Alternative Community Farmer/WPB.FL

You do not have to SPEAK FRENCH to qualify for FRENCH FARMING.

Simply ,you can start gardening in a SMALL space and still harvest MORE,the intensive way! 

The Name French farming came from WW-II as the FRENCH started growing crops in their backyards to fill in the gap after farmers were enlisted and drafted.There was a shortage in produce and THE FRENCH Re-invented the BACKYARD FARMING by growing intensive in small spaces.They used composted manure and organic ammendments .They used rainbarrels and old farming methods that did not depend on machines.

They used to sell their products at the Village Market .There was NO CHARGE for their stands.The government wanted to help so they came and traded and bartered in the begining when money was rare to find.

They worked during the DEPRESSION times and all had bread at the table and no one was homeless or starved in the streets.They had this COMMUNITY FEELING ,so they helped each others in the backyard gardening PROCESS.

That was a COMMUNITY  way of life that we need to draw lessons from ,in retrospect or contrast to our own way of life that is governed by :STACKING MONEY or  STOCKS  !

What we need in our times a spirit of FRENCH FARMING.I go to the green market or farmers market and find NO LOCAL FARMWERS.I was one who tried by all means to have a stand and was pushed aside and denied a stand because the peopkle who run some of those markets which I tried in my area are MERCHANT MINDED.

They bring in the grocery stores who bring in the conventional produce from Mexico and other states SHIPPED and falsley claimed to be FRESH.

I sent letters to commissioners and asked for help for subsidies and support for small farmers to display their produce for FREE in a VILLAGE like markets.They call them "Thursday Markets" in France and Europe.Farmers are required to pay $ 100-150  per stand per month at the Green Markets.They barely make money selling radishes or parsley for .99 cents ...or plants in small 6" containers for $1.50 cents!

The mainstream media rushes to paint green and Organic most of those produce that are imported and sprayed with all kinds of fertilizers and pesiticides.This is the REALITY which the main stream media never publishes because they are fed by the Agr-Business advertizing money!

Bloggers now are flourishing because they are being published and edited by REAL FARMERS who are denied the VISIBILITY either in the mainstream media or the green market.

The new administration did well by starting an ORGANIC vegetabkle garden at the White House.The new administration deserves our applaud for initiating a baby step towards RECOGNIZING the IMPORTANCE of HOME GROWN FRUITS and VEGETABLES.They need our votes in the coming elections and we need their  ATTENTION NOW to send us STIMULUS MONEY.

They need to send it  NOT to the City and County officials or Commissioners for SOME of them are either in Jail or being  investigated for CORRUPTION.I say SOME and not ALL!SEEING IS BELEIVING:Come and inspect those Community gardens that were ERAZED,NEGLECTED  or DENIED budget money.

Come and inspect those farms that are being swallowed or  washed away by developers.Come and see for yourself how the small family/urban farmers live in dire need for help  !We are the weakest chain- link  in the FOOD CHAIN!A healthy nation needs a local  farmer more than an engineer or astraunout.So , show Carera the money!

They need to send direct STIMULUS HELP  to those small  family/urban farmers that have been DENIED THE RIGHT TO EXIST OR SELL OR PROSPER through a chain saw of laws that are CONTRIBUTING to  NULLIFYING their VERY EXISTENCE.There are new elections coming up in 2010.So let us farmers send our letters of concern about the new laws being drafted to silence and shut down family and small farmers.Let us make the call now while HR 2749 is still being contemplated at the Senate floor.We small farmers need to come in UNISON and why not form a UNION...A small Farmers/Urban farmers union to make our voice heard in a culture of lobbiests and special interest groups.This is Democracy in action when we practice our constitutional rights of speach and what have you.

We need to get inspired by the FRENCH FARMING just like we did when this nation fought for its INDEPENDENCE from OCCUPATION.

Is there a new kind of CONTROL sugar coated by laws that try to steal the LIVELIHOOD of Familyand small farmers?We are being forced to eat food grown on sludge or HUMAN SHIT.We are being forced(read the news of  New York health workers protesting the MANDATORY VACCINE)to get( PIGS!) SWINE FLU  vaccinations!.We are kept in the dark by a mainstream media that keeps feeding us food for thought news about EARTHQUAKES-MURDER-WARS .We are brain washed by Hollywood movies that promote violence-blood letting , FEAR and ANIMATION FICTION .Where is the TRUTH?Where are the FACTS being hidden from us?When will be the right time for us to wake up to the facts that our basic human rights to grow our own food are under seige?

Call it AMERICAN FARMING and start digging your own backyard and get inspired by the French who helped this nation win its INDEPENDENCE .The least we can say: They gave us the Statue of Liberty...the rest is left for us to make right our own STATUTES especially the ones that govern our LIVELIHOOD as FARMERS:WE THE PEOPLE  ARE THE KEEPERS OF THE LAND and GEORGE WASHINGTON WAS OUR FARMER FOUNDING FATHER AND PRESIDENT!So, Help us GOD!

There are SOME  criminal minded   people ,whose middle name is  Hate, first name Anger and last name  Racist , loose out there hunting down humans and trafficking with their ORGANS in the black market or simply beating  them or just  stereotyping and discremenating against them because they look DIFFERENT!

Some nick name themselves "The Punisher" ,  others "The match Maker"and the list goes on...We have laws against terrorists who have no specific features or face to identify , while we do not have laws against RACISTS who do have features and faces to identify !

ORGANIC Farmers and gardeners should keep busy working the land and chasing those polluters who spray poison at our food in the field .Some who pretend to be farmers ,but in fact are SYNTHETIC ONES, busy themselves in spraying poison into our minds through their propaganda targeting human beings who happen to be different .

There are restrictions and regulations  under preparation to be passed as laws to CONTROL and CONTAIN small farmers and drive them out of business , but we rarely hear those propaganda agents utter a single word in protest.

We farmers know how to weed out the fungus among us . WE farmers are the keepers of the earth and we mean the   MEAK...not the SNEAK! We farmers need stimulus and help to stay affloat ,just like the banks and other big financial businesses who  were bailed out.How about reaching out to those elected representatives and letting them be AWARE  of our  plight not just calling them names because they are DIFFERENT!

Democracy is about being able to be FREE in EXPRESSING assent or discent.Democracy is not about ROBBING or STEALING a vote or a livelihood!We THE PEOPLE are the ones who govern through our elected representatives.So  give them a call not just call them names no matter what their skin , hair or eyes color!

WELCOME  TO MY GARDEN> NOW PUT ON SAFETY GEAR AND FOLLOW GARDEN ERGONOMICS PROCEDURES.WHAT?

Ever heard of the MSDS? Ever EXPERIENCED: BACK ACHES-NECK ACHES-MUSCLE ACHES -CARPAL TUNNELS-KNEE INJURIES-HIP INJURIES?There are no safety guidlines for gardening.There are no curriculum that teaches farmers and gardeners how to use their body and garden tools to AVOID BODY INJURIES WHILE WORKING THE LAND,LIFTING,PLANTING,HARVESTING,PUSHING CARTS,PULLING WEEDS ETC..

aLLOW ME TO INTRODUCE TO YOU THE ANCIENT ART OF SAFE FARMING .If you do YOGA then you must know WHERE Yoga was INVENTED ? INDIA. NAMASTE !  ATCHA ! SOUNDS GREEK?

Well , the INDIANS INVENTED AYEURVEDA THOUSANDS OF YEARS AGO.THEIR CULTURE DEPENDED ON AGRICULYURE.THEY USED THEIR BODIES DAILY PLANTING AND FARMING.THEY FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A SOLUTION FOR THE BACK ACHE NATURALLY.IT WAS YOGA.SIMPLY PUT:FARMING CONSTRICTS YOUR MUSCLES AND YOGA STRETCHES THEM.YIN BALANCES THE YANG.SOUNDS CHINESE?ANOTHER ANCIENT THING!

I WANTEDE TO SOLVE THE MYSTERY OF MY BACK ACHE AFTER TRYING SO MANY PILLS THAT NEVER WORKED..SO I WENT TO SCHOOL AND STUDIED MASSAGE THERAPY .YUP.GOT ANOTHER CERTIFICATION HANGING ON THE WALL!!BUT I LEARNED A LOT ABOUT THE HUMAN BODY.i LEARNED TO USE BODY WEIGHT INSTEAD OF MUSCULAR POWER.

HERE ARE SOME SAFETY GARDEN ERGONOMICS TIPS  IN A NUT SHELL:

1-WEAR GARDEN SAFETY  GEAR!

2-USE ERGONOMICALLY CERTIFIED GARDEN TOOLS.

3-APPLY GARDEN ERGONOMICS PROCEDURES WHEN FARMING OR GARDENING.TO LEARN MORE USE YOUR LIBRARY AND DO SOME HOMEWORK OR FOLLOW MY BLOG FOR FUTURE ARTICLES ON ERGONOMICS.

4-ALWAYS SEEK MEDICAL HELP/CHECK WITH A HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL BEFORE AND AFTER YOU FARM OR GARDEN OR EXPERIENCE ANY INJURY OR PAIN .TO FIND OUT IF IT FITS YOUR ABILITY AND LEARN MORE ABOUT GARDEN SAFETY AND ERGONOMICS,TAKE PERSONAL RESPONSIBLITY.IT IS YOUR OWN BODY AFTER ALL!

BENEFITS OF GARDEN ERGONOMICS:

1-SAVES YOUR BODY INJURIES WHETHER FUNCTIONAL(MUSCLES) OR STRUCTURAL(BONES).

2-USES BODY WEIGHT INSTEAD OR IN CONJUNCTION WITH GRAVITY AND  MUSCULAR FUNCTIONAL MOVEMENT .

3-SAVES ON MEDICAL BILLS.

4-MAKES FARMING A PLEASURE AND MORE ENJOYABLE ...NOT PAINFUL!

IT IS ALL ABOUT BALANCE OR HOMEOSTASSIS.SOUNDS GREEK , EH!

BE  SAFE .

THERE are ways to do business and ways  to live as much as of high ways and routes to TRAVEL.Diversity is the KEY word if you want to LEARN HOW TO START AN ORGANIC  GARDEN.Start SMALL and LEARN BIG!

Unfortunately for the working people who want to be a week end garden warrior it is not enough .I have found out that Communication,Culture,Community and COGNITION ,play an important role of WHO WE ARE and HOW WE FUNCTION.BINGO!So , you want to START GROWING YOUR OWN FOOD because the OBAMAS have done so or because it is the new WAVE!??Here are the GOOD and BAD news:

GOOD NEWS: You need an able body(YOUR OWN) to use other than the migrant farmer's who is now to BLAME for the DEPRESSION which is making you LOSE your HOME-CAR-BUSINESS to the BAILED OUR INSURANCE -MORTGAGE-BANKS ,BIG BUSINESS TRIO!

BAD NEWS: You need to start the LEARNING PROCESS FIRST before you  to START DIGGING YOUR OWN GARDEN.Unfortunately the books - DVD -Information Technology and  what have you ,fall short of a Shovel or RAKE!..Using the SOFTWARE is not SUFFICIENT .YOU NEED HARD WARE!TOOLS and ABLE BODY! When was the last time you moved your body other than swirching a TV channel  at a GYM?Our muscles need to be trained to use basic gardening tools like a rake or shovel so that we do not end up with back injuries etc..They call it ERGONOMICS...THIS IS BASICS prior to digging.No Horticultural school I know of teach ERGONOMICS to agriculture students.Most of FARMERS and GARDENERS I know of HAVE BAD BACKS.Be AWARE! HAVE AWARENESS!LEARN ERGONOMICS FIRST.

GOOD NEWS: There are classes and workshops fascilitated by farmers on PRACTICAL GARDENING according to THE GEOGRAPHICAL ZONE..I do have  ones ready to order or attend . HERE IN S.FLORIDA , you need to learn about what and when to grow at the TROPICAL-9-10 ZONE.Reading a gardening book or going to college  is overdoing it..You need to look for simple way..and hook up with a PROFESSIONAL FARMER / GARDENER near you! VOILA!Instead of using your plastic at a mega garden center and buy it all ready made...WHY NOT MAKE and GROW YOUR OWN: COMPOST-SEEDLINGS ..FROM A TO Z.

The gardening way is SLOW and it is a PROCESS! Meaning : IT TAKES TIME and it follows the GROWING SEASON from start to end...HERE it is less than six months from November to March.So...Why are you waiting?You can start NOW by just LEARNING THE PROCESS and GETTING THE ORGANIC GARDENING AWARENESS!BEST WAY TO DO IT IS :HANDS ON..and on the GARDEN GROUNDS! !MICRO-Urban farming  is  different than MEGA farming!You need to start small.A container will do..But you need the EDUCATION LIVE and HANDS ON APRIORI!

My experience with new comers to ORGANIC GARDENING: They come from out of state zones,ask for handouts, want the GARDEN NOW.They are overwhelmed with the notes and know-how.They need time to digest the information,.They need budget to start the garden.They need help in setting up the process.Here are the topics that you need to learn about: Compost.Mulch.Organic Brown and Green Manure.Soil PH.Irrigation.Seeds.Seedlings.Organic fertilizers.Organic pesticides.What grows and what does not in your area and season.

IT IS  GOOD TO KNOW FIRST ,  BEFORE YOU GROW!

The mainstream media   are busy  bombarding us  daily with news about the flu .Most of us give in to the propaganda and rush to get a vaccine which started as a two shots dose and now is being recommended for one shot after the Canadians and Chinese found it sufficient as so.

Well , I got the flu and I am not which category .But here is how I managed to survive and thrive without a vaccine.I learned that adults have mercury added to their vaccine ingredient.So , I opted to keep the heavy metal toxin out of my blood stream  altogether.

I started coughing and spitting phelgm ..It was a deep cough in the begining.The color of the phelgm was light green and yellow.I rushed to take my daily mega dose of vitamin C to fortify my IMMUNE SYSTEM.

Then I went shopping for herbs like MINT,CHAMOMILE for my home made  herbal tea .It is known in TCM and Ayeurveda that to counter a Flu with its opposite.So while I had a fever in the begininjg I used MINT tea to COOL my system .It worked.Chamomile is a natural ANTI-BIOTIC.Also I used a lot of RAW GARLIC...AND I DID REST TOO!

Gardening helped me a lot.Deep breathing exercises in the garden did the trick by supplying FRESH OXYGEN to my depleted cells.Lots of fresh salads and GREENS supplied the NEEDED CHLOROPHYL...

It is taking its toll...So I was PATIENT and stayed home to avoid infecting others.Sun bathing and beach walks were practiced to enhance the D vitamin production and reduce STRESS.

That was my personal narration to combat a FLU...Whta ever you do is UP TO YOU...It worked for me!

HERE,The fall season is the BEGINING of the growing season...not the END!

We in  S.Florida,are at odds with most of the other US regions ,with respect to our planting and harvesting timetable! While you guys UP NORTH prepare to harvest the pumpkin , we here DOWN SOUTH get ready to plant the pumpkin seeds!WE have no HARVEST YET, except for the summer crops like OKRA,CALALOO,WATERMELON...

So , what is required first ?

1-Setting our awareness compass to the SOUTH front .Get some education on GROWING YOUR OWN FROM A LOCAL FARMER.Books confuse you because they are written for general purpose.You need information abiout your AGRICULTURAL  REGION 9-10.

2-Adjusting our gardening skills to the way of the TROPICS.

Look for what grows best and not what you like and want.Attend classes and workshops in your area.Buy or exchange seeds from local growers .

3-Patince.Patience.Patience.It takes TIME!

4-Gardening is a process.So let there be a starting date .You learn as you go, but the best thing is to get a professional help at hand while you garden.

5-Join a Community Garden in your area.Learn the process first and then apply it to your own backyard.

6-Set a budget and make it feasable and workable, without the need to  file for bankruptcy or exploit  your Garden Counsultant !

I have met a lot of people who have a wish list to start a garden and it takes them years before they do it.They fail to ask for local prodfessional help.They rush to buy stuff from the garden center and expect that this will be it.They buy gardening books that were writen to accomodate colder regions.They are confused ,angry and still WANT TO GET THE GARDEN STARTED RIGHT NOW!So,they  go shopping for the convenient ready plants,bagged soil,chemical fertilizers ,pesticides ...and the bill : You will be AMAZED!!!!SOOOOOOOO expensive! So , what is the alternative?GROW AND MAKE YOUR OWN !WE CAN HELP!

Wait a minute.I know out side is soooooooo   HOT!There are zilions of mosquitos, and "NOTHING GROWS IN THE SAND...MAY BE BEACH CASTLES!"kind of attitude.Well , let us start small.Choose an area that is not prone to flooding .Raised beds is a safe way to garden in S.Florida just in case .

We need to work on ourselves first before we start digging.Awareness is important.Application of what we learn is important as well.Our attitude and our dedication to the GARDENING PROCESS will determine whether we fail or succeed.

HAPPY  GROWING SEASON!

Are you a fan for the ZESTY Jalopeno  ? Are you in love with a CALIENTE ensalada?Are you addicted to PEMIENTO?I am!

Why not start a MEXICAN GARDEN in the ZESTY and MUCHO CALIENTE TIERA land of Florida?

Here are some tips on HOW TO GROW a Mexican garden :

We share a common denomenator  here in Florida, with Mexico: Growing vegetables and herbs that love  TROPICAL CLIMATE !

Here are some tips to start with:

Vegetables:Grow Quelites or Ca-La-Loo,verdolagas or purslane,radishes,cactus corn,pumpkins,tomatillos,lima beans ,hot peppers:Cayenne,serrano,jalapeno,chili de arbol,habanero.

Herbs:

Grow chapote,la ruda,basil,minta,yerb buena,cilantro,culantro.

Always start small .That is the smart way to learn as you grow.

The secret key : Experiment and be creative!

Here are some recipes to taste:

Greens the Mexican style:

10 cups of Quelites greens( Known in Florida as :CA-LA-LOO)

1 Table spoon extra virgin olive oil

1 Serrano pepper , minced

1 Jalapeno minced

1 Glove of garlic , minced

3 Medium tomatoes , peeled and chopped

Garnish : 2 tablespoons crumbled,aged Mexican cheese

wash the QUELITES GREENS and remove tough stems.Chop tender stems.Put the greens in pot,cover,and steam for five minutes.Do not add water.Remove the greens ,cool and set aside.

Saute in extra virgin olive oil the following:Onion,serrano,jalapeno,and garlic.Chop the green QUELITES or Ca-La-Loo add the minced tomatoesto the pot.Mix EVERYTHING above mentioned and cook for five minutes.Remove from pot and garnish with the crumbled Mexican cheese.

Serve warm for  four.Enjoy !

By: Tony

localharvest.org/farms/M20618

You do not have to SPEAK FRENCH to qualify for FRENCH FARMING.

Simply ,you can start gardening in a SMALL space and still harvest MORE,the intensive way! VOILA!!!

The French started this intensive way of gardening after the first and second world wars to grow herbs,vegetables and flowers in the small spaces adjacent to their houses.A tribute to the lost loved ones in the wars!The intensive methods of farming -which they used out of necessity- were considered unattainable by the scientific mechanized way of mass production that utilizes vast acres of land in the AGRI-BUSINESS.

Simply they used intensive spacing for vegetables and companion herbs and utilized the FOURTH DIMENSION in their DIVERSIFIED plasnting.

Fourth dimension refers to TIME.There are crops that require more time to mature and others lesser time.By planting both one acheives more harvesting using this succession way.For example,large plants like peppers ,eggplants,tomatoes will occupy larger space comparatively and require a LONG time to mature.Planting next to them Fast maturing crops like radishes,lettuce,spinach will do the trick!

Also, they used high yielding crops like mustard ,chard,french sorrel and imployed a prolific method by cutting those greens back to 2 inches or less several times during the growing season.

Here in the South Florida hot zone ,the vegetables that are compatible to grow now, include:

Beans,cabbage,beets,celery,COLLARDS,CORN,EGGPLANTS,CHERRY TOMATOES,PEPPERS,RADISHES,SPINACH/Ca-la-loo),ONIONs,cucumbers.

The Insect repelling herbs are also popular here in the South .They are used as companions to the vegetables to help the fight against the bad bugs!Here are some samples:Marigold,chives,garlic,mint,sage,basil,thyme,oregano(Greek and Cuban),rose mary,aloe vera,parsley and LAVENDER.

If it happens that you visit France, and you are a fan of the herbs ,like I am, take the train to AIX EN PROVENCE the CAPITAL of HERBS  of FRANCE! I did the "TOUR DES HERBS "while I was in AIX EN PROVENCE...ENCROYABLE !MANIFIQUE !

You will be flooded with so many kinds of LAVENDER ...THE FRENCH use it in their EVERYTHING:cosmetics,food ,bedrooms,cupboards , ebven in their intimate clothing(CYLOTE~:)etc....

To finish up,here are some tips to start with: Use vertical farming by utilizing a double dig method if your area if  not prone for flooding .If it is , then use the riased beds method.BON CHANCE et BON APPETITE!!SALUTE!

PS:If the French could do it and start a vegetable garden with HIGH yields in a small space,sure you can too!Forget about what they teach you in the  books.Best lessons are learned in REAL TIME FROM REAL PEOPLE- NOT PAPER PEOPLE!IT does not take a rocket scientist to grow a garden...even though some gardens were tested positive for rocket fuel in their lettuce!!!!

Have you noticed lately that your friends,family ,significant others ,customers etc.. are angry ,blaming ,yelling or breaking up with you for no reasons?Check out your check book.Foreclosures,job loss,depression due to dwindling money may be the culprits .NOT YOU!

Here are some remedies to encounter  the stress without HURTING OR counting  out a dear or  loved one  .

1-FRESH AIR:Take deep breathing exercises daily.They are free ,and will set you free of rage and histirical bursts of anger.Mind your adrenaline and keep it low!

2-FRESH WATER: Drink your daily organic chamomile herbal  tea.If not available, use a fresh orange juice.If not available, drink spring water.If not available, slowly swallow your own saliva!

3-FRESH GREENS:Eat your locally and organically grown greens.Immerse your fingers and hands in the soil as you pick your greens from your garden.Give thanks to mother earth.Take your time to masticate and chew.

4-FRESH EARTH:Dig out a garden,pull out the weeds.

5-Visit a spa or a retreat.Get a massage or give one!.Practice yoga.Take a vaccation.Travel.Take a day off .Go to the beach!Do nothing!

6-Sleep.Walk.Call or visit a family member.

7-Switch off the gadgets:TV,Cell phone,internet...etc, for a while

8-Prtactice TLC.Forgive and forget.

9-Slow down.Speak less.Listen more and more....

10-Hug .Smell a flower.Tell a joke.Laugh more and more ...

By :Tony

AN  URBAN  FARMER !

Organic Community Gardens are now sprouting like crazy in South Florida.The economic crunch is now compelling churches,schools,municipalities ,homeowners etc..to transform lands -that are either neglected or used to grow lawns -to productive vegetable gardens.

As a Master Gardener who worked for the last 10 years in establishing and maintaining Organic Community Gardens in South Florida I came up with a summery of RECOMMENDATIONS to help out new comers chart a feasable way into starting their own ORGANIC COMMUNITY GARDENS:

1-LOCATION:START SMALL,choose a location that is immune to FLOODING,is not a slope and is topograghically sound.Check out and clear the soil of  debris and other toxic substances.

2-Solarise and aerate the area you plan to use for a vegetable garden.

3-Appoint a care taker who has knowledge and experience to manage an organic  garden. Form a committee from your group and name a CO_ORDINATOR to follow up,to handle and decide on the garden  issues and solutions:financial,social,organizational,community events,gardening process and other matters pertainig to the garden.

4-Declare a mission and a vision.Prepare a garden budget.Set up rules and regultaions.Fill applications and paperwork to observe ,preserve and protect all parties from litigations on subjects pertaining to safety,accidents,insurance liability,obligations and responsibilities,time limits for using the plots etc..

5-Fascilitate educational classes and workshops to promote organic gardening awareness ,garden ergonomics,safety,gardening know how etc..

6-Publish a news letter,design a web site for the garden .

7-Involve members who are dedicated and able to carry out the garden tasks.Specialize gardening areas for different groups: SENIORS,ADULTS,CHILDREN,DISABLED etc..

8-Have specialized areas for: composting,a mini nursery,workshops and classes,shed for storing tools and garden accessories,events,bulletin board etc..

9-Prepare your own organic top soil,compost,organic fertilizers,organic pesticides.Weed and maintain the garden.Irrigate and mulch as necessary,harvest and use companion herbs .

10-Market your produce in green and farmers market especially to people who can not afford the EXPENSIVE HEALTH FOOD STORES.Donate to soup kitchens and charity organizations that cater for the needy.Do potucks and spread the good word of LOCALLY GROWN ORGANIC FRUIT AND VEGETABLES!

Most of us farmers and gardeners do plant and harvest crops ..But the shocking news about a different kind of "harvesting" is something unusual to happen here in our backyards.

Check out this article published by a SWEDISH newspaper about Harvesting Human Organs and selling them  H E R E   in   USA !This kind of INFORMATION IS A TABO AND IS NOT AVAILABLE BY THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA!!!CHECK IT OUT BY CLICKING ON THE WEB LINK BELOW:

http://aftonbladet.se/kultur/article5691805.ab

I am concerned about how we humans are treating The ENVIRONMENT. Be it:SOIL, ANIMALS,WATER,AIR,HUMAN BEINGS.

We have an obligation to be humane to all kinds of LIFE FORMS no matter what religion,nationality,ethnicity etc..

The world now has become like a small village.The internet is bringing us closer to each others and the MAIN STREAM MEDIA tries to feed us food for thought the way the supermarket stuff us with all kinds of adulterated,fumigated genetically engineered food.This is the reason we choose to write and read blogs:Telling and reading about WHAT IS REALLY and TRUTHFULLY GOING ON.

This is the time that we need to open up to the information age and be part of it.We are concerned to is being done to our food ,our environment and our HUMANITY.The public opinion is the real SUPER POWER.AWAERENESS IS THE KEY !LET MY PEOPLE KNOW!

THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS THAT LEAD TO THE MILL ,THAT'S WHAT MY FATHER USED TO TEACH ME.DIVERSITY IS THE KEY TO NATURE , BY NATURE AND WITH NATURE.

The environment (earth)is our home and partner .

RECYCLING IS THE KEY WORD FOR CORRECTING OUR ACTS OF GREED AND WASTE .COMPOSTING is the answer to our irresponsible waste ,crashing - trashing -dumpster agri- CULTURE!!

The Native Americans were the first pioneers to mention when we talk compost.They used to bury the fish bones right into the field where they grew corn and sunflower.Their ways are sacred because of the simple reason they gave us when it comes to farming:FEED THE EARTH NOT THE PLANTS.We just do the opposite , because it makes more money and less common sense to our business as usual mentality ! 

Here in S.Florida composting is a must to grow a bountiful crop,for SOME  SOIL  REASONS:IT IS SANDY-TOP SOIL DEPLETED-NEMATODES AND WEEDS INFESTED-CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS AND PESTICIDE CONTAMINATED !

Just a living example is the EPA and Health DEPT ongoing recent investigation of the ACREAGE , an agricultural and residential area that is now the focal point of the media for its CANCER CLUSTERS outcry! COULD IT BE THAT WHAT IS IN THE SOIL MIGHT BE THE CAUSE FOR ALL THOSE CANSER CLUSTER????

Home made composting made easy:

 One of my favorite way of composting is PILE COMPOST.

1- Start with yard trash like broken branches,leaves and grass shavins as my first layer.It is important to do so to maintain proper aeration.

2-Add: GREEN MANURE OR MATTER like -kitchen scrapings and allowed animal manure( I prefer horse manure).Great source for nitrogen.

3-Add BROWN MANURE  OR MASTTER like:mulch,saw dust,newspaper ,old cotton cloth.Great source for carbon. I try to maintain a C/N ratio of 25/1.

4-Add natural minerals,trace minerals and nutrients like :lime,iron,bone meal,blood meal,flax mealetc..Great food for worms that help transform the soil into HUMUS which is the fully and COMPLETE COMPOST.

Compost is a partially and not fully complete soil.Worms  fill in the gap towards a complete compost as in  nutritionally rich HUMUS!

5-Cover with saw dust and coffee ground.Add baking soda and epsom salt to combat and neutralize odor.If you live in condos or regulated communitiesuse bins to cover pile .This will discourage visitations of night animals and eliminate odors that might intimidate your neighbor!

There are many other ways to compost:

Trench-WireCage-Plastic Bin-Turning barrel and much more.Use your imagination and be creative!

The secret is to keep onTHE  RECYCLING PROCESS alive in your backyard and garden  not just DUMPEDAND TRASHED IN THE DUMPSTER!

WE must campaign for RECYCLING LAWS and FINES for those AFFLUENT AND GREEDY WHO FILL OUT THE DUMPSTERS WITH FOOD MUCH NEEDED BY THE HUNGRY HUMANS OUT OF WORK!

WE MUST SPREAD THE AWARENESS BY DOING AND EXAMPLE.

I beleive in preserving and concerving NATURE.So I follow the path of the ancient ways of farming:

1-Recycling-Composting!

2-Community farming-Collective agriculture.

3-Sustainability ,working in partnership with the Earth and the environment!

4-Grow and Trade LOCALLY!

USE the ENERGY of The four elements of creation :water,air,fire and earth  to create a natural compost.Never adulterate with chemicals or plastic or man made products like processed and chemically produced ,genetically engineered foods.Do not use meet or fklesh other than the skin and bones of fish.You may add yogurt and cheese to enhance and activate decomposition.Always water and if you have time flip flop the pilre to expedite creation of compost.

Happy Composting!

In the TIMES OF:NO MONEY,NO JOB, NO HOME,NO FOOD- HARVEST THE  WILD EDIBLES .IT IS for FREE plus :GMO,PESTICIDE AND CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS FREE!Hold on: You forgot one thing,which one is edible and which one  is  poisonous?Aha..you need to be aware and do your homework depending where do you live! In case you are in Florida here arte some incredible edibles from what is leftover from the wilderness.

What is for dinner?

Fetch in the wild for the famous pursalane greens or pig weed, it makes a great  raw salad with wild florida cherry tomato . Or cook it  sauted with wild  onion and garlic  ,add the infamous rounded up dandelion greens weed and the boiled sliced dandelion root .Chop in prickly pear spikless cactus...add sea salt and extra virgin olive oil..mix and serve. YUMMY! Cost:FREE!

The Ubiquious Dandelion (Taraxacum officnale) :Which translates into "official remedy for illness".The seeds travel like parachute and spread all over .It is very rich in minerals and vitamins especiallyA , C and the B chain..It is bitter though especially when eaten raw..to take away the bitterness ,steam it.You risk the loss of the rich minerals and enzymes for the sake of taste!

Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia spp.):The pear shaped cactus is a favorite dish when cooked or eaten as a salad among the indigenous peoples of the Caribean, Florida peninsula and the South and Central America .In mexicao it is used along with Aloe vera to treat certain cancers.It is also available in the form of dietery food supplemnts.

During the summer we have a plenty of edible fruit to harvest in the wild like:

Elderberry,coconut,dates,sawpalmetto,grapes.apples,papaya,avocado.

Coconut : Is a good source of vitamins and trace minerals. The natives here used its juice water to combat kidney and liver ailments besides to relinquish thirst.The oil extracted from the coconut is used for cooking and salads besides as an ointmment for the skin and a hair conditioner and fortifier.

Saw palmetto berries:Those fruits from the pigmy palms are a good food for those who have prostate problems .

Elderberry: The flowers and fruits were considered a great source for combating colds and flu.Also the berries were cooked into jelly ,juice,jam and preserve.

There are more and more to explore of the incredible wild edibles..Stay tuned

IT IS BLAZZING SUMMER ALREADY TAKING HOLD HERE  !!HEAT ..HUMIDITY ...MOSQUITO..and MOLD are the apparent summer harvest  in the HURRICANE SEASON ! A GOOD REASON TO "BAIL OUT" ...OF HERE!!!

ARE YOU CONSIDERING HIRING AN EXTRA PROFESSIONAL "ORGANIC HELPING HAND"? CONSIDER THE UNDERSIGNED! I HAVE A SHOVEL AND I AM READY TO TRAVEL .

There are side effects of the heat-humidity - mold/mosquito MOSQUETEERS.Taking into consideration the EMOTIONAL effects of the stress caused by the FINANCIAL meltdown , I find it more safe to choose FLIGHT over FIGHT!!

Here are my personal reasons for FLIGHT :

1-NO STIMULUS HELP FOR SMALL Urban / Local Community Gardens Farmers  exist in the bail out stimulus- list.Federal help is needed just like the one extended for the "Victory Gardens" model during the great depression!

2-NO GREEN  / COMMUNITY - FARMERS MARKETS  INCENTIVES are offered for start up local small urban farmers.Investment in community gardens need more attention from both local and private sectors to provide AFFORDABLE organic produce especially to inner cities of  low income communities.

3-RACIAL PROFILING: Blacks..Hispanics..Farmers ..Different/Ethnic People  etc.. get a bigger bitter bite ..Slavery in the South was abolished long time ago, but some of us here still have no clue! People now have RIGHTS! They are FREE and EQUAL by law ,no matter what color,nationality,ethnicity etc !Being different here , is being vulnerable.Ask me!

Take for example, "The Punisher" story..It is a REAL  racial profiling  incidence that happened in an AGRICULTURAL town called :"Glades" in Florida .It happened to coincide with" GATES"racial story !Now it is the right time to expose :RACIAL PROFILING and write laws against RACISIM just like we wrote laws against TERRORISM!! If you want to learn more  about the "Glades story", just  google:"The Glades Punisher."

There are people who just REACT and project their personal  problems,  hate ,anger and prejudice on others to feel better.There are people who PRO-ACT and tend to face their own challenges without causing a colatarel damage to others.There are a lot of us who are losing THINGS like: Homes,cars,farms,gardens,storage units and offcourse JOBS .Let us not take this PERSONAL.LET US SEEK AND PROVIDE HELP with patience and passion.Let us show COMPASSION to others!

I have attended an Organic Farmers  conference  once  in an OUT OF STATE TOWN ,  I was extremely impressed by the respect ,civil and polite attitude of the different farmers whom  I have met.I beleive the ORGANIC FOOD and THE ORGANIC way of life has an important impact on our behaviours and attitudes.Let us vote small organic farmers for office.Let us write organic laws to serve and preserve freedom,justice,jobs and dignity for ALL ! Let us pray...not prey!

Here are the latest news about HR 2749...IT PASSED THE HOUSE YESTERDAY...ARE YOU A SMALL SCALE FARMER?ARE YOU AFFECTED?

ALSO.LEARN MORE ABOUT :Dr Maniotis Vaccine Pandemic Historic Timeline @:

www.healthfreedomusa.org/?p=3198