I'm here.
We're busy. Washington and the liberal media bias has greatly disturbed me.
The grass roots efforts are inspiring.
The boys pruned the orchard. Brandt sprayed the dormant oil.
I pruned the grape vines. We planted 4 peach trees and two apricot.
Today we are planting the potatoes.
We have a little garden growing in soil blocks but I didn't get near as many seeds started as I wanted to. The most important, tomatoes, look great though.
Brian's radishes are growing nicely in the flower bed.
The seeds I planted last fall in the cold frames germinated finally. I suppose the appreciated the rain that they get now that the glass is broken.
What happened to my header? I really don't have time to mess with blog design. This place might look dull for awhile.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
Gardening and Home Butchering Outlawed?
No, just subject to regulation.
There is an email and blog rumor circulating about HR 875.
I'm not an expert but for other reasons I have been studying dairy inspection regulations, food establishment regulations, and stuff like that. It isn't easy to read because you have to think about the definitions of each word and the ramifications of those definitions. There are federal regulations and then each state has regulations and then some counties add more regulations all to do with the food processing industry in various ways and means. That is, if you are selling it to others, commerce.
I dove in and read this bill. HR 875. To see if what the email and blog rumors say is true. I linked to certain parts of the bill so that you can read it for yourself.
Here is how this bill affects you, according to my eyes which might be missing things.
If you grow meat for your own purposes and butcher it yourself, then by this definition in the bill you are subject to regulation.
If you process (can, freeze, ferment) food for yourself, then by this definition in the bill you are subject to regulation.
Just in case previous definitions missed whatever you do with food, this definition will catch all.
Wouldn't you think that this bill would only be for people that are involved in commerce?
Obviously, if it's not intended for the ordinary home gardener, home meat grower, home dairyman, or hunter, then the definitions need to say so.
Here and here is where they are aiming at those not already under preexisting regulations. Which is why folks are saying that is aimed at small producers and home growers. The big guys are already covered in existing law.
This is the duty of the Administrator of this proposed new Food Safety Program:
This part is where the Administrator "requires and enforces" you to do things the way the department sees fit, whatever that means, depending on the whim of the current administration.
Prohibitions start here. Basically you have to register, keep records, be inspected randomly, etc. The silly thing is that this is aimed at commerce but the definitions are so broad that it applies to everyone. Is this deliberate or not? Only the writer and sponsors of the bill know.
Presumption is that a grower is growing for commerce.
I encourage readers to go to the bill itself and read through the links that I've posted. I'm running out of time here and have to get on with my day. There is more to this stupid bill.
And it just continues to get more and more stupid. Rather than scary, it's just STUPID. Another one of those things that make you think that America is destroying herself.
Honestly, home gardeners will fly under the radar unless the government offers rewards to ordinary folks for turning in their neighbors.
What this bill will do is shut down farmer's markets. Logistically, when 30 people gather in a parking lot to sell produce, the consumer who gets ill will not recall which vendor a particular tomato (for example) came from. Each tomato will have to be labeled. That adds cost and labor which will drive people out of business or keep an ordinary person from taking their bumper crop of cucumbers to the market. How does this affect a person who has an acre planted to strawberries or asparagus and puts a U-Pick sign up? We will have to pay for bureaucrats to police this type of thing. Your tax dollars at work.
I want to get on to the big grain and chemical cartel parts. Rushing ahead here now:
Here is where the chemical giants get their way with your crops. All subject to the whim of the Administrator. I use the word whim tongue-in-cheek.
For example: you want to use natural controls for insects, the Administration says, "No, to control Factor A, science demonstrates that Chemical A is the only effective method." To play devil's advocate, you may desire to use Chemical A to control Factor A but the current Administration requires you to use Natural Method A. No freedom for your own innovation.
Same thing, only concerning how you grow your animals concerning health, feed, and environment. All subject to a bureaucrats ideology.
Remember, because their definition of Food Production Facility, the following applies to everyone who grows food.
This is Monsanto's position on Bill 875.
Now, let's lay blame where it is deserved. OURSELVES. We lie complacent while the people we elect do a terrible job.
WE the people elected officials who allowed monopolies to occur in the seed and chemical industries.
WE the people elected officials who accept money from and cow to big business. "follow the money trail"
WE the people don't wash stuff from the market, or eat at a restaurant that doesn't wash their vegetables and get sick.
WE the people don't act with integrity in managing business and employees and corrupt practices occur that hurt others.
WE the people like to say "there should be a rule for that!" instead of living with integrity in all areas of our own life.
WE the people blame everyone else for our own foolishness.
WE the people don't require the officials that we elected to enforce the regulations they have already made.
I suggest two things.
1. Live with integrity.
2. Hold officials accountable for their own integrity.
This is the link to the Congresswoman who wrote the bill, Rosa DeLauro.
Visit the House of Representatives, find your legislator, and write or call them.
There is an email and blog rumor circulating about HR 875.
I'm not an expert but for other reasons I have been studying dairy inspection regulations, food establishment regulations, and stuff like that. It isn't easy to read because you have to think about the definitions of each word and the ramifications of those definitions. There are federal regulations and then each state has regulations and then some counties add more regulations all to do with the food processing industry in various ways and means. That is, if you are selling it to others, commerce.
I dove in and read this bill. HR 875. To see if what the email and blog rumors say is true. I linked to certain parts of the bill so that you can read it for yourself.
Here is how this bill affects you, according to my eyes which might be missing things.
If you grow meat for your own purposes and butcher it yourself, then by this definition in the bill you are subject to regulation.
If you process (can, freeze, ferment) food for yourself, then by this definition in the bill you are subject to regulation.
Just in case previous definitions missed whatever you do with food, this definition will catch all.
Wouldn't you think that this bill would only be for people that are involved in commerce?
Obviously, if it's not intended for the ordinary home gardener, home meat grower, home dairyman, or hunter, then the definitions need to say so.
Here and here is where they are aiming at those not already under preexisting regulations. Which is why folks are saying that is aimed at small producers and home growers. The big guys are already covered in existing law.
This is the duty of the Administrator of this proposed new Food Safety Program:
"(a) In General- The Administrator shall--
(1) develop, administer, and annually update a national food safety program (referred to in this section as the ‘program’) to protect public health; and
(2) ensure that persons who produce, process, or distribute food meet their responsibility to prevent or minimize food safety hazards related to their products."This part is where the Administrator "requires and enforces" you to do things the way the department sees fit, whatever that means, depending on the whim of the current administration.
Prohibitions start here. Basically you have to register, keep records, be inspected randomly, etc. The silly thing is that this is aimed at commerce but the definitions are so broad that it applies to everyone. Is this deliberate or not? Only the writer and sponsors of the bill know.
Presumption is that a grower is growing for commerce.
I encourage readers to go to the bill itself and read through the links that I've posted. I'm running out of time here and have to get on with my day. There is more to this stupid bill.
And it just continues to get more and more stupid. Rather than scary, it's just STUPID. Another one of those things that make you think that America is destroying herself.
Honestly, home gardeners will fly under the radar unless the government offers rewards to ordinary folks for turning in their neighbors.
What this bill will do is shut down farmer's markets. Logistically, when 30 people gather in a parking lot to sell produce, the consumer who gets ill will not recall which vendor a particular tomato (for example) came from. Each tomato will have to be labeled. That adds cost and labor which will drive people out of business or keep an ordinary person from taking their bumper crop of cucumbers to the market. How does this affect a person who has an acre planted to strawberries or asparagus and puts a U-Pick sign up? We will have to pay for bureaucrats to police this type of thing. Your tax dollars at work.
I want to get on to the big grain and chemical cartel parts. Rushing ahead here now:
Here is where the chemical giants get their way with your crops. All subject to the whim of the Administrator. I use the word whim tongue-in-cheek.
For example: you want to use natural controls for insects, the Administration says, "No, to control Factor A, science demonstrates that Chemical A is the only effective method." To play devil's advocate, you may desire to use Chemical A to control Factor A but the current Administration requires you to use Natural Method A. No freedom for your own innovation.
Same thing, only concerning how you grow your animals concerning health, feed, and environment. All subject to a bureaucrats ideology.
Remember, because their definition of Food Production Facility, the following applies to everyone who grows food.
SEC. 206. FOOD PRODUCTION FACILITIES.
(c) Regulations- Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture and representatives of State departments of agriculture, shall promulgate regulations to establish science-based minimum standards for the safe production of food by food production facilities. Such regulations shall--
(1) consider all relevant hazards, including those occurring naturally, and those that may be unintentionally or intentionally introduced;
(3) include, with respect to growing, harvesting, sorting, and storage operations, minimum standards related to fertilizer use, nutrients, hygiene, packaging, temperature controls, animal encroachment, and water;
(4) include, with respect to animals raised for food, minimum standards related to the animal’s health, feed, and environment which bear on the safety of food for human consumption;
This is Monsanto's position on Bill 875.
Now, let's lay blame where it is deserved. OURSELVES. We lie complacent while the people we elect do a terrible job.
WE the people elected officials who allowed monopolies to occur in the seed and chemical industries.
WE the people elected officials who accept money from and cow to big business. "follow the money trail"
WE the people don't wash stuff from the market, or eat at a restaurant that doesn't wash their vegetables and get sick.
WE the people don't act with integrity in managing business and employees and corrupt practices occur that hurt others.
WE the people like to say "there should be a rule for that!" instead of living with integrity in all areas of our own life.
WE the people blame everyone else for our own foolishness.
WE the people don't require the officials that we elected to enforce the regulations they have already made.
I suggest two things.
1. Live with integrity.
2. Hold officials accountable for their own integrity.
This is the link to the Congresswoman who wrote the bill, Rosa DeLauro.
Ms. DELAURO (for herself, Ms. ESHOO, Ms. DEGETTE, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. ENGEL, Ms. CASTOR of Florida, Mr. MURPHY of Connecticut, Ms. SUTTON, Mrs. LOWEY, Ms. SLAUGHTER, Mr. HINCHEY, Mr. MCGOVERN, Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, Ms. HIRONO, Mr. GRIJALVA, Mr. SCHAUER, Mr. NADLER of New York, Mr. BISHOP of New York, Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California, Mr. MCDERMOTT, Mr. RYAN of Ohio, Ms. GIFFORDS, Mr. FILNER, Mr. HALL of New York, Ms. LEE of California, Ms. PINGREE of Maine, Ms. KAPTUR, Mr. BISHOP of Georgia, Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin, and Mr. DEFAZIO) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
Visit the House of Representatives, find your legislator, and write or call them.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
3 Easy Ways to Pack Nutrition into Kids, Part 3
Cereal Grains
Oatmeal, 7-grain Cereal, 5-Grain Cereal, Farina, Grits, and more
By parading a variety of grains through the mornings, you will get more micro-nutrients in your family. Add berries, apples, dried fruit, chopped nuts, etc. for more flavor and nutrition.
Cooked grains are full of nutritional value, are easy, fast, and economical.
I have ground my own grain for 7-grain or 5-grain cereal but my Whispermill grinds it too fine for my family's taste. It is great for baby cereal though.
Bob's Red Mill has a plethora of different blends and varieties of cereal grains. If your family is opposed to oatmeal, surely there is something at Bob's that will appeal to them.
This morning we had 7-grain cereal with frozen berries. Delicious!
Not everyone was happy though. One boy, age 7, fried himself four eggs over easy. One boy, 17, had coffee and yelled at a congressman being interviewed on the TV. One girl, 5, whined for oatmeal again, after having it four days in a row. With raisins.
Then we all gathered around the TV and watched the Acorn spokesperson blather on. Smoke was coming out of our ears after that.
Oatmeal, 7-grain Cereal, 5-Grain Cereal, Farina, Grits, and more
By parading a variety of grains through the mornings, you will get more micro-nutrients in your family. Add berries, apples, dried fruit, chopped nuts, etc. for more flavor and nutrition.
Cooked grains are full of nutritional value, are easy, fast, and economical.
I have ground my own grain for 7-grain or 5-grain cereal but my Whispermill grinds it too fine for my family's taste. It is great for baby cereal though.
Bob's Red Mill has a plethora of different blends and varieties of cereal grains. If your family is opposed to oatmeal, surely there is something at Bob's that will appeal to them.
This morning we had 7-grain cereal with frozen berries. Delicious!
Not everyone was happy though. One boy, age 7, fried himself four eggs over easy. One boy, 17, had coffee and yelled at a congressman being interviewed on the TV. One girl, 5, whined for oatmeal again, after having it four days in a row. With raisins.
Then we all gathered around the TV and watched the Acorn spokesperson blather on. Smoke was coming out of our ears after that.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Nearly Free Soil Block Maker
Ah ha!
While searching for something else, I found this page on how to make your own soil block maker!
This is an excellent project for your kids!
Here's more good info!
PottingBlocks.com
While searching for something else, I found this page on how to make your own soil block maker!
This is an excellent project for your kids!
Here's more good info!
PottingBlocks.com
Washing Dishes
Washing dishes is when I do my thinking.
There's a lot on my mind these days. I could simply not watch the dooms day news but I think it's a good thing to know what's going on, talk about it with my kids, and prepare.
Today, while I was listening to Obama, I started thinking about his energy taxes and what kind of affect they might have on our budget. One intent, I'm sure, is to force people to use less energy but PLEASE let me do it in my way, on my terms. I think there might be blood shooting out of my eyeballs now.
Moving on, so I don't hemorrhage to death.
The weather has been warm and gorgeous. I love spring!
We have been pruning, lots more to do, but it's fun work! The big boys have been finishing their building project. The kids have been cleaning the yard and their playhouse. I keep intending to start the cabbage and broccoli seeds but haven't got that done yet. Maybe today.
There's a lot on my mind these days. I could simply not watch the dooms day news but I think it's a good thing to know what's going on, talk about it with my kids, and prepare.
Today, while I was listening to Obama, I started thinking about his energy taxes and what kind of affect they might have on our budget. One intent, I'm sure, is to force people to use less energy but PLEASE let me do it in my way, on my terms. I think there might be blood shooting out of my eyeballs now.
Moving on, so I don't hemorrhage to death.
The weather has been warm and gorgeous. I love spring!
We have been pruning, lots more to do, but it's fun work! The big boys have been finishing their building project. The kids have been cleaning the yard and their playhouse. I keep intending to start the cabbage and broccoli seeds but haven't got that done yet. Maybe today.
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