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Actually, there is also a difference in nutritional values (concentration of components such as anti-oxidants). At least one study has found that organic veggies and fruits have up to 70% more antioxidants than conventionally grown counterparts (the conventional stuff also has too much nitrogen etc. in it). When you widen the field to meat and eggs, there is even more difference. Home grown eggs from pastured hens are much more nutritious (not to mention the antibiotics and growth hormones). Grass fed meat has the proper ratios of omega-3 to the rest of the omegas (which are off kilter in grain fed meats). Keeping a few chickens for a family even if just for eggs is absolutely no work. As for keeping a home organic garden being "expensive" - it will never be more expensive than the local farmers' markets or Wholefoods. Yes, you will need to invest some time into it but it's not like it requires you to stare at the broccoli 24/7 and watch it grow moment to moment
Actually, there is also a difference in nutritional values (concentration of components such as anti-oxidants). At least one study has found that organic veggies and fruits have up to 70% more antioxidants than conventionally grown counterparts (the conventional stuff also has too much nitrogen etc. in it). When you widen the field to meat and eggs, there is even more difference. Home grown eggs from pastured hens are much more nutritious (not to mention the antibiotics and growth hormones). Grass fed meat has the proper ratios of omega-3 to the rest of the omegas (which are off kilter in grain fed meats). Keeping a few chickens for a family even if just for eggs is absolutely no work. As for keeping a home organic garden being "expensive" - it will never be more expensive than the local farmers' markets or Wholefoods. Yes, you will need to invest some time into it but it's not like it requires you to stare at the broccoli 24/7 and watch it grow moment to moment
It's not a lot of work to take care of chickens, but you must be there every single day for them. It can take time as well. Chickens like company as much as cats and dogs. They also like special treats so I raise mealworms for them.
It's not a lot of work to take care of chickens, but you must be there every single day for them.
I have to disagree with you here, my friend.
All 4 of us have been off the property for a week at a time, with no ill effects on the 325 birds (chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys) that we raised this year. Neither did we have any help from neighbors, etc. There are automated feed and watering systems available, not expensive. It also helps if they are on pasture. People forget that these birds evolved to be able to live in the wild - and many poultry raisers have found their "escapees" happily roosting and nesting in the wilds near their farms.
I have skipped up to 3 days at a time, without tending our chickens, ducks and turkeys.
But we have never skipped a day with our pigs. Even if it is only one cup of grain per day, they get restless if they are not 'fed'. Regardless of how much of their daily intake comes from the woods / mast, they still want a daily feeding.
"Learn from the experience of a seasoned farmer and you, too, will be able to grow a successful and fulfilling market gardening career on less acreage than you ever thought possible"
So what do you all think?
He supports a family of 4 and has 2 full-time employees. It's doable.
I have posted about this before. A man in Minneapolis produces one million pounds of food annually on 3 acres. He grows year round in hoop houses. The only heat source is a compost pile in each hoop house which provides enough heat to get his plants through Minnesota winters.
You don't have to buy large acreage or fertile farming land. You can either improve your soil or set up a hoop house just about anywhere.
We use about 1/2 acre of our land for year-round gardening for 2 of us. We don't sell the excess; it goes to family members.
He supports a family of 4 and has 2 full-time employees. It's doable.
I have posted about this before. A man in Minneapolis produces one million pounds of food annually on 3 acres. He grows year round in hoop houses. The only heat source is a compost pile in each hoop house which provides enough heat to get his plants through Minnesota winters.
You don't have to buy large acreage or fertile farming land. You can either improve your soil or set up a hoop house just about anywhere.
We use about 1/2 acre of our land for year-round gardening for 2 of us. We don't sell the excess; it goes to family members.
I see a lot of these stories coming from Maine too. We have really good Apprenticeship / Journeyman programs that get young farmers going on their own farms.
Optimal flavor and nutritional value occur simultaneously, usually in the last couple of days ripening on the plant.
Supermarket produce is picked green and bred to look pretty and to withstand long distance shipping. This sacrifices flavor and nutrition. It's practically tasteless to me. Some farmer's market vendors buy produce from the same places supermarkets do, so know your source.
Optimal flavor is one of the joys in life I'd rather not do without. The added benefit is higher nutritional value. Some things you just have to do yourself if you want high quality.
Optimal flavor and nutritional value occur simultaneously, usually in the last couple of days ripening on the plant.
Supermarket produce is picked green and bred to look pretty and to withstand long distance shipping. This sacrifices flavor and nutrition. It's practically tasteless to me. Some farmer's market vendors buy produce from the same places supermarkets do, so know your source.
Optimal flavor is one of the joys in life I'd rather not do without. The added benefit is higher nutritional value. Some things you just have to do yourself if you want high quality.
Got to agree, The beef and pork I raise myself is so superior to what I can get in the stores you wouldn't know it comes from the same animal.
Some stores will inject nitrogen into the packaging to make the meat redder for sale. Isn't supposed to have an effect on it or the consumer, but I prefer the stuff I raise, process and cook myself.
Our little tiny acreage (1.2) is so wooded and rocky. This is our first year here and we plan to try to grow SOMETHING in the spring. But we also intend to clear a lot of the volunteer trees to open up some sunlight. I'll tell you another drawback from the trees. We spent all day yesterday clearing leaves that had been there for probably 10+ years. Have mercy!! And that was just the "yard". At least we're reclaiming it as yard.
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That is soil-building. As another poster right under you mentioned, removing the leaves is a big mistake. You need to read before you clear. And look into composting.
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