Are you in the top 10%?

Colonel’s Blog, Earthdate 20 September 2024…

Hey Y’all!

Good evening and happy Fast-Jet Friday from Air2Ground Farms and Air2Ground Meats! The fast jet today is the Mighty-Mighty F-15E Strike Eagle flying low in the mountains of Wales this week. My favorite photographer was again able to capture the sheer speed in this amazing photo. Thankfully, we’ve had more rain this week. The grass slowed down during the HOT dry early portion of the week, but we got more rain this afternoon and overall, the grass is growing. The garden continues to produce…well…produce! The okra is close to 10 feet tall and we’re picking pounds of okra every couple of days. The tomatoes and peppers are also doing very well. The animals on the farm are happy and healthy. We plan to process batch number 10 of beef chickens on Monday, along with the 4 turkeys. That will leave 1 final batch. We’re looking forward to the slow-down that begins in the fall and continues into winter. I’m not looking forward to the cold but am eager for a bit of a break. Our on-farm-born piglets continue to do well, as do the older feeder pigs. The second pic is a good look at some high-quality pure Berkshire hogs! These feeders are approaching 200 pounds and historically we know they are nearing processing weight. These days, however, with the 400+ pound breeder females and 500+ pound boar on the farm, the 200 pound feeders just don’t look as big as they used to! We took Makaylah to Springfield this morning to have her tonsils removed and the surgery was a resounding success and she did a great job. I was able to go to the procedure, a luxury I have rarely enjoyed in the past. Even if we are working hard, I’m still enjoying being retired from the USAF. I’m sure you’re not surprised to hear, I’ve been thinking a lot about food lately—specifically the meat on our plates—and how our world is changing when it comes to what we buy and why we buy it.

It’s no secret that food prices have been on the rise. In fact, 84% of consumers in the U.S. are changing the way they shop because of higher costs. Maybe you’re one of them, making more frequent trips to the store but keeping the cart lighter each time to avoid sticker shock, and if so, you're not alone. The average American household now makes 147 trips to the grocery store every year, just to keep up. But while the weekly routine of shopping may have changed, one thing remains constant: when it comes to dinner, meat is still front and center. More than 98% of households have purchased meat in the past year, and protein continues to be a major focus, with 40% of adults actively looking to add more to their diets. Here’s where it gets interesting: over half of all meat sales in the U.S. come from just 20% of consumers. In fact, 10% of fresh meat shoppers account for over 34% of sales. So, where do you fall in that breakdown? Are you one of the top 10% who prioritize quality meat at the center of every meal? Or do you find yourself stretching your dollars, trying to balance cost with what ends up on the dinner table? The data shows that consumers are making more careful decisions about what they buy and how often they buy it. With 76% of consumers buying less or buying differently, many are focusing on stretching their meat dollar, reducing waste, and finding ways to make meals simpler and quicker. One thing to consider is that when you buy premium meat from a local producer, you’re not just getting a better product—you’re getting something that goes further, nourishes more, and is part of a healthier meal for your family. The top photo is of Air2Ground Meats, our small attempt to change the food world. At Air2Ground Meats, we’ll continue to offer the best we can, and we’ll keep working toward a future where small farms, local food systems, and responsible farming take center stage. So the next time you’re thinking about what to put on your plate, I hope you’ll consider where your food comes from, how it’s raised, and what it means for your health and your community. Here’s to me hoping that you are in the top 10%, I know we are!

Sunday's video was a calm, serene look at our beef herd and a discussion of rotational grazing to regenerate our land. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2z6u4oP9hI

Thursday's Dust'er Mud Podcast was a 15 minute review of the recent Bill that passed the US House of Representatives regarding foreign purchase of US farmland. Spoiler alert, we find it inadequate. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gN1caYIWhvQ

Cheers! Psycho & Shelley