CRUD!

CRUD!

DOUBLE CRUD!

Snow, about 2 inches, and a flat tire. All I can come up with is-"CRUD!"

Bear Quintuplets

This is cool. These pictures were taken by a fello in Northern New Hampshire. He tried for months to get just one shot of the family all together and it was if they "sat" for it. The neat thing is, bears typically have one or two cubs, rarely three, so this is kind of phenomenal.

The first picture is of the family when the cubs were young. The last picture is after a winter hibernation, they had grown a bit! Enjoy.

Red Envelope Campaign

This is something that I feel is very important, so I am going to leave it up for a week. Read it, and if you agree, you can tell all of your friends. I think it is worth a shot. Read on. www.inashoe.com

For current posts and news, please scroll down to read. Thank you for visiting.

Do something about abortion: Red Envelope Campaign

The idea is simple. Bombard the White House with red envelopes to remind President Obama that the majority of Americans do not support his abortion policy.

You can participate easily, as often as you want. Just send an empty red envelope to the address below. Don't have a red envelope? Make one out of construction paper. Or make 50.

Address them to:
President Barack ObamaThe White House1600 Pennsylvania Ave NWWashington, DC 20500

Seal it and write the following message on the back:
This envelope represents one child who died in abortion. It is empty because that life was not allowed to offer anything to the world.Life begins with conception.
Stamp it, mail it, and invite others to do the same.

A Fellow Blogger's Contest

A fellow blogger is putting on a giveaway on her blog. This is really cool for three reasons:

1. It's a chance to get something free!
2. It is a DVD on Christian homesteading! (this is right up the alley of many of us out here!)
3. It's a chance to get something free! (Hey, free is good!)

So, if you are interested, I know I am, go to her blog at http://www.sharrissnapzshotz.blogspot.com/ where you can link to more information about the DVD, and learn more about the contest.

Good luck and have fun! CHeck out her blog, while you're there, you won't regret it! Thanks!

Oooh! A Fox In The Henhouse?

One of the nastiest bits of farm life is finding dead chickens. Last week, we found a dead chicken on the side of the driveway. It was a whole chicken, nothing eaten, thus, it didn't raise my curiosity much. It looked like one of the older layers so I thought just that, that it had died of old age, or something.

Like the knucklehead I tend to be, I failed to discard it. In a couple of days it had been eaten. Today, we found a dead, eaten carcass of a pullet in our barn. This has got me thinking because most predators we have around here, hunt at night. This one appears to have been taken in the day time as my daughter didn't see anything unusual in the barn while doing chores this morning.

Then there is the usual M.O. of the predator to drag off the quarry, out of sight, for consumption. This had been consumed, and left, in the barn, in an out-of-the-way corner. Too much of the carcass had been left for me to believe it was a raccoon, or something.

I put out the watch for blood on the fur of any of the thousands of cats we have around here. We found no blood, but, cats do clean themselves.

This has got me concerned, though. It always seems that when we get close to "laying time" for the pullets, we start to lose them. Now I have to be on the lookout. We have many people that want fresh eggs and we always need more layers, so losing just a couple is a big deal.

On a brighter note, our family milk cow is starting to freshen. She is due to calf in less than two weeks. I am guessing early next week. This is very exciting to us as we will, once again, have fresh milk. We went without for the entire winter, which is actually healthy, but we are ready now. Winter consumption of milk is not dangerous but can cause respiratory problems. Milk is a mucous causer and can stuff you up. We needed more water in our diet anyway.

So, as soon as Lucy drops her baby, I will post pictures for the world to see. Of course we are hoping for a heifer, but a bull would be good for beef, anyway. Stay tuned.

One of these days (I keep threatening this) I will share the wisdom I have read and the reasons I have come to believe in seasonal calving and dairying. It has a lot to do with the health of the cow and the grass that is available for the calf to give it a good start in life. This does not make me an expert, by any means. Everyone has their opinions on how things should be done on a farm. This is what fits our small homestead. There is wisdom on both sides of the argument, I just think there is more wisdom on the seasonal side.

So, hang in there, I will get to that post, one of these days. Until then, pray that I catch the chicken murderer. God bless and until next time...

A King James, The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and Webster's 1828 Dictionary

This is all you really need to study the Word of God. That's it. It's OK to use commentaries that you trust, sure. But if all you had in the world were the three above mentioned books, you'd be alright and doctrinally sound. I believe that, firmly.

I have been teaching on Wednesday nights and we are working through 1 Peter. I can't express how much the Scriptures have come alive for me with just these three books.

I am really excited as I study chapter 3 and come to verses 18 and 19. I have my preconceived ideas about them, but can't wait to learn more. Christ preached to the spirits in prison, hmmm? Lots of things pop up in my mind.

Pray for me, if you are so inclined, that God would add clarity like never before and that I would speak only His words. As I study, pray that I would be open to His instruction, willing to change my mind, if He deems it. Thank you in advance.

A Good Friend

This is my favorite photo of my companion that I wrote about in the "Romantical" post. She was a blue eyed beauty of a Husky, named "Highlanders Keg of Ale", or "Kegger" (don't ask). I had to put her down about 8-9 years ago.

Dairies are Hard Hit and Female Farmers On The Rise.

Here are a couple of good teasers to articles written by Alan Nation of the Stockman GrassFarmer I think you'll enjoy. I have them linked for convinience.

Perfect Storm Hits Dairying

Wednesday, 18 February 2009

"American dairy farmers have found themselves caught in what is termed a "perfect storm" of dire circumstances. Since the first of the year, milk prices have dropped to near $10 cwt in many dairying areas...."



Female Farmers Up By 30%

Wednesday, 18 February 2009

"...the number of women farmers increased by 30% over the last census five years ago."

Are You "Romantical"?

I am having a grand time reading Mark Twain's "The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn" to the girls. They are enjoying the book very much, as well. It is very difficult to pinpoint an exact thing that stands out as the favorite of the book, but, tonight I read the chapters that tell of how Huck and his buddy Tom Sawyer were going to "steal" Jim out of captivity from Tom's aunt and uncle. I won't go into all the detail here and trust that you have some knowledge of the book. If you don't, it is well worth the read.

Instead, I was impressed with the way the "escape" had to be performed. Huck kept it simple, wanting to use the things at hand like, shovels and a saw and picks etc.. Tom would have none of that, saying that it wasn't the way it was done in all the books he'd read. True hero's toil for thirty seven years to break free. They dig out with spoons and such. They climb down with a rope ladder. Kin folk smuggle in things baked in a pie to aid the escape. In other words, Huck's simple ways were not "romantical" enough. Tom insisted that, although it wouldn't take thirty seven years, that they could "let on" that it took thirty seven years. Huck thought that was ridiculous, Jim would be out-thirty seven years or not, wouldn't he? In the end, Tom won out, and they "let on" that it was going to take thirty seven years to dig old Jim out. This took me back a bit and got me to thinking. There were many times, and still are, to some degree, that I was struck with the "romantical" things.

Like the times, as a young adult in Wisconsin, that I would be out walking my dog (a blue-eyed Siberian Husky) in a driving snow storm. The wind chill would be -30 and you couldn't see through the snow, it was coming so hard. My mind would transport to a time or place and I would be fighting the elements to rescue a sick child. Panting and suffering for the cause of a loved one. Or, lost on the great tundra of Siberia running from the KGB, hot on my trail. Using my wits and digging deep to find the strength to survive. Just man, his dog and the elements.

Or when I'm out busting my tail to load the hay in the barn before a big rain. My mind gets taken away to a place on the prairie, as a homesteader. Working hard by the blood, sweat and tears to make a way for us in this lonely, desolate place. Struggle is the norm, day to day. I take my western hat off, wipe the sweat from my brow and feel like a tough cowboy on the range. I am tired and sore, but it is all in the interest of carving out a place for me and my family. The I head back to the cabin and step back into reality.

I also thought of the many times, back in my cycling days, that I would get carried to the back roads of Europe. I would be twenty miles from home, or better, pumping and hammering out a 20 mph average, in a driving head wind. I would come to a large hill and lift out of the saddle to hammer up the beast. Then, I would be in France. The last stage of Le Tour de France and I was the lone cyclist of a great break-away. The peleton would be a quarter of a mile back and gaining rapidly. I would hear the voices of the announcers talking about my form and fatigue and the strength and courage to keep going, at all costs. The finish line would be a couple of miles away, I had to hold them off for a while longer. The pain would be evident on my face as I poured every last shred of energy and strength I had left toward the goal. The goal of winning the Tour! Then, I would crest the hill and sink back into my saddle and reality. The bonus to this scenario is that it paid off in training. I really did race competitively and this imaginary time would force me to get better and faster. I miss those days greatly.

There have been many times as I was out working the farm that my mind would romanticize the events of the day into something from the past. I guess I have read too many stories and seen too many movies. But, I always come in satisfied and tired. I always feel good, the kind of feeling that come from a long, hard workout. Tired but pleased.

I guess what I am saying is, that, perhaps, there is a bit of Tom Sawyer in all of us gents. A bit of the "romantical" that sweeps a regular guy into the arms of history. Maybe, it is healthy to think of things in a way that spurrs us to be better. That's what it does for me, anyway.

More NAIS For Your Consideration

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 3, 2009Ms. DEGETTE (for herself, Ms. BORDALLO, Mr. NADLER of New York, and Ms. DELAURO) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concernedH.R. 814 called the [Tracing and Recalling Agricultural Contamination Everywhere Act of 2009] or, [The Trace Act of 2009] is nothing less than the federal intent to mandate the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) and of course ?and for other purposes?.

SEC. 26. TRACEABILITY OF LIVESTOCK, MEAT, AND MEAT PRODUCTS.(a) Definition of Traceability- In this section, the term ?traceability? means the ability to retrieve the history, use, and location of an article through a recordkeeping and audit system or registered identification.(b) Requirements-(1) IN GENERAL- Cattle, sheep, swine, goats, and horses, mules, and other equines presented for slaughter for human food purposes, and the carcasses or parts of carcasses and the meat and meat food products of those animals, shipped in interstate commerce shall be identified in a manner that enables the Secretary to trace-(A) each animal to any premises or other location at which the animal was held at any time before slaughter; and(B) each carcass or part of a carcass and meat and meat food product of such animals forward from slaughter through processing and distribution to the ultimate consumer.(2) TRACEABILITY SYSTEM- Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish a traceability system for all stages of production, processing, and distribution of meat and meat food products that are produced through the slaughter of animals described in paragraph (1).(c) Prohibition or Restriction on Entry- The Secretary may prohibit or restrict entry into any slaughtering establishment inspected under this Act of any cattle, sheep, swine, goats, or horses, mules, or other equines not identified as prescribed by the Secretary under subsection (b).Apparently USDA was inefficient in its efforts to forcibly overtake the US food supplies and the federal government has found it necessary to intervene and make mandatory the implementation of NAIS on all levels.

SEC. 26. TRACEABILITY OF LIVESTOCK, MEAT, AND MEAT PRODUCTS.(g) Relation to Country of Origin Labeling- Nothing contained in this section prevents or interferes with implementation of the country of origin labeling requirements of subtitle D of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1638 et seq.).?.Isn?t this section a hoot! No mention is made of the labeling law passed in 2005 requiring the country of origin to be listed on the label of foods, or, the listing of cloned, genetically altered or mutated foods. A law which this same government has refused to enforce in deference to corporate donors who know the garbage they are packaging and selling isn?t fit for human consumption.H.R. 814 is clearly nothing less than the federal legislation converting NAIS from a bad a idea to horrendous plan for seizing food production from any source in the US and handing it over to Frankenfood industrialized factory farms on behalf of the bio-pirates who have apparently bought and paid for this legislation.Ms. Degette, Ms. Bordallo, and Mr. Nadler should all be removed from office. In fact anyone supporting or voting to pass this latest piece of anti-American garbage should be run out of the country.When will we stop abiding traitors, corporate whores and world government advocates in the government of the sovereign United States? Our House and Senate on both sides are filled with individuals who have neither patriotism nor loyalty to this country and who work to dismantle our Republic, our freedom and our way of life.The three ?public servants? sponsoring this bill are just a small trio in what has become the wholesale destruction of our nation perpetrated by one corrupted congress after another.
What will it take for the American public to stand up and say ?enough!?.

http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_814.html© 2009 Marti Oakley

Troubling Times

I work in a grocery store as the produce manager, as you might know. I just read an interesting little article at Alan Nation's blog in which Mr. Nation talks about the 30% decline in restaurant sales. This, of course, is in direct correlation with the tailspin of the economy. I will not waste your time with my thoughts on the economy, however, since I do work in a grocery store, I have noticed an increase in our business. I can really tell a difference on typical days that are usually slower. This makes me curious in regard to the slow-down in restaurant sales in relation to growing grocery store sales. What has this all got to do with farming and the homestead life, you ask? Everything, it could mean a boots in your sales at the farmer's market and off the farm sales, couldn't it? Use the link above and judge for yourself. I know that seed companies are experiencing a 30% increase in their sales, as well. Hmmm...?

Sunday Fertrell Product Of The Week

Since we are moving into the grazing/growing season, once again, I am going to continue focussing on soil amendments and fertilizers, for a while.

This week's item is Fertrell's Aragonite. Aragonite is a sea calcium that is exceptionally high in calcium and low in magnesium. This is significant because too much Magnesium will block other minerals from being taken up by the plants, resulting in poor mineralization in the livestock and even death. Most lime quarries should be able to tell you the make up of their product but most regular lime will have a great amount of Magnesium present. Again, Aragonite does not.

Gypsum and Aragonite should be used to offset a high magnesium content soil.

The typical analasys is 0-0-0-39 Ca. and comes in 50# bags.

For more information, conact your local Fertrell dealer, or send us an email at sppowers@iglide.net we'd be glad to help. If you don't know of a dealer, use the link in this post to Fertrell's website and find a dealer near you.

Kelp Meal As A Soil Conditioner

Kelp meal is really just dried seaweed. And seaweed does not have the same rigid plant structure of land plants, the organic composition is quite different. Cellulose is the main oganic constituent of land plants, seaweed are mainly composed of alginic acid and simple sugars such as mannitol. These compounds found in seaweed break down much more rapidly than the cellulose based plants. this makes kelp an excellent source of organic matter.

Soil organic matter and associated soil algae, bacteria and fungi play an important role in soil fertility and plant nutrient uptake. By putting kelp in your soil, you are conditioning the soil by stimulating microbial activity. Nutrients that might otherwise be leached from the soil are chelated through the decomposition of the kelp and aggregation of soil particles.

This means an increase in soil fertility and benefits soil organisms which, in turn, act as soil conditioners and a renewable source of Nitrogen (N). Good soil structure improves aeration, available moisture and makes the soil easier to work with.

Repeated use of kelp helps to maintain soil fertility and structure that would otherwise be depleted through the utilization of nutrients by plants.

Kelp is an amazing thing. It is also a great source of Iodine, which keeps your thyroid working properly. This is a good thing to consider placing in your pastures this spring, at a rate of 200-400 lbs per acre. Or, like me, I spread it wherever, whenever.

Kelp is a great source of fertilizer that is completely natural and organic, with over 80 trace minerals. In fact, Kelp is found in most organic fertilizers on the market. In your garden, use 3 lbs per 1000 ft.

I hope this helps, thanks for stopping by.

Just Me and the Girls

For several years now, my wife has diligently worked for me at my place of employment. I'll explain.

Many of you know that I am the produce manager at the local grocery store. To summarize, full time worker bee and farmer wannabe. For four years, my lovely wife has served the deserving community by arranging roses for Valentine's day. She works out of the home for four days, once a year. Personally, I would move to delete this holiday from all calendars and erase the thing from memory. But, I'm a guy.

The truth is, Pam worked in a florist shop many, many, many, many (I should be careful here, right?) years ago. She has proven to not only have the experience but the talent for the job, so she comes to fill in. This gives me great pleasure as I am not very good at arranging flowers. But, I'm a guy.

She is a full time mommy, for that I am very thankful to God that He provide me a woman who desires to live out Proverbs 31. She does a fantastic job and has a head for it.

Tomorrow is the last day, for the year, that she will be "off to work". Tomorrow is also my day off. This is rather strange, us switching places like this. I will be home with our two beautiful daughters with a list of the typical Saturday projects to do around the house.

Here is the plan. (Us men like to have a game plan. But, like many games, we often strike out.) I will cut firewood shortly after breakfast and the animals have been fed. (I heard you chuckle.) Then, after I have cut at least two rick, I will mozy up to clean the chicken coops. They are in desperate need of a cleaning and the pasture is begging for the manure. (Stop laughing.) Then, I shall move into the house to finish laying the grout in the final room of this ten year, in the making, home. (Do you have to laugh so loud?) Then it will be time for lunch. After working so hard and the girls so willingly helping their daddy, we will be famished. I think we will opt for grilled cheese sandwiches.

After lunch, the girls will yawn, heartily, and trot off to their room for a little nap. During which time, I will continue to finish the grout project and begin the cleanup. After that, it will be time to grab a bag of kelp meal to trow down on the pastures. (Wait till you learn what I learned about that.)

The girls will awaken, refreshed and rejuvenated, ready to begin work in earnest. We will tackle the usual chores around the farm. The game, then, comes back into the house to prepare dinner for my lovely wife upon her arrival. She will be so thrilled. The house will be clean and ready to receive the queen.

When the day comes to a close, I will drift off to sleep knowing that I had a good day on the farm.

The truth is like this, I will be the one taking the nap, not the kids. And if I get the wood cut and the tile grouted, I'll be doing good.

But, I think of it this way: it is an opportunity to be what God has called me to be, a daddy. I believe that a man must, in every way, have the hearts of his children. If not, all is lost. A day with them, alone, is a rare opportunity. I don't get many chances to be alone with the girls. What an opportunity to tie strings of fellowship with them! There is no better way to do this than by working together, in my book.

Too many parents wait for their kids to get big enough to lift the burdens of life from them. Kids are just something to shove off our duties to. Not true! Children don't bond with mommy or daddy that way. Strings are tied when you work together. I relish the times that I can spend with them, right there next to them. They will learn a good work ethic (excluding the nap part), diligence, perseverance, humility and gratification. Just look at that list of character qualities just from working with them. This is stuff they do not and will not teach in public schools!

I know that you were laughing at me as I was listing off all the things we were going to do tomorrow, that's OK. I meant for there to be brevity. In fact, I pray that I will keep my cool. As a man, my brain functions as a Windows '98 OS. If I get too many windows open, I freeze up and freak out. The girls have a tendency to demand attention at the worst times. Here I am concentrating on this project and they keep calling, "daddy, daddy". Then I freeze and can't think any more, and freak out.

So, God, use me tomorrow. Use me to tie strings of fellowship with your children. Keep me from losing my temper and that our time together may be sweet, joyful fellowship. An environment of learning and wholesome togetherness, amen.

Wisdom From An Old Geezer

* Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight, and bull-strong.

* Keep skunks and bankers and lawyers at a distance.

* Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.
* A bumble bee is considerably faster than a JohnDeere tractor.

* Words that soak into your ears are whispered...not yelled.

* Meanness don't jes' happen overnight.

* Forgive your enemies. It messes up their heads.

* Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.

* It don't take a very big person to carry a grudge.

* You cannot unsay a cruel word.

*Every path has a few puddles.

* When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.

* The best sermons are lived, not preached.

* Most of the stuff people worry about ain't never gonna happen, anyway.

* Don't judge folks by their relatives.

* Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

* Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll enjoy it a second time.

* Don't interfere with somethin' that ain't botherin' you none.

* Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.

* If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'.

* Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got.

* The biggest troublemaker you'll probably ever have to deal with, watches you from the mirror every mornin'.'

* Always drink upstream from the herd.

* Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.

* Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin' it back in.

* If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around.

* Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly.
*Leave the rest to God.

Never argue with an idiot
They'll bring you down to their level
Then beat you with experience!

I've Said It Before, It's All About Relationships

Let me start off by saying that this information can be helpful to men, as well as women. It helps to know the habits of those you talk to and the way they are "wired". Face it, men and women are different, and that is OK.

So here are a few things to key in on when marketing your farm fresh products. This is a lesson for me, as well. I'm a guy, what can I say. But I do work in a retail environment and can attest to what is about to be said. So, here goes...

Women develop bonds through talking to others. Men bond by doing things together.

Women rarely buy impulsively, early on in the decision. Men know what they want before they buy shop.

Don't worry how long it takes to make that first sale to a woman. It is the bond that takes place that will mean more to you and your business than anything. It will mean a bunch in terms of repeat sales and sales to all of her friends.

Some things to consider as y'all get ready for the farmer's market season.

Adapted from the Stockman Grassfarmer form author Mart Barletta "Marketing to women, How to Increase Your Share of the World's Largest Market."

Joel Salatin Steps Into Another Goldmine

When I walk my paddocks, I tend to step in cow paddies. Joel Salatin (Pastured Poultry and grass fed guru) tends to keep stepping in wealth.

Virginia grazier, Joel Salatin, said it had always irritated him that his delivery van returned home empty. Well, no more. Joel is now returning from his restaurant deliveries with a van load of uneaten salad greens and cans of used cooking grease from those same restaurants. The greens are used to supplement his hogs and chickens during the winter and the grease will become bio-diesel for the farm’s tractor. Way to go Joel!

Sunday Fertrell Product Of The Week

This week I am going to mention some fertilizer. Fertrell has a plethora of fertilizers but I want to focus on one that I am looking forward to using, myself.

Fertrell's Gold Label 2-4-2 is an exciting one to me. This is a good fertilizer for weak pastures needing a big boost to get the grass off to a fast start.

I look around at the pastures and find that this winter has been pretty hard on them. The grass is whittled down to nothing and I fear that I will be waiting until June for a good enough stand to put the cattle on. I am still in the process of building my soils through rotation grazing techniques, but, I don't have the land to winter the animals on. This is where the problem is. They have been wintered on the same paddocks they graze in the summer. So, I am wanting to get the grass off and going quickly. That's where the Gold 2-4-2 comes in.

The readily available phosphorus in this fertilizer gets the grass off to a "pop up" start. Gold Starter Special works well in areas with a short growing season or during the wet season on heavier soils. When applied in a band, Gold Starter Special is most effective in soils with low to medium phosphorus levels.

Take a gander at Fertrell's web site and look up Gold Starter Special . If you have any questions, feel free to contact us, we're glad to help. You can also peruse their web site to find a dealer near you.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids Have Many Health Benefits

As I mentioned in my last post, grass fed cattle are found to be higher in Omega 3 fatty acids (the good stuff). This "good" fat is very good for the heart. Those who have plenty of Omega 3's in their diet are found to have 50% less heart attacks, fewer instances of irregular heart beat, and less likely to have high blood pressure.

Omega 3's are good for the brain, as well. People with diets rich in Omega 3's are less prone to depression, Schizophrenia, ADD, ADHD, and Alzheimer's disease. I know people that would have benefited from this knowledge. My father has Parkinson's, this make me wonder if he is totally deficient of Omega 3's. The sad fact is, as much of the beef America consumes comes from grain fed animals. They no longer have a steady diet of just grass, where Omega 3's are found.

Studies have also shown that Omega 3's have slowed the growth of many cancers and even stopped them from spreading. Keep that in mind, men. They say 50% of American males will suffer from prostate cancer.

Why is the grass so key? Omega 3's are formed in the chloroplasts of green leaves and algae (do you take kelp meal?). A full 60% of fatty acids found in grass are Omega 3's. When cattle are taken off the grass pastures and shipped to feedlots, they lose the Omega 3's that were stored in their fat. An estimated 40% of Americans receive enough Omega 3's in their diets. Switching to grass fed meat and dairy products is one way to ensure you get them in your diet. Now I really can't wait to send that young bull to butcher.

On a totally unrelated note, we watched the movie "Fireproof" last night. I have one statement: GO AND RENT THAT MOVIE! You will not regret it. It is every bit as good as the other two movies produce by that church, if not better. It has a very powerful message and they are not afraid to talk about or say the name of Christ! That make it worth watching, right there. Do yourself a favor, rent it.

Grass Fed Is Where It's At

God created cattle to grow, sustain, and remain healthy, entirely on grass. My father has commented a time or two, that it is amazing an animal that big can get there on just grass. But, that's the point. That is the way they were designed to live.

So, here are a few things I have learned, recently, on my journey through grass farming education.

Grass fed beef has been scientifically proven to be lower in fat than grain fed, feed lot beef (the stuff you get in the store). In fact, one six ounce steak from a grass fed steer has one half to one third less fat than that of grain finished beef. In the same size steak, you will also find 100 calories less in grass fed beef than in grain fed. This means, if you eat the average diet of 66 pounds of beef per year, you will consume 18,000 calories less, heck, you'd even lose six pounds.

It has also been proven that grass fed beef is higher in Omega 3 fatty acids (the good stuff), conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which is a great cancer fighter, and high in vitamin E. All things that your body needs. This make my mouth water for our first grass fed beef. He will be sent to butcher in a month or so.

Grass fed beef has the same amount of fat as skinless chicken, wild deer or elk and can also lower the LDL cholesterol level in your body.

Some of this I had learned before, especially dealing with pastured poultry, as many of the same principles are applied to grass fed chicken. Very healthy for you. However, it is always good to re-enforce things we learn, which is what happened here. Plus, it is good to keep your "sword" sharp when talking to others about the benefits of grass fed. One thing I have learned and cemented in my mind is that the grass is the key. Which is something I am very intrigued by and am looking to find out more. There is a book out there that I am threatening to read called "All Flesh Is Grass". I don't even know who wrote it off the top of my head. If any of you have more insight, please, feel free to send a comment, I'd love to hear from you.

The next post (I hesitate to say "tomorrow", as that is always "iffy") I plan to write more on what I have learned about Omega 3 fatty acids. This stuff is so vital to our system that I can't understand why more folks don't get it.

More next time. Thanks for stopping by.

UGH! Yet Again.

This is the text of what I refered to yesterday involving what our government is illegally trying to pull on us. Folks, I think this bill is far fetched. But, given the Demoncrat majority, anything is possible. We all need to mobilize on this one. Personally, I say, fat chance trying to enforce this. However, there seems to be provision written in the bill that would give cause the unlawful search. Rather reminiscent of the 1770's, eh?


Firearms Legislation In The 111th Congress
Gun Owners of America analysis of current House Bills:
H.R. 45: This bill would require a license for handguns and semiautomatics, including those currently possessed. The applicant must be thumbprinted and sign a certification that, effectively, the firearm will not be kept in a place where it would be available for the defense of the gun owner’s family. The applicant must also make available ALL of his psychiatric records, pass an exam, and pay a fee of up to $25. The license may be renewed after five years and may be revoked. Private sales would be outlawed, and reports to the attorney general of all transactions would be required, even when, as the bill allows, the AG determines that a state licensing system is sufficiently draconian to substitute for the federal license. With virtually no exceptions, ALL firearms transactions (involving semiautos, handguns, long guns, etc.) would be subject to a Brady check. In addition, the bill would make it unlawful in nearly all cases to keep any loaded firearm for self-defense. A variety of “crimes by omission” (such as failure to report certain things) would be created. Criminal penalties of up to ten years and almost unlimited regulatory and inspection authority would be established.

On another note, remember to comment on the NAIS (National Animal Identification System) at the USDA. They need to hear from as many as we can get.

Animal owners, consumers and taxpayers: NAIS ALERT! Protect your right to farm and the food supply!The USDA has proposed a rule to mandate premises registration under the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) for existing disease control programs. The draft rule covers programs for cattle, sheep, goats, and swine, but it sets the stage for the entire NAIS program to be mandated for everyone.It is critical that the USDA and Congress hear from the hundreds of thousands of people who will be adversely affected by the NAIS program. This includes anyone who owns even one livestock animal (including a single chicken or a horse), as well as consumers who care about local and sustainable foods, taxpayers who object to wasteful government programs, and advocates for a safer food system.*_STEP 1_: Submit comments to USDA online or by mail. The comments must be received by USDA by March 16, 2009.*You can submit comments online by clicking here <http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2007-0096>. Click on the yellow balloon under ?add comments.?Or mail two copies of your comments to USDA.Docket No. APHIS-2007-0096Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHISStation 3A-03.84700 River Road Unit 118Riverdale, MD 20737-1238Clearly state that your comments refer to Docket No. APHIS-2007-0096.(Sample comments are at the end of this alert.)*_STEP 2_: Send a copy of your comments to your Congressman and Senators.*You can find who represents you, and their contact information by clicking here <http://www.congress.org>

Double Bonus Day!

Yesterday, I put up a quick post about the part for my Powerwagon. I also said I had the flu. I am happy to say that it was just a 24 hour bug and I feel much better! I also feel much better because I got to put the new throttle cable on the DR Powerwagon. Guys, it took all of five minutes to install! I can't explain how tickled I am. You never really know how much you come to depend on things until they break down.

This was the easiest fix I think I have ever performed on a machine. My usual protocol on repairs is that I break something else while fixing one thing. Or, I find it more complicated than I thought and it will take me all day to fix it, rather than the 20 minutes I thought it would take.

I must say one thing about the DR company. Their service was exceptionally fast. I got the part in 4 days. They were very friendly and helpful. I am even more in love with DR than I was before. They sent me a catalogue with the part. Man, if I had the money...

The machine runs better than it has for a year, which tells me that the throttle cable was weak for a while. But, all is good in the world again. Except when it comes to our government trying to impose illegal laws on us unsuspectingly. That is a whole different post, I'll get to it next time.

I got this month's Stockman Grassfarmer today. Alan Nation is at his usual best with his column. I haven't finished it yet, but the article is a good one about our failing economy and the idea of debt. We all make mistakes and we all go into debt, at some point. Getting by without debt is what I recommend. If we didn't have this mortgage, things would be a lot easier. More on that later.

Until next time, keep your stick on the ice.

DR Powerwagon-The Part Is Here In Record Time!

Oh, happy Day! I got the part for my DR Powerwagon today, and the flu! Like any self respecting man, I am acting like a baby because my tummy hurts. At the same time, I am so glad I got the part I needed. Installation will proceed when I feel better. I'll keep you posted.

Some Good Reasons To Buy Local

I ran across these good reasons to support local agriculture, and I thought I'd share them with you.

- Learn how the animal was raised by meeting the person who raised it.

- Support your local farms and rural economy and help build a more sustainable regional agricultural system.

- Support your local economy by keeping your dollars in your community.

- By knowing the farmers, you can know the practices they employ to raise your food.

- All these things will help you to make an informed decision on your food purchases.

This is not the complete list but I thought these points fit very well into the mission of this blog. I often hear folks talk about supporting local farmers but they still tend to go elsewhere for their food. Many folks enjoy organic, natural foods (and rightly they should), but they purchase these things from folks they don't know. Nor have they met the farmer, or even know where it was grown. In fact, how do we know what practices the farmer used in the growth of these foods? Just because it has the USDA's seal of approval for organic on the label? Frankly, I don't trust a whole lot of what comes from the USDuh.

By shopping local, we can know these things that are important to us. I realize that this isn't always possible, some foods are just not available locally. But, we should make every effort to buy local when we can, don't you think? Just some "food" for thought.