To Farm Again

Building With Stone

2009-08-03T01:00:00.000-07:00

Throughout the history of the human species, we have been building with stone. The first stone homes were not much more than piles of rubble. Today, stone buildings can be huge and grand and complex or small and comfortable and simple.

Stone buildings and houses may be the perfect construct for modern attempts at sustainable living and farming. The reasons for this include:

Availability of Building Materials.
Sturdiness and Durability.
Longevity.
Ease of Construction.
Low Construction and Maintenance Costs.
Potential for High Energy Efficiency.
And Many More!

For the next seven days I will cover each of these reasons why you should consider building with stone. Hopefully you will consider constructing your next building with stone.

Preserving Blueberries

2009-08-01T03:00:00.000-07:00

Blueberries are one of the easiest fruits to freeze. The process is as simple as removing damaged berries and stems, placing them on a large cookie sheet and then putting the whole thing in the freezer. Once they freeze, place them in a sealed bag and leave in the freezer. The natural wax on the outside of the blueberries protects the fruit while frozen. When ready to use, simply thaw, rinse and eat.

Some people switch the process and rinse first, then letting them dry before freezing. Either way is acceptable. It is reported that rinsing before freezing can lessen their lifetime in the freezer. Blueberries only last a few months in my freezer so I really couldn't tell you.

That stated, generally blueberries can last in the freezer for more than six months. Where other fruit can become quite mushy after freezing, the blueberry will still hold its shape pretty well.

Most people preserve blueberries through canning as a jelly, jam, syrup or compote. Here is a great little site with plenty of information on canning and preserving blueberries and many other fruits.

With just a little work, that wonderful summer flavor of fresh blueberries can be enjoyed throughout the year.

A Blueberry Weekend

2009-07-31T08:09:00.001-07:00

Ah, the wonderful blueberry. With a wide variety of cultivars, this fruit bearing bush is hearty from the southern United States up through parts of southern Canada. High in vitamin C, vitamin K, fiber and Manganese (from nutritiondata.com) , and easy to grow and store, the blueberry may be very near the most perfect fruit.

Growing form ranges from short, squat bushes to tall, narrow treelike constructs. Whether you have a small back yard or a few thousand acres, a few blueberry bushes are perfect additions to your garden.

Throughout this weekend I will post information and recipes about and with the fabulous blueberry. Stay tuned!

Friday News?

2009-07-31T07:40:00.000-07:00

The UK's FSA Publishes Organic Research - from the UK's Food Standards Agency - "An independent review commissioned by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) shows that there are no important differences in the nutrition content, or any additional health benefits, of organic food when compared with conventionally produced food. The focus of the review was the nutritional content of foodstuffs. "

So, what these researchers did was review the results of other researchers from the last fifty years and arrived at the conclusion that there is little nutritional difference between organically grown food and food conventionally grown and processed. Just to make it clear, this was more of an academic mashup than real research. No original research was done. As with sustainable agriculture, one must look for more systemic results rather than simply read others' research on a narrow base of subjects.
-------------------------
Rural Businesses Receive Billions in Assistance - from Farm Futures.com - "Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced that USDA is accepting applications for up to $1.7 billion in funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for projects to help create business activity and economic growth in rural communities. Vilsack said the funds will help businesses get access to the capital they need to launch and expand their businesses and help bring additional jobs to America's small cities and towns."

That's a step in the right direction. Hopefully the money will be well spent and big companies will not get their hands on too much of it.

Tuesday News

2009-07-28T07:41:00.000-07:00

Infectious Diseases Study Site Questioned - Tornado Alley May Not Be Safe - from the Washington Post - "The Department of Homeland Security relied on a rushed, flawed study to justify its decision to locate a $700 million research facility for highly infectious pathogens in a tornado-prone section of Kansas, according to a government report."

Now there is a great idea. Place a multi-million dollar infections disease government lab in "tornado alley." But wait... more stupidity... What of the livestock? According to the Government Accountability Office: "Drawing conclusions about relocating research with highly infectious exotic animal pathogens from questionable methodology could result in regrettable consequences."

Give your congressman or senator a call.
---------------------------
20,000 Gallons of Biofuel per Acre per Year - from Technology Review - "A startup based in Cambridge, MA--Joule Biotechnologies--today revealed details of a process that it says can make 20,000 gallons of biofuel per acre per year. If this yield proves realistic, it could make it practical to replace all fossil fuels used for transportation with biofuels. The company also claims that the fuel can be sold for prices competitive with fossil fuels."

High-tech agriculture on the bleeding edge. Joule uses genetically engineered microorganisms, likely a type of algae, to convert Carbon Dioxide and the Sun's energy into a hydrocarbon fuel. It may not be very tsty on the grill, but I wouldn't mind burning it in my truck or tractor.

Some Monday Morning Farm Humor

2009-07-27T11:01:00.000-07:00

Given today's economic times and popular society's general dysfunctional, non sustainable insanity, we all need a little good clean humor from time to time. Mark Parisi has a great bunch of funny farm cartoons here on his website: offthemark.com Enjoy!

Today's Reasons for Moving Back to the Country

2009-07-27T09:13:00.000-07:00

As a reader of slashdot, I read a lot of nutty stuff there. Here are a few highlights of the craziness that just makes me want to head for the barn.

Scientists Worry Machines May Outsmart Man - From the New York Times: "Impressed and alarmed by advances in artificial intelligence, a group of computer scientists is debating whether there should be limits on research that might lead to loss of human control over computer-based systems that carry a growing share of society’s workload, from waging war to chatting with customers on the phone."

Machines can do a heck of a lot around the farm, but I am NOT going to take orders from my hay baler.
----------------
573,928 Accounts Possibly Compromised in Network Solutions Attack - From The Tech Herald: "Network Solutions issued a Data Security Alert (DSA) on Friday, which reported the discovery of malicious code planted on servers supporting their E-Commerce merchants’ websites. The code, discovered on 4,343 Network Solutions customer sites, might have captured transaction data for almost 574,000 cardholders."

So, if you shop online and/or use credit or debit cards, maybe you should think twice. Just another reason to use cash and shop at your local farmer's market or road side produce stand.
----------------
Electronic Grid Still Very Vulnerable to Electromagnetic Weaponry - From Science News: "Electromagnetic pulse is hardly a household term. But perhaps it should be. Every computer we buy, every system we turn over to computer control, every device that relies on electronic components — all cars, TVs and phones, for instance — makes us more vulnerable to such a high-energy rain of electrons."

Articles like this should make anyone without alternate electrical generation think twice. Not only can EMP weapons cause issues with the power grid, but solar events could and even have caused problems. One doesn't need to completely live off-the-grid, just be prepared. Maybe it is time to check the prices on windmills.
----------------
Reprogrammed Skin Cells to Create Mice - From the Wall Street Journal: "Two teams of Chinese researchers working separately have reprogrammed mature skin cells of mice to an embryonic-like state and used the resulting cells to create live mouse offspring."

Now here is a can of worms. Sure, this is helping forward stem cell research, but what about all the additional cats that will be needed?

Time for Some Rhubarb?

2009-04-30T12:15:00.000-07:00

It will not be long before many people in the Northern US, Southern Canada and Europe have the opportunity to pluck fresh rhubarb from their gardens and enjoy some early produce.

Rhubarb (or Rheum rhabarbarum for those taxonomy folks out there) likely originated in China and was brought to Europe by Marco Polo in the late 1200's. Numerous sources believe Benjamin Franklin originally imported seeds to the United States from Europe in the late 1700's. Other sources believe an unknown gardener in Maine obtained seed or rootstock from Europe in the late 1700's or early 1800's.

However it made its way to North America, those who love rhubarb are quite thankful. So, let's get down to business with a few recipes.

Classic Rhubarb Pie

4 cups chopped rhubarb
1/4 cups finely chopped strawberries (optional)
1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
6 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour (whole wheat flour also works well)
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
1 9 inch pie crust with top

Preheat oven to 450 degrees (230 degrees Celcius).
If including fresh strawberries (optional), mix the rhubarb and strawberries.
Mix sugar and flour together. Sprinkle about 1/4 of it over bottom of pie crust (In the plate). Put rhubarb over this. Sprinkle the top of the rhubarb with remaining flour and sugar. Sprinkle top with small pieces of butter or margarine.
Cover with top crust. Cut a small "X" in the center of the top crust.
Place pie on low rack in the oven. Bake for only 15 minutes first, then reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees (175 degrees C), and continue baking for 40 to 45 minutes.

Rhubarb Crisp (a real classic)

4 cups sliced fresh rhubarb
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 cup sugar
1 cup all-purpose unbleached flour
3/4 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup melted margarine or butter
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon real vanilla
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup cool water

Mix brown sugar, flour, butter, oats and cinnamon in a bowl; mix by hand or with bread hook until crumbly. Put half of this mixture into a well buttered 8-inch square baking dish. Press firmly into bottom of dish. Put the sliced rhubarb on top.

In a medium sized saucepan mix sugar, cornstarch, water and vanilla. Slowly cook on a medium to low flame until clear. Pour over rhubarb.

Top with remaining crumb mixture and bake at 350° for 45 to 55 minutes.

This goes wonderfully with vanilla ice cream!

Hair for Weed Control?

2009-04-30T11:41:00.000-07:00

That is correct! According to American Public Media, there is a new product in the gardener's and farmer's arsenal against weeds. It is inexpensive, slowly biodegradable, high in Nitrogen, helpful in retaining soil moisture, promotes more complete root growth, its raw materials are renewable, and... it is made of human hair.

For years composters have tossed hair clippings in their compost bins, but now a Florida company is working to sell thin mats made of human hair. Browse over here to take a look at their website: www.smartgrow.us

More Small Farms - Its a Good Thing!

2009-03-16T09:24:00.000-07:00

Recently there has been a stir in the small and sustainable farming communities. According to the USDA's 2007 Census of Agriculture, the number of farms is again on the rise. Since the end of World War II, the number of farms in the US have been decreasing.

What this seems to indicate is that the number of small farms is growing. Actually, most of the hard numbers do seem to bear this out.

There are quite a few online articles about this trend: Hobby farms gaining popularity in Eau Claire County; USDA's latest census shows growing diversity; and U.S. farm growth fueled by small operations -USDA.

If the number of small farms are honestly increasing, that can only mean good things for bio-diversity, local economies and general sustainability.

On the other side, some question whether the USDA's census numbers are correct. This article in The Grist brings a few issues to light.

Salsa Anyone?

2009-02-28T01:01:00.000-08:00

One of my wintertime favorite snacks is salsa on baked potatoes. Canning Salsa is a little tricky in that it requires a balance of acids to ensure a certain form of bacteria does not grow. Clostridium botulinum is not a fun bacteria to ingest. It can make a person VERY ill.

But knowledge is power. The right balance of acids in canned salsa can keep this delight fresh throughout the winter and even spring.

This is a slightly modified version of salsa I made last year from the folks at New Mexico State University.

Simple Tomato Salsa
Makes about 18 pints.

7 quarts of cored, peeled and chopped tomatoes. Roma or other paste tomatos are best.
4 cups finely chopped green chiles. Use the seeds as well.
5 cups chopped onions.
2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro.
1/2 cup finely chopped jalapenos. Use the seeds.
1 cup lemon juice (Canned is ok. Squeezing lemons can be a challenge.)
2 tablespoon sea salt (Regular salt will work just fine.)
6 cloves of fresh garlic finely shredded or chopped.
1 tablespoon medium or fine ground black pepper.
1 cup white vinegar (try wine or balsam vinegar as an interesting taste experiment)

Put everything except for the cilantro in a large pot and bring to a boil. Constant stirring keeps the salsa from burning on the pan. After reaching the point of boiling, reduce to a simmer for 10 minutes while continuing your stirring.

Add cilantro and simmer for 20 more minutes. Yes, keep stirring.

Fill pint sized jars, leaving 1/2 to 3/4 inch air space at the top.

Put lids on and process in a water bath canner for 15 minutes. Remove from boiler, tighten lids and let cool. Those that do not seal should be used that day or put in the compost bin.

Enjoy!

Planning for Canning

2009-02-27T15:19:00.000-08:00

If you haven't finished planning for your spring planting, this is a good time to sit down and give some thought to it. What to plant...

Well, one consideration to make when sketching garden plans and ordering seeds is 'what should you can?' Canning, if you don't already know, is a great way to prepare and keep your house stocked with fresh fruit and vegetables throughout the barren winter and busy spring. Canning is relatively simple although a little labor intensive depending on what produce is being canned.

Having a fresh stock of sweet corn, beans, peas, beets, asparagus or even pre-made soup or salsa can really be nice in the midst of a sub-zero winter day. But the planning...

First and foremost, plant what you and your family like to eat. Secondly think of the nutritional value. Many people LOVE canned sweet corn but let's face it. The nutritional value of carrots or tomatoes, for the most part, far outweighs that of corn. So, as with life, it is a balance.

Some great produce to consider includes a few of the following:

Tomatoes - Roma and paste varieties are the best for canning, preserving and making things like salsa.
Corn - Usually a favorite around many tables.
Beets - Not only are they nutritious, but their typically deep red flesh can help to liven up a winter day.
Beans - Try to get the stringless, smaller varieties. They are easier to process.
Peas - Another favorite, try to get a sweet variety. Peas are a great source of energy when feeding the cows or shoveling snow.
Greens - Not every family likes greens but they are quite nutritious and typically easy to grow.
Squash and pumpkin - The creative cook can do a lot of different things with canned pumpkin and squash. There is also the added benefit that these typically grow easily in a range of environments.
Carrots - Perhaps not terribly exciting, canned carrots are packed with healthy goodness.

And, when possible, plant heirloom varieties that are known to thrive in your locale.

Happy Planning!!!

More information on canning can be found here, at the National Center for Home Food Preservation.

A few new posts?

2009-02-27T08:02:00.000-08:00

Well, it would seem that even though there have been no posts here for more that two months, people are still finding interest in some of the content here. So, with no further waiting, I will start to post more content here.

It will not be easy since I have a Motorcycle Restoration Project that is getting me out into the fresh air. Then I have another Motorcycle blog that requires some fresh content as there are a good number of visitors there as well.

New posts coming soon...

BRB

That Handy Potato

2008-12-05T12:40:00.001-08:00

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!

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

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?

2008-12-01T20:23:00.000-08:00

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?

2008-12-01T19:41:00.001-08:00

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

2008-11-24T06:48:00.000-08:00

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!

2008-11-23T00:10:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-17T13:02:00.000-08:00

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.

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?

2008-11-13T19:10:00.000-08:00

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!!!

2008-11-11T06:44:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-10T22:44:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-01T11:25:00.000-07:00

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???

2008-10-31T11:28:00.001-07:00

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

2008-10-30T07:59:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-29T23:57:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-29T19:32:00.000-07:00

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

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.

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

Hurrah for Fresh Fruits!

2008-10-29T13:10:00.001-07:00

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

2008-10-29T05:49:00.001-07:00

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

2008-10-28T19:22:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-28T16:50:00.001-07:00

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?

2008-10-28T01:00:00.000-07:00

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?

2008-10-27T12:38:00.001-07:00

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
-------------------

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.
------------------
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.
---
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

2008-10-23T23:32:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-23T23:09:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-15T05:54:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-14T05:59:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-12T06:05:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-11T16:57:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-07T00:05:00.000-07:00

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?

2008-05-06T08:01:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-05T21:51:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-01T08:04:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-30T22:07:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-29T08:33:00.000-07:00

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"

2008-04-24T17:06:00.000-07:00

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?

2008-04-24T10:52:00.001-07:00

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..

2008-04-23T14:34:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-10T12:43:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-05T11:12:00.001-07:00

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.

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.
Ensure that all animals are properly vaccinated by a professional.
Know your equipment like the back of your hand. If you don't, you might end up without a hand.
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.
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.
Never work around powered machinery with tattered or loose fitting clothes.
Don't listen to an MP3 player with headphones or ear-buds while operating a tractor or combine or generally anything motorized.
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.
Keep your equipment and tools well maintained. Double check your head, tail and running lights at least once a week.
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.
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!
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...

2008-04-04T11:01:00.001-07:00

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

2008-04-01T05:58:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-30T15:05:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-03-16T22:54:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-02T10:56:00.000-08:00

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!

2008-02-22T06:10:00.000-08:00

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

2008-02-18T17:11:00.000-08:00

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

2008-02-16T11:23:00.000-08:00

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

2008-02-14T18:54:00.000-08:00

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?

2008-02-13T12:17:00.001-08:00

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?

2008-02-09T08:07:00.000-08:00

*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!!!

2008-02-07T06:20:00.001-08:00

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!

2008-01-31T18:39:00.000-08:00

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

2008-01-30T12:46:00.002-08:00

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

2008-01-26T09:40:00.000-08:00

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

2008-01-20T10:57:00.001-08:00

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...

It is Walnut Time!

2008-01-06T11:25:00.000-08:00

I remember as a child, just before fall, making sure the all the black walnuts were pushed onto the driveway. Why? For those of you who don't know, black walnuts grow with a tough, stinky husk around them. That husk needs to be removed before they are cracked or put whole into storage, so we tossed them onto the gravel and dirt driveway.

Driving over them with a truck, tractor or car would rarely break the actual shell, but would nicely 'squish' the husk right off. Again, if you don't know, a black walnut's shell is VERY hard. Typically just driving over one will cause more abrasion on your tire than the nut's shell.

Well, I also remember Christmas break was the time to break last fall's walnuts. It is not easy to pop them open and not crush the tasty nut meat inside. A hammer and brick were my tools. Nut on the brick, down comes the hammer. If just the right force is used on just the right place of the nut's shell, it should pop right open. Too hard, and the nut will completely smash. Not hard enough and, well, try again...

That brings me to today. I am happily reliving old times with an old favorite recipe...

Banana Walnut Bread

3 or 4 ripe bananas
1/3 cup butter
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup oatmeal
1 & 1/2 cup unbleached flour
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 335.
Blend butter and sugar in a low speed mixer until it obtains a grainy or crumbly consistency.
Add bananas, egg, salt, oatmeal and vanilla. Continue mixing until it is well blended.
Add baking soda and flour. Blend until it reaches a thick, but smooth consistency.
Remove from mixer and stir in the walnuts by hand.
Prepare a 9 x 9 cake pan or typical loaf pan by buttering the bottom and sides.
Place dough in pan and bake for approximately 40 minutes. When the top of the bread starts to brown, check every 5 minutes or so with a toothpick. Stick it in the center and when it comes out clean, it is done.

There are too many variations of this recipe for me to even start with. Modify as you desire. It is very flexible and forgiving, and is definitely one of my favorites & I hope it is one of yours.

Some Mid-Week News

2007-12-20T06:26:00.000-08:00

For a while here, I have been as busy as the proverbial beaver. Some times life just keeps one moving in directions that were not expected. Ah well. Just like a dry spell or long fall rain, all I can do is ride it out.

There does seem to be some interesting agriculture items in the news recently. Top on the list is the Farm Bill, recently signed by President Bush. (Some details here at the Farm Futures website) Living in the city, I hear and read quite a bit of interesting commentary... comments like, "Those damned farmers are getting rich!" and "I want to farm so I an get all that government money!" and "All those farmers and their pick-up trucks. Wish I could get government money to buy me a new one." Maybe it's just the people in Las Vegas, but I honestly think city dwellers are mostly clueless when it comes to farming.

I am not going to agree or disagree with the things in the bill. I do think that many people don't realize that there is SO much more in the Farm Bill than subsidies. People should read and be somewhat educated on a topic before commenting, IMHO.

In a similar governmental vein, President Bush signed the Energy Bill. (Some details here at the agriulture.com website.) With a new emphasis on automobile mileage and bio-fuels, the Energy and Farm Bills work together. But is that a good thing? I heard a little blurb on the television last night about Nitrogen and Phosphate runoff in the Mississippi Delta. Could an increased reliance on bio-fuels without proper conservation efforts cause further damage to the environment? Maybe. Only time will tell.

In my opinion, if more people, farmers and not, would exercise sustainable living practices, we would have a lot less to worry about.

Comments???

Big Chunk Apple Pie

2007-12-10T21:50:00.001-08:00

I don't know why, but when I make an apple pie, the apples are sliced. This one is different! The apples are in chunks! I found this easy recipe last weekend and tried it. What's better on a cold winter day than a nice hot apple pie?

Big Chunk Apple Pie

Sweet Apples – Enough to fill a deep 9 inch metal or glass pie pan with about 1 to 1.5 inches rising over the top.
½ cup unbleached flour
5 tablespoons corn starch
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground dry ginger
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon allspice

Preheat oven to 425 F.

Prepare a deep 9 inch metal or glass pie pan. You can make your own crust or buy an Aluminum pan with the crust already there. This pie does not have a top crust, but if you are making your own crust and wish to have a top crust, no problem. Just make a little extra crust or buy two pans with crusts and use the crust from the other pan as a top crust.

Wash plenty of apples under cool water and peel. The number of apples in this recipe depends on their size, so you may need to peel more or less to fill the pan.

Core the apples and divide each apple into six or eight chunks. There are commercial products to do this easily and are highly recommended.

Combine allspice, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, corn starch, sugar, and flour in a bowl and mix well.

Sprinkle 4 or 5 tablespoons of the mixture onto bare pie crust.

Snugly pack one layer of apple chunks on the crust. Use any pattern you like, just minimize the
airspace.

Sprinkle 4 or 5 tablespoons of the mixture onto the first layer of apples.

Repeat the last two steps until the apples are 1 to 1.5 inches above the top of the pan.

Sprinkle the remainder of the sugar-spice mixture on top.

If you want a top crust, place it on top now.

Bake the pie at 420 F for 10 minutes, then at 375 for 45 minutes to an hour. Remove when the apples are soft.

Now remember. When buying apples for this recipe, you want a variety of apple that is sweet. These include apples such as Golden Delicious, Empire, Mustu (Crispin), Fuji, Spartan, Macoun or Gala. Try to avoid Northern Spy, Granny Smith, Jonathan, McIntosh, Pippin and Winesap. These are a bit too tart for this pie. BUT, if you would like to use one or two and mix it up a bit, I say 'go for it!'

And remember... If you can, support your local farmers and buy your apples from a local orchard.

Survival skills for farmers???

2007-11-02T06:32:00.000-07:00

So, they are teaching farm survival? Honestly, this looks like an interesting class. Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon is offering a program to help small and diverse agricultural ventures. This seems to be less a survival program and more of a success prorgam.

This program not only teaches growing skills but also marketing, sales, management, policy, philosophy and a whole host of other things a farmer needs to know to survive in the the newly diversifying field of farming. It doesn't seem they miss a beat... They also offer instruction on how to handle the possibility that a farm goes under. This definitely seems like a balanced program.

Other community colleges should look at this program as a template to build their own programs. In my opinion, a heck of a lot of people would be interested in this sort of thing. I certainly would be!

http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071102/BIZ/711020326

http://www.lanecc.edu/

The wonderful Kiwi!

2007-10-25T09:26:00.001-07:00

Ah, the Kiwi. This Asian fruit holds the honor of being my daughter's favorite. I swear, she could eat a dozen of these things and not even think about it.

According to the California Rare Fruit Growers (http://www.crfg.org/), there are seven main species of Kiwi: Chinese Egg Gooseberry (Actinidia coriacea); Kiwifruit (A. deliciosa); Hardy Kiwi (A. arguta); Super-hardy Kiwi (A. kolomikta); Red Kiwi (A. melanandra); Silver Vine (A. polygama) and Purple Kiwi (A. purpurea).

Kiwifruit in the store is typically from a cultivar or hybrid of A deliciosa. While this Kiwi typically requires a long frost-free growing season of about 240 days, there are hybrids and cultivars of the Hardy Kiwi and Super-Hardy Kiwi that can survive and grow in the midwestern states.

They may not thrive, but they will survive and bear fruit. According to the University of Illinois, the Hardy Kiwi will grow in most gardens and produce large grape-like fruit that can be eaten, peel and all.

from the University of Wisconsin-http://www.hort.wisc.edu/mastergardener/Features/fruits/kiwi/kiwi.htm

A. rufa
A. melanandra (red kiwi)
A. glaucophylla
A. chinensis
A. latifolia
A. indochinensis
A. chinensis 'Hort16A'
A. macrosperma
A. arguta (Hardy Kiwi)
A. fulvicoma
A. deliciosa 'Hayward'
A. arguta var. purpurea (purple kiwi)
A. guilinensis
A. setosa
A. chrysantha
A. eriantha

Oh, and what a variety of fruit. The Kiwi found in grocery stores are huge in comparison to the fruit from the Hardy Kiwi.

Originally from the forests of China, this plant was brought to New Zealand for commercial cultivation. The Kiwi typically grows as a woody, twining vine. They are dioecious, meaning there are male and female plants. The viability of the female and male flower is rather short and as such, is very dependent on bees or other insects for effective pollination.

While there is little commercial cultivation of Kiwis in the states, outside of California, given enough work, I think these could be a nice, much sought-after specialty crop. For me, it is certainly one to watch and do more research.

A subject very important to my daughter, is how to store or preserve them. According to what I have found on the internet, there are three basic ways to preserve Kiwi: freezing; drying and mixing with strawberries to make a strawberry-kiwi jam or jelly. I have frozen them before and while the flavor remains, they do get to be a bit squishy. As for the strawberry-kiwi jam, I have ever made it, but have enjoyed it once or twice on hot toast. Mmmmm...... yummy...

Internet Kiwi References:
Kiwi information from the University of Wisconsin: http://www.hort.wisc.edu/mastergardener/Features/fruits/kiwi/kiwi.htm

Kiwifruit and Hardy Kiwi info from the California Rare Fruit Growers, Inc.
http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/kiwifruit.html
http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/hardy-kiwifruit.html

Kiwi information from the University of Illinois
http://www.solutions.uiuc.edu/content.cfm?series=4&item=436&Parents=0%7C70

Nutritional data on the Kiwi
http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts-C00001-01c20VC.html

North American Fruit Explorers – Kiwifruit Interest Group
http://www.nafex.org/kiwifruit.htm

Tractors and Books...

2007-10-21T15:18:00.001-07:00

I got me a pick-up! It is a nice, white, rust-free 1996 Chevy S-10. Comes equipped with a five-speed transmission, beautiful full-size bed, 2.2 liter four cylinder carburated motor, manual transmission, a completely inoperable air-conditioner, a heater that could keep a person warm in the darkest of antarctic nights, mag wheels, and the prerequisite minor oil and fluid leaks.

So, if you don't mind a little trip down my recent memory lane... Get a divorce; daughter starts getting A's in school; daughter gets a job... that she LIKES; ex-wife totals my car (luckily, aside from a few bumps and bruises, she is OK); I buy a motorcycle and pickup.

I'm thinking that things are starting to look up. LOL

I am now the proud owner of the foremost iconic farm vehicle in North America. A truck. It brings to mind that song by Joe Diffie, “There's Something Women Like About a Pickup Man.”

Wonder if I will get a few dates from this? Hmmm...

That started my brain thinking about other farm vehicles. What other things would a farmer need? I have a pickup for farm chores and necessary commutes when raining, snowing or when I need to haul something. I have a motorcycle for regular commutes into town or work. Both are equally good for going out, just depends on the situation and partner.

Tractors, of course! Now I am thinking of another song, this one by Kenny Chesney, “She Think's My Tractor's Sexy.” (LOL)

Well, I do like tractors & once in high school, almost completely rebuild a John Deere Model A with my dad. It wasn't to make it look all nice and shiny and green, but rather to repair a broken gear. Started innocently enough with a transmission repair and shortly went to a complete rebuild.

There are quite a few tractor books out there and almost all of them make me drool just a little. The Big Book of Farm Tractors by Robert Pripps is a beautiful review of tractors from 1895 to present.

From the book description: “The Big Book of Farm Tractors is the first large-format volume to chronicle the entire time line of American farm tractors, from the steam power of the 1850s to the current offerings from New Holland, AGCO, John Deere, Caterpillar, and more. Detailed descriptions of tractors especially significant to the period, short essays on events defining the times, personal vignettes, collectibles, sales memorabilia, ads from old farm magazines, and old black & white photos of farm scenes make this a complete look at one of America’s greatest innovations. Whether you’re someone who has farmed, or someone simply with a love of the land, this book will give you a new perspective on the enormous influence of the tractor upon the American farm and culture.”

John Deere: A History of the Tractor, by Randy Leffingwell is a nice historic review of the company, in his own storytelling style. With over 300 pictures and details from the company's own archives, this book looks to be a great winter read.

A book that I think is nearly invaluable to anyone who owns older tractors or who are interested in restoring them is How To Restore Classic Farm Tractors: The Ultimate Do-It-Yourself Guide to Rebuilding and Restoring Tractors, by Tharran E. Gaines. Older, smaller tractors are perfect for the smaller farm and, well, they don't make them like they used to. Not only does this book have repair and rebuilding details for many models, but is also chock-full of pictures and diagrams. Park that tractor in the machine shed, fire up the wood burning heater and enjoy the winter working on your little iron work-horse.

Farming on a Shoestring

2007-10-16T21:56:00.000-07:00

“Farming on a Shoestring”
“Living on a Shoestring”
“Flying on a Shoestring”
“Gardening on a Shoestring”
Google any of these and you will likely see hundreds of hits.

Now, google some of these...
“Motorcycling on a Shoestring”
“Milking Cows on a Shoestring”
“Worm Farming on a Shoestring”
“Wine Making on a Shoestring”

Don't find many, do you? So, does that mean you can't make wine on a shoestring? You can't motorcycle on a shoestring? You can't do worm farming on a shoestring?

Ah, this is all just for fun!

Seriously, though, isn't this what being successful at farming is all about? Living on shoestrings?

I have been thinking about just how one can successfully start a farming venture on a shoestring. This morning I was tying my shoestrings and I had an idea. Starting anything with a single shoestring means that if that string breaks, you are basically screwed. Taking a page from some things I have read about investing, I though, 'I must diversify'.

Diversify on a shoestring? Absolutely. How? Shred that shoestring! Take it apart, one thread at a time. You will end up with twenty or thirty little strings. NOW, if one or two or ten of these break, the others will still likely hold.

A small farmer needs to do something similar. Farming is that one big shoestring. Small faming ventures that rely on one source of income are just asking for trouble. Relying on a single crop (in accounting terms this is called a profit center) gives any venture a huge exposure to failure.

What to do? Split that shoestring into as many threads as you can handle. Diversify the farm. Do a little of this and a little of that. Intertwine them together, not so that if one fails the others will, but rather so they will co-exist, regardless of success or failure. Like raising organic chickens, free range eggs and a nice patch of garden. There. You have three threads, or separate profit centers that inter-mesh. If one fails, you have two other.

That is a simplistic example, but one that works. Some small and new farmers may wish to grow corn or beans or wheat or raise cattle or hogs, and that is fine. Those farmers may succeed, but it is the farmer who diversifies their venture who will likely be more profitable and less prone to failure.

Growing a Farm

2007-10-13T12:39:00.000-07:00

Off and on for the past two years or so, I have been sketching and planning the farmhouse I want to build. I pull bits and pieces out of my brain and scribble them on scrap and notebook paper. The bits and pieces look fine but when they are together I am never satisfied.

I literally spent a week sketching out my perfect kitchen. The cabinets will be made from inexpensive, maybe even free lumber from old farm houses or barns or other out buildings. The cabinet doors will be reused wood, cut to size with small panes of glass. The oven, stove, refrigerator and dishwasher will all be conventional, low energy appliances. There will be a stone island with a large cutting surface on top.

The layout will be large and open and have a small table and wood burning stove in one corner, right next to a large pantry fashioned from the same type of lumber as the rest of the room. The floors, as with most of house, will be hardwood. A bar will separate the kitchen from the dining room. Above the bar will be an overhead cabinet held in place by rough 4-by-4 wooden pillars.
All of the counters will be smooth, dense concrete. In short; this is a functional kitchen, made to stand the test of time.

As I assembled the other rooms in my mind, discouragement set in. How would this or that fit? How would I ensure a good southern exposure to the living room and eastern exposure to the master bedroom?

Continuing to the out buildings, uncertainty raised its head. How would it all fit together? A million “what if's” rang in and out of my mind.

Then, about three weeks ago I read this: http://www.angelicorganics.com/Stories/storiescontent.php?contentfile=barn It is all about how farms and farm buildings, not to mention the farmers themselves should be individualistic.

Farms and their supporting buildings should not be preplanned to the last nail or brick. Each one should grow from the surrounding environment. Specific bits and pieces, like my kitchen, are perfect building blocks, but only the surrounding environment can determine how the pieces fit together.

Yes. I get it! A farm and its buildings must organically grow from the land, not just propped up there. Perhaps that is the same with people. A person can't simply be plopped somewhere and expect to be functional or individualistic or unique.

Yes, yes. I get it now.

Factory Food

2007-10-11T01:19:00.000-07:00

DATELINE: OCTOBER 11, 2007 – ConAgra Refuses to Recall Potpies. Is this what our food is coming to? Why should I place my health in the hands of a large corporate conglomerate who's only interest is profit? What about the other large food conglomerates? Do they care more about the safety of their food or profit?

Even after Oregon and Minnesota health officials pleaded to have these items recalled, ConAgra refused. According to the food conglomerate, only the poultry products were contaminated with salmonella.

Over the last several years there has been an outcry to make business and government more opaque, letting the public see through the morass of red tape and piles of reports to see through to the truth. Perhaps it is time for food processors to do the same thing. Maybe they need to let the pubic see behind their curtains.

There is a wonderful organization called SlowFood USA. Here is a snip from their website:

“Living the slow life with food as the focus is as rewarding as it is easy, and it can be done daily by each one of us. Ultimately, it is about pleasure and taste, knowledge and choice. Once we begin to take an interest in the enjoyment of food, and in finding out where our food comes from, we can begin to see the effects of these choices. When we shorten the distance—both literal and figurative—that our food travels to get to us, we are participating in the Slow Food movement. Slow Food is about coming together as a food community—connecting producers and co-producers, coming together on the farm, in the market, and at the table—to create and enjoy food that is good, clean and fair.”

This means Farmer's Markets. This means CSAs. This means removing the curtains of food processing conglomerates. This means increased safety and security of the national food supply.

If I go to a farmers market in the midwest, there is a good chance I can speak with the person who actually grew the produce. Can I trace back the food items in a pot pie and speak with those farmers? Probably not.

On a related topic, there is a strong link between food and sex. No, I am not making this up. Food anthropologist Margaret Visser describes a meal as a ritual in which "desires are aroused and fulfilled." How can one be aroused with a pot pie from ConAgra? Maybe its just me, but it's a turnoff.

Maybe that's why I am newly divorced. She likes fast food. I like it slow and sensual.

www.slowfoodusa.org

Food and Sex at answers.com

A Little Gamble

2007-10-06T06:52:00.000-07:00

That! Yes, THAT is what I used to classify myself as. Typically, the comfortable and familiar were most agreeable to me. Not any more. And I can prove it!

I recall reading an article wherein a farmer made a rather interesting comment about gambling. It has been quite some time since reading this, so I am paraphrasing only.

“I don't have to go to Las Vegas to gamble! I am a farmer. I gamble every day.”

How true! Farmers gamble every day, week, month and even year. But then again, life is one big gamble. Everything is one big toss of the dice. No guarantees, no certainties, no black & whites. So, Embrace it!

If I can embrace uncertainty and learn to gamble a bit, then most others can!

Gambling money, to me, is against my morals. Perhaps that is too strong a word, 'morals.' I would rather use my time and money for more productive purposes. Give me a $20 bill and I am off to the book store, browsing the farming/gardening/rural life/construction sections.

Why in the hell would I stick $20 in a slot machine for a slim chance to win a little more money, when I can buy a book that will last a LOT longer than the same money would at a casino.

Anyway, my distaste for casino gambling aside, I took a HUGE gamble yesterday. In true self-reliant, true 'farmer' style, I took a chance. I bought a motorcycle. It is a big gamble. Cost me a little over $3,000 and I don't even have my license yet! I trust in myself enough to know that I WILL follow through now and take care of the paperwork; practice; get that license.

If I don't, that will be one large, very expensive paperweight.

Why did I take this gamble? Well, primarily I need new, inexpensive transportation. Secondarily, I have always wanted to ride again. No, this is not a 'midlife crisis' bike, as some call them. It isn't a Harley or BMW or anything like that. Just a small Honda Rebel. Perfect for my commute. Minimalistic. Just right.

I am considering this my first real step into taking risks. Hope this experience serves me well when I take the jump and start farming again. This really does feel good!

A Little Research

2007-10-02T22:43:00.001-07:00

Over the last decade I have tinkered off & on with different business ventures. Well, whether it was not enough money or legal complications or not enough time or support or lack of persistence or maybe... not enough guts. Nothing really came together. Perhaps I just never put everything together.

Well, that is all water under the bridge; nice, muddy, stinky Mississippi River water.

For the past two or three years I have been searching the Internet for information on farming. Well, glory be! There is a TON of information about farming there; not only about biology and the horticultural sciences, but the business side as well. Agricultural professionals, well, generally farmers, not only need to know their art and science, but to succeed, really need to have a firm grasp of business.

Purdue University offers a nice functional site at https://www.agecon.purdue.edu/planner/ . Here, users can use their tool INVenture to enter and manipulate multiple business plans.

One of my favorite places to go is ATTRA (National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service) at http://www.attra.org/ . They have a HUGE amount of documentation about all aspects of sustainable agriculture, including lifestyle, business planning, alternate crops, livestock, and just about everything I may have not mentioned. This is a great resource.

SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education) at http://www.sare.org/ can provide not just a wealth of information, but also money! Yes, SARE does offer grants. It is a great place to check out.

The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) at http://www.ncat.org/ offers programs and information for rural development and sustainable agriculture.

Growing New Farmers is a great informational group at http://gnf.bigmindcatalyst.com/cgi/bmc2.pl?tset=std1204&page=pubpg2.html&node=1009 . (Yes that is a long and confusing web address!) GNF is a regional group from the North Eastern United States, focused on helping new farmers start and succeed. They have a great amount of information. Definitely worth checking out.

There is plenty to read and a lot of support out there on the Internet. Whether you are a new farmer, a more experienced ag professional, or like me, someone who wants to farm, there is a ton of information just waiting out there.

A Little Reading

2007-09-30T08:37:00.001-07:00

This week I had little time to read or do much research. That not withstanding, I do have a few reading suggestions for this week.

My first suggestion is highly rated on Amazon and I have leafed through it at my local book store. You Can Farm: The Entrepreneur's Guide to Start & Succeed in a Farming Enterprise by Joel Salatin is a wonderful book, full of information and empowerment. This is definitely a book worth reading.

Another book that looks good is Small Scale Livestock Farming: A Grass-Based Approach for Health, Sustainability, and Profit by Carol Ekarius. With good reviews, this book covers topics of interest to the small livestock farmer who wants to operate a grass-fed system.

My last recommendation is Five Acres and Independence by Maurice G. Kains. This looks to be a beautiful and functional book about the entire back-to-the-land movement, highlighting self sufficiency and the mechanics of making it all work..

Happy Reading!

I Want To Farm

2007-09-29T13:26:00.001-07:00

So, here I sit with a pretty cool domain name and I have no idea what to do with it any more.

It is a nice domain name: www.iwanttofarm.com. I operated a portal there for a while, but there are quite a few not-so-nice people out there and they defaced the forum with advertisements for all sorts of things not related to farming in any way. That is, unless the bull has an erectile dysfunction.

Right now, I am decommissioning the site; taking it down for now. So, if you go there for a peek, you might not see much.

So, what to do? Please! If anyone has any ideas, please leave a comment.

Saving Energy

2007-09-28T05:41:00.000-07:00

I read an interesting Letter to the Editor in the September 2007 Successful Farming magazine. It was about saving energy by not preheating an oven too long before the item you want to cook is ready to go in. That little letter, by Rita Kayser seemed to fire my synapses.

There are a lot of little things we could do, farmer and townie alike, to save energy. They don't involve major lifestyle changes, and may only save a little bit of money on your power bill, but will definitely make a difference if more & more people do some of these little things.

Turn off the lights when not in use. This was drilled into us in grade school. In high school, we were told to just leave them on because florescent bulbs use more energy to turn on, rather than to just leave them on. A recent Myth Buster's episode busted that one. When you aren't using them, turn them off. Period.
Keep your tires properly inflated. This can be a challenge if you live in the desert or in places where the thermometer dips below 20 degrees F. According to some studies, proper tire inflation can save you hundreds of dollars a year in gas. That equates to what? Five gallons?
Replace your incandescent light bulbs with Compact Florescent or even LED lights. Yes, they may be more expensive that incandescent, but they typically last longer and use lot less energy.
Prepare your house for winter. You can do as little as check the doors for air leaks & plug them, or go all out and seal everything with plastic sheets. Whatever you do, every little bit helps. Just don't wrap your entire house in plastic. That can be dangerous.
Don't let your laptop hibernate; shut it down. I am guilty of this one. Just shutting a laptop's cover does not typically shut it down. It probably goes into something called 'hibernation mode'. It is still using a little electricity. Go ahead, save your work and do a complete shutdown before you close it up. You will be saving energy AND increasing the lifetime of your laptop.
Unplug those Wall Warts. Yes, those little things that seem to proliferate on the walls of most houses, apartments, garages and even barns. Those little transformers and power supplies that we need to charge our cell phones and operate our computer printers and do other little things, suck up energy when not in use. That is really unnecessary. Just unplug them from the wall when they aren't in use.
Eat fresh food from your local farmer's market. This one isn't terribly obvious but is important. Not only is eating fresh food from your local market probably more healthy, that food requires a lot less energy to transport and store. It probably won't save you much money, but you may feel better knowing that your salad didn't have to travel 3,000 miles to get to your plate.

These are just a few minor ideas, and I am sure there are a good deal more. Do you have a good energy saving tip? Please leave a comment!

Harvest Time

2007-09-27T07:33:00.000-07:00

Well, it is the beginning of harvest time in the midwest. I don't seem to remember it starting this early but then again, I haven't farmed in over two decades. Seems as if I have quite a bit to relearn.

After locating the USDA's Crop Progress report, I see that I am not terribly wrong. The eighteen major corn producing states are Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin.

According to the report, typically by mid to late September, only 65% of all corn has matured. This year, 80% is mature. However, overall the farmers seem to be following the trend in harvesting. Typically only 14% has been harvested by this time, whereas this year, they are only at 22%. Maturity has moved up 15% whereas harvesting has only increased by 8%. According to what I have read, this harvest delay is probably more due to the wet weather these states have been having, than anything else.

Illinois, however, is above the trend. Typically 77% is mature and 16% harvested, but this year 97% is mature and 46% harvested. So, my feeling is correct. Harvest time has moved up considerably from what I remember.

Other crops like soybeans, sorghum and rice also show similar changes. Cotton, peanuts and winter wheat seem to be operating in reverse and are a bit behind.

Early or late. It's ok. I am looking forward to it either way.

Time Certainly Is Slippery

2007-09-26T08:08:00.000-07:00

Please pardon this poor excuse for a farming blog entry. I have two pieces in the works but they just aren't well done yet. Rather, they are quite rare at the moment.

These last few days time just seems to be slipping through my hands. Maybe it is just how life is sometimes. Work at the office and time at home as been rather demanding. My daughter is now gainfully employed at the age of 17, thank goodness. BUT, that means more work for me. She is at school all day, then home in the afternoon for a bite to eat and homework, then off to work. She doesn't drive and has no set schedule yet, so here 'taxi driver dad' sits.

The thought that I must also get a little part time job is a little pressuring as well. If I plan to attempt my plans, I REALY need to get out from under this financial rock. I am going to lay no blame here... Just going to state that I am newly divorced. 'Nuff said.

I was pleased to read on http://www.agriculture.com/ that corn harvesting in the midwest is proceeding well. I don't honestly remember corn harvesting this early. Well, my memory isn't faulty. According to USDA statistics, general corn harvest is slightly ahead of schedule. Illinois corn harvest is considerably earlier than the average harvest time.

While I do not necessarily plan on farming general commodities like corn and soybeans, I think it is still good to watch the market and remain educated. I have read that as organic beef and pork and chicken become more popular, organic animal foodstuffs will also increase in necessity. If that is indeed correct, well, organic commodities like corn, soybeans, oats and hay may well become profitable to the small farmer.

Well, stay tuned. I will have a better post tomorrow. Promise.

A Little Reading

2007-09-23T09:13:00.000-07:00

Reading used to be a big part of my life as a teenager on the farm. I still remember reading lofty works from Plato, Aristotle, Thoreau, Sandberg and Emerson, among others. I fell away from that for quite a few years, well, decades. I just wanted to thank my friend Cindy for piquing my interest in this sort of literature.

I think on Sundays I will post about books that touch on rural life, nature, agricultural technology and sustainable and frugal living and farming. I hope you enjoy some of these. Links to some of these books will be at the bottom of the post, just in case you may want to purchase and enjoy a copy.

A book that my friend Cindy recommended to me, is The Life and Times of Michael K by J.M. Coetzee. This is a beautiful work that describes a man who owns almost nothing, yet survives so many hardships. It is a short book and well worth the read.

I remember reading Walden's Pond by Henry Thoreau as a teenager, but I have it on my list to read again. I may have forgotten most of it, but I do remember it as being a very nice book

Living the Simple Life: A Guide to Scaling Down and Enjoying More by Elaine St. James. This is a very nice book about simplifying one's life, whether you live in the country or the middle of New York, Chicago or LA.

It's a Long Road to a Tomato: Tales of an Organic Farmer Who Quit the Big City for the (Not So) Simple Life by Keith Stewart and Flavia Bacarella. This one is definitely on my reading list for this winter. Mr. Stewart's goals and feelings seem to be SO similar to mine. A New York city dweller who trades it all for a farm life. Highly rated on Amazon.

Life and Times of Michael K

You Can't Go Back to the Farm Again

2007-09-22T07:30:00.001-07:00

Here it is. Ah, the wonders of technology! If you are so inclined, you can use Google Earth or MapQuest or Microsoft TerraServer or what-have-you, to take a look yourself. It is at -90.98202 41.28180 That's Longitude, Latitude for those sitting there, scratching their heads.

This is where I grew up; where I lived until I was 16 years old. The picture here is from terraserver.micrsoft.com. The original farm was roughly rectangular, following the edge of the image. The dark spot to the center right is the pond my dad built. The field to the north (top) was typically planted in corn, oats or hay. The south (bottom) was typically planted in hay or corn.

Once my dad planted soybeans in part of the north field. Honestly, I don't remember what the yield was, or what happened, but I only remember him doing it once.

He typically used Open Pollinated seed corn, like http://www.greenfieldfarms.org/ Hay, if I remember correctly, was typically seeded as ½ tall clover, ¼ alfalfa and ¼ grass. I have no idea if this was optimal, but that is what we planted.

We stored the oats in a grainery I helped build. We fed most of it to our hogs and cattle, but left enough to use as seed for the following year. I think we only bought oat seed once.

I see the owners have cleared a good amount of trees from the southern part of the farm. That's too bad. I remember walking there in the woods, looking at the little stream, contemplating life. It was peaceful.

They have also removed the old barn. That is probably a good thing. It was nearly 60 years old when I lived there, and not in very good shape. That not withstanding, it held some special memories of doing chores at 4:00 AM in the middle of winter, or the time I helped a sow deliver a litter of pigs, or even the first and only time I have been in a hayloft with a girl.

Microsoft LiveEarth has a more recent satellite image and, well, it makes me a little sad. If I am looking at it correctly, they have done something with the pond. Maybe they emptied it or filled part of it in. That was a place of peace. There is nothing quite like floating on a pond all alone in a boat with no one around. The scents and sounds so subtle yet sublime.

Perhaps some day again I will know the simple joy of harvesting a field of oats or building a grainery or walking in the woods or floating all alone in a boat in a small pond.

Or perhaps, even, the simple pleasure of a kiss in a hayloft.

Perhaps...

Do What It Takes

2007-09-21T00:09:00.000-07:00

I am going to admit a deep, dark thing that has been a part of my life now for more that 25 years. Children, please shield your eyes. Adults, please be prepared. It's not pretty. You were forewarned...

I... Am... A...
Computer... Programmer...

There. I said it. I have come out of the digital closet. I feel SO relieved!

That being admitted to, tongue firmly implanted in cheek, I must be honest for a moment. I have successfully provided for my family for nearly twenty years practicing this profession. I am not embarrassed by it, and I have been told that my programming ability is fairly sharp.

Why do I want to farm? Because that is who I am.

Sitting down to work on the financial planning for this little venture, it comes as no surprise to me that the numbers are tight. Well, not just tight... blaring, glaring, rosy, crimson red. HOW will I pay my start-up costs? I have little savings and certainly not enough to run out and buy a chunk of land with a wad of cash.

Credit? Ya, right. I am lucky to receive credit card offers that have less than 30 percent interest! So, HOW???

Well, I have one, maybe two years before the big relocation. I have thought about pushing aside my profession for my goal of living in the country, but I firmly believe these two can live in harmony. It is simply a matter of balance. Work as a computer programmer while I work on building my farm. Programming will support my little farming excursion.

Should my farming venture become profitable enough that my employment as a programmer is no longer necessary, all the better. If that doesn't happen, and I must be a programmer for another twenty years or so, well, so long as I live in the country, I think I would be OK with that.

So, for now, I have a ton to study and plan and do. Computer books on one side of the room and agricultural books on the other. I get to dive right in the middle with a large thermos of coffee.

There's gold in them thar hills!

2007-09-20T06:32:00.001-07:00

Well, that's what my ex-wife jokingly said about an outting her and some friends are attending. They will be driving off to the Arizona desert to search for gold. Don't laugh too loudly there. A member of the local prospecting club has been able to find more than five pounds of gold in the last four years.

So I started thinking of finding green gold. The little nuggets on the farm or out in the country that really pay off. Maybe, just maybe, that is one of many keys to a small farm's financial sustainability.

Those little green gold nuggets. Those ideas that are like gold. Sure, individually they may be cute and somewhat profitable. Put them together in a bucket and you have a nice little unique pile of money making green gold.

I read of a woman who years ago bought goats to sell the milk. She didn't research enough and discovered selling her goat's milk simply couldn't happen, given the local laws. What did she do? She learned how to make soap and created her own line of natural goat's milk soap.

One year on the the farm as a teenager, my dad was short on cash. He found a person who bought scrap iron. We spent a month stripping apart old, irreparable farm equipment scattered here and there. My dad made a little cash that way, but he happened onto an idea. He started offering a service to haul away old inoperable farm implements. We would strip and sell the metal as scrap and use the things we could.

It wasn't gold mine, but a nice little nugget. I only wish we had a cutting torch then. Busting apart an old corn picker with wrenches, hammers and cold chisels can be a rather physical activity!

Cars, cars everywhere.

2007-09-19T07:27:00.000-07:00

Well, I am a bit behind in my blogging today. I had written part of two entries yesterday but didn't have the time to finish them. SO, this fine morning while driving to work, I decided to do a little non-scientific study and post about it.

I drive about twelve miles to work every morning and the same back in the evening, right up and down Boulder Highway. Anyone familiar with Vegas will probably know that Boulder Highway is less of a highway and more of a four lane city street.

Anyway, on with my study.

I was curious; how many people commuting to work were alone in cars or trucks, riding with someone else, riding a bike, or on a motorcycle. So, as safely as I could, juggling pen and cigarette, I watched and recorded. I even sacrificed my morning drive coffee for this study! Ah... What one must give up for the sake of scientific research.

Just for full disclosure, I did not count vehicles like semi-trucks, taxis, school kids on bikes, and vehicles that seemed to be business related.

Here are my un-scientific counts:

Single people in cars: 169
Multiple people in cars: 52
Motorcycles: 4
Bikes: 2

Personally, I felt this to be a low motorcycle and bike count today. I have no idea why.

So 169 people are burning up a LOT of gas, going to and fro. Another thing that bugged me was the fact that so many were driving Hummers or large pick-ups. Those things get what, ten miles to the gallon, if that?

Food for thought - what if only ten of those single passenger vehicles were motorcycles or mopeds. Not only would there be significant gas savings, but chances are good that the vehicle and insurance would cost less.

Yes, I admit that I was a single vehicle in this study. Soon, yes soon I hope to change vehicles. It will be either a small motorcycle or a horse. But, if the horse is required to wear diapers for me to ride on the street, forget it. OK. Motorcycle it is!

Recipe: Classic Dill Pickles

2007-09-17T22:15:00.001-07:00

OK, so I am in a 'pickle' mood this week. Here is one I found at the bottom of my filing cabinet. It has been quite some time since I had home-made dill pickles. Really, I think this is close to the pickles I used to enjoy back on the farm. Well, minus the garlic.

8 pounds sliced pickling cucumbers

4 cups white vinegar

12 cups water

2/3 cup pickling salt

15 cloves of peeled, coarsely chopped garlic

8 sprigs fresh dill weed (rinsed)

5 heads fresh dill weed, cut into smaller pieces (rinsed)

1 T mustard seed

Wash & slice cucumbers. Place in sink or a large container with plenty of water and ice.

Soak for six (6) hours, replacing ice when needed.

While those soak, prepare the other items and sterilize eight (8) one quart canning jars. Large mouth are best.

In a large covered pot over medium-high heat, combine vinegar, water, mustard seed and salt. Boil.

Evenly distribute the pickles, dill weed and garlic in the jars. Don't stuff the jars with pickles. Leave about 1 inch of room at the top of the jar for the pickles to move around in the salt-water.

Fill the jars with the hot salt brine.

Carefully (but quickly) wipe down the rims of the jars and seal.

Boil the closed jars in a water bath for about 15 minutes.

Store the pickles for at least two months before eating. That gives the ingredients time to do their delicious chemical magic. These pickles can be stored for two years and even more with no problems.

FarmerKen notes: I like dill pickle spears, so instead of slicing, I would probably quarter smaller cukes into spears. The boiling water bath is not specifically necessary but should be done to ensure all the nasty bacteria is killed off.

Hard Work

2007-09-16T14:20:00.001-07:00

Some twenty five years have passed and I still remember a little postcard my dad had pinned to the wall of our back porch: “I love hard work. I could sit and watch it all day.” That is one of those goofy little memories that make me smile from time to time.

About six years ago I 'came out of the barn,' so to speak. I told my programming cohorts... er... coworkers that I want to be a farmer; that I don't want to still be working behind a desk full time in ten years. Oh, the smiles and chuckles and interesting comments and questions still make me smile. Now, occasionally at work, I am affectionately referred to as FarmerKen.

One of my programming compatriots made the razor sharp observation that farming is hard work. “How are you going to do all of that? That is seriously hard work!”

Yup. How does one respond to that statement? It can be hard; damned hard. I remember waking at 4AM to get the pigs back in their pen; the 6AM and 7PM chores; fighting a water heater in single digit temps at 10 PM; putting up hundreds of hay bales in 80% humidity and 95 F weather; and the twenty hour days during harvest time. Hell yes, it is hard work. I know. I have been there, and I am going to be there again.

But hell. If I am going to be working my ass off for the rest of my life, I would much rather be doing something I want to do. And, well, the view from an office cubicle just doesn't suit me.

Research Day

2007-09-15T21:27:00.000-07:00

Well, not entirely all research. I did work on some other necessities, but I made it a point to do a little reading. Not only was it an interesting exercise, but educational and enjoyable as well.

I had NO idea Collinsville, Illinois is known as the Horseradish Capital of the World! The horseradish farms there produce nearly 60 percent of the world's horseradish. Every year they have a festival to celebrate the pungent root crop, and honestly, it looks like a lot of fun! Bloody Mary contest, eh? Hmmm... http://www.horseradishfestival.com/

I read some information on the PawPaw, Sugar Maple, Shallots, Amaranths, Fox Tails, Celeriac, and even more. My research is solely focused on alternative crops that lend themselves to the environment in Illinois. Perhaps I will look into alternate crops for other locations later, but for now... I am focusing and enjoying.

Alternates

2007-09-14T18:38:00.001-07:00

I was raised on a classic 'old-school' sort of farm, replete with outhouse, old barn, corn crib and pond. To my father, alternative crops included oats, soy beans and the occasional patch of sweetcorn, popcorn , green beans and pumpkin. Yes, he was 'old school.' Corn and hay and cows and hogs encompassed the bulk of his agricultural domain.

I am certainly not putting him down! He did a helluva job raising five kids there until his death in 1983. He did what he knew. He knew his style of farming well. When times were tough, he operated a bulldozer and even worked in a brass foundry. And all of this while having heart disease and diabetes!

It seems to me that many farmers continue doing what the know. That's not necessarily a bad thing for them. Many are very good at it. The concept of farming thousands of acres of corn or soy beans is an amazing concept to me. Admittedly, not very attractive either.

Classic agriculture is indeed a minimal option in my plans, but a difficult one to swallow. Profit margins are narrow, and breaking into classic farming can be a large challenge for one with little savings and no land.

Alternative farming has some interesting opportunities. As the public moves away from more commercialized (and likely less healthy) foodstuffs, they look for alternatives. This may be a golden opportunity for new and old farmers alike to increase their profits and make a little difference in the world. A person wishing to farm no longer needs 200 acres to be marginally profitable. I have read of some having merely five acres and living solely from their own labors.

Here are some alternate crops and ideas I plan to explore:

Alpaca Wool
Organic/Free Range Eggs
Duck Eggs
Specialty Herbs
Mustard Seed
Sunflower
Barley
Hops
Sorgum
Sesame
Wheat Grass
Tree Seedlings
Pheasant
Rabbit
Goats

The list of alternative crops and ventures almost seems endless. Take a look at the USDA website at http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/pubs/altlist.shtml for some great ideas. Another great place to browse to, is the Missouri Alternatives Center at http://agebb.missouri.edu/mac/ These are extraordinary places to start any research into alternative agricultural ventures.

It is all limited to your available marketing, land, laws of your state and your determination. Milkweed is an alternative crop??? WOW! If I only knew that as a kid while taking a machete to acres of them!

Little Things

2007-09-13T06:18:00.001-07:00

This morning I actually stopped to watch a baby bird making its awkward way through the air between two palm trees. He fluttered and flapped and flew one way and then the other. Typically loosing altitude, he ungracefully landed on the trunk, climbing to the apex of the tree and then launching himself towards the other tree.

I watched this for probably ten minutes. It was all I could spare. It was beautiful. The bird's parent in one of the trees, just siting there watching. Sun rising over the mountain range to the east.

If we could all just shut-up and listen to nature, she has so much to teach.

Oh, glorious barn!

2007-09-11T20:54:00.000-07:00

Barns Are Beautiful! Yes, I think I want that as a bumper sticker. I love old, well built barns. The huge hayloft; the wooden beams; the red exterior. To me, old barns are are a wonderful expression of strength and peace and productivity and solitude. They are the flagships of the rural lifestyle.

Now here is an idea - remodeling a barn into a house. Sound tough? Perhaps, however it is probably easier than my other construction idea; a castle-like farmhouse!

So, here are a few links to barn remodeling info on the net:

This Old House
Home and Garden TV

And, as recommended by me... Barns and Back Buildings by Donald Berg.

Unfortunately, there don't seem to be many resources on the internet for this sort of renovation project. All the better! Adventures on a road less traveled are much more enjoyable and exhilarating.

Ideals, Convictions and Goals

2007-09-11T00:36:00.001-07:00

I read a very good cautionary tale, written by Mark Lichtenstein on the newfarm.com website (here, at www.newfarm.com). It reminded me that ideals are just that... Ideals. Mark attempted to create and operate a new organic dairy in rural Pennsylvania. After two years he closed up shop. He was introspective and objective enough to document his errors. I personally thank him for this article, and I think many others should as well.

I have a friend who is a vegetarian. That is her conviction, and has been since her teens. It is unwavering, but further, it is attainable. Her diet, lifestyle, goals and ideals are all in harmony.

Be careful to not let convictions and ideals and goals grow in vacuum. They might look nice there but once exposed to the real world, they will likely unravel.

One's ideals must be tempered with the attainable goals within that ideal. Want to operate an organic farm? Break it down.

Land, rented or purchased
Labor
Marketing
Housing
Financing
Emergency plan
Equipment

You must have good productive and preferably inexpensive land available to you. Purchased land may be best, but if you can't buy, would you rather rent a nice ten acre plot? Hey, even that sounds better than going back to a windowless cubicle.

You must include labor in the calculations. Will you grow organic watermelon? If so, plan on hiring some help or being very ingenious. Take into account your own labor as well. There is nothing wrong with working your life's dream with no income... so long as someone else is paying!

As distasteful as marketing is to me, this is a key to what is feasible to raise.. This is the keystone of any specialty or organic farming venture. Your ideal may be to raise organic radishes and garlic. Without a market that can support your produce, you will be eating a lot of healthy, albeit odoriferous, produce that you will not be able to sell. Research, research, research...

You really do need to live somewhere. Are you comfortable in a small camper trailer? Do you need a house? Maybe an apartment in a nearby town or village would suffice. Tent maybe? Just remember that winter can get mighty cold.

Financing wraps all of these items into one final answer; the bottom line. If the bottom line is too close or below that red line, try again.

All farming operations, as within all lives, an emergency plan should exist. What will you do if your lucrative organic edamame crop is completely flooded out? What will you do if a drought threatens your celery crop? Think about it. If you don't, you may be caught with your pants down.

All farms need equipment. It is a necessity. Some require nothing more complex than baskets and a spade while others require huge megaton tractors. Weight it all in with your financing. And if one of your proposed crops require a piece of machinery, be sure you know how to operate it.

And in all of your planning, remember your ideals, convictions and goals. Let them guide you, not control you.

Recipe: Sweet Pickles

2007-09-09T23:46:00.000-07:00

Sweet pickles is a wonderful way to preserve those great summertime vegetables. Cucumbers are typically easy to grow in most locations and this recipe doesn't require them to be pretty or large. You can even use those end-of-season cukes. Don't have a garden? No problem! Most of the ingredients for this wonderful mixture can be purchased from your local farmer's market! Enjoy!

4 quarts sliced, un-peeled cucumbers
6 medium sliced and quartered onions
1 green pepper, sliced in strips (optional)
1 sweet red pepper, sliced strips (optional)
1/3 c. sea salt
3 c. white vinegar
5 c. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. celery seed
1 1/2 tsp. turmeric
3 tbsp. mustard seed

Slice all the vegetables into a large mixing bowl. Add salt and cover with ice cubes or cold water. Let stand three or four hours. Drain.

Combine remaining ingredients; bring to a boil. Add pickles and heat until the mixture boils again. Put in sterilized jars to seal hot pickles. Makes 6 to 8 pints.

FarmerKen Notes: This is a great way to preserve those summer cukes. Unfortunately I have had little chance to experiment much with this recipe. The peppers are optional but personally, I prefer them. They add a little 'twang' to the pickles and the added color is wonderful.

Welcome!

2007-09-09T13:31:00.001-07:00

Farmer Ken's little blogging outpost on the internet is here! One more step to living and working in the country again!

Sometimes introspective, sometimes eccentric, sometimes practical, sometimes just silly. This blog will be a daily excursion into my hopes, plans and dreams of living the farming life again. Enjoy, comment and most of all, pursue your dreams.