tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24093811.post7903678515074186232..comments2023-10-29T09:44:37.834-05:00Comments on Touch the Earth Farm: Reflections on Sustainability: FoodDaniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07687340159825245112noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24093811.post-38761709173189094732008-01-01T09:58:00.000-05:002008-01-01T09:58:00.000-05:00Thanks for the comments and kind words. I'm glad f...Thanks for the comments and kind words. I'm glad folks are enjoying the series. I'm looking forward to being able to reflect at the end of 2008 and see how far we've gone with another year under our belts. After all, each little step makes a difference.<BR/><BR/>Woody, thanks for the idea about contracting out hay. We just haven't needed very much until now, so I haven't explored it. We're surrounded by haying land, behind us and across the street. I need to find out who's leasing it and get in touch with him, as we'd be able to get it right out of the field.Daniellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07687340159825245112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24093811.post-52375546562838363942007-12-31T11:33:00.000-05:002007-12-31T11:33:00.000-05:00Danielle, I think this series is great! I think ...Danielle, I think this series is great! <BR/><BR/>I think you'll find that pressure canning is actually a lot easier than BWBath canning. I got into the habit of doing it nightly (which sounds extreme but hey that is what you have to do if you want to eat year-round) and it worked out a lot more smoothly than having day-long canning sessions. I never seemed to have full days to devote to canning...except maybe when the peaches were ripe, as I will gladly move mountains for rows of canned peaches. Anyway that is my 2c.<BR/><BR/>Looking forward to reading more of your journey in 2008!<BR/><BR/>ElAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24093811.post-57128132452667037902007-12-31T10:05:00.000-05:002007-12-31T10:05:00.000-05:00I have really been enjoying your sustainability se...I have really been enjoying your sustainability series.<BR/><BR/>I have an Irish Dexter that I love. She came to me pregnant a few years ago and had a heifer calf the following fall. Both are friendly and gentle and a joy to have on the farm. I am still getting Baby (the mama) used to milking (the previous owners raised them strictly for meat). We will be breeding her soon.<BR/><BR/>I would say the only drawback on our small homestead is that we have to purchase hay for them. This year's drought made finding hay nearly impossible and our regular suppliers TRIPLED the cost (and could only provide small square bales instead of the larger, more affordable round bales). I hope to one day be able to produce all my animals' needs on the farm too.<BR/><BR/>Good luck with the 2008 growing season!!Ginahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10788740577135090145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24093811.post-9647916050770024432007-12-30T22:29:00.000-05:002007-12-30T22:29:00.000-05:00Danielle...consider a contract for your hay? We pr...Danielle...consider a contract for your hay? We pre-buy what we need for the horses,which really turned out to be a blessing this year with our drought conditions here. What was left over from last year we feed to the hogs. This year we are waiting till spring to negotiate hoping prices will dip.<BR/><BR/>I still think your missing the boat on a writing career. Sustainability is a great subject and ya'll are doing what many people want to do for themselves but are maybe just a tad scared to take the first step. The way you present your arguments makes me think I could do more without feeling like I'm up against some unattainable goal.<BR/><BR/>Just my opinion...<BR/><BR/>peaceWoodyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10877959836671583682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24093811.post-2161804832167779852007-12-30T21:12:00.000-05:002007-12-30T21:12:00.000-05:00Jenny, our hoop house cost very little all things ...Jenny, our hoop house cost very little all things considered. The most expensive part of it was the plastic, obviously, and we got far more plastic than just this would've needed. I'm guessing that all told it cost under $500 for the 14' x 34' structure.Daniellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07687340159825245112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24093811.post-40501986448497008092007-12-30T21:10:00.000-05:002007-12-30T21:10:00.000-05:00Ooooh, did you see my response comment under "elec...Ooooh, did you see my response comment under "electricity" I think? Madeline has me convinced that I need to get a <A HREF- HREF="" REL="nofollow" HTTP://WWW.ULTIMATE-WEIGHT-PRODUCTS.COM/PAGE/UN/PROD/MILL/H-NUTRIMILL&QTS=FROOGLE>Nutrimill</A>—no attachment to this particular company. <BR/><BR/>She loves hers and used it while I was there. It's quick, easy, quiet, and deliciuos. Even Lehman's non-electric sells this particular grain mill. I've done a bit of research since returning home and feel pretty confident that I'll get this one in the next month or so. I just have so much flour right now that it makes no sense to get it until I go through some of it.Daniellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07687340159825245112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24093811.post-29570366534004752212007-12-30T21:04:00.000-05:002007-12-30T21:04:00.000-05:00I also want to start grinding my own grain but am ...I also want to start grinding my own grain but am really struggling with which mill to get. It shouldn't be this hard of a decision!Christyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14920326845870515381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24093811.post-83772297748755362312007-12-30T11:45:00.000-05:002007-12-30T11:45:00.000-05:00I'm envious of your new greenhouse area.. I have ...I'm envious of your new greenhouse area.. I have wanted a green house (on a much much smaller scale) for years but our budget doesnt allow for it yet. I just made new friends with someone that has pygmy goats and we talked about bartering for them.. me teaching her sign language in return for a goat! <BR/><BR/>I am hoping to do better in our garden this year and I am planning to try something new- a backdoor kitchen garden with some herbs and a few other stuff. While I hate to do it, we will be chopping down a tree that was planted too close to the house by the previous owners and in it's place will be my kitchen garden. I will be 7 months pregnant by the time it is warm enough to garden, so I don't know just how big our usual garden will be.. Hubby doesn't always help, leaving most of the work to me and the kids (but the kids are not much of a labor force, the oldest being only 5). Hopefully, being pregnant will encourage Hubby to help more in the garden! <BR/><BR/>I loved seeing the photos of your pantry with all the canned goods! There is nothing more satisfying to see food that you processed and canned and sustaining your family. My mom, who grew up on canned goods, can't understand why I go through the trouble, her mother ingraining in her that if she can buy it, it's easier to do so and don't can unless you have to. I tell mom I ENJOY canning because I WANT to, not because I have to.<BR/><BR/>Good luck for 2008!jennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08772053505930801670noreply@blogger.com