Weekly Roundup - Living On Nothing Edition [Survival Today

Did you hear about the guy that lives on nothing? No seriously, he lives on zero dollars a day. Meet Daniel Suelo, who lives in a cave outside Moab, Utah. Suelo has no mortgage, no car payment, no debt of any kind. He also has no home, no car, no television, and absolutely no “creature comforts.” But he does have a lot of creatures, as in the mice and bugs that scurry about the cave floor he’s called home for the last three years.

To us, Suelo probably sounds a little extreme. Actually, he probably sounds very extreme. After all, I suspect most of you reading this are doing so under the protection of some sort of man-made shelter, and with some amount of money on your person, and probably a few needs for money, too. And who doesn’t need money unless they have completely unplugged from the grid? Still, it’s an amusing story about a guy who rejects all forms of consumerism as we know it.

How to Brew Your Own Beer and Maybe Save Some Money. A fantastic introduction to home brewing, something I’ve never done myself, but always been interested in trying. (@Generation X Finance)

Contentment: A Great Financial Principle. If I had to name one required emotion for living a frugal lifestyle it would be contentment. Once you are content with your belongings and your lot in life you can ignore forces attempting to separate you from your money. (@Personal Finance by the Book)

Use Energy Star Appliances to Save On Utility Costs. I enjoyed this post because it included actual numbers, and actual total savings, from someone who upgraded to new, energy star appliances. (@The Digerati Life)

Over-Saving for Retirement? Is it possible to “over-save” for retirement? Yes, I think so. At some point I like the idea of putting some money aside in taxable investments outside of retirement funds, to be accessed prior to traditional retirement age. (@The Simple Dollar)

40 Things to Teach My Kids Before They Leave Home. A great list of both practical and philosophical lessons to teach your kids before they reach the age where they know everything. I think that now happens around 13 years-old. (@My Supercharged Life)

Index Fund Investing Overview. If you are looking for a place to invest with high diversification and relatively low fees (for broader index funds with low turnover), index funds are a great place to start. (@Money Smart Life)

5 Reasons To Line Dry Your Laundry. My wife and I may soon be installing a clothesline in our backyard. In many neighborhoods they are frowned upon - one of the reasons I don’t like living in a neighborhood. I digress. One of our neighbors recently put up a clothesline, and we might just follow his lead. (@Simple Mom)

* 4 Quick Tips for Getting Out of a Rut * Young and Cash Rich * Embracing Simple Style * First Trading Experience With OptionsHouse * The Exponential Power of Delayed Consumption * How Much Emergency Fund is Enough? * 50 Questions that Will Free Your Mind * Save Money On Car Insurance

http://www.aselfsufficientlife.com/preserving-the-harvest-peppers-and-chillis.html

Preserving the Harvest Peppers and Chillis

Published by Mrs.Dirty Boots at 11:52 am under Preserves

Making the most of the vegetable garden, involves stocking up on those things in glut. At the moment it’s chillies and peppers. And, it looks like it may well stay this way for some time. That’s okay though, as I’m a lover of the humble pepper. Mild ones, sweet ones, spicy ones, super hot killer ones, I’m happy with them all. Preserving the harvest is a great way to extend the seasons and help your vegetable patch keep you self sufficient in certain foods for as long as possible.

This year we have a few different sorts of chillies and sweet peppers growing in the vegetable garden. We have a type of Tabasco chili (I think), Serrano, Cayenne, Numex Big Jim (what a name?) and Hungarian Hot Wax (ditto), plus a few local sweet peppers.

We have a few different methods of storing each type of pepper here at a Self Sufficient Life. Let me explain…
Drying Peppers

Peppers to be dried must be completely ripe and blemish free. If not fully ripe, hang them up in the sun to dry. They should continue to ripen so long as the weather is favorable.

How to dry peppers depends on the weather and the type of fruit. Similarly, what you do with them once dried is variable.

For the larger specimens such as Numex and Hot Wax we tie them together on string, and leave outside to dry quickly in the breeze. I usually tie each pepper by its stem onto the string, leaving a 6 inch gap before tieing on the next. This allows plenty of space for air to circulate around the fruits. Later in the year, we dry indoors in a cool shady room, but they do take a lot longer to completely dry out. Lastly, when things are getting damp, we hang them near, but not directly above the wood burner. This dries them quickly and adds a smoky flavor, but keep an eye on them, as drying them really fast can leave them overly desiccated.
chillies

Large peppers are best re-hydrated before use. Simply cut in half or slit down one side, to allow water in. Then immerse in hot water for half an hour, before using just as you would fresh peppers.

The Tabasco types are just too fiddly to string up, so I just dry them on a metal grill outside. Dried until brittle they last pretty much indefinitely stored away in jars. We only dry ripe peppers. So for these that means only those which have turned red or orange.

Cayenne peppers are dried tied on cotton, which I just do with a needle and thread as the stems are easy to sew through. I admit part of my motivation for stringing up the cayennes is because they make rather lovely Christmas decorations! All the smaller chillies are either crumbled into recipes or left whole. I don’t bother re-hydrating them first though.

Pickled Peppers

Not all peppers are great pickled. But many are fantastic. To find out whether this year’s particular varieties are worth pickling, I always make some tiny ‘tester’ jars early in the season.
chillies-4

Then after a fortnight when they’re ready, I can taste-test and decide which are worth pickling for winter use. I tend to pickle green peppers, as very ripe ones seem to soften more readily. However, the large waxy varieties seem to pickle brilliantly whatever the colour. I dare say you should really blanch green peppers for a minute to help them retain their colour. I can’t say the olive green hues have every put me off my dinner so this is one step I omit.

To pickle peppers I simply follow the same recipe as for dill pickles.

* That is wash and prepare the peppers. If small I leave whole and simply prod with a fork or toothpick to allow the pickling liquid to permeate into the fruits. Usually I leave the stem on, but the mood took me to trim it off for this batch. If large I slice in rounds.
* Pack into sterilised jars, throw in some garlic or other spices if the mood takes me, then top with vinegar brine.
* Seal and wait two weeks before eating.

The larger milder Numex and Hot Wax peppers are great spooned over dry pasta and rice dishes for a little added pep. The whole small serrano and cayenne are killer, but great sliced up in spicy cous cous or rice salads. And, of course they can be used in cooking too, when fresh chillies are no longer in season. These should last up to a year.

Or try Hot Chili Paste like ‘Sort of Schug’.

Right, I’ve made myself hungry now, so I’m off to taste test a few batches of pickled chillies…

For a more self sufficient future

Weekly Harvest Newsletter

Sustainable Agriculture News Briefs - May 12, 2010

Weekly sustainable agriculture news and resources gleaned from the Internet by NCAT staff for the ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service Web site. The Weekly Harvest Newsletter is also available online.

Share The Harvest: Please forward this newsletter to friends and colleagues who might be interested in the latest sustainable agriculture news, funding opportunities, and events.

News & Resources
* Conservation Program Sign-up Now Underway
* New Cattle and Goat Cost of Production Publications Available
* Manual Available on Mobile Slaughter Units
* USDA to Conduct On-Farm Energy Production Survey
* New Food Blog Launched
* Climate Friendly Gardening Publication Available

Funding Opportunities
* North Central SARE Professional Development Grant
* Organic Seed Quality and Crop Breeding Grant
* Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Grant

Coming Events
* Food and Farm Policy and Obesity Workshop
* Introduction to Biodynamic Agriculture Workshop
* Lambing on Pasture Workshop

News & Resources

Conservation Program Sign-up Now Underway
http://www.ia.nrcs.usda.gov/news/newsreleases/2010/cspdeadline.html
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that producers nationwide are invited to apply for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill, CSP offers payments to producers who maintain a high level of conservation on their land and who agree to adopt higher levels of stewardship. Eligible lands include cropland, pastureland, rangeland and non-industrial forestland. The deadline to be considered for the next ranking and funding period is June 11, 2010.
Related ATTRA Resource: Accessing the New Conservation Stewardship Program
http://attra.ncat.org/csp/

New Cattle and Goat Cost of Production Publications Available
http://news.ucanr.org/newsstorymain.cfm?story=1294
UC Cooperative Extension has released new cost of production studies that examine the costs for beef cattle yearling/stocker production(http://coststudies.ucdavis.edu/files/beefyearling_stockersv2010.pdf) (PDF/685KB) and costs for a goats for meat operation (http://coststudies.ucdavis.edu/files/meatgoatncal2010.pdf). The studies are based upon hypothetical farms using common practices in the regions showing current production costs. Farm advisors, producers, researchers and other agricultural associates provided data input.

Manual Available on Mobile Slaughter Units
http://www.extension.org/pages/Mobile_Slaughter_Unit_Manual
Mobile slaughter/processing units have been getting attention in recent years as a potentially expedient way to bring access to inspected processing to a community or region. This manual offers comprehensive guidance for anyone interested in building and/or operating an inspected mobile slaughter unit (MSU) based upon on the experiences and expertise of several USDA-inspected MSUs in operation.

USDA To Conduct On-Farm Energy Production Survey
http://bit.ly/dCqPFj
USDA will begin conducting the first national On-Farm Energy Production Survey this week. The most recent agriculture census counted more than 20,000 farms and ranches that were producing renewable energy via solar panels, wind turbines and methane digesters. This spring’s survey will further explore how this energy is generated and used. “This survey is a chance for farmers and ranchers to highlight the steps they are taking to produce renewable energy within their operations, which is helping to reduce our dependence on energy from foreign sources,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “The survey results will provide agricultural producers, policymakers and the public with factual data about the economic and environmental implications of on-farm energy production.”

New Food Blog Launched
http://news.ucanr.org/newsstorymain.cfm?story=1293
A blog providing a steady stream of current information about the creation and consumption of food has been launched by the University of California at http://ucanr.org/food. The blog is also available in Spanish at http://ucanr.org/alimentos. Topics addressed in the blog include nutrition, gardening for food, food safety, obesity, pesticide-residue issues, local food, farmers markets, slow food, home food handling, organic food, food production, food policy and more. It is all geared to the general public.

Climate Friendly Gardening Publication Available
http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture/what_you_can_do/the-climate-friendly-gardener.html
The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is pleased to announce the release of The Climate-Friendly Gardener: A Guide to Combating Global Warming from the Ground Up (http://www.ucsusa.org/assets/documents/food_and_agriculture/climate-friendly-gardener.pdf) (PDF/2.8MB). This science-based but accessible guide explains how home gardeners can avoid contributing to climate change by using certain techniques and tools that are more climate-friendly than others. The Climate-Friendly Gardener discusses the connection between land use and global warming, and offers recommendations for conscientious gardeners to maximize the amount of heat-trapping carbon dioxide their green spaces store and minimize the other global warming gases gardens can emit.

More Breaking News (http://attra.ncat.org/news/)

Funding Opportunities

North Central SARE Professional Development Grant
http://sare.org/ncrsare/PDP/pdp.htm
The Professional Development Program (PDP) provides funds for professional development projects that provide sustainable agriculture training to agricultural professionals and educators in the Cooperative Extension Service (CES), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), other governmental agencies, and educators in the profit and non-profit sector serving the food and fiber system.
Proposals are due May 21, 2010.

Organic Seed Quality and Crop Breeding Grant
http://ofrf.org/grants/apply.html
Organic Farming Research Foundation’s funding for the fall 2010 funding cycle will be directed toward organic seed and crop-breeding related education and research grants only, thanks to a new partnership with Clif Bar Family Foundation.
Proposals are due June 2, 2010.

Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Grant
http://bit.ly/da3cgS
The Rural Energy for America Program will provide funds to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements. The grants are awarded on a competitive basis and can be up to 25% of total eligible project costs. Grants are limited to $500,000 for renewable energy systems and $250,000 for energy efficiency improvements. Grant requests as low as $2,500 for renewable energy systems and $1,500 for energy efficiency improvements will be considered.
Proposals are due June 30, 2010.

More Funding Opportunities (http://attra.ncat.org/funding/)

Coming Events

Food and Farm Policy and Obesity Workshop
http://aic.ucdavis.edu/obesity/
May 21-22, 2010
Davis, California
The purpose of the workshop is to report findings regarding the effects of agricultural and food policies on obesity. In this context agricultural and food policies are taken to include farm commodity program policies and related policies, agricultural research policies, and food and nutrition programs as covered by the U.S. Farm Bill and related legislation in the United States.

Introduction to Biodynamic Agriculture Workshop
http://www.csalearningcenter.org/node/2055
May 22, 2010
Caledonia, Illinois
Join us for an introduction to the comprehensive ecological methods behind the Biodynamic farming movement inspired by Rudolf Steiner. We’ll explore the farm, learning how soils, plants, animals, and people together form a dynamic living organism. Hands-on activities will include preparation-making, applications to compost and fields, plant observations, and learning how to use planetary calendars.

Lambing on Pasture Workshop
http://nofavt.org/events/lambing-pasture
May 27, 2010
Fayston, Vermont
In this workshop we will go through tips for successful lambing with very little infrastructure or intervention. We will talk about raising sheep in general, breeding, grazing management, and how to start a flock.

More Events (http://attra.ncat.org/calendar)

New & Updated Publications

Freeze Protection for Livestock Watering Systems (Update)
http://attra.ncat.org/calendar/new_pubs.php/2010/04/21/freeze_protection_for_livestock_watering

Considerations in Organic Hog Production (first time in HTML)
http://attra.ncat.org/calendar/new_pubs.php/2010/04/16/considerations_in_organic_hog_production

Paddock Design, Fencing and Water Systems for Controlled Grazing (Update)
http://attra.ncat.org/calendar/new_pubs.php/2010/04/08/paddock_design_fencing_and_water_systems_2

Question of the Week

What are some sources of information on dryland gardening?
http://attra.ncat.org/calendar/question.php/2010/05/03/what_are_some_sources_of_information_on__1

Feature of the Week

Local Food Directories
http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/local_food/search.php

Ask a Sustainable Agriculture Expert

Submit questions to our professional staff online
http://attra.ncat.org/ask.php

ATTRA Spanish Newsletter

Subscribe to Cosecha Mensual (http://attra.ncat.org/espanol/boletin.php)
(Monthly Harvest), ATTRA’s Spanish-language e-newsletter

Subscribe to the Weekly Harvest
(http://visitor.roving.com/optin.jsp?m=1011223551022&ea=)

Comments? Questions? Go to http://www.attra.ncat.org/management/contact.html.

Weekly Harvest and ATTRAnews Archives Available Online
(http://attra.ncat.org/newsletter/archives.html)
Digital versions of recent Weekly Harvest and ATTRAnews newsletters are available online. ATTRAnews is the newsletter of ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service.
(http://attra.ncat.org/)

ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service is managed by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) and is funded under a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service (http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/index.html). Visit the NCAT Web site (http://www.ncat.org/sarc_current.php) for more information on our sustainable agriculture projects.

Promacta (eltrombopag): Portal Venous System Thromboses in Study of Patients With Chronic Liver Disease

Audience: Hematology healthcare professionals

GlaxoSmithKline and FDA notified healthcare professionals of a new safety finding in patients with thrombocytopenia due to chronic liver disease treated with eltrombopag, a thrombopoietin receptor agonist approved for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in adult patients with chronic immune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenic purpura. The ELEVATE study, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multinational study was terminated following the identification of an imbalance of thrombosis of the portal venous system in the patients treated with eltrombopag versus matching placebo. Six patients (4%) in the eltrombopag group and one (1%) in the placebo group experienced a thrombotic event of the portal venous system. Five of the six patients treated with eltrombopag experienced the portal venous thrombosis at platelet counts above 200,000/ L. GSK has communicated this safety finding to clinical trial investigators and regulatory agencies. GSK is working with regulatory agencies to include this safety information in the label.

Action required by Health Care Professionals:

* Health Care Professionals are reminded that Promacta is indicated for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in adult patients with chronic immune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and is not indicated for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in patients with chronic liver disease.
* Treatment with Promacta should be aimed at increasing the platelet count to a level that reduces the risk of bleeding; Promacta should not be used in an attempt to normalize the platelet count.
* Use caution when administering Promacta to patients with known risk factors for thromboembolism.
* Exercise caution when administering Promacta to patients with hepatic disease. Use a lower starting dose (25mg once daily) of Promacta in patients with moderate to severe hepatic disease and monitor closely.

Read the complete MedWatch 2010 Safety summary, including a link to the Dear Healthcare Professional letter, at:

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm211796.htm

You are encouraged to report all serious adverse events and product quality problems to FDA MedWatch at www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm

Canon Canada awards $60,000 to Vancouver’s new Community Urban Agriculture Fund

The invite-only event featured 2010 Olympic gold medalist Maëlle Ricker and a performance
by Grammy and Juno Award-winning artist Sarah McLachlan.

Vancouver Mayor Gregor
Robertson was also on hand to accept a donation of $60,000 from Canon Canada to
Vancouver’s new Community Urban Agriculture Fund, established to support community-based
gardening projects across the city.

Global Garden Report finds ‘urban farming’ and ‘kitchen gardening’ are amongst top
ten trends

Experienced and dedicated urban farmers have developed their interest into an art.

They grow flowers, plants, and vegetables in sync with the changing seasons. For
instance, dedicated urban farmers in Sweden may grow flowers in the spring, tomatoes
in the summer, and a variety of salad greens and even potatoes. For the extremely
dedicated urban farmer, plants are a virtual necessity and if they have a balcony
garden, they view it as an extension of the apartment.

New Episode(3) of Truck Farm

When Fayette Plumb gave his grandson the keys to the old pickup, he wasn’t expecting
the half-ton to drive back home—as a farm. But last spring, using green-roof technology,
lightweight soil and heirloom seeds, filmmakers Ian Cheney and Curt Ellis transformed
granddad’s ‘86 Dodge into a traveling 20-member CSA. They planted between the wheel
wells with arugula and tomatoes, parked the truck on a Brooklyn street, and waited
for sun and rain to work their charms. When the first sprouts came up, Truck Farm
was born. Subscribers received deliveries of produce, arriving via the mobile farm
itself.

YMCA’s Intercultural Community Gardens planned for the roof of Vancouver’s St. Paul’s
Hospital

The goal of the Intercultural Community Gardens Project is to make Vancouver more
welcoming and inclusive for everyone, including immigrants.

Everyone can grow healthy,
organic food together with neighbours from all over the world!

Who is in charge?

The project is managed by YMCA Connections in partnership with the West End Residents
Association (WERA) and the Gordon Neighbourhood House.

This project is made possible
through funding from the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia.

Great Kids Farm in Baltimore

When Geraci first viewed the overgrown, abandoned, city-owned farm behind Catonsville’s
strip malls and fast-food joints he saw only promise. He had had success in New
Hampshire as a co-founder of the farm-to-school fresh food movement, and he envisioned
the land as it could be, full of life that children would help create.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Stories here:
City Farmer News [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103394932918&s=1304&e=001YbNdYqYliI_-fP_HmIb8DkSXoOQxvXbx7DYN6mG1AXqqFQLBRGKFd8bXwdMWpaH-at_1WCWmkRqajBDcKYSRSs_Yvc9G2rsJ4f7W-LScapQiFzhE2Pij_w==]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Michael Levenston
City Farmer - Canada’s Office of Urban Agriculture

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

http://www.countryfarm-lifestyles.com/homemade-beauty-products.html

How to Make your Own Homemade Cosmetics & Beauty Products plus Recipes

Homemade cosmetics and beauty products are cheap to make and additive and chemical free. Therefore they are perfect for people who want to save money, who have sensitive skins or who enjoy green living. Below you will find a number of simple beauty recipes for you to try. They are all natural and most of the ingredients can be found in your kitchen!

Homemade Beauty Products

ADVICE REGARDING YOUR HOMEMADE COSMETICS

1.Although all the recipes here have been selected with safety in mind, before you try out any of your homemade cosmetics, always try new preparations out on your inner arm. Leave it for 24 hours to see if you have developed a rash or had an adverse reaction. This is especially important for people who are known to have a sensitive skin.

2.Certain essential oils should not be handled by pregnant women or anyone who may be pregnant or where there is an existing medical condition. If in doubt, seek medical advice. Wear rubber gloves when handling any concentrated oil and spice blends to avoid irritation.

3.In some recipes on how to make your own beauty products herbal infusions are mentioned. To make a herbal infusion: Take a handful of your fresh, favourite herbs or a tablespoon of dried herbs and pour 250 ml of boiling water over them. Cover and let stand for 20 minutes. Strain and it is ready for use. Preferred herbs for cleansing creams are rosemary, lady’s mantle, lavender, chamomile, dandelion, marigold, nettle and violet.

HOMEMADE COSMETICS: HERBAL MASSAGE OIL

This is a great cosmetic to make at home for tired and aching muscles. It is great to rub on tired feet, aching backs and even necks.

500 ml sweet oil

12,5 ml hydrous lanolin

12,5 ml wheatgerm oil

12,5 ml dried lavender flowers

12,5 ml dried rosemary

12,5 ml dried scented geranium leaves

12,5 ml calendula flowers

Blend the oils. Steep the dried herbs in a bottle containing the oils. Shake well daily. Keep out of direct sunlight, but keep in a warm place for 3 weeks. Strain out the herbs, pressing out all the oil. Pour into clean jars and store in a cool dark place. The secret is to massage the oil deeply into the tired or aching area, and then to soak in a hot bath. You may also add a strong rosemary brew to the bathwater if you desire.

HOMEMADE COSMETICS: HERB DEODORANT

5 ml cloves

12,5 ml coriander seeds

5 ml cassia

25 ml lavender leaves, dried

10 ml dried thyme

25 ml dried sage

Grind up all the ingredients in a hand mill or grinder. Add to a cup of baby talcum powder and use to dust under arms.

Homemade Cosmetics for the Skin
HOMEMADE COSMETICS: : COLD CREAM, CLEANSING CREAM, COCONUT OIL CLEANSING CREAM

Cold Cream

20 g beeswax

60 ml peanut oil

1,25 ml boracic powder

20 ml rose water

Cleansing Cream

25 g each lanolin and cocoa butter

60 ml each almond oil and strong herbal infusion

Coconut Oil Cleansing Cream

60 ml sweet almond oil

30 ml coconut oil

7,5 ml beeswax

15 ml emulsifying wax

30 ml strong herbal infusion

1,25 ml boracic powder

15 ml witch hazel

Use the same method to make all three cleansing products. Heat the oils and / or waxes and herbal infusions separately over two water baths. Where the boracic powder is used, first dissolve it in the infusion. When the waxes have melted, blend the infusion with the oils. Whisk by hand until the mixture has cooled and blended. Pour into a jar and shake well before using.

HOMEMADE COSMETICS: SOAPWORT LOTION FOR ECZEMA

Simmer a handful of soapwort leaves and stems in enough water to cover for 10 minutes. Cool and strain. This is good for skin rashes and eczema.

HOMEMADE COSMETICS: FACIAL MASK FOR DIFFERENT SKIN TYPES

Dry Skin Facial Mask

Mash 30 ml avocado, add 5 ml rosewater and 5 ml honey. Apply and leave on skin for 20 minutes. Rinse off with tepid water and end by splashing the face with cold water.

Oily Skin Facial Mask 1

Mash up a small, ripe tomato and add 20 ml kaolin and 5 ml strong comfrey infusion. Mix this to a paste, adding more kaolin or infusion if necessary. Apply to the face and leave on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse off with tepid water and end by splashing the face with cold water. This is also good for blemishes and blackheads.

Oily Skin Facial Mask 2

Make a strong chamomile infusion. Add 15 ml of the infusion to 15 ml yoghurt, 15 ml oatmeal and 5 ml honey. Apply the mask to your face for 15 minutes. Rinse off with tepid water and end by splashing the face with cold water. This will also help clear blemishes. The oatmeal has a cleansing effect and the honey acts as an antiseptic.

Normal Skin Facial Mask

Take one cleaned apple and cut it up into small pieces. Puree the apple in a blender, with 2 tablespoons of hone and 15 g of thoroughly bruised and chopped fresh sage leaves. Two tablespoons of rosewater may be used instead of sage, if preferred. Smooth the mixture over the skin and leave for 15 minutes. Rinse off with tepid water and end by splashing the face with cold water.

HOMEMADE COSMETICS: SKIN CLEANSER FOR ALL SKIN TYPES

Cover a handful of chopped soapwort leaves and stems with water in a pan. Bring slowly to the boil. Simmer for 5 minutes. Cool and strain into screw-top bottles. Use as a cleaner for all skin types.

HOMEMADE COSMETICS: MOISTURIZER FOR ALL SKIN TYPES

To 2 tablespoons of glycerine, add 2 tablespoons of rosewater and 2 tablespoons of calendular flower infusion. Whisk these ingredients together so that they are well blended. Store in screw-top bottles and shake well before use. Smooth the moisturizer lightly on the skin, and then remove with a tissue, leaving a thin film on the skin for protection.

Homemade Cosmetics for the Hair

Soapwort HOMEMADE COSMETICS: HOMEMADE SHAMPOO

Soapwort Shampoo

Make a mild shampoo using soapwort. Make an infusion from a handful of soapwort to 500 ml of boiling water. add a handful of herbs (chamomile for blond hair, rosemary for dark) to the soapwort before adding the water. Leave for 30 minutes. Strain. Use 250 ml to wash hair. It will not foam like commercial shampoo but it will leave your hair smelling beautifully. To add shine to your hair add 15 ml gelatin to the recipe. Make sure that it has dissolved before using it.

Dry Shampoo

Buy dried powdered orris root from your herbalist. Part the hair in sections and sprinkle the dry shampoo on to each of the partings. Use an old salt shaker for a more even distribution but do not rub the shampoo into the scalp. When the whole head has been treated in this way, wait 5 minutes and then vigorously brush the hair for 5 minutes until the shampoo has been removed.

Herbal Shampoo for Dandruff

Beat together 2 egg whites, 1 tablespoon of green soft soap and 1 tablespoon of strong infusion of nettle leaves. Make the infusion by pouring 1/2 cup boiling water onto 1 tablespoon of chopped leaves. All to cool and strain.

Homemade Setting Lotion for your Hair

If your hair tends to lose its style very quickly you can used the following lotion. Mix the strained juice of one lemon with 1 tablespoon of vodka or brandy. Add 2 tablespoons of rosemary infusion for dark hair or 2 tablespoons of chamomile infusion for light hair.

HOMEMADE COSMETICS: HAIR RINSE

15 ml apple cider vinegar to 1 litre water. Rinse your hair with this to remove all traces of calcium and soap residue from your hair. It will also stimulate the scalp and is excellent for dandruff and itchy scalp.

HOMEMADE COSMETICS: NATURAL HAIR DYES

To lighten blond hair simmer a rhubarb root and stem in white wine for about 30 minutes. Strain. Mix in equal proportions to a strong chamomile infusion. Add enough kaolin to thicken to a paste. Apply to hair and leave for 20-60 minutes, depending on the degree of lightness you are after. Rinse off and shampoo hair as normal. For dark hair, instead of chamomile, used a paste or rinse of rosemary and sage if you want to darken your hair.

http://www.countryfarm-lifestyles.com/natural-beauty-recipes-tips.html

Natural Beauty Recipes and Tips for your Skin, Hair, Period Pains, Sore Muscles

Natural beauty recipes and tips for your hair and skin. We also have some homemade beauty recipes for you to try, and also a Goats Milk Soap Recipe, and a Yogurt Cream Cheese Recipe.

Natural Beauty Recipes & Tips Just for the Girls!

Because here in the US long hair is not the fashion you don’t hear much about how to grow, or care for hair. You don’t hear much about anything they can’t sell you for that matter. Here are a few natural beauty recipes and tips to keep your Tomboy lifestyle, while still looking and feeling like a woman. homemade soap
Natural Beauty Recipes and Tips: YOUR SKIN

In the morning don’t wash your face with soap. If you are like me you will be washing off sweat and dirt through out the day. Washing your face this many times isn’t good for your skin.

Start your day with a water splash. Splash water on your face for about a minute, that’s enough to get your night time funk off. Through out the day, do the same thing, don’t use soap unless you really got dirty. At night use a wash like Noxzema or even make your own from oatmeal and baking soda.

Yes, those little granules will get into your pours and get that dirt out, while helping you to keep your skin from looking 20yrs older.

Natural Beauty Recipes and Tips: Using Cucumber

There is a lot to be said for the cucumber.(cucumber juice in the eye is also helpful to cure pink eye and helps if your eyes are irritated) If you have them, use them on your face. You can make a mash and put it all over your face or do the Cucumber eye, either way, your skin will thank you for it. I haven’t used soap on my face is so many years I forgot when I last have. Most people think I’m in my 30s. I’m closer to 50 then 40.

Natural Beauty Recipes and Tips: Peppermint Leaves for Aching Muscles

Also ... those aching muscles. If you like baths, toss in some crushed peppermint leaves into the water. If you are a shower person like me... here is a soap recipe that will keep you feeling awesome and is great for your skin. If you have a teen at home with poor skin, this will clear it right up.
goats milk soap recipe

Goat Milk Soap Recipe

2tbs Borax, 1 cup baby oatmeal and 2 oz of glycerin.

You can make this with an electric mixer if you wish. I normally do, it’s just easier that way. This recipe can also be doubled. You will need 2 large bowls, stainless steel or glass, and a wooden mixing spoon. Do NOT use plastic or aluminum!

Mold can be a Styrofoam box, cake pan or even plastic soap molds, whatever you wish. Be ready to place a cloth on the top of the soap and a lid to put on the top of the cloth. It can also be wrapped in a blanket or towels for insulation.

Fat, clarified fat, mixed pork and beef is best. This can be done by boiling it up in a large pan with about a quart of water and then cooling it, and scooping the clean fat off the top.

Measure 1/2 can of lye (6.5 oz) handle with great care. I used a paper cup for this. Make sure the lid is securely back on the lye can. Put 3 cups of goats milk in a stainless steel mixer bowl. Pour the lye in *slowly* running the mixer on low. It will get hot and the milk turns a golden color as the chemical reaction takes place. Cool to about 85 degrees. You may use a dairy thermometer.

when cool you may add your scents, peppermint, lavender or what ever you like. This soap really doesn’t need much help, however if you like added materials, now is the time to add them. Also add the baby oatmeal, glycerin and borax now.

This can be stirred in while the soap mix is cooling.

Watch the temp of about 1.5lbs of fat. Fat should also be at about 85-90 degrees. If you have to heat it to melt it, make sure it has cooled again. Run the mixer on low for about 15 minutes then turn off and let soap rest for about 5 minutes.

Repeat and watch closely because soap will suddenly take consistency and must be poured into the mold. Pour when ready. Smooth top surface and keep mold at even temperature for about 24 hours. Cloth can then be peeled off and bars can be cut with a serrated knife or scored and broken.

Aging: Age the soap for at least a month, unwrapped. It is better if it ages for 2 or 3 months. Failures sometimes occur. Sometimes melting the soap on a very low heat and stirring it some more is all that you need to make it set.

Natural Beauty Recipes and Tips: Using Yogurt on your Skin

Yogurt is also a wonderful aid for the female body. It helps skin, and female organs. Yogurt until recent times all came from one starter. Yes, thousands of years ago as the story goes, God gave Yogurt to the women of the Middle East and it was from that one starter that all yogurt came from until science arrived on the scene just recently.

Making yogurt is easy. Go to your local store and buy “ACTIVE” culture, plain flavored yogurt. You only need one small container. If you have a thermos or something that can maintain a temp of about 78 degrees that will work perfectly.

Warm your milk, goat’s milk will be more runny then cow’s milk. Some people add a bit of gelatin to it to make it more like store bought yogurt. After your milk is about 78degrees add the active culture yogurt to your mix. You can make up to 2 quarts. Store in warm place for 24 hours and poof.. you have yogurt.

Now freeze in ice cube trays some of your starter so you don’t have to buy it again. Then add fruit, honey or what ever you like and enjoy. Eating yogurt 2-3 times a week is beneficial to the female body and cuts your chances of yeast infections considerably as well as cures them. You have to eat about a quart of yogurt in one sitting to get rid of a yeast infection, however it does work. Even if you do never want to see yogurt again after eating that much.

Yogurt Cream Cheese Recipe

Pour yogurt into a colander lined with triple thickness of cheese cloth. Catch the way by placing a bowl under the colander. allow the way to drip for about minute then lift up the 4 corners of the cheese cloth and tie them together. Hang the cheese cloth bag over the sink by suspending it on the faucet. (I use clothes hangers bent to fit into my shower so I don’t loose use of my kitchen sink) Let this drip for about 6-8 hours then remove from bag and store in the refrigerator. use it on crackers or any other way you would use cream cheese.

Natural Beauty Recipes and Tips: YOUR HAIR

If you are like me your hair really takes the hits out there in the sun and wind. Not only is my dark brown hair almost blond by fall, but its so dry that it has been described by my daughter in law as “feeling like horse hair” Not good. She even bought me some high priced all natural shampoo and conditioner. They were a waste of money to say the least.

Natural Beauty Recipes and Tips: Using Olive Oil on your Hair

Olive oil treatments are wonderful, if you want to sit out in the sun with a plastic bag on your head and almost pass out for about an hour. The oil also doesn’t completely wash out for a while so you have that oil collecting dirt in your hair giving it a feeling I can’t describe. It may be too over the top for some people, however we do live on a farm, and there are things that women have been doing for probably thousands of years to keep their hair healthy.

Natural Beauty Recipes and Tips: Using a Placenta on your Hair

One of those things that you can use to nourish your hair with is placenta. Yes.. I said placenta. If you can handle it, bring the placenta in and wash it off. Cut it into storable pieces. Do not rob the mother of any she may wish to consume however. After you know that the mother is done, only then take it.

Put a bit in a blender with about a spoon of olive oil and blend. After washing your hair, smother it with this mixture and let sit as long as you can. 20 mins is good, an hour better. I can’t stand to wait that long doing nothing so I normally go for the 20 minutes. Rinse in cooler water.

You don’t want to cook that stuff on your head. I remember the first time I tried eggs as a rinse and ended up with scrambled eggs in my hair. That did not end well.

Natural Beauty Recipes and Tips: Using Urine on your Hair

After rinsing if you really want to go gypsy, and I do mean the real gypsy’s, follow up with a rinse of urine. Your own preferably. This not only takes care of head lice but also leaves a shinny clean rinse. I have to say I did try it. It did make a difference in the shine of my hair. I also have to say, I don’t do it that often. There are something’s I have a hard time getting past, however it does work, and works great for head lice too. Then again so does a bit of dairy dip behind the ears and down the part.

Natural Beauty Recipes and Tips: Using Oak Ash on your Hair

If you have dark hair, and you want to keep it from fading, try oak ash in your shampoo. I have tried it, don’t care for it, but it works. I’m enough of a Tomboy I really don’t like to dote much. I’m more an “in-and-out-of-the-shower” sort of person. I know however that many of you do like this sort of thing, and I hope you have the same luck with it I have. raspberry leaf tea
Natural Beauty Recipes and Tips: Raspberry Tea for Help in Painful Periods and Easy Childbirth

If you suffer from monthly issues or are pregnant I can’t say enough good about the raspberry plant. The leaf made into a tea with what ever flavors you wish to add, will do you wonders. Add the berry too for added flavor and benefit. The raspberry strengthens the uterus. Making giving birth less painful, easier and monthly issues not as noticeable.

[You will need a lot more information to make soap from Lye, so don’t attempt to use the above recipe, it is simple, if you follow the safety regulations and don’t kill yourself.

granny]

[You will need to go to the link to see the photo of Freedom, it is worth the time, a wonderful photo, makes me laugh, for he is ready to ride....
granny]

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Gypsy’s Wanderings - A Homestead Blog exploring Tears and Celebrations of Life

A homestead blog of one woman’s life experiences where she gives homesteading tips and advice as learned through her happy wanderings along the path of life. This blog is about simple living and getting on with the job of honest homesteading. It’s about working with the land, and the animals. It’s about hardships and tears, joys and celebrations. Follow her regular contributions by visiting often and we wish you all happy reading!

Gypsy’s Wanderings as told
through her Homestead Blog

Hello and welcome to my wanderings homestead blog. Like most who deal with livestock I spend most of my life, wondering why I’m doing this, and the other part, wondering how I am going to do it. I hope to share some of what I have learned, with you.

I’m the owner of One Sky Ranch in SW Iowa. I named it One Sky because there truly is One Sky above us all, all people, all creatures, no matter how different we think we are, we only need to look up, and remember there is but one sky, and one heart to all of us.

I came to this place when I was 27 years old, with 2 young boys and the shirt on my back. The first thing I did was trade my mule for goats. We could eat goat meat and drink goat’s milk, which is more than I could say for that mule! I learned how to make cheese and eventually opened up a chevre’ and chevron business with milk soap as a sideline.

Eventually I bought sheep, a cow and learned how to make over 300 kinds of cheese. I learned what plants I could use when I ran out of rennet, and what flavored the milk the best. Hand milking 120 goats a day, every day was not what I really wanted to do, so I did it until I could go back to my profession. I was, and am a horsewoman. I even went to college for it. Yup! Read the books and everything. So I saved my money and bought thin junk horses, fattened them up, broke them to ride and re-sold them, always buying better until I got where I wanted to be. I now have Andalusian, Lusitano and Criollo horses; and love them.

Somewhere along the line I decided I wanted to be a cowgirl. Trust me when I say it’s a far cry from the hunt to an 18 hour day in the saddle with no one to talk to but your horse. I loved that job. It was the highlight of my life. It ended one day when we were sorting cattle on foot and a steer ran me into a gate. I was paralyzed. I cried harder about having to leave that life, than I did about having to pee in a bed pan. I missed the badger cubs playing in the corn fields, the hawks when they were on the hunt. I missed seeing every thing no one else ever sees. I still miss it. This is when a friend taught me how to work leather and in 1999 One Sky leather works was born. But that’s another story.

One day, a friend of mine called me from his cell phone from my drive-way. He told me that there was a thin cow in my corral that was abandon in a sale barn and hadn’t eaten in 3 weeks. I had better get out there and feed her. I know why he called me from the drive way. I would have liked to have killed him. I told him to “Take her back, I can’t walk.” she would surely die if he left her there. He said no, he knew me better then that, and, “Oh, by the way, there is a walker on your back porch.” The corral is about a 1 minute walk from my back door, it took me 45 minutes with the walker, but I made it. Come spring the cow had a calf that I then sold to pay Dale for the cow, and I was walking.

Over the winter I had a lot of time to get on the phone and track down her brand, so by spring the cow was also now a registered Longhorn. I took her to get bred to a Longhorn bull and the following spring I still wasn’t walking well, but good enough I was there for the birth of that calf. You will recognize him in my photo below.

A longhorn steer called Freedom

Because of that calf I kept going and soon learned to run. He and I started the International Riding Steer Assn., and later I wrote the book “The Complete Book of Riding Steers” that has sold world wide. Freedom is now 8yrs and I’m still running out to greet him.

Another tragedy in my life started a new and wonderful chapter as well; rabbits. My horse, the one I cowgirled with was killed on my birthday in a freak accident. The following birthday my son took me to buy a Flemish Giant Rabbit; it was love at first site. I’m still showing Flemish and now getting involved with rabbit agility and rabbit hopping with my young granddaughter.

I had had rabbits as a child, my sons showed rabbits but if not for the death of my horse, my granddaughter would have missed that wonderful experience. You don’t have to ask me if I believe that something good comes from something bad. I do.

It’s been twenty years since I started this farm with one mule and a suit case of clothes for me and 2 boys. Through learning to garden, using the animals to work for me, not me for them, and doing every little thing myself, One Sky Ranch has become the place of dreams come true.

It is my pleasure to get to share those experiences and knowledge learned with you now, through this homestead blog.

If you would like to contact Gypsy, please do so. We love hearing from our readers. Just fill in the form below and she will get back to you as soon as possible.

This homestead blog will be regularly updated, so make sure you visit often so as not to miss out on the great tips and advice that you will learn along the way.

ARCHIVES:

January, 2010

Homestead Living Winter Tips

More Homestead Living Winter Tips

Herbal Tea Recipes

March, 2010

Spring Time Homestead Chores

Chicken Pens & Animal Pens: Use Fire to Prevent Disease

April, 2010

Chicken Breeds & Hatching Eggs

How to Caponize Chickens

Natural Beauty Recipes & Tips

Edible Wild Plants

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Spring Time Chores: Chicken Pens, Drugs in Chicken Feed, Preserving Eggs

Spring time chores on the homestead include chicken pen care, knowing how to preserve eggs, avoiding commercial chicken feed and health benefits from lambs quarters.

The Luxuries of Spring

One thing that spring affords us farmers is a chance to get back into shape with out paying those high costs at the gym. I call it my farm girl aerobics.

There is the shoveling out the winter barns heavy with muck that has been frozen down all year. Forget those leg weights as walking through the mud with boots now weighing 20 pounds or more, does more then any strap on weight ever could. Pushing wheelbarrows, carting in rock, grain and bags of lime leave that body fat far behind. Leaving our fat-laden diets behind as well will do a lot to help thin our blood and get us back into shape sooner. lambs quarters
Spring Time and Lamb’s Quarters

The old cowboys used to literally bleed out their horses in spring time so that they could handle the change from winter to summer better. Now days our horses don’t have to work so hard, however we still do. One plant you may find wonderful is Lambs Quarters. It is high in minerals, vitamins and even vitamin B to help you stay awake and feeling better longer. Honey not sugar will also find you having more energy since you have been doing little hiding in that warm house most of the winter.

My favorite way to cook Lambs Quarters is to cut up one strip of bacon, just enough for flavor, and find some of those sweet walking onions you can now locate. Once they are cooked to your satisfaction, toss in the Lambs Quarters and cover, steam long enough they are dark green and wrap in a tortilla. For me a bit of Picidillo gives a great finishing taste.

Spring Time and Preserving Eggs

Another thing you will find in the spring time is you have more eggs then you know what to do with. Its to soon to take a chance on hatching them, as weather is sometime tricky this time of year. However, you must do something with them and a person can only eat so much custard, scrambled eggs and so on.
tea eggs for preserving chickens’ eggs

If you dip your eggs in paraffin and store them in a cool place they will keep for over a year. Make sure you have sealed the whole egg, no pores should be left open to breath. Small end up is the best way to store.

Another fun thing is to use a strong brew of your favorite tea. Lightly crack the shell so it has hairline cracks all over. Then place your eggs, shell and all in a canning jar with a spoonful of salt and even a bit of lemon. Cover eggs with your strong tea and poof! You have canned eggs that will have a wonderful and unique flavor later on. This is the not-so-gross version of 1000 year old eggs.

Spring Time, Broody Chickens and Chicken Breeds

If you are thinking about hatching some eggs this spring time, even if you are using an incubator, you are going to want to make sure your brood hens are not going broody on you. If they do, don’t panic, golf balls are your friend. A hen will sit on a faults nest for a long time if she is of a broody variety.

The breed I use the most here on “One Sky Ranch” for brood hens are the tiny Partridge Cochin bantams. I absolutely adore them. They are not only beautiful to look at, but are fantastic mothers and setters. They are also gentle to be around while being just flighty enough to free range and avoid predators. The roosters can be used in quality soups or stews.

My next choice is the Silkie or Silkie cross. I don’t find them to be as good mothers, or forages, however you can’t dispute their broody nature. If I could only own one breed of chicken for meat, egg and brood hen, It would be the Orpington. They have it all, however you will have to sort through the hens that are not broody. The ones that are will make it worth your while. There are other chicken breeds that have wonderful reputations as mothers, setters or both.

The wonderful thing about poultry is the large selection of choices in size, color, behavior and more. There is something out there for everyone, no matter what your taste.

Spring Time and Chicken Pen Hygiene

Now that you have picked out your hens, you have their nest boxes clean and ready to go, and you have your setters or incubators ready. You need to clean your pens. Filth is not your freind and will ruin eggs and kill chicks and adults alike. Move your birds to fresh ground if you can. If not, section off parts of your pen and rotate.

Get leaves or what ever and burn on the ground where your birds have been all winter, or use fresh sweet lime and cover the ground. De louse your birds with dairy dip and use peprazine in the water, or use Ivomec as a total control system, but do worm and delouse now that the wild birds are flying in with lice and other critters that are not good for your birds.

After you have cleaned the ground if you can, replant some fodder plants. If you can’t keep the pen vacant that long, at least let the lime set 3 days before placing your birds back in. This will sterilize the ground and remove any worm eggs etc. Do this to your entire pen. Clean the coops and barns the same way. Sweet lime is cheap and safe. I have fed it to cattle, goats, and sheep as a calcium additive with excellent results.

Spring Time and Drugs in Commercial Chicken Feed

Something you may not know about your production chicken feed is that there are drugs in it. Years ago the speed freaks would shoot up chicken powder, as it was not mixed into the chicken feed like it is today, and so one had to keep drug addicts away from it. In short if you feed something to make your birds lay more, you are feeding them Crack, or Methamphetamine. It’s very different to the type made in bath tubs today, but it still contains drugs.

To avoid this I save back my butchering fat and meats that I would normally through away or mix in a grind. This early protein is just what your birds need. Save all the fat you can from what you butcher in the fall. Save fat and even extra guts from butchered chickens. Freeze this and come spring, give them all they want.

I keep two freezers, one for me and one for my animals. It is well worth the added electric bill to run the extra freezer. Cracked corn and a few oats will fill in the gaps along with table scraps. If you can find some really flaky alfalfa that is also a good addition to their feed. This will keep your shells hard and your chickens healthy, and laying well. You will also notice the color of your yokes getting almost red. They will be dark orange compared to the lighter color they will be from chickens fed commercial feeds. This healthier yoke translates into healthier chicks.

Ducks hens especially Muscovy hens will love you if you fish. They crave protein in early spring and if you can find frozen fish on sale through the year or have friends that fish if you don’t. Freeze your extra for spring.

In my next article I will give a detailed post on how to Caponize. Its not as hard as you may think. As well as raising your baby chicks and how to avoid that new grass flavor in your milk.

Don’t forget you can always ask me a question which you can do through our main Homestead Blog Page.

You may also be interested in some of our past articles:

Homestead Living Winter Tips

More Homestead Living Winter Tips

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Alpaca Farming for Beginners: Alpaca Care and Info on Keeping Alpacas

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Alpaca farming information for the novice on raising alpacas, looking at what they eat, alpaca care, housing, and health problems.

ALPACA FARMING: OVERVIEW

Alpaca farming used to be seen as a sure investment for homesteading and farming. High returns were promised with alpaca investment in raising and keeping alpacas, and many believed that they would make a lot of money in the process, without doing a proper alpaca business plan and thorough investigation.

Unfortunately, those who went ahead with alpaca investment, outlaying thousands for top breeders in the hope that they would get rich quick have found that this has not been so, and the price of Alpacas has become far more affordable for those who just want to keep them for pets.

However, alpaca raising does have other advantages, mainly of course the alpaca wool that they produce. Their lovely fibre is light-weight, less greasy than sheep’s wool, and is know for its softness, lustre and warmth. Alpacas come in a range of colours which is ideal for those who want to use fibre that is natural and free from chemical dyes. In addition, they are eco-friendly with soft padded feet, not hooves, which has a low impact on the landscape.

They also make excellent ‘guard dogs’ and will keep predators away from your sheep. Not only will alpacas protect your sheep, but they will also protect your poultry from foxes and wolves.

The best thing for the organic alpaca farmer and homesteader is the alpaca manure and their toilet habits. Alpacas are very obliging in that they choose one place to relieve themselves and soon you have a manure heap of good, non-smelling, slow-releasing manure which is ideal for your vegetables, orchards and flower gardens.

For those of you who are wanting to keep alpacas for the above reasons then it is useful to think of having 2-3 castrated males. As alpacas are herd animals they need to have the company of other alpacas. Buying whethers is a cheaper option than buying breeding quality alpacas. In addition they can be shorn twice a year, and their fleece can be used for home spinning, felting or weaving.

Alpaca farming means that alpacas are very easy animals to keep, and really don’t need much maintenance. They are good with children, almost always give birth during daylight hours, have a low-protein diet of grasses and pasture plants and do not suffer from fly-strike. They do, however, need a lot of water, particularly in the summer, where they can drink up to 4 liters of water a day. They will need some shelter, usually a 3-sided structure is sufficient so that they can get out of the wind, sun and rain when required.

ALPACA FARMING: ANIMAL CARE

The alpaca is not used to high temperatures and humidity. As a result, if they can suffer from heat stress, which can lead to illness and ultimately death if not caught in time.

Commonly used is the heat index, which is simply a formula to estimate the risk of heat stress. The Heat Index can be estimated by adding the temperature (F) and percent humidity (%). Typically, a heat index of less than 120 is safe, 120 to one 180 creates possible problems, and greater than 180 is the range where animals are in the most danger.

The best solution is to make sure that your alpacas have shade and water at all times. Shade created by trees, shade cloth or better still, a tall barn that will give shelter and ventilation. Having fans fitted is also a solution in areas of high heat and humidity.

Plenty of water should be made available, and it should be kept out of the sun in a shady spot.

Shearing alpacas when it is hot is another way of reducing the possibility of heat stress. A full shear is better, although barrel cuts are acceptable.

Make sure that your animals are well fed, but not overfed, as overweight animals suffer more from the heat than those that aren’t obese. Proper nutrition of the animals is also important. In particular, providing adequate selenium, vitamin E, copper, zinc, and B vitamins such as thiamine can increase the tolerance of environmental extremes.

Keep a close eye on your animals during the hot summer months and look for the signs of heat stress. Nasal flaring, open-mouthed breathing, increased breathing rate and effort, drooling, depression or dullness, not eating feed, scrotal swelling in intact males, weakness, trembling, a rectal temperature greater than 104 degrees F, a heart rate over 90 beats per minute, or a respiratory rate over 40 breaths per minute are all signs that things are not well.

Move the animal into a shaded area of your homestead and hose the animal down with cool water, making sure that the animal is thoroughly soaked and not just wet on the surface, as the fibres can trap the heat and make things worse. Try and get the animal to drink some water, and call your vet immediately.
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