#self reliance
Since our new rat surprised us with with 11 bonus rats and everyone seems significantly more healthy than past local rats, Lieblings suggested I go back for a male and start breeding. We have three snakes at present and spend a small fortune shipping boxes of frozen rodents completely with bricks of dry ice since local sources are spotty. I’m already raising meat, eggs, and dairy on the farm as well as feeding the dogs, might as well get the snakes on board.
So I brought home this guy and after a few days and some rashey humans discovered he had mites. It’s very hard to see in the photo and not much easier in person except the specks move. Back in my hayday of raising pet rats (early 2000s these guys were my whole life) there wasn’t much known about treaing parasites. When Petco sold me licey rats, my vet sort of shrugged and gave me a puppy/kitten shampoo and I fought a losing battle for years though at the very least it was species specific and not transferable to people or larger pets. Nowadays, a quick internet search revealed that Revolution for kittens works wonders with a single application, that’s 15mg Selamectin. The adult cat version is the same thing, just a bigger dose, so you can measure out with a syringe. It contains 45mg or three rat doses at 15mg each. I treated both adult rats and the nursing mother will pass her dose onto the babies.
July 6, 2017
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The barn, nice and clean stall side but not-quite-there-yet left… Eventually the other side will get stalls too, as well as along the back.
The herd eating, Cream’s face in the second one cracks me up. The hay is sunbleached and not very pretty, which only changes palatability and carotene content but they like it. Hopefully it wasn’t cut late? I’ve been dragging out the hay on a utility sled (for towing behind snowmobiles) and making them reach through the fence for it to prevent waste. Otherwise they like to throw it everywhere and walk/poop all over it.
July, 2017
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Growing Burr Gherkins
You can grow your own gherkin pickles and more with this pest-proof mini cuke/squash from Africa. Try growing burr gherkins to make delicious pickles and a spicy Brazillian stir-fry.
By William Woys Weaver
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Nominations Sought for 2015 Moses Organic Farmer of the Year Award
The Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) is seeking nominations for the “2015 MOSES Organic Farmer of the Year” award, which will be presented at the 26th annual MOSES Organic Farming Conference in La Crosse, Wis., Feb. 26 to 28, 2015.
The award recognizes an organic farmer or farm family with a history of outstanding land management, resource conservation, and farming innovation. These exemplary farmers also are committed to spreading the organic message in their communities. This is the 13th year for the award program, which comes with a prize package that includes full admission to the 2015 MOSES Conference.
North Dakota seed and grain farmers, David, Ginger, Dan and Theresa Podoll of Prairie Road Organic Farm and Seed in Fullerton, ND, received the 2014 MOSES Organic Farmers of the Year award. Their farm story and other recipients’ stories are online at the MOSES website under the “Projects” tab.
Anyone can nominate a farmer for this award. Nomination forms are available on the MOSES website, or by calling the MOSES office at 715-778-5775. Nominations are due by Sept. 15, 2014.
This prestigious award comes with a number of prizes including a cash award, lodging, a bookstore gift certificate and full admission to the Organic Farming Conference, the nation’s largest gathering of organic farmers.
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Make a Biogas Generator to Produce Your Own Natural Gas
For food waste, chop material into 1-inch or smaller bits. The author set up a chopping station in his garden using an old sink and garbage disposal attached to an extension cord. Other options include using a blender or chipper-shredder.
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Treehouse Living: 4 Custom, Eco-friendly Options
Have you ever considered living in a treehouse? These custom treehouses may just inspire you to get your eco-friendly home building plans off the ground.
By David Pearson
Photo by CHELSEA GREEN/ROGER WEBSTER
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All You Need to Know to Eat Good, Grass-Fed Meat
Learn how to choose and use inexpensive cuts of grass-fed beef, free-range chicken and pastured pork for better nutrition and out-of-this-world flavor.
By Deborah Krasner
PHOTO: PHOTRI IMAGES/MARK S. MYERS
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What To Feed Chickens: Formulating Your Own Chicken Feed
Joan Salmonowicz tells readers what to feed chickens, how to mix your own chicken feed, including buying mixed ration feed in bulk, feed ratios, and common supplements.
By Joan Salmonowicz
PHOTO: FOTOLIA/KNEIANE
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Raise Small-breed Milk Cows
If you want fresh milk and cows that are easier for beginners to handle, these small breeds of cattle are just the right size for a homestead.
Interview by Troy Griepentrog
Photo by PAT SCHOUT
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Anarchism and Its Aspirations (PDF) byCindy Milstein
The first book the “Anarchist Interventions” series published by the Institute of Anarchist Studies and AK Press in 2010.
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“What exactly are we doing here?” was a question asked in a moment of self-reflection in the office of the local food & farming NGO where I work. It can be hard to pinpoint exactly how we measure the change we’re seeking even when we sense forward momentum. All we know is that there is a need for change, for re-evaluation of our food sources and conduct, for uncovering what is truly best for our whole selves.
I read this quotation from Chris Lowry & the Brewers Plate team in a Treehugger blog about their event in Toronto last night, and it is one of the best succinct calls-to-action for the local food movement that I’ve heard in a while.
“Food is the harbinger of where we all need to go now. The future lies increasingly in regional self-reliance all over the world, with local living economies trading fairly, useful, durable goods, food, and good low-carbon ideas. A shift toward regional self reliance, with food leading the way for the whole economy, is our best chance to stem the rising tides of changing weather and rivers, diminishing fossil fuels, scarcities of fresh water, fish, soil - what many are now calling ‘peak everything’.”
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From Treehugger:
Jango was a father to thousands, but he wanted a son that was not altered to be obedient. He wanted him to have his own personality and his ability to be self-sufficient.
— George Lucas
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