Prayerie Girl1

Obama's USDA to deceive Americans over GM crops

Alfalfa is the first perennial crop to be genetically modified. Because it does not die after a year but can regenerate itself from even its roots, the risk of genetic contamination is higher than even that from GM annual crops, which have already been documented to spread beyond the fields they are planted in.

via www.naturalnews.com

Another reason to consider "urban" and micro farming. Alfalfa is a staple pasture crop. All commercial creatures that we consume or their products will be contaminated. Just try to find ANYTHING that does not have GM corn as an ingredient next time you shop (if you shop commercially it IS GM corn). While the corn issue can, at the moment, be circumvented by a little extra effort Alfalfa is a problem for two reasons. First, because it is a perennial it will spread beyond where it is planted. Annuals have to be replanted each year not so with perennials--- they return year after year. Second alfalfa is perhaps the most common forage for all pasture animals--- so that means not only their meat but eggs, milk, cheese will also be contaminated.

It is not hard to take small steps to control the frankenfood that reaches your table. First, buy organic. For some foods it is very important. Foods like celery, potatoes, corn, soft skinned fruits and vegetables. The pesticides seep in--- while avacados, bananas, melons not so much.

Second, find a local family run, small, farm that produces organic, pesticide, herbicide free produce. It isn't that hard--- try Eat Wild and click on your state. I use this farm Freedom Organix in Harvard Illinois. It is a CSA (community supported agriculture). We by a share and then receive a box of produce every week from June through October. Just got our first box and it is filled with leafy greens, radishes (and a recipe for cooking them! I can't wait to try it!)and bok choy. Each week we get what comes available so there is always something new--- and Cindy the farmer--- includes recipes. This way of buying food is great because you get to know your farmer on a personal basis AND once again you learn to eat seasonally and locally--- just like those before us did. We also buy our meat and some dairy from a local farm producer of grass fed animals(Wallace Farms)--- (No GM corn).
It may sound like a lot of effort but the truth is that once you do your research and set it up the rest is pretty easy. With the produce the pick up is once a week the next town over and with the meat it is once a month here in town. Big plus--- I spend very little time in grocery stores these days.
Finally, be adventurous and creative. See how much you can provide on your own. I have a flock of 70+ chickens--- the girls lay eggs, The extra boys go to freezer camp. Most municipalities allow back yard chickens as pets (with benefits) but will often stipulate the number allowed and whether you can have roosters (they can be noisy!)They are very easy to care for. A small flock of 10 or under would be no more difficult to take care of than a dog or cat AND you could get any where from 5-10 eggs a day once they start laying.
Believe it or not Chickens are also quite entertaining animals--- very social with each other and with the humans who care for them. One of my favorite things to do at the end of my work day is to go down and sit in one of the pens with my iced tea or a beer and just enjoy the beauty and fun God gives me through these creatures. Some like to sit in my lap and be petted while I pray... others perch on my shoulder and groom my feathers (IOW's my hair)for me. Next year we are planning to add mini dairy and fiber goats. 
Why is this important--- it is the only way for any of us to maintain some control over what we eat and how it is grown. Also in tough times to be able to provide for family and friends give one some needed peace of mind. To get motivated go here...Urban Homestead

PS Just wanted to add--- if you want to know why some of us keep chickens and all the ins and outs go here Backyard Chickens

People and Chickens

I have found as we have settled into our chicken farmer lifestyle people usually have one of two responses. First, are the ones that look at you like you must have totally lost your mind because they cannot fathom why anyone would even consider doing such a back country, old world thing. Or the surprisingly more common response of "Oh cool! can I see them? Can I have some eggs?" We have even had some of our aquaintances inquire about how to go about getting into chickens. How can you not fall in love with the silly creatures when you look into those cute little chicken faces??

Another thought occurred to me recently. A couple of weekends ago my husband and I were on our Harley for a ride out into the country. We were shocked and saddened by the number of farmers that are selling off large tracts of land. I have always had a softspot for farming families. My dad came from one and so did my husbands's mother. Family farmers have really gotten a raw deal in recent years with corporate farms and big agribusinesses making it near impossible for the smaller family farms to survive. When so many of these smaller farmers are forced to live in poverty while the land they sit on is worth millions and millions to some developer I can understand why they sell off their land. I can't really blame them... but it does beg one to wonder whose going to feed this vast nation--- are we headed toward government run agriculture (genetic engineered crops, hybrid seeds, genetically "improved" livestock??) That is when it dawned on me--- We are about to go full circle! What I mean by that is that as I have gotten involved with micro farming and in the "eat local" movement I have faound a huge number of people thinking as we do. 

First, with the way things are going economically and socially in this country there is concern that we are becoming more and more dependent on the government for the very basics of life--- food, water, and energy. After Katrina I think people realized how quickly food, water, the very basics of life disappeared. It was the non-profit charitible organizations who showed up with relief---- the goverment bungled along for days and weeks before getting necessities to the people. Add to this we are facing a great economic upheaval when money is becoming scarce or may even one day become worthless--- how does one provide for their family then? Self sufficiency is what people are seeking in greater numbers. Back yard chickens are a sign which is popping up in cities as well as out in the country.

Second--- I, as many folks do, have great concern over the wide spread genetic altering of our food. "Frakenfood" is a reality and I am not sure I want to partake of. It seems people are learning how to provide for themselves even on the smallest plots of land. I became greatly interested when I saw this video The urban homestead . The Derveas are true modern pioneers. 

It is amazing how out of touch we are in general with the food we eat. People are discovering that with a little space one can have a small farm which can provide them with food and maybe even a little extra cash from those who line up to buy your extras. 

This year we made the big move--- I have always grown veggies and fruit but this year we got chickens--- now we have fresh eggs and meat that is 100% organic and safe--- we know EXACTLY what goes into it. Next year we are adding a much larger garden and Dwarf Nigerian dairy goats... that means milk, yogurt, cheese, butter, kefir.... and meat... 

I realized by the time our ride in the country was over that there is a revolution going on and it is as grass roots as one can get. More and more people are growing their own food--- and so the "eating local" movement has begun. Now--- what we cannot produce we try to buy at local farms--- direct from the small family run farms. I just found a beef and hay farm that sells direct to the public. They will sell a whole cow, a half or even a quarter--- butcher it for you for a fraction of what I would spend at the local supermarket--- not only do I save--- the farmers make more money by cutting out all the middle men. I also have the peace of mind of visiting the farm that is producing my beef. 

It was a happy thought when I realized as government takes over agribusiness and drives price into the sky  (like everything else they run) there is something in the wings--- growing and developing--- the small family farm--- 21st century style!

Thar be eggs in those nest boxes!

This is the second day since the girls began producing. We got five eggs the first day, three yesterday and two so far today. They are still pretty small but perfect. Thus far no deformed shells, shell-less eggs or eggs minus yolks. The only oddity at this point was one double yolker. 

There is definitely a difference in flavor. No bad at all--- in fact it is sort of like comparing store bought tomatoes to homegrown ones--- homegrown taste like tomatoes just moreso. The same is true with the eggs--- they taste "eggier".

For all the doubts and second thoughts I had over the winter about whether or not I should do this I can say wholeheartedly, at this point in the journey, I am so glad we did. It was a lot of work to get everything set up but once things were up and running caring for the chickens is not hard or boring. They are quite interesting creatures. Simple little minds that live for their treats, sing happily when you pet them, engage in hilarious chicken games and then give back to us for the care attention that we give them by giving us eggs. Kind of cool! I think this is the way God intended it to be--- not chickens or other farm animals crammed in cages saturated in drugs to prevent them from getting ill from the unnatural conditions they are forced to live in. JMHO.

Thought for the day

Farmer's Prayer 

Lord, bless the land You've given me,

And may I always know 

As I tend each crop and creature

You're the One who helps them grow.

Grant me the strength and wisdom

Please protect me from harm, 

And thank You

For Your gracious gift-

The blessing of a farm.