Farm Fresh News - July 2017
Hi Friends,
Planting is replaced by harvest time, as tomatoes, corn and other vegetables, plus fruits like blackberries and blueberries, make it necessary to pick every day, and start the process of canning and freezing. Lots of rain has been pushing everything to grow. I also extracted over 8 gallons of honey off two hives this month, and it looks like we'll have more from the hives later in the summer.
In this issue, I would like to introduce you to one of the people who inspire me, my dear friend Peter Schweitzer. Peter was in San Francisco for Monday Night Class, on The Caravan, and the first person we sent to Guatemala to see if there was anything the community could do to help after the earthquake of 1976. Forty years later, he is still the executive director of Plenty International.
This project went on to have over 100 people from The Farm spend significant time down there, including a number of projects that continue to this day. Next month, a report on Karen's Soy Nutrition Project in Guatemala City.
Peter recently put out a letter to our community e-discussion list. It struck a cord with many people here and I wanted to share it with you.
 Peter Schweitzer |
 Blackberry Harvest - I am currently picking 1/2 to 1 gallon a day  Plenty volunteers distribute samples of soy "ice bean" to school children in Solola, Guatemala. Soon after, Plenty constructed a soy "dairy" that has been producing ice bean and tofu for more than 30 years, a successful cottage industry for the village of San Bartolo.
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"With the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love, I found myself wanting to say how much I love and appreciate everyone who lives here and everyone who ever lived here who are helping and have helped to make this community such a good and interesting place to live.
We are so rich and so lucky to get to live together on this beautiful land that we got through a series of miracles and coincidences and dogged perseverance."
"If there is one central spiritual value that I believe is the key to what keeps us together, and not just together but thriving, it is kindness, which has its roots in our original hippie visions of our basic oneness, with each other and all things.
Add to that the truth that we actually do love each other, even when we argue and get sideways sometimes. It’s kind of amazing really and keeps me grateful and at peace. " Peter Schweitzer
Thank you Pete, for reminding us what it's all about.
Douglas
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Organic Fertilizer by the Numbers
If you examine a bag or container of organic and non-organic fertilizer, you'll find there are three prominent numbers on their label – such as 10-10-10 or 10-20-5. These numbers represent the percentage (by weight) of the three major nutrients plant scientists have identified as essential for specific aspects of healthy plant growth.
The numbers stand for, in order: nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (N-P-K). Each of these nutrients affects a different aspect of how plants grow. You as the gardener can control the feeding of these nutrients to your plants, and time them to correspond to the life cycle of your vegetables.
The first number is the percentage of nitrogen in the bag. A bag of 30-10-5 has 30 percent total nitrogen. Nitrogen provides plants with the ability to produce more chlorophyll, which in turn allows plants to grow quickly and produces lots of leaf and stem growth. Vegetables like lettuce and spinach are made up solely of leaf growth, therefore benefiting from a strong amount of nitrogen in your fertilizer mix.
Typically, vegetables begin by producing leaves and must grow to the next stage of maturity before entering the flowering phase. Thus, virtually all plants require some amount of nitrogen. Plants deficient in nitrogen will appear a pale, light green. Generally speaking, a healthy plant will have leaves that are a deep green.
The second number in the list represents the percentage of phosphorus. Phosphorous corresponds directly the number of blooms the plant produces. This is essential for plants where the “fruit” is the desired end product, such as tomatoes, squash, beans, peppers, berries and the list goes on.
Plants receiving too much nitrogen and not enough phosphorous will have an overabundance of leafy growth, especially when compared to the proportion or amount of flowers. A shortage of blooms ultimately produces less fruits or vegetables.
A deficiency in phosphorous can produce dull green leaves and stems with a purplish tint. Phosphorus is released through the decomposition of organic matter, an important reason to add fresh compost to your soil.
Potassium helps protect plants from various diseases and can make plants more resilient to drought or cool temperatures. It also serves a role in improving root development and helps in the process of photosynthesis. You might consider using a high-potassium fertilizer at the start of winter and summer to protect crops from temperature extremes or when insects and disease have caused damage to your plants.
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Guano is a an extremely powerful organic fertilizer made from bat and sea bird poop.
Guano is harvested from caves and remote islands and has been used as a fertilizer around the world for over a thousand years.
You can really watch the plants respond, especially when using guano as a "side dressing," added after the plant is already established, but needing a boost.
READ THE NUMBERS
Some guano is extremely high in nitrogen, with very little phosphorus. Others are the exact opposite. Be sure you pay attention to the numbers when you order or apply it to your garden.
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Dr. Earth is an organic fertilizer you can find in many garden shops and catalogs.
If you don't have access to manure or the space to make compost, this might be a route for you. From their literature:
Infused with Advanced TruBiotic®
Contributes to:
Note: This is not a vegan or vegetarian fertilizer. It is made from:
Of course virtually all organic produce purchased in a supermarket is grown using fertilizers from non-vegetarian sources.
If you are purchasing your organic produce from Whole Foods or any other grocery store, you are already consuming vegetables grown from these soil enrichment and plant foods.
The fall garden provides still one more opportunity to green your thumb this year and start producing food for you, as well as friends and family. Now is the time to get your beds ready to plant lettuce, broccoli, carrots, garlic, and more!
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A big thanks to everyone who has become a patron of Farm Fresh!
When you become a subscriber, your contribution helps spread the word about community based alternatives.
Take this one small step to be part of the solution!
When you become a subscriber, your contribution helps spread the word about community based alternatives.
Take this one small step to be part of the solution!
You can help keep Farm Fresh going by pledging $2, $5, or $10 a month, or by making a one time contribution.
Click here to take the survey. I look forward to hearing from you.
I hope you'll make the effort to take a firsthand look at The Farm during one of my GreenLife Retreat Weekends, and that it will inspire you to pursue your dreams and find your chosen path!
Speaking Engagements
At the same time, I recognize that I can reach a lot more people if I go outside the community. One of my goals is to speak at colleges and universities where I can talk to young people about Right Livelihood, Service, and Finding Sanity in an Insane World. This is a time when people need to hear an uplifting message of hope.
At the same time, I recognize that I can reach a lot more people if I go outside the community. One of my goals is to speak at colleges and universities where I can talk to young people about Right Livelihood, Service, and Finding Sanity in an Insane World. This is a time when people need to hear an uplifting message of hope.
If you are part of an organization, event, or school (or you just want to learn more about my life's work), I invite you to visit my web site www.douglasstevenson.com, where you'll find information on my lecture topics and how to bring me to speak in your area.
Douglas
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An Incredible NEW BOOK!
Following 7 years of research, Farm Community member Thomas Hupp uncovers the subtle forces that presently affect Politics, Economics and Your Health.
Only $15 plus $5 for shipping!
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Oct 20-22 Farm Experience Weekend
Fall Colors and a Fire Circle: Always a jam packed weekend. A time of reflection and introspection.
Fall Colors and a Fire Circle: Always a jam packed weekend. A time of reflection and introspection.
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www.awakeningbirth.org - the Web Site
www.awakening birth.net - The Podcast
Our new birth resource web site is up. The Awakening Birth podcast is now available on iTunes.
Please spread the word to anyone in your circle who is thinking of having a baby, expecting, your favorite midwife, or care provider.
Please spread the word to anyone in your circle who is thinking of having a baby, expecting, your favorite midwife, or care provider.
Please like us and give us a good review on iTunes. It helps!
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Permaculture Apprenticeships: Learn straw, cob, earthbag, turf roofs, bamboo, thatch, clay plaster, adobe, alis, and food self-reliance at The Farm Community.
Spiral Ridge Permaculture - Workshops and Classes at a Permaculture Homestead down the road
Green Life Retreats
A division of Village Media Services
PO Box 259Summertown, TN 38483
931-964-2590 - office 931-626-4035 cell
Douglas@villagemedia.com
www.villagemedia.com
www.greenliferetreats.com
www.douglasstevenson.com
Douglas@thefarmcommunity.com
A division of Village Media Services
PO Box 259Summertown, TN 38483
931-964-2590 - office 931-626-4035 cell
Douglas@villagemedia.com
www.villagemedia.com
www.greenliferetreats.com
www.douglasstevenson.com
Douglas@thefarmcommunity.com
