Author Archives: Sylvia Burgos Toftness

About Sylvia Burgos Toftness

A Latina baby boomer from the tenements of the South Bronx, I now raise 100% grass-fed beef in west-central Wisconsin with my husband Dave. We believe more people will choose to farm and eat healthful foods if they know the connections between what we eat and how it's grown. That's why we invite you to walk the fields with us; hear from experts on my Saturday morning show, Deep Roots Radio; share our adventures on my blog, From the Bronx to the Barn; and buy our sustainably-grown beef. We farm with a tiny carbon hoofprint (R) so that you can enjoy great-tasting grass-fed beef that's high in nutrition while helping to restore our environment.

Sat., Aug. 15, 9-9:30AM CT, Deep Roots Radio – the health & eco-benefits of bison

What: Deep Roots Radio chat with Mary Graese of North Star Bison about the environmental and human health benefits of bison.
When: Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, 9:00-9:30AM Central
Where: Broadcast and streamed live from the studios of WPCA Radio, 93.1FM, and www.wpcaradio.org
Why: Millions of bison roamed America, grazing as they moved. Their grass-only diet, combined with the weight and hoof action of the huge herds, helped create the deep and fertile top-soil that was, once upon a time, six feet deep across significant portions of our continent. Today, many ranchers are capitalizing on the best qualities of bison to restore grasslands while producing excellent meat products.
Join us tomorrow morning, as co-host Dave Corbett and I chat with Mary Graese about the Wisconsin-based bison ranch she runs with her husband Lee and family.
I hope you’ll tune in.
Sylvia
About-Us-Bison-History

Connecting the dots between what we eat and how its grown

Connecting the dots between what we eat and how its grown

Legislation to keep you – the food consumer – in the dark. Deep Roots Radio, Aug. 8, 2015, 9-9:30AM CT

What: Deep Roots Radio takes a quick look at recent legislative moves to keep us – the food consumers – in the dark. One of these has been popularly dubbed the DARK Act. In Congress it’s known as H.R. 1599. It passed in the US House of Representatives in July. The other is about the June move by the House to repeal COOL – Country-of-origin-labelling.
When: Aug. 8, 2105, 9:00-9:30AM Central
Where: Broadcast and streamed live from the studios of WPCA Radio, 93.1FM, and www.wpcaradio.org

Here are links about the Dark Act:
– About the act – http://www.justlabelit.org/dark-act/
– What corporations lobbied for it – http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/billsum.php?id=hr4432-113
– Who voted for it –https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h462

About COOL
– The basics: http://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/consumer-questions-answers-country-origin-labeling
– Wall Street Journal article about House vote to repeal COOL, http://www.wsj.com/articles/house-votes-to-remove-country-of-origin-labels-on-meat-sold-in-u-s-1433990294

I hope you’ll listen in.
Sylvia

Deep Roots Radio, 91.3FM and www.wpcaradio.org

Deep Roots Radio, 91.3FM and www.wpcaradio.org

Sizzling burgers, juicy steaks, luscious roasts – time to order 100% grass-fed beef

It’s that time again – harvest at Bull Brook Keep, home of 100% grass-fed beef.

Ahh, the sizzle of grass-fed beef!

Ahh, the sizzle of grass-fed beef!

What does it mean? Great taste, high nutrition, and eating with a tiny carbon hoofprint(c) because our happy cattle enjoy fresh pasture grasses all summer and high-quality hay in the winter. They get a natural diet – no grains, no hormones and no subclinical antibiotics. Our herd is out in the sunshine year-round.
Harvest time means it’s time to reserve a variety package (ranging from 30 lbs. up to 220 lbs., or more) to suit your family size and freezer space. It’s easy to do with a deposit online or with a check.
What will you get? Steaks, roasts, ground beef, and more. The steaks include these types: T-bones, ribeye, sirloin, sirloin tip (tender!), tenderloin, NY Strip, top round, flank and skirt. Roasts will include two or more of these: chuck, arm, cross-rib, sirloin tip. And ground beef, is, ground beef.
You can order now. Here’s how

July 18 – Eat Local Farm Tour and Hungry Turtle Weekend – Amery, WI – Here’s the skinny

Mark your calendar. Set your iPhone (or Android). Gas up the car, or oil the bike chains. Car-pool with friends. Create a MeetUp.
Whatever you do, get ready to make tracks to this weekend’s Eat Local Farm Tour and Hungry Turtle Weekend in Amery, Wisconsin. Here’s what’s happening July 18:

Eat Local Farm Tour
What: This is the annual Eat Local Farm Tour organized by the Twin Cities’ metro area natural food coops. A great brochure EatLocalFarmTour_2015_Guide-Map-WEB has a map and descriptions of sustainable farms within an 80-mile radius of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Yup, we’re just a lovely scenic drive from where you live.
Bull Brook Keep is one of several farms northeast of the Twin Cities, and we’re part of the Hungry Turtle Farmers Cooperative. Steady Hand Farm and Fresh Pastures Farm are just a stone’s throw away.
When: July 18, 2015, 9:30AM – 4:00 PM

At Bull Brook KeepSummerIcon
– We’ll demonstrate rotational grazing at 10:00AM, 1:00PM and 3:00
– You’ll have a chance to see how many plants you can identify within a square yard
– Sample our summer sausage (nitrate- and nitrite-free) and ground beef
– Guided pasture walk
Map and directions

Hungry Turtle Weekend – July 18
Hungry Turtle Weekend activities are held at the Amery Food Hub (comprised of the Farm Table restaurant, the Hungry Turtle Farmers Cooperative and the Hungry Turtle Institute (educational nonprofit)). The Hub is housed within totally renovated historic buildings in downtown Amery, just 10 minutes from my farm. The address is 110 Keller Avenue, Amery, Wi.
– 9:00-9:30AM – A quick walk across the street to the Saturday morning Farmers Market to pick up ingredients for the food cooking demo back at the Food Hub
– 10:00 – Tour of the Amery Food Hub (restaurant, commercial kitchen/teaching kitchen, and art gallery)
– 11:00 – Play with Your Food – activities for children
– 2:00PM – Tour of the Amery Food Hub
– 2:30PM – Book signing and talk with Beth Dooley, food journalist and cook-book author
– 3:00PM – Demo by Farm Table Executive Chef Jesse Spitzack
– 5:30PM – Meet & Greet with local sustainable farmers, and entertainment by the Danger Rangers

I hope to see you Saturday!
Sylvia

July 11, 9-9:30AM CT. The power of the Hungry Turtle (Institute) to re-invigorate local food culture.

What: Deep Roots Radio interview with Kristen Lee-Charlson, new Executive Director of Hungry Turtle Institute in Amery, Wisconsin.
When: Saturday, July 11, 2015, 9:00-9:30AM Central Time
Where: Broadcast and streamed live from the studios of WPCA Radio, 93.1FM and worldwide at www.wpcaradio.org.
Why: Consumer demand for local, sustainably-produced food continues to climb. Food lovers are also searching for information about the farms, nutrition, taste and preparation of the delicious and nutrient-packed veggies, fruits, and pastured meats. Ah, that’s were the Hungry Turtle Institute (HTI) comes in.
In its second year, HTI is a nonprofit dedicated to connecting food lovers and food growers to practical info and experiences, lively discussions, and other useful and fun resources. An example is the Hungry Turtle Weekend coming up July 18th.

Deep Roots Radio, 91.3FM and www.wpcaradio.org

Deep Roots Radio, 91.3FM and www.wpcaradio.org

How to find your local farmer – July 4, 9-9:30AM CT, Deep Roots Radio

What: Deep Roots Radio interview with Julien Roberge, co-founder of Agrilliance, a website that quickly helps consumers find their local, sustainable farmers.

When: Saturday, July 4th, 9:00-9:30AM Central Time

Where: WPCA Radio, 93.1FM and streamed live at www.wpcaradio.org

Why: The demand for high-quality, sustainably-grown foods continues to grow in the US and worldwide. Consumers are concerned about herbicides, pesticides, GMOs, sugar, salts, and processing chemicals in their foods. Food lovers are also increasingly interested in the systems behind their foods: the environmental impacts, use of energy, antibiotics used in industrial livestock operations, and fair wages on the farm.
Agrilliance also sees these local markets as strong and viable ways to meet the needs of a growing world population, the challenges of climate change, and the political pressures felt around the globe.
Agrilliance is a new effort, web-based, to make it easier for thoughtful farmers and consumers to find their local markets. The idea is to build local connections in every community – worldwide.
I hope you’ll tune in.
Sylvia

Connecting the dots between what we eat and how it's grown

Connecting the dots between what we eat and how it’s grown

June 27, 9-9:30AM CT, live w Wedge & Wheel cheese shop. Why a public radio guy now promotes local, artisan, farmstead cheese.

What: Deep Roots Radio interview with Chris Cahtz, owner/proprietor of Stillwater, Minnesota’s Wedge & Wheel cheese shop and bistro. Nineteen months into this venture, the assortment and menu is growing with demand.
When: Saturday, June 27, 2015, 9:00-9:30AM Central Time
Where: Broadcast and streamed live from the studios of WPCA Radio, 93.1FM, and www.wpcaradio.org
Why: Why would a public radio exec move from broadcast to cheese mongering? And why in Stillwater, Minnesota? Tune in and meet Chris Cahtz: hear his story and why he’s fostering the growth of local, farmstead cheeses. I think you’ll discover that it makes all the sense in the world to make tracks for the Wedge & Wheel.
I hope you’ll tune in.
Sylvia

Connecting the dots between what we eat and how it's grown

Connecting the dots between what we eat and how it’s grown

Investing slow $$$ to build a better food system, faster. Chat with Renewing the Countryside’s Brett Olson.

Deep Roots Radio
Deep Roots Radio
Investing slow $$$ to build a better food system, faster. Chat with Renewing the Countryside's Brett Olson.
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One way to move America’s food system to great taste, high nutrition, environmental stewardship, humane animal welfare, and fair wages is through thoughtful investment – slow money. What is slow money? How does it work and what does it mean to you and me? How can you and I make a difference? Find out in this Deep Roots Radio interview with Brett Olson, co-founder and creative director of Renewing the Countryside. Minnesota’s first Slow Monday event is June 17, 2015, 5:00-8:00PM at Como Park, St. Paul, Minn. For information on this event, click here.

The real dirt on soil-Why it matters to human/earth health. Live w A&L Great Lakes Lab soil guru

BueLingo beef cattle graze

Our beef cattle graze all growing season

I did some weeding in the herb garden while the morning was still cool. It had rained yesterday, so the soil was loose and earthworms were everywhere. I shook all kinds of bugs from the weeds’ roots. For the 300th time, I wondered why weeds grow so aggressively while basil takes forever to sprout.
After half an hour, I got up off my knees and stretched my back. As I brushed my jeans, I saw that my nails were – once again – packed with dirt. I bent down and grabbed a handful of garden soil. It was rich, black and crumbly. It smelled clean and warm and, well, earthy.
Dave and I work hard to keep our soil alive with earthworms, insects, bacteria and fungi. Why? Because it makes a huge difference to the nutrition in the grass our cows eat and to the vegetables we grow in the garden. How does it make a difference? Ahh, that’s the topic for tomorrow’s Deep Roots Radio show!
What: Deep Roots Radio live with Jamie Bultemeier, agronomist and certified crop advisor with A&L Great Lakes Laboratories, Inc., Fort Wayne, IN
When: June 13, 2015, 9:00-9:30 AM Central Time
Where: Broadcast and streamed live from the studios of WPCA Radio, 93.1FM (in and around Amery, WI), and worldwide on the web at wpcaradio.org
I hope you’ll join us.
Sylvia Burgos Toftness
Deep Roots Radio, 91.3FM and www.wpcaradio.org

Deep Roots Radio, 91.3FM and www.wpcaradio.org

A special day for Siggy. He’s 3 months old!

*An ongoing farm-dog adventure for children of all ages*

Siggy @ 3 mo

Siggy @ 3 mo

Sylvia looked at Siggy and said to herself, “This little puppy has grown so much in just a few weeks.” She also thought that little puppies and little children are alike in many ways. They both start out very small: a human baby can weigh just six pounds. Puppies can be much smaller, maybe just one pound. Human and dog babies need their moms to feed and protect them. Both kinds of babies also need their moms or dads to teach them important lessons, like what to eat, or how to play nicely with others.

Siggy is a Pembroke Welsh Corgi. One day, he will learn how to herd cows and chickens, but right now he’s a growing puppy.
It is June, and Siggy is now three months old. He has been on the farm, Bull Brook Keep, for many weeks now. He has become very good friends with his big dog friends, Chevy and Parker. He has begun to learn how to obey Sylvia when she tells him to “sit,” “stay,” “come,” and “kennel.” But he does not obey all the time. Sylvia has two children. They are all grown up, but she remembered that sometimes little children don’t want to obey their moms and dads. That is naughty and can be very, very dangerous for little children and for little dogs.
Do you know of any times when children have not obeyed their mom or dad?
A big difference between human children and puppies is that puppies grow faster than human babies.
When Siggy was born, he couldn’t hear or see, but he could always find his mom because he could smell and he could crawl to her warm fur. Like human babies, all Siggy did was eat and sleep all day long.
Siggy opened his eyes for the first time when he was about 12 days old. He began walking at about 16 days, and his first teeth showed up when he was about 18 days old. Siggy’s world changed in an important way when his ears opened when he was 20-21 days old. Imagine hearing things for the first time!!
All this while, Siggy was very well taken care of by his mother, and by his human family. The adults and children petted and talked to him every day.
As you can see from these pictures, Siggy came to the farm when he was still a very little guy. You can also see how much he’s changed, now that he’s three months old. He’s still a puppy, but he’s on his way to becoming a real, working farm dog. One day, he’ll be in charge of the farm’s grass-fed beef herd and free-range chickens. Happy growing, Siggy!


For earlier stories about Siggy, click here.