Farm and Garden Matters

Health begins with the quality of our food, which can only be provided by mostly local "small" producers who in turn are the only ones that can realistically provide any type of "food security".  Unfortunately disinformation on food production is widespread. Therefore this page contains links to some of the very best - and often very hard to find - information available to and about REAL farmers and gardeners.

But before we list those websites, we'd like to share the following information on minature cows - essentail for all would-be "small land holder" dairymen and yes - even gardeners - found on this wonderful site called Journey to Forever. Please note that this is an EXCELLENT site with a wealth of hard-to-find information for gardeners of all stripes as well as other small "holders" of land. Here is what it says about Dexters:

"There's a worldwide surge of interest in Dexters. These tiny cattle stand not much more than 3ft at the shoulder and look like toys, but in fact they're tough and hardy, and very useful -- they're just about perfect for smallholders. They need less pasture and feed, but they produce more milk for their weight than any other breed, with average yield of about 1.5-2.5 gallons a day and up to a quart of cream per gallon. They're dual-purpose cattle, high-quality choice-grade lean meat with little waste. The cows are highly fertile and drop their calves in the field without difficulty. They thrive in hot as well as cold climates and do well outdoors year round. And they're gentle-natured beasts and easy to handle. Originally bred by smallholders in southern Ireland and left to roam in the mountains almost wild. . . Just 1/2 acre of good green grass per animal is needed." More details here, here and here.

More Websites for Farm and Garden Matters

www.familyfarmer.org See the “take action page”, and be sure to read “Amber Waves of Grain” about the dark side of the American Farm Bureau.

www.farmweb.org Although many would argue that what we need is a return to Constitutional principles and Bill of Rights protections rather than more laws and regulations concerning our sovereign right to grow and choose healthy food, this site provides an eye-opening view of Illinois families against rural messes. Read it and weep. What is happening in Illinois is not an anamoly.

http://www.fourseasonfarm.com/index.html Ideas for small farms in cold climates, but do take time to read “articles by us” especially the one titled “Beyond Organic” – an excerpted portion of which is at the bottom of this page.

www.ecofriendly.com Joe Salatin’s site, see especially article on Weak Link in Grass Farming.

www.acresusa.com Invaluable info on eco-agriculture and sustainable agriculture, plus annual conferences and excellent online store.

www.soilandhealth.org Check out titles in their library, especially those in the Agricultrual library. Start with William Albrecht, the great soil scientist whose work was overshadowed by the well financed Norman Borlaug, Noble prize winner and father of the "Green Revolution" and GMOs.

www.bioneers.org Although this group makes no distinction between raw, pastured dairy and commercial “organic” it does have some good articles – also see the food and farming network pages, includes “take action” ideas.

http://www.foodfirst.org/en/about   One laudible mission is to "forge food soveregnty for human rights and sustainable livelihoods."

http://www.grain.org/front/  "Promotes the sustainable management and use of biodiversity based on people's control over genetic resources and local knowledge." Tons of articles on how the food system is rigged by the "money powers".

www.journeytoforever.org The website we started with at the top of this page. Excellent information for small farmers, gardeners and family farmers, some of which is very hard to find elsewhere.