COUNTRY MUSIC STAR TEDDY GENTRY JOINS U.S. GRASSFED SOCIETY TO PROMOTE GOOD HEALTH, SMART FARMING, AND GREAT FOOD AT GRAZEFESTsm ALABAMA 2004
June 17, 2004; Ft. Payne, Alabama… Talk to Teddy Gentry about beef and the country music star is likely to deliver the kind of well-reasoned lecture about fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acids, omega-3s, and beta carotene that one would expected from a seasoned researcher. Few realize, however, that Gentry does more than sing the praises of pasture-raised and grass-fed meat and dairy products; he runs a well-respected pasture-based
farm and beef company that has a growing legion of meat lovers singing their own praises. This September 11–12, Gentry aims to raise awareness through shared data as to the healthier, higher –quality and more profitable aspects of grass fed products in general at the first national conference and festival on pasture-raised foods—Grazefest Alabama 2004.
The two-day event will bring together leading experts in all fields related to the production of raising high-quality beef, poultry and pork on grass and is expected to draw possibly thousands of regional residents interested in sampling grass-fed foods. Day one of Grazefest Alabama 2004 will consist of educational seminars and presentations aimed at pasture-based farmers, educators, agriculture students, chefs, and culinary students, as well as the general public.
On day two, the US Grass Fed Society teams with the Southern Foodways Alliance and Eating Fresh Publications for a food festival and series of exhibits aimed at raising awareness among consumers of the health, flavor, and culinary benefits of pasture-based foods. Day two will feature “From the Pasture to the Pit: Southern BBQ with Pasture-Raised Meats,” bringing together the south’s most acclaimed pitmasters, who will be cooking up grass-fed meats and talking about the influence of pasture-raised foods on barbecued foods. In addition, author, pasture-based farmer, and epicurean Shannon Hayes will be signing copies of the Grassfed Gourmet Cookbook: Healthy Cooking and Good Living with Pasture-Raised Foods, the firstever cookbook on finding, handling, and preparing grass-fed foods.
Grazefest Alabama 2004 is being organized by the U.S. Grass Fed Society—a new nonprofit formed by Gentry and other leaders in pasture-based farming, including Allan Nation, owner and editor of the Stockman Grass Farmer, the nation’s foremost “grass” publication—and promoted by Eating Fresh Publications.
According to a growing number of experts, not only are grass-fed and pasture-raised foods packed with more health benefits than their conventionally grown and raised counterparts, they are praised by environmentalists, preferred by animal welfare groups, and embraced by chefs. Called “the one bright spot in American agriculture today” by Terry Gombert of the University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension, grass-based farming is gaining momentum among experts and consumers alike. Pasture-raised animals spend their lives eating grasses and natural forage products. Grazefest Advisory team member Jo Robinson, noted journalist and the author of Pasture Perfect, and Grazefest Alabama 2004 presenter, has found that pasturebased animals have higher levels of omega-3s, one of the “good fats” that have been linked with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, depression, ADHD, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, obesity, asthma, and autoimmune diseases.
Grazefest Alabama 2004 is scheduled for September 11–12, 2004, at the Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery, Alabama. It will conclude on Sunday evening with a concert by the Charlie Daniels Band. For more information about Grazefest Alabama 2004, visit www.eatingfresh.com and www.usgrassfed.com, call Kathy Lacy at 256-845-3009, or send e-mail to klacy@benttreefarms.com.
Members of the media interested in press information or interviews should contact Karen Cathey at 703-237-3780 or Karen. Cathey@BonVivantFoodMarketing.com.
Grazefest is a service mark of Eating Fresh Publications.
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Chef2Chef News Desk