Once the frost kills our last pepper plant and a blanket of white snow coats the ground, many of us long for the taste of a delicious, plump, fresh tomato from our own gardens. Nothing beats it! Given the rising price of food, a family can really save money by growing their own produce as well. The good news is that with minimal investment, you can be growing food indoors all winter long.

What You’ll Need To Grow Food Indoors During The Winter:

• An area near a window (to allow for natural sunlight)
• A flat surface or shelf (to put your pots on)
• Pots or containers (to put your plants in)
• Clear plastic (to keep dirt off the floor)
• Reflective white paint or mylar (to put on the walls or the area around the plant)
• High intensity grow lights (for those days when the sun is just not shining)
• Seeds (of herbs and vegetables that are easy to grow indoors)
• Potting soil
• Watering can

Best Foods To Grow Indoors:

Equipment To Help You Get Started:

Many beginners find it’s easier to start with a kit such as the AeroGarden, the Topsy-Turvy, an Indoor Seedling Greenhouse, Organic Mushroom Kits, or the SunLite Tabletop Garden.

Tips For Indoor Gardens:

1. Remember that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, so plan your window accordingly.
2. Plants that need a lot of sun do best in a window facing north / northeast.
3. Plants that are part-sun or shade may thrive better with a scrim over the window.
4. Water plants from the bottom up by standing them in a dish with water (to ensure the roots get wet).
5. Keep the room temperature at least 60 degrees and mist the plants with water if your air is dry.
6. Apply fertilizer every 2-4 weeks for most plants (except for peppers, which don’t like fertilizer).
7. Use ice cubes embedded in the soil to water your plants regularly at a steady rate.
8. Make sure you buy a fresh batch of seeds each year, as older seeds don’t sprout as well.
9. Insulate your pot with a folded newspaper “blanket” or bubble wrap held in place with a rubber band.
10. Use luke-warm water for your plants, as icy water in the middle of winter may distress them.

Additional Resources:

Planet Natural

Vegan Organic Network

Gardening Indoors with Soil & Hydroponics

1. Roosts- naturally chickens roost with their feathers fluffed at night, this is a means they use to keep warm. When they roost next to each other they share their body heat thus keeping warm. During the winter you should encourage roosting by adding the roosting space up to eight inches per chicken. Make the roosts more comfortable and if possible, increase the number of roosts in the chicken coop.
2. Light- daylight controls the pineal gland which in turn influences chicken’s laying. To ensure maximum production, they require up to 16 hours of light daily during the summer there is more than enough light from the sun. This is absent during the winter, due to short day-light. To ensure continued eggs production, strategically add one or two 60 watts incandescent-light bulbs in the chicken coop. set the light on timer to reduce the hassle of switching it on/off.
3. Heated Water- during the winter it gets very cold especially during the night which might lead to the chicken’s drinking water freezing, thus depriving the chickens their water supply. To prevent this from happening purchase heater bases from local chicken feeds stores. Fit the heater bases below the galvanized-metal chicken waterers, this will keep the water warm and not frozen.
4. Insulation- add some insulation on the ceiling and the walls to conserve heat and keep cold away.
5. Ventilation- If you had installed a cooler for the summer, to keep away the heat, during the winter do not take it off because it will do the same during the winter. The winter is characterized by brittle and dry air; the cooler will remove stale air from the coop keep the air fresh and ventilate the winter chicken coop.
6. Deep litter- another low maintenance means of keeping the chicken warm, is by using deep liters. This ensures the chickens will be warm all through the winter, since when the manure and litter compost slowly they release heat back into the chicken coop. Begin with a coop with approximately four inches litter consisting mainly wood shavings or/and hay, during the early falls or summer. Then add enough litter to ensure that the chicken coop is clean and dry all through the summer. When winter comes, the litter will have grown up to 10 inches deeper. This litter will have compost well and will release heat. Scratching of the litter, by the chickens, will keep the litter turned and aerated, so throw grains on the litter for them to eat. Once in a while you can turn them using a pitch fork.

Article: Geoffrey Migiro

The floor should have dirt and if possible gravel since they have warmth and are comfortable. Wood can also work for floor but concrete should be avoided at all costs.

Materials need to be laid on the floor mostly during the coldest months of the year for hygiene and health so that goats can have comfort. The materials should be changed frequently to minimize bacteria and parasites

Goats’ shelter need to have sufficient height and width that is suitable for their comfort and a favorable outdoor area. Mostly shelters are from 10 to 15 square feet. The back and front of the shelter should both have doors. There should be good free flow of air and natural lighting. There should be no congestion.

Dry climate will be favorable and a good drainage area facing away from the prevailing wind if open will work out better. The shelter should also be well fenced to keep predators at bay. The shelter  should be raised by about 1 to 1.5 meters from the ground.

The structure should be large enough to accommodate more of the species since young ones in different ages and sexes need to be weaned in different sheltering areas. Or dairy breeds, you will need enough space to perform milking and for breeding you need kidding pens and the size depending on the number of goats you have kid or milk.

There should be sufficient space for you to store the feeds and other equipment you use to take care of the goats.
Water accessibility should be easy to make the shelter friendlier.

Article: Ndara Shadrack

Goats need far less room than other dairy animals plus they are smaller and lighter so they are easier to handle. Cows need approximately 1 acre of grass to maintain them, goats need far less than this amount. This makes goats the perfect animal to keep in your backyard if you don’t have a lot of space but still want to keep a dairy animal.

They’re also a fairly quiet animal, as opposed to other backyard farm animals like roosters. They are not likely to be a nuisance to those around you, unless they escape of course! Unfortunately, goats are notorious escape artists so you need secure fencing and a shelter to keep them in.

Fencing around your garden needs to be strong. Consider using a portable stock pen to keep your goat within its designated area. Portable stock pens are easy to take apart and reassemble, should you ever have to move them. You could also use woven wire fencing to keep your goat safely in your backyard – wire fencing with squares no bigger than 4 inches is recommended. You don’t just have to worry about the goats getting out of the enclosure, you also have to worry about predators getting in. If possible, use electric fencing for additional security.

If you plan on housing pygmy goats in your backyard, an igloo style dog house or three-sided shelter will be sufficient enough to keep your goats safe during bad weather. Pygmy goats prefer to sleep up off the ground so providing a raised platform within your shelter is ideal for them.

Article: Amy Stokes

Genetically Modified Foods

It’s believed that roughly 45% of corn and 85% of soybeans in the US comes from genetically modified sources. Estimates ranging from 70 to 75% of all food found in local supermarkets are believed to contain some form of genetic engineering.

What’s The Appeal of Genetic Modification?

Researchers hope genetic modification will do the following:

1. Create disease, insect and drought-resistant crops.
2. Produce larger and more attractive produce or organisms.
3. Reduce allergies for crops like peanuts.
4. Add nutrients to common foods for more value.
5. Address world hunger by creating higher crop yields.

What Is The Difference Between Genetically Modified And Non-GMO Foods?

Genetically modified organisms are a class of food designed for human or animal consumption that uses science to tamper with DNA and genes in ways that do not occur naturally. Genes can be transferred from one similar organism to another or from species to species. In some cases, genetic modification may be used to enhance the nutritional content of food, but in others, genetic engineering disrupts the metabolism of an organism and reduces the nutritional content of food. You can consider white bread, pasta, flour and rice as a form of genetically modified food, since it is refined in a factory. When this refining occurs, it strips the food of all its beneficial nutrients like fiber, vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids.

Why Does Non-GMO Cost So Much More?

Certified organic food does not use any genetic modification. Organic costs more because:

• Organic farmers don’t receive federal subsidies.
• Organic farming requires more oversight and is more labor intensive.
• Organic farms are smaller and do not enjoy benefits from economies of scale.
• More organic produce may be damaged since no chemical pesticides are used.

What Are The Dangers of Genetic Modification?

1. Genetic engineering can unexpectedly transfer pan-allergens, making people suddenly allergic to foods they never were allergic to before. For example, if a protein is isolated from a tomato and moved to a fish, a person with one allergy may be allergic to both foods.
2. Many genetically engineered foods contain less nutrients or anti-nutrients that actually reduce a food’s nutritional content. One example is soybeans, which contain 38 percent more Kunitz Trypsin Inhibitor – a known allergen and anti-nutrient.
3. GMOs may transmit toxins and increase one’s cancer risk. Several studies indicate that modified potatoes and corn causes a whole range of maladies in the test rat population, including weakened immune systems and issues with the brain, kidneys, thymuses, spleens and gastrointestinal tracts.
4. The use of pesticides has increased over the years, due to the transfer of insect-resistant genes from genetically modified foods getting into nearby weed populations. Many weeds require the use of specific pesticides to be eradicated. There is some fear that GMOs will result in “super-bugs” or “super-plants” that are resistant to all pesticides.
5. It’s feared that GMOs can make people more resistant to antibiotics. Scientists use marker genes for antibiotic resistance to see if their gene transfer has been successful. The problem is that this technique may also create antibiotic resistance in humans.

Why Is It Better To Purchase Non-GMO?

The average shopper can be easily confused by the value of GMO products. Genetically modified strawberries might look so much larger and redder than their organic counterparts. Genetically modified milk may be much cheaper to purchase. However, many families are choosing not to purchase GM food due to health and environmental concerns. This month, hundreds of French protestors demanded that genetically modified foods be labeled as such.

What Are The Detrimental Health Effects of GMOs?

• A 2010 study by the International Journal of Biological Sciences found that three varieties of Monsanto GM corn caused liver and kidney failure.
• A suppressed 1998 study by the Institute of Nutrition of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences discovered that GM potatoes led to the development of cancer in rats.
• The American Academy of Environmental Medicine believes that GM food is linked to “infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, faulty insulin regulation, and changes in major organs and the gastrointestinal system.”

How Are GMOs Bad For The Earth?

• Accidental crosspollination can affect neighboring crops with unknown consequences.
• Toxins from GM crops end up in streams, causing unanticipated problems for fish. The natural insecticides in GM crops may also harm good garden insects and disrupt the entire insect food chain.
• Crosspollination may make it impossible for organic farmers to exist without their products being contaminated.
• What if tampering with plant DNA creates a superweed that pesticides cannot destroy?

Organic Foods

Organic foods are some of the most desirable in the current foods market. In fact, one-quarter of Americans choose organic food each week because they don’t want synthetic chemicals hormones or pesticides coming in contact with their edibles. They like to imagine their food frolicking in wide open spaces, eating healthy organic grain and being treated holistically for their ailments before they are slaughtered and sent to market.

What Is Organic?

For the discerning and slightly indecisive shopper, the produce section can be agonizing. The tomatoes may both look juicy, plump and red… but one is labeled “organic” and the other is not. They both have vitamins, nutrients, minerals and antioxidants. Which is better?

Conventional farmers may are allowed to use any means necessary to keep bugs, rodents, fungus, weeds and plagues away from their crops, including FDA-approved chemical pesticides. By contrast, organic foods farmers use natural means like predatory insects, birds or traps to deter pests and natural manure or composting to encourage plant growth. They rotate crops and mulch to manage weeds.

How Is Organic Good For The Environment?

Farming organic foods decreases the pollutants in our groundwater and creates richer plant soil, says the Organic Trade Association. It’s also believed that the absence of pesticides allows plants to produce more natural vitamins and antioxidants… but how? According to Alyson Mitchell, Ph.D., an associate professor of food science and technology at the University of California – Davis, the difference in soil fertility is really what yields better produce with organic foods. “With organic methods, the nitrogen present in composted soil is released slowly and therefore plants grow at a normal rate, with their nutrients in balance,” Mitchell explains. “Vegetables fertilized with conventional fertilizers grow very rapidly and allocate less energy to develop nutrients.”

Is Organic Really Healthier For Me?

• A 2010 study conducted by the University of Aix-Marseille for the French food agency (AFSSA) and published in the journal Agronomy for Sustainable Development says that organic food IS healthier. Authors found that organic fruits and vegetables contained more: minerals (especially iron & magnesium), higher levels of antioxidants (phenols & salicylic acid) and double the amount of phenolic compounds (which is good for anti-aging and cellular processes). Also, organic vegetables were found to contain 50 percent less harmful nitrates. Only 6 percent of organic produce tested positive for any pesticide residue.

• A 2010 WSU study of organic vs non-organic strawberries found that organic strawberries were much healthier, containing: increased antioxidants, vitamin C, phenolics, phosphorus and potassium. The plants themselves had fewer instances of fungal rots even though no fungicides were used. In a blind taste test, participants overwhelmingly chose organic strawberries as the victor.

• On the other hand, a 2007 study from the University of Copenhagen looked at carrots, kale, peas, apples and potatoes and found there were no more nutrients in organic produce than non-organic produce.

• Yet, that same year, an EU study indicated that organic potatoes, kiwi fruit and carrots were higher in vitamin C. Organic spinach and cabbage had higher levels of minerals and antioxidants, the study found.

• In 2011, Doctor’s Data Laboratories studied organic vs. non-organic foods and published their findings in the Journal of Applied Nutrition. According to the study, organic foods have up to 90% more nutrients than non-organic. They tested everything from apples and pears to potatoes and corn. They said organic foods contained: 58.6% more Magnesium, 62% more Zinc, 62.5% more Calcium, 125% more Potassium, 137.5% more Magnesium and 177.5% more Manganese.

• A 2005 study conducted by Newcastle University’s School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development and the Institute of Agricultural Sciences looked at how an organic diet affected the health of mice. Mice fed organic diets slept better, had stronger immune systems and were slimmer than rats fed with comparable conventional food.

Can I Trust Organic Labels?

You can bet your bottom dollar that food marketers KNOW people will pay more for “organic” products because they see greater value there. Therefore, you’ll see everything from “95% organically produced” and “100% organic” to “made with organic ingredients” (which implies 70% organic) and “all-natural.” Be aware that there is only ONE official label – the “USDA Organic” label, which means the products have been government-certified.

Article: Jennn Fusion Twitter: @jennnfusion

These are our three Light Brahma chicks and one original um.. going to be brown chicken. All of which are super cute. Sorry for the image quality we’re working on getting a new web cam.

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That is, until Colony Collapse Disorder. After the bee mania subsided, we realized we’d been foolish. We bought all those pesticides, burned all those hives and called those exterminators out of some bizarre media-propagated paranoia. Now our precious honey and fruit pollination was being threatened as we learned our poor native bees were seemingly disoriented, lost and alienated from their colonies.

If you have bees in your yard, the natural human instinct is to murder every last one of them with RAID. We’re at the top of the food chain. We conquer. We vanquish. We annihilate. We don’t have to make any concessions or negotiate with any bee terrorists. This is AMER-I-CA!

Well, okay, that is one opinion. Here’s another: bees pollinate roughly one sixth of our nation’s flowering plants and 400 agricultural crops. Without them, we could kiss biodiversity goodbye. In fact, cross-pollination helps at least 30 percent of the world’s food crops and 90 percent of our wild plants survive. We’d have lower quantity and quality of food, therefore prices would go up. Our wildflower meadows would not look nearly as spectacular.

So the question remains: how do we live harmoniously with the bees? If you have a beehive in a less-than-desirable place (ie: in your bathroom, on your porch railing, right next to the kids’ swing set), you’ll need to move the hive elsewhere. “And Risk getting stung? Are you crazy?” you ask. It’s not recommended that you commit suicide, but here’s what one blogger did:

• He grabbed 10 sticks of 12-hour continuous-burning incense from the store.
• Next he burned 2-3 sticks of Sandalwood at a time directly beneath the hive.
• Then he waited for the bees to vacate.
• Within one day, they were gone and he could safely remove the honeycomb.
• He then painted over the spot where the honeycomb was affixed.
• He only used insecticide on the spot after the fact to deter their imminent return. If you don’t want to use insecticide at all, consider some natural bee repellents like Oleic Acid, Citronella, Cucumber Peels or Neem Oil.

Next you can consider backyard beekeeping to give the bees a controlled and targeted place to live that is not in your immediate camp.

Article: Jennn Fusion  Twitter: @jennnfusion

You may want to pack bottled water, snacks or a picnic lunch and walking shoes for the day. Also, bring a cooler with ice if you plan on purchasing any local produce. We would love for you to support our local farmers – this is what the day is all about!!

Please don’t bring pets on the tour. They pose food safety threats, can damage plants and are dangerous around livestock. Also as a matter of courtesy, please ask the owner about taking photos.

Children will have a great time at the farms but please supervise them closely. Animals, electric fences and farm equipment can pose dangers to children.

Most importantly – ENJOY THE DAY!!!

The participating farms include:

• Poovey Apiary 3703 U.S. Hwy 321 South, Maiden
• Red Wolf Farm 1797 Water Plant Road, Maiden
• Buffalo Beals Animal Park 3259 Water Plant Road, Maiden
• Bird Brain Ostrich Ranch 6691 Little Mountain Road, Sherrills Ford
• Windy Wool Windings 5247 Plateau Road, Vale
• LFR Farms & Greenhouses 2952 Lou Hoyle Lane, Newton
• Ira Cline Farm 4444 Lee Cline Road, Conover
• Shady Oaks Farm 3487 Yount Road, Newton
• Sipe Angus Farm 1338 Balls Creek Road, Newton

The Agricultural Events include:

• Hickory Farmers Market Union Square, downtown Hickory.
• Meet local farmers, artisans and other neighbors from the Hickory area. Open 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Udderly Delicious Ice Cream Shop 2163 N. Center Street, Hickory 131 Hwy. 70 S.E., Hickory and 1006 Conover Blvd. W, Conover Open 12:00 P.M. to 11:00 p.m.
• St. Stephens Park 2247 36th Ave. N.E., Hickory. Enjoy a picnic or just stretch your legs on the walking trail at St. Stephens Park. Open 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Bakers Mtn. Park Bakers Mtn. Road, Hickory Take a hike to the mountain top and enjoy the view of the Catawba Valley at this 189-acre County Park. Open 8:00 a.m to 8:00 p.m.
• Riverbend Park Hwy. 16 North, Conover There are many activities to enjoy at this 450-acre County Park on the Catawba River. Open 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Catawba Valley Youth Beef Expo American Legion Fairground, Conover
• Support our local Future Farmers of America and 4-H Youth at this free livestock judging show. Event is 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
• Conover Farmers Market Post Office parking lot, downtown Conover.

Local farmers sell a variety of fruits, vegetables, pies, breads, meat, eggs, perennials and crafts. The Master Gardner’s will also be available on this day to answer your gardening questions. Open 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

• Herman’s Fishing Lake 1954 Grandview Drive, Newton Come enjoy “Take-A-Kid-Fishing” day at Herman’s Fishing Lake from 9:00 a.m. to Noon. Prizes will be awarded for the most, largest, smallest and most unusual fish. Bring your own fishing equipment. Bait will be available for purchase. This event is coordinated by the City of Newton Recreation Department.
• Southside Park Hwy. 321 Business South, Newton. Take a picnic break and let the kids enjoy the play area at Newton’s Southside Park. Open 6:00 a.m. until dark.
• Maiden Farmers Market Parking Lot off N. Main Ave., Maiden Stop by the Maiden farmers market to see what is available. Open 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• Murray’s Mill 1489 Murrays Mill Road, Catawba See one of Catawba County’s most visited historic sites – Murray’s Mill. It’s a perfect place for an afternoon picnic or a quick leg-stretcher. Pick up some fresh stone ground products at the store. Admission charged for mill tour. Open 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Hickory Crawdads Baseball Game at L.P. Frans Stadium, Hickory End your agri-tourism day by enjoying a Hickory Crawdads baseball game. OK – we may be stretching it a bit since crawdads are a coastal food product but it still will be great fun. The Crawdads will be playing the Charleston RiverDogs starting at 7:00 p.m.

For questions or further information regarding Catawba County’s Agri-Tourism Day, contact the County Planning Department at (828) 465-8264 or Cooperative Extension at (828) 465-8240.

Please visit our Sponsor wwww.BioMat.com

What Does A Rhode Island Red Look Like?

The Rhode Island Red is known for its deep maroon red coat. Some fanciers say the best coats are the ones that appear black from a distance but shine a brilliant red in the sunlight. In the early 1900s, it was discovered that the birds with the reddest feathers often had weak feather structure, giving them thinner, stringier texture. Since then, breeders have selectively bred their Reds to have a more attractive wide and smooth feather. In addition to their striking feathers, Rhode Island Reds have copper eyes, reddish-brown beaks and yellow feet. Male roosters weigh an average of 8.5 pounds, while female hens weigh about 6.5 pounds, although there are breeders who offer much smaller bantam Rhode Island Reds too.

Do Rhode Island Reds Make Good Pets?

Rhode Island Reds are generally friendly, good-natured chickens and recommended for children to have as pets. However, some Reds can become aggressive if provoked and there have even been reports of intruding fox or dogs killed by these “guard” chickens. But like any good guard dog, these chickens will be your loyal pets if raised in a loving environment. Well-raised Rhode Island Reds walk alongside their owners and even enjoy climbing on laps of owners who are sitting in the grass nearby. These chickens are good to others in their flock, but may be aggressive to other breeds.

Tips For Raising Rhode Island Reds:

• Make sure the coop temperature never drops below freezing, as egg output will decrease and combs are particularly sensitive to frostbite.
• Have everyone in your family take turns feeding the chickens so they become accustomed and friendly with everyone. They can sometimes be hostile to strangers.
• Keep in mind, if your chickens are free-range, their eggs may be too large to fit in standard cartons. Give them quality feed to get 6-7 eggs or more per week.

Article: Jennn Fusion Twitter: @jennnfusion