Biodynamic treechange (homesteading)

We've Got Platypus! Plat-ee-what?

This is so good.

About six months ago down by the creek that forms the northern boundary of our property 'Near River', I thought I saw a Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) in the shallows. They are very timid creatures, usually more active at night, and given that I didn't get a clear view, I didn't think too much more about it.

That is until yesterday.

Whilst undertaking some natural area restoration work on an adjoining property, I watched two of these wonderful mammals swimming along the banks of our creek.

Surely You've Got Room For One More?

Yes we surely do.

Yesterday morning Dixie's step-sister was born, so now both mums, Jenny and Cindy have calved, and the new arrivals are doing well.

Eat the View

One of the more interesting 'campaigns' in the current US Presidential election (Are we there yet?) is by a group called Eat The View whose aim is to plant healthy, edible landscapes in high-impact, high visibility places, whether it's the 'First Lawn' or the lawn in front of your child's school. 

A project of Kitchen Gardeners International, a Maine-based network of 6500 gardeners from 100 countries who inspire and teach people to grow some of their own food, Eat The View are urging the next President to show leadership on global issues such as climate change and food security by converting part of the White House's 18 acre grounds back into an edible landscape.

It made sense in the past for the 'First Family' to eat foods grown close to home and - given the climate challenge - it makes sense again. Previous tenants of the White House have taken this on, most notably Eleanor Roosevelt, who planted a Victory Garden at the White House, inspiring many others to follow across the country.

Roger Doiron has taken the lead and created a short video, showing by example how to turn your white house lawn into a garden. Entered in the Climate Matters competition at vimeo, which is a Brighter Planet initiative, and titled 'This Lawn is Your Lawn', it is here for your viewing pleasure.

 

This Lawn is Your Lawn from roger doiron on Vimeo.

 

Blue Eggs and ...WHAT??!!

(With apologies to Dr Seuss)

Recently one of our hens has gone broody, and all the others have gone off the lay in support, or maybe because they are worried that she'll steal their eggs, or for whatever reason causes chooks to go broody.

At least the bantams are smart enough to know what's going on and are still laying their eggs.

Previously when this has happened, we've isolated the hen from the rest of the flock for a few days, and then they've come to their senses and gotten back on track. But as Mahatma, our gander now resides in the old duck shed that we've used for that purpose in the past, a new strategy was needed.

We were about to try the practice of dunking her in a big bucket of water, when a good friend suggested using her to raise some fertilised eggs. Having never done this before, that hadn't occurred to us, but makes perfect sense.

So yesterday I headed over to see Morna at Pembrooke Plants and Poultry and collected a dozen eggs.

 

Hmmm ... these are blue. That's different.

Are You In Need Of Some Social Change? Follow These Simple Steps

Being truly honest, the prime driving force behind what we are doing here at 'Near River', with this blog, and indeed with most, if not all of our actions, is the burning desire to contribute to the transformation of the way we exist as a (Western) society here on this planet. And I'll admit that occasionally, it all seems too much, particularly when our 'leaders' make what appear to be totally inappropriate and ill-informed decisions.

And I'm realising that it can be difficult being a leader in a climate of change.

Then I remember ...

The planet is not a gift from our parents, rather a loan from our children

and off I go again, empowered to do what it takes to have this turn out.

 

So what are the simple steps to causing social change?

... And Then There Was Three

In April this year, we took delivery of the first two cows who have become the start of our Dexter herd here at 'Near River', and as regular readers know, last week I was away from the farm on a bit of a road trip.

Both girls have been carrying a calf since they arrived, so when do you think our first calf was born?

Yep, that's right, when I wasn't there. But that's no panic, as Dexters are re-known for many positive attributes, one being easy birthing. And further details about Dexters can be found in my earlier post Sustainable Cattle Called Dexter.

Called Dixie, our latest arrival is settling in very well, and although we first thought her to be a heifer, it now looks as though she'll be a steer! And we're looking forward to her sibling entering the world any day now too.

I think we might have to look into changing her name though - can't have him ending up with a complex like Johnny Cash's 'A Boy Named Sue'!

image credit organic maven

See "The World According to Monsanto" Now!

This long-awaited film release by French filmmaker Marie-Monique Robin is now finally available in the US!

The formal release of this chilling documentary is scheduled for fall 2008 with public showings around the nation, but the film is now available as a pre-publication release. 

Monsanto’s controversial past combines some of the most toxic products ever sold with misleading reports, pressure tactics, collusion, and attempted corruption. They now race to genetically engineer (and patent) the world’s food supply, which profoundly threatens our health, environment, and economy. Combining secret documents with first-hand accounts by victims, scientists, and politicians, this widely praised film exposes why Monsanto has become the world’s poster child for malignant corporate influence in government and technology.

“Devastating exposé . . . Will freeze the blood in your veins”—The Gazette

"Extraordinary documentary”  —LeMonde

“Scrupulous, thorough, and damning” —Montreal Mirror

“Presents a cogent and horrifying enough picture of the world’s leading seed manufacturer to warrant concern and fury.” —Hour

 

 

Originally screened on television in Europe earlier this year, the documentary spread like wildfire through Google and You Tube viewing's before mysteriously being pulled from those sites.

It's great to see that this vital piece of information will now be available to the American public, allowing them to finally make some informed decisions.

Further details of release dates and opportunities for community and group screenings can be found at Seeds of Deception, and copies can be purchased here.

Earlier posts here at Biodynamic Treechange including The World According To Monsanto and the follow-up Monsanto Responses, produced many comments and posts on a variety of forums and sites. This new wave of publicity is certain to do even more.

I wonder how the giant that is Monsanto will respond to this?

Prince Not So Charming About Genetically Manipulated Crops

Last week, the heir to the British throne, HRH Prince Charles, spoke out about Genetically Manipulated crops and their many and varied impacts on food production.

Recognised as an opponent of industrialised agriculture, the Prince's comments come at an opportune time, and will surely re-ignite debate in the GM arena as scientists plead for more sites to run tests on, while opponents continue the fight, even taking to destroying crops at one test site earlier this year in the UK.

The article appeared in London's Daily Telegraph, after an exclusive interview with journalist Jeff Randall.

 

Listen: The Prince of Wales speaks out

Of Geese and Men

Recently one of our neighbours heard that we were looking for some geese here at 'Near River', so their pair were promptly caught and I dropped in to them pick them up. Hey presto, now we have geese.

They are excellent foragers and during spring and summer require little additional supplemental feed. Often used for weed control in crops such as corn, cotton, ornamental plants, strawberries and sugarbeet, as well as in orchards and vineyards, geese will eat weeds without harming certain cultivated crops, however it is not known why geese do not eat certain crops. Another advantage of geese is that they are quick processors, leaving a good quantity of droppings as they move through the planting beds.

Big Drumroll Please ...... Introducing Asparagus Spears

I will have been away from the farm (and this blog) for a few days by the time you read this, as I've headed interstate to attend a weekend seminar and catch up with some friends along the way.

The last thing I saw as I did my circuit of the market garden before I jumped in the car had me rush back and grab the camera.

Little plump asparagus spears poking their heads up through the mulch!

This is very exciting!

What seems like only last week, I posted about planting out our asparagus crowns in Who Is Mary Washington Anyway?, so to see these little beauties reaching for the sky already is surprising, but great none the less.

And now for the hardest part - not picking any of this year's spears so the crowns can develop strongly for the years ahead.

Looks as though all the effort we put in to ensure the crowns had a great bed to start from will pay dividends.

Okay, that's all for this post. I'm off on a roadtrip.

image credit organic maven