NEWSLETTERS

Modern Homesteading Movement

Newsletter 7-25-05

The Modern Homesteading Movement includes folks of every religious denomination, and none, of every political persuasion, and none. We do all strive to base our life choices on the following five principles: 1) frugality; 2) health; 3) sustainability; 4) self-reliance; 5) good neighboring.

1) About Those Lost Host Invite Pages...

2) Carla's Updated Tour Schedule

3) News and Links
a) Agribusiness Propaganda Coming to a PBS near You
b) Living off the Grid
c) Carcinogenic Utility Poles?
d) Family Farms or Factory Farms? ...Meatrix
e) A Feast of Alternative Information
f) Free Internet Access?
g) Bush Advisor Predicts Coming Oil Shortage
h) A Proper Lawn...

4) Letters from Readers
a) Comfrey
b) Got a Recipe for Canned Mayonnaise
c) A Source of Sodium Silicate for Storing Eggs?
d) Help for Heat-stressed Rabbits
e) Compost Rhubarb Leaves?
f) "Cheap Seed Company"

1) About Those Lost Host Invite Pages!

Since last week I've managed to locate all of those people who offered to host me except---The gals from Mims, FL, and Keystone Heights, FL, that I met at the Florida State Dairy Goat Association annual meeting. The lady who invited me to Prentiss, MS, met at the Countryside Annual Reunion in southern Indiana. The fellow who invited me to North Branch [?], MN. At the MREA? He said his town was about an hour north of the Twin Cities. The host who only provided an e-mail addy with the word "warren" in it...

2) Carla's Updated Tour Schedule, 2005-2006

Click here to view the updated tour schedule.

3) News and Links

a) Agribusiness Propaganda Coming to a PBS near You
"This fall, Monsanto and the American Farm Bureau Federation (with additional funding from the American Soybean Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Cotton Council, United Soybean Board and U.S. Grains Council) have teamed up to produce a weekly television series, America's Heartland, (see the trailer at http://www.americasheartland.org/ ) that will be offered to more than 300 public television stations for airing in September. The 20 half-hour episodes claim to help raise awareness of the significant contribution American agriculture makes to the quality of life here and abroad. However, the failure to include groups representing America's traditional family farmers raises suspicions that the series is nothing more than a public relations ploy by corporate agriculture interests. " Quoted from Global Resource Action Center for the Environment [ media@gracelinks.org ]

b) Living off the Grid
http://www.emagazine.com/view/?2650. Home Power magazine; Phone: 800-703-6585.

c) Carcinogenic Utility Poles?
http://www.emagazine.com/view/?2655

d) Family Farms or Factory Farms?
http://www.themeatrix.com/

e) A Feast of Alternative Information
http://www.metrofarm.com/mf_Food_Chain_Radio.html

f) Free Internet Access?
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0615/p01s03-ussc.html?s=hns

g) Bush Advisor Predicts Coming Oil Shortage
http://www.emagazine.com/view/?2574

h) A Proper Lawn...
http://www.emagazine.com/view/?2476


4) Letters from Readers

a) Comfrey
I know many people that free range rabbits, and some the raise rabbits in cages. They all say that the rabbits will eat comfrey if they are not feeling so well, and they get better after that. There is a 'lot' of mis-information about comfrey going around...thanks to our Government!!

Chickens also 'devour' and 'destroy' young comfrey plants. They love the stuff! I know people that free range their chickens, and they said that they had to build cages around their comfrey plants to keep the chickens from killing it, eating it all and digging up and eating the roots as well! I currently have six 2-year-old commom comfrey roots growing, plus two plants that are only 2 months old. I'm going to buy 20 or so more of the 2-year-old roots ($1 each). I'll plant them and use them as partial feed for my rabbits, worms, goats, chickens, etc. I will also use them for their medicinal value, on myself as well.

I searched all over the internet to find out how 'deep' the common comfrey roots would get...and all I could find was info on the Russian variety, whose roots will get 10 feet deep, or more! I called the place where I bought my common comfrey roots (they don't sell the Russian variety)--http://www.horizonherbs.com/comfrey-root.html. They told me that the common comfrey roots will grow two feet deep--which I was glad to hear. LOL. The roots that they send are 1-2 years old and 4-8 long already. The gentleman I talked to said that the roots are worth more, but they are selling them at $1 each as a loss leader in hopes that people will buy some of the other things that they sell. He said that they sell the comfrey roots year round as well. Some other companies that sell comfrey roots won't ship any until September-- and their roots run upwards of $25 each.

Here is an interesting article on comfrey
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Organic_Gardening/1974_May_June/Comfrey_for_the_Homestead
DJ (North central Texas)

b) Got a Recipe for Canned Mayonnaise?

Dear Carla, I have been searching everywhere for a recipe that tells you how to can mayonnaise. I never thought of doing it before until I began registering my entries for the county fair this August. They have a section for condiments, being a little adventuresome I thought 'Why not try it?" Well There are no recipes anywhere! I searched the extension campus & Usda Websites. Then I thought of you, I thought it anyone will know she will! I have one copy of your book that my Mom Bought when I was about 8 years old, it is paperback, green cover and very, very well worn. Anyway if you have a recipe or know where I can look I would be thankful, I don't know why they would put a section for mayonnaise there in the home canning section unless the information was somewhere. Thank you so much.
Jean Kennedy, redbarn@bauercom.net

Answer: I've seen lots of recipes for homemade mayonnaise, but they all say not to try home canning it. Does any newsletter reader have the answer?

c) Source of Sodium Silicate for Storing Eggs?
Dear Carla. You wrote in your book about using sodium silicate for storing eggs. Years ago we used it here in the U.K. I have tried all sorts of places in the U.K. to try and buy it now, without success. Do you have an idea where I can buy it? I've heard that it is still available in the U.S.A.
Yours sincerely,
J.Y.Morris

Answer: I haven't used it for years. If one of you readers knows the answer, please tell both of us!

d) Help for Heat-stressed Rabbits
Hi Carla... We use frozen water bottles in with the rabbits to help with heat stress relief. (There are a few good uses for plastic!!) We've used all sizes, the bigger the better, of course. Try to keep ahead with extras in the freezer. Best Regards, Betty Ann

Answer: Thanks for sharing that good idea for hot bunnies. Just make sure the human beings in your household don't drink any water from plastic bottles that have been in the freezer. VERY unhealthy!

e) Compost Rhubarb Leaves?

Carla, can rhubarb leaves be used in compost bins? I know they are poisonous and can't be eaten, but what about compost? Incidentally, we're in the process of building a compost sawdust toilet. We have the ideal place for it and think it will be a great addition to our overall situation. JOHN

Answer: Yes, rhubarb leaves CAN be used in compost bins. Congratulations on the sawdust toilet!

f) "Cheap Seed Company"

Carla... I saw you speak this spring in Monroe, WA., and would like to know the name of the cheap seed company you recommend. Thanks a bunch. Doug Hofius

Answer: Thanks for reminding me, Doug. I promised you--and a bunch of other people--to supply contact information for my favorite seed supplier in the newsletter. Here it is: Morgan County Seeds; 1-573-378-2655; Voice Link 1-888-266-0014, then 2, Box #8475; 18761 Kelsay Rd, Barnett, MO 65011-3309. Ask them to send you a catalog.