Saturday, September 25, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
County Sues Farmer, Cites Too Many Crops
Can you believe it? Read the article below:
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/24979774/detail.html
DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. -- DeKalb County is suing a local farmer for growing too many vegetables, but he said he will fight the charges in the ongoing battle neighbors call “Cabbagegate.”
Fig trees, broccoli and cabbages are among the many greens that line the soil on Steve Miller’s more than two acres in Clarkston, who said he has spent fifteen years growing crops to give away and sell at local farmers markets.
“It's a way of life, like it's something in my blood,” said Miller. In January, Dekalb County code enforcement officers began ticketing him for growing too many crops for the zoning and having unpermitted employees on site. Miller stopped growing vegetables this summer and the charges were put on hold as he got the property rezoned.
Two weeks after approval, however, his attorney said the county began prosecuting the old charges, saying he was technically in violation before the rezoning.“It should go away. I think it borders on harassment,” said Miller’s attorney Doug Dillard. Miller faces nearly $5,000 in fines, but he said he plans to fight those citations in recorders court later this month.A county spokesperson said officials can’t discuss the matter while it is in court, but neighbors were quick to come to his defense.“When he moved here and I found out what he was doing I said, ‘Steve, you’re the best thing that ever happened to Cimarron Drive. And I still say that,” said neighbor Britt Fayssoux.
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/24979774/detail.html
DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. -- DeKalb County is suing a local farmer for growing too many vegetables, but he said he will fight the charges in the ongoing battle neighbors call “Cabbagegate.”
Fig trees, broccoli and cabbages are among the many greens that line the soil on Steve Miller’s more than two acres in Clarkston, who said he has spent fifteen years growing crops to give away and sell at local farmers markets.
“It's a way of life, like it's something in my blood,” said Miller. In January, Dekalb County code enforcement officers began ticketing him for growing too many crops for the zoning and having unpermitted employees on site. Miller stopped growing vegetables this summer and the charges were put on hold as he got the property rezoned.
Two weeks after approval, however, his attorney said the county began prosecuting the old charges, saying he was technically in violation before the rezoning.“It should go away. I think it borders on harassment,” said Miller’s attorney Doug Dillard. Miller faces nearly $5,000 in fines, but he said he plans to fight those citations in recorders court later this month.A county spokesperson said officials can’t discuss the matter while it is in court, but neighbors were quick to come to his defense.“When he moved here and I found out what he was doing I said, ‘Steve, you’re the best thing that ever happened to Cimarron Drive. And I still say that,” said neighbor Britt Fayssoux.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Dehydrating
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Fears grow over global food supply
What in the *world* is going on? Russia has placed an additional 12-month ban on the export of grain, making the ban a total of 18 months, or until December 2011. As you may have heard, Russia, world's 4th largest grain exporter, suffered drought and wild fires that destroyed their wheat crops. After news of the ban extension, riots broke out in the African nation of Mozambique due to the increase in food prices. Their were over 400 citizens injured in the riots that killed 8 adults and 2 children and caused $3.3 million dollars worth of damage.
United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) announced Saturday it will hold a special meeting in Rome on September 24th to find ways to ease the price fluctuation affecting grain markets
Here are a few places to read about this issue:
I would suggest to those in my prepared household to keep a well-stocked pantry. Wheat affects us more than you realize. It is not only in bread, but in many things. Be prepared.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Solar Dehydrating Fruits and Vegetables
I love dehydrating foods. There is nothing better than a freshly sliced, dehydrated yellow tomato, sprinkled with sea salt. Yummy! And if you like the taste of basil, sprinkle a little on your tomatoes as you are dehydrating them. The smell in your kitchen will be heavenly. 
The only problem I have with my dehydrator is that it is too small and it uses so much energy to operate. The plan is to reduce my carbon footprint isn't it? (Not to mention the high cost of electricity.)
Then I stumbled on this:
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| Photo courtesy of solarfooddryer.com |
I don't know why it hadn't occurred to me sooner that I could make a solar dehydrator.
My granny and mother used one for years. Although, theirs was made of a bed sheet and sometimes the back window of the car. I can still remember the dried green beans and apples.
My granny and mother used one for years. Although, theirs was made of a bed sheet and sometimes the back window of the car. I can still remember the dried green beans and apples.
So...I am going to make a "solar dryer". I think I will do some research on it and see if you could make a dehydrator and cooker combo. Maybe it could be used to cook meals when you are not dehydrating. A dual purpose baby.
If anyone has experience with one of these or a solar cooker, please give me your input.
I use an easier method of preparing the apples than the method mentioned in the article. I wash and rinse the apples well and slice them down the middle. I take a melon baller and remove the seed pocket on both sides of the apple. Then I slice them on a "meat" slicer. Spray with lemon juice and dehydrate. You don't waste the fiber in the peels. The slices are thin, so the peel is fine. Granny Smith apples are great this way, it enhances the tart flavor.
I prepare tomatoes very similar. I wash them and slice on the same "meat" slicer. The tomatoes get more intense and sweet with drying and these are better than potato chips. The yellow tomatoes are better than the red tomatoes dehydrated, in my opinion.
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