Spent some time with the Kent County AgLine July newsletter this morning over my eggs and juice. Man, I tell you, this thing is totally jam-packed with info!

Beyond the schedule for the 4-H Fair (ALERT! GREASED PIG CONTEST IS 7/17, 7 pm!) our buddies John Hall and Verna Clarkston have included a transcript of a speech by Jim Reynolds, school of Veterinary Medicine at the NMC regional meeting in 2009. NMC, after a bit of research, turns out to be an organization dedicated to enhancing milk quality.

Anyway, as part of his speech, "Modern Animal Agriculture's Place in an Animal Welfare-Concerned Society," Reynolds includes AVMA Animal Welfare Principles. I was pleasantly surprised at the position that the American Veterinary Medical Association has taken. You might be too. The AVMA's eight principles are online, and please go read them, but here are some highlights:

• Animals should be cared for in ways that minimize fear, pain, stress, and suffering.
• Conservation and management of animal populations should be humane, socially responsible, and scientifically prudent.
• Animals shall be treated with respect and dignity throughout their lives and, when necessary, provided a humane death.

Interesting, isn't it? I find so many of our farmers in the Chesapeake region already care greatly about the welfare of their animals. But with all the press of unethical treatment, it's good to hear from the people who try to do better, especially as you head out to your stores for local products.

Above: The cows come home for milking time at St. Brigid's farm in Kennedyville, Md.

There's something about May, even Memorial Day in May, that's just not right for crabs. It's June when we first start really hankering for the hammers. June...when the graduations, family homecomings, Father's Day, birthdays...any occasion really, puts the issue of crabs on the table.

So how is the season so far? On the Eastern Shore, the crabs are looking good and running about...gulp...$30 to $35 a dozen for #1s. About $90 to $95 for a half bushel. But the industry is definitely beleaguered.

Sunday's Capital (6/14) ran a front-page story regarding the lack of foreign labor to pick crabs. Temporary visas haven't been available. And the locals don't want the jobs, even with 10.2 percent unemployment in the county. Whasupwidat? US Rep Kratovil and US Sen. Mikulski are trying to help. Let's hope they can.

In a related story, the Maryland Seafood folks want you to know that it's Soft-shell Crab Season! We have some of their soft shell recipes on our website, including a rather nice one with lemon and capers. More coming soon.

Finally, we're looking for your votes for top crab shacks. Let us know, we'll publish soon!

The Garden is in and doing nicely. Shown here, its first weekend. Some noteworthy developments:

Soaker Hose. This year's find. In our semi-desert microclimate, watering is a key issue, and sprinklers are horribly inefficient. Soaker hose is performing miracles, especially when paired with the sheep "fertilizer" from next door. Bless you, Nancy and Southern States.

Lavender. ChesapeakeFoodie Director of Photography (CFDoP) put in 250 wee lavender plants which seem to be one kind of vegetation that likes it here. Now we have 250 fair-to-middling-sized lavender plants which will be blooming next week. Our first real harvest, if anyone wants to participate.

Almond Trees. In following the "Provence" climate clues, CFDoP started some almond trees, which will go in the ground soon.
Snapping Turtles. Have been wending their prehistoric way through the back yard to lay eggs. Actually, they go a little faster than you'd think when they're on a mission. Sort of the speed someone walks when they need to find a bathroom.

Giant Pumpkins. We have entered a grow-off with a fellow gardener to see who can grow the largest giant pumpkin. Rules are sketchy but they seem to codify as the weeks go on. First, we will be measuring by girth, haven't set a date for this, and I think there might be some amusement to be had by transporting our babies to a pre-arranged common site. Although I may lose my motivation for this, depending.

Finally, the National Garden. From the "there's always somebody" file, Slate.com has an eyerolling article about the people who find fault with the FLOTUS organic garden.