Inspired Folks Go Organic...
Wed, 2007-09-05 08:40
#1
Inspired Folks Go Organic...
Wed, 2007-09-05 08:40
#2
A decent read.
The problem I always have with ag journalism, and especially when the article is about urbanistas converting themselves to farmers is that the deadly difficult work is never fully covered, not in any kind of realistic detail. The organic movement has apparently led people to believe that organic farming, or any kind of farming, is some job you can just plug yourself into. This could not be any farther from the truth, and in fact clouds the bigger issues with simplistic Organic Good vs mass market, old guard Bad.
The fact that it's mostly professional urban people taking a stab at organic farming disturbs me, on various levels, including pointing the finger at myself. I encourage people to become familiar with growing food, but please, please, don't apply your backyard garden to the real world, the big field. Don't have outside sources of income to supplement your farming project and expect full time farmers to follow your idealistic lead. Because this is lifelong learning. Without a realistic base of skills I suspect many of these re-born naturalists will lose interest, or get bogged down by the dirty reality. Or they'll just become ######\unrealistic agricultural culturalists\writers. And there are more than enough of those trend humpers to suit me.
Grant Robertson of the NFU wrote a nice piece about family farms, farm learning, and the future of farming recently. I don't have this article on tap but it was a good one.
I think it was Digiteyes who called me out for giving the gears to urban people and organic\local food proponents. DE said that it was urbanites who were pushing the food issues forward. I've been growing local food for a long time, usually it was given away for free, and it's only now that people are asking for it and are willing to pay for good produce. See the difference?
Wed, 2007-09-05 08:45
#3
Frustrated Mess
Do you mean this one: [url=http://www.am920.ca/newsfarm.php?artID=21160]http://www.am920.ca/newsfar...
Wed, 2007-09-05 14:58
#4
Digiteyes
Where is Grant these days? He used to post here.
Yup, I agree with everything in his article, and FarmPunk, I wouldn't begin to disagree with you about the amount of work it is running a farm, and how my lowly 20x20 veggie garden just doesn't scale up to an operation the size you're running.
But I think that this summer we've hit some sort of tipping point or critical mass or whatever jargon you want to apply... more people are thinking about eating local food, and buying local food. Heck, we've got a handful of restaurants in Toronto now that are staking their claim to serving local food... there's an Italian food chain (Il Fornello) and Eggplant (King St. E) is switching name and vision, and there used to be a fancy resto on Bloor called Habitat (hmm. think that was the name).
What do you think, FarmPunk? Do you think that costs are likely to come down a bit from the level they are now, if more people support the local movement? Or are current prices an accurate reflection of costs that are likely to remain pretty steady, because there are no economies of scale to be achieved (if more were to buy in to the movement).
And hey, sweetie: I'll never give you the gears. You just were surprised at what we're paying for "naturally"-raised chickens downtown. :-D
Wed, 2007-09-05 16:43
#5
One of the things I read somewhere(tm) is that "subsistence farming" using permaculture principles is going to be the way of the future as opposed to large-scale, monoculture farming.
Unfortunately, I don't know enough about it to be able to reproduce the argument coherently, and I can't remember where I read it! But I thought I'd bring that up, because when I read Farmpunk's post here, I thought, that makes sense that it's not the same sort of agriculture, but then, proponents of gardening for food don't necessarily think it should be, right?
Wed, 2007-09-05 17:12
#6
quote:
Originally posted by Digiteyes:
[b]Where is Grant these days? He used to post here.[/b]
I'm going to send a link to Grant - knowing him he will laugh at being mentioned in a thread. Told him I was on babble earlier this summer (thanks to farmpunk actually) and he said he missed it, but knows if he starts posting he will just sit in front of the computer all the time. Too much fun he said and too much stuff going on to risk addiction. I've had my issues with him from him from time to time. Politics stuff really, and in the end I ended up realizing he was right. But I am sure glad the NFU snagged him away from partisan politics.
Anyway, I have the pleasure of hearing the radio version of those commentaries on my local radio station. His daughter is sure a chip off the old block. Expect to see her running for office some day! Grant might not be an NDP candidate anymore, but he is a strong voice for progressive farm and rural policies. Knowing him for so long I expect he will go back (he is always very coy when asked for instance), in fact his recent battles with the Minister of Agriculture probably had him wishing he was back in now.
Grant is now the head of the National Farmers Union in Ontario and we won't give him up- the NFU has never gotten so much attention. One major thing Grant has spear-headed,(besides the commentaries) that should have gotten more media coverage, was launching a complaint, on behalf of the NFU, with the Ombudsman alleging that the Ministry of Agriculture has violated the public trust in terms of the way they have developed and enacted policy. If the Ombudsman has the courage to take the issues on, the light shed on the development of food policy in Ontario might cause real change and upset a lot of Ontario urban voters- the rural ones are already pissed off!
Grant is also one of the few quota holding organic chicken farmers in the province (unlike me who just sells and hopes for the best). Last I heard he and his partner are expanding to keep up with demand.
Probably more than you wanted to know, but I spent some time today expounding on Huron-Bruce politic so he was in my thoughts. Now that would make him howl with laughter.
Wed, 2007-09-05 21:10
#7
Digiteyes
Thanks so much for the information. With reference to what I've quoted below, can you enlighten us about the negative developments in food policy? If enough voters get pissed off, maybe we can force change.
quote:
Originally posted by Life, the universe, everything:
[b]If the Ombudsman has the courage to take the issues on, the light shed on the development of food policy in Ontario might cause real change and upset a lot of Ontario urban voters- the rural ones are already pissed off!
[/b]
Wed, 2007-09-05 21:19
#8
I had a small plot in the backyard this summer, and it's hard work maintaining even that. I made a lot of mistakes with everything from locating the plot directly over soil depleting tree roots to not watering enough to using nitrogenous fertilizer on beans which don't require it.
FarmPunk, what if there were more trucks and rail service to transport Southern Ontario produce north and east on a regular ?. Warehouses and winter storage depots ?. Just sayin.
Wed, 2007-09-05 21:27
#9
Pogo
quote:
Originally posted by Michelle:
[b]One of the things I read somewhere(tm) is that "subsistence farming" using permaculture principles is going to be the way of the future as opposed to large-scale, monoculture farming.
[/b]
We met with the Ministry of Agriculture to make a pitch for urban agriculture and found out even if wanted to fund us the ministry doesn't have any programs whatsoever dealing with urban agriculture.
I agree that the skill, work and financing of farming is undervalued. Doing it in an urban setting is also undervalued.
Thu, 2007-09-06 03:53
#10
Wait a minute, Pogo... Funding for urban farming projects?? There isn't even funding for rural farming projects, my friend. There is no greater food plan in place. I suspect Grant Robertson could enlighten you to this, as could any leader of any farming related produce board.
Not trying to ruffle feathers, but that's a good example of what I meant in my first post.
Digiteyes, those prices still shock me. I found a certified organic farm that is selling whole chickens for 3.50\pound. I believe the price you quoted me was 14\kilo? My birds will likely settle at 3.00\pound but I could probably charge my urban customers (right now just my friends) around 4 and they wouldn't complain.
Fidel, why there isn't a strong food transit\storage system or capacity is completely beyond my ability to imagine. There are seasonal products that can be easily grown and then stored for extended periods of time. Cabbage, squash, onions... Freeze dried veggies, dehydrated veggies, the list goes on and on... You got me. I'm just a farm punk trying to make my way in a mean world.
Anyone hear that there is now certified organic beer availible? Going to have to try that #### out.
Thu, 2007-09-06 06:37
#11
quote:
Anyone hear that there is now certified organic beer availible? Going to have to try that #### out.
I know that the Nelson, BC brewery has a certified organic label on their beer. I'm not sure who certifies it or what the rules are, but they make some pretty good beer.
Thu, 2007-09-06 07:14
#12
Pogo
quote:
Originally posted by Farmpunk:
[b]Wait a minute, Pogo... Funding for urban farming projects?? There isn't even funding for rural farming projects, my friend.[/b]
Well find out that there was a Rural Secretartiate but not an urban one. The fact was that there was no acknowledgement that urban agriculture exists at the federal government level.
Thu, 2007-09-06 08:13
#13
Urban agriculture is an oxymoron in a setting like the GTA. Or maybe I'm too big a fan of Wendell Berry. Or maybe I'm just getting pissy at the very concept. In fact, I wouldn't have been surprised to hear that urban farming projects recieved funding. I'm sure if enough urbanites lobbied for money, they'd get it, because the votes would be there. Meanwhile...
I assume there are gardens, flowers, natural city-scapers, flower tuners, funded by the local gov, if not the provincial. Just a guess. Another guess would be that there is no money availible for urban food projects. Welcome to agriculture, my friend.
I would really enjoy meeting someone from the department of Rural Affairs sometime, federal or provincial. I think it would be great fun.
Thu, 2007-09-06 08:18
#14
Life: "One major thing Grant has spear-headed,(besides the commentaries) that should have gotten more media coverage, was launching a complaint, on behalf of the NFU, with the Ombudsman alleging that the Ministry of Agriculture has violated the public trust in terms of the way they have developed and enacted policy."
Anyone think this is odd in the context of what we're talking about? Thanks for reminding me, Life.
Thu, 2007-09-06 08:43
#15
Farmpunk
How so? You mean that it wasn't covered or that it is an odd thing to allege?
digiteyes Tried to find an online source, seems the NFU website has gone out of date over the summer.
Thu, 2007-09-06 08:58
#16
Pogo
We were not asking for money, we were just asking for a committment to not build highrises on a plot of ALR land.
The Greater Vancouver Regional District has 16% of its land within the ALR. Urban agriculture is already occuring here. The questions are about what kind of agriculture. The traditional view is that of backyards to cows (declining densities until finally low density lots back onto farmland). However with the increased densities of cities this is being called into question. Patrick Condon, a professor of landscape agriculture at the University of British Columbia, suggests a more mixed approach of high rises and small acreage market gardens.
In an urban setting small acreages can be quite lucrative. In Richmond we have a number of farms that are have been making a living for generations serving the local market.
Yes it is the flavour of the week, but good thing it is. In Richmond the Fruit Tree Sharing Project has found that in the last decade over 50% of the fruit trees have disappeared to development. The disconnect between consumer and product has never been greater. Encouraging urban dwellers to take responsibility for part of their food production is clearly a good thing.
Thu, 2007-09-06 09:18
#17
Pogo, I'm having more of a philosophical problem with what you're saying. Playing devil's advocate. But I thought that the urban world was supposed to be about density, using up availible space, so that sprawl does not happen. In a sense, an acre of urban land is better used for housing-hospitals-businesses-whatever, and the land immediately surrounding the urban landscape, the hinterland, the rural land, would supply the food and maintain the natural ecosystems. Of course, that doesn't happen, often because of the current state of farming and gov policy.
I would be immensely pissed off if urban ag recieved more press and funding and respect than the people currently attempting to make a go of farming not two hours from the GTA.
Life, sorry, I didn't make myself clear. The irony of discussing urban ag, or newbie farmers, in the context of the Ontario NFU's complaint is gallows humour. A nasty redneck laughing that the urban crowd is just now figuring this stuff out: Hey! Not fair! The current department of Ag and rural affairs in Ontario is an embarassment, and they set policy. Complaining about urban projects\land useage (no disrespect intended, Pogo, because it is a good idea in the end, as you say), or newbie farmers going back to the land wondering why there are few or poor resources for new farmers, as in the rabble article, is an old story to the farming community. And yes, that NFU complaint was under-reported. I suspect it's simply not newsworthy to most Ontarians.
For some odd reason this entire issue reminds me of the city folk who want dogs as pets, then complain about not having the room to let them roam in the city. Try turning a dog park into a field of veggies and see how far that goes.
Good conversation, regardless.
[ 06 September 2007: Message edited by: Farmpunk ]
Thu, 2007-09-06 11:12
#18
Pogo
quote:
Originally posted by Farmpunk:
[b]Pogo, I'm having more of a philosophical problem with what you're saying. Playing devil's advocate. But I thought that the urban world was supposed to be about density, using up availible space, so that sprawl does not happen. In a sense, an acre of urban land is better used for housing-hospitals-businesses-whatever, and the land immediately surrounding the urban landscape, the hinterland, the rural land, would supply the food and maintain the natural ecosystems.[ 06 September 2007: Message edited by: Farmpunk ][/b]
Yes here is where we do go our seperate ways. I believe that the best use for farmland is farming, particularly in an urban setting. An urban setting while having more costs (the opportunity cost being just one) also provides a number of unique benefits.
Multi-cultural settings like Vancouver provide an opportunity to share knowledge and practices. Educational and apprenticeship programs provide an opportunity to attract young people to the profession. Small acreages allow for specialization based on local demand. Local sales reduce supply chain costs which increase value available to producer. Local agriculture along with management of the urban forest provides benefits to the local environment from air quality to supporting species**. Of course the less goods travel the smaller the footprint (this is a debateable point).
**In Richmond we have a problem with people releasing their pet rabbits onto farmland. I heard a rumour that one solution was that they had a couple of coyotes that were trapped elsewhere in the city released onto the land. I don't know if it was the coyotes or the hawks, but I sure see fewer bunnies when I drive by.
Thu, 2007-09-06 12:10
#19
Fair points, Pogo. Somewhat linked to G Robertson's op piece and the lack of farmers and farm kids leaving the game because of a lack of opprotunity and recognition of their inherent value. There were no ag programs in my rural grade or high schools, and the farm kids (of which there were very few to start with) were belittled. Luckily I had football and earned some of that respect back with organized violence. A nice outlet.
Heh, we have a solution to rabbits in the country... A nice addition to the meat eater's diet. Maybe not certified organic, but definitely naturally raised...
Thu, 2007-09-06 14:21
#20
Pogo
quote:
Originally posted by Farmpunk:
[b]I would be immensely pissed off if urban ag recieved more press and funding and respect than the people currently attempting to make a go of farming not two hours from the GTA.
[ 06 September 2007: Message edited by: Farmpunk ][/b]
One thing about the 100 Mile Diet is that 100 miles includes a big area. For Vancouver that takes in a big chunk of Vancouver Island, down to around Seattle, out to Hope and up to Pemberton. Buying local also means buying from farms surrounding your community.
One of the frustrating things I have noticed is that labelling can be so deceptive. I picked up a bag of cherry tomatoes and saw on the label "BC Produce" (or something like that), underneath it then says "Product of Mexico".
Thu, 2007-09-06 16:18
#21
Here's another thing you can do, lobby federal politicians to get rid of the Product of Canada designation. All it means is the at least 51% of the processing needs to take place here.
Farmpunk, no prob. Figured you would be onside, but you never know.
Fri, 2007-09-07 09:33
#22
quote:
Originally posted by Pogo:
[b]One of the frustrating things I have noticed is that labelling can be so deceptive. I picked up a bag of cherry tomatoes and saw on the label "BC Produce" (or something like that), underneath it then says "Product of Mexico".[/b]
Can you check that out for sure? I hear there are pretty steep fines for false labeling like that. Unless the package was made in Mexico and the produce is from BC. My guess is you got the inverse. It said BC Produce and Made in Mexico for the package. That, I would guess, is technically legal, but I don't the other is.
Fri, 2007-09-07 10:13
#23
quote:
Originally posted by Farmpunk:
[b]Wait a minute, Pogo... Funding for urban farming projects?? There isn't even funding for rural farming projects, my friend.
[/b]
Where are you farming FarmPunk? I've heard that New Brunswick is putting together a organic farm funding programme. I'm not sure of the specifics, but I could find out for you if you're interested.
Fri, 2007-09-07 10:19
#24
Pogo
Okay I checked. The big and colourful label is "BC Hothouse" and small print (relatively) says "Product of Mexico".
I had a 100 mile barbeque this summer and had my eyes opened on a number of issues. It is though encouraging that more and more markets are including origin with the product information.
I am not totally sold on the 100 mile rule though. I think that the footprint of staples like flour in particular would be greater if we insisted that it was grown within 100 miles of any urban centre.
Fri, 2007-09-07 10:28
#25
Pogo: I don't think the 100-mile diet is supposed to be followed with radical zeal. In a story I saw on CBC news a few nights ago, the founders of the movement said basically things like: 'you can't eat a Mars bar on the 100-mile diet'. Most processed foods you couldn't get from the 100-mile diet. So it's considered more of a lifestyle that you try and incorporate.
Fri, 2007-09-07 10:40
#26
Pogo
I know of a number of people who are actively searching out local grain production, so while I agree with your point that 100 miles shouldn't be taken as a hard and fast rule there are many who do just that.
Fri, 2007-09-07 15:33
#27
I am in SW Ontario. This is significant because I live in the the most densely populated area of Canada, spread over a potential 100 miles. If that diet, or lifestyle, doesn't work for me or Life or Grant Robertson then it will not work anywhere else in Canada. Most people, longest growing seasons, arguably the best soil, right here. The most arable land.
That said, I never tell people what to eat. I try not to preach. I will give info and opinion but this cannot be legislated or enforced. Food cannot be changed top down, for the most part. I bitch about ministry buttheads and useless bureaucrats for sure, but unless the populace at large embraces a fairly simple change to their diet\lifestyle\eating habits then local food, organic food, seasonal eating, will just be another fad in a long line.
I would guess that for most of urban Canada a 100 mile diet is unrealistic. It's more of a US trend, because they have a much better climate overall than we do. And more people, a lot more, to sustain local ag.
There are no easy answers here. My biggest problems lie locally, in the end. SW Ontario can be extremely productive and beneficial to Ontarians. Too bad we're paving over and urbanizing most of the land at a rapid pace. Once lost to urbanism the land will not recover, will not be re-claimed without a stunning effort. Similarly, who controls the land controls the local food supply. As I've said in other threads: would you as a consumer rather have a couple thousand Grant Robertsons or LifeUniverses or Farmpunks, or several hundred conglomerates or massive land owners who control the land? It's a choice that will have to be made very soon in Ontario. I can't speak for other parts of the country simply because there is more than enough on my plate right now in my local sphere, my 100 miles of influence, to keep me busy for basically the rest of my life. A farmer worries about the future as much as the present. If there's no one to even replace me, as flawed as I am as a farmer, then what happens once I'm gone? And I'm considered a young farmer.
Not sure that answers anything.
Fri, 2007-09-07 19:03
#28
What do you know this still works.
Wow long time away.
(Thanks Mr Adams) (Oh and seeing an update of my life is just creepy) And Hi Digiteyes and everyone else.
Okay this is just weird but I will try to ignore the references and just speak to the issues.
Where to start, hmmm
While adhering to, or at least trying to adhere to a 100 mile diet is admirable, it was not always possible or even desirable, even in times past. Try as I might, I will never be able to grow some of the crops grown with ease in the Leamington area for example, even if I greenhouse them. (Huge energy use in a Bruce County winter in nothing else) I've spoken with some of the originators of the 100 mile diet and while they were very strict they aren't with others. What it is really valuable for is as a tool to help understand what has happened to our food system. To begin to see the connections between the choices we make, the planet we inhabit and the future we create. To understand that both consumers and farmers are not being particularly well served by an industrialized food system dependent on less and less people not attached to local communities. By all means buy local, because you will get better freshness, better taste and a better environmental footprint among many things but food should be loved, enjoyed and shared, so if something comes from a 103 miles or from a Quebec cheese maker it is not the worse thing anyone has done that day. I still like to have banana’s so thee with out sin cast the first stone. What is troubling is the mockery agri-business has made of measures meant to help promote a more localized product. There is the famous New Zealand vs English lamb study that has holes a mile wide in it, but used all the time by agri-business apologists. Then of course there is the bane of a lot of farmers the product of Canada crap.
On the larger issues. Urban agriculture is a good thing, but to be honest it can only help to supplement larger food production. To me a more important thing might be to help people relearn the lost art of canning, preserving, cold storage and yes even freezing. We take excess tomatoes for example, pour boiling water over them, skin them, stuff them in a jar with a bunch of herbs and spices, put the lid on tight and boil the snot out of them to seal the jar and voila on a cold winter’s day you have an instant tasty addition to almost any dish for next to no cost.
I think I'll stop there –less is more. I could go on and on about the problems with government and agriculture and, well lets be honest, how all parties have really dropped the ball right across the nation, but I am pretty sure no one wants to read a 45 paragraph missive from me on my first post in ages and ages. Or ever for that matter!
Sat, 2007-09-08 04:26
#29
Yay, Bookish Agrarian! So nice to see you!
Sat, 2007-09-08 14:42
#30
Hi yourself Michelle
Hope you have been well
Funny thing. I used to lament that I had the ability to absolutely kill and interesting thread just by posting in it. All this time later, and boom, no change! [img]biggrin.gif" border="0[/img]
Sun, 2007-09-09 04:24
#31
Grant, you are so right about storing and preserving. That is an art that my grandmother knew and that I've never learned. Freezing is probably a lot easier, but of course it takes a lot of energy to keep an extra freezer running, so it's not nearly as environmentally-friendly as canning. I've often thought I should learn how to do canning, but the time and fresh produce? Both at a premium living a downtown Toronto life, especially mine, where I'm running back and forth to get my little one from Mississauga so often, which takes up an incredible amount of time and energy.
I like city life, but I feel very disconnected from my food and from nature and, I don't know, simplicity, I guess. I get home from work and I'm exhausted. The thought of cooking food exhausts me, much less growing and canning it. I earn a not-half-bad income, and I'm desperately struggling on it because of student loans, high rent, child support, legal costs for court stuff to do with custody and divorce, and travel costs for seeing my son. I probably wouldn't struggle so much on the same income in a smaller town or city, but the problem is, there aren't many decent-paying jobs in the smaller cities and towns. So, a catch-22.
I can see where people in the city would like the idea of growing some of their own food. I take the GO Train often, and I see some people's backyards completely converted to vegetable gardens. Actually, my backdoor neighbours have a decent-sized veggie plot in their back yard too. I'm betting that in my neighbourhood, people would have a few chickens too, if local bylaws didn't prevent it.
I can understand why. There are things you get in the city that you can't get in smaller towns or rural areas, and I feel like I couldn't live without them. But lately, I've felt quite often a real longing to be able to just go somewhere isolated, spend my days being a hermit, waking up with the sun, growing some food and getting to know some family farmers for eggs and corn, and just spending my days writing and dreaming and taking walks and photographs, and learning the art of cooking simply and preserving and canning.
Unfortunately, it's hard to pay back a $34,000 student loan, a few hundred bucks in monthly child support, and thousands of dollars in legal bills doing that. [img]wink.gif" border="0[/img]
Sun, 2007-09-09 06:14
#32
writer
Hey, Michelle - Maybe not this year, but for next year, let's work towards a canning party out at my cabin.
There are a few farmers' markets in the area, and a lot of organics to choose from.
I think this might be something that would be more fun and less overwhelming to take on as a (small) group.
What do you think?
Sun, 2007-09-09 07:35
#33
I totally agree! In fact, I keep thinking that during the rest of the year, I should have some sort of potluck or cooking party at my place for a few people every week just for people to get into cooking mode. Divide the leftovers, etc. I just never get around to it.
Anyhow, writer, I'd take love to take you up on that. Do you know how to do canning and making jams and stuff? My mother says she knows how to make jams and jellies (although she never does) but canning intimidates her because she's afraid of botulism.
Sun, 2007-09-09 07:42
#34
writer
I'll double-check, but I think someone I know at Naivelt has canned for years. She'd probably love to have some help doing it at this point.
And, of course, we can spend from now till then researching.
Sun, 2007-09-09 07:45
#35
Sounds good to me!
In the meantime, I never have anything in my freezer now that I don't buy meat anymore, except for a few boxes of tea that I never drink. I wonder if I should try my hand at freezing stuff. I have no idea whether special preparation is necessary when you freeze stuff, or if it's okay to just throw it in a ziploc and toss it in the freezer.
One thing I miss about living in Kingston is the short drive to the rural area veggie stands. I know we have farmer's markets in Toronto, but they're really expensive. I'd rather buy stuff that's not-quite-organic from Farmpunk at a roadside stand for a reasonable price.
[ 09 September 2007: Message edited by: Michelle ]
Sun, 2007-09-09 07:59
#36
Some things (peas, corn) can just be thrown into the freezer well-sealed in freezer bags (or ice cream containers or that sort of thing.) Others -- green beans, asparagus, for example -- should be slightly cooked and cooled before freezing.
I do a lot of pickling and preserving. This year, I've made dill pickles from small cucumbers and another pickle called Lady Ashburnham's -- a delicious mustard-style relish (cucumber, onion, red and green pepper).
We made both strawberry/rhubarb jam and strawberry jelly when they were in season. Later, we will make grape jelly and peach jam/conserve/whatever. (We have grape vines and a peach tree -- in downtown Halifax!)
I try to add something new to the repertoire each year. I also do a ripe tomato relish and a green tomato pickle -- old-fashioned chow-chow.
Well, what can I say? The aroma of vinegar and pickling spices wafting throughout the house is irresistible at this time of year.
Sun, 2007-09-09 08:09
#37
writer
For a couple of years more, there will be farms in the Brampton area. Then, there will be houses.
I wonder what future generations will think of what we've done to some of the country's best farmland through sprawl.
Well, and what we've done as a result of bad farming techniques: [url=http://www.heritagefdn.on.ca/userfiles/HTML/nts_1_5278_1.html]Cheltenham Badlands[/url].
Sun, 2007-09-09 08:10
#38
writer
Sharon, will you be our canning guru?
Sun, 2007-09-09 08:38
#39
Yes, I would be honoured. It is one of my favourite domestic things to do -- and although it's a careful and exact science, there is some creativity involved also.
I'll report back on the peach and grape projects, yet to come. [img]smile.gif" border="0[/img]
Sun, 2007-09-09 11:36
#40
I would never get in the way of cooks in the kitchen but here is a little tip for veggies.
Corn - blanch cobs, spread out on a cookie tray -freeze, bag later.
Corn- blanch cobs, it keeps better, cut the cobs like you were doing it for a child or denture wearer. Spread out on cookie tray, freeze, bag later.
For most other vegetables basically blanch, spread, freeze, bag.
The spreading on the tray is a key, unless you are making single meal bags. When they are spread out you can take them off with a cookie flipper and they are then in the bag the same as store bought frozen vegetables.
Tomatoes, put them in a good big bowl, pour boiling water over them, strain off the water quickly, peel off the skins, toss the 'meat' into an ice cream, or yogurt type container, when you want the taste of tomatoes, dump them in, give them some extra boiling time if needed, add spices and herbs to your hearts delight and you have a delicate, tasty addition to your meal.
A lot of preserving and canning is not as hard as you might think and doing it together - you will need several bottles of wine I should think - turns food preparation into enjoyment which is what it should be. We hand out recipes and serving suggestions at our market along with cooking instructions for our organic meat. I have a sneaking suspicion that we get more customers because of this than for the actual quality of our products, although they are high quality.
This proud papa has to brag that my oldest daughter won the best jam and best cookies competition at the local fair. She also made zesty zucchini pickles this year for the market and sold out. Both Ms BA and I have a lot of fun passing on these things to our kids. This was the first year our son made pickles too, and he was so excited when he actually had a customer come to tell him how good they were. He will want to do it again.
In our extended family we often give food as a gift. The best gift we ever got was when our oldest daughter was born and instead of giving a bunch of blankets and stuff some friends and family filled up the freezer with home-prepared frozen meals.
We have reduced food to a mere consumer item with no other value. Yet as obvious as it sounds food is the very essence of life and we should celebrate and enjoy it; its preparation, its consumption. Not that I don't ever use them, but the drive thru is the sign of the coming apocalypse in my mind.
If you do something with a canning party let me know. I would be happy to share my recipe for tomatilla salsa.
Sun, 2007-09-09 17:58
#41
Thank you, Sharon and BA! This is great!
BA, do you mean you can freeze corn right on the cob? So that you can actually make corn on the cob in the middle of winter!? Does it taste the same?
Oh man, I just love corn on the cob, and so does my little one. We just had some today for lunch.
Sun, 2007-09-09 18:17
#42
Well it doesn't taste as good. Nothing tastes as good as fresh cob on the corn in my humble opinion - with the possible exception of the Scottish elixir of life.
So no not quite as good, but you can add spices, roast it on a grill if you have one, slathering in butter if you use it - (by the way don't use anything else but butter on corn on the cob. Not being anti-vegetarian; we eat a lot of vetertarian meals too. It is just that something other than butter on corn comes close to a mortal sin in the eyes of the corn god I am convinced and I would hate to see you tassled.)
Anyhoo - where was I, or yes fantiziting about corn - it doesn't taste as good, but it isn't as bad as eating say brussel sprouts at the best of times.
Another thing you can try - if you have the right light conditions is growing tomatoes indoor during the winter. I am not sure that modern varities would work as well, they are not as tough, but some of the old heritage seed varities work not too bad. We did it last year in the bathroom - warm, sunny south window, humid and we had fresh off the vine tomatoes in February. You can do the same thing with strawberries and salad greens I hear too.
Mon, 2007-09-10 04:39
#43
I'm with BA about canning and preserving. It is a completely ignored if not a lost art. My grandmother used to make jellies, jams, all kinds of different treats and I can still taste them. Of course, she used to cook for the harvest help plus her large family and she was an expert. When she passed away, at her funeral, most of the people who worked on the farm in the past always commented on how they remembered her apple pie. She's passed the recipe down to my mom and now I would put up my Mom's pies with anyone else's. If you want to see country people get into a heated argument, forget politics, religion, or business and say that you or your Mom (or Dad) makes the best pie. Fists will fly.
My Mom and I stew tomatoes. It's a very simple recipe and I should get the ingredient list. The key factor in any canning adventure is, I think, the pan you use to boil the mix. Lee Valley sells something called a Maslin Pan, which is excellent for doing most canning. I've made jam with it, stewed tomatoes, chili sauce, hot sauce, pepper jelly, and on and on.
Anyone had any luck with using the lower sugar certo when making jam? Mine would never jell, and I'd be left with more of a liquid spread.
I don't put anything on my sweet corn except salt and pepper. Butter or margarine messes with the flavour. If it's good and fresh you don't need butter.
Good to see you posting, BA.
Mon, 2007-09-10 07:25
#44
More urban farming (in NY Magazine): [url=http://nymag.com/restaurants/features/37273/]An Experiment in Brooklyn-Style Subsistence Farming[/url]
quote:
The “locavore” movement says we should only eat what is grown within a few miles of where we live. How about a few feet? An experiment in Brooklyn-style subsistence farming, starring smelly chickens, an angry rabbit, a freak tornado, a vegetable garden to die for, two psyched kids, and a marriage in the weeds.
Fri, 2008-03-28 07:48
#45
"Number of organic farms climbing: Statscan"
[url=http://tinyurl.com/2g3ng3]http://tinyurl.com/2g3ng3[/url]
quote:
The number of organic farms in Canada increased by almost 60 per cent in five years and continues growing, though they still fill only a tiny part of the food supply, Statistics Canada says.The agency reported Friday that Canada had 3,555 farms offering certified organic products in 2006 — largely grain, oilseeds and hay — up from 2,230 in 2001.
Another 640 farms were in transition, and 11,937 were producing food described as organic but not formally certified, largely meat ...