Jezebel: Farms

Another Wise Republican Suggests a Return to Child Labor

Erin Gloria Ryan — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:10:00 EST

In Monday's Republican Presidential debate, Newt Gingrich doubled down on his fabulous idea that the best way to wean families off of government assistance is to let poor kids work as janitors. At a recent town hall meeting, a Republican Senator suggested that letting kids handle pesticides and operate farm equipment just might be the key to solving the country's obesity epidemic. What's with this mini-trend of Republican politicians publicly pushing for kids to get jobs? More »

Happy Trails To You

Anna Holmes — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:10:00 EST

[Cumnock, Australia; January 26. Image via Getty]

Bird By Bird

Anna Holmes — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:10:00 EST

[San Francisco, November 16. Image via Getty]

On The Fence

Anna Holmes — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 12:10:00 EDT

[Cambria, Wisconsin; August 27. Image via Getty]

Oprah Investigates "Animal Factories"

Tracie Egan Morrissey — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 19:00:00 EDT

Oprah Investigates "Animal Factories"" alt="Click here to read Oprah Investigates "Animal Factories"" src="http://cache.jezebel.com/assets/images/39/2008/10/pigfarm_jez_512K.flv.jpg"/>

Today's Oprah focused on California's Prop. 2, which would mandate more humane living conditions for farm animals bred for food. People supporting Prop. 2 are looking out for animals' best interests, in hopes that pigs, cows, chickens, etc. can spend at least a portion of their lives with some mobility. (Most animals are confined in small cages or pens, leaving them only enough room to lay down or stand up... never turn around.) Those opposed argue that putting mandates on farms will be prohibitively expensive, causing some farmers to go out of business, while others will just ship in eggs and meat from Mexico instead of producing it themselves. In the clip above, Lisa Ling visits a pig farm in which sows live immobile in gestation stalls for three years until they can no longer get pregnant, and are then slaughtered. It's heartbreaking because pigs are so adorable and smart...and bacon is so delicious. More »

Hog Heaven

Maria — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 09:20:00 EDT

Doris Probst just became the first woman to win the Annual Hog Calling Contest at the Illinois State Fair with her amazing hollerin'. Hog calling is the act of yelping, squealing, and singing to get hoggies to move into a specific place. Although the Illinois State Fair competition doesn't really involve herding any hogs, Probst does have to impress the audience and judges with her humorous and authentic way of grunting which, for a woman, usually involves doing away with any idea of being perceived as feminine (snorting isn't very ladylike, apparently). But who cares about being seen as sexy if you can make them laugh. Congrats Doris! [Shakesville] More »

Afghanistan is known for its heroin production,...

Maria — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:40:00 EDT

Afghanistan is known for its heroin production, and the weak post-Taliban government does little to stop the growing, illegal industry. However, a group of foreign and Afghan businessmen are hoping to influence poppy farmers to grow flowers for perfume instead of drugs. The men are met with resistance, both from the poppy farmers and the corrupt Afghan government, which asks for bribes and stalls production during peak harvesting times. The lack of enthusiasm from the farmers could reflect the difficulties of dealing with a legal business in a weak government, especially when they can grow illegal poppy flowers with more ease. Sure, the beauty industry isn't so great, but is it so wrong to want to have a legal business, and make people smell good in the process? [NPR] More »