Saturday, February 28, 2009
Restringing the chicken yard fence.... spring is in the air!
Mobile post sent by CSAFarmerGirl using Utterli.
Replies.Friday, February 27, 2009
Buy it, Use it, Break it...
The cycle of consumption. Buy it - Use it - Break it... Then what?
For our grandparents the next thing in the line was to FIX IT!!! Things would be fixed many times before they were thrown out and new items bought. When they were finally un-re-fixable often times people would go without for a while before replacing the items.
For our parents high quality items started to be inexpensive and it was often easier to just buy a new one. Of course over the years quality has really gone down and the break it stage comes sooner and the fix it stage...
Take for example our now three year old gas stove. When we were buying appliances we did a lot of research, we wanted high quality appliances which would last us years and which were very energy and water efficient. We landed on Bosch dishwasher, washer and dryer and got a Fisher & Paykel refrigerator. We love all of them. But then we came to our stove. Our big splurge and we did not do a lot of research. Not having the money for the Viking, Wolf, or Aga ranges we lusted over we picked a KitchenAid model. We had problems with it immediately, but the first year we ran a self clean cycle and both the thermal override fuse and the digital control panel were toast. I could not even open the door, good thing there was no food in there, as it took a while to get service. They replaced the control panel under warranty (good thing because it was a $900 peice) and the service call ONLY cost us $140. Electronic components go out of warranty at two years so when our control panel started going again it was to late (although I have never run another self clean cycle I was too scared!) Right now the only way to turn off our oven is to set the timer to automatically turn it off... Because the off button does not work. The company does not care and we figure we will just use it until it dies all the way (which knowing my luck will be when there is a turkey in it!) If it makes it until July it will have cost us $500 a year... For what is basically (and sadly) a disposable item.
I call this iPod syndrome, when it is broken buy a new one, the new ones are better anyway! Our parents purchased clothes which were "classic" but we restock our wardrobe every year. And the scary thing is that the global economy is built on a foundation of us doing just that... And that is bad because we cannot keep doing that, things need to adjust.
As we are buying garden tools this year we find ourselves spending more on individual items, but buying items that will last and can be fixed. Because we think we may be counting on these items for a few years to come...
We can change the cycle from Buy it, Use it, Break it, Buy it, Use it, Break it,Buy it, Use it, Break it...
To Buy it, Use it, Use it, Use it, Break it, Fix it,Use it, Use it, Use it, Break it, Fix it,Use it, Use it, Use it, Break it, Look hard to find the best replacement...
For our grandparents the next thing in the line was to FIX IT!!! Things would be fixed many times before they were thrown out and new items bought. When they were finally un-re-fixable often times people would go without for a while before replacing the items.
For our parents high quality items started to be inexpensive and it was often easier to just buy a new one. Of course over the years quality has really gone down and the break it stage comes sooner and the fix it stage...
Take for example our now three year old gas stove. When we were buying appliances we did a lot of research, we wanted high quality appliances which would last us years and which were very energy and water efficient. We landed on Bosch dishwasher, washer and dryer and got a Fisher & Paykel refrigerator. We love all of them. But then we came to our stove. Our big splurge and we did not do a lot of research. Not having the money for the Viking, Wolf, or Aga ranges we lusted over we picked a KitchenAid model. We had problems with it immediately, but the first year we ran a self clean cycle and both the thermal override fuse and the digital control panel were toast. I could not even open the door, good thing there was no food in there, as it took a while to get service. They replaced the control panel under warranty (good thing because it was a $900 peice) and the service call ONLY cost us $140. Electronic components go out of warranty at two years so when our control panel started going again it was to late (although I have never run another self clean cycle I was too scared!) Right now the only way to turn off our oven is to set the timer to automatically turn it off... Because the off button does not work. The company does not care and we figure we will just use it until it dies all the way (which knowing my luck will be when there is a turkey in it!) If it makes it until July it will have cost us $500 a year... For what is basically (and sadly) a disposable item.
I call this iPod syndrome, when it is broken buy a new one, the new ones are better anyway! Our parents purchased clothes which were "classic" but we restock our wardrobe every year. And the scary thing is that the global economy is built on a foundation of us doing just that... And that is bad because we cannot keep doing that, things need to adjust.
As we are buying garden tools this year we find ourselves spending more on individual items, but buying items that will last and can be fixed. Because we think we may be counting on these items for a few years to come...
We can change the cycle from Buy it, Use it, Break it, Buy it, Use it, Break it,Buy it, Use it, Break it...
To Buy it, Use it, Use it, Use it, Break it, Fix it,Use it, Use it, Use it, Break it, Fix it,Use it, Use it, Use it, Break it, Look hard to find the best replacement...
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Organics not better?
A posting today on the Epi-Log today referencing an article which is a Case against Organic Foods.
It comes down to these, my quick response to each is below...
1.Organic foods won't solve the hunger problem.
It comes down to these, my quick response to each is below...
1.Organic foods won't solve the hunger problem.
- World hunger is primarily a political and economic problem not an agricultural issue. Big ag as commoditized enough of the world food supply we have removed the food self sufficiency from many countries. Organic food may not solve it, but conventional ag almost surly made it worse!
2. It's questionable whether organic foods are healthier for you.
- It is questionable whether conventional food is as healthy as organics.
3. It's questionable whether organic foods are safer.
- It is questionable whether conventional food is as safe as organics.
4. Organic farming may not help the environment.
- Conventional farming defiantly will not help the environment. Organic monoculture has similar issues, organic poly culture is better. Organics may be nothing more then a step in the right direction!
5. You're not sticking it to the man by buying organic.
- You may not be sticking it to the man, but you probably are supporting a small family farm, at least you can if you avoid big organic. Buy from a farmer you know and you will be supporting not only natural production but your regional economy and a friend.
6. Organic food doesn't necessarily taste better.
- Kobe beef does not necessarily taste better then McDonald's. Freshness, preparation, and skill are everything. But you are more likely to get a great tasting meal from one than the other...
Just my thoughts, for what they are worth.
Your garden!
It is time to start to get serious about this year's garden, if you are planning one!
The first thing you need is seeds, and while your garden center has a nice selection to really spread your heirloom wings you should get some catalogues, so why not order them today if you do not have any? I recommend these...
Seed Savers Exchange for hundreds of heirloom varieties.
Territorial seeds - a good mix and other "stuff" for your garden.
Peaceful Valley - not so much seeds but all your other garden needs including organic fungicides, pesticides, and fertilizers (see their foliar feeding section.)
Baker Creek - If you love melons this is the catalogue for you! But lots of other wonderful heirlooms to and wonderful glossy photos.
The first thing you need is seeds, and while your garden center has a nice selection to really spread your heirloom wings you should get some catalogues, so why not order them today if you do not have any? I recommend these...
Seed Savers Exchange for hundreds of heirloom varieties.
Territorial seeds - a good mix and other "stuff" for your garden.
Peaceful Valley - not so much seeds but all your other garden needs including organic fungicides, pesticides, and fertilizers (see their foliar feeding section.)
Baker Creek - If you love melons this is the catalogue for you! But lots of other wonderful heirlooms to and wonderful glossy photos.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Confrence this weekend!
We are home from the OEFFA Conference. I think my presentations went OK, I didn't see anyone fall asleep in my first one and only two in my second (which was the last workshop time for the weekend.)
We got some good information to bring back to the farm. Eric went to a good workshop on organic berry production when I was babbling about missions. We talked to lots of people and had a good time.
The funniest thing was that we kept telling people about the Jang seeder. Columbus Irrigation was exhibiting and we kept bringing people over to their booth to show them the unit and how great it was! I must have shown 5 people how great it worked and hubby told at least that many too. I think we maybe sold a couple of those units... But really, if you are a small grower this is the best $500 (by the time it is at your door with the pieces you want) you will spend.
Hubby having to travel so much the past year for his "real" job has been very frustrating, he was out of town over 50 nights! But that gives him "Platinum" status at the hotel. So we got a free upgrade to a nice room with a jacuzzi which was nice to relax in on Saturday night (I need to get one for my bedroom!)
Next our classes!
I will be getting our class schedule and details out this week...
We got some good information to bring back to the farm. Eric went to a good workshop on organic berry production when I was babbling about missions. We talked to lots of people and had a good time.
The funniest thing was that we kept telling people about the Jang seeder. Columbus Irrigation was exhibiting and we kept bringing people over to their booth to show them the unit and how great it was! I must have shown 5 people how great it worked and hubby told at least that many too. I think we maybe sold a couple of those units... But really, if you are a small grower this is the best $500 (by the time it is at your door with the pieces you want) you will spend.
Hubby having to travel so much the past year for his "real" job has been very frustrating, he was out of town over 50 nights! But that gives him "Platinum" status at the hotel. So we got a free upgrade to a nice room with a jacuzzi which was nice to relax in on Saturday night (I need to get one for my bedroom!)
Next our classes!
I will be getting our class schedule and details out this week...
Friday, February 20, 2009
20 sq ft per person...
Can you believe that in the US the retail space per person averages out to 20 sq ft! I was thinking about what exactly that means... First, lots of us probably shop to much! That not a revelation for most people especially as the economy gets worse.
But retail space is expensive. In Cleveland between $30 & $12 a sq ft a month. Or between $240 and $600 a month for YOUR SHARE! Then another $240 and $600 a month for your spouses...
If we assume that items cost the store about a third of what they charge you you need to spend somewhere between $360 and $900 a month to keep the stores just paying their rent.
That is pretty scary to me...
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