self sufficiency

Bioponics! Even better than Hydroponics. :-) No need to add any chemicals to your plants. This system uses a large tank full of fish. You send the fish water through the plants. The plants clean the water and absorb all the nutrients. Then you pump the clean water back into the fish tank.

You can grow your plants and have a supply of fish to eat as well.

Main page
http://www.townsqr.com/snsaqua/index.html

Magazine article
http://www.townsqr.com/snsaqua/0905ssaf.pdf

Lead Posioning.... As in shot by a lead bullet? :D

Butch, as I was watching cartoons the other day with my 3 year old, I saw an episode of The Berenstain Bears with this exact situation. Good stuff...

Also, Rumble, I was told just last week that all you have to do is
boil the milk and the bacteria is killed. Can you confirm this?

I always hated when the milk cows gut in the onion patch

Butch

As a former microbiologist, I have to say that I would never drink unpasteurized milk. One look under the microscope is all it takes to realize the microbial growth is just teeming. However, most of the bacteria contained in milk is harmless, but it only takes that "once" to make a person really sick.

Likewise, people that have been drinking unpasteurized milk for quite a while have developed an "immunity" to the bacteria. Much the same as the "Mexican water" thing. Most dairy farmers use the milk straight from the cow without any dire effects. It's not really an immunity as you would have against a disease, but rathur, the gut contains a load of bacteria that is in balance. Introducing a new bacterial source disrupts that balance. Same goes if the docter has given you an antibiotic and you find that the prescription has given you a case of the trots. The bacteria balance has been disrupted.

I only say this so that if anyone is thinking about switching to unpasteurized milk for the first time, they should be aware that if they get a case of the "runs", it wouldn't be that uncommon......at least until their intestinal tract re-adjusts to the new bacterial flora.

I still eat my share of corn syrup, msg and Cheetos, but my husband and I have a share in a dairy cow. We have a weekly supply of cream-on-the top, unpasteurized, unhomogenized milk, free of antibiotics and hormones.

Selling unpasteurized milk is a crime here, as in many states. We have a small farmer near us who bought some cows, then sold people shares in the dairy cows. Every month, we pay a boarding fee, and a cow sharer's association makes decisions about how to care for these cows. As the saying goes, "If you buy the cow, you get the milk for free." This keeps the state board of agriculture off everyone's backs.

We have never been sick from drinking it and it's the foundation for amazing chocolate milk. It's fun to know the origin of your food, and we're happy to support this farm family. As farms shrink from development, this is a way farmers can make a living on smaller acreage.

BONUS: There was a recent news article about how terrorists could target the milk supply. The odds of them getting ours is pretty slim.

I'm not sure that there are any "guarantees" any more, at least within any proximity to civilization or industry (mining, etc.).

But if game meat could have lead and homegrown crops could be contaminated from soil and water, at least it's a "could". I know that most meat and dairy I buy in the stores HAS hormones used on it, and even produce labelled "organic" has been found to sometimes contain pesticides, etc.

Perhaps all we can do is choose the lesser of evils as we see them, and as circumstances allow. :roll:

Interesting information about the hydroponic greenhouse, though.

Sara :D

People think they are safe growing their own food (besides the cost savings) Wrong!

There is no reason to believe that you will avoid chemicals in your own garden. Most of the arable soil in the USA and Canada has already been significantly contaminated and is getting more contaminated by the rain. Air pollutants can travel great distances and it's amazing what is actually contained in rainwater.

Granted, modern agri-methods with the high application rates of fertilizers, pesticides and other chemicals in crops and the use of growth hormones and anti-biotics (anti-biotics are used as a growth stimulant) in animals is a serious concern, espiacially when a lot of farmers ignore the correct usage instructions.

Anyone who is really serious about growing their own clean crops should look at a hydroponic system. An outdoor greenhouse type system may have an initial cost but can be relatively low if you design and build your own system. Likewise, you can absolutely control what the plants are growing in..... a chemical fertilizer system using pharmaceutical grade chemical nutrients or an organic system. By purchasing a reverse-osmosis water purifier to obtain pure water for the plants, you can be sure that you are eating the finest, cleanest, freshest food there is.

If you are in moderate temperature zone, you can run the greenhouse all year round with some light supplementation. If you are in a cold climate, you will have to heat the greenhouse environment plus extra light supplementation.

For people that are looking at going "off-grid" for their electrical needs, an extra generator to power the greenhouse during the short-day winter months is an ideal solution for year-round freshest veggies.

Wild Game has been known to have high levels of Lead Posioning

:shock: :shock: :shock: :D :D :D