The couple that owned the farm, Michelle and Chuck, are awesome. We immediately got a tour of the land. They had built the nicest chicken coop I had ever seen (not that I have seen that many) entirely out of recycled materials. It was really amazing. Then we looked at a few ideal spots for the logs to lay after inoculation. Talked about different approaches to grass fed cattle, genetically modified foods, and the ideal way to provide for your family.
These people knew what they were doing and weren't playing around. From building a greenhouse to mixing their own soil, they already had a good lead on the upcoming year's crops.
After a few other people arrived we were ready to begin this inoculation assembly line shiitake party! Melissa and Jacob started drilling the holes, then the log came on down to myself and Michelle where we were the inoculators, then we sent it on down to Jason and Andy who had the official job titles of "the daubers" - then it was time to tag the log with the strain of shiitake and today's date. We ended up doing around 50 logs.
I was surprised at how much we got accomplished in a matter of around 4 hours. It will take on average 6 months to 2 years to have mushrooms. Now let's wait and see......
Jason and I have made some new friends and are continuing to learn about different types of sustainable agriculture. I also just read that Whole Foods, Organic Valley, and Stoneyfield Farms have surrendered to Monsanto. Unless everyone starts learning NOW how to grow your own food and save seeds, what you eat will be completely out of your hands. Be smart - and if you are oblivious to what it takes to grow your own food like me, then get out there and learn!
Awesome!! Logan has a Shiitake mushroom patch going in our livingroom! He's a big fan of Paul Stamets and medicinal mushrooms. What did Whole Foods and Organic Valley do to support Monsanto?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thegoodhuman.com/2011/01/29/whole-foods-organic-valley-and-stonyfield-farm-surrender-to-monsanto/
ReplyDelete"In the wake of a 12-year battle to keep Monsanto’s Genetically Engineered (GE) crops from contaminating the nation’s 25,000 organic farms and ranches, America’s organic consumers and producers are facing betrayal. A self-appointed cabal of the Organic Elite, spearheaded by Whole Foods Market, Organic Valley, and Stonyfield Farm, has decided it’s time to surrender to Monsanto. Top executives from these companies have publicly admitted that they no longer oppose the mass commercialization of GE crops, such as Monsanto’s controversial Roundup Ready alfalfa, and are prepared to sit down and cut a deal for “coexistence” with Monsanto and USDA biotech cheerleader Tom Vilsack. "
Unfortunately, there comes a point when something like this is bound to happen - Monsanto is pushing everyone up against a wall and after a while, there is no other option. That's why we need to start changing on a smaller level what we consume. If we stopped buying bottled water, then the big companies would stop pumping it from these springs. If we start saving seeds now, we can continue to grow our own food, but if no one thinks this is a real threat, in 10 years or more, we will have no choice in the matter of what we put in our mouths. Monsanto is patenting seeds left and right and soon will be the only provider of seeds. They have even patented a terminator seed which is engineered to only last through one growth - after the initial harvest, you would have to buy MORE seeds from Monsanto. Its scary but true...
ReplyDeleteScary stuff.... Monsanto is the worst company out there. I only buy bottled water when I'm on the road and have to(always in glass). I'm on the hunt for a better home filter than our Britta, do you have any ideas?
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