That Handy Potato

Anyone with a garden plot able to grow potatoes, should give it a try. The average large potato is high in vitamins C and B6, and the necessary mineral Potassium. They also provide moderate amounts of Thiamin, Niacin, Foliate, Manganese, Phosphorus and Magnesium. A large potato can even supply up to 7 grams of protein and 7 grams of fiber.

Being early December, most, if not all garden potato crops in the US should be safely tucked away in a nice, cool storage area for the winter. And, yes, if stored properly, potatoes can last through the winter.

Now, what to do with these handy, nutritious tubers? Well, you can bake them, mash them, boil them, or fry them in many different ways. After a few months of boiled or baked or fried potatoes, one can certainly become tired of them. Well, here are a few recipes to mix things up a bit. As with all recipes here, the focus is on using locally obtainable produce. Enjoy!

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Potato Garlic Pie

• 1 pound of boiled potatoes. Scrubbing the skin off is optional.
• 5 or 6 cloves of fresh shredded or finely sliced garlic.
• 1/4 cup bread crumbs (Italian style is best but plain is fine)
• 3 Tablespoons sweet butter
• 1 cup whole milk (2% or skim is fine as well)
• 3 Tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (Other shredded hard cheeses will work as well)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Butter a 9 inch pie pan.
Cut the potatoes into thin slices.
Place the potatoes, garlic, cheese and slices of butter into layers.
Warm the milk and slowly pour over the top.
Sprinkle bread crumbs on top.
Bake for about one hour until the top is golden brown

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Potato Onion Croquettes

• 4 boiled, peeled and mashed potatoes
• 1 medium or small onion
• Plain bread crumbs
• 2 egg whites
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
  

Finely chop onion and lightly saute. The point is to soften the pieces, not caramelize them. Allow them to cool
Mix the mashed potatoes, egg whites, onion pieces and salt into an even mixture.
Roll into balls about one inch in diameter. Cover them with bread crumbs.
Deep fry in a high quality oil like canola or sunflower.
Drain and enjoy.

--Potato nutrition data obtained here.
--For more information about growing and storing your own potatoes, browse to the University of Illinois Extension Service website.

Why a Straw House?

To expound a little on a previous entry, I wanted to highlight some advantages of straw house building. Using straw as a building material is not a 'new age,' hyper-ecological idea. It actually came about sometime in the mid to late 1800's. Some sources say as early as 1800, but most point to later in that century.

Why did people start to build with straw? Two main reasons: 1) Straw was (and still is) an easily attainable agricultural byproduct; and 2) the late 1800's saw the advent of mechanized farming, allowing relatively large amounts of this byproduct to be collected.

Straw construction almost completely stopped in the early to mid 1900's as mass manufactured building material became inexpensive and widely available. It is commonly believed that the energy crisis of the 1970's prompted this method of building to be resurrected.

What are some advantages of building a straw house?

• Raw materials availability - In most of North America straw is easily available.
• Raw materials cost - Since straw is typically considered a waste material, the cost of build material is typically very low.
• High insulating R value - Typical straw bale walls have an R value of 40. Some, with high quality, tightly fitting compact bales can have an R value of up to 60.
• Flexible building options - Straw can be a very flexible material, allowing construction of buildings with conventional design through the gamut to artistic flowing designs.
• Build as you go - Building with straw allows the builder to easily complete part of a building while other parts are un-started.
• Ease of modification - Adding a room or garage or additional storage space is relatively easy with straw construction.
• Straw is natural - Being a natural agricultural byproduct of growing oats, wheat, rye and other grass type grains, straw is natural.
  
• Sound attenuation - Straw bales are very good acoustic insulators.
• Non-specialized construction - Building straw bale structures require little training and few tools.
• Fire resistance - Surprisingly, straw has a relatively high fire retardant ability due to the bales' ability to minimize air flow.

With all of these advantages, straw buildings may be an option for new farmers moving back to the country, or onto their own piece of land. Many areas are now recognizing the value of this construction medium and make allowances for it within building codes. However, before building anything, check your state, county and local building codes. It is also a good idea to discuss your building plans with your insurance agent.

Happy baling!

Will Credit Tighten for Farmers?

According to many economists it will. This article posted on the WLBT website states that while farmers felt little credit pain in 2008, planting time in 2009 may be an issue.

David Schweikhardt with Michigan State University says that even farmers with good credit may have difficulty. Why? According to Schweikhardt, lenders will likely raise their lending standards and ask many more questions.

John Anderson with the Mississippi State University Extension Service has some great advice: "Be prepared with a plan when you go to the bank. Have all your financial statements up-to-date and in order, and have as specific a plan as possible to demonstrate how the loan will be repaid..."

There is another good article about the possible agricultural credit crunch here, at South East Farm Press.

Colorado Farm Gives Away Excess Produce

Last weekend nearly 40,000 people showed up to Joe and Chris Miller's farm near Platteville, CO. Why? To gather unharvested leeks, potatoes and carrots. According to the Farm Manager, nearly 600,000 pounds of produce was collected.

You can read about it here at the New York Times.

Goats on the Rise!

According to the US Department of Agriculture, the number of goats being raised for meat in the United States is increasing. Goats may be an ideal grazing animal for small farmers or those with poor grazing land. They are relatively small and can survive on grazing land that cannot support grazing cattle or hogs.

According to the West Virginia Department of Agriculture, the US imports nearly $1.5 (USD) million dollars worth of goat meat every week. The USDA says the increased demand in goat meat is likely because of an increase in ethnic populations who use it in traditional cooking.

So, if you only have a little plot of land, or maybe access to some fair to poor grazing land, you may want to consider raising a few goats.

Dairy 0 -|- Flowers 1

I stumbled across this story about an old-time dairy farming couple who converted their dairy into a hog operation and then into a flower growing operation. Keen to sustainable farming practices, the couple and their 33 year old son do what they can to be environmentally friendly and sustainable.

And, they are profitable.
From USA Today...
Ed and Joyce Kreidermacher, now 63, bought the farm when they married in 1967. Over the years, they shifted from cows to hogs to growing flowers. Their son Eric, 33, is using environmentally friendly techniques and making the farm less dependent on oil.

Biomass boilers heat the greenhouses. Ash from the boilers fertilizes fields. Watering systems were designed for conservation, the soil mix used to grow plants includes coconut fiber and rice hulls instead of peat moss from environmentally sensitive bogs, and plants are grown and sold in biodegradable pots.

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I feel good seeing articles like this in well known national newspapers like USA Today. Browse here to read the entire article.

Straw House Anyone?

The 'Big Bad Wolf' likely never thought of these sorts of straw houses! Properly built straw houses are energy efficient, easy to construct, strong and inexpensive. They are the epitome of green building. Straw, a byproduct of growing wheat, oats, rye and other grains is easy to come by and typically requires little transportation to get to the construction site.

They are also getting more popular press coverage. Here is a little news spot, here on the Weather Channel website.

Farmer's Markets Everywhere!!!

While on my little motorcycle road trip I was quite happy to see a plethora of farmer's market signs. Everything from road-side stands to county farmers markets scattered through the countryside. Signs ranged in size from those little temporary plywood signs to official brown or blue "highway attraction" steel and aluminum signs, announcing "Local Food Here!"

It is an indication of where this country is going. The public is indeed becoming aware of this food alternative nearly everywhere. This is especially true of Tennessee. I rode nearly the entire width of that great state on highway 64. There must have been hundreds of roadside stands and small markets.

Lowering our dependence on foreign oil is one thing. Lowering our dependence on food from large international monolithic food producers is another. It is good!!!

Fantastic Photographic Talent

I, for one am in awe of anyone who can take beautiful pictures, especially country, farm and nature photos. If you enjoy nature photography, check out April's Art Gallery. She has a wonderful talent. Please take a moment, have a look and leave her a comment. Her photos, like her, are beautiful.

New Farmer Links for the Day

Well, this morning I thought I would post a few web links to places that offer resources to new farmers. Some may seem geographically oriented but in many cases, ideas and resources can be used elsewhere.

• Growing New Farmers - This is the internet presence of the New England Small Farm Institute. From their website: "Use this site to connect with programs, services, and resources for new farmers throughout the 12 Northeast states. Get help finding answers to many common farming questions, and ask us your own. Join in discussions with other farmers and with service providers, and connect with organizations and businesses that care about supporting new farmers."
• Beginning Farm Resource Center - Operated by Cornell University, this site has a lot of great information for anyone wanting to farm. Their FAQ section is exceptionally good.
  
• Small Farm New Farm Internet Resource - Operated by Ohio State University, this is a no-frills website with good resources.
• ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service - If you want sustainable farming information, this should be your first stop. They have tens of thousands of pages, covering all aspects of starting a farm, marketing, organic production and certification, planning, social aspects of farming, budgeting, funding... I could go on. Please check them out.
  

Happy Nevada Day, Now Where are the CSAs???

Ok, it's Halloween and Nevada Day. Nevada, the only state that has a holiday on Halloween. Banks and other businesses are closed. Many others let their employees go home early. For people like me who kick-back, relax and hand out candy to trick-or-treater's on Halloween, getting off from work a little early can be nice.

Last night I discovered something else a little unique about Las Vegas. It has nothing to do with any illegal or questionable activity... It is something about CSA organizations. There are none here.

The closest thing to a full blown CSA is Gilcrease Orchard. This is a great place to go, even in the burning heat of the desert summer sun. It is a pick-your-own farm that offers fruits and vegetables almost year round. Under increasing pressure from land developers and government groups, the future of that farm is on shakey ground. But, that is another subject.

I must wonder why there are no CSA farms here. Sure, farming in the desert is a challenge. That not withstanding, there ARE farms in Logandale, Glassand, Overton, Mesquite and Riverside. Even south of Laughlin on the the Colorado river are farms. In Pahrump, on the other side of Mt. Charleston are a few smaller farms. Yes, they all rely on irrigation to operate.

My question is this... Why are there no CSA groups here? Is this a huge opportunity or is there a huge roadblock somewhere? I think it is worth a little investigating.

National Farm Transition Network

I knew I would find it!

The National Farm Transition Network. Operated by Iowa State University, this group seems to operate on a more managerial or supervisory level than the Farm On program.

According to their website, there are 24 participants in 20 US States. Every single participant has their own web address with a TON of great information. As I try to sort through all of this info, I invite you to do the same and let me know what you find. Just leave a comment here.

Interesting Program in Iowa

Just before going to sleep tonight, I happened across this program in Iowa to help connect those who want to farm but can't afford the initial start-up costs, with those who are planning to retire in the next five to 10 years and have no one to continue the farm.

This interesting program is not just limited to Iowa farmland. There are also farmers in Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin and even Texas who are taking part in this program. More information on this grand program (Called the 'Farm On' program) can be found here, on the Iowa State University Extension website.

There may be similar programs in other states. Expect more posts about this. Programs of this nature may be the only way to keep small farms going.

What Goes Up, Goes Down

What goes up, goes down. Of all people, farmers of all stripes know this fact of life.

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You knew it was bound to happen. For two years, farmers have watched with amazement while corn and then soybean and wheat futures rose into uncharted territory as short crops and ethanol demand fueled wild speculation in the commodity markets.

All the while, veteran growers knew those prices could go down just as fast or maybe even faster than they went up. Thus, the declines in corn, soybean and wheat futures of recent weeks weren’t a big a surprise to anyone who’s been farming more than a few years.

Since June, corn, soybeans and wheat contracts have lost nearly half their value. December 2008 corn futures, which traded at $8 in June, closed at $3.84 on Oct. 16. November 2008 soybeans have fallen from $16 in June to $8.67 while December 2008 soft red winter wheat dropped from $10 to $5.55 per bushel.

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Read the rest of the article here, at Delta Farm Press.

Hurrah for Fresh Fruits!

And, hurrah for grapes!

It has already been proven that grapes are high in antioxidants (Grape Consumption Improves Antioxidant Capacity in Humans) but a new study just recently released shows that grapes help reduce many heart related risks including high blood pressure. Read all about it here at Science Daily.

If you are a market gardener or other produce farmer, now may be a good time to look into planting grapes. In most parts of the US, they are rather hardy and low maintenance. Most cultivars travel rather well to the market. They offer a nice taste of variety there among the vegetables, and if you operate a CSA, grapes are a nice, simple offering to your customers or shareholders.

Short on space? If you have a fence, reinforce the top with a 2 x 4 or a few strands of plastic coated wire and plant the young grape plants in the fence-row.

Don't have a fence? Build a small trellis for your antioxidant filled fruit to grow!

Want more grape growing information? Check out these links: Backyard Grapes; Growing Grapes for Home Use; How to Grow Grapes; and Grape Arbors - New Interest In an Old Tradition.

The Food We Eat

Yet another reason to eat locally grown and produced food. Reuters, API, Agence France-Presse, and hundreds more recently reported on melamine, an industrial chemical, being found in chicken eggs from China.

This is not the first time a potentially dangerous chemical has been found in food. Unfortunately, it will likely not be the last either. What to do?

Well, if you can, buy locally produced food from your neighborhood CSA or Farmer's Market. You will be supporting local agriculture, getting fresher food, and helping to keep your local economy sustainable.

Another thing you can do is be a knowledgeable consumer. Know what you are buying and where it was produced. With chemicals showing up in food, not being a knowledgeable consumer could expose you to unknown risks.

Helping the Bees

Do you remember hearing about something called Colony Collapse Disorder, or CCD on the news? Years ago, CCD was all over the news. Articles and commentaries seemed to be everywhere.

Well, the news moved on to other issues but the problem remains. Colony Collapse Disorder is still a serious problem. First identified in 2006, studies indicate that in only two years more that a third of all managed hives have died off or been lost due to CCD.

Bees are important pollinators for foods like sunflowers, soybeans, apples, peaches, pears, pumpkins, cucumbers, cherries, blue berries, raspberries, strawberries, peppers, squash, almonds, cashews, clover (hay for animals), tomatoes, and watermelon. The jury is still out on the cause. Pesticides, environmental changes, pollution, mites, drought, unknown contagious disease, pollen or nectar from genetically modified plants and even RF radiation from cell phone towers have been blamed.

So, what can people do to help the bee population? Farmer or not; whether you live in town or the country, you can help.

• Judiciously use non-natural pesticides. Even trying to kill off that pesky ant colony in the back yard with some chemical can easily get into a bee colony's food chain.
• Use natural pesticides and natural Integrated Pest Management techniques when possible.
• If you have a personal garden or market garden, plant at least 1/4 of it in heirloom varieties of vegetables.
• Put together a "bee pot". A "bee pot" is a planter with bee-friendly annual flowers that will provide nectar and pollen. Some great flowers to plant include shasta daisy, violets, sedum, bluebells, spearmint, black eyed susan, sunflowers, calendula, purple coneflower, and poppy. It is best to plant annuals that are native to your area.
  

For more information on how you can help the world's most important pollinators, contact your local extension service.

Organic Farm to Restaurant

I just wanted to make a little post about this blog entry. Here is an excerpt:

"Since summer Sammons has been farming five acres, on a 75-acre agricultural preserve, in the Santa Ynez valley under the name Epic Organics (also the name of a farm she had up in Santa Cruz). For many California chefs, Epic Organics is synonymous with unique, outstanding vegetables -- maybe even the Platonic idea of unique, outstanding vegetables. Now she is planning to expand with an additional 4 1/2 acres."

You can read the rest here: latimesblogs.latimes.com/dailydish/2008/10/post-tk-from-fa.html

What to do with those green tomatoes?

There always seems to be a bunch of green tomatoes on the vine at the end of the season. What to do with them?

My personal favorite is Fried Green Tomatoes, but here are a few other things to consider:

• Sautéed Green Tomatoes - Simple and healthy. www.liketocook.com/50226711/sautaed_green_tomatoes.php
• Green Tomato Relish - This looks great and the relish goes right into jars. These should provide a nice tasty treat all through winter. www.wisebread.com/save-the-tomatoes-autumn-tips-to-prolong-the-growing-season
• Fried Green Tomatoes - Yes, recipes like this have been around for decades. www.liketocook.com/50226711/weekend_herb_blogging_green_tomatoes.php
  
• Pickled Green Tomatoes - Here is another oldie. These pickled green tomatoes should last throughout the winter season. www.cooks.com/rec/doc/0,1636,158189-255196,00.html

Purple Tomatoes?

Purple Tomatoes? I have heard of yellow tomatoes, pink tomatoes, green tomatoes (not the unripe kind), black tomatoes, brown tomatoes, light purple tomatoes, orange tomatoes, white tomatoes and of course the ubiquitous red tomato. But a dark purple tomato like you see on the left?

Thank you genetic engineering!!!

The following is an except of an article on www.foodconsumer.org You can read the entire article here: at www.foodconsumer.org
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Now that we have tried and failed to win the cancer war, it's time to change our strategy. A new study suggests that eating a new genetically modified tomato may help prevent many types of cancer.

The study tested a diet full of purple tomatoes rich in anthocyanins, pigments commonly found in blackberries, in mice that lacked the p53 gene commonly known as the "genome guardian". Mice that lack the gene were susceptible for a range of tumors, particularly lymphomas and would die at a very young age.

Researchers from the John Innes Centre, coordinated by Cathie Martin, found that the cancer-prone mice on the diet supplemented with purple tomato powder had their lifespan significantly extended.

The study was published in the Oct 26, 2008 issue of the journal Nature Biotechnology.

For the study, the researchers from the John Innes Centre in Norwich, Great Britain, in collaboration with other European centres first inserted two genes called Delila and Rosea1 from snapdragon flower in the tomato genome making the fruit anthocyanins-rich purple tomatoes.
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Ok, so genetically enhancing tomato plants gives them higher amounts of anthocyanins, "...pigments commonly found in blackberries..." The took two genes from a snapdragon and grafted it onto a tomato. Why did they do this? I think this sums it up:

"Most people do not eat 5 portions of fruits and vegetables a day, but they can get more benefit from those they do eat if common fruit and veg can be developed that are higher in bioactive compounds," says Prof Cathie Martin from the John Innes Centre

And by the way, they haven't tested the tomato yet for human toxicity.

Everyone is of course entitled to their own opinion about genetically modified food. Personally, I will stick to eating a sliced fresh heirloom tomato with dinner and a bowl of blackberries and cream for desert.
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Do you want more information on real colored tomatoes or want to buy some seed? Just browse over to www.tomatoseed.com/tomato_color.html or www.tomatofest.com

Farming and the Presidential Candidates

Where do they stand? Well, I did a little research and here is what I found...

Barak Obama - - -

• Witney Schneidman says Senator Obama favors establishing what is called an Add Value to Agriculture Initiative, which would work with land-grant institutions, private philanthropies and businesses to promote innovation in global food production. The initiative would, among other things, work for improved irrigation methods, seeds and fertilizers for farmers in the developing world.
• Senator Obama states, "I support a robust safety net. This includes traditional farm programs, crop insurance and disaster assistance."
• On biofuels, Senator Barak Obama set a goal of having 60 billion gallons of fuel from biofuels by 2022.
• His health plan would ensure that no one would be turned away from care if they have pre-existing conditions.
• According to David Lazarus, Obama's rural policy director, “...has no intention of tampering with the individual’s rights to bear arms.” And, Lazarus added, Obama’s plan to increase conservation areas would provide more places to hunt.
• Favors increased research funding into alternatives to natural gas in the production of fertilizer.
• Favors infrastructure improvements to the nation's locks and dams used for shipping food commodities.
• James Webster, a representative of Senator Obama, said “Obama looks at local farming and consumption as not pitting commercial industrial agriculture against local farming. We need both,” and predicted that local production would rise, especially with new Farm Bill mandates for specialty crop assistance, organic farming, and conservation.

John McCain - - -

• J. Peter Pham states that, "Senator McCain has not hidden the fact that he opposes farm subsidies."
• Senator McCain, who had previously called the Farm Bill "bloated and flawed", advocated "market-driven risk management" and promised to fundamentally reform the current crop insurance program.
• Friendly to pro-gun groups.
• Supports eliminating the federal inheritance tax for the first $10 million of property. Now it is $1 million, and many farms and rural businesses exceed that amount.
• Told Field and Stream, and often has said in other venues, that he supports conservation.
• "Favors a risk management program for agriculture that reflects the realities of the global marketplace for food, fuel and fiber in the 21st Century.”
• A central focus of his agricultural policy will be to expand international trade, bringing American products to more foreign markets and boosting the profitability of American farms.
• John Block, a representative of Senator McCain said improving local food sources was “not a big thing to worry about. We need to work on the big issues like keeping costs down. Doing more stuff close to home might help, but the reality is the price of food is going to keep going up.” Block was sanguine about the increases adding, “the market system will make it work.”

Both of them - -

• Agree that the agriculture sector should be involved with environmental regulation.
• Believe that energy production could help save rural America’s economy.
• Favor cap-and-trade plans that may drive up prices for fossil fuels and prompt a shift to lower-carbon sources of energy, such as wind, solar and nuclear.
• Think increased production of domestic natural gas would help ease the pressure because it is used in the production of fertilizer.
• Congress approved a farm bill earlier in 2008 that will expand federal nutrition programs by $10 billion over 10 years. Neither presidential candidate was present for the initial Senate vote or the second vote to override a presidential veto.
• Both representatives of the candidates said that higher costs for energy would mean a greater reliance on local food sources and that was a good thing.

I would like some comments on this, so please consider this your little virtual soap-box to discuss the presidential candidates and their positions on farming, agriculture and sustainability. Speak Up!!!

Time to Get Dirty

Well, my little motorcycle ride across the US is done. My first goal? Getting beyond the Rocky Mountains and into farm country. With the Rockies in my rear view mirrors, I started drinking in the beauty of agriculture and rural culture. For me, it was inebriating.

The smells of the grass and trees and ripening crops awoke long dormant memories and feelings. The sight of tractors and dirty farmers and wagons and grain elevators and bales of hay brought tears to my eyes several times. This was not melancholy; it was joy.

As I rode through miles and miles of small rural blacktop roads, farmers were out there harvesting their crops or checking their cattle or repairing fences or cutting trees. Several times there was an almost primal urge to exchange my helmet for a John Deere cap, hop off the bike and get dirty.

Maybe it's time for me to get dirty.

One thing I learned from my 5800 mile bike ride is the power of persistence and believing in one's self. I may have been a relatively new rider on a very small bike but I knew I could do it. While on the last leg of my journey I wondered what this world would be like if more people persisted with their dreams and believed in themselves.

Maybe it's time for me to do more of that. Believe and persist.

Buying the Farm

Literally, not figuratively! After a lengthy conversation with the IRS a few days ago, I spent some time thinking about my monetary situation. Three credit cards, truck loan payment, motorcycle loan payment, a bill consolidation loan, alimony, insurance, etc... etc... Now a monthly IRS payment. Hello moonlighting!

Secondary jobs aside, I also thought about how I am going to afford moving and paying for a farm. Yes, I have thought about this before. It is something that pokes at my mind from time to time. Monetary wealth is not that important to me, but money is necessary given my current situation...

So, I will be moonlighting if I can. Most of my personal things are sold already, so no cash there. Any suggestions on money making ideas? The wilder the better!

John Deere Does Well; Stock Slumps

Sometimes Wall Street just confuses me. Well, OK. It usually confuses me. And, here is no exception. John Deere sales are up not only in the US and Canada, but worldwide. They had a 22% rise in Net but because they didn't meet analysts expectations, their stock fell about 6% in pre-market trading.

Did I get that right? They are doing well but stock declined??? Sometimes I wonder if most of the market is driven by computers with buy/sell programs or short-sighted investors.

Automobiles & Self Sufficiency

Once in a great while I find something that is just fantastic. And, sometimes the circumstances prompting such finds is less that ideal. You see, I have a sick Chevy S-10 pickup.

A few weeks ago I started smelling gas. This weekend I started digging into the problem. After carefully removing several wires and hoses and other connectors, I was at the crux of the problem. There it was. A sick fuel injector.

I remove it and see something odd. The O-rings were just flopping around the injector. BINGO! So, for $5 I buy an O-Ring set from Auto-Zone, replace them on the injector, and carefully put it back into the engine.

With the help of my parts cleaner/daughter everything was nicely cleaned up and put back together. What a 'rush' for someone who has done little more than change spark-plugs and bleed a clutch over the last 20 some years.

I turn the key; my heart skips a beat with anticipation; 'Will it start? Will it run? Did I do this right?'

Vroom!!!

YES! It starts! I step out of the trck, feeling like the master of my automotive world. Until... Until I look at the fuel injector again. DAMN! Dripping wet with fuel again!

So, I locate this website: 2carpros.com Supposedly I could post my problem & a real mechanic will answer it... For FREE! Now, if you donate a little, they will respond quicker.

Saturday night I post the problem and the next morning, there it is. A mechanic posted back that the injector would need to be replaced. Deep down I knew that, but didn't want to admit it. Oh well.

Anyway, kudos to the guys at 2carpros.com Anyone who drives and strives to be self sufficient should know of this site. Everyone needs a little help now & then.

Sustainable Ag

I find it interesting when sustainable agriculture is mentioned in the news. It seems as if it is becoming mainstream. Is it possible sustainable agriculture will be a savior of society? Perhaps.

Here are some recent sustainable agriculture news: Sustainable Agriculture and Global Health Conference; Ohio Sustainable Agricultural license plates; and Buying Local can Help Food Crisis.

There are more, just google it.

In the 1970's when I was a farm kid, sustainable agriculture was just common sense. There seemed to be a need to be balanced. Crop rotation, idling productive land and natural fertilization. Farmers that operated fruit and vegetable stands would combine crops. Popcorn with pumpkins. Melons with oats. Some of their combinations seemed odd and others didn't work.

Sustainable agriculture is all about sustainable living. Living in balance with our environment had become 'quaint.' Only 'hippies' and 'communists' and old-school farmers practiced it. Now is is becoming popular and rather important. Good. It's about time.

The Factory Farm and Biodiversity

Well, CNN seems to be getting onto the biodiversity bandwagon. This article on CNN is a good read and in my opinion does a good job of explaining why factory farming (or industrial livestock farming) is causing a reduction of biodiversity.

The article also points the finger of dwindling biodiversity to the public. Generally people don't want different foods. They want their t-bone steak, and russet potatoes and iceberg lettuce and pinto beans and big orange carrots. What of different things like rabbit or organic wild rice or a fresh salad with collard and dandelion greens. Why not try some of those odd looking purple carrots?

The reasons vary. People generally like what they know. Thus, there isn't a large demand at the grocery store for them. Without demand, the store will not buy them. Without demand from the store, the farmer will not grow them.

Do you want to support biodiversity? Be different. When shopping at a grocery store, buy one odd looking fruit or vegetable. That's a start. Take the next step and buy fresh produce from your local farmer's market at least once a month, more if possible. The last step is the most rewarding. Start a garden.

Go ahead and support biodiversity. I dare ya!

Where 'o Where?

I couldn't sleep last night. Sometimes it just happens. I toss and turn and just can't quite get comfortable. Maybe I am just getting old!

As I toss and turn, I wonder of where I should relocate. What state. In order of preference, here is my current list:

• Illinois
• Wisconsin
• Iowa
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• Indiana
• Ohio
• North Dakota
• South Dakota
• North Carolina

So, what do you, my kind read think? It needs to be a state with computer programming jobs in combination with the possibility of a quiet rural lifestyle less than 50 miles away. Comments???

Power and Stone

A hallmark of true farmers everywhere is their self sufficient nature. Growing up on a small family farm, even in the late 1970's and early 1980's we were fairly self sufficient. I fondly remember several times during wintertime when we could not get out for groceries. It wasn't an issue.

The freezer was full of meat and frozen vegetables from the farm. The cellar was full of canned corn and beats. Bags of onions hung from the ceiling and potatoes filled the storage bin. Water came from our well. There was even an old handle water pump in case the power failed; and it did rather often.

For years, heat was generated by an old heater powered by oil. We graduated up to a wood burning stove in 1980. To survive we needed no electricity or petroleum. In the long term, additional inputs may have been necessary, but on the short term, we could survive quite handily.

Could the same be said of the typical urban dweller? Probably not.

When I do finally move to the country, I would like to be as self sufficient as possible. Several things are on my list. Some include a wood furnace; indoor vegetable growing area or greenhouse; storage cellar; and a wind power system.

Why wind power? Well, direct solar is currently too expensive, and wind power is fairly simple. The house and buildings will be wired for three voltages: conventional 110v AC; 12v DC; and 24v DC. Why? Well, most of the electrical items I use, operate on one of those three voltages.

And... I HATE those "wall warts;" those annoying little power supplies that plug into a wall outlet and convert the 110 AC to 12v or 24v DC. Last week I cleaned up my little storage shed and ended up with an entire box of these things!

So, I am going to start researching small scale wind power a bit more. One thing I haven't read much about is wiring a house for DC. Anyone have information on such a thing? Please leave a comment. More on this later.

Top 10 Rural Counties to Live

I remember back several years ago, my home county of Mercer County, Illinois was assigned the eighth best county to live, in the Midwest, according to Progressive Farmer magazine (link likely available on the right, under Google Ads). Now, that county isn't even listed. HA. That's OK. Take a look there & see where your county ranks. If you don't see the link to the right, just Google Progressive Farmer. The stats on their chosen counties is fantastic!

Illinois Extension Program In Pain

Well, politics and money are at play in Illinois, my home state. Governor Rod Blagojevich is withholding nearly $18 million in funding from the state's Cooperative Extension program. Why? According to the Mt. Vernon Register-News, it's because the state's General Assembly will not give him more money to cover a $750 million dollar deficit.

In my opinion, the Governor is simply playing bad politics. How is withholding $18 million going to help him cover that much of a shortfall? It's not. He is using education, health and welfare, and community support structure of the good people of Illinois as a simple political bargaining chip. How disgusting.

BEEP...BEEP...BEEP...
THIS JUST IN...

According to the Pantagraph, the Governor has had a change of heart, and has decided to release the funds. Good idea, Rod. Illinois' Extension program, like most states' extension programs educate and help the public and small businesses, especially in the field of agriculture. In most cases it is money well spent and has a directly positive impact on the state's and its businesses' bottom line.

Please don't play politics with the Extension Services. They are too valuable to hobble.

www.register-news.com
www.pantagraph.com

Looking for Reader Comments

I am just more than a little curious what the readers of this blog think about the reported global food shortage. Is it real? It the shortage engineered for some purpose? Is it poor media and reporting?

I really am curious. Please post your comments on this. It's free and easy. Exercise that First Amendment & let me know.

"Family Farms in an Era of Global Uncertainty"

I happened upon this title today and felt it apropos. It is written by John Ikerd, Professor Emeritus at the University of Missouri. He didn't simply write it, this was a presentation at the 2008 Shivvers Lecture series, at the Iowa State University. Given recent news about the possibilities of food shortages and the ever important issue of energy, I just thought this would be a good read. And for me, it is.

Just go over to my website: http://www.radstream.com/pmwiki.php?n=Farming.Farming and follow the links. Comments?

What can WE do?

So... There is going to be, or is a food shortage. Millions and millions of people may suffer, including you! For the last year or so, food prices at the grocery stores has skyrocketed. This is due to many factors, but the result is the same. People are paying more and more for food, and more and more people are going hungry. What can the general public do? A lot.

• Buy local produce at farmers markets and CSAs. It minimizes transportation costs and supports local farmers and businesses.
• Don't waste food. I was appalled by the story of an associate's spouse who will buy food for one or two days, and if it isn't eaten, it is thrown out. Whole loaves of bread, bottles of peanut butter, fresh meat and vegetables all tossed in the garbage.
• Grow your own. Even if you grow a single tomato plant, or one of those sub-miniature fruit trees, it helps.
• Plan your meals and shopping lists.
• Watch for coupons and special sales.
• Learn to can or otherwise store or preserve food. When vegetables or fruit is on sale, buy in bulk and preserve it for later.
• Eat more raw food. Not as much energy is used to prepare raw food items, and their nutrients are not lost due to the cooking process. (Beware - some food items cannot safely be eaten raw!)
  
• Recycle. It is generally less expensive for food processing companies to purchase recycled Aluminum, steel and/or plastic for packaging.
• Buy in bulk. It is typically less expensive and reduces packaging.
• Compost your food wastes. Less waste in landfills is a good thing.
• Conserve energy and simplify your life.

Every little bit you can do, helps. Of course, the more you do, the better.

Upcoming Food Shortage..

Ya Think??? For decades the general public in developed nations have taken advantage of the farmers and inexpensive food. Are things going to hit home now? I just bought small box of oatmeal and spent $3.50. And that was on sale!

Unfortunately, it seems some of the anti-biofuel folks are grabbing on this newfound public awareness of a possible food shortage. Yes, they are blaming biofuels again. Until I have some time to read more on this, here is a link to the Google News search on the food shortage. After digesting some of this, I will do a bit more writing.

This whole uproar makes me want to get a small piece of land in the MidWest and be self sufficient all the more.

Farms & Flood Preparation

Sitting here in a dry Las Vegas, I see the national weather radar on my computer screen. As I write this, there is pretty heavy rain in Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas and Michigan. The mid-west has certainly had an issue with flooding already this spring, and this little weather event is certainly not going to help matters any.

I remember my brother serving with the Illinois National Guard, helping people in Keithsburg, Illinois in 1993 when the Mississippi River broke through the banks and flooded most of the town. According to the National Weather Service, the river at Keithsburg is at 12.7 feet. Flood stage is 14 feet. The NWS and NOAA predict the river will almost reach flood stage on Monday, April 14.

What can a farmer or other rural resident do to prevent loss from a flood? Here are a few good ideas.

• Videotape, take pictures of, and record serial and model numbers of any and everything on your property or in your house. In the unlikely situation that you would need to file an insurance claim for flood damage, you will be prepared.
• Save your important documents in a
  
• Get flood insurance. It may not seem necessary to many people, but in most places it is typically inexpensive. Hope for the best, plan for the worst.
• If you have basements, make sure there is an operational sump-pump in each one.
  
• Anchor all fuel, water and storage tanks firmly to the ground.
• Keep gutters and downspouts clean and free from obstructions.
  
• Before a heavy rain or possible flood event, turn off electricity, natural gas or LP to buildings that do not need it.
• Have an out of state family contact.
• Make sure all implements like tractors, combines, planters, etc... are either secure in a building or sitting on high ground.
• Check and then double check that containers with dangerous chemicals are secure and not leaking.
• If significant flooding is predicted, move furniture and electronics from lower floors to upper floors.
• It is also a good idea to turn off your houses' gas supply if major flooding is a possibility.
• If there are animals on the farm, make sure they have proper shelter.
• Routinely check local levees and drainage ditches for possible problems.
• Be sure to have an evacuation plan, and that it allows for you and your family to get out before the situation becomes an immediate flood situation.

Take care & be safe!

Farm Safety Time

As this years farming season in North America gets underway, perhaps it's time to review a few farm safety items.

As you may or may not know, farming is one of the most dangerous professions a person can have. According to the National Safety Council, more that 120,000 farm accidents and other health related issues occur annually, plus nearly 1200 lost lives. What is concerning is the fact that they are nearly all preventable.

Here are some helpful tips that may help you and your loved ones be safe one the farm, even if it is one acre or a thousand acres.

1. If you use pesticides, herbicides or chemicals of any kind, know them inside and out. Know exactly what they are for, how much should be used, symptoms of exposure or over exposure, and what to do if someone is exposed.
2. Ensure that all animals are properly vaccinated by a professional.
3. Know your equipment like the back of your hand. If you don't, you might end up without a hand.
4. Don't operate equipment when you are tired. Being tired affects judgment. Poor judgment and a ten ton tractor do not get along well together.
5. Stay hydrated & keep water with you at all times. You may think that your John Deere 5003 will get you home after a long day of baling hay, but what if it doesn't? Bringing a gallon of water along for the ride is very cheap insurance.
6. Never work around powered machinery with tattered or loose fitting clothes.
   
7. Don't listen to an MP3 player with headphones or ear-buds while operating a tractor or combine or generally anything motorized.
8. Carry a cell phone or other communication tool. In a pinch, you may need it. I am partial to farmers getting their ham radio licenses and carrying a radio along with them. But then again, I am biased.
9. Keep your equipment and tools well maintained. Double check your head, tail and running lights at least once a week.
10. Watch the weather. Getting stuck on an open cabbed tractor in a small rain shower is one thing; being in the middle of a severe thunderstorm is another.
11. Don't let young kids help. I know... I know... When I was three years old I was riding on the back of my dad's John Deere Model A tractor and Caterpillar bulldozer. It's just not safe!
12. Get plenty of good rest. It may be incredibly tempting to run to the bar for a few mid-week beers with the boys after a marathon session of planting soybeans, but just take it easy. Drinking a sixer of Bud and passing out in your Chevy pickup is not classified as good rest.

Be well and be safe.

Decisions... Decisions...

It is now quite clear that my path to the rural life may not be simple. Responsibilities... Happiness... History... Relationships... Rural Life... WOW! But, I have started down a path that I think will work.

As much as I would like to simply disappear into the mist, emerging a farmer with no connections to my past, this is simply not realistic. And if the simple impossibility is not enough, I would loose all of my history. I don't care to loose all of that.

So, when I decide the time is right, I will start looking for a computer programming job in an area where there is a rural area nearby. Then, find a nice little farm and do what comes naturally... get my hands dirty.

8% Less Corn Planted

According to the USDA's 2008 Prospective Planting Report, 8% less corn will be planted overall in the United States. Yes, LESS. I remember reading, not more than six months ago, how farmers would be cutting back on other crops like soy beans and wheat, in an effort to grow more corn. Read it here.

Oh, the wailing and keyboard smashing! Predictions of drastic food price increases because of almost exclusive planting of corn was predicted. Food prices are going up, but it isn't due to farmers planting corn instead of wheat or green beans or lettuce. It is due to increased energy costs.

Watch and minimize those Food Miles. That helps reduce energy and over a longer period of time, may cause a lowering of food prices.

Blond Banana Nut Bread

Life has been rather busy lately. Work has been rather demanding and preparing to move is no easy matter. I have several blog posts, started but never finished. Sooner or later I will finish them up.

But, for now, a new recipe I came up with this morning: Blond Banana Nut Bread.

1 C Bisquick
1 C White, unbleached flour
1/4 t Cinnamon
2 Ripe bananas
1/3 C finely chopped walnuts
1/2 C Sugar
1/2 C Water
1/4 t Vanilla
1 Egg

Mix the dry ingredients (Bisquick, flour, cinnamon and sugar) in a bowel with power mixer or large whisk.

Beat in banana, egg and water until well blended.

Finally add sugar, vanilla and walnuts. Mix on low speed or with a spoon until everything is well blended.

Pour into a buttered and floured bread pan. Bake at 325 F for about 30 minutes. Check with a toothpick. When the toothpick comes out clean, it is ready.

You may want to add more nuts, bananna or sugar to taste.

>>>Enjoy!!!

Food Miles Explaind on the Mainstream!

I am an admitted weather geek. While doing computer work or, well, just about anything else at the house, the TV will probably be tuned to the Weather Channel. Just out of the corner of my perception I hear the words 'food miles' What? Yes, the Weather Channel was airing a Forecast Earth program on how to calculate food miles. And it was surprisingly educational while still being easy to understand for the typical non-farmer.

It is a good program. I went to their web site here at the Weather Channel website, and found quite a few nice programs; educational while simple to understand for the average person. I highly recommend surfing there and watching a few.

The actual "Food Miles" program can be viewed by surfing here and watching Forecast Earth, Part 3.

Leftover Homemade Bread

I just LOVE the smell of homemade bread. It brings back memories of coming in from a hard day's work to sit quit quietly, enjoying a slice or two of baked heaven, lightly covered with a thin coating of melting butter. A kitchen the smells of fresh bread should be known by every child everywhere.

Very rarely does a week go by that I don't make a loaf of fresh bread. Alas, as a friend calls it, I make cheater's bread. I use a bread machine. Not that I can't make bread the old fashioned way, I just find the machine to be more convenient.

Now, everyone has little quirks. One of my little quirks is the desire to not waste food. I grew up on farm and implicitly learned that food should be used and not allowed to rot away in the refrigerator or pantry. Nearly a decade ago I was cleaning the refrigerator and found a dozen or so little packets of Parmesan cheese; the kind you get when you order pizza. I also found a small bag of chives that needed to be consumed. Thus was the genesis of my left-over Homemade Bread recipe. It starts with a basic, simple white bread recipe:

• 3 3/8 C White, unbleached flour
• 3 T Sugar
• 1/4 C Milk
• 1 1/2 t salt
• 1 1/2 t butter
• 1 C water
• 1 1/2 t yeast

Now is where the fun began. I chopped up the chives and then crushed them. I added the chives and about six of the Parmesan cheese packets to the recipe and ended up with a lovely chive cheese bread. Here are some modifications to the recipe I have made to help save food that might otherwise be wasted.

Honey Bread
Replace the 3T sugar with 3 to 4 T honey. This enhances the aroma of the bread, giving it a somewhat floral smell. Using different kind of honey will ever so slightly change its taste and smell.

Oatmeal Bread
Replace the 3 3/8 C flour with 3 C flour and 1/2 C rolled oats or oatmeal. Instant or regular oatmeal is fine. This gives the bread a heavier texture and a tougher, crunchier crust. It also increases the fiber content.

Whole Wheat Bread
Replace the 3 3/8 C flour with 2 1/2 C white flour and 1 C whole wheat flour. The result is a nice whole wheat textured bread.

Rice Bread
Replace the 3 3/8 C flour with 3 C flour and 3/8 C rice flour. It doesn't change the taste but makes the crust very flaky and the bread has a little heavier texture.

Cheese Bread
Add a little cheese. Any sort will do, but aged cheddar or any cheese with a strong flavor is best. Experimentation is the best with cheese bread. Find what you like.

Potato Bread
Replace the 3 3/8 C flour with 3 C flour and add 1/2 C mashed potatoes. You may need to lessen the amount of water for this as well. This bread is a little heavier but holds its temperature and takes butter or your favorite bread spread very well.

Once you get the basic bread recipe down, start experimenting. If you have a failure, don't worry. You can always slice it up into cubes and let it dry into croutons. Or let it dry and crush it into bread crumbs for other recipes. In the worst case, simply toss it out for the birds.

Enjoy and have fun!

Oh Man, I'm Going to be Tired!

In about six months, that will probably be me... Falling asleep in my dinner, trying to get a little rest. Today is A day for me. I am dressed in a black jeans, black button-down shirt, black boots and I am ready to fill out job applications. I am going to moonlight.

Another blogger wrote something that read like, "Whatever you read on a blog is only the surface. There are a lot of things going on behind the words." How true. I smile thinking of the things I could blog about... Daughter not going to school for the third day in a row due to flu symptoms; her failing in highschool and having to make up three more classes within the next month to graduate; my failure at romance and generally any situation that requires verbal communication and interaction; and then there is my poor financial situation.

Well, at least I can control the last item there. If I am to get out from under these bills while still paying for my daughter's extra schooling , keeping the truck and motorcycle, pay off the credit cards, AND save money for a small farm, I will need to moonlight... have a second job.

Hell. Right now I can't afford a beer once in a while. How am I to move out of here and get a farm? Only one way I can see... Work my 41 year old ass off. Walmart, Target, Home Depot, Lowes, Borders, Barnes & Noble... I would even work at a casino. I don't care where or what anymore; I just need another income if I am to do anything.


So, off I go. Wish me luck.

Other Crops for Ethanol Production

The pulp news press is still running, blaring loudly from every possible outlet that Ethanol is bad.

Bull.

Many of these statements are based on an errant study that is focussed on corn based ethanol production. There are a great number of other plants that can produce quality ethanol, many with lower inputs than corn. Here are a few:

• Rice
• Wheat
• Potatoes
• Switchgrass
• Sorghum
  
• Beets
• Sugar Cane
• Miscanthus (a type of fast growing grass)
• Barley
• Apples
• Trees
• Brush and typical weeds
• Sunflower
• Crop wastes
• Yard clippings
• Cherries

Just about any sweet or starchy plant can be used. People seem to be focusing on corn based ethanol. Why? Maybe because so much conventional agricultural infrastructure is made to support corn processing and agriculture. Ethanol is made by converting starch or sugars into ethyl alcohol through fermentation. Anything that produces sugar can be fermented. ANYTHING! Why the focus on corn?

Here is a bit of historical ethanol trivia for you... The original internal combustion engines were designed to use alcohol but since gasoline was so inexpensive, the engines were modified to burn gasoline. In 1919 when prohibition began, ethyl alcohol was illegal and could only be sold when mixed with gasoline. That laid the groundwork with auto engineers. Automobile motors were designed to use gasoline.

So, when reading in the common press of the problems with ethanol production and it causing more pollution than conventional gasoline, just remember... The press, almost by design, must sell product. Don't believe everything you read in the paper.

Problems with Science Biofuel Study

After a little searching and poking on the internet last night, I managed to find the study that purports to state, according to popular media, a doomsday if we are to turn on to biofuels in a big way. Please, read the study and judge for yourself here, at the Science website.

Further, I found a few other good pieces on CNet News and The Renewable Fuels Association and/or the Argonne National Laboratory. While a bit dry, and defensive in areas, these are good reading.

As I noted in another post, I am not a scientist. The only professional or academic research I have ever participated in were focused on computer science and mathematics, and that was almost two decades ago. So, with that caveat stated, here's what I think of the seemingly damning study published in Science.

• The study states... "Because we compare these emissions to the cost of 30 years of ethanol consumption, we treat them as up-front costs." This means what? Seems to me this means that the emissions for the next 30 years are tossed into the beginning emissions values. This is not how nature works and should not be used that way in the study. Far too many unknowns exist within the next 30 years. Given today's high rate of technological changes, 30 years if far too long to believe it unlikely that ethanol production cannot be optimized by a significant amount.
  
• The study focuses on corn based ethanol and the loss of land for increased production, especially in third world nations. This is a failure. While alternate sources of ethanol were mentioned, little was researched.
• Conventional wet and dry methods of milling and ethanol production were covered, but little was stated regarding potentially novel methods.
• Corn was domesticated sometime in the area of 7000 BC, in Central Mexico. Since then, all breeding and research into corn hybridization and breeding has been focused on nutrient quality, hardiness and adapting the plant to varied environmental situations. Only limited resources have been used to research hybridized corn or other plant products to emphasize their ability to produce ethanol.
  
• While not specifically stated, it seems the authors assume a conventional monolithic manufacturing and distribution model. Ignoring regional and local production, manufacture and distribution as a viable option is tremendously short sited. A local model is not even viable but is quite sustainable.

It may not have been the authors' intention, but the media really picked up this story and ran with it. There are quite a few mutations and extrapolations of this research, some of which could be somewhat comical, if not believed out-of-hand by so many.

So, please read and judge for yourself. Comments???

Information sources: Corn; Ethanol

How to Find and Finance a Farm

Ah, the things one can find when not even looking...

While idly perusing Google News I came across an article entitled "How to Find and Finance a Farm" on the Mother Earth News website. Bonanza, I thought. I eagerly follow the link and start reading.

Then I see the line, "this settlement is to be made early in 1971," and I start wondering. Later I see "Land values are skyrocketing around Cleveland, for instance, yet—a few weeks ago—I saw a good 31-acre farm for $11,000 . . ." and I know something is amiss. Then I see the publish date, November/December 1970.

And, according to Google News, it was posted only three hours ago! Ah, the wonderful world of of technology. Without this little bug, or what have you, I would not have seen this article, I would have been unable to include a link here. So, here you go: How to Find and Finance a Farm.

It may indeed be old, but it seems to me there is some pretty good information there. Enjoy!

Lake Mead, RIP 2017?

Now here is a study I can agree with. According to Tim Barnett and David Pierce, researchers at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California-San Diego, there is a 50% chance Lake Mead will not have enough water to operate the Hoover Dam by 2021, or worse, the lake may be completely dry! There is a 10% chance Lake Mead could be dry by 2014! Someone needs to Wake Up!

This takes into account the long drought and increased water usage, both above and below the dam. This is a case where the fecal matter is hitting the air circulator. For years Las Vegas has been sucking up water from Lake Mead, only to be used to water golf courses and pampered lawns that belong in the mid-west or east, not the desert south-west.

I rode out to look at the lake last weekend. It is anemic; 100 feet lower, or more than where it was nearly ten years ago when I first moved to this place of facades and oblivion. And yet people continue to waste, regardless of the television and newspaper spots, urging this city of excess to cut back. "It's a Desert Out There" is the tag line. Yet people still obliviously water and waste and apparently don't care.

The Colorado River is not only vital to Las Vegas, Laughlin and other river towns for supplying general purpose water, but is the veritable life blood of agricultural concerns from here, down to the Pacific. Farmers in Arizona, Southern Nevada, Southern California and parts of Mexico will have no choice but to let their farms dry up and blow away. Colorado River water is used for irrigation on a multitude of crops.

No water = no irrigation = no crops = no farms = more unemployment & higher food prices.

Why? Sure, the drought or climate change is a participant in this, but the primary culprit is Las Vegas and its citizens' attitudes.

Here's a suggestion to you, Mayor Goodman... You want to do something important that will make an impact? Tax the hell out of water in Clark County and use the income to make the golf courses and parks more "water smart." The citizens of Las Vegas may pull their collective heads out of their arses and use less water, if for nothing more than to pay less tax.

The result? Maybe reversing the draining of Lake Mead and the saving of thousands of farms down the river. Mayor Goodman, do something before the farms, small communities along the Colorado River, and maybe even Las Vegas become the first ghost towns of the 21'st century.

Read here: Google News collection of Lake Mead articles.

Biofuels Promote Global Warming?

*sniff* *sniff* I may have found the bologna for my sandwich.

So, Google News has been awash with articles about a new study in the journal Science that suggests biofuels increase greenhouse gasses, specifically Carbon Dioxide. I am no scientist but like to think my mind is fairly analytical and practical.

Given what I have read, I think there is some bologna being sliced up here. Or maybe it is a case of the media targeting something that is not necessarily true or proven, but can sell and/or increase readership. Of maybe, just maybe there is something more devious afoot.

Regardless. Biofuels exercise the natural cycle of the earth, rather than dumping CO2 right into the atmosphere. If all goes well, I will acquire a copy of this study & comment.

Stand by... More later...

Snow Day!!!

SNOW!!!

During the past few days, the midwest has been enjoying the blessings of a nice winter storm. I heard on WGN radio today that parts of I-80 and I-94 were closed due to complete white-out conditions. Government offices, schools and businesses were closed. People were asked to stay home.

Some have told me that I am a bit masochistic. Yes, I LOVE winter time. Unfortunately, here in the South-West, winters are just not the same. They are typically brown and lifeless. But I digress...

Winter is all about compromise. Lives must go on, regardless of the challenges presented by six inches of snow. Sure, there are meetings and schedules and plans and hopes; and they are all at the mercy of the weather.

So you may have to spend twice the normal time feeding the animals. So you may not be able to leave the farm for a movie or a date. So you may have to spend a few hours getting snow off the driveway. Winter is the season of compromise.

Soon will be my winter of compromises. Just over the little grassy hill lies my future. One that hopefully includes a farm. It is what I want to do. Perhaps, just perhaps I will need to compromise; accept the environment and work with it, not against.

Should I compromise, and accept a farmhouse with rentable land nearby? Should I compromise and accept a house in a small town where I can rent land? Would a large garden plot satisfy my needs; getting closer to the land and at least attempting to live a more sustainable life.

Then I wonder how I will generate an income? This seems like a fairly stable compromise. Work as a programmer until... Until what? Well, hopefully, until my little agricultural venture can pay for itself and my own expenses. But what of compromise? What if I only have a large garden plot that will never be able to financially support me? More compromises.

There is a gray area somewhere between obsession and ambivalence where a fair compromise lies. I am not sure where it is, but it is somewhere.

Catalog Season!

It has started!!! The catalogs are arriving!

Even though most of the things in them would be difficult to grow here in the desert. But, to me, they are like the old Christmas catalogs from Sears and JC Penneys. Full of fun, nifty, cool little things that I knew would never be mine. Ohhh but they are SO enjoyable to look at and drool over, time and time again!

So far I have only received two: Peaceful Valley and Musser Forests. The rest will be coming soon, I am quite sure. Instead of avoiding the mail, what with its bills and notices and junk that is never opened. Oh, but those catalogs.

As a child, these were so enjoyable. Building a fire in the heating stove, making a nice cup of hot cocoa, propping my feet up, enjoying the unique heat radiated by the burning wood, and consuming those catalogs. It could be ten degrees out or a foot of snow on the road, but I would be warm and comfortable.

Last year I purchased some Edamame seed from Peaceful Valley. Edamame are edible soybeans, very popular in Japan as a high protein snack and appetizer. Preparation is simple. One simply boils the edamame in salted water, cool and enjoy. They are a great healthy summer snack with a cold beer.

Unfortunately it is just too hot here in Southern Nevada to grow these gems. I may try again this year by planting sooner and managing the water and shade a bit better. With any luck I will have a nice mid-summer treat.

Soon I will have some soil and be in an environment that isn't so adverse to growing food. Ahhh... Then the catalogs will really be useful. For now, pardon me, I have some catalogs to read.

End of an era

Photo by Scott Strazzante / Chicago Tribune
(posted here with permission of Mr. Strazzante)
Making way for a new subdivision, Harlow Cagwin's farmhouse is leveled by crews. Cagwin, 80, can't bear to watch as the final act of his 76 years on the land unfolds in front of him.

While stumbling around the Chicago Tribune website, I happened upon this photo-essay by Scott Strazzante. (Photo Essay) For me, it is a poignant statement that while one type of life may perish, another will thrive. It's not right or wrong. It just is. There are some serious mixed feelings here. Mr. Cagwin lived and worked on this farm for nearly 80 years; and it ends with a backhoe unceremoniously ripping down his house.

Promised Land, on Mother Jones website
Second Place, Picture of the Year, International

To Scott Strazzante, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
To Jean and Harlow Cagwin, regardless of your loss,folks like you are the heart of the nation. God Speed.

Peanut Butter and Bologna

Somehow the topic of odd food tastes come up in some conversations. I am not a psychologist or sociologist. Hell, I have a difficult time thinking deeply on any form of verbal communication and personal interaction.

Lack of interpersonal communication skills aside, there is the subject of odd foods. What is the oddest food combination I like? Hands down, it is peanut butter and bologna sandwiches. I loved them as a child and even in my 40's I still indulge from time to time.

Some have grimaced, some have stared in disbelief, some have faked gagging, and I read on the internet last night of a person pleading a friend to get professional help for his penchant for this unique sandwich. These reactions were all in good fun mind you. But there is a somewhat serious note.

Not many people like this combination. This culinary nightmare suits me. Perhaps a certain life echoing from my childhood suits me as well. Through my past eighteen some years as a city dweller, I have almost always felt out of place. Sometimes a palpable feeling, other times just a feather touch on the back of my consciousness; something to be easily ignored.

Last week it hit me. Within this year, there will be no hard ties left for me in the city. My daughter graduates high school. After that, both she and my ex-wife know, all bets are off. I could quite easily pack my bike and just head out somewhere... Maybe not even return.

Where am I going with this? Like peanut butter and bologna sandwiches, certain things suit certain people. The rural life suits me. So... This blog, and my site www.iwanttofarm.com will be coming alive again. I have little time and a lot to do. I have planning to do and money to save.

Stay tuned... This farm boy is preparing to go home!

Winter and Introspection

Winter on the farm. I remember it being peaceful, introspective and at times, harsh. In some respects it was time-off. No crops or garden to work. No fences to walk. No maintenance on drainage streams. No animals to chase back into their pastures or pens.

But...

There was wood to cut and bring into the house. Feeding the animals was at times an adventure and challenge. The chickens, being cooped up most days, could generate a great deal of waste. Cleaning their abode once every two or three weeks or so could be quite harsh. Ensuring liquid water for the livestock was a real challenge when the water pipes to the barn froze solid. I remember once trying to connect a small welder to the pipes to thaw them out! Safe? Um... no.

Then there was human food. There would be weeks between grocery store trips. Planning the, at times, monthly grocery trip was no small matter for two adults and five growing kids. Storing this food in a small house was also no minor matter at times. Doubly so with two teenagers in the house.

But somehow we survived. Somehow we thrived.

Where am I going with this? Well, just a little preemptive rambling I guess. Ultimately though, my farming plans are on temporary hiatus. Due to many little things that have redirected my attention. Some good things, some not so good things.

I have been practicing my motorcycle riding skills a great deal. That's a good thing. There are also those wonderful rides I have been taking. Good for the soul but somewhat distracting from my farming and rural goals.

Then there are my well meaning projects. Some grand, others minor but all require time. Perhaps it is time for some priority readjustments. Just some redirection.

It has been more than a month since I researched anything on the farming front. Time for a little introspective review. Time to think. I am going on a ride.

Stay tuned...