From Scratch magazine Aug/Sept 2015 by From Scratch Magazine

From Scratch AUG/SEPT 2015

LET’S TALK CHICKEN COOPS

THE GMO QUESTION

THERE’S AN APPLE FOR THAT

Scratch and Peck Feeds • • • • • • •

Organic Chicken Feed Organic Turkey Feed Organic Pig Feed Organic Goat Feed Organic Grains Supplements Non-GMO Meat & Eggs

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Goodbye Summer. Hello Fall.

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FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE: Contributors

Contributors CHRIS MCLAUGHLIN Associate Editor Laughing Crow Company

Steven Jones Editor/Publisher

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JANET GARMAN CHICKEN COLUMNIST

KAREN DURAND THOMAS LIL’ SUBURBAN HOMESTEAD

Melissa Jones Publisher

Click here for more info

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Letter from the Editor It’s barely August and I’m already tired of the heat. You know the heat: The opressive, abusive August heat that feels like Summer has it out for you specifically. It’s rough. It makes it hard to do anything outside and since the days are longer now, it’s harder to go to bed early. Quite frankly, the abusive weather makes me want to sell everything I own and move to a commune in the mountains. But, fret not. Fall is coming. Really, it is! (I have to believe this). Just around the corner is fire colored leaves, the pumpkin flavored everything and the apples! We’ve collected apple recipes (check out the pie recipe) and Associate Editor Chris McLaughlin has written a bang up piece about apples. In addition, we’ve put together a piece on seed starting since the Fall gardening season is just around the corner. So, while you’re waiting for the FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

best season of the year, grab a really cold drink, put on some flip-flops and try not to get overheated. August will end soon, and you’ll be able to plant cabbages and kale and collards (my favorite brassicas). Oh! And while I’m at it, don’t forget, the Sustainable Agriculture Conference (SAC) is just around the corner. SAC is one of the best conferences in the country, and while nominally a regional conference, put together by the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, it’s attended by vendors and presenters from all over the country. So, check it out online at carolinafarmstewards.org. It usually includes more than a thousand of the best people in organic and sustainable agriculture you’ll meet. Until then, enjoy the beginning of Fall, if you make it through the fires of August.

Steven Jones

Click here for more info The 1550 SPORTSMAN HATCHER incubator is designed to provide optimal hatching conditions. Unlike setting incubators, hatchers usually operate at slightly different temperature and humidity settings to obtain optimum hatch. With five hatching drawers, the 1550 Hatcher will hold the complete setting of the 1500 incubator. For expanding operations, the 1550 can be matched with up to three 1500 incubators. The 1550 can be used to set eggs, but each egg will have to be turned by hand.

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all about apples FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree. - Martin Luther FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

5 facts about apples Apples are a big part of the American image. In fact, apples are woven into the culture of the country from itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s birth, which continues to this day. So, in honor of our favorite fruit, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve gathered these facts about apples.

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Most apples are immigrants to America Apples originated in Kazakhstan, according to the UK Telegraph.

Who knows what you might get. Apples are extreme heterozygotes. That means the new tree produces an entirely different variety of fruit.

It’s a way for apples to stay genetically varied. The apple The University of Georgia you grow from a seed might states in a paper that apples be an entirely different color, were brought to Europe from Turkey by Alexander the Great. texture and flavor. Resulting in fruit that may even be unpalatable. The crabapple is the only apple native to the Western Hemisphere. Despite the apple’s reputation for sweetness, the crabapple is sour and hard. Because of it’s flavor and texture, it’s rarely Because you couldn’t promise eaten rare, but it makes a a good apple from your apple great compliment to all sorts of trees, then the fruit had to recipes. be processed a bit to remove the bitterness. Sometimes this Check out some here. meant jellies, jams and pies, but for early Americans, you tried your best to create hard cider. It made for a great trade item for early homesteaders, lasted much longer and provided a nice kick. According If you plant a Gala apple seed to the National Geographic, and grow a tree from it, you that’s what Johnny Appleseed won’t get a tree full of Gala was planting: Cider apples. apples.

Hard cider used to be the most popular drink in the country

Apple seeds don’t produce the same type of apples

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Johnny Appleseed was a real person

book, The Botany of Desire. Chapman was a bit of a wild, figure according to the book: Johnny Appleseed, whose real He traveled barefoot, was a name was John Chapman, trav- vegetarian and a member of eled across the country estab- the Swedenborgian church, a mystical sect of Christianity lishing orchards. When settlers would arrive, he originating in Sweden. would sell trees to them (many He would often trade church territories in the new counliterature for a chance to sleep try required homesteaders to on the floors of settlers during plant apple trees), then move his travels. further west, according to the FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

Apples were the target of protesters

according to the National Geographic.

Because they were so closely associated with hard cider, prohibitionists targeted apple orchards, according to the Ontario Craft Cider Association.

Resources: Ontario Craft Cider Association http://ontariocraftcider.com/ cider-history/

The trees were cut down by early temperance movements who even burned trees

National Geogrpahic: http://theplate.nationalgeographic.com/2014/07/22/history-of-apples/

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14 FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE: In this Issue

IN THIS ISSUE starting seeds

10 ways to help make your community a better place The GMO Question

Homemade wine FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

there’s an apple for that

Wild Carrot on the homestead farm Carol’s Canning Tips profile

hugelkultur Let’s talk germanchicken raised coops beds FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

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sonalized er P essential oil Report

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Essential Oils 17

with the herbal homestead feel better with natural solutions

Get a one-on-one consultation from The Herbal Homestead

melissa jones owner of the Herbal Homestead

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Homeschool Must Haves

Westcott Electric Pencil Sharpener. Amazon - $30

Luckies of London Scratch Map Amazon - $7.47 FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

the back to homeschooler learning at home is such an organic way to experience childhood. armed with todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s technology and the knowledge and moral compass of our past we are unique in our ability to provide a world class education to our children in our own kitchens and living rooms. most days we end up at the kitchen table discussing current events or whatever topic came up in the dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lessons. Every experience, every trip, everyday living is a teachable moment. Homeschooling opens the door to so many experiences that makes learning a way of life and not something you simply do in a brick and mortar classroom. FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

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“There is no school equal to a decent home and no teacher equal to a virtuous parent.” - Mahatma Gandhi

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Melissaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Picks dreaming of sweater weather

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Comfy sweaters, boots, warm drinks, crisp air, flushed cheeks. Autumn is almost here. FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an apple for that by: chris mclaughlin

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ur homestead, Laughing Crow & Company, sits smack-dab in the middle of a gorgeous agritourism area in the Northern California foothills. Here in gold country weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re surrounded by a smorgasboard of familyfriendly farms that specialize in everything from vineyards, Christmas trees, vegetables, fruit and nut orchards, alpacas, FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

goats, sheep, horses, emus, and artisan cheeses, sausages, olive oil, beer, wine -- you name it. One of my favorite times of the year here is fall when the majority of the apples are harvested. The place-to-be here in Northern California in the fall is a cozy farming community called Apple Hill. Apple Hill sits in just above Placerville in Camino, California

(conveniently right in the path towards Lake Tahoe). When you visit, you can pick your own apples or buy them by the crate. The only question here is which apples to come home with and how many. For some varieties, the apple harvest begins in August, but there’s something special about the fall-harvested apples. Perhaps they mean the most to the dedicated foodies among us. After all, apples fit neatly into almost every culinary dish you can think of -- yes, including main-course dinner recipes. Don’t forget candy apples, apple cake, apple donuts, apple juice (and cider) and … apple pie. I don’t care what eating situation you’re in -an apple pie is never a bad idea. Gathering the family and making the adventurous trek to pick your own apples right off the tree is extra-special. You can’t get a “the whole pie baking experience” from the inside of a box found in the freezer isle. No, ma-ma. The

true affair of pie baking is an event. At our house it comes from harvesting apples here at our farm, as well as jumping into the car and driving up the road to several Apple Hill farms in order to be sure we have a nice variety. (We’re a no-stoneunturned kinda family.) Pie baking starts from choosing the apples (hopefully picking them), and then coring and peeling each one. If you’re really lucky, there’ll be a young child or two donned in aprons helping you peel. Next comes the satisfaction of rolling out your own pie crust and make artistic cut-out designs into the top layer. Take a big breathe in and enjoy the cinnamon-sugar smell that fills the house while it’s in the oven. Then place that bad boy on stage right in the center of the dinner table. Watch your family or friends enjoy this sweet, flakey dessert that you created from freshly-harvested fall apples. That’s an experience you don’t want to miss. FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

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The right apple for the job For pies and general baking, apple varieties a with firmer flesh is what you’ll look for including: • Braeburn • Granny Smith • Gravenstein • Winesap • Cortland • Rome • Jonagold • Suncrisp • Pippin • Cox’s Orange Pippin • Northern Sky

Top varieties for handeating-right-off-the-tree are: • Honeycrisp -- my favorite! • Gala • Elstar • Braeburn • Fuji • Jonathan • Pink Lady • Red Delicious • McIntosh • Winesap • Golden Delicious • Empire • Ellison’s Orange

For the best applesauce, use fruit with softer flesh such as: • Rhode Island Greening • Gala • Gravenstein • Fuji • Pippin • McIntosh • Cortland • Elstar FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

apple pie Crust

• 2 cups sifted, all-purpose flour • 1 tsp salt • 2/3 cup butter • about 6 tablespoons of cold water

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Filling

• 6 to 8 apples, approx. 3lbs • granulated sugar to taste • ground cinnamon to taste • about 3 tablespoons sifted all-purpose flour • 3 tablespoons butter, sliced into small pieces

Instuctions

1. Start with the crust. Put the flour and butter into a mixing bowl, cutting the butter into the mixture. Add salt and water and mix until a dough is formed. 2. Divide the pie crust dough in half, rolling out both halves about ¼ inch thick. Line a 9” pan with one half, set aside the other. Keep all the dough chilled in the fridge while you prepare the filling. 3. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Peel and core the apples, slicing them into ¼ inch slices. Toss the apples with the sugar, cinnamon and

flour. Put the filling in the pie pan, scattering the butter throughout the filling. 4. Use a wet finger to run around the edge of the dough in the pan then cover loosely with the remaining pie filling. Crimp the edges with a fork and poke vent holes in the top of the pie. 5. Cook it for about an hour, until the pie is golden brown. Serve with a slice of cheddar cheese or a scoop of ice cream and enjoy!

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the GMO Question By: Steven Jones

an in depth look at the history, politics and debate on these controversial crops.

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GMO - The abbreviation for genetically

modified organism. A GMO is an organism whose genome has been altered by the techniques of genetic engineering so that its DNA contains one or more genes not normally found there.

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I 36

t is with great trepidation I wade into the debate regarding Genetically Modified Organisms and farming. But, where angels fear to tread and whatnot… So, first things first. This piece should in no way be construed as a criticism of farmers that use GMO seed, no matter the source. Quite frankly, farming is a deeply personal decision and I cannot envision a world where farmers are not allowed to make decisions about how they farm, with the exception of obvious regulations which provide for the health and safety of all. Most farms are run by people heavily invested in their land, products and animals, and attacking them for the decisions they make to keep their farms from collapsing in an increasingly difficult market isn’t fair.

nearly impossible to purchase some food, for the bulk of the people buying food in America, that isn’t genetically modified in some fashion or another. Our supermarket and grocery shelves are filled with foods derived from corn and soy. Michael Pollan, noted journalist and agricultural activist, pointed out in one of his many interviews or books, that nearly all of the processed food produced in the United States contains a soy product, a corn product or a combination of both (I’m not going to cite the book or interview or article: Just go and check out everything the man does, it’ll be a lot more informative than anything I’ll write here today and probably for the rest of my life). These soy and corn products, which are ubiquitous in modern, processed foods are more likely than not derived from GMO strains.

Secondly, it should be conceded, GMOs and their proponents have, by just about every measure, probably In addition, the majority of the meat produced in America (and won the debate already. It’s FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

in many parts of the world) is produced from animals that consume GMO feed. (see the links below for specific data) With those figures in mind, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard to envision a greater rubric for success for GMO proponents. Regarding the safety of GMO: Multiple studies have been conducted showing the safety of GMO food vis a vis human consumption. (see below for specifics)

While these studies are conducted by multiple parties, for multiple reasons, it must be noted an accusation of bias is nearly impossible to prove or disprove. No matter which side of the fence you sit on in this debate, you can go down the skepticism rabbit hole in either direction and find plenty of reasons to believe or disbelieve these studies.

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I’m inclined to take them at face value, primarily because I don’t have enough background in medicine and science to dispute them. (I’ve included links below to sites that bring up potential health issues with GMOs and links that prove the safety of GMO. Pick your poison, no pun intended). In these situations, just as I trust my doctor to look out for my health, I have to trust the experts as I’m in no position to argue with an expert. And, just as with my doctor, I do my best to be informed, regardless. I trust our readers will do the same. Regarding the science of GMO: Honestly, it’s kind of cool. The science behind GMOs (direct genetic modification of organisms) is a natural progression of the genetic selection process used for thousands of years by farmers all over the world via seed selection and codified by Gregor Mendel in the late 1800s. Genetic engineering has produced golden rice, an unqualified success in the field of genetically modified crops which has the potential to prevent hundreds of thousands of deaths all over the world from Vitamin A deficiency. In addition, the company Glowing Plants has genetically engineered plants that glow in the dark, which has the potential to offset energy costs worldwide by FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

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replacing electric lights (I’m a sucker for anything that glows in the dark).

a crop wherein the pesticide is always around to contaminate beneficial insects.

So, considering the above -the supercool science with all its paradigm shifting potential, the success of GMO products in world agricultural markets, all the studies verifying the safety of GMO food and the belief that farmers should be allowed to do whatever they need in order to stay competitive and economically viable through the future -how do I feel about GMO crops?

Golden Corn and glowing plants are amazing, but many of the genetic modifications wind up being used to allow farmers to spray even more pesticides and herbicides on their crops. Considering the damage that’s already done to our environment regarding the use of many commercial chemicals used in agriculture, it’s hard to argue that increasing technologies that allow greater use of the chemicals is a good practice.

Honestly, I don’t like them. While the science is really neat, it’s hard to ignore studies like Cornell’s that show damaging impacts on Monarch Butterfly populations from crops genetically modified with DNA from Bt, a popular, organic pesticide. Organic farmers who use this pesticide take steps to avoid negative impacts on pollinator (including bees and butterflies) when they use Bt. That’s not possible to do with FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

Additionally, the way the science is used damages the economic viability of farmers in the long term. Seed saving and sharing is time honored method for farmers to save money and earn income. Most of the patents on GMO crops prohibit seed sharing. While it’s completely a farmer’s choice to enter into those contracts, it seems strange to use GMO to increase economic

viability of farms while removing one of the methods (seed sharing and saving) that farmers can use to be more economically sustainable. (Also, I would argue that the use of patents to establish ownership of genetic strains is the wrong instrument. Since we’re dealing with genetic code, it seems that a copyright would be more appropriate, but that’s a separate article altogether. Whenever I feel the urge to reveal my ignorance about

copyright and patent law, I’ll be sure to write that.) In addition, the current use of genetically modified foods seems to encourage more monoculture farming, which an article from the University of California, Berkley points out has some very real negative impacts on agriculture and the environments. (see below) So, since we’ve already established the ubiquity of GMO products and foods, what do we do? FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

At the very least, offering consumers a chance to support non-GMO foods seems like the bare minimum we could do. I believe mandatory labelling laws would allow consumers who care about non-GMO products to purchase them, while supporting growers and producers who use non-GMO seed and feed.

True Seeds, Victory Seeds, NE Seeds and other -- full disclosure, these companies advertise with From Scratch. We sought out these companies because of their dedication to providing non-GMO options to homesteaders).

And, finally, as a country, we can support national, state and even local policies that encourage biodiversity, Supporting these producers discourage a centralized food allows us to make sure system, promote increased that crop biodiversity is biodiversity and advocate for encouraged, which has very responsible use of pesticides real benefits, including food security, for agricultural systems and herbicides. worldwide. Essentially, the more types of fruits and vegetables (and animals we raise) means our food system is more secure from disease, pests and environmental factors. Home gardeners and farmers who believe supporting non-GMOs is important can purchase non-GMO seed and feed (like the products provided by companies like Scratch and Peck, Sow FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

References

GMO in animal feed http://gmoinside.org/gmos-in-animalfeed/ GMO safety for humans http://enhs.umn.edu/current/5103/gm/ harmful.html http://www.forbes.com/sites/ jonentine/2014/09/17/the-debateabout-gmo-safety-is-over-thanks-to-anew-trillion-meal-study/ Gregor Mendel https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregor_ Mendel Golden Rice http://www.goldenrice.org/ Deaths from Vitamin A deficiency http://www.who.int/nutrition/topics/vad/ en/

Glow in the dark plants http://www.cbsnews.com/news/geneticengineering-leads-to-glow-in-the-darkplants/ GMO impacts on butterflies http://www.news.cornell.edu/ stories/1999/04/toxic-pollen-bt-corncan-kill-monarch-butterflies Importance of Monarch conservation http://monarchwatch.org/ blog/2014/01/24/importance-ofmonarch-conservation/ Keeping bees safe while spraying pesticides http://northcoastgardening. com/2010/05/honeybee-safe-pesticides/ Pesticide damage to the Mississippi http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/circ1133/ pesticides.html Issues with monoculture http://nature.berkeley.edu/~miguel-alt/ modern_agriculture.html

GMOs and monoculture http://www.forbes.com/sites/ jamesmcwilliams/2013/12/13/healthconcerns-over-gmos-distract-consumersfrom-the-real-problem-of-monoculture/ Importance of biodiversity https://www.cbd.int/agro/importance. shtml Seed saving initiatives for biodiversity http://foodtank.com/news/2015/01/ fifteen-seed-saving-initiatives-protectingbiodiversity-for-future-generati Non-GMO seed and feed companies NESeed: http://neseed.com/ Sow True See: http://sowtrueseed.com/ Victory Seeds: http://www.victoryseeds. com/ Scratch and Peck: http://www. scratchandpeck.com/

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blogger profile

Marvel Homestead

Photos provided by Anneliese Marvel FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

nneliese Marvel, of North Carolina, discovered the local food movement 10 years ago and hasn’t looked back since. She grows specialty microgreens and has way, way too many plants. We got a chance to talk about Ms. Marvel recently about her blog and all that it encompasses: Including squickles (check out the recipe here) and her plans for the future of her farm.

How long have you been homesteading? And why? I learned to cook for myself and my family when I was about 12 years old. My mom has a lot of food allergies, including celiac disease, and feeding two picky, bratty pre-teen girls and herself became a burden. So I stepped up and learned how to make the things my sister and I liked and later how to make the things my mom could eat. I was also surrounded by family who canned, gardened extensively, made sauerkraut, baked bread and sewed clothing and other goods, so I don’t think it’s surprising that, as an adult, I’d be interested in doing a lot of those things myself. I cook and craft now to give myself a sense of satisfaction in a task well learned--I’m hoping to take up quilting with my boyfriend, this year, for example -- more than to get a product out of it. Buying things doesn’t satisfy me like making them myself.

What made you start blogging? I’ve always needed a place to talk about my feelings and thoughts that I couldn’t quite get in face-to-face conversations. In person, I’m a “people-pleaser,” FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

so talking about how awful my anxiety has been lately or ranting about being a woman in agriculture is just not something I can do. But I sure can write about it, and writing gives me a chance to compose my thoughts in a way that makes an argument and might change the mind of someone I’ve never ever met, rather than just give me an outlet. But if it’s just an outlet, that’s fine too. I see my blog as my canvas, first and foremost -- maybe my art resonates with you, maybe it doesn’t, but it’s my art all the same.

Your blog tends to cover a lot of different ground, farming, food, feminism, mental health, etc., etc. It seems as if a lot of the work you do there is focused on the intersectionality of all these seemingly different concepts and how they relate to your overall sense of being. Is that FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

accurate? If so, could you speak to that? That is so accurate. My background in sociology is a big part of the reason I can’t look at those topics as isolated-and that’s the case for more people interested in food than not. Food is no longer just food. The push for organic food began long before the 1990 National Organic Program, but it’s just snowballed from there into questions of ethically raised food, local food, genetically modified food, farm preservation and so on. To me, the natural extension of that whole “fill in the blank” food movement is to think about how food relates to gender (who’s raising, harvesting, preparing, selling that food, what are their work conditions like?) and race and other issues. And though it runs the risk of muddying the water, I can’t pretend to only care about one issue. Though I tend to look at things through a lens of food and farming, I also love poetry and struggle with my mental health. I think I’m more real and

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more believable for sharing those things about myself than if I only ever wrote about farming.

You’re incredibly open, not only about yourself (Ms. Marvel posted her farm plan online), but your farming and plans. Why is that important to you? That farm plan is the first draft FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

of my farming manifesto, so it’s out there as a reminder to myself to keep writing it and keep working towards it until Marvel Farm becomes a real place. I think the biggest problem I’ve seen in farming is not one we’re talking about yet, even though we’re talking about the cost and loss of land and the incredibly hard work of farming, and that is that it’s socially isolating. Nobody can understand the kind of life a farmer has, both the joys and the schedule and

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the hard work, until they do it themselves, and lots of people are understandably reluctant about jumping into farming. At the same time, we’re losing farmers, so there’s fewer and fewer of them to commiserate with each other. I don’t think (small) farming should be so allor-nothing, with all the weight of the work and the planning on one or two people. I have a vision for a communal farm, both in the hippie sense and in a very business-like sense where the work and the profits are shared among a small group. I don’t want a farm with employees -- I want a farm with a lot of farmers. Making enough money on a small piece of land to do this is the trick, but I have some thoughts about specialty items that might do it.

after my divorce. It was also the best possible time, because I was open to anything. When I’ve met my goal of feeling really good for 6 months (and we’re going into month 2 right now!) I’m going to feel more comfortable beginning to get feedback from friends and farmers on my plans for Marvel Farm, especially my specific crop plans. This will hopefully happen as I write my book on how to get into farming when you know nothing about agriculture, which I see as the trampoline for making Marvel Farm a reality.

Your graduate work was on women and farming. Could you tell me what you learned and how you apply it to your farm What are your plans for philosophy? I loved my graduate work, and the future? Frankly, getting my mental health in a stable place is my top priority right now. I jumped into farming at the worst possible time, when I was just physically ill with depression FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

going back to do more work on gender and farming isn’t out of the question, but I like to pretend there’s a version of myself in an alternate universe doing that work so I don’t have to. Sorry, I’m also a big science

fiction and comic book nerd when I’m not playing in the dirt. The really simple version of my thesis is that the growth in the number of organic farms across the US is in fact statistically related to increasing numbers of female farmers. By buying local organic products, we’re making a place for women to participate more equally with men in agriculture -- and when they have that space, they make good choices about farming practices for

their communities. What it’s taught me is that farming can change and so can the people who buy farm products--the food system is dynamic and the social system is dynamic, so there’s room for my ideas about communal urban farming to flourish, just like there’s room for women in organic agriculture. You can read more from Ms. Marvel at anneliesemarvel.com. FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

welcome to the neighborhood Sustainable Neighbors build a community

arsha Howe is the founder and director of Sustainable Neighbors, an educational organization in Fayetteville, NC. Ms. Marsha, through Sustainable Neigbhors, provides local food education, grower training and advocates for a community-based approach to healthy living, growing, cooking and more. “When our priorities value people and the planet,” Howe said, “the profits reach far beyond just financial FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

economics to reap lasting generational benefits for community resilence.” To further these goals, Howe provides education and other services to her community in Fayetteville. We contacted Ms. Marsha via email recently and asked her about her business and how it’s impacting her community.

Tell us about the history of Sustainable Neighbors. I came to Fayetteville from Calif. in 2011 to visit family and

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had trouble finding local food. I wanted to find folks that shared my concern and common interest in sustainable living so I started a MeetUp Page to find them and Sustainable Neighbors was born. Realizing the need here, I became passionate about sharing the local food, sustainable living message and I decided to stay and make this home. We now have over 500 MeetUp Sustainable Neighbor members. We collaborate and facilitate sustainable living workshops, gatherings, backyard garden tours, connections, knowledge, support and inspiration to help make the Fayetteville area small farmers and aspiring, urban and backyard growers to be profitable and consumers healthier, while making Fayetteville more local food secure.

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the overarching philosophy of Sustainable Neighbors? To make â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sustainable

Attainable,â&#x20AC;? by getting to know our neighbors, sharing skills and knowledge which can build relationships that support entrepreneurial endeavors which in turn can create economic opportunity, local food security and healthier quality of life.

At first glance, Sustainable Neighbors looks like a CSA. What differentiates your company from a traditional CSA? And how do you achieve that? Homegrown Market, a program of SN, is an exclusive private Produce Buying Club that can be set up at churches to supply shares of seasonal, sustainably grown produce direct from local small farmers with pick up location at a participating church in a neighborhood. This enables small farmers to grow at a level and pace that works best for them. Homegrown Market is established to help support new and beginning urban FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

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farmers with a committed customer base. Members receive a bag of seasonal produce weekly and pay ahead monthly.

What are the future plans for your business? Sustainable Neighbors is excited to be partnering with the Fayetteville State University, our local small farmers and local food supporting organizations to conduct a local and regional conference in Cultivating Profits in Small Scale Urban

Farming, this fall 2015. We will highlight the profitable endeavors of small scale urban farmers using the SPIN Farming method and the new small scale Backyard Riches program. This conference will be all about the â&#x20AC;&#x153;business of making a profit in small scale produce production. No farming experience necessary. An after conference next day how-to-workshop will follow on a local small farm. Email us for more info and to receive our save the date announcement. FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

seed starting

By Patricia Cornwell

aking care of a garden can be not only relaxing, but also very fulfilling. You could turn this into more than a hobby by growing your own organic vegetables and other products. This may sound complicated to you now, but the truth is that anyone can learn to do it. In case you are a beginner gardener, you will have to get informed about the different kinds of seeds and their special needs. Once you learn about this, you will be able to start your own garden and provide your family with fresh vegetables that are free from any chemicals. Finding clean organic food can be hard these days. Most shops offer a big variety of FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

products which, however, contain a lot of chemicals that could be dangerous for your health and the health of your entire family. If you want to be absolutely sure that the vegetables you eat are 100% organic, you can start growing them yourself. There is really nothing to worry about because below you will find valuable information on how to get the necessary seeds and grow the vegetables you like successfully.

Learn more about your region Before you get to work or even decide what veggies you want to have in your garden, you have to get better informed about the climate in your

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region. Each vegetable has different needs, so it might not be possible to grow some of them in your area. There is no need to worry, though, because you can always try container gardening. It is not only easy, but it will also give you the chance to grow your own vegetables directly in the premises of your home.

Make a list with the veggies you want to grow Once you gather enough information, you can create a list of all vegetables you want to have in your place. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s normal to feel excited, but it is also important not to get overboard. Think how many tomatoes and other types of veggies you and your family will consume and then you will know how much seeds you will need as well. If you are having troubles deciding, you can always ask the more experienced friends of yours or directly consult with the people at the specialised shop when you go get the FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

seeds.

Purchase the necessary tools and materials for the sowing While you are at the shop, it is a good idea to look around for various tools and materials you will need for the sowing later. The main ingredient, of course, is the pack of seeds. You will need also a clean spray bottle, special soil and clean containers. You can decide whether you will plant your veggies in separate pots or use flats that can hold many veggies. The first option is preferred by many gardeners because this way they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to worry about damaging the roots of the plants, in case they decide to move them. As for the sowing, it is actually very easy. All you have to do is to fill the clean container with the special soil, as you make the surface even afterwards. Then you have to moisten the soil with the spray bottle and sprinkle the seeds. Some of them need to be covered with

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soil, so make sure that you check the instructions on the back of the pack.

Pick the right moment for planting Choosing the right moment to sow the seeds of your veggies is extremely important. For the purpose you will have to learn which is the frost-free date in your region. Keep in mind, however, that weather changes constantly, so it is not always possible to determine the exact date. FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

Follow our tips and we promise you that you will be enjoying organic vegetables in no time. With hard work and a little patience, you will be able to enjoy a safe organic product and not worry about your health or the health of the other members of your family. Patricia Cornwell lives in London and has worked for GardenersMates N4 for 3 years now. She is a fan of clean organic food and her article will help to get the necessary seeds and grow the vegetables you like successfully.

tools that make gardening easy

One of our favorite tools!

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Farm Weight Loss Plan

The Eight Owls Farmstead story

ight Owls Farmstead has a slightly unusual origin story: It was born of one woman’s desire to lose weight. Rain Parker and her wife moved to Brevard, NC and rented a small farm in 2010.

in 2012 and Eight Owls Farmstead was born. They starting teaching homesteading workshops in 2013 and sharing their weight loss story in hopes of helping others with better food decisions.

At the time, Rain said, she was 300 lbs. She felt like growing her own organic food would help.

It was hard, Rain said. “Teaching ourselves to farm organically on our own was difficult, so it felt right to share our experience and story with other folks that were trying to do the same,” she said. “We are not moving towards being an intentional community that is focused on

It did. Since then, she’s lost 150 lbs (her wife dropped 75 lbs.). They purchased 9.87 acres FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

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Click here for more info

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Victory Garden Starter Kit™ Includes everything you need to start your own Victory Garden. Throughout history, Victory Gardens have been sown during times of war as a way for folks to both feed their families and to aide in the war effort. Planting a “Victory Garden” has more personal significance in our time. Whatever your reason may be – stretching your grocery budget and saving money, growing pure food for your family’s table or declaring independence from the corporate food chain – planting a garden makes sense. Contained in a decorative gift bag are tried and true varieties suitable for planting a Victory Garden in a wide range of climates.

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farm. I came from a family of farmers and teachers–in hindsight, I’m surprised that I didn’t arrive at the conclusion of being a farm based educator early in life, instead of becoming an art professor! Like I mentioned above, for me it was something I remembered fondly from childhood and when I found myself 30 and We grow a healthy supply of 300 pounds–I knew enough annual veggies for ourselves about farming to know that it and have a lot of wild edibles on our property that we harvest was one really great way to get from. We also raise turkeys for exercise and a better quality of food alike. FarmFit beats meat and feathers, chickens CrossFit any day, I think. I can for meat and eggs, goats for tell you this–I sure am in better meat/milk/fur, and rabbits shape at 36 than I was at 26 for meat and fur. A big part sitting behind a desk! of what my wife does here is primitive crafts like bow making, brain tanned buckskin, fur, and rawhide–this was born from a desire to use the whole animal in order to show My wife, Mika, and I do – respect for the critters we have although we do aspire to have Eight Owls Farmstead become to process in order to be the an intentional community one omnivores we enjoy being. day, when we finish getting more of our infrastructure in place. I am focused on donation based education – I host groups from camps, I actually grew up visiting make farm animal to classroom my grandparents large scale tobacco, soybean, and cotton school visits, and provide farm farm and primitive living, offgrid education and immersion experiences.” We chatted with Rain -- via email -- about her farm and her family’s journey.

What do you produce/ grow/make?

Who runs/owns Eight Owls?

Why did you start farming?

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based immersions for singles or couples that are looking to begin homestead. My wife handles all our primitive craft needs. And of course, we both do all the work that is required to keep this homestead running smoothly as well as both work off the farm to FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

cover the farmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s expensesâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;me teaching part time in the art department of our local college and her doing odd/hard labor jobs for other folks.

You talk about your physical transformation

on your website, how did that come about and how was that related to sustainable living? We often seem to look at any given situation and think, “okay, what’s the hardest possible way to approach

this?” Then we do that ;) -- but seriously, it is a good weight loss technique, taking the hand tool approach. We bought a steep scrubby property on the tippy top of a mountain – it makes for good cardio just to get from here to there! We split all our wood by hand for FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

Good Seed, Glad Harvest. Seeds for Growers of All Sizes. Conventional, Organic, Heirloom and Hybrid Seeds. Customer Service & Phone Orders: (800) 825-5477 Monday - Friday 8AM - PM EST www.neseed.com

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Click here for more info

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the first 2.5 years -– just to make sure we could if we had to, fantastic strength training! Because we try to grow/raise/ trade for almost all our food –we don’t eat a lot of grains or sugars, since those things don’t grow as well/easily on the scale FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

that we are farming, that really melts the fat off for me. You get the idea. Just the things that you have to do to live off grid and grow/hunt/butcher/ forage for more of your own food. For us, it majorly worked as a weight loss strategy.

Your site and operations emphasizes women and farming, with a spiritual bent. How important are those concepts to you

and your operation, and how did you progress on your journey to that state of operation? In the summer of 2010, I FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

At the beginning of the eight owls journey applied for farm internships for the two of us. Most required a picture. I completely understand why no one got back to us, we were two overweight women with no experience and two dogs. But I really needed someone to. Desperately so. However, that resource was not there for me. I know now that if I had had the funds, I could have paid for some farm/primitive living education – but I didn’t know that then and also didn’t have the financial ability to do so if I had known about it. It’s been incredibly important to FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

me to provide donation based education for women that truly want to live this way, yet have no experience and may not be accepted into an internship program for this reason or that reason. I also always accept work and food trades in lieu of a monetary donation for folks that need it. I found living this way an incredibly wonderful way to get in touch with yourself, your spirit and spirituality, to build confidence and connect -– I simply love being able to provide a space for that to happen for other women on a small scale.

What’s your favorite thing to grow?

these amazing little humans on their homesteads, and I am so excited to see what our Winter squash – because I’m future will look like with more really good at that! I still feel kids growing up caring about like a beginner as a gardener, where their food comes from. I so I like to do the simple stuff have faith, that more and more like greens, squash, peas, people will wake up like I did, beans and herbs. Although, and seek out something real I had an amazing intern this and find out how darn good spring that had just finished a real food can be while they are permaculture course–I’m still at it. I’m living breathing proof not sure if she realizes just how that you can go from being a much I learned from her. So I’m couch surfing, TV addicted, hoping that by next year I can morbidly obese and miserable branch out into more things. person chomping down Taco (I wonder if you ever ask anyBell to someone sitting at an one what you like to pick? outdoor table on taco tuesday Mine would be chanterelle enjoying meat we butchered, mushrooms from our forests– cheese I made, topped with because I didn’t have to do a veggies I grew and cooked on darn thing but pick ‘em and wood she cut and I split and I then enjoy how delicious they do it all with a big ol’ grin on are!) my face more often than not. And it didn’t take all that long, in the grand scheme of things. All I had to do was wake up. And have the gumption–to go. After five years, I’m still crazy about living this way -- even if Folks can follow us in a few it is still challenging every day! ways–the blog I’ve kept I think it is such a wonderful since we bought this place, way to stay healthy, physically Facebook, Instagram and sign and emotionally. I see so many up for our mailing list here. of our friends who are raising

Is there anything you’d like to add?

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letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s talk about chicken coops by: Janet Garman

ow that your chicks are half grown (or maybe full grown!) you are well on the way to finding fresh eggs in the coop every day. What? You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a coop yet? The chickens are still living in your garage or your garden shed? Lets talk about what kind of housing you need to provide for your flock. There are a few features that need to be included in any chicken coop building. FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

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Security A sturdy structure that cannot be breached by predators. Built at least 6 inches off the ground to prohibit rodents from chewing into the coop from below. Use of half inch hardware cloth wire instead of chicken wire for covering any openings. A solid door that can be closed and latched at night is important for your flockâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s safety.

Ventilation Windows that can open, and a roof ridge vent are commonly used to provide ventilation. Good ventilation ensures that toxic ammonia fumes do not build up in the coop.

Nesting Boxes Enough nesting boxes in a ration of 1 for each 3 or 4 hens

Perch/ Roost Bar Using a 2 x 4 board installed so that the chickens are sitting on the 4 inch side. Also, a thick sturdy tree branch,

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ll coops

3-4 chickens FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

or other sturdy, non- slippery roost bar. Chickens that have to perch on the edge of wire often develop foot injuries such as bumble foot or crooked toes.

they can free range on grass and bugs, and yet have some safety from danger, is the chicken tractor.

These structures sit on the ground and may have small wheels on one end to facilitate moving it to a new spot each day. The benefits of the tractor setup include being able to Ok, so now that we have the free range the chickens, and important details out of the way, what kind of coop design not have one spot in the yard decimated by scratching and will work best for you? With many different types and styles digging. to choose from, it can be a big The downside is many of the decision. Chicken Tractors, chicken tractors do not afford a small hutches, large free certain level of security against standing coops, commercially some aggressive predators. built coop, or converted garden shed, are some options In a fenced in back yard to consider. situation, the predator problem may not exist and could be Also, please remember the the answer in many places. chicken math factor that Some larger chicken tractors you will hear many chicken are heavier, and include a small owners mention. This is a well known fact that if you can coop at one end that can be accommodate more chickens, closed off at night. you eventually will. They flock Small coops are a good start seems to grow. No idea how and many are available, prethis phenomenon occurs. built or as a ready to assemble kit. Many people will start with Perhaps one of the simplest one of these structures for the ways to raise chickens so that

How Big Does the Coop Need to Be?

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HAPPY HEN TREATS Watch your chickens dance and peck in a frenzy for these 100% natural whole-dried mealworms! Contains natural dried mealworms that chickens absolutely love to eat.

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Now you can show it with these wonderfully designed EGG CARTONS from Happy Hen

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first 3 or 4 chickens they acquire. After you add more chickens to the flock and the coop is no longer big enough, keep the smaller structure around. The smaller coop can be used for a sick bay/isolation coop. Or it can be used for a broody hen and her chicks, a chicken with a sore foot, or a time out coop for a bully chicken. We bought our small coop originally for a pet rabbit. After we moved her into our house, the coop has had plenty of use as a bantam chicken coop, a grow out coop for pullets and an isolation place for injured birds. As you consider moving up to a larger coop there are options to choose from. Keep in mind that you will want to give the chickens 3 - 4 cubic feet of interior space, with the understanding that they will also have an attached run or be able to free range in an enclosed area during the day. Using this type of structure you can still find coops in many sizes. Purchasing a coop will give you a chance to look for one that compliments your home and neighborhood. Of course, for those that are handy with tools, building your own coop is always a possibility. Make sure you leave an access door for humans to enter to clean the coop, FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

edium coops 5-8 chickens FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

Click here to read now! read it

The ultimate guide to raising chickens FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

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collect eggs or check on any sick or injured chickens which may hide inside. Many people also add a pop door, a small door that allows the chickens access directly into the run. Another option is to use an existing structure in your yard already. These options can include converting a portion of the garage, enclosing a stall in the barn, or converting a garden shed. Remember to include the list of “must haves” from the beginning of this article in your renovation design. If you want to add some luxury items into the coop, you could think about adding electricity, a water source such as a farm pump, and a fan to aid in ventilation and cooling. No matter what coop you decide is right for your chickens, keeping it clean, well ventilated, serving healthy nutritious food and fresh water will get you a four star rating on your chicken palace.

Larger

Thanks to the following chicken raising friends for supplying photos of their chicken palaces for this article. 104 Homestead Urban Overalls The Frugal Chicken The Farmer’s Lamp Livin,Lovin,Farmin Sunny Simple Life FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

Janet writes regularly on the rural life and raising Her goal in sharing is to

10 or more chickens

r coops

n her blog, Timber Creek Farm , where she shares her tales of living livestock on a working farm in the middle of suburbia. encourage others to lead a more self reliant lifestyle. FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

wild carrots for the homesteader by: agatha noveille, herbalist and educator at the Herbal Academy of New England FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

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he homestead garden wouldn’t be complete without carrots, and wild carrot- domestic carrot’s distant ancestoris often found growing in homestead meadows and hedgerows. Like its domesticated counterpart, Daucus carota can be used as food, but it also has many interesting traditional uses as an herb. FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

Wild Carrot’s Herbal History In Europe and in the southern Appalachians of the US, wild carrot has a rich history of use as an herbal remedy. For the digestive system, it was often employed for indigestion after meals, for promoting regularity of the bowels, and even as a folk remedy for certain kinds of intestinal parasites. In keeping

with its usefulness as a diuretic, it was often given for water retention, gout, and kidney stones, and was considered to be helpful for removing sediments in the kidneys and bladder. (reference?)

poultice for inflammatory skin conditions, and concur that it is useful in pulling out impurities from wounds and sores. Mid-18th century herbalist William Cook was especially impressed with wild carrot as a drawing poultice, and noted that stubborn sores refusing to resolve under any other means often responded well to carrot, with quick resolution of foul odors, the soothing of pain, and prompt healing. He discontinued use as soon as the wound was on its way back to healing, finding that it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t necessary to continue use until the skin was fully healed. (2)

The late Tommie Bass, an Appalachian herbalist, also used it for cases where there seemed to be an underactive thyroid, or when there was adult onset diabetes present. (1) The seed is often used, but some herbalists prefer the flowers. The seed may be harvested while it is still green but fully formed for a higher volatile oil content. The flowers are often made into a tea and Many modern herbalists believe that wild carrot has tinctures can be made out of a special place as a womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the flowers or the seeds. herb. It is sometimes used to help ease heavy menstrual The root can be used as a flow and as a tonic for the diuretic in much the same lining of the womb, but wild way as the seeds, but it has carrot is also a relative of the another valued use as a ancient, now extinct Sylphium. poultice. Domestic carrot is Sylphium was used for natural sometimes used by herbalists family planning by the Romans, as a mild poultice too, but and folklore as well as modern this is a use where wild carrot scientific studies indicate that is believed to excel. Many wild carrot seeds may have old herbal texts speak to the some of the same properties. usefulness of wild carrot as a FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

Herbalist Robin Rose Bennett has been at the forefront of speaking and researching on this use of the plant, and notes that the herb appears to thin the lining of the uterus to prevent implantation (3). There are still many questions FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

about the flowering tops and seeds being used for this purpose, though, so until more information is available it is probably best to avoid using wild carrot seeds for other uses if you are trying to become pregnant.

Wild Carrot in the Kitchen

Wild carrot has white roots, in contrast to the rainbow of red, orange, yellow, and even Wild carrot was used as a food purple carrots we grow today, plant for thousands of years, but the roots of wild carrot can and a long process of selection still be used as a vegetable just for bigger, milder roots like domestic carrots. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best eventually gave us the garden to use them in their first year carrots that we have today. of growth, as by the second FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

year they begin to turn tough and woody as the plant focuses on setting seed. This is also true of domestic carrots - both plants are biennials that focus on flowering and making seeds their second year. Wild carrot flowers are also edible, and so are the seeds. Because the flowers are so big and lacy, each plant produces a lot of seeds! A single large flower can yield two tablespoons or more of seeds, and even small flowers will yield a surprisingly full “nest” of seeds. The flowers will begin to turn yellow and green as they curl, and then the seeds show up as plump, green burrs. The seeds gradually turn brown, and begin to look a little fluffy once they are fully dried out. It’s best to harvest them once they have turned brown- snip a few flower heads into a brown paper bag to take home with you. Because wild carrot’s seed heads are a lovely, sheltered place to hide from wind and sun, don’t be surprised if a few tiny insects are in the bag when you get home. FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

Find a place to sit outside where the wind won’t blow away your harvest, and gently rub the sides of the “nest” between your thumb and forefinger over a bowl to loosen the seeds. Keep the seeds in a clean paper bag for a day or two until they are completely dry, then transfer to a glass canning jar to store in the pantry. The seeds have a complex flavor with hints of citrus, licorice, and carrot. They can be used in the same types of dishes as caraway, another spice from the carrot family, including breads and cakes, cabbage dishes, and for flavoring meats. Like any spice, it’s best to grind them just before use.

Correct Identification Carrots and wild carrots are both members of the Apiaceae family of plants, and although they have many useful relatives like parsley and fennel, there are also some members of the family that should be carefully avoided. Before foraging for

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avoided. Before foraging for wild carrot, it’s important to know some of the dangerous look-alikes that are easy to confuse with healthful D. carota.

Water hemlocks (Cicuta spp) are some of

the most easily confused, and some of the most dangerous. A single bite of water hemlock can prove fatal for an adult, and children have been poisoned simply from playing with the hollow stems, so it’s extremely important to check carefully for correct identification if wild carrot plants are being foraged. Armed with a few good field guides, the stems and flowers are two of the places to look to tell the two apart. Instead of hairy, green stems like wild carrot, water hemlock has smooth stems that are sometimes blotched or streaked with purple. Because wild carrot is sometimes called Queen Anne’s lace, some people FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

remember the silly phrase “The queen has hairy legs” to help identify wild carrot. The white flowers of wild carrot have a characteristic red or dark purple flower in the very center of its lacy white flower that water hemlock lacks, and the leaf shapes between the two are different as well. To confuse matters, though, both plants like to grow in ditches and other areas with damp ground. The leaves of wild carrot are also lacy, just like our domestic carrot, but water hemlock has toothed, jagged leaves. And if the root system doesn’t look like a white carrot - a single, white taproot - you know the plant isn’t wild carrot! One of wild carrot’s other names, bird’s nest plant, helps to identify the plant after it begins to set seed. The beautiful, full flowers dry and curl into a thick, brown cup that looks very similar to a bird’s nest.

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Making Wildflower Jelly Wildflower Jelly Ingredients Infusion:

• 4 cups of water • 2 cups Queen Anne’s Lace flower heads

Jelly:

• 2 ¾ cups of your herbal infusion • ¼ of lemon juice (about one medium lemon) • 3 ½ cups of sugar • 1 packet of powdered pectin

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DirectionS 1. To make the herbal infusion, bring water to a boil and then remove from heat. Add flower heads and steep for about 30 minutes. Strain the infusion. 2. Pour the infusion back into a medium-sized cooking pot, and turn it up to a mediumhigh heat. Add the lemon juice and the pectin to the pot. Stir the mixture well. 3. Add the sugar while stirring

continually, bringing back to a boil for about one minute. Remove from heat. 4. Carefully pour or ladle the hot jelly into the jars. Wipe the rim with a clean cloth, and top each one with a sterilized lid. Process jars as you wish, either in a hot water canning bath or using the instructions in the pectin box.

This recipe is excerpted from the Herbal Academy of New England blog. Visit the article for more wildflower jelly suggestions: http://herbalacademyofne. com/2015/07/make-it-wildflower-jelly/

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homemade carol wines on my mind by: Karen Lynn from Lilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Suburban Homestead FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

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lina d FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

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aking your own homemade wine sounds so intriguing and it’s simple and cost effective but if it were that easy everyone would be doing it right? The secret in making your own homemade wine is that it’s helpful to have some practical tips and know how before you get started.

fix but in time you will learn to create a wine that is delightful and refreshing.

Even better you will reap the rewards of only paying 50 cents to 1.00 a bottle depending on your process and whether you scavenge for bottles and how much of the product that you use to make your wine is found right on your farm. Record keeping and using a calendar is The process of fermenting essential on your wine making beverages is not for those with adventures so when you do lack of fortitude. Perseverance hit “Pay Dirt” the perfect wine and the quest for an amazing you know exactly how you did wine is not always the quickest it, the exact measurements in FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

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your recipes, and of course you can record your failures as well so you know what not to do in the future. Some of our favorites include beauty berry, elderberry, and Jerusalem Artichoke all which grow and thrive on our 1/3 acre Lil’ Suburban Homestead. These items thrive in Coastal North Carolina and even better than that they are all what I refer to as multi-use produce. We cook with our Jerusalem Artichokes, we make Elderberry Syrup with our elderberries, and beauty berry is also a natural mosquito repellant. Is your yard an edible arrangement? Because if not it should be. I say this a lot but it bears repeating that planning is not as key as it is important that you don’t chop down everything that grows in your yard until you figure out what it is then if it comes up in an inconvenient location you can move it later.

the inulin effect of Jerusalem artichokes makes you wonder why you had not included this food in your diet before this, and beauty berry while not edible for eating is a gorgeous addition to any yard. Wine making has a lot of fancy terminology that really put me off at first but this can all be quickly learned.

Here are some terms you need to know: Racking - “Racking means transferring wine to another container and leaving sediment at the bottom of the container” Fermentation – “Fermentation is the process of turning the fruit sugars or product into alcohol.” Sediment – “This isn’t always a bad thing and does not mean your wine is bad but it is the floaty type things at the bottom of the bottle or container.”

The medicinal properties in elderberry will astound you, FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

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The vikingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s jerusalem artichoke wine FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

The Viking’s Jerusalem Artichoke Wine Ingredients: • 6lbs Jerusalem artichokes • 2lbs. white sugar • 2 lemons • 2 oranges • ½ oz. ginger • ½ tsp. pectin • 1 tsp. yeast nutrient • Wine yeast

Directions:

1. Clean your Jerusalem artichokes 2. Leave them unpeeled 3. Boil chokes in water until they are soft like potatoes 4. Discard the artichokes 5. Reserve the artichoke water for the wine 6. Place sugar and citrus rinds in the artichoke water 7. Slice the ginger root very thin and add to water 8. Bring to boil 9. Stir for a few minutes to make sure all sugar is dissolved 10. Simmer for about 30 minutes or so….

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11. Remove from heat and now it’s time to strain out the ginger and rinds 12. Strain artichoke, ginger, and citrus water into a large 5 gallon bucket (in the wine world this is called the Primary) 13. Cover with a sterile cloth (we often use a clean sheet for this) 14. Allow mixture to cool to about room temperature 15. Add enzyme and yeast nutrient 16. Stir, cover back up and set aside for the day typically while you are at work if you do this at 7am check back on it at about 7pm 17. Add activated wine yeast and let sit and ferment for a week (stirring every day, this is very important) 18. Siphon this mixture into a secondary container 19. Add airlock 20. Ferment for about 2 months 21. Rack your wine into another carboy 22. Keep racking your wine until it’s clear – this can go on several times

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ENJOY YOUR HOMEMADE WINE IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD

backyard wine is the best of all homemade wines in my opinion because you are using a product that is already plentiful that you invested a while ago such as grape vines and now you are reaping the harvest or rewards “literally”. Who knows what produce item will be next for us to conquest as part of our backyard wine FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

journey but you can best believe there will be many more. The contentment of growing your own produce for your wine is simply not easily expressed in words…. so envision a sunset, a cold glass in your hands, and the knowledge that you are pursuing a sustainable and tasty hobby. Cheers!

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If there is one thing that a homesteader is at the end of the day it is tired and sore. What better way to relax than purchasing a Snorkel wood-fired hot tub. Snorkel速 Hot Tubs are 100% manufactured in the USA using premium-quality all heart, clear Western Red Cedar from the forests of Canada. With more

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fighting downy and powdery mildew by: steven jones

Photo by Dave the Pollinator FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

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f you live in any humid part of North America, then youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve dealt with Downy Mildew and Powdery Mildew.

While only one of them is technically a fungus (downy mildew is caused by a fungus-like microbial organism) both heavily impact vined crops. There are some varieties of both that are specific to various and assorted plants (cucurbit downy mildew impacts cucumbers, squash and cantaloupes, for example). The diseases can be devastating to commercial and backyard harvests, causing complete complete collapse of crops. Downy Mildew presents as yellow splotches on the leaves of a plant. Powdery mildew presents as whitish, powdery looking splotches. Both lead to necrotic tissue, which causes the leaves of the plant to take on a burnt appearance until they eventually die. It tends to impact crops late in the summer, so earlier, resistant varieties are recommended as one method of control (Check out Sow True Seeds, FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

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Victory Seeds and NE Seeds for resistant and early varieties of your favorites). However, if you’re late in the season, like me, and suddenly dealing with an outbreak of this pernicious disease, then you’ll have to deal with it.

sunlight. In addition, anecdotal evidence from various sources indicates that increasing air circulation with trellising -- thereby reducing ambient moisture -- can help prevent the diseases.

I’ve collected the best organic methods of dealing with powdery and downy mildew from around the internet. Be aware, once you see evidence of these diseases, sometimes it’s a matter of controlling it, instead of curing it, so your mileage may vary.

2: Organic Fungicides

1: Cultural controls More as a method of preventing both types of mildew, cultural methods, if begun early enough, can prevent many problems and help minimize damage. Ohio State University suggests planting your crops on well-draining soil with plenty of sunlight and -- if possible -- low humidity. Avoid overhead watering. Both types of mildew flourish in conditions conducive to fungus growth: Moist environments with low FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

Organic Fungicides can do a lot to manage downy and powdery mildew, according to the Perdue Extension office. These include sulfur, copper, horticultural oil, neem oil and baking soda. All of these have been used for decades -- and in the case of sulfur, at least 2,000 years. All of these require multiple applications in a disciplined manner. And some can have side effects (baking soda, for example, can cause a sodium buildup in the soil). Check out the ways to use these at Perdue Extension here.

3: Homemade fungicides A lot of homesteaders and gar-

downy mildew

deners have reported success with homemade fungicides. These include dish soap, alcohol and vinegar. The recipes vary and require multiple applications (several times a week) almost through the bulk of the season. These tend to be mild in impact, yet effective for a lot of people, so feel free to give them a try -- however, if the infection has already set in, you may be advised to try the organic fungicides first. Here’s my favorite recipes: Dish soap: Three tablespoons dish soap (any of them work really, but

powdery mildew I’ve had particular success with Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint Soap) to one gallon water Alcohol: A lot of people use rubbing alcohol, however, I actually prefer ethanol -- any cheap vodka or grain alcohol will serve nicely, as long as it’s least 80 proof. Use one quarter cup of alcohol for each gallon of water. Vinegar: While white vinegar has proven antifungal benefits, I prefer using unfiltered apple cider vinegar. Use one quarter cup of vinegar for each gallon of

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Photo by David B. Langston from University of Georgia

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water, just like the alcohol.

Bonus method:

Last year, I spoke with a visiting Agronomics professor working with a group of Mayans from Central America, in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. She suggested using fermented rice water, which Mayans, she said, have used to fight mildew infections in Central America. I haven’t tried it yet, but here’s the method she described to me: • Cook a big batch of rice • Dig a hole in the ground big enough to hold the water, rice mixture -- about a foot deep and wide • Line the hole with some sort of non porous material (she said the natives in FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

Mexico used broad plant leaves. I imagine if you have elephant ears available, they would probably work, but some sort of heavy plastic might work. Look for BPA, phthalate free varieties). • Put the rice in the hole and cover it with a mesh material, like cheese cloth or some sort of screen. Cover the mesh with leaves • Wait until the mixture ferments (about two weeks) • Remove the water, feed the rice to your chickens and dilute the fermented water, in a 1:3 ratio in plain water, spray on your plants If you’re interested, here is a similar recipe for Lactobacillus serum on theunconventionalfarmer.com

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the herbal academy of new england answers your questions Recipes for Vibrant Health is this beloved herbalist’s “prescription for wellness, longevity, and boundless energy.” This is a wonderful, practical guide with numerous remedies to support the well-being of children, adults, and elders alike.

Q: What books are good for the beginner herbalist? A: There are so many great books in this category it’s hard to know where to begin! Here are some of our favorites.

In The Gift of the Healing Herbs, Robin Rose Bennett engages readers with stories, recipes, and plant profiles that illustrate the potential of herbs as allies in our pursuit for wellness physically, mentally, and spiritually. Her connection with plants is undeniable.

The Herbal Medicine Maker’s Handbook: A Home Manual by James Green contains stepThe Herbal Kitchen by Kami McBride is an absolutely by-step instructions for making delightful book chock full of any kind of herbal preparation simple and creative ways to use presented in a detailed but very herbs in the kitchen in foods, readable manner, describing cooking oils, seasoned salts and not only the “how” but also herbal sprinkles, and herbal hon- the “why” of making various eys, cordials, and vinegars. preparations. Rosemary Gladstar’s Herbal FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

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If you are interested in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Leslie Tierra’s Healing with the Herbs of Life is a great learning tool for beginners and reference for advanced herbalists, leading readers through the fundamentals of herbalism, a TCM perspective on disease and the process of healing, and regaining and maintaining health. Q: What are some of the best ways to preserve my garden herbs? A: At the height of summer when plants seem to grow a foot a day, it’s hard to keep up with the harvest. Drying is a great option, but sometimes there isn’t space or time for this. What to do? There are several ways to preserve herbs at their peak freshness using your freezer – these time-savers are easy ways to put up a winter’s worth of herbs. Freeze Herbs Whole: Herbs on woody stems, such as rosemary, sage, thyme, and bay can be frozen on the stem inside a FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

baggie overnight, then rubbed to remove the leaves from the stems. Store in the freezer until you’re ready to use them. Preserve Leaves in Oil: Freeze olive oil and a pinch of chopped savory herbs per cube in an ice cube tray. Add cubes to flavor soups and stews or other recipes that call for a little olive oil and fresh, flavorful herbs. Blend an Herbal Paste: Soft-leaved herbs such as basil, parsley, mint, oregano, marjoram, chives, cilantro, dill, and lemon balm are ideally suited for herbal pastes, created by blending the leaves in a food processor with enough olive oil to make a paste. Store it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or freeze it for later use – either on ice cube trays or by spreading it onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, scoring the paste into squares that will be easy to break apart once it’s frozen. Store frozen cubes or squares in labeled zip top baggies or airtight containers.ol from fresh petals.

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10 ways to help make your community a better place by: Taylor Searcy Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

the world would be a better place. Since most of us got into homesteading to be a bigger part of our community, it should come easy to us. Here’s how you can help in your community:

Meaning, we can live life doing everything for ourselves, but there is no greater gift then to Introduce yourself. Get to give. know people that live around you. Nothing is better then an I believe if we all gave a old fashion block party! The little, the outcome would be key to community is actually remarkable. Community is surrounding each other and defined as fellowship with socializing. Making new friends others whom share the same and to encircle each other with outlooks, goals, and attitude. support. If we all took part of the community that surrounds us

Be Brave & Social

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Volunteer

If we all gave a little of our time to help others in need, we would see a big difference in our communities as well as the world in general. Volunteer at a local animal shelter or thrift store. Offer to help with a local business or contribute to your nearest farmer’s market. Anything counts.

A Clean Community is a happy one

I dare you to take a leisurely walk around your neighborhood and pick up trash. Keeping a clean community can make all the difference in people’s personal moods and overall outlooks. And don’t forget, recycling can help the planet stay clean along with your surroundings.

everyone together, which then leads to a more unified community.

Go Organic

Not necessarily meaning organic food, but your entire lifestyle. If we took time away from technology and truly spent time with one another, there will be a more honest and genuine feel in the community. By all means eat organic too. Buying local foods would even help support local families, which goes a long way toward supporting your community.

Hospitality

We should each start our mornings in a positive outlook and continue to pass on our kindness and warmth throughout the day. It’s as simple as opening a door for someone, waving hello, and being thankful. These generous Organizing an activity where everyone can succeed together favors will be later passed on, leading to a happy community. would be an ultimate benefit to the entire said population. Putting together a walk-a-thon, neighborhood yard sale or a Conserving energy and family fun day would bring

Be a Leader

Conserve

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resources is an investment in your community’s long term health. Turn lights off, take shorter showers and use cold water to clean. These simple steps will help conserve energy and lower costly bills!

Create a Sanctuary

Create or find a place where everyone can go to socialize with each other, like a neighborhood park, a pond or a community center. A place to bond or share memories will result in true friendships and a great gathering place.

Safety Doesn’t Take a Holiday

A safe community is a confident community. Organize a neighborhood watch group, consider security cameras and spread the word. Keeping up to date with what’s going on in your area will assure a safe, connected community.

Live

It might sound silly, but just live. Breathe, move, laugh and love. Without being our genuine selves, how could we even begin to fathom a community? We must start with ourselves and be the best we can be. Stand up for what you think is right, work on keeping a healthy lifestyle and gift others with your kindness. FROM SCRATCH MAGAZINE

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Many of these plants may already be in our cutting, cottage or food gardens, ready for double duty. This is the book that bridges the topic of plant dyes to mainstream gardeners, the folks who enjoy growing the plants as much as using them in craft projects.

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