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Jerry Rosman from Ananda Guillet on Vimeo.
This is an interview with Jerry Rosman, an Iowa farmer. He fed his pigs GM (genetically-modified) corn and realized that was the cause of his pigs going sterile. Although he realized the problem in 2001-2002, Rosman was forced to get out of farming due to economic reasons.
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Late last winter, I was on the road traveling much of the time. My garden suffered the rest of the season because I missed the most critical aspect of the gardening process – getting seeds started on time. Intense heat in early summer took its toll, and I experienced my most frustrating year in the garden.
A new generation is born
That’s not happening this year. I’ve already germinated tomato, pepper and a few herb seeds. Some are more than a week old. January is a perfect time to get seeds going indoors, for those of us in warmer climates. I’m in Zone 7B, but even down here we never know what can happen with a late frost. We experienced a freeze on Easter weekend in 2007. Expect the unexpected.
I’m way ahead of the game this year…which is just how I like it. I usually start more seeds than I’ll actually plant. I allow for tragedies that may or may not involve cats’ preference for using the bathroom anywhere there is dirt, my one-year-old’s curiosity or whatever else may arise. I give extras to family members or sell a few to help pay for any gardening supplies I need.
I utilize small florescent lights and a heating pad. Those two elements help combine to create a much more favorable environment to help seeds germinate a little faster. Colder temperatures takes longer for seeds to get going, so I start my seeds indoors in a south-facing window. Healthy potting soil is key. I’ve had experiences with a soil fungus before in store-bought soil that was organic potting soil. I also use basalt (volcanic rock), which boosts seed germination rates.
Some people have a hard time germinating tomato seeds and give up after the first try. Don’t. Be patient. Sometimes, it may take up to two-weeks, depending on the conditions. The lights and heating pad speed up this process. Most of my tomato and pepper seeds germinated in less than one week. Others took up to two weeks. Different speeds for different seeds.
I’m able to get a jump on the season as I utilize the Wall O’ Water to insulate
Wall O' Water protects plants from frost
individual plants. They create a miniature greenhouse, protecting plants from frosts/freezes late in the season.
But everything begins with the seed. Yeah, it’s easy to buy plants at the local nursery…but working with seeds really excites me and helps create a much more intimate relationship with all the plants in my garden. So, get started now. Don’t let spring sneak up on you or your garden.
(This is the first of a series of gardening tips/suggestions to help people stay ahead of the game this year in growing some food for your household in 2012.)
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Coming Soon to DG Networks International Radio & Television Broadcasting – January 22 Sunday Omnibus 3.00pm Pacific/6.00pm Eastern/11.00pm GMT In Discussion with Farmer, Author & Naturalist Eric Herm – Life & Works “Son of a Farmer Child of the Earth” Listen to this extended Sunday Omnibus program at www.glntv.tv/dgnetworks
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We’re planting more than 160 million acres (roughly the size of Texas) of GM (genetically-modified) crops each year in America. In 2011, major commodity crops such as corn, cotton, canola and soybeans are now 90 percent genetically-modified. Those numbers are increasing while more than 50 countries across the globe have banned GMOs altogether or at least require labeling.
The State of California has the opportunity to be America’s genuine leader in this fight. They will potentially have the right for people to vote for labeling on the November, 2012 ballot. Californians need to continue to apply this pressure and gather signatures for this initiative. Please support the California Labeling Ballot. Click here to find out more.
This is a huge battle in the fight against GMOs. If California is able to push this through into law, it will help swing the momentum in a very positive direction in this country. It is a win-win for everyone…unless you work for Monsanto or other GM food corporations.
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Aw, those Mayans and Hopi have me thinking on multiple levels simultaneously once again. Indigenous people are cool like that. But as we dip our toes into the year of 2012, I can’t help but feel plum giddy about getting the rest of my body into the nitty-gritty of living. Bring it on, I say.
Whatever’s around the corner, it will be one heck of an interesting ride. More weather extremes? Don’t tease me. Hostile tensions with other nations? Color me surprised. More politicians fibbing? Not in America, surely. More laws to protect us from ourselves? Call me anxious.
Oh 2012, how you infatuate me. Only five phalanges into this hot tub of consternating karma, and I’m already warmed to my crown chakra. While the sounds of hot bubbles pop and fizzle, I’m going to do my best to remind myself of all the hard work that still lies ahead. No, I’m not going to focus on prolonged droughts. That only makes me tense and kills the aqua-massaging buzz. And no, I’m not going to focus on political elections. That only fogs the mirror. And I’m sure as hell not going to focus on asteroids crashing, bird flu sneezing, or anxiety-filled hyperventilating. After all, I don’t want to pee in this jacuzzi because I’m probably going to need to recycle it as drinking water at some point.
Now, this doesn’t mean I haven’t spent several years preparing for the unexpected. Years experience as a farmer has convinced me to hope for the best, prepare for the worst and expect somewhere in between most years. And while the world we are living in is going through some obvious and somewhat frightening growing pains of rebirth, I’m not going to panic or lose my proverbial togetherness. I’m simply going to do what I did during the birth of my two sons — offer words of encouragement, shout “push!” now and then, comfort and console when needed, inspire and encourage when able…and take plenty of photos during and after. Cause something tells me no matter what does or doesn’t happen in 2012, this is going to be one none of us ever forget.
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