that phrase.

It’s usually in the context of local food or processed food, and the implication is if the food is not “whole,” or is grown by some other means, it’s inferior. Taken to the extreme, “real food” addresses social justice and, to buy it or eat it, it helps if you are politically correct.

By Gene Hall

“The race is on…Slow Food is running up the backstretch, Starvation’s going to the inside. My fears are holding back, agriculture cannot fall…”

Forgive me, George Jones, for butchering your song. But I need to make a point. I ain’t scared of my food. I know what I should eat and how much, though I don’t always follow my own rules. I do know my food is as safe as it’s ever been. I’m a tough target for the food police because I know better. What am I afraid of? I’m afraid of losing the race.