Excellent article. Bringing a God centered perspective is refreshing to the real that is God given food security issue which has been wrought by those who seek power, control, and ever more profits through totally vertically integrated food like substances systems including the patents.
Growing and processing my own food is hard work, much of it done with hand tools outside and in the kitchen. We cut our own mulch ( from a neighbor's field since we are on a mostly wooded, very rocky steeply sloped sugar bush ) for our no till system with our scythes and rake it with a wooden hay rakes. We do haul it back to the garden in wooden bins attached to both the front and back forks of the tractor. I dry food on racks either in the barn attic during warm months or placing the rack system above the wood cook stove. Of course we have to cut wood for cooking and heating. We are looking to raise a few pigs in the future but have yet to fence more areas. The 8 Buff chickens will produce eggs in a few more months, but we will not put them under lights etc. in Winter, but will preserve eggs ( water glassing ) for use while they are naturally resting in the cold and darker Winter. We still have lots of projects but they must be fit in between growing and processing our own food. What we can't raise ourselves we get from other locals either as purchases or labor/skills/home produced products ( food and other) trade. It is a simple system that keeps us in touch with community, God, and of course our food. Yes, it is time consuming, hard work, but we know what we are ingesting is as close to what God intended as possible for us.
We have a bunch of laying hens. I warm their insulated coop in winter (40'F) and set up 15 hrs of combined natural and artificial light during the short days. They are free rangers. But slim pickings for them in winter, so they chow kitchen scraps and layer pellets.
I harvest great eggs daily, year round.
I figure chickens in equatorial (supposedly the origin of the creatures) regions live this way. So I'm not sure about the "natural rest in winter" idea"
This is a fine and inspirational (when the weather's not so hot) article, John!
It is important to KNOW where your food comes from and to engage that morally, just as it is important to know where "your tax dollars" go to work, and to protest if that is immoral work.
Really good article. Wished I had been there in Virginia. Just to add a thought--implicit in the dominion idea is one of stewardship. We are to be good stewards of the creation which also would include, in addition to your excellent points, the ideas of beauty and goodness--all to glorify our Creator.
Excellent article. Bringing a God centered perspective is refreshing to the real that is God given food security issue which has been wrought by those who seek power, control, and ever more profits through totally vertically integrated food like substances systems including the patents.
Growing and processing my own food is hard work, much of it done with hand tools outside and in the kitchen. We cut our own mulch ( from a neighbor's field since we are on a mostly wooded, very rocky steeply sloped sugar bush ) for our no till system with our scythes and rake it with a wooden hay rakes. We do haul it back to the garden in wooden bins attached to both the front and back forks of the tractor. I dry food on racks either in the barn attic during warm months or placing the rack system above the wood cook stove. Of course we have to cut wood for cooking and heating. We are looking to raise a few pigs in the future but have yet to fence more areas. The 8 Buff chickens will produce eggs in a few more months, but we will not put them under lights etc. in Winter, but will preserve eggs ( water glassing ) for use while they are naturally resting in the cold and darker Winter. We still have lots of projects but they must be fit in between growing and processing our own food. What we can't raise ourselves we get from other locals either as purchases or labor/skills/home produced products ( food and other) trade. It is a simple system that keeps us in touch with community, God, and of course our food. Yes, it is time consuming, hard work, but we know what we are ingesting is as close to what God intended as possible for us.
The pigs can help you clear land.... https://www.motherearthnews.com/homesteading-and-livestock/pigs-in-the-rut-zbcz1705/
Yes, they sure can. We have read much on that subject. Thanks for the link though...
The link is a piece I wrote years ago for Mother Earth News on how to use corn to direct pigs in their rooting to dig up stumps.... :)
We have a bunch of laying hens. I warm their insulated coop in winter (40'F) and set up 15 hrs of combined natural and artificial light during the short days. They are free rangers. But slim pickings for them in winter, so they chow kitchen scraps and layer pellets.
I harvest great eggs daily, year round.
I figure chickens in equatorial (supposedly the origin of the creatures) regions live this way. So I'm not sure about the "natural rest in winter" idea"
We try to free range, but have had terrible experiences with predators. Lost a favorite chicken two days ago to a hawk....
We were there with you and enjoyed your presentation immensely. I am now reading your book!
I'm honored.
I do hope it equips you to defend our cows and confront the manure deniers!! :)
Several friends have asked about why we attended the event. I sent them this article as you explained it much better than I could!
:)
I'm very hopeful and excited at the number of people waking up and resisting the toxic food domination that threatens us all.
This is a fine and inspirational (when the weather's not so hot) article, John!
It is important to KNOW where your food comes from and to engage that morally, just as it is important to know where "your tax dollars" go to work, and to protest if that is immoral work.
Excellent post John! My book arrives on Friday - I can't wait to read it! Thanks for all your hard work! Peace.
Thank you John Klar & the heroes of Polyface for standing up for righteous farmers.
Really good article. Wished I had been there in Virginia. Just to add a thought--implicit in the dominion idea is one of stewardship. We are to be good stewards of the creation which also would include, in addition to your excellent points, the ideas of beauty and goodness--all to glorify our Creator.
Really appreciate your thoughtful commentary!