Michigan

[sarah92480]

Ugh I can't even keep up...one day and there's so many posts!! I'll try to read up tomorrow night. Goodnight everybody.

 

[Juise]

Quote:

The problem though, is that big Farma, is producing so much that even though there are many that go hungry in this country [as well as other industrialized nations], we are also providing so much food that as a nation, we are "obese".

But we do still need big Farma - there are hungry peoples who can not do what so many of us are lucky enough to do. They don't have the tools, education or resources to raise their own.

While I don't disagree with most of what you said, I think there is more to it than that. People aren't getting obese because there is so much food. People are getting obese because they eat so much bad food. As things stand in America, the poorer you are, the more likely you are to be obese. So I don't think extra money to spend on lots of food is the problem here. The problem is the food itself that people are eating.

As far as needing Big Farma goes, I am personally not arguing against the need to have farms outside your average kitchen garden, not at all. My discrepancy is with some of the practices in place.

I would like to point out, too, that here in the good old U.S. of A., we are destroying a whole lot of crops to increase demand and value. A lot of food. Yes, while people starve.

You really don't need a lot of land to grow enough for your own use. You can grow a lot of stuff in pots, even potatoes in a garbage can. Some people call it square foot gardening. You can also compost in a 5 gallon bucket to improve your soils.
There was an article recently in the Detroit paper about people in the city turning vacant lots into gardens. Technically most of the people are doing it illegally. Same goes for keeping chickens or rabbits.

I think this year I just might plant a row or 2 of sweet corn right along the property line of the crabby neigbhor, just to challenge the "weed" ordinance.

It is amazing what you can grow in a little. Don't forget vertical farming as well! My brother lives in Ferndale, near Detroit, and participates in some illegal community gardening in a vacant lot. I think it's awesome.

We grew corn for the first time last year, it was soooooo good. If you do plant some, we had a great experience trying out the "Three Sisters" garden. You plant your corn with crawling squashes in between, and a little later, (I think 2 weeks or so? I would have to check to be sure...) you plant climbing beans around your corn. The beans fix nitrogen in their roots for next years nitrogen hungry corn, and the vines also help to support the corn stalks. The squash help shade the roots, hold moisture in, and block weeds. Ours were just out our livingroom window, and it was so pretty.

Cause, uh... you're a sucker for pretty things... right?

Quote:

Well, ya'll hear what the mayor of Detroit did? He sold adjoining vagrant lots to residents for $200 to do as they wished. A lot of people are using those vacant lots for gardens, as RaZ said. I think its wonderful.

Quote:

My family thinks I'm just making it harder on myself than it needs to be.

You guys make me so grateful to have a family that supports practically everything we do!

Quote:

Yeah~ If you would like to learn together, just send me a personal message! Nancy

If it doesn't end up being too much, I am also very interested in canning. If you all end up with too many people, I am fine stepping out, though.

 

[Mom 2em All]

It seems to be really easy to say the consumer should grow their own, and farm their own, etc..stop shopping at hypocritical grocery and big box stores..etc..but do you realize where I live....

its illegal to own breeding rabbits
its illegal to own chickens
its illegal to own beef, pig, etc
a small lot isnt big enough to garden a large family size amount of food...in fact, gardening is probably illegal here- i would have to check.
I know you cant use your front yard to grow anything..
you cant garden in detroit- they were handing people tickets for this last year- the ones that were trying to make use of their lots ,,I didnt pay much attention to it- just saw something on the news. Im sure not ALL gardening is illegal, but my memory fails me on why they were so against the person I saw on the news who was growing vegetables.
Heck RaZ was told he couldnt even have a small pond in his yard.

There are three grocery stores here in a two mile radius, and countless fast food places.

It costs more to purchase healthy food. When you are not on government assistance and trying to feed a family of five, three of which are teenagers- it costs ALOT.

So the road to Hell may be paved with good intentions- but it is very impractical to do the right thing, and many people simply do not have the resources or the ability or the capability.

 

[Ferrret]

I just checked out Tropic Cove's facebook page and it appears that they do take in some birds that can no longer be cared for by their owners. The scarlet macaws, it seems, they hatched on their own, they even posted a few pictures of the babies.
I hope they can find good homes for all the birds they have.

 

[Mom 2em All]

Good Morning ALl...

I need my coffee pot to HURRY UP!

I have to leave here in a few minutes to take my daughter to her ACT test. Im freezing. I cant wait until it warms up a little. I hate the mornings when I am just counting the minutes until the furnace comes on...

I sure hope my daughter locked up the chickens last night- hope the four week olds did okay out there.

I wonder if TODAY is the day that Silkie Mama will take her chicks off the nest. Yesterday, I put a pile of feed right in front of her on the nest- worried about the babies.

OLIVE- I have four baby rabbits here that a landscaping company brought to me. Want me to make a rabbit-chain and get them transported to you? I HATE trying to rehab rabbits. I was set to refuse them. In fact, I DID refuse them. But the guy said, "if you dont take them, I am just going to throw them out in the yard. " Their eyes and ears arent open yet.
I am going to try desperately to get them into another rehabbers today.

Last night really stunk at work. Some days, I am the Euthanasia Queen...Im pretty sure there is a special place in Hell for someone who euthanizes as many as I do. Real heart breaker night...even a bunny who met its fate with a weedwacker...I couldnt even try to save that one. Some days are worse than others, and last night was bad. Many people said goodbye to their old companions.

Makes me hug my own dog tight.
Unless the rain stops me, I am going to take pictures of my banties and rest of the chickens...and of the Uggos and Showgirls that are in the house. When I post pictures of the banties, you are all going to fall in love and ask me for trios. And I will oblige. I counted over fifty chickens here- remember that I am not supposed to have any? Lol....so, feel free to pick your chickens and I will bring them to Chickenstock or make a chicken train and get them to you sooner...

Chickmate...I KNOW you want some of these Serama mixes..that are so adorable, they squeak...

 

[NovaAman]

Quote:
And this is where we don't bite the hands that do their best to feed America. I was talking to my kids dad about this stuff last night, and he said to me that he prefers to just go in the store, and buy whats in his budget for that week. Sure, he'd like to buy the healthier stuff, (organic) but is just fine buying the cheaper produce. He figures its better than boxed meals. He also says, that he does not want to grow his own food. Does not want to raise his own meat. He doesn't mind coming here and enjoying what I grow and the eggs. Even enjoyed last years excess roosters. But he WILL NOT do it himself, doesn't want to learn, has no desire to learn when he can just go to the store.

As for govt aassistance, here in Holland, our farmers market now accepts EBT. How cool is that? A lot of people do not know that, but the word is getting out. It started out with a WIC program, and has progressed. The thinking being that if persons receiving food assistance had access to the Farmers Market, then better choices in food would be made. And this in turn supports local farmers/agriculture. I love the farmers market. I figure what ever I am not willing to try my hand at yet, I can get from their stalls. I so prefer local grown food. Tastes better than food shipped from Mexico/California. AND, I will not eat anything shipped from CA now.

And Mom... Stop bragging about your Illegal Activities! LOL. I think though, I'd probably be in the same boat were I you. Especially now that I have chickens and can grow food. I don't understand why its ok to grow what ever flowers or shrubs, or trees you want, but you can not grow food staples in some locations. That is just nuts. Climbing beans, they are such nice lush plants. And the flowers are really sweet. I love the purple beans... Well anyway...

Have a great day everyone. I am on to the horror of my week... The WEEKEND, when I have all 3 jobs to do in 1 day. 15 hours in my car... UGH!

 

[taprock]

Last night really stunk at work. Some days, I am the Euthanasia Queen...Im pretty sure there is a special place in Hell for someone who euthanizes as many as I do.

No that's called Angel of Mercy for little critters that are past hope and their owners can't make the call. Unfortunately that is part of being responsible for your animal - knowing when to say enough and most people are so attached they can't see it for themselves.


Here is what I found in my big coop yesterday. Mom brought her babies in for a visit. First picture you can't see so good because of the sun. In the second look at the middle top guy - he has a little mohawak! And Spot who is on the end is most certainly a roo.

 

[uchytil]

So the road to Hell may be paved with good intentions- but it is very impractical to do the right thing, and many people simply do not have the resources or the ability or the capability.

That about sums it up. All the bantering about food, shelter, and such cannot be explained in any one-size-fits-all theory. I suppose traveling around the world has helped me understand why. So, you have baby ravbbits? Must be Cottontails? I wish I lived closer, I have hundreds of them here and probably could get them reared and released. Too bad. Another example of what's probably not "practical". Well, off to check my new NH flock of 10 day olds....

 

[Opa]

I don't care what endeavor you name, there are going to be differences of opinion as to what is the best way to do it. Also there are cruel individuals in every walk of life who will do things that shock and disgust us. I don't care what topic you pick you will find something about it that offends someone. Things taking out of context or outright distortion often is used to lead people to belief that these behaviors are the norm rather than the exception. Many organizations are well know for both their deceit and their hypocrisy. All forms of media can be used to present a topic in the light the proponent wants shows whether true or not.

I welcome debate and value the opinions of others that may differ from mine, but sometimes we need to know when to let go of a subject before the debate turns into a battle. I think the debate over commercial farming has run it course and we should move on to other topics. Both sides of the argument have merit but this is a topic for which there is no clear cut answer. Commercial farming is a for profit endeavor and is done a efficiently as possible. Given the vast numbers of people who can't or won't raise their own food they fill a vital need.

So to keep everyone happy today we need to discuss important a topic that really matters. Something like would anyone really notice if I ate a small slice or two from the cakes that Hope and Granny baked for the baby shower for Hope's daughter in law.

 

[NovaAman]

No that's called Angel of Mercy for little critters that are past hope and their owners can't make the call. Unfortunately that is part of being responsible for your animal - knowing when to say enough and most people are so attached they can't see it for themselves.


Here is what I found in my big coop yesterday.  Mom brought her babies in for a visit.  First picture you can't see so good because of the sun.  In the second look at the middle top guy - he has a little mohawak!  And Spot who is on the end is most certainly a roo.

Aaaah!