- Report from the encampment at Standing Rock
- Puttin' up Tomatoes - Update
- Muscadine Harvest - Muscadine Wine
- The Spiritual Path - A new monthly column
- The Farm Market Under the Dome October 15 - Pumpkin Decorating Contest
- Farm Experience October 14-16 - including a concert at the Integrity Center
- Farm School Holiday Bazaar December 3 & 4
Dear Friends,
A few weeks ago The Farm sent representatives with a supply run in support of the encampment at Standing Rock Reservation. American media has a general boycott of the effort, due in no small part to the billions invested in the pipeline from countless corporations and governments, from China to Germany.
Fundamentally, the protest at Standing Rock is as much about Native American sovereignty as it is about stopping the pipeline, as our government continues to ignore and violate the original treaties established over 100 years ago. It is the recognition that fresh water is the source of all life on this planet and we cannot continue to put it at risk because our addiction to fossil fuels.
The Farm came together for a firsthand report from Standing Rock, and to discuss how we can best support the encampment.
Next week The Farm and Plenty International send another supply run and two volunteers to Standing Rock. Kenny Breckenridge is one of our most experienced builders and Darlene Marks is a nurse practioner and a frequent volunteer for Plenty International, our relief and development nonprofit. We'll be assisting an on-site free clinic and looking at how we can help the camp prepare for winter.
Plenty volunteers Kenneth Breckenridge and Darlene Marks
You can be part of this effort by making a contribution to http://plenty.org/donate/, specifying you are contributing to the work at Standing Rock. Money will be used for transportation and the purchase of supplies requested from the encampment.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Farm Experience October 14-16 - including a concert at the Integrity Center Register Now!
The last Experience Weekend of 2016 is almost here, but there is still time to join us. The next one will not be until the end of March 2017. This weekend will be enhanced by a community concert from traveling troubadour Pawl Sprawl, who has offered to come and play for us (your donation at the door is included with your registration). It will take place at the Integrity House, a small theater inside the community, built from mostly recycled materials. It is a thing of beauty and a site to behold, and directly adjacent to a home built from 80% recycled materials, locations which are not usually included in our general Farm tour.
This is turning out to be one of my larger gatherings of the year, but there is always room for more. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. douglas@thefarmcommunity.com
The Farm Experience Weekend, October 14-16, 2016 – Register Now!
The Farm Market Under the Dome October 15
Pumpkin Decorating Contest - No Fee to Enter - Cash Prizes for 1rst, 2nd and 3rd Prizes!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Puttin' Up Tomatoes - Update
An attentive reader hipped me to some new (for me) information regarding home canning of tomatoes. Apparently tomatoes today are not as acidic as those from past decades - either that or the USDA is just being more cautious - and it is now recommended that you add an acidic substance such as lemon juice, vinegar or citric acid to your home-canned tomato products.
An attentive reader hipped me to some new (for me) information regarding home canning of tomatoes. Apparently tomatoes today are not as acidic as those from past decades - either that or the USDA is just being more cautious - and it is now recommended that you add an acidic substance such as lemon juice, vinegar or citric acid to your home-canned tomato products.
From the USDA: Acidification: To ensure safe acidity in whole, crushed, or juiced tomatoes, add 2 tablespoons of bottled lemon juice or 1/2 teaspoon of citric acid per quart of tomatoes. For pints, use 1 tablespoon bottled lemon juice or 1/4 teaspoon citric acid. Acid can be added directly to the jars before filling with product. Add sugar to offset acid taste, if desired. Four tablespoons of a 5 percent acidity vinegar per quart may be used instead of lemon juice or citric acid. However, vinegar may cause undesirable flavor changes.
Two tablespoons of lemon juice or four tablespoons of vinegar per quart! That has got to change the flavor, making it necessary (for me) to add some sugar. I will have to wait until next year to try it out. In the meantime...You have been forewarned!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Muscadine Harvest - Muscadine Wine
Muscadines are a native species of grape in the south and don't develop the fungus, mildews and molds that other grape varieties do in our climate. For example, Concord grapes require a lot of sprays. Their leaves are devoured by Japanese Beetles, but for the most part the beetles do not bother the Muscadines. Oh and did I say that Muscadines have an incredible flavor?
Muscadines on the vine
Our community Brewer's Coop just planted 300 vines that should start producing in a few years.
The vineyard above is a few miles down the road and is about 6 years old.
The vineyard above is a few miles down the road and is about 6 years old.
.
The owner of the vineyard ran the grapes through his hand powered crusher, and then placed the mashed grapes and juice in gallon size plastic freezer bags. I put this batch in the freezer after I got home, saving them until later when I am ready to make my next batch of wine.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A new monthly column: The Spiritual Path
One thing that my recent surveys have revealed is that of number of you are interested in spirituality, which I define as the principles and practices that guide us through life. I go into the teachings and philosophy that are the foundation of the community in a chapter of my book, The Farm Then and Now, but have been wanting to dive deeper and develop the content for a new handbook for sanity. This new column will provide the incentive I need to get started. Thank you.
It is not a real stretch for me to say the world is a crazy place and it seems to be getting more out of control with every passing year. The question becomes, "What can we do to establish and hold on to our own personal sanity when coming up against forces beyond our control?"
You are the navigator in a lifeboat on a stormy sea. You may be alone, or you may be the person responsible for those in your care and dependent upon you for leadership, clear thinking and guidance. Zen master Suzuki Roshi once said, Life is like stepping on to a ship that is going out to sea and sink. You had better enjoy the trip!”
Just like there are steps you can take to insure good physical health, there are specific things you can do to foster good mental health and personal wellbeing. There are actions you can perform that will produce tangible results and will give you the clarity you need to make good decisions in times of personal crisis, avoid self-destruction, and ultimately create a life that fills you with deep satisfaction, feeling fulfilled.
Once you understand that life is a journey, it becomes up to you to do your best to ensure that each step you take carries you forward.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Click here to subscribe or to make a one time donation.
My heartfelt thanks goes out to all of you who made a contribution in support of Farm Fresh.
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.
A friend shared a post with the above image of persimmon seeds cut in half, and a bit of folklore about using these as a sign to predict whether we have a harsh or mild winter ahead. All the seeds say SPOONS (note: these persimmon seeds were in Indiana). A spoon shape in the persimmon means be ready to dig out the snow. A fork shape means a mild winter and a knife means cold and ice. As they say on Game of Thrones, "Winter's coming!"
