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MN Agriculture: Ethan Rozeboom, Farming and Ag Law

Day 10 of my “30 Days of MN Agriculture” is Ethan Rozeboom. Ethan is from Hills, MN, which is located in the extreme southwestern corner of Minnesota. Ethan is involved in his family’s cattle and crop farm, but is also in his last year of law school. And like so many young people raised on a farm, he has the desire to give back to agriculture – just in a little different way – farming and ag law.

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LinkedIn: Ethan Rozeboom

Tell me a little about your farm and/or business?

“I grew up on a 4^th generation family farm just outside of Hills, MN, where I help my father and grandfather farm. Growing up we were actively involved in the dairy industry, but with fading prices and market pressure to grow, we made the call to leave the dairy industry. This business shift drove us into the cow/calf industry. Since our move from dairy to cow/calf pairs we have found a niche market raising hormone-free and drug-free cattle. We also farm approximately 1,000 acres of land where we grow corn, soybeans, and alfalfa.

Besides being actively involved in the family farming operation I am also attending the University of North Dakota School of Law in Grand Forks ND, where I am in my final year of study. With that said, the agricultural and farming industry remain my main focus. While attending law school I have concentrated on the agricultural law sector. My interest in farming has motivated me to research and write several pieces on the famers waning ability to negotiate and influence the modern GMO market and the lack of access to attorneys in rural areas. I have interned with rural practitioners in the tri-state area and have come to recognize the farmers need for effective legal counsel.

The agricultural industry has become very profitable, but also volatile in recent years, and with that it has become increasingly important for farmers to maximize their dollar and prepare for the future. Upon graduation, my wife and I plan to settle on an acreage in the Hills area, where I intend to continue helping my dad on the family farm. I also plan to simultaneously practice agricultural law and help farmers run an effective business, while planning for the future, preserving the family farm for the next generation.”

How long have you farmed or been in business?

“I have been involved with farming all my life. I grew up bottle feeding calves, milking cows, and in high school I was involved in FFA. However, I really became interested in an ag-based career the summer between high school graduation and the start of my undergrad college career. That summer I took a job with Extend Ag. Services out of Lakefield, MN. With them I was able to grow my knowledge base and realize just how promising the future of agriculture is, not just for the farmer, but for everything related to the industry. Where I struggled the most was figuring out how my career path could fit into this industry. I really have to thank the legal professionals I have interned with for helping realize the multifaceted nature of farming, as well as the legal industry. I struggled before to see where the two could get along, but I think they are more related than a person thinks.”

Tell me a little about what you grown/raise/produce or service provided.

“We raise corn, soybeans, and alfalfa. The soybeans are sold on the market, but some of the corn and all of the alfalfa we use to feed our cattle. We have approximately 50 drug/hormone free cow/calf pairs. Raising antibiotic and hormone free cattle is already hard enough, but adding to the challenge is the lack of pasture. With the price of corn and soybeans reaching record highs, most pasture has been converted to production acres. Because of this we are forced to dry lot (raise them in a contained dirt lot) our cattle, meaning our chances of having a sick animal increase greatly. Since we raise antibiotic-free animals we cannot treat them in a traditional manner. By keeping yards clean, feeding a stable ration, and quarantining sick animals we have been able to greatly reduce our death loss and succeed in this growing niche market. Another important factor is the size of the herd.

Farming is only one side of my participation in the industry. On the legal side of the spectrum it is my hope to specialize in estate planning, business law, transactional law, all culminating and revolving around the farming sector and agricultural law.”

What do you love most about farming/business?

“I love the freedom that farming allows people involved in it. A farmer is his own boss. Yes he/she wakes up 365 days a year to care for livestock and crops, but at the end of the day there is nothing like selling your products at market. Farmers are self-reliant and resourceful individuals that have to change with the times. Yet, when it comes down to it they are always willing to help another farmer in need.”

What is one thing you wish consumers knew about what you do or your farm/business?

“I wish consumers would make more informed decisions before labelling different sectors of the agricultural industry. I find myself misspelling rumors about factory farming and GMO’s on a daily basis. I appreciate it when I can change someone’s understanding of modern agriculture and help them understand the science behind it. So often when I talk to people they picture the industry as it was in the 1960’s and 70’s. Ultimately, I want the consumer to know why they are choosing organic produce over conventional, or why they are buying meat from their local butcher instead of a chain store.”

What makes Minnesota the place to farm/grow/raise/produce/service?

“In recent years, the State of Minnesota has passed a lot of legislation creating a massive bureaucratic institution designed to regulate the agricultural industry. Most farmers see these various laws and permit requirements as hindering their ability to sustain and grow their business. While I do not agree with all of the legislation, I think a majority of it is actually doing farmers a favor. When compared to a state like Iowa, Minnesota is helping maintain the industry and promote a sustainable form of agriculture that the next generation can be proud of. While the rising price of production and increased taxes further frustrate farmers in the state, we have to remember that being a good steward of the land also means planning for the future. It is an exciting time to be involved in Minnesota agriculture, and I can only guess what the next few years will bring.”

Read the other people featured in my “30 Days of MN Ag. ”

There are others that are also participating in the 30 Days of Blogging Challenge. Feel free to check these out:

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Unfortunately, Subway has succumbed to much of the popular fear-based marketing tactics we have seen recently in regards to antibiotics in meat. As a farmer, I am so frustrated by the fear marketing that is so prevalent – marketing that not only Subway used but other companies as well. So my top things Subway customers need to know applies to all other food retail companies.

1. Your meat is safe. Let’s get right to the point. If you go into Subway today to buy a sandwich, the meat you are eating is antibiotic-free. Period.

2. Farmers hands are tied if they are not allowed to give antibiotics. Allowing sick animals with no way of helping them or having more dead animals is not an option. How can anyone expect farmers to sit idly by watching their sick or dying animals? Giving antibiotics is only one tool that we use and we have a duty to provide safe and healthy food. Sick and dead animals are not safe or healthy.

On our farm, we use a number of preventative measures to help prevents illnesses. Measures such as cleanliness, vaccination program, management techniques, and animal nutrition. Follow this link for more detailed information on what we do to prevent antibiotic usage.

3. It’s about marketing. There seems to be a real trend in the food marketing world in using food fear. And it’s frustrating. And you, as the customer, are being targeted. What can you do? Do the research, become informed and reach out to other food players such as farmers. Because I am a pig farmer, I have compiled a list of pig farmers you can contact. It’s unfortunate because you really want to trust these companies. But when they push the envelope with questionable marketing tactics, you can’t help but lose some of the trust. Farmers can help answer your questions.

4. Farmers don’t pump their animals with antibiotics. Farmers use antibiotics only when they need to. And when they do use antibiotics, farmers are required to follow strict FDA withdrawals before our animals are sold. And this is a line we will never cross on our farm. We keep detailed records on which animals receive drugs, along with date, the reason for the antibiotic, dosage and withdrawal date. I would love to never have to give another antibiotic. That’s why we are continually open to new and better ways to keep our pigs healthy. There is some really exciting research in essential oils, probiotics and enzymes that I hope will offer farmers other health options for pigs. This is a trend that will continue.

4. Throw in a little GMO fear. Not only are they using the antibiotic issue for fear marketing, but they are also throwing in the GMO issue also. This was on their Facebook page:

“(from) Subway Thanks for writing Lisa. We have been doing a lot of work to improve and enhance our menu. We have removed some ingredients (azodicarbonamide, High Fructose Corn Syrup) , added some fortifiers (like more whole grain and vitamin D in our bread) and continue to research and roll out more improvements over time. We have verified with all our suppliers that our apple slices, avocado, banana peppers, cucumbers, green peppers, jalapeno peppers, lettuce, mushrooms, pickles, red onions, shredded carrots, spinach and tomatoes, Cheddar, Monterey Cheddar Blend, Parmesan, Pepperjack, Provolone and Swiss cheeses are all non-GMO products. We will continue on our journey to provide our customers with many choices that fit their lifestyles.”

Sound good?

Here is the issue: None of these fruits/vegetables have a GMO version. So why play on the term GMO? Science research has shown GMOs are safe. By referring to all those ingredients as non-GMO, it insinuates that GMOs are not safe.

And that’s just plain wrong and unethical.

5. Farmers care. Farmers are no different from Subway customers in that they want safe food. We don’t want to eat meat that is contaminated with antibiotics either. That’s why we are so very careful in using antibiotics sparingly. Most of us who raise agricultural animals eat the same meat we sell. We would never want to put our families in any type of danger. We also realize that raising food for other families is a big responsibility and we don’t take it lightly.

Please allow us to use the tools we need to do it right by providing safe and healthy food for you.

MN Agriculture: Ethan Rozeboom, Farming and Ag Law

MN Agriculture: Ethan Rozeboom, Farming and Ag Law

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Top 5 Things Subway Customers Need To Know

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