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posted by Michael on 11/26/09

Happy Thanksgiving! I am rejoicing in the grace of God poured out on us this year in respect to our honeybees. We were able to harvest enough wildflower honey to supply our big family until next year’s harvest, and still have some to sell. The bees stayed semi-busy through the part of the summer that is often dry. Toward fall, however, I realized that some of the hives really needed more food supplies for winter. I fed them back some of the valuable harvested honey as well as some sugar syrup and now they seem healthy and sufficiently prepared for winter. The honey was valuable, but I am committed to giving the bees what is best for them.

I heard a different story from other beekeepers. Some of my beekeeping friends reported no honey in their hives at all and little to no harvest. “I wish I had started feeding my hives a lot earlier” said one. When I went to the state meeting I heard the same reports from other beekeepers. My gratefulness for what God had provided was increasing. Then I began to hear about the honey crop nation wide. I read reports like “second poorest honey crop in the beekeeping history of Iowa”, and “in most parts of the country, a horrendous year for honey production”, and “perhaps the lowest estimate of a honey crop ever”. The most recent report was that “some are saying this may be their poorest honey crop on record”. Yikes! We might not have harvested as much as we would have liked, but I am feeling very grateful that God has blessed us so much. I was happy to hear that despite the low honey harvest in general, the overall health of honeybee colonies is reported to be good. It sounds like most beekeepers are carefully looking out for their bees.

There is always hope for next year. “While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.”

8 Comments » | posted in Possessing the Land

posted by Donald on 11/26/09

No, the first day of hunting season is not a state holiday in West Virginia–but it was a time for celebrating when the Lord provided two deer for us. As Monday drew to a close I had another cause for thanksgiving too–a variety of birds enlivened the vicinity of my tree stand and reminded me of the times birds are mentioned in Scripture. One bird that flew over was a bird I had identified only recently. In the past it was natural for us to pass it off for a crow. Then it struck me one day that the bird’s call was not crow-like at all, rather a rolling ‘k-r-r-r-o-c-k’, the call of a Raven. While hunting I had the chance to verify a second field mark: it’s long tail. A double-check with Peterson’s field guide provided a few more clues: mountain forests, expanding range southward. . . . There were more identification marks to look for such as it’s flight pattern and wing shape so I’ll look forward to making many more observations on a bird that I should have noticed before now!

1 Comment » | posted in Possessing the Land

posted by Michael on 10/9/09

After reading HR 875, the “Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009“, I had to conclude that it fails to conform to the United States Constitution. Article IV of the 1st amendment of the U.S. Constitution states that “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.” Furthermore, Article VIII says that “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed…” As George Washington said, “Government is not reason; it is not eloquence; it is force! Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.”

HR 875 is a new bill, now in committee, that would establish a “Food Safety Administration” headed by a “Food Safety Administrator”. The duties of the new Administrator would be to develop a “national food safety program” and ensure that anyone who produces, processes, or distributes food meet the responsibility to minimize food safety hazards – sec. 201 (a). Should that really be the responsibility of the Federal government?

The Administrator would be given control over “food production facilities”, defined as “any farm, ranch, orchard, vineyard, aquaculture facility, or confined animal-feeding operation” – Sec. 3 (14). These terms themselves are not defined. Could Grandpa’s half dozen apple trees be called an orchard? Could a few rows of raspberries and a chicken pen and a few beehives be considered a farm? According to sec. 206, all such Food Production Facilities would be required to set practice standards according to government regulations, keep food safety records, and permit the government to visit and inspect the facility and view and copy records. Federal regulations would control growing, harvesting, sorting, and storage operations, minimum standards related to fertilizer use, nutrients, hygiene, packaging, temperature controls, animal  encroachment, and water”. As of yet there is no exemption for any operation, no matter how small, even if the production is intended  only for family use. Do we want the Federal government telling us what we are allowed to grow and how we are allowed to grow it, harvest it, and store it? These are not just recommendations either, but full-blown regulations enforced by the Administrator.

A violation of any regulation, no matter how small, could result in fines of up to a million dollars, and there is no mention of any consequence to the Administrator if the fines are excessive.

This bill seems like a free ticket to tyranny. What is there to hold the Administrator in check from extreme decisions? In addition, the ability to “establish interim performance standards” for newly identified contaminants” could too easily be misused in the event of a “big scare”. Furthermore what would prevent big GMO and pharmaceutical companies that are already trying to dominate science and industry from dominating and influencing the Administration’s “advisory committees” that develop recommendations for performance standards and inspections? – sec. 103 (d).

Other writers report that HR 759 (“Food and Drug Administration Globalization Act of 2009″) and HR 814 (“TRACE Act of 2009″) are even worse, and more likely to be considered by congress. Food safety is important, but most of this regulation at the Federal level simply isn’t needed.  States are more qualified to supervise mass food production and more likely to represent their constituency. At the lowest and safest level, where local produces sell seasonal products directly to consumers, the best and most efficient regulation comes from intelligent, informed customers and neighbors. The Federal government does have a role in food safety, especially over imports, but not in the backyard of small or private businesses. Why assume that the American people are so untrustworthy and careless that they need such regulation? Aren’t people naturally drawn to responsible, sanitary facilities? Cannot a mother find the cleanest place to buy food for her family? Food is power. If the Federal government can control the food you eat they have absolute control over you. I would encourage anyone who reads this post to track these bills, watch for amendments, and of course contact your representatives and let them know that you would like them to represent you by opposing HR 759, HR 875, and HR 814.

7 Comments » | posted in Politics, Possessing the Land

posted by Michael on 09/22/09

Before moving to West Virginia we had never been very successful at growing tomatoes. But in 2004 everything fell into place, and tomato growing has never been the same since. It started with some seeds my grandfather gave me, whose friend had been growing them in the area for a long time. This friend had obtained them from his uncle David who had been growing them in the area for a VERY long time. Secondly I was given some pointers for soil improvement that I had never heard before. Lastly I remembered some advice a great uncle had given us years ago. Materials and methods came together and some extra effort went into our tomato bed.

As our new plants grew I became more and more amazed at their size and strength. I had never seen such thick stalks that grew so tall (over 8 feet) with such big healthy leaves that resisted the early blight for so long. As the tomatoes began to form and grow, so did my excitement. They were actually getting big! Our largest tomato that year was just short of three pounds (by three ounces – 2 lb. 13 oz.) and the average yield per plant was almost 25 lb. What’s more, the harvest lasted until October 22. Ever since then I have wanted to grow a tomato that exceeded three pounds.

This goal was finally achieved in 2009 when we harvested three tomatoes that weighed over three pounds each (assuming our scales are accurate). This year our harvest started earlier than usual and is also ending earlier than usual, partly due to an unusually bad case of late blight (Phytophthora infestans) and what is probably a case of southern bacterial wilt (Pseudomonas solanacearum). The most productive plant yielded a little over 30 pounds – down considerably from previous years. On the positive side, during the first 12 days of harvest (Aug. 1-12 and 30 tomatoes) the average individual tomato weight was up to 1 ¾ lb! As usual, I  have a few ideas to make next year the best yet. But thanks will always go to those who have freely shared their wisdom and resources with me. Growing tomatoes is a lot more fun when you can see the plants respond to your efforts.

6 Comments » | posted in Possessing the Land

posted by Donald on 08/21/09

Some tasks are time-consuming, others are not. Some require concentrated planning and effort, others are better accomplished day by day over a long period. Some are hard, some are easy. Some are indoors, some are outdoors.  Some bring about visible changes that you love to look back on, others tend to be less appreciated.

One job that came up was particularly time-consuming, and less visibly-appreciable. However, the longer it was put off the more problematic it would become. The job was … digging up a tree–two trees actually.

Trees of Heaven have little practical connection with their name; almost a counterpart to the betel nut tree in Taiwan; a weed disguised as a tree. It’s roots grow long and break easily. Thus even when it is uprooted the risk remains that a new tree will sprout from one small root left behind. Thoroughness is required.

As I worked on this project, I knew it would be worth it all in the end because a few days labor now was going to save many days later. I also thought about the root of bitterness. It too requires great pains to uproot. May I encourage you to uproot that evil tree with thoroughness whatever the cost.

When the task was completed to my satisfaction I snapped a couple pictures before filling in the holes, gathering the tools and leaving the woods for the last time. Back at the house, no beautiful landscaping could be seen–but things were different. There was simply the peace of knowing that no longer did the deceptive Tree of Heaven have a root. It had been taken care of.

Thoroughness

Knowing what factors will diminish

the effectiveness of my work or words

if neglected.

7 Comments » | posted in Possessing the Land