Posted on 07/24/2009 3:37:21 AM PDT by nw_arizona_granny
Weekly Roundup - Living On Nothing Edition Category: Roundups | Comments(15)
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.
The Frugal Roundup
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)
A Few Others I Enjoyed
* 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
Midodrine hydrochloride: FDA Proposes Withdrawal of Low Blood Pressure Drug
AUDIENCE: Cardiology and Nephrology
ISSUE: FDA proposed to withdraw approval of the drug midodrine hydrochloride, used to treat the low blood pressure condition, orthostatic hypotension, because required post-approval studies that verify the clinical benefit of the drug have not been done. To date, neither the original manufacturer nor any generic manufacturer has demonstrated the drug’s clinical benefit, for example, by showing that use of the drug improved a patient’s ability to perform life activities.
BACKGROUND: The drug, marketed as ProAmatine by Shire Development Inc. and as a generic by others, was approved in 1996 under the FDA’s accelerated approval regulations for drugs that treat serious or life-threatening diseases. That approval required that the manufacturer verify clinical benefit to patients through post-approval studies.
RECOMMENDATION: Patients who currently take this medication should not stop taking it and should consult their health care professional about other treatment options.
Read the MedWatch safety alert, including a link to the FDA Press Release, at: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm222640.htm
You are encouraged to report all serious adverse events and product quality problems to FDA MedWatch at www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm
It is good to see your name here, for I had wondered how your husband is doing?
Hope you are both well and happy.
Shirley’s daughter has passed her cancer tests and does not appear to have the bad kind.
Thank you for your prayers, proof again of the power in prayer.
May it also bless you as fully as it does the others .
TipNut.com - http://tipnut.com -
Easy Refrigerator Deodorizer Ideas
Posted By TipNut On April 18, 2007 @ 6:35 am In Kitchen Cleaning | 2 Comments
After cleaning the refrigerator [1], keep it smelling fresh with one of these deodorizer ideas:
* An open box of baking soda or an open bowl/container filled with baking soda
* A small muslin or cloth bag or open container filled with fresh coffee grounds
* Keep an open container of charcoal briquettes in the fridge
* Open dish with 1/2 cup baking soda and 2 TBS vanilla extract or 2 TBS lemon juice mixed in
* A dab or two of vanilla extract on a cotton ball
Voila! Stale smelling fridges are a problem no more.
Don’t Miss These Tips:
* Bandana Doggy Deodorizer: How To [2]
* Homemade Lavender Sugar Recipes [3]
* Winter Detox: 12 Easy DIY Air Fresheners [4]
Love This Tip? Share It!
Email [5] ~ Facebook [6]
Tweet It [7] ~ Delicious [8]
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[2] Bandana Doggy Deodorizer: How To: http://tipnut.com/bandana-doggy-deodorizer/
[3] Homemade Lavender Sugar Recipes: http://tipnut.com/homemade-lavender-sugar-recipes/
[4] Winter Detox: 12 Easy DIY Air Fresheners: http://tipnut.com/easy-air-fresheners/
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Praise God!!! Thank you for the update. Prayers continue...
http://www.fns.usda.gov/fns/outreach/grants/garden.htm
People’s Garden School Pilot Program
The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has $1 million available in Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 for a People’s Garden School Pilot Program. FNS is requesting applications to enter into a cooperative agreement for the purposes of awarding grants to develop and run community gardens at eligible high-poverty schools; teaching students involved in the gardens about agriculture production practices, diet, and nutrition; contributing produce to supplement food provided at eligible schools, student households, local food banks, or senior center nutrition programs; and conducting an evaluation of funded projects to learn more about the impacts of school gardens. Eligible applicants: Community-based organizations, Faith-based organizations, Colleges and universities, Government organizations, Gardening, horticultural and agricultural organizations End hunger organizations. Award ceiling: $1,000,000. Application deadline: October 08, 2010
Green Evolution: An Environmental Upgrade
Posted by: “hackneyartists”
Date: Mon Aug 16, 2010 2:08 pm ((PDT))
We are a non-profit organization who is launching a new program to improve our State Parks and make them self sustainable and a public educational tool to help spread new ideas and lifestyle habits to the public!
At the moment the project is preliminary and we are looking for any support, volunteers or collaborators. If you are interested or have any ideas, please contact us: blair@artofculturalevolution.org
See the project brief below or visit our website at: www.artofculturalevolution.org
Thanks!
Green Evolution:
An Environmental Upgrade
A Community project that aims to make the U.S. a forerunner in conservation and sustainability.
Project Brief
As the U.S. undergoes major budget cuts we are starting to see that many State Parks are unable to maintain themselves. Their budgets are becoming minimal; they are losing staff and are unable to afford any upgrades or new programs. This will ultimately lead to two outcomes: Closure or privatization of our State Parks.
It is proposed that we make our State Parks completely self sustainable utilizing the natural resources that each individual park processes. We can eliminate unnecessary utility costs by the use of wind, water or solar energy, solar hot water heaters and solar lighting. We can reduce the overall operational costs by implementing native plant gardens in areas that are usually landscaped or mowed, offer full recycling services, composting and a rain water collection system.
Implementing a design system like this would allow new opportunities for our State Parks and attract a broader attendance. An entirely self sustainable park would act as an educational facility for the public and help lead the way into creating a sustainable future. A great deal of the American public use their State Parks as recreational and vacation spots. If the public sees new “green” technologies put into action by their local State Parks and are able to be educated about the efficiencies of the technologies, it will help to de-mystify sustainable living and allow it to become more attainable to the general public.
Our State Parks’ mission should be about real conservation, preservation and sustainability. They should aim to educate the public and set examples so that we can continue to enjoy natural landscapes and wild animals before they disappear.
Implementation
Each park will be assessed by a Permaculture Design Specialist and a design plan will be proposed. In some cases we will work with a University department who will collaborate with their students in the new design and technology. Once the system is proposed and approved we will obtain the necessary equipment and materials and oversee its installation. The installation will be completed and overseen by a local students as an educational field experience.
The community will be involved in building the Native Plant gardens. The planting of the garden will be used as an educational tool for the public and employees of the parks to help identify native and edible plants.
Further Outcomes
Once a park is self sustainable, maintenance will be minimal and able to be performed as public workshops, classes or events. Also, once relationships are established through the local College or University maintenance may be regularly performed as part of field work.
With the elimination of redundant utility costs our parks can afford to maintain themselves as leaders in conservation, preservation, environmental education and sustainability.
As the public becomes educated about sustainable technologies they will become less intimidated by using them in their own home or businesses and will help turn our country into a greener more economically efficient country while preserving our natural resources.
Example: Sebastian Inlet State Park Florida
Sebastian Inlet is a great example of a popular recreational State Park. It is busy all year and provides great fishing, swimming, bicycling and camping facilities.
Energy:
This park could utilize the constant water current within the inlet with a hydro turbine or pelton to provide its power. It could also utilize the constant Florida sun and use solar panels in their large open green spaces.
The park already has one solar hot water heater for one of its two bath houses within the camping area. However the park has 5 total bathhouses and the hot water is provided by electric or gas heaters.
Utilities and Maintenance:
There is a great deal of grounds maintenance, such as the cutting of grass with gas powered lawn equipment. There are large areas of open greenery in their camping areas which could be turned into a native plant/food garden for educational and conservation purposes. We could eliminate maybe 2000 man and equipment hours in grounds keeping by allowing this area to be utilized as an educational tool rather than mowing it endlessly.
The park provides aluminum recycling, but both Brevard and Indian River County provide full recycling capabilities. A full recycling program will help reduce waste, land filling and will help influence a more environmentally mindful image and public consciousness. Currently, the State Parks in South Carolina are working with Sonoco who is a global recycling company. Perhaps this is something to continue throughout the rest of the parks.
A rain water collection system should be utilized and can be used for a number of purposes including dump stations and irrigation. There is an abundant of rainwater available during the Florida summer and this water can be easily filtered or used in grey water systems. It can be collected in swales (ditches on contour) to recharge aquifers, mitigate floods, provide drought protection for food, birds or simply be used in composting toilets to eliminate sewage treatment entirely.
For this particular park four composting boxes should be available in the camp site areas for organic non animal food waste. The compost can be used as a free organic fertilizer for the native plant gardens. Also, with a full recycling program and composting most trash will be entirely eliminated.
A system like the one outlines above would provide an invaluable education for the public and save our State Parks a great deal of unnecessary costs and ultimately preserve and protect what we have.
Funding
This program foresees its funding to come through State and National sources. However, as a Non-profit organization whose mission is to bring environmental and educational projects to the public, we may seek grants, corporate sponsorship and gifts from both public and private sources.
About Us
We are a newly formed Non-Profit. Our mission is to help our culture evolve to become sustainable and ecologically mindful by educating the public through special projects, film, art, events and publications.
We have undertaken this project during the filming of our environmental documentary. The documentary has taken us to many State Parks which we have enjoyed thoroughly, but have also noticed them slipping from an environmental concern to a dollar concern as they are desperate to hang on for their lively hood. Our Green Evolution Program aims to lessen the monetary burden while enforcing the initial State Park moral of conserving and protecting our natural landscapes and wildlife.
Contact Blair Butterfield Blair@artofculturalevolution.org
——————————————————————————————————— To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Urban-Permaculture/
I only added a 2nd tire to some of them. The plants have died back now, so I guess we can begin harvesting them. I’ll report back with the results.
He is doing well. He’s all done with treatments. They will take another look at his PSA readings in December to see how the treatments worked. I am confident that all will be well.
I’m getting a late start on summer/gardening here, but as they say, better late than never. We had several volunteer plants come up this year so we will get to enjoy a few things we didn’t have time to plant.
Disinfectant Room Spray
Posted by: “Debbie Harlan” debbie@aromathyme.com aroma_thyme
It’s a great idea to keep one in each bathroom as well as the kitchen and
laundry area.
3 drops eucalyptus
1 drop peppermint
2 drops pine
1 drop tea tree
2 drops bergamot
1 ounce of water
Combine ingredients. Shake well before using.
http://www.onelist.com/community/AromatherapyDailyTip
[You will find years of excellent tips in her past posts, for some reason, I have had her as a ‘no mail’ group so am very out of date...
She sells essential oils, I have not tried them, she does have good standing in the soapmakers world...
granny]
Som Tom (Thai Green Papaya Salad)
Have you ever tried to write about a food 2 weeks after eating it? It’s difficult.
Happily for me, however, this salad is quite memorable as it actually makes my top 5 list of all dishes or foods of all time—and that is including desserts.
OK now that you have picked your jaw up off the floor, about the dish. It is a Thai salad composed of green (un-ripe) papaya and other veggies called som tom that I discovered while in Thailand. There it is very hot, salty, sour and just a tad sweet, and usually has various seafood elements (the most common on an American menu being dried shrimp). My version is unapologetically bastardized, as the salad can present some challenges (especially without a food processor, which is what happened to me when my sister requested it), but still quite tasty.
Most Thai recipes call for pounding the green papaya—my theory on this is that this is something that predates food processors or modern cheese shredders, and so it tenderized and flattened thicker pieces of sliced papaya. I do not bother. I also frequently skip the dried shrimp, as my source is not that great. I serve the fresh hot green chile peppers separately, as they would make it too hot for my kids (and this time the fresh peppers were on the mild side so we also used sambal oelek which works in a pinch). The store was out of Chinese long beans, which is a shame because they are quite tasty in this dish. Much like with Vietnamese nuoc cham, everything about the dressing is to taste, although I am sure purists could find fault with a dressing that is too sweet. For me personally, a som tom dressing is more sour than nuoc cham, although the basic ingredients are similar, and so I use more lime juice. And if I were not cooking for kids, I would make the dressing much hotter than nuoc cham.
Som Tom (Thai Green Papaya Salad)
Adapted from Victor Sodsook’s True Thai
2 medium-large green (un-ripe) papayas, peeled, seeded and shredded in a food processor or on a large holed grater
4-8 cloves of garlic, very finely minced (I give a range because some people cannot handle large quantities of raw garlic, although the lime juice will tame it some)
As many Thai bird chile peppers (or another hot pepper like serrano) as you can take, very finely minced with seeds
1 1/2 T light brown sugar
3 T fish sauce (to taste)
6 T fresh lime juice (to taste)
1 handful cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered, depending on size
1 handful shredded carrots
1/2 cup sliced Chinese long beans
1/2 cup roasted peanuts, salted or not, roughly chopped (I’m ok with leaving some whole)
Boston or Bibb lettuce, optional
Whisk together the garlic, fresh chile pepper, fish sauce, sugar and lime juice until the sugar has dissolved. Taste—I use some of the green papaya to dip and taste if I am having trouble getting a sense of it. Toss the green papaya in the dressing and then serve on an optional bed of lettuce, surrounded by the long beans, carrots and tomatoes.
More Recent Articles
* We interrupt this blog...
* Thai Chicken Satay
* Mexican Green Gazpacho With Shrimp
* Salty Ancho Peanut Butter Cookies
* Sour Chickpea Soup
Weekly Harvest Newsletter
Sustainable Agriculture News Briefs - August 18, 2010
Weekly sustainable agriculture news and resources gleaned from the Internet by NCAT staff for the ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service Website. The Weekly Harvest Newsletter is also available online. http://attra.ncat.org/newsletter/archives.html#wh
News & Resources
* NCAT Awarded Grant to Develop Organic and Sustainable Agriculture Practice Standards and Training for Federal Agency
* Conservation Program Sign-up Deadline Approaching
* Video Highlights Veterans Farm Project
* Rainwater Harvesting Manual Available
* Foodservice Helping Customers Source Locally
* Survey Reports New York Farmers’ Interest in Organic Production
* New Book Connects Kids to Sustainable Farming
Funding Opportunities
* Energize Missouri Field Day Grant
* Renewable Energy Feasibility Grants
* Oregon Organic Cost Share
Coming Events
* Organic Certification Workshop
* Beginner’s School For Small Farmers
* Ohio No-Till Field Day
__________________________________________________
News & Resources
NCAT Awarded Grant to Develop Organic and Sustainable Agriculture Practice Standards and Training for Federal Agency
The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) has been awarded over $500,000 to help integrate sustainable and organic agriculture approaches into the programs and practice standards of a leading federal agriculture service.
NCAT and partner organic and sustainable agriculture organizations were
awarded the funding through USDA’s National Conservation Innovation Grant Program. The award will be matched by more than an additional half million dollars from project partners. Kathleen Hadley, Executive Director of NCAT, said, “funding will support a three-year project to work with the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to better integrate sustainable and organic agriculture production systems into NRCS programs and procedures.” Jeff Schahczenski, NCAT’s Project Director for the grant, added that “NCAT and its partners will update conservation practice standards used in NRCS programs, allowing the federal agency to give more credit to sustainable and organic farmers and ranchers in program applications.” In addition, project partners will provide critical training to NRCS staff and others who provide technical services to organic and sustainable farmers and ranchers.
Some of the training provided to NRCS will emphasize adoption of agriculture production systems that enhance biodiversity, improve soil quality, water quality, air quality, carbon sequestration, energy efficiency and wildlife habitat. Training sessions in these sustainable agriculture techniques will be held across the nation for hundreds of NRCS staff, organic and sustainable farmers and other technical service providers.
The project is an outgrowth of 2008 federal legislation that led to specific provisions for organic and sustainable practices in the federal Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Organizations partnering with NCAT include the Center for Rural Affairs, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service, Organic Farming Research Foundation, Virginia Association for Biological Farming, Florida Organic Growers, Kansas Rural Center,Wild Farm Alliance, Land Stewardship Project and Practical Farmers of Iowa.
Conservation Program Sign-up Deadline Approaching
http://bit.ly/cueNdH
The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds producers that the deadline to enroll in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) general sign-up is quickly approaching. Farmers and ranchers have until close of business on Friday, Aug. 27, 2010, to offer eligible land for CRP’s competitive general sign-up. Applications can be completed by land owners at the FSA county office where their farm records are maintained. Cropland that is highly erodible, or within a national or state Conservation Priority Area, or is covered under an expiring CRP contract is generally eligible to be enrolled into CRP, provided all other eligibility requirements are met.
Video Highlights Veterans Farm Project
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Rr1WpOVMIc&feature=player_embedded
In this video, Purple Heart Veteran Adam Burke is interviewed about his project Red, White and Blueberries. The Veterans Farm http://veteransfarm.giving.officelive.com/default.aspx was developed to unite disabled veterans and help them overcome disabilities such as (PTSD) Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and (TBI) Traumatic Brain Injuries through “Horticulture Therapy.” Through different programs, veterans will have a chance to “Earn While They Learn.”
Rainwater Harvesting Manual Available
http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=2082
Everything you ever wanted to know about rainwater harvesting but didn’t know to ask could well describe a new publication just released by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service. The publication, “Rainwater Harvesting: System Planning” (publication number: B-6240), is 206 pages chock full of the how-tos, whys and best management practices associated with planning and installing rainwater catchment systems of all sizes, said Billy Kniffen, AgriLife Extension’s state rainwater harvesting specialist at Menard. “The manual is designed to assist designers and installers of rainwater collection systems in properly planning, sizing, installing and using rainwater for inside and outside use,” Kniffen said.
Foodservice Helping Customers Source Locally
http://www.usagnet.com/story-national.php?Id=1614&yr=2010
U.S. Foodservice, one of the nation’s largest food distributors, announced a new initiative that helps restaurants and other food establishments bring local and regional products to their customers. U.S. Foodservice’s restaurant customers can now easily determine if a product is locally sourced through the company’s online ordering system. Local products will be identified by a special “local” icon and will include detailed product information, including the location of the grower or manufacturer and the distance from the supplier to the U.S. Foodservice distribution center. U.S. Foodservice’s online ordering system will feature more than 10,000 products that are local to U.S. Foodservice divisions. The enhanced system will also allow U.S. Foodservice customers to conduct product searches that display only local items.
Related ATTRA Publication: Bringing Local Food to Local Institutions
http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/farmtoschool.html
Survey Reports New York Farmers’ Interest in Organic Production
http://www.agmkt.state.ny.us/AD/release.asp?ReleaseID=1910
New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker announced the results of a survey that asked conventional farmers about their level of interest in transitioning to organic agriculture. The survey, conducted in conjunction with the New York Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, found that 40 percent of conventional farmers who responded to the survey have some level of interest in becoming involved in organic production. The survey, the first of its kind in New York, found 6 percent of those surveyed have a high level of interest in organic production, while 15 percent have a moderate interest and 19 percent a slight interest. Sixty percent of respondents indicated that they have no interest in transitioning to organic farming. A copy of the entire survey report can be found at http://www.agmkt.state.ny.us/AP/organic/.
New Book Connects Kids to Sustainable Farming
http://www.newyorkagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=614&yr=2010
A bold new picture book helps young children understand sustainable, organic farming, eating locally, and environmental stewardship by speaking to kids’ natural affinity for animals and growing things. The importance of local farms and caring for the land are the down-to-earth values found in “Up We Grow! A Year in the Life of a Small, Local Farm” (http://www.kidscanpress.com/US/Up-We-Grow-P3196.aspx Kids Can Press, Chappaqua, N.Y.). “Up We Grow!” helps kids make the vital connection between farming and their everyday lives. The book depicts farming as a series of mindful and social acts, with plenty of hard work, but also time to celebrate the accomplishment of a successful harvest.
More Breaking News
http://attra.ncat.org/news/
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Funding Opportunities
Energize Missouri Field Day Grant
http://www.dnr.mo.gov/transform/energizemissouriagriculture.htm#field
Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources is offering up to $500,000 in funding under the Field Day: Energy Training program for organizations to provide energy-efficiency education and training to Missouri Farmers for the purpose of helping farmers reduce energy costs on their farms. The department will provide grants to organizations to host Field Day: Energy Training sessions at working agricultural facilities where farmers will learn how to identify opportunities for increasing energy efficiency, how to conduct an energy assessment, and how to calculate energy savings and simple payback. The field days will provide farmers with the tools and resources to identify opportunities to save energy and reduce costs at their farms.
Proposals are due September 13, 2010.
Renewable Energy Feasibility Grants
http://bit.ly/aQLRtS
The Rural Energy for America Program will provide funds to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to conduct feasibility studies for renewable energy systems. The Rural Energy for America Program is designed to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce energy costs and consumption and help meet the nation’s critical energy needs. The grants are awarded on a competitive basis and can be up to 25 percent of total eligible project costs.
Proposals are due October 5, 2010
Oregon Organic Cost Share
http://egov.oregon.gov/ODA/ADMD/organic_costshare.shtml
The Organic Cost Share Reimbursement Program was approved by Congress and funds made available through the USDA to applicant states. The program provides reimbursement to growers, processors and handlers who obtain organic certification from USDA accredited certifiers (certifying to National Organic Program standards). Oregon received $202,500 in reimbursement funds for the October 1, 2009-September 30, 2010 period. Oregon producers or handlers certified by USDA accredited certifiers between October 1, 2009 and September 30, 2010 are eligible to receive reimbursement for 75 percent of certification fees, up to a maximum of $750 per qualifying year. Similar programs are available in other states.
Proposals are due October 31, 2010
More Funding Opportunities
http://attra.ncat.org/funding/
__________________________________________________
Coming Events
Organic Certification Workshop
August 26, 2010
Goldsboro, North Carolina
http://www.cefs.ncsu.edu/newsevents/events/2010/sosa2010/sosa2010calendar.html#organiccert
This workshop will help you understand what you need to know and do to get your farm certified under the USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP). Find out what the standards are, how to get certified, how to fill out an organic certification application, and how to find and choose a certifier.
Beginner’s School For Small Farmers
August 31, 2010
Dallas, Georgia
http://www.georgiaorganics.org/events/event.php?id=1266
This workshop will cover the basics of starting a farm, including farm structures, regulations, financing, and farm programs.
Ohio No-Till Field Day
September 8, 2010
West Manchester, Ohio
http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/e4812/Ohio-No-till-Field-Day.htm
Topics will include success with no-till corn; grain handling systems; emerging trends in corn and soybean-based bioproducts; aphids and other insect issues; manure and drainage; and fiberglass and plastic poly tank safety.
More Events
http://attra.ncat.org/calendar/
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New & Updated Publications
Market Gardening: A Start Up Guide (Spanish version)
http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/summary.php?pub=338
Western Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE) Farm Internship Curriculum and Handbook
http://attra.ncat.org/intern_handbook/
Organic Poultry Production: Providing Adequate Methionine
http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/summary.php?pub=336
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Question of the Week
What information can you give me on factors that affect the flavor of tomatoes?
http://attra.ncat.org/calendar/question.php/2010/08/16/what-information-can-you-give-me-on-factors-that-affect-the-flavor-of-tomatoes
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Ask a Sustainable Agriculture Expert
Submit questions to our professional staff online
http://attra.ncat.org/ask.php
__________________________________________________
ATTRA on the Radio
Learn more about ATTRA - The National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service by tuning into next week’s Sustainable Agriculture Spotlight: Providing Easier Access to Sustainable Farming Solutions.
http://www.voiceamerica.com/voiceamerica/vshow.aspx?sid=1565
Tuesday, August 24
10 a.m. PDT/1 p.m. EDT
__________________________________________________
ATTRA Spanish Newsletter
Subscribe to Cosecha Mensual (Monthly Harvest), ATTRA’s Spanish-language e-newsletter
http://attra.ncat.org/espanol/boletin.php
__________________________________________________
Subscribe to the Weekly Harvest
https://www.thedatabank.com/dpg/427/personal2.asp?formid=signup
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Comments? Questions? Contact us
http://attra.ncat.org/management/contact.html
__________________________________________________
Weekly Harvest and ATTRAnews Archives
Digital versions of recent and archived Weekly Harvest and ATTRAnews newsletters are available online.
http://attra.ncat.org/newsletter/archives.html
ATTRAnews is the newsletter of ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service.
The National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service - ATTRA - was developed and is managed by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT). The project is funded through a cooperative agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/index.html
Visit the NCAT Web site for more information on our other sustainable agriculture and energy projects.
http://www.ncat.org/sarc_current.php
Copyright 2010 NCAT
This message consists of the following:
1. Lan Enterprises Recalls Zooper Tango Double Strollers Due to Collapse Hazard,
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10321.html
2. White Tiger Outdoor Folding Chairs Recalled Due to Fall Hazard,
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10322.html
Ten years ago, Butch Owen was the person with the most knowledge of essential oils.
I just found this sale / ad for him and am pleased that he is still selling essential oils.
I did not check out his new site.....the old one was full of knowledge......
SALMONELLOSIS, SEROTYPE ENTERITIDIS - USA (02): EGGS, RECALL
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A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
[1] CDC update
Date: Thu 19 Aug 2010
Source: CDC [edited]
http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/enteritidis/
CDC is collaborating with public health officials in multiple states,
the FDA, and the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service to
investigate a nationwide increase of _Salmonella [enterica_ serotype]
Enteritidis (SE) infections with an indistinguishable pulsed-field
gel electrophoresis (PFGE) pattern JEGXX01.0004. This is the most
common PFGE pattern for SE in the PulseNet database. Investigators
are using DNA analysis of Salmonella bacteria obtained through
diagnostic testing to identify cases of illness that may be part of
this outbreak. Because the outbreak PFGE pattern (outbreak strain)
commonly occurs in the USA, some of the cases identified with this
outbreak strain may not be related to this outbreak.
Investigation of the Outbreak
During 1 May to 31 Jul 2010, a total of 1953 illnesses were reported.
However, some of these cases may not be related to this outbreak.
Based on the previous 5 years of reports to PulseNet, we would expect
approximately 700 illnesses during this same period. Many states have
reported increases of this pattern since May 2010. Because of the
large number of expected cases during this period, standard methods
of molecular subtyping alone are not sufficient to determine which
reported cases might be outbreak-associated. CDC is currently
conducting testing using advanced molecular methodologies to help
distinguish between outbreak-related cases and sporadic (or background) cases.
Illnesses that occurred after 17 Jul 2010 might not yet be reported
due to the time it takes between when a person becomes ill and when
the illness is reported. This takes an average of 2 to 3 weeks for
_Salmonella_.
Epidemiologic investigations conducted by public health officials in
10 states since April 2010 have identified 26 restaurants or events
where more than a single ill person with the outbreak strain has
eaten. Data from these investigations suggest that shell eggs are a
likely source of infections in many of these restaurants or events.
Preliminary information indicates that Wright County Egg, in Galt,
IA, was an egg supplier in 15 of these 26 restaurants or events.
A formal traceback conducted by state partners in California,
Colorado, and Minnesota, in collaboration with FDA and CDC, found
that shell eggs from 5 of these restaurants or events were from a
single firm, Wright County Egg in Galt, IA. FDA is currently
conducting an extensive investigation at the firm. The investigation
includes CDC participation and involves sampling, records review and
looking for potential sources of contamination, such as feed. The
investigation continues, and updates will be made available.
Recall Information
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Communicated by:
ProMED-mail promed@promedmail.org
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[2] Expanded recall
Date: Wed 18 Aug 2010
Source: FDA [edited]
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm223139.htm
Wright County Egg of Galt, IA is expanding its voluntary recall
(original recall date: 13 Aug 2010) of specific Julian dates of shell
eggs produced by their farms because they have the potential to be
contaminated with _Salmonella_.
Eggs affected by the expanded recall were distributed to food
wholesalers, distribution centers and foodservice companies in
California, Arizona, Missouri, Minnesota, Texas, Georgia, Washington,
Oregon, Colorado, Nevada, Iowa, Illinois, Utah, Nebraska, Arkansas,
Wisconsin and Oklahoma. These companies distribute nationwide.
Eggs are packaged under the following brand names: Albertsons, Farm
Fresh, James Farms, Glenview, Mountain Dairy, Ralphs, Boomsma, Lund,
Kemps and Pacific Coast. Eggs are packed in varying sizes of cartons
(6-egg cartons, dozen egg cartons, 18-egg cartons, and loose eggs for
institutional use and repackaging) with Julian dates ranging from 136
to 229 and plant numbers 1720 and 1942.
Dates and codes can be found stamped on the end of the egg carton or
printed on the case label. The plant number begins with the letter P
and then the number. The Julian date follows the plant number, for
example: P-1720 223.
Eggs under the 13 Aug 2010 recall are packaged under the following
brand names: Lucerne, Albertson, Mountain Dairy, Ralph’s, Boomsma’s,
Sunshine, Hillandale, Trafficanda, Farm Fresh, Shoreland, Lund, Dutch
Farms and Kemps. Eggs are packed in varying sizes of cartons (6-egg
cartons, dozen egg cartons, 18-egg cartons, and loose eggs for
institutional use and repackaging) with Julian dates ranging from 136
to 225 and plant numbers 1026, 1413 and 1946.
—
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail promed@promedmail.org
[The scope of this outbreak is increasing. ProMED awaits more
information regarding better diagnostic studies of the outbreak
strain. It cannot be stressed enough, in parallel to _E. coli_
O157:H7 in ground beef, that almost all cases can be avoided with
proper cooking and kitchen hygiene. - Mod.LL]
SALMONELLOSIS, PICKLES - USA: (ILLINOIS)
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A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Wed 18 Aug 2010
Source: Associated Press [edited]
http://www.canadianbusiness.com/markets/market_news/article.jsp?content=D9HLV6681
Contaminated pickles have been linked by the Cook County Department
of Public Health to an outbreak of salmonellosis.
According to public health officials, 6 confirmed cases of
salmonellosis have been linked to pickles purchased from the Assi
Market in the Chicago suburb of Niles. Five people have been hospitalized.
Manager Skip Yoo said it is possible the pickles were “cross
contaminated,”
[snipped]
Health department officials say all confirmed victims of
salmonellosis reported eating pickles made at the market and sold in
plastic bags between 25-27 Jul 2010, with a 24 Aug 2010 sell-by date.
—
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail promed@promedmail.org
[Although a small, localized outbreak, this cluster is unusual for
the vehicle implicated. The process of pickling kills most pathogenic
bacteria; however, the kill rates can be variable based, in part, on
temperature and pathogen. This can be seen in the following
publication with its abstract included:
Breidt F Jr, Hayes J, McFeeters RF: Determination of 5-log reduction
times for food pathogens in acidified cucumbers during storage at 10
and 25 degrees C. J Food Prot. 2007;70: 2638-41.
Abstract
Pickling, ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pickling ) also known as
brining or corning, is the process of preserving food by anaerobic
fermentation in brine (a solution of salt in water) to produce lactic
acid, or marinating and storing it in an acid solution, usually
vinegar (acetic acid). The resulting food is called a pickle. This
procedure gives the food a salty or sour taste.
Another distinguishing characteristic is a pH less than 4.6, which is
sufficient to kill most bacteria. Pickling can preserve perishable
foods for months. Antimicrobial herbs and spices, such as mustard
seed, garlic, cinnamon or cloves, are often added.
The term pickle is derived from the Dutch word pekel, meaning brine.
In the USA and Canada, the word pickle alone almost always refers to
a pickled cucumber (other types of pickles will be described as
“pickled onion,” “pickled cauliflower,” etc.). - Mod.LL]
Stalevo(carbidopa/levodopa and entacapone): Ongoing Safety Review: Possible increased cardiovascular risk
Audience: Neurology, Cardiology
Issue: FDA notified healthcare professionals that it is evaluating clinical trial data that suggest patients taking Stalevo (a combination of carbidopa/levodopa and entacapone) may be at an increased risk for cardiovascular events (heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death) compared to those taking carbidopa/levodopa (sold as the combination product, Sinemet). FDA’s decision to conduct a meta-analysis was based on findings from the Stalevo Reduction In Dyskinesia Evaluation – Parkinson’s Disease or STRIDE-PD trial, which reported an imbalance in the number of myocardial infarctions in patients treated with Stalevo compared to those receiving only carbidopa/levodopa. Although myocardial infarction, cardiac irregularities, hypertension, and palpitations have been reported with levodopa, previous clinical trials with Stalevo did not show an imbalance in myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiovascular death.
Background: Both Stalevo and Sinemet have been shown to be effective treatments for the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. The addition of entacapone to carbidopa/levodopa has been shown to lead to a greater degree of improvement in some of the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease than treatment with carbidopa/levodopa alone. Entacapone is also available as a single ingredient product (sold under the brand name Comtan) to be always administered in association with carbidopa/levodopa (entacapone has no antiparkinsonian effect of its own). It is estimated that 154,000 patients were dispensed a prescription for Stalevo from its approval in June 2003 through October 2009.
Recommendations: At this time, FDA’s review of the potential cardiovascular risk with Stalevo is ongoing. Healthcare professionals should regularly evaluate the cardiovascular status of patients who are taking Stalevo, especially if they have a history of cardiovascular disease. Patients should not stop taking Stalevo unless told to do so by their healthcare professional. FDA is exploring additional ways to assess whether Stalevo increases the risk of cardiovascular events, and will update the public when this review is complete.
Read the complete MedWatch 2010 Safety summary, including links to the Drug Safety Communication with Data Summary and the previous related MedWatch alert from March 2010, at:
You are encouraged to report all serious adverse events and product quality problems to FDA MedWatch at www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm
Ryerson University Course Series in Urban Agriculture 2010-2011
In order to help students develop their skills and capacity to address global problems,
specifically those related to the current global food crisis and climate change,
an urban agriculture course series has been developed as part of the elective offerings
of The Chang School’s Certificate in Food Security. The series will consist of four
courses and students who complete them will receive official acknowledgement from
the University of having achieved completion.
Urban Farming sinks roots in East New York
Standing over her garden, Joyce Dixon leaned down to weed the soil, tending to her
patch of young tomato plants. The summer air was thick and sticky with 90-degree
heat. Dixon stood up to wipe the dark skin of her brow, she shook the dirt off
her t-shirt and gave a smile.
“I grew up on a farm as a little one,” she said, “and this brings me back.”
Urban farming behind a growing garden revival in Calgary
Michelle Avis opens her cupped hands. In her outstretched arms are a bunch of ripe,
red strawberries. Popping one in my mouth, I bite down. The burst of sweetness makes
my mouth water.
This is Avis’s answer to the question of why anyone would want to carve out their
lawn in favour of a food-producing garden. We are standing in a “food forest” of
berry bushes, radishes and fruit trees that Avis and her husband Rob have planted
in their Forest Lawn front yard. My tastebuds urge me to rush home and plant my
own food forest.
At 4-1/2 acres, one of the largest urban farms in the country in Cleveland
At Ohio City Farm, the total farmable space is about 4-1/2 acres. Since the nonprofit
group Refugee Response is licensed 1-1/2 acres and Great Lakes Brewing Company is
licensed another acre, Wobser says there are two 1-acre sites left.
“We are in talks with two other groups, one being a young entrepreneur named Central
Roots to take an acre on the site,” Wobser explains. “We’re also in talks with the
Cuyahoga County Department of Developmental Disabilities, which has a unique program
where it works with developmentally disabled individuals and trains them to work
on farms.”
Farming plans gain traction in Detroit - 110 acres of city-owned parcels under discussion
Detroit businessman John Hantz is inching closer to a deal with the City of Detroit
to commercially farm about 110 acres of city-owned vacant land on the city’s east
side.
Details remain under negotiation, and it was not clear how soon, or even if, a deal
will be struck.
Two people familiar with the negotiations say that the effort centers on about 110
acres of vacant city-owned parcels scattered within an area bordered by Jefferson
Avenue on the south, Mack on north, Van Dyke on the west and Cadillac on the east.
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Stories here.
City Farmer News [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103631636267&s=1304&e=001CIwTFo6okbaY_bAHW45MnEn73RPZBog06jodqjMG_6iwzLu8dt7aRyo1e4vNoBqu-p0Wzxf-L3u8CoTKar3AuAYb5IijWpG-54yALlWKq-N-u71jkDbx4A==]
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Michael Levenston
City Farmer - Canada’s Office of Urban Agriculture
1978-2010
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