Weekly Roundup - Living On Nothing Edition [Survival Today - an On going Thread #3]

Frugal Dad .com ^ | July 23, 2009 | Frugal Dad

[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

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

Sounds yummy, and no milk needed.

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

All bad links in that post!

Here's the page URL: http://youngliving.com/en_US/wellness/massagetherapy.html

Essential Oils

Essential oils, known as nature’s living energy, are the natural, aromatic volatile liquids found in shrubs, flowers, trees, roots, bushes, and seeds. The distinctive components in essential oils defend plants against insects, environmental conditions, and disease. They are also vital for a plant to grow, live, evolve, and adapt to its surroundings. Essential oils are extracted from aromatic plant sources via steam distillation, and are highly concentrated and far more potent than dry herbs.

While essential oils often have a pleasant aroma, their chemical makeup is complex and their benefits vast—which makes them much more than something that simply smells good.

Historically, essential oils have played a prominent role in everyday life. With more than 200 references to aromatics, incense, and ointments throughout the Bible, essential oils are said to be used for anointing and healing the sick. Today, essential oils are used for aromatherapy, massage therapy, emotional health, personal care, nutritional supplements, household solutions, and much more.

Young Living Essential Oils, the leading provider of essential oils, offers more than 300 essential oil singles and blends. All Young Living essential oils meet the YLTG standard. This means that every essential oil Young Living distills or sources has the optimal naturally-occurring blend of constituents to maximize the desired effect. Only YLTG essential oils should be used for the primary methods of application, which include inhalation and application.

[DelaWhere]

>>>I hear more people talking about preparation than I have in my life.<<<

Boy, you sure got that right!

The subject came up at the beginning of one of our talk shows here locally, and hours later, despite the repeated attempts by the host to change the subject, everyone kept their lines full with questions and comments on gardening, preserving and other preparedness topics.

I wonder how much of the sales today are people preparing - I know that we spend much less on consumables and more and more on prep items, like the commercial dehydrator and meat slicer I just bought, and the storage supplies, and less and less of the things that we used to buy.

Even without my pushing, daughter and SIL decided that for the first time, they are planting a garden - canning and dehydrating too. Don’t know if it means anything, but he says EVERYONE he works with is preparing (Nat’l. Guard - State EOC) Hmmmmm

While even now I have almost a year’s worth on hand, I am kicking it up a notch and starting dehydrating lots more to add to the normal canning and freezing I normally do.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Group struggles to implement urban agriculture in Lantzville, BC.

Council has placed themselves and the residents of Lantzville on a very tight timeline
to deal with the issue of urban agriculture. Since neither council nor staff have
the required expertise in this area, and we want a “made in Lantzville solution”,
as council had initially proposed, I recommend we ask council to delay pushing through
this bylaw until concerns of all parties can be adequately addressed.

---

Pregnant teen mums protest closure of Detroit High School that teaches them how
to become urban farmers

DETROIT - In an interview with VOD, Ashley Matthews, 17, described the heroic student-led
occupation of her school, Catherine Ferguson Academy on April 15. She spoke of the
wholehearted support the young mothers received from the community, as well as the
vicious physical and verbal brutality police visited on them during their arrests.

---

Author David Tracey says urban agriculture will force us to rethink the design of
the modern city

Imagine Vancouver in the not-too distant future. There are food gardens everywhere.

Mini-farms. On rooftops. In parks. Next to gas stations. Filling empty lots.

And there are fruit and vegetable kiosks dotted here and there, selling fresh, organically
grown produce that has been picked only a few hours earlier.

---

Urban Agriculture in Estonia

“Edible City 1” is the first publication to introduce city agriculture into re-independent
Estonia. It is based on a popular science test run by Linnalabor (Urban Lab) in
2008 where we measured the quantity of pollution in edible plants growing next to
major roads. The experiment provided an opportunity to concentrate on the broad
field of city gardening and to introduce it at public events and in the media.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Read stories here:
City Farmer News: [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=fclqmpbab&et=1105349603734&s=1304&e=0019BNnFPTr3nqoHi3eqO3LHD30nTgIR0KGc0L8o9LFwWt0xxx2UO3HZ7M_MajpTqSof8-AcS4rP7f9vz0m1TEathuYuoooRSrwWEzuu3sslG95_dML-6aozA==]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

[nw_arizona_granny]

Sustainable Agriculture News Briefs - April 20, 2011

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
* San Francisco Adopts Urban Farming Ordinance
* Organic Industry Growing, Says Annual Survey
* Minneapolis Adopts Urban Agriculture Plan
* USDA Seeks Farmers Market Information for Directory
* NOP Issues Clarification Regarding GMOs
* Report Says Corn Belt Erosion Worse than Estimated

Funding Opportunities
* EQIP Organic Initiative Second Round for 2011
* Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)
* Massachusetts Farm Viability Enhancement Program

Coming Events
* Food for Thought: Food System Literacy in Classrooms, Cafeterias, and Communities
* American Forage and Grassland Council Annual Conference
* The Business of Meat Processing: Planning & Profitability

__________________________________________________

News & Resources

San Francisco Adopts Urban Farming Ordinance
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed progressive legislation that amended the zoning code to allow agricultural activities in all parts of the city without a conditional use permit, and defined parameters by which urban agriculturists can sell their products.
http://civileats.com/2011/04/14/san-francisco-passes-most-progressive-urban-agriculture-policy-in-u-s/

Organic Industry Growing, Says Annual Survey
The Organic Trade Association’s 2011 Organic Industry Survey reveals that the organic sector grew by 8 percent in 2010. The survey also noted 14,540 organic farms and ranches across the country, and says 96 percent of organic operations are planning to maintain or increase employment levels in 2011.
http://www.organicnewsroom.com/2011/04/post_4.html

Minneapolis Adopts Urban Agriculture Plan
The Urban Agriculture Policy Plan for Minneapolis was approved by the mayor and city council on April 15, allowing farmers to use land for commercial farms. It also recommends incorporating urban agriculture into the city’s long-range planning efforts.
Related ATTRA Publication: Start a Farm in the City (http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/summary.php?pub=21)
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2011/04/15/minneapolis-urban-farming/

USDA Seeks Farmers Market Information for Directory
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service is updating the USDA National Farmers Market Directory. Farmers market managers can update their market listings at http://www.usdadirectoryupdate.com www.usdadirectoryupdate.com. The directory captures information about where and when farmers markets operate, if they participate in federal nutrition benefit programs, and detailed information about their seasonality and location.
http://1.usa.gov/fOb1a6

NOP Issues Clarification Regarding GMOs
The National Organic Program (NOP) has issued a policy memorandum that addresses frequently asked questions concerning the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in organic production and handling.
http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5090396

Report Says Corn Belt Erosion Worse than Estimated
Data based on tracking erosion after every storm over a period of years shows that Iowa farms are losing precious topsoil up to 12 times faster than government estimates, says Losing Ground, a new report by the Environmental Working Group.
http://www.ewg.org/losingground/

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

__________________________________________________

Funding Opportunities

EQIP Organic Initiative Second Round for 2011
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced a second opportunity for application to the Organic Initiative during fiscal year 2011. Through the EQIP Organic Initiative, NRCS provides assistance to eligible producers for installation of conservation practices on organic or agricultural operations transitioning to organic production.
After May 20, 2011, applications will no longer be considered for fiscal year 2011 Initiative participation.
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/news/releases/2011/organics_applications_4.2011.html

Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)
USDA is providing funding for up to $61 million in guaranteed loans and $42 million in grants through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Funds are available to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses develop renewable energy systems, make energy efficiency improvements and conduct studies to determine the feasibility of renewable energy systems.
Applications for clean energy project grants and combined grants and loan guarantees are due June 15, 2011.
Applications for renewable energy Feasibility Studies grants, Energy Audits and Renewable Energy Development Assistance grants are due June 30, 2011.
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2011/04/0164.xml&contentidonly=true

Massachusetts Farm Viability Enhancement Program
The Massachusetts Farm Viability Program offers farmers environmental, technical and business planning assistance to expand, upgrade and modernize their existing operations. Capital is available in exchange for an agricultural covenant on the farm property for a fixed term of five or ten years.
The deadline for applications is June 23, 2011.
http://www.mass.gov/agr/programs/farmviability/

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

__________________________________________________

Coming Events

Food for Thought: Food System Literacy in Classrooms, Cafeterias, and Communities
June 16-17, 2011
Simsbury, Connecticut
This symposium is a two-day gathering of teachers, students, food service directors, sustainability coordinators, farmers, and community organizers to advance food system literacy in schools and communities around the nation.
http://www.ethelwalker.org/foodforthought

American Forage and Grassland Council Annual Conference
June 12-15, 2011
French Lick, Indiana
This event will feature symposia, scientific posters, student contests, tours, exhibits and networking designed to advance the knowledge and use of forage as a prime feed resource.
http://www.afgc.org/

The Business of Meat Processing: Planning & Profitability
June 2, 2011
Online
Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network is offering a free webinar, “The Business of Meat Processing: Planning and Profitability,” where business management and planning experts will address the topics of building a meat processing business and making it profitable, and answer questions.
http://www.extension.org/pages/55376/the-business-of-meat-processing:-planning-profitability

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

__________________________________________________

New & Updated Publications

Farmer Profiles: Two Organic Grain Farm Case Studies
http://attra.org/attra-pub/summaries/summary.php?pub=355

Apples: Organic Production Guide
http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/summary.php?pub=4

Agroforestry: An Overview
http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/summary.php?pub=62

Question of the Week
What information can you give me on movable high tunnels?
http://bit.ly/fpTTy3

Ask a Sustainable Agriculture Expert
Submit questions to our professional staff online
http://attra.ncat.org/ask.php

ATTRA Webinars
The latest webinars are available for viewing in ATTRA’s Sustainable Agriculture Video Archive
http://attra.ncat.org/video/index.php

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

ATTRA is on Facebook!
We feature breaking news on sustainable agriculture topics several times a week. Add us to your FaceBook friends list today!
http://attra.ncat.org/facebook/

Donate to ATTRA
https://www.thedatabank.com/dpg/427/donate.asp?formid=support

Subscribe to the Weekly Harvest
https://www.thedatabank.com/dpg/427/personal2.asp?formid=signup

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. ATTRAnews is the newsletter of ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service.
http://attra.ncat.org/newsletter/archives.html

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 website for more information on our other sustainable agriculture and energy projects.
http://www.ncat.org/sarc_current.php

copyright 2011 NCAT

[CottonBall]

Hey, how have you been?

I bet your yard looks lovely now. The green hills are awesome this time of year!

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

I bet it does too... we moved back to Phoenix because my mom has health problems - she’s 78. Ahhh... I miss the foothills. A Tea Party friends who lives in Auberry told me the wildflowers are everywhere!

[nw_arizona_granny]

Happy Mother’s Day!

~ Hedgie’s Mother’s Day Surprise Coloring Page
http://janbrett.com/hedgies_mothers_day_surprise.htm

~ I Love my Mom Coloring Page
http://janbrett.com/i_love_my_mom.htm

~ Download, Personalize and Printout Mother’s Day Cards
http://janbrett.com/pdfcards/pdfcardgenerator_mothers_day.htm

~ Send an Email Mother’s Day Postcard
http://www.janbrett.com/vcards/gbrowse.php?cat_id=12

Sincerely,

Jan Brett

Download a Free Jan Brett How to Draw Video -
http://janbrett.com/video/video_main_page.htm
Read all about Jan Brett’s books and get the best bookstore prices -
http://www.janbrett.com/bookstores/hedgies_lets_go_shopping.htm

This message was sent by Jan Brett, Post Office Box 366, Norwell, Ma,
02061

[nw_arizona_granny]

US-CERT Current Activity

Osama Bin Laden’s Death Email Scams, Fake Antivirus, and Phishing Attack Warning

Original release date: May 2, 2011 at 2:17 pm
Last revised: May 2, 2011 at 2:17 pm

Users should be aware of potential email scams, fake antivirus, and
phishing attacks regarding Osama Bin Laden’s death. Email scams may
contain links or attachments that may direct users to malicious
websites. Fake antivirus attacks may come in the form of pop-ups that
flash security warnings and ask the user for credit card
information. Phishing emails and websites requesting personal
information commonly appear after this type of news.

US-CERT encourages users to take the following measures to protect
themselves:
* Do not follow unsolicited web links or attachments in email
messages.
* Maintain up-to-date antivirus software.
* Review the Recognizing Fake Antivirus document for additional
information regarding fake antivirus.
* Refer to the Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing
Attacks document for additional information on social engineering
attacks.
* Refer to the Recognizing and Avoiding Email Scams (pdf) document
for additional information on social engineering attacks.

Relevant Url(s):
http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/tips/ST04-014.html

https://www.us-cert.gov/cas/tips/ST10-001.html

http://www.us-cert.gov/reading_room/emailscams_0905.pdf

---

This entry is available at
http://www.us-cert.gov/current/index.html#osama_bin_laden_s_death

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

Two FReepers great resources:

Kartographer’s Preparedness Manual free to download at:
http://www.tomeaker.com/kart/preparedness1i.pdf

Free Prepping Downlosds (manuals, ebooks)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2714596/posts?page=10

(Posted by dynachrome)

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

I hope more cities open up vacant, unowned land to agriculture. It seems a shame to waste perfectly good space.

[nw_arizona_granny]

This message consists of the following:

1. Sea Elite Systems Recalls Buoyancy Control Devices Due to Drowning Hazard, http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11209.html

2. Girl’s Hooded Sweater Recalled by El Gringo Imports Due to Strangulation Hazard, http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11210.html

3. Tween Brands Recalls Beaded Curtains Due to Risk of Entrapment and Strangulation; Sold Exclusively at Justice Stores, http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11211.html

4. WRK Enterprises Recalls Edge and HOG Buoyancy Control Devices Due to Drowning Hazard, http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11212.html

[nw_arizona_granny]

Coumadin (warfarin sodium) Crystalline 5 mg Tablets: Recall - Tablets May Have Higher than Expected Potency

AUDIENCE: Cardiology, Pharmacy, Patients

ISSUE: Bristol-Myers Squibb initiated a voluntary recall of one lot of 1,000-count bottles of Coumadin (warfarin sodium) Crystalline 5 mg tablets. Company testing of tablets from a returned bottle found a tablet to be higher in potency than expected. The lot number affected in the U.S. is 9H49374A with an expiry date of September 30, 2012. A decrease of active ingredient may increase the risk of clots which could lead to heart attack or stroke, and if there is too much active ingredient, there is an increased risk of bleeding.

BACKGROUND: Coumadin is prescribed to treat or prevent blood clots.

RECOMMENDATION: Patients who may have 5 mg tablets should not interrupt their therapy but should seek advice from their pharmacist to see if they have tablets originating from the affected lot and if so, should consult their physician for appropriate medical advice.

Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:

* Complete and submit the report Online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm
* Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178

Read the MedWatch safety alert, including a link to the company Press Release, at:

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm253615.htm

[nw_arizona_granny]

Having trouble viewing this email?
Click here
http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=fclqmpbab&v=001e4MTcRpscGrmYTMZ_3J6xYlL18N-qqal80qhLDQuMGvml4EJcWTCPxWYWI7wCqXZUbsG77ECMnuvC_VxiaLixcpPYYbM006kDPKh4niOmugGvwFcQ_OK4LUPX0srA7t4JR44E3fleExKNt4C2LMixKi8fCZnKQy5dYkY_bR5QVk%3D

Prince Charles visits DC farm, Supreme Court

The Prince of Wales spent about 35 minutes touring Common Good City Farm on Capitol
Hill. Wearing a gray, double-breasted suit on a muggy, windy day, he shook hands
and made small talk with farm staffers, volunteers and dozens of onlookers who
crammed against a picket fence.

He did not speak to reporters or address the crowd, but he chatted up children about
composting and the members of a jazz band about their equipment. A longtime advocate
of sustainable agriculture, Charles picked up a piece of spinach grown at the farm
and popped it into his mouth.

---

Documentary project provides children with gardening supplies and cameras

Kids are building gardens, sharing stories, inspiring friends and family to change
the way we relate to our food, to our community and ultimately, to our planet.

Our unique documentary project provides children with gardening supplies and cameras,
and allows them to share the story as they learn to compost, plant seeds and ultimately
harvest food they’ve grown themselves.

Molly Rockamann on Organic Farming and Sustainable Urban Agriculture
One of the things that’s so different about kids is that they have this unbridled
enthusiasm for it. I think kids, if they haven’t been told that they shouldn’t get
dirty too much in their lives, they’re happy to get dirty. Kids are just into it
right away.

---

Profitable Urban Farming in Vancouver

Chris Thoreau is currently finishing his undergraduate degree in Agroecology at
UBC. His focus has been on soils, urban farming, and plant breeding. Currently working
on expanding the viability of urban farming as a business, he hopes to unite these
three areas of study to help ensure the sustainability of urban food production.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Read stories here:
City Farmer News [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=fclqmpbab&et=1105392027821&s=1304&e=001BlnDNs_ucGnzsScjZ6LhqPz1sjqKDHLHoBOIEnqda6VGDTsZ8AgckoK9R1z7XoJfLvyjvRel3yVseLIWbezqDSsleK8_iuY6TeaF-m0BnaCnb3J5CLqNwg==]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

[nw_arizona_granny]

Turnip Green Soup

“Southern Grace”

1 lb. country ham, cubed
2 cups chicken broth
2 medium red potates, cubed
1 large onion, chopped
1/2 cup sliced carrots
1/2 cup chopped celery
2 (15-oz.) cans navy beans
2 (10-oz.) pkgs. frozen chopped turnip greens
1 T. sugar
Salt to taste
Garlic powder to taste

Place the ham, chicken broth, potatoes, onion, carrots and celery in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat. Simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in the navy beans, turnip greens, sugar and pepper. Season with salt and garlic powder. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat. Simmer for 1 hour.
Yield: 10 servings

Author: MUW Alumnae Association

from the November 2003 issue of Today in Mississippi

Get recipes and money-saving tips at http://www.CheapCooking.com. Free newsletter, recipes, and much more.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Sustainable Agriculture News Briefs - May 4, 2011

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

Our sustainable agriculture information service, ATTRA, was cut from the federal budget as part of deficit reduction efforts. We cannot maintain this project unless we can find a way to raise operating funds. You can help as we explore our options. First, make your tax-deductible donation today. You can access our online donation form at https://attra.ncat.org/donate.html. For more information, visit NCAT’s website to read the most current postings about our efforts to keep this service open.
http://www.ncat.org/news/#tenacity

News & Resources
* New USDA Rule Encourages Local Agricultural Products for Nutrition Programs
* “America’s Favorite Farmers Markets” Competition Registering Entries
* Cornell’s New Organic Corn Variety Licensed for Sale
* Local Food Distribution Partnership to Serve Massachusetts
* AMS Proposes Leafy Green Marketing Agreement
* Mobile High Tunnels Offered for Selected Study Participants

Funding Opportunities
* Biomass Crop Assistance Program
* Supplemental and Alternative Crops Competitive Grants Program
* Upper Republican Agricultural Water Enhancement Program

Coming Events
* Pollinator Week
* National Rural Gathering: Water, Land, Energy and Food
* Farm Management During Tough Economic Times

__________________________________________________

News & Resources

New USDA Rule Encourages Local Agricultural Products for Nutrition Programs
USDA’s child nutrition programs are implementing new rules designed to encourage use of local farm products in school meals. The final rule, published in the Federal Register, will let schools and other providers give preference to unprocessed locally grown and locally raised agricultural products as they purchase food.
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2011/04/0180.xml&contentidonly=true

“America’s Favorite Farmers Markets” Competition Registering Entries
American Farmland Trust has announced the third annual competition for “America’s Favorite Farmers Markets,” a nationwide contest that gives farmers market customers the chance to vote for their favorite markets online from June 1 through August 31.
http://www.farmland.org/news/pressreleases/2011-Americas-Favorite-Farmers-Market-Registration.asp

Cornell’s New Organic Corn Variety Licensed for Sale
Cornell professor Margaret Smith has developed a new “workhorse” organic corn bred to thrive in Northeast growing conditions. One of the first licenses for the new corn, D2901, was granted to Iowa-based Blue River Hybrids, which distributes organic seeds nationwide.
http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/April11/NewCornBreed.html

Local Food Distribution Partnership to Serve Massachusetts
Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership (SEMAP) and FoodEx are cooperating in local food distribution in southeastern Massachusetts. FoodEx will offer a virtual marketplace with full warehousing and logistics support, allowing buyers to browse, select and purchase from a large variety of regional growers.
http://semaponline.org/semap/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/For-Immediate-Release-4-27.pdf

AMS Proposes Leafy Green Marketing Agreement
USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) recommends establishing a national marketing agreement to regulate the handling of leafy green vegetables to minimize the potential for microbial contamination. All interested parties, including small, organic, and diversified operations, are encouraged to submit comments by July 28, concerning USDA’s Recommended Decision to establish the National Leafy Green Marketing Agreement.
http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/leafygreensagreement

Mobile High Tunnels Offered for Selected Study Participants
Resilient Northern Habitats seeks qualitative and quantitative research data on how mobile high tunnels impact small to medium size organic food producers in northern growing zones 3 and 4. Organic growers with at least three years of organic food production sales, who do not currently own and utilize a mobile high tunnel, and who meet other requirements for participation may apply to the study.
http://resilientnorthernhabitats.com/2011/04/15/mobile-high-tunnel-application/

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

__________________________________________________

Funding Opportunities

Biomass Crop Assistance Program
BCAP was authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill and provides incentives to eligible farmers, ranchers and forest landowners for the establishment and production of biomass crops for heat, power, bio-based products and biofuels.
Project area proposals must be submitted to the applicable state office by close of business, May 27, 2011.
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/printapp?fileName=nr_20110420_rel_0044.html&newsType=newsrel

Supplemental and Alternative Crops Competitive Grants Program
NIFA announces the availability of funding and requests applications for the Supplemental and Alternative Crops Competitive Grants Program, supporting the development of canola as a viable supplemental and alternative crop. In FY 2011, approximately $800,000 is available to support the SACC program.
Applications are due by May 31, 2011.
http://www.nifa.usda.gov/funding/rfas/alt_crops.html

Upper Republican Agricultural Water Enhancement Program
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will provide $1 million to farmers and ranchers with land located in the Upper Republican AWEP project area of Nebraska, to convert irrigated cropland acres to dryland through the Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP).
Applications are due by May 15, 2011.
http://www.ne.nrcs.usda.gov/

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

__________________________________________________

Coming Events

Pollinator Week
June 20-26, 2011
National and international
Pollinator Week has grown to be an international celebration of the valuable ecosystem services provided by bees, birds, butterflies, bats and beetles. A list of events in states across the country is posted online.
http://pollinator.org/pollinator_week_2011.htm

National Rural Gathering: Water, Land, Energy and Food
June 22-26, 2011
Shawenee and Wewoka, Oklahoma
Rural Coalition/Coalicion Rural invites you to a historic gathering of the people of the land - farmworkers, small farmers and ranchers, and rural, acequia, land grant, and tribal communities from the US and beyond - standing together at the crossroads of past and future in the midst of transformation and change.
http://ruralco.org/

Farm Management During Tough Economic Times
June 20-21, 2011
Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania
Extension educators and specialists are invited to participate in an agricultural risk and business management training opportunity in the Northeast.
http://dafre.rutgers.edu/mt_airy/

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

__________________________________________________

New & Updated Publications

Agroforestry: An Overview
http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/summary.php?pub=62

Organic and Grass-finished Beef Cattle Production
http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/summary.php?pub=193

Farmer Profiles: Two Organic Grain Farm Case Studies
http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/summary.php?pub=355

Question of the Week
What information can you give me on control methods for cutworms?
http://bit.ly/mIeYeX

ATTRA Webinars
The latest webinars are available for viewing in ATTRA’s Sustainable Agriculture Video Archive
http://attra.ncat.org/video/index.php

ATTRA Spanish Newsletter

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

ATTRA is on Facebook!
We feature breaking news on sustainable agriculture topics several times a week. Add us to your FaceBook friends list today!
http://attra.ncat.org/facebook/

Follow us on Twitter
http://twitter.com/#!/attrasustainag

Donate to ATTRA
https://www.thedatabank.com/dpg/427/donate.asp?formid=support

Subscribe to the Weekly Harvest
https://www.thedatabank.com/dpg/427/personal2.asp?formid=signup

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. ATTRAnews is the newsletter of ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service.
http://attra.ncat.org/newsletter/archives.html

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 website for more information on our other sustainable agriculture and energy projects.
http://www.ncat.org/sarc_current.php

copyright 2011 NCAT

[nw_arizona_granny]

Having trouble viewing this email?
Click here
http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=fclqmpbab&v=001xfT_1g4eG8zZviaio3WYFcz9h4b6-N0IDV_M9gwGX9cL1OTBqdJApAyS8-j2aAvR2C4My2uSH0UOVvZaDefQpgTmNuSpkI7o0vGd6rZq0hyDdozREQyveVKmp8JU0JRx0YNDxgKVImWm_d0vos2GNKLeky5jjzKuuY4n3ozjrnU%3D

10,000 Internet Farmers wanted to run a real farm - This is NOT Farmville

The National Trust is asking the public to help run a real-life working farm via
the web.

In return for a £30 annual subscription, 10,000 people will take control of the
farm on the Wimpole Estate in Cambridgeshire.

Have your say on big decisions
Because Wimpole is a real farm, the decisions that have to be made are real, and
they have real consequences. But, as in life and in any other business, there is
no one right answer in farming, and we need some fresh ideas - yours! The first
vote will be a big one: what should we grow on the farm?

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Rooftop urban farming in Denmark

The efforts of the unsung heros of the decentralized urban agriculture movement
in Copenhagen are now starting to be recognized outside of their usual circles.

For example, on April 29th, 2011 Politiken published a feature article on DYRK,
an urban farming initiative in Nørrebro, titled “Urbane landmænd planter grønne
chok i København”

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EYA’s unique urban agriculture work experience program in Vancouver

A landmark internship has just drawn to a close, with ten local youth completing
a unique urban agriculture work experience program. This program offered the opportunity
for hands-on learning in the budding field of urban agriculture - and get paid for
it! For the youth in the program this opportunity was not only a unique chance to
delve into organizations making a difference in the community, but also a chance
to address their own barriers to finding fulfilling work in the future.

---

Urban Agriculture: Revolutionary by Nature

Although we may have a long row yet to hoe on the matter, urban agriculture has
really started to take root in just a few short years as quite a few cities have
passed legislation that make it a lot easier to grow food in an urban environment.

In 2009, Seattle passed a bill that allows curbside areas to be planted without
requiring a permit. Hardscaping - using rocks or raised beds - still requires permission,
but not a fee.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Read stories here:
City Farmer News [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=fclqmpbab&et=1105417817900&s=1304&e=001ggNfTUqEvj1LNae84mZbe8nH4KIWdhnQeUnSWkjDNaAE6ZBNh8xS1QSFGWiFBsUaFIPwdpj59Ux85m66fpv7h3d8ewLlRhhHOjz8xO2gtOWRMG-SktsIzw==]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

[nw_arizona_granny]

http://www.naturalnews.com/032277_virus_China.html

Highly contagious mystery virus with AIDS-like symptoms quickly spreading
throughout China

Wednesday, May 04, 2011 by: Jonathan Benson, staff writer

Learn more:
http://www.naturalnews.com/032277_virus_China.html#ixzz1LWg78CQU
http://www.naturalnews.com/032277_virus_China.html#ixzz1LWg78CQU

(NaturalNews) A new mystery virus with symptoms similar to those of AIDS and
HIV is turning up all over China, according to a recent report in The Epoch
Times. Patients with the highly transmissible disease are experiencing
dramatic weight loss, night sweats, numb limbs, severe body aches, joint
problems, severe vomiting, and the obvious decrease in white blood cell
count and subsequent deterioration of the immune system.

A translated report from the Chinese news source New Express Daily explains
that people who contract the new AIDS-like
http://www.naturalnews.com/virus.html
virus — which spreads through any
bodily fluid, including saliva and sweat, by the way — experience nearly
all the same symptoms as AIDS http://www.naturalnews.com/patients.html
patients do, but routinely test negative for the
http://www.naturalnews.com/disease.html
disease. And experts are allegedly
unable to authoritatively identify the disease, or the source from which it
came.

A reporter from New Express Daily recently interviewed 30 different patients
with the disease, most of which were believed to have contracted it through
sexual contact. But several of them contracted it from other sources,
including one via a
http://www.naturalnews.com/blood.html
blood
transfusion from a relative, and another from a friend at a casual house
gathering. And their accounts are chilling.

“I thought it was just a cold at the time, so I still participated in all
kinds of gatherings,” explained a retired army officer with the disease to
The Epoch Times. “Consequently, over 100 of my comrades in the army,
relatives and friends were infected by me.”

Reports say that the
http://www.naturalnews.com/Chinese.html
Chinese
Health Ministry has ordered epidemiological studies in six provinces with
high numbers of infected patients, including in Beijing, Shanghai, Zhejiang,
Hunan, Jiangsu, and Guangdong. To date, though, there have been no
conclusive discoveries made concerning the cause or source of the disease.

Sources for this story include:

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/china/highly-contagious-aids-like-disease-s
preading-in-china-53864.html

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/chi...

[nw_arizona_granny]

NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 6, 2011
Release #11-218

CPSC Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

CPSC Alert: Consumers Urged To Stop Using phil&teds USA Clip-on Chairs Due To Serious Dangers Posed To Children

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warns consumers that some “metoo” clip-on table top chairs, imported by phil&teds USA Inc., of Fort Collins, Colo. put young children at risk of serious injury due to multiple safety hazards. CPSC is urging consumers to stop using some metoo clip-on chairs immediately.

The product is an infant/toddler chair with a nylon fabric seat and a metal frame that clamps onto tables using two metal vise clamps. The upper part of each clamp rests on the table top and has either a rubber clamp pad on its underside or a rubber boot covering it. The chair is sold in three fabric colors - red, black and navy.

The clip-on chairs affected by this warning do not have plastic spacers between the table clamps and the front horizontal metal bar. The clip-on chairs that have plastic spacers between the table clamps and the front horizontal metal bar are under evaluation.

The company has refused to agree to a national recall of their hazardous product that is acceptable to CPSC. The company has offered a repair kit consisting of rubber boots to place on the upper clamp grips of the chairs. Consumers should be aware that CPSC has not approved a repair kit for this product, despite the firm’s prior statement that it was conducting a recall “in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.”

CPSC is urging consumers to stop using the affected metoo chairs at this time in order to prevent the risk of injury to children.

The affected metoo chairs pose serious fall and amputation hazards to children placed in them. Children can suffer impact and head injuries when the chair detaches from the table and falls with them in it. CPSC staff is aware of numerous incidents involving the affected metoo chairs.

CPSC staff has determined that the clamps can detach from a variety of different table surfaces. Additionally, the chairs can detach when children move around or use their feet to push against other objects. Staff also determined that the lack of adequate space between the horizontal metal bar at the front of the chair and the clamps can cause children’s fingers to be severely pinched, lacerated, crushed or amputated if caught between the bar and the clamp when the chair detaches.

In addition to hazards with the affected clip-on chairs, the product packaging and instructions provide conflicting information. The product’s packaging and marketing information show the product being used in ways that may lead to the chair detaching from the table. However, the product’s instructions do not adequately warn against this type of use.

Tens of thousands of the affected metoo chairs may have been distributed since May 2006 for about $50 through philandteds.com, Amazon.com, Buy Buy Baby, Target, Toys R Us, other online retailers and a variety of independent juvenile specialty stores.

To see this safety alert on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the products involved, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11218.html

********************************************************

‘CPSC 2.0’ Launches Product Safety Agency into Social Media — Learn more at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09346.html

Visit our new blog, OnSafety at www.cpsc.gov/onsafety
See our videos on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/uscpsc
Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/OnSafety
See our photos on Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/uscpsc

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, visit www.saferproducts.gov, or contact CPSC’s Hotline at info@cpsc.gov, (800) 638-2772 or CPSC’s teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270. To join a CPSC e-mail subscription list, please go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx. Consumers can obtain recall and general safety information by logging on to CPSC’s Web site at www.cpsc.gov.

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[nw_arizona_granny]

The U.S. military has long used cats in special operations under the top-secret Covert Anti-Terrorism Stealth (CATS) program. Smarter and stealthier than dogs, cats are also more agile: They can climb trees and leap across buildings to gather intelligence. Studies show they can survive nine times as long as human soldiers.

Photo illustration by Holly Allen, photograph by ALI YUSSEF/AFP/Getty Images.

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