_ On January 31, family farmers will take part in the first phase of a court case filed to protect farmers from genetic trespass by Monsanto’s GMO seed, which contaminates organic and non-GMO farmer’s crops and opens them up to abusive lawsuits. In the past two decades, Monsanto’s seed monopoly has grown so powerful that they control the genetics of nearly 90% of five major commodity crops including corn, soybeans, cotton, canola and sugar beets.   In many cases farmers are forced to stop growing certain crops to avoid genetic contamination and potential lawsuits. Between 1997 and 2010, Monsanto admits to filing 144 lawsuits against America’s family farmers, while settling another 700 out of court for undisclosed amounts. Due to these aggressive lawsuits, Monsanto has created an atmosphere of fear in rural America and driven dozens of farmers into bankruptcy. Please join us in standing up for family farmers everywhere against Monsanto's abusive seed monopoly.

Click on the link below to sign the petition-

http://fdn.actionkit.com/cms/sign/farmersvs_monsanto?referring_akid=456.22122.DDrNtA&source=taf

Hi All,

     Sorry for the radio silence. Or blog silence as it were. Things have been in upheaval here at the farm and blogging fell fast to the bottom of the to-do list. 2011 was an insane year and honestly I am very grateful it is over.  That level of stress is unsustainable over long periods of time. Although I can’t even begin to tell you how much I have learned.

     For those of you who don’t know, Siren Song has moved to a new home much closer to Portland. We have 45 acres of some of the most beautiful land we have seen here. This year we are starting slow and will get the land into production at a more moderate pace. We love our new home and it is a much healthier situation for us and the animals.

     The cows, goats, chickens and ducks are loving it so far.

     The website will be completely re-worked over the next couple of weeks so check back in and see what I have come up with. We will be much more art based this season so the focus of the site will be shifting. Look for more classes and events this season as well. We have many friends making plans to come out here and create and it would be a shame to miss it. We also have some fabulous local chefs revving up to come out and cook.

      Aby will be focusing more on her art and I have accepted a job teaching Permaculture at Pacific University. So the farm will exist in a different way this season as we won’t be farming full time. There are other farmers here at the farm so don’t despair.

     Keep in touch with us over the coming year. We hope you can come out and be a part of the creation at the farm. We are so very grateful for all of your love and support over this last year. You made it all worthwhile. I keep asking why we went through such a tough year. What were we supposed to learn? What is the silver lining? And after some deep thought and time spent on the trampoline, what I have come up with is YOU. We have met some amazing people this season. Friends we will have forever. Farmers, chefs, gardeners, educators… You all make Portland such a wonderful place to live. We are so glad we got to play a small part in your lives this year.

So I hope you all had an amazing New Year. We certainly did!

I wish you all happiness and health for 2012.

Lots of Love-

Jen