The Ecology Center is pleased to host Iowa farmer Howard Vlieger, a leading voice in the battle surrounding the use and adverse affects of genetically modified organisms-GMOs. Join us for a morning talk and Q&A on Saturday, February 9, at 9:30am at The Ecology Center at Howard's final stop on his Orange County speaking tour. 

Howard has travelled to Washington DC to speak out against GMOs, and to talk about the damage they are doing to the environment, farm animals, and humans. His company is called Verity Farms, and while he has his own farm, he also consults with farmers throughout the midwest to help them to clean up the mess that GMOs have created, and to help to increase the health and yield of the whole system. His knowledge is encyclopedic. He speaks about farming from the soil, to plants, to animals, to the humans who work on the farms. He understands the politics and financial issues, and what the farming community is up against in terms of raising healthy crops and healthy farm animals. 

Thanks to great Orange County community member, Kathleen Hallal for sponsoring Howard's trip and helping us all become more aware of current issues in agriculture!

About Howard's company, Verity Farms:

We believe our "True to the Source"™ concept of crop and meat production will be the standard others will try to duplicate. Verity's beginning dates back to the early 1970's when a farmer from South Dakota began to search for a crop production program that minimized the use of commercial fertilizer and chemicals. Since that time, other family farmers have shared his interest and commitment. Thirty plus years of effort by these farmers has resulted in the protocol now used by Verity family farmers - protocols that recognize the importance of life and balance in the soil and the complete food chain. Verity family farmers commitment to qualify for Verity's program may take up to four years. Verity Farms makes every effort to assist the farmers in their endeavor to qualify and attempts, with the help of our family farmers, to ensure a steady supply of product. Verity Farms protocol begins with the soil and yields grains and forages that test at non-detectable levels for 304 known carcinogens and chemical residues (according to FDA/EPA Guidelines). In addition to being free from carcinogens and chemical residues, the grains and forages have high nutritional value - this yields consistent 100% Premium Natural quality meats. Verity's protocol makes it a unique organization. Verity Farms closely supervises every Verity family farmer throughout the entire production of crops, feeds, and livestock. Moreover, Verity Farms has a NEVER EVER policy with regard to the use of antibiotics, artificial hormones, growth promotants, and animal by-products while raising livestock. The combination of soil, crop, and livestock protocols result in 100% Premium Natural meats. Verity Farms documents the origin and production of every animal and this makes every cut of Verity meat "True to the Source" starting in the soil.