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Post by Valerie on Nov 4, 2012 22:20:47 GMT -5
My mama fell into a hogpen one time when she was very small. She didn't understand why her uncle got so panicked and snatched her out and spanked her. I think it scared him way more than it did her, because he knew what that big old hog was capable of doing!
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Post by bob on Nov 6, 2012 15:35:41 GMT -5
I just finished Urban Farming an Urban Myth. Page 44
The author took the same view that I do. Basically that it was a waste of time growing food in your backyard if you are trying to do anything significant to help the food situation in the world.
It is however a great topic for liberals to preach about.
"We are doing something to save the earth".
As the author and I both knew beforehand, it is a useless, futile attempt to solve a problem. In reality it may be more destructive than helpful, at least on a larger scale. A couple of tomatoes, a few herbs, fine, but you can not even come close to feeding anyone consistently with a backyard garden.
It is just another liberal urban myth.
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Post by Valerie on Nov 6, 2012 18:07:55 GMT -5
I've often thought that same thing, Bob. Yeah, you can grow a bit of salad in your backyard, and maybe even enough beans/squash/etc. to put up for your family so you don't buy them. But honestly, how much does the average family spend in a year on fresh veg? I know we don't spend much on them. We don't have the acreage or equipment or time to grow our own corn for meal, a year's worth of potatoes, or many other things we eat. And we don't have the climate for wheat and rice and other grains. That business about "be self-sufficient on one acre of land!" is bogus.
Shoot, we couldn't even grow enough beans for drying to feed us for a year. Not to mention, most of my growing attempts are unsuccessful, or at least only partly successful.
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Post by bob on Nov 10, 2012 12:02:00 GMT -5
Another article I found interesting is:
Rachyl - Goat Soap Maker Page 55
It is about ten year old girl who has her own goat soap business. ( I bet she is a homeschooler.)
The story reminds me a little of our son when he was much younger. He sold organic green/red sweet peppers to a local Natural Food Store. He grew and picked the vegetables himself. He did pretty well . He learned a lot about farming, sales, weather and probably a few other things while engaged in his lttle enterprise.
All kids should try something like this. It is a great learning experience. even if you do not get rich.
I sent her an e-mail regarding prices and shippng costs. Hope it is not too expensive. My wife. who has sensitive skin, would probably enjoy them very much.
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Post by Valerie on Nov 10, 2012 12:31:51 GMT -5
I bet she'll be thrilled to pieces that you want to buy some of her soap Bob! I get the feeling sometimes that some of the articles in Countryside are homeschoolers' writing assignments. They do a great job, too! One girl a few months back did a big article on the best way to kill and butcher a rabbit and how to make it the least traumatic for person and rabbit alike. It was very informative. She had lots of pictures, too, just not of the dead bleeding rabbit. Dave laughs at me for reading all the cow and goat articles, but I tell him I just storing knowledge just in case I need it in the future.
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Post by bob on Nov 14, 2012 19:21:32 GMT -5
Yes Val I bet she will be thrilled too, but she may be even more excited when she gets my check in the mail.
I agree with you Val that some of the articles may be written by homeschoolers. That to me is a good thing. That is where homeschoolers have the advantage over public education students. They can do things like this since it only involves one student at a time, and more time can be allocated to that one stuident. They also can do things that would never be found in a public school cirriculum.
I am a supporter of anyone who attempts an entreprenurial activity, such as this selling of soap. It involves learning so many skills. In her case, Animal husbandry, manufacturing, marketing, inventory, sales, etc. All children should have a business, even if they are not wildly successful, much can be gleaned from the experience.
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Post by Valerie on Nov 15, 2012 22:28:32 GMT -5
LOL, just as long as it's not like one young boy's wildly successful business I read about. He made a ton of money -- selling his sister's stuff on EBay!
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Post by bob on Dec 9, 2012 12:32:14 GMT -5
I got my goat milk soap last week from the 10 year old little girl. She even sent me an extra bar gift wrapped in Christmas paper. I guess she was happy with my order of 6 bars. I thought they would make nice gifts, and I have already given away two. I have several other people in mind. I'm waitng for the next magazine. It should be arriving pretty soon.
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Post by susan on Dec 9, 2012 15:23:20 GMT -5
I read through the article about high protein chicken feed. Mike found it interesting also. We're looking at building a coop and getting started with chicks this spring. I'm looking forward not only to the eggs and meat, but also the manure for the garden. Susan
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Post by meemo on Dec 9, 2012 17:23:48 GMT -5
I just found my mag that was lost all this time. Paul wanted to see it and when he was through put it in a real safe place where nothing would happen to it......or I would be able to find it again. Looking forward to a good read.
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Post by Valerie on Dec 9, 2012 19:39:02 GMT -5
LOL on the safe place, Peggy!
I liked that high protein chicken feeder, too. I'm a little leery of putting carcasses in it, though. I think instead, I would use damp corn meal. It draws black soldier flies. Their larvae is super good for chickens. Also there wouldn't be any worry about stink.
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Post by Granny Smith on Dec 10, 2012 18:24:39 GMT -5
I've been mulling over that feeder and I think it would only work in the summer here. There's not much use for it then, when there are so many tasty bugs everywhere.
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Post by Valerie on Dec 11, 2012 10:16:06 GMT -5
It's probably more useful for penned or pastured chickens. I think they run out of bugs in their confined spaces.
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Post by Granny Smith on Dec 11, 2012 21:06:11 GMT -5
That's probably true. Mine were in a big run and they ran out of plants so there probably wasn't many bugs either.
Got the new Countryside today. I haven't had time to read it yet, but a few of the articles look interesting.
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Post by michelle on Dec 12, 2012 8:09:05 GMT -5
I got the new one too. Haven't had time to look at it though
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