by Catherine Haug, May 31, 2011
Do you really know what GMO means? The acronym means Genetically Modified Organism. A related term, GE, means Genetically Engineered.
Do you think GMO & GE are just fancy terms for genetic breeding to perfect a desired trait in a plant or animal? If so, you’d be wrong. And it probably isn’t good for you or your family. (more…)
by Catherine Haug, May 3, 2011
Are you wondering, as I wonder, what will become of the glut of empty houses in the valley and around the nation? Will they get bought up once the economy recovers? Or will developers just build more new homes with all the latest technological and green advances so that all those empty homes remain empty, and more valuable farm land is lost to green lawns and suburban sprawl?
Len Ford contributed an article titled “Play It Again, Sam” in the April 27, 2011 edition of the Flathead Beacon that discusses the possibility of fixing up – rejuvenating – these older, empty homes with the newer ‘green’ technologies to lure new home buyers.
He makes the following points: (more…)
Editorial note: The following article, submitted April 5, 2011, was originally entered as a “comment” to our post: Upcoming Food Shortages: Why and How to Prepare, Apr 2, 2011.
by Robert Seymour
“You can’t always get what you want
But if you try sometimes you just might find…
You get what you need” (1)
At a time when per capita global food production and national food self sufficiency ratios are shrinking, a hungry world is set to grow by another 1.6 billion people in the next fifteen years. This is like adding another China to the world population. China has now replaced Japan as the second largest economy and has become the number one importer of oil after the United States. As economic pressure on already scarce natural resources intensifies, the availability of locally grown food will be worth its weight in gold. (more…)
Introduction by Catherine Haug
A question has come from one of our members:
I essentially live in a forest and don’t get enough hours of light to grow a garden. Is it workable to garden in a greenhouse using artificial lighting?
This query was forwarded to Don Bates, who will be giving our March presentation on Season Extenders (Row covers, cold frames, hoophouses, and greenhouses). What follows is his response, which is right-on when it comes to sustainable food production.
by Catherine Haug, February 22, 2011
(photo from AntiqueStoves.com)
Margin wood cook stove
We are planning a future event on baking bread without electricity or gas, and are looking for a presenter who can talk about baking on top of a wood heating stove and in a wood range oven. If you are interested, or know of someone who has this experience, please contact Catherine (Cat).
I have some experience with an old homesteader’s wood range, but that was years ago. I’ve never tried to bake bread on top of my wood heating stove, but may just give it a try and then update this post with photos and text of the process I used.
Meanwhile, here’s what I’ve gleaned from researching the topic on the web,, and from my own limited experience: (more…)
(photo of stirring a biogas digester from PACE Project (3))
Our Flathead County Landfill and Flathead Electric Coop are experimenting with a large-scale biogas unit at the landfill to produce power (see Terrapass.com (6) for more). But smaller, household-scale units can also be deployed.
As we here in the Flathead prepare for a time when electricity and gas are in short supply, we might consider household biogas units as a means of providing light, heat and electricity, as well as a means of reducing waste.