An Agrarian Plowshare

Passings

2007-09-06T17:21:00.000-08:00

Children should be given the chance to play instruments, to sing.

Luciano Pavarotti

Pavarotti was born in Modena, Italy. His father was a baker and his mother worked in a cigar factory. As a young man, Pavarotti sold insurance to pay for voice lessons. Listen Here.

The great singer was also known as an equestrian expert, organizing one of the international show jumping circuit's most important competitions, the Pavarotti International, in Modena. Coinciding with that event, Pavarotti also staged an annual charity concert, Pavarotti and Friends. A gifted singer who shared his voice with the world, Farewell.

Passings

2007-09-05T15:36:00.000-08:00

When Alfred Peet opened his shop in Berkeley in April, 1966 he started a coffee revolution. Nobody had ever seen top-quality coffee like this roasted in this unique style in America. The corner of Walnut and Vine quickly became a gathering place for UC Berkeley grads, undergrads, and faculty as well as local intellectuals, radicals, writers, musicians, artisans and any number of the colorful people who still make up Berkeley today. Mr. Peet was born in Alkmaar, Holland on March 10, 1920 and died in Ashland, Oregon on August 29, 2007.

Mr. Peet was the originator behind the idea of a company many may be familiar with Starbucks. In fact he sold them their first year of coffee and taught the original owners what he knew about coffee.

He scoured the West Coast from Vancouver to Palo Alto looking for a suitable location for a high-quality coffee roastery before a friend told him that she knew the right place for him, right across the Bay in Berkeley. He installed a small roaster in the shop’s back room, and the revolution began.

As Peet’s in Berkeley flourished, Mr. Peet opened additional stores in Menlo Park (1971), on Piedmont Avenue in Oakland (1978), and another in Berkeley across from the Claremont Hotel (1980). By the time he retired in 1983, Peet’s had a cult following from coast to coast, and many of his devoted fans continue to insist on Peet’s.

In his own words, when asked to recount his life’s story, Alfred Peet responded simply,

“The coffee tells my story.”

I like that quote, his passion for his product reflected in his life & culture and it worked for him. The labor of love became his life story and in so doing he affected, taught and inspired those around him.

Cow Pot

2007-09-03T14:24:00.000-08:00

No we're not suggesting anything illegal here on the Agrarian Plowshare. This product comes from Freund's Farm an idea that much like Herrick's invention of the granola bar makes me say "Why did I think of that!". Now before you ask the myriad of questions - no they don't stink, yes you can handle them - and yes they do from a strictly non scientific testing perspective seem to work quite well. Having acquired one of these over the weekend at my fathers house, I gave it the perfunctory sniff & feel, sorry if you want to know how they taste you'll have to get your own and try.

As to their effectiveness, judging from the thick high stalks of several robust tomato plants grown side by side with tomato plants not rooted in the pots the difference is visual and obvious. Now it doesn't surprise me (and should not you) that things grown in good aged manure will grow well, that's a given. Kind of like saying a bottle of water quenches your thirst. The containment of the root base to the source of nutrients may have a more positive effect in concentrating the nutrients, uneducated application to thought here but seems plausible.

I don't think I'd be planting an entire row of these things, as the input factor would be tremendous, but for the small gardener it just might supply a backyard bonanza for next summer's harvest. Something to consider. I am going to give my own independent test here at home with the one acquired from my dad and give it a grow light application next to several test plants to see how it performs. Until next time..................Regards.

Market Economics

2007-08-27T18:40:00.001-08:00

Aside from the dot-com bubble of the 1990s, I can think of no great boom in American history built more on enthusiasm, and less on profit. ~Tom Phillpott

While listening to a song over at Log Cabin Homestead I couldn't help but think of this article which looks at the economics of local farmers markets and the current state of small scale farming:

"The overall income picture for small commercial farms is dismal. Key USDA stat: Farms with annual revenues between $10,000 and $99,000 -- which describes the vast majority of farmers' market vendors -- have an average operating profit margin of negative 24.5 percent.

Simply put, small farms lose money, and their losses are financed by the off-farm incomes of the families that run them. From this angle, so-called sustainable farming looks like a precarious enterprise.

Why, then, do farmers' markets and CSAs continue to grow and multiply? Why do people still farm? The local-food revival, it seems to me, runs on passion: people's desire for connection to the seasons, to the soil that feeds them, to powerful flavors that can't be manufactured with chemicals or preserved over 1,300-mile delivery hauls. Aside from the dot-com bubble of the 1990s, I can think of no great boom in American history built more on enthusiasm, and less on profit.

Yet passion has practical limits (as investors in, say, Pets.com learned in 2000). For local farms to supply significantly more than 2 percent of the nation's produce (or meat, dairy, and eggs, for that matter), small-scale farming will have to become an economically viable activity.

Some optimists argue that market forces are already quietly working to achieve that goal. The argument goes like this: surging consumer demand for local food -- coupled with rising energy costs -- has convinced the large supermarket companies to rethink their far-flung supply chains and seek out small-scale producers near individual retail outlets. These corporate buyers will pump cash into local farm economies across the nation, reviving the fortunes of small-scale farmers.

Certainly, evidence for this scenario abounds. The phrase "local is the new organic" has become commonplace. Having turned organic food into another consumer fetish drained of much of its original meaning, the big corporate retailers are setting their sights on "local" cache. Shoppers entering Whole Foods outlets can hardly grab a basket without reading "buy local" propaganda."

I think much of what the writer states and then glosses over is summed up well in these words:

People's desire for connection to the seasons, to the soil that feeds them, to powerful flavors that can't be manufactured with chemicals or preserved over 1,300-mile delivery hauls.

Now apart from economics of mammon there is the dynamics of home economics which can be found in Wendell Berry's works, a collection of fourteen essays, which can be found here: Home Economics at Cumberland Books, a great source for literature and writing. Where the root of economics is stewardship through proper household management. This being the greater good, if you will or the driving "Why" behind what has become an agrarian push to the shove of modern societies "madness of the masses". To know what benefit it is to live with ones own, spend time in common tasks and instill value to the soul of sons and daughters so that they to may live to do likewise from generation to generation. Until next time..............

To live is not to pass time, but to spend time.

Promise Land

2007-08-26T14:37:00.001-08:00

“While waiting for a Moses to lead us into the promised land, we have forgotten how to walk”

~Wendell Johnson

Though this may not be the promise land of biblical times it is certainly a sight for sore eyes and tired, weary hearts to rest. This neglected bit of property resides a half hours drive from our new abode, and although it is a bit overgrown, untended and seated with a collapsing barn devoid of salvage, apart from some weather worn boards and a metal bed frame & posts (as well other treasures that amass in old abandon barns) is a welcome sight to our agrarian hearts.

It will take prayer and a bit of mammon to acquire, but even if this is not the parcel we purchase in the end, it is seated in the heart of a community that holds values dear to our hearts and that's farming, fields & family. Time will tell.......................until next time..............Regards.

This Old House, Part II

2007-08-25T14:38:00.001-08:00

One would think that after such a long absence I might have a nice agrarian dream photo to post here........(well I do, but that's is for another day) After several months of dislocation and a protracted attempt at brokering a deal to sell our residence in Catskill, NY we are about settled here in upstate NY (a bit farther north) in Gloversville, NY.

Brooke, I and "Digger" moved north and a tad bit westward to be closer to the area in which we hope to acquire land and make our "Final Stand" if you will for a time. Till such time as the land deal is brokered we reside in this modest abode here in Gloversville, NY having sold just before this nationwide 'pandemic' of sorts struck the housing market. One might say it felt like walking our of a burning building and tossing the keys to the fire marshal on the way out!

Without deviling into particulars we were of good fortune enough to purchase this home for less than the cost of a what many Americans would pay in today's market for a new automobile. Thus we have the ability to increase our savings to purchase some well sought after 'Genuine Cow Pastured Farmland'. Lord Willing.

Now with a new cable modem connections (sans the cable channels I.E. Boob Tube) hopefully I can get back at this journal of sorts. Though I have to admit the old melon is a tad bit rusty as of late. Most of what I've been writing has be financially related to the markets and company assets. Which after "nailing" this housing crisis catastrophe to the barn side back in 2006. I would summarize my financial investment recommendations for 2008 in two words: Buy Gold!

I look forward to "catching up" with allot of the familiar folks and the myriad of posts I have missed as well I am interested to see what new faces have joined the agrarian bandwagon in my absence.

I already got my first chuckle & grin as I read the writings of "The Maggot Guru" and his unique perspective on FREE Chicken Feed. Regards.

This Old Man

2007-02-20T21:24:00.000-09:00

This old man, he played one
He played knick-knack on my thumb
With a knick-knack paddywhack,
Give your dog a bone
This old man came rolling home

Well, one of theses pups ain't like the other one, ain't like the other one, one of these pups ain't like the other one......... because one of them came home. Just in case you might be wondering what side of the earth I might have dove off.... (knew it was FLAT, didn't ya) Well I took a long walk off the Puppy Pier back August '06. The better part of which time has been spent 'puppy training' or better said, "Just plain enjoyin' my dog!"

Now I can not say for certain which of these fellows is our dog "Digger", but if I was guessin' I'd say it is the fellow to the far right. Now this photo was taken some where round the 6-8 week mark by Frank at Southside Stables, who is the breeder of some fine animals. Brooke & I both would give him a 4 star rating for top quality dogs & service. I've include a link to his web site at South Side Dogs above if you care to visit or are interested in a dog. Though we receive no renumeration, I'd appreciate it if you told 'em we recommended you, as one good turn deserves another!

Now mind you, Digger's a Vizsla Pup going on 7 months old, a wee bit bigger and few pound heavier now (about 55 lbs heavier!) So some what like kids, "boy do they grow up fast." Now our 60 lb wonder - wonders why he can be a "Lap Dog"? You'd have to have the lap of the Jolly Green Giant to accommodate him. Not the breed for someone who likes 'small dogs'.

As the nursery rhyme goes 'give your dog a bone', well this 'pup' will work through one in few short hours! As for 'this old man' today (Tuesday) was year 39 for T.S.O.E. (You figure it out)

So I'll get my weary bones to bed, and say good nite. Will post a more current photo of the dog later this week, if I can "Catch a Good Pose". Till then, Regards.

Bad Potatoes

2007-02-17T16:32:00.000-09:00

One potato, two potato, three potato, four,
five potato, six potato, seven potato more.
Icha bacha, soda cracker,
Icha bacha boo.
Icha bacha, soda cracker, out goes Y-O-U!

Suppressed report shows cancer link to GM potatoes

By Colin Brown, Deputy Political Editor

Published: 17 February 2007

Campaigners against genetically modified crops in Britain last are calling for trials of GM potatoes this spring to be halted after releasing more evidence of links with cancers in laboratory rats. [Story Follows]

GM CROPS

2006-09-16T19:42:00.000-08:00

GM CROPS

America is awash in genetically modified crops that already have been approved for use both as animal feed and for human consumption. This year, 61 percent of all corn and 89 percent of all soybeans planted in the United States were GM varieties, the USDA estimates. More than 80 percent of the US cotton crop is also GM.

In a news article entitled when genetically modified plants go wild, published in the Christian Science Monitor, even their advocates are expressing growing concerns regarding GM crops. If you have not kept pace with events, it should also be noted, Monsanto Company (MON) and Delta and Pine Land Company (DPL) announced that they have signed a definitive agreement whereby Monsanto will acquire Delta and Pine Land Company for $1.5 billion in cash. The transaction was unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies and is subject to Delta and Pine Land shareowner approval, antitrust clearance, and customary closing conditions. As most investigative reporters will tell you, "Follow the money....."

While most of us don't bother to reflect on where the corn in the box of Kellogg's Corn Flakes or the rice in a box of Uncle Ben's Converted Rice come from, when we grab it from the supermarket shelf, they all must originate with seeds.

This is such a chilling revelation - that the farmer's ability to re-grow crops will depend on buying new seeds every season from a corporation. The corporate control on our ability to eat will become complete - at a time when cooperative farming may be the only way people will have left to survive the petrol-collapse era. This sheds new light on the importance of Norway's Archipelago Project, although an individual effort and independent local efforts are more of grater importance than a concentrated source. Let's hope that the genetically modified seeds cannot contaminate normal plant seed production or that will eventually mean certain doom.

To understand the depth of this announcement and to get a greater context of the history of the Terminator Seed Program you can read this article here, by F. William Engdahl. Being aware of these policies and their future course on world events may not stop these events from occurring, but educating yourself and then others can have a significant impact on you, your family and the future of our local communities. Never underestimate the power of one.

Regards.

McMoney

2006-08-11T00:39:00.000-08:00

According to a new survey by the banking giant, UBS.

"In the US cities of Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and Miami, a maximum of 13 minutes' labor is needed."

The bank calculated the "weighted net hourly wage in 14 professions" and divided it into the local price of "a globally available product", for which it chose McDonald's premier hamburger.

"Wages only become meaningful in relation to prices - that is, what can be bought with the money earned," it said.

Article Here.

I found this article interesting in lieu of the discussions going on at How Many Miles from Babylon, and recent posts: Think Horses, Unlike Coin, and Right Hand Left Hand.

When considering monetary wages, one ought to consider the base question: What is Money? The prospect of the answer is something that will frighten the less the stout of heart. Much of what we in the United States accept as money is far a field from that which our forefathers knew it to be, and of little value than what our forebears just three or four generations handled, spent and counted. Until the issue of the “Amero” [Click on Link – I dare you!] Sit back and learn a lesson or two from history, “The Money Masters” PT1, PT2, PT3 an interesting video series. I cannot say that I agree with the conclusions drawn on all accounts, but it is a sobering view for the wanton spending and gluttonous consumption or society finds it’s self in today.

Economy

2006-08-03T23:10:00.000-08:00

Economy

Inspired by Herrick’s recent post, I thought I’d share some more NY economics of note. Having just purchased our "new" car. Pictured here at the family mechanic’s house (my father) all shined and ready to roll. This 1983 classic is a Chevy Citation with 2/55 air conditioning standard. It’s engine has 78,000 original miles, and a gentle used price of $300 (tires included) we count ourselves fortunate. We originally purchased it to replace our 1995 Toyota Corolla 4 door truck/sedan (as we use it to haul just about everything) but after passing mile marker 200,000 over 38,000+ miles ago, I figure it's good till 300K or more, who knows?

Now, I don’t suppose I’ll be the envy of the Joneses or those who prefer to sport the “new” hybrids vehicles on the market today for eco-coconscious consumers. Just that when you add the difference in MPG vs. the cost of a new hybrid + full coverage insurance + deprecation + new car maintenance – less any additional repair cost for an ‘older’ vehicle, sans the worry of the “first scratch”. I’d say we’re a wee bit a head of the game, especially since this one came complete with some rust & a dent. Now the one drawback, as I mentioned is the 2/55 air conditioning (as our “steed” has the older R-12 refrigerant and production of R12 ended December 31, 1995) so I’d be hard pressed to find the stuff these days. The 2/55 air equation works like this: “Roll down 2 windows – go 55 mph”. I suppose if need be I might try a design like this

Hey, if it’s hot enough – “Necessity, who is the mother of invention” ~Plato

Under Siege

2006-07-29T19:54:00.000-08:00

Under Siege

When the first explosion struck the village, it was sometime after 10 at night. Most people were caught unaware. It seemed not days ago, the artillery sounds emanated from the ten o’clock news not next door. What had happened? There was nothing, not one warning from Washington or Albany that such events could or would unfold so quickly – with out warning.

Catskill was a small village, of little importance – socially or economically – there were no political unrests, uprisings or factions. Half way between NYC and Albany, hardly a ‘Mecca’ of any sorts for the “hot bed” of activity it would soon become, a village under siege – a village of victims, the first to be reported as causalities of war. A war we did welcome or want, this in the United States of America. Martial law was declared the next day, the elections were suspended and life as we once knew it to be – had changed – forever.

The date was Saturday July 29th 2006, not unlike any Saturday numerous weeks before, no special numbers for this one 9/11 – 7/7. The papers the next morning read

CATSKILL COUGHT UNAWARE

A headline several hundred of the townsmen would never get to read…………

Now that never happened, and sure it might make a great piece of fiction, but really, such an event when we look to the world around us...... cannot we but at least consider the ramifications of empire. These were the real events that took place in the village this evening

Amidst the thundering repeat of explosions, I couldn’t shake the thought that one day as the farmers say the “chickens will come home to roost”.

Chicken Man

2006-07-17T20:01:00.000-08:00

Chicken Man

…………………..and for my next trick, I will attempt to balance this chicken on the little boys head!

Ok, so nothing quite magical about that, but not all nephews have an uncle who will bring pet chickens to the ‘burbs’ of Albany. So, I have been dubbed “The Chicken Man” unofficially by my family and neighborhood kids – in quite whispers, they go by……..(to a friend) ‘here’s where the chicken man lives……….’ Life is good!

So what are you known for? Is it so bad to be the chicken man, the milkman, or farmer Scott? Not at all! We are known for few things in life; so many of our fellows are known for less – such as a corporate title or occupation. When asked “who are you?”, in a social setting how do most people respond – I’m an (insert title here) for (insert corporation or state agency here), perhaps it’s some other blather.

All things considered, “The Chicken Man” is not such a bad title to have, after all Mr. Bean & Mr. Coffee makes me feel like some cheap imitation. Besides coffee & compost, I raise a few birds. Guys got to have hobbies!

COMPOST

2006-07-16T14:20:00.000-08:00

COMPOST

Well enough of the cow themes for the while, though I was tempted to comment on the recent article today about Canada’s latest folly. I’m sure you’re all quite aware. I wanted to touch upon a subject that I’ve given a lot of attention to lately in my pursuits and endeavors. Some thing dear to my heart – compost. Recently while purveying a link over to Joel Salatin’s site, I was checking his reading list and came across a title that he gave high mention to, Permaculture: A Designers’ Manual by Bill Mollison. I’m sure several of you are familiar with his work & writings, for those who are not it would be time well spent researching some of his interviews and articles online.

Several months ago I acquired a few Red Wigglers from Acme Worm Farm (great folks!) with intent on the propagation of compost in hopes of learning more on soil make up and health. Having several “sick soils” when we first moved to this property, I decided to see if I could turn things around with out the dumping of chemicals or a large expenditure in top soil. Now granted when you talk soil, you talk chemistry, and it would be falsehood if I were to lead you to think there’s no science involved here or that it was some form of shamanism, gnomes or magical thinking. We just purposed that we wouldn’t dump synthetics on the soil, pesticides or weed killer to tame the lame, anemic earth. Heavy clays in which only the heartiest weeds and seeds survived, lack of nutrients and compression filled the forty, that was to be our backyard.

The first year was our garden tester, as we tilled up a third of the soil and laid in amaranth, tomatoes, and peppers hot & sweet. We planted grapes, beans and corn. Carrots were late and like the corn came to naught. Also note, the corn we planted the first year was GMO corn that was not even a “good mule”. Disappointed but not daunted, I tried again this year, to far better results – GMO FREE!

Now we have plated 80% of our soil to corn, pumpkins, tomatoes, potatoes, and grapes in the second year, cucumbers, lettuces and mangled beets. As well an assortment of flowers and fauna adorn the outer edges of our crops. We have soil enhancers operating under cover and producing 24/7 – our chickens & worms! I have three composting venues for our soils, plant matter, chicken manure and household disposal & vegetable matter which is feed direct to the “incubator” for the worms. One of the most prolific feeds or bedding starters for the red wigglers is shredded and soaked newspaper mixed with coffee grounds. I pulp the newsprint after soaking it for two to three days in a five gallon bucket of water with a stucco mixer on a portable drill. Gets it to the beginning of the break down cycle before introducing it to the worms. All this helps reduce the “trash” run we make to the dump. Most of what we produce in our household’s here in the US can follow the motto of “Reuse, Recycle, Reclaim”. It is the “Cult of Efficiency” motto or resulting actions to the proverb “Haste makes Waste”. Here in the US we are some ‘hasty folks’, aside from the ecological impact (of which we are aware but do little about as a country) the economic impact of waste is taking its toll as well. I am a conservative, not based out of any strong held political belief, but because I seek to live a life of conservation – economically as well as ecologically. It just makes sense.

Soil science, as Bill Mollison described “modern technological agriculture as a form of "witchcraft."

“Well, it is a sort of witchcraft. Today we have more soil scientists than at any other time in history. If you plot the rise of soil scientists against the loss of soil, you see that the more of them you have, the more soil you lose.”

“The important thing is not to do any agriculture whatsoever, and particularly to make the modern agricultural sciences a forbidden area - they're worse than witchcraft, really. The agriculture taught at colleges between 1930 and 1980 has caused more damage on the face of the Earth than any other factor. "Should we tamper with nature?" is no longer a question - we've tampered with nature on the whole face of the Earth."

"If you let the world roll on the way it's rolling, you're voting for death. I'm not voting for death. The extinction rate is so huge now; we're to the stage where we've got to set up recombinant ecologies. There are no longer enough species left, anywhere, to hold the system together. We have to let nature put what's left together, and see what it can come up with to save our ass.”

Well, I suppose at times – you got to be blunt. He is an interesting read, and (as the English say) Spot On when it comes to ideas that work. I found my self somewhat slack jawed & excited at the same time as I read a few of his interviews. There are a few: Here, Here & Here. I hope you take the time to give them a read. As for me I’ll wait to report more as I acquire his book on permaculture - it’s a pricey read – so I’ll seek an alternative source first. If anyone has this title and would consider a barter/loan arrangement for say, a few pounds of fresh roasted coffee, please email me separately from my contact page.

WEEDS
Interestingly I have come to two personal discoveries this year in regards to “weeds” about my property – not all things are, as they first seem. First was Lambs Quarter – or bacon weed, fat hen, or white goosefoot. This pernicious weed plagued me & my garden the first year, then I saw a photo of it and learned it’s name. As well our Rhode Island Reds love it! (Here it is by the coop)

Turns out it is great form of “greens” for juicing and several other uses. (Little did I know) Here are some blog mentions of this “Green Gold”. (Here and Here) The second “weed” was one I hesitated to pull because I “saw it” somewhere before, so better wait on this “interesting” weed. Well turns out – good things come to ‘dem who wait!

Introducing our second “Mystery Weed”:

“Little Hogweed” or Purslane. Another “discovery” by the: none so smart (but ever patient) ardent agrarian as I will now encourage (though check) it’s growth and winter-ability indoors as well. Here is a blog post with some more information on it.

So now, as I remarked to my wife, as we look for more land, what I most want to take with me from this house we call home – Is The Weeds!

"What is a weed? A weed is a plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered" ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson 1878

Chicken Update II

2006-07-15T20:36:00.000-08:00

Chicken Update II

Well we have completed the course on our first round of chicken operations. From hatchlings to hatchet you might say? Our ladies laid their first eggs this week, as I went out to feed them & was greeted with 10 small brown eggs – which prompted an “instant omelet”, complete with salsa, cheese & hot peppers. To say they were “fluffy & delicious” would be an understatement! Reminded me of that Slavery Card commercial:

Cost of 14 Chickens: $23:66

Feed & Lodging: $184.00

First Egg Omelet: PRICELESS

"For some people in life there’s never anything BUT store bought industrial agriculture, for the rest of us – we eat well."

This week we also processed our first poultry, as “Speedy” our rooster had an up close and personal introduction to the nifty axe I received this year on my birthday. (Thanks Mom!)

All things considered, we are having a ‘banner year’ here at the Holtzman Homestead, with many more hopes and dreams for our future – as the Lord wills!

Blog mention of Note: Jim Warmke at A3 has a nice 12-minute chicken processing video over on his blog. You might want to stop by and see it, leave a note for Jim & encourage your fellow farmer. Regards.

GOT BAIL?

2006-07-10T05:30:00.000-08:00

“…Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it...”

RAW MILK?

Few things these days cry out “Idiot!” to me. Perhaps because I’ve grown so accustom to the tireless never-ending siege of autocracy, or perchance I’ve come to expect that the mass & the mob would sooner kill the Good Samaritan, as to reward him for a gracious act………..

Story Here.

My Favorite Quote:

''You can't just give milk away to someone other then yourself. It's a violation of the law,''

said LeeAnne Mizer, spokeswoman for the Ohio Department of Agriculture.

WOW! Now that's kind of hard to swallow.

Cow Power

2006-07-06T17:11:00.000-08:00

Cow Power

“In a sense, it is the ultimate renewable source of fuel. Weather anomalies can kill off corn crops, calm the winds, obscure the sun — but through rain or shine, gusts or stillness, cows and hogs and turkeys spew forth a steady stream of manure, one of nature's richest sources of methane, a principal component of natural gas.”

I came across an interesting article on the subject many have termed “Brown Energy”, and thought I’d post some relevant highlights as well as ask for feedback regarding perceived merits from everyone.

The article, written by Claudia H. Deutsch for the NYT gave me some ponders as to the application of technology to sustainable resources. Several of the ‘benefits’ seem to have merit and value; I’d be interested in your thoughts.

Excerpts:

“…now, farmers and entrepreneurs are recognizing that this immutable fact can yield a steady stream of revenue and profit, too. Slowly, but steadily, they are replacing the malodorous lagoons used to treat the waste with machines that can wrest energy from excrement.”

“…technologies, some of which have been around for decades, have finally grown more reliable. "There's been a lot of time and energy spent on making these as effective and efficient as possible, so anaerobic digestion will be a growing business," said Daniel J. Mannes, vice president of Avondale Partners, a securities research firm that recently initiated coverage of the Environmental Power Corporation, the company in Portsmouth, N.H., that owns Microgy.”

"The business model of producing energy along with food will transform the economics of rural America,"

said Michael T. Eckhart, president of the American Council on Renewable Energy, based in Washington.

(continues)

Indeed, anaerobic digestion yields not just methane, but leftover liquids that farmers can use or sell as fertilizer, waste heat that can heat their homes and barns, and fibrous solids that make excellent bedding for cows. Farmers also save the costs of controlling odors and treating waste. "Two years ago I couldn't even convince farmers that digesters work," said Melissa Dvorak, marketing manager for GHD, a company based in Chilton, Wis., that sells digesters. "Now, all they ask is what the payback will be."

Now proper research will provide information that some of this “(cow) Pie in the Sky” hype is funded in part by good ole’ government subsidies (to which this author is not a big fan of by any measure) so it will be interesting to see how this plays out – sustainable development or just old fashion BS? You decide.

Note: This author does own shares in Environmental Power Corporation (EPG) and in no way shape or form recommends or suggests investing, purchasing or even remotely considering purchase of/or investing in such company or any company for that matter. Fact of the matter is this company is likely to go “belly up” as much as going “sky high”, as well any reference to “belly up” no way is a solicitation to ‘cow tipping’ and ‘sky high’ does not infer that one should go ‘sky diving’. All these thing are inherently dangerous and could incur risk to you or the cows. Caveat emptor; drive responsibly, blah, blah, blah……………I hope that covered it! Regards.

The Way of All Flesh

2006-06-24T18:54:00.000-08:00

Blinded by Science: The Way of All Flesh

"...All flesh is grass......" Isaiah 40:6 (or not?)

More news from the forefront of “modern” agriculture? Oh, words can’t do this one justice, have a glimpse in to the “Future of Foods” (Akk!)

Growing Potatoes

2006-06-18T19:09:00.000-08:00

Solanum tuberosum

"O Creator! Thou who givest life to all things and hast made men that they may live, and multiply. Multiply also the fruits of the earth, the potatoes and other food that thou hast made, that men may not suffer from hunger and misery."

History

A high plateau in the Andean Mountains of South America is the most probable birthplace of the 'Irish' white potato that we eat today. The plateau, known today as the Titicaca Plateau, stretches across part of the countries of Peru and Bolivia. The Aymara Indians developed more than two hundred varieties of the potato at elevations greater than 10,000 feet. Potatoes formed the basis of the Aymara Indian and Incan diet.

Potatoes also were an important influence on Incan culture. Potato-shaped pottery complete with eyes is commonly found at excavated sites, sometimes having tiny heads growing out of the little eyes. Incan units of time correlated to the length of time it took for a potato to cook to various consistencies. Potatoes were even used to divine the truth and predict weather.

When the Spanish Conquistadors didn't find the gold and silver they were looking for in the late 1400s and early 1500s, they quickly cornered the local potato market. Potatoes were soon a standard supply item on their ships. The Spanish noticed that the sailors who ate papas (potatoes) did not suffer from scurvy. Scurvy is a disease associated with too little vitamin C in the diet. Potatoes have a lot of vitamin C, easily preventing scurvy.

An Irish legend says that ships of the Spanish Armada, wrecked off the Irish coast in 1588, were carrying potatoes and that some of them washed ashore.

The potato is a member of the nightshade family and its leaves are, indeed, poisonous. A potato left too long in the light will begin to turn green. The green skin contains a substance called solanine which can cause the potato to taste bitter and even cause illness in humans. Such drawbacks were understood in Europe, but the advantages, generally, were not.

Europe would wait until the 1780's before the potato gained prominence anywhere. About 1780 the people of Ireland adopted the rugged food crop. The primary reason for its acceptance in Ireland was its ability to produce abundant, nutritious food. Unlike any other major crop, potatoes contain most of the vitamins needed for sustenance. Perhaps more importantly, potatoes can provide this sustenance to nearly 10 people on an acre of land. This would be one of the prime factors causing a population explosion in the early 1800s. Of course, by the mid-1800's the Irish would become so dependent upon this crop that its failure would provoke a famine.

While in Ireland the potato gained acceptance from the bottom up, in France, the potato was imposed upon society by an intellectual.

Antoine Augustine Parmentier saw that the nutritional benefits of the crop combined with its productive capacity could be a boon to the French farmer. He was a pharmacist, chemist and employee of Louis XV. Parmentier discovered the benefits of the potato while held prisoner by the Prussians during the Seven Years War. He was so enamored by the potato that he determined that it should become a staple of the French diet. After failing by conventional means to convince Frenchmen of its advantages, he determined upon a surreptitious means of making his point.

Parmentier acquired a miserable and unproductive spot of ground on the outskirts of Paris. There, he planted 50 acres of potatoes. During the day, he set a guard over it. This drew considerable attention in the neighborhood. In the evening the guard was relaxed and the locals came to see what all the fuss was about. Believing this plant must be valuable, many peasants "acquired" some of the potatoes from the plot, and soon were growing the root in their own garden plots. Their resistance was overcome by their curiosity and desire to better their lot with the obviously valuable new produce – that and a bit of thievery!

History has more to tell on the subject, and I hope at the end of harvest season to post a few tried recipes that we have gathered this summer. Our small plot experiment consists of a bit of a patriotic theme, rather by chance than design, as we have red, white & blue potatoes planted and hope to continue with many seasons of saving & storing our ‘starter’ potatoes for future seasons.

The weather and rains have been good to us this summer and we are looking forward to a banner crop, in potatoes,

corn, pumpkins, tomatoes, cukes and now beets! (thanks again Herrick) We just transported and distributed several large bags of lettuce to our friends at church and family up north of us.

This season we grew Flame Lettuce, Green Slobolt and Red Leprechaun lettuce of which I had hoped to get a photo of but neglected to do so………..we hope to plant a second harvest this autumn so perhaps then. If I could recommend lettuce types I’d have to say these were a pleasing assortment for salads & sandwiches. Our seed stock for lettuce this year came from Seed Savers – high on our recommend list! I only wish in hindsight I let a few of the plants bolt to seed as to have my own plantings next go round, oh well.

Too bad I could not share some of this rain with Tom & John in Minnesota as I remember Tom’s saying last year “knee high by July and we currently are way past the waist and going to be saying “Head high this July!” As well we planted some cornfield pumpkins from Seed Savers and they are ‘running’ like tentacles of an octopus from 20000 Leagues Under the Sea .

The chickens are fairing well in their new home and enjoy their games of ‘tag’ and 'chase' when set free in the yard. We hope to be seeing some eggs soon as we received the baby chicks this February. The neighborhood cats have all stopped in at one point or time for a visit and to see the newest ‘attraction’. All is well here at the Holtzman Homestead.

To all who qualify in our readership – Happy Fathers Day!

Regards.

Chicken Update

2006-06-05T19:39:00.000-08:00

“I want there to be no peasant in my kingdom so poor that he cannot have a chicken in his pot every Sunday.”

~Henry IV

Well it has been some time since our last post on our chickens, and I am pleased to say that they now have a home of their own. What a learning curve it has been! My culminate wisdom to date on how to raise chickens is this

First you get yourself some chickens………

That’s it!

Now I know there’s more to it than I’m letting on, but beyond the initial desire to do something such as raise some small livestock, like advise, less is more ~ so I’ll leave it at that.

Despite ineptitude and learning curves, hectic schedules and (work) relocations, rainy inclement weather and an all thumbs carpentry skill set we finished the coop & pen.

A note of thanks to Herrick for (now) two things: 1) mentioning the tarp (what a blessing!) and 2) his recent post on a wonderful alternative & definitely agrarian feed source that you can grow at home! I’d be interested to see the results of our online community of growers this fall as we bring in the harvest for cold storage. I encourage you to check out Herrick’s post: HERE.

We look forward to future breakfasts with ‘garden fresh eggs’ and a Sunday dinner or two this summer – with a chicken in our pot! (sorry gang if you’re the squeamish type) We have selected our first candidate (to be named later) for our next endeavor “The Wizbang Chicken Plucker” you might say he’ll be our first aerospace test pilot. After reading Rick’s post and accompanying photos I am encouraged all the more to (pardon the pun) “Give it a Whirl!” I suppose I will take a week or two before beginning to build, as I first have to order my Wizbang Book and then acquire the necessary materials.

For now, we are enjoying our success and the chickens are quite pleased as well. Regards.

The Rotten Potato

2006-05-25T22:25:00.000-08:00

The Rotten Potato

"When I found out that our industrialized food system considers chicken manure an acceptable source of protein in cattle feed, it was clear to me that consumers and corporate agriculture have very different ideas about how we should produce food."
~DAN NAGENGAST

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When I first started researching all things agrarian, from agriculture to contemporary thought, it was clear to me I had diverged upon two paths in the woods, and having chose the road less traveled; for me it has made all the difference………………and then a quarter mile in, having just begun my journey (my wife steadfast by my side) I come across this small stature of a man who sticks a placard in my hand and in so softly of a chuckle says “Here’s your sign!” and walks off down a garden row, I look toward my wife and I shrug. Then I flip the slightly weathered barn-wood board around I notice the writing on the opposite side and it reads…………..

…..Welcome to the Revolution!

Though I know if you spoke with Herrick he’d tell you – that never happened, and he’d be right, I’ve taken a little literary license with my words and my walk. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading his book: Writings of a Deliberate Agrarian by Herrick Kimball, a fellow New Yorker who when I was first introduced to the online agrarian blogsphere, enjoyed his virtual writings, views and ideas on a regular basis and they were an encouragement to me to step out as well and make a mark, as I say taking electronic pen to ‘virtual’ paper. It only fitting to see his wonderful collection of essays go from paper to print.

The journey to the good life is often fit with unmerited joy when one finds favor in the simple things and takes time to directly contemplate what it is that makes this life we lead ~ living.

If I could encourage you, bring thought in to action and pick up a copy of the book today, you can find it at Cumberland Books on the web or you can order a copy from the authors web page here at www.thedeliberateagrarian.com You might just find the sudden need to plant something when your done……………………

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and now the news……………..

Many have heard the expression “something is rotten in the state of Denmark”; a line from the play by William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”, quoted by a palace guard after the apparition of the dead king of Denmark appears walking over the palace walls. It’s more common soliloquy now used to describe destruction or a situation when something is wrong. As is the case and the state of the union commonly referred to by our founding fathers as ‘these united states of America’.

From food to fuel to funding debt through foreign banks to bolster dollar hegemony the course of our modern culture has embraced a hedonistic worldview of self-gratification that rivals Rome, and as Rome went so goes the US or as an infamous sports announcer once said “…and that’s the ball game!” Perhaps someone should give Ben Bernanke a copy of Shakespeare’s book and highlight the advice the garrulous old man Polonius gives to his son; “Neither a lender nor a barrower be” but alas me thinks he would not listen, but laugh – for there lies in Washington (that brood of vipers and thieves den) either deceivers or the deceived, I’d dare say an honest lot of them could be hitherto counted using the fingers & toes method of numerical excellence with out the necessity of a man removing his shoes!

No longer are the days of the “Good Samaritan” as we live in a ‘culture of corruption’ that despite democratic political pandering or republican rhetorical recitation it is as endemic ailment in the whole of a soulless American society that goes past the Washington beltway and extends a sluggish miserable hand deep in to the bread basket of our economy. Ours is not a red state - blue state affair. If we are to survive as a ‘nation of states’ ours must be a Red, White & Blue State of concern and correction. If He who’s is Sovereign and created all things overlooks our arrears and turns a blind eye to the debauchery we as a nation have brought upon ourselves through the leadership of despots, upon that day He will have to apologize to Sodom for surely we rival them as a nation of immoderation, lacking responsibility and filled to the bridle in the blood of innocence.

The concept of “united we stand, divided we fall” derived from a popular 1768 tune entitled the “Liberty Song” by John Dickinson adopted as the state motto by, Isaac Shelby, the first governor of Kentucky is a far cry from the dirge we now dance to as a nation of divided persons through political punditry and media manipulation owned in whole (contracted in part) by the money interests and governmental ne’er-do-well’s. Race, hatred, class envy, religious intolerance and bigotry are promenaded across the pages of what passes for ‘news’ these days of ‘Fear & Blood’, when Terror is the word of the day and honest men cower in trepidation of lawmaking abuse that might deem their own conscious a violation and subject to public scrutiny. Leading one to the dangerous thought that perhaps ‘good men should do nothing’.

“We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness -- That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it...”

These very words alone would be subject to censor and prosecution with out due process by the falsely named “Patriot Act” that would cause the penman, one Thomas Jefferson, to be imprisoned without charge to be held indefinitely by a government of his own creation!

Something’s rotten in Denmark, and it is pervasive in our form of ‘modern’ agriculture or Agri-Business, Industrialized Farming, or Factory Farms; choose you name de plume! As the above quote in the title head of this article points to - if our collective intelligence of modern society cannot figure out “it’s not good to put manure in your mouth” human or otherwise, then we are past the point of no return. The (ill) logic does not end there; consider milk replacer, pharmaceuticals in the food and genetic manipulation of the seed crops. HELLO………isn’t anyone listening other then the NSA?

Even a cursorily bit of research in to the monstrous practices of Monsanto and their ilk of genetic manipulating genies brings to mind old Wile E. Coyote cartoons of mad scientists with their ACME ray guns hell bent on world domination or destruction as their work proceeds to explosive and dynamite endings. One can’t help when reading the technical wizardry of working over the “biotechnology products” previously know as “seed” and think of the 70’s commercial that warned us ‘you shouldn’t fool with mother nature………..’ Oh well, if she complains too loudly I’m sure the legion of lawyers and “Field Agents” in black SUV’s can be rolled out in short order to explain to her that it’s no longer her seed and show her the patent rights and that her continued complaints would be construed as slander and subject to suit and legal action because her fields (and the whole earth) has been contaminated with their “biotechnology input traits” that she is not approved to grow. Alas, perhaps they could have gleaned wisdom from Hamlet’s wit as he suggested in this phrase that human knowledge is limited: “There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, then are dreamt of in your philosophy [Science]. “

There is more to write (and a little to rant) about, but it has been now three days and the hour is past one (AM) since I began this entry that is long becoming an essay. So in ‘news-esque’ fashion I will say “Film at Eleven” or ‘The Revolution Marches On’ or perhaps just ………………(to be continued)

Stay Tuned Next Time, for such topics as:

Luck Be a Lady

Fragility thy name is Woman!

The lady doth protest too much

And…Get thee to a Nunnery

As you might have guessed, we’re breaking out the Shakespeare lighting up the Barbie and having a bit of summer fun! Regards.