Reader and Listener Comments

Troy,  Terrific article in the most recent "Farming Magazine".  I REALLY think this is your new "calling".  Everytime I read one of your articles lately I find myself sobbing my way through it.  Seriously Troy they are really wonderful.  Keep up the good work.  Amy and Brian

Hello Guys,

I wanted to send you a follow-up email regarding my ½ a cow…OMG…I LOVE IT…even my 9 year old son commented on the hamburgers..they were delicious!!!!!  We love all the different cuts of meat!! Rebecca 10/17/09

Troy,
As always I don't have to tell you that I have great respect for you and
what you've done and will do in the future.  At times I feel like you're
bent on living your life too quickly - I suspect it has to do with your
penchant for needing to see things get accomplished and seeing the
possibilities, while others don't have this gift.  Whatever - it makes
you fun and productive to work with.  I believe you are one of those people
that is able to see the direction we all are going and can handle the
uncertainty and ambiguity with new learning.  I believe this quote
describes the type of person you are:

"One's capacity for uncertainty determines one's ability to adopt new
learning..."  Phil  M.

Troy, , many thanks for your note, and for your incredible passion, which is contagious and inspiring.   Come to Stone Barns when you can. I'd really like to show you around and learn more about your work.   All the best Troy. --Dan Barber

Troy, You have the passion fellow! I would put your passion for grazing up
against anybody that I know anywhere. I always feel energized after
talking with you. It is in your heart and that is why people feel it. It
is an honor for me to know you. It was the least that I could do to
acknowledge your energy that you have given me over the years! Thank-you Troy for all that you have shared with me over the years, Your grazing guru from Missouri.  Greg Judy

Grasstravaganza2008   Troy, Well said.  You really put things in perspective in this assessment of
the conference.  Also realize that some people actually come to these
events with the preconceived intent of trying to "piss on the parade". 
Many of the speakers (myself included) would have caused a major uproar
if these messages would have been presented at the Nebraska state
grazing conference.  I know because I along with several others
succeeded (unintentionally) in doing this a few years back.  I don't
think any grass fed producers have been invited back since.  Ironically
that hasn't stopped Nebraska from being one of the leading producers of
grass fed beef.   It is hard for them to look forward with an open mind and
appreciate passion and enthusiasm.   I shouldn't single out anyone in
particular but when you have people from corporate agribusiness
and university faculty, you can bet that a few toes got stepped on.  I
even overheard a few conversations that would indicate this.  You would
expect that because they have all been programmed to believe that our
grass based systems just won't work in the real world AND they have the
degrees and credentials to back up their claims. 

Troy,Then they subject
themselves at a conference to numerous presentations that prove most of
their theories are wrong.  It also has to be hard for them to swallow the
fact that many of us are getting very attractive premiums for our
products which far exceed prices in the markets which they promote. For
years, these entities have been inept at truly helping the family
farmer and now farmers have found ways to help themselves without
guidance from some of these so called "authorities".  It's like your
child rebelling against you because "they know better than Mom or Dad".
  Then come to find out--they really did know better!    You gotta
admit, that would be a little hard to take after you've spent the
majority of your life with blinders on trying to prove otherwise!  When
a few people get their feathers ruffled in such a positive environment
there is really only one way to retaliate and that is too make your
anonymous presence known through a little yellow piece of paper that
will not be read until you have safely left town.  What they are really
saying is:  "I can't believe everyone else is actually enjoying this
event and buying into this system....blah, blah, blah....."  "Somebody
needs to tell these crusaders that we don't appreciate this...wah, wah,
wah..."  "and by the way, those mashed potatoes were way too salty, my
dog wouldn't have eaten them"......

Those of us who are leading the charge know full well the resistance
that we are faced with from the top all the way down to the neighbors. 
I found this conference to be one of the most positive grass friendly
events that I have ever attended.  Let's not let the .01% negate this
point.  I've been subjected to a lot harsher scrutiny and criticism
than this on many occasions.  This truly is a revolution as TIME
magazine described it.  It's going to bring some turmoil within the
industry.  Keep reminding yourself that less than 2% of the population
is involved with production agriculture.  Our mission should be to
educate and enlighten the other 98%, which is something that industrial
ag has failed miserably at.   We have something the consumers have been
waiting for.  It's our unfair advantage.  We need to capitalize on this.

   Has anyone seen the latest issue of TIME?  The front cover has an ear
of corn and the headline "THE CLEAN ENERGY MYTH".  It's worth reading
for the real facts behind the ethanol fubar. Kevin Fulton,  "The lean, mean, green frying pan rollin machine"  Litchfield Nebraska 

Congratulations and Seasons Greetings to you and your family. Your hard work and passion has yielded a substantial benefit for Madison County Agriculture. We are very fortunate to have you in the lead promoting grass based farming. The vision for agriculture and grass farming we shared nearly 20 years ago is gradually taking form.

 Thanks for your support and assistance, then and now.  Keep up the good works.   Rick  B

Hi Troy,

It was a pleasure meeting you and talking with you at lunch.  Thank you for
coming to the CARE meeting and sharing your knowledge about Media and
editorials.  I enjoyed hearing how proud you are to be a farmer. We need
more farmers and less companies producing food!  I enjoyed hearing about
your family and farm.  I plan to use some of the techniques you presented in
talking with local and state politicians about various issues including Raw
Milk.    Thanks again, Patty McIntyre  2/10/08

Troy,

Thanks for a simply wonderful “grazing tour” last week – I’m a convert!  It was great to be able to see the area through your eyes, and to understand both the opportunities and challenges.   Thanks also for the package of materials, which I read through on Friday.  You do such a great job of getting the message out.  Eileen McLellan, Chesapeake Bay Project Coordinator, Land, Water and Wildlife Program Environmental Defense