Learn
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Freedom Scorecard
I came across this snazzy little tool presented by Tag at LifeDoneFree, which he calls a UGS Calculator. (“UGS” stands for “UnGovernable Score”.) Basically, it’s a gauge to determine how free you are based on what you deem is needed to be free. For a while now, I’ve been trying to keep tabs on taking care of our First- Things-First needs, and thensome, to get as free as we can be. And I really like how Tag has put this spreadsheet together to help monitor one’s progress on achieving freedom in the many aspects of our lives.
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Longing for Community
For many years we have longed for community. However, we weren’t interested in just any kind of community, because we’ve seen (& been a part of) a variety of communities over our lifetime that have left us feeling empty & stagnant. For us, given our concern for what we see going on around us & our passionate vision for the future (particularly for our kids!), we have desired to develop relationships with folks who are dedicated to actively cooperating their way out of the System. And then, naturally, we’d like to cooperate with them to achieve that in our own respective little worlds. So, beyond simply meeting & knowing people…
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My Freeze-Drying Future
Last fall, we planned on processing our ginormous (yes, that’s a real word) fence-jumping Black Angus steer. However, when the day came to load him onto the trailer to go meet his Maker, a series of unfortunate events took place, to include the mangling of several cattle panels and garden fencing. Therefore his ticket to ride went to two other smaller animals, and that beast lived to see another day. š Knowing this mammal needed to end up in our freezer, sooner than later, yet our freezer space would be limited given the other two animals, we had to come up with either another massive freezer or another plan to…
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Scrolling Without Comment
I saw a meme this morning that someone shared on Facebook which read: “I saw a post I didn’t agree with. -I chose not to get offended. -I chose not to change their mind. -I chose not to comment. -I still like the person. I just kept scrolling and went on with my day.” – Dr, Shawne.com I realize the intent of this post was likely to point out the idea that it is possible to still like someone who posts something we don’t agree with. But when I read it, I homed in on the part that said, “I chose not to change their mind. – I chose not…
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Return to Print Publications
I was happy to read today that 2.9 Billion People are Still Offline. (Of course, I had to see that tidbit online because that’s the only way I’ve been able to get news regarding world events these days.)
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Finally Answering the Call
Iāve been debating back and forth with myself over the past year as to how to best carry out my calling at this moment in time, particularly as it relates to this website. It seems the phone has been ringing for a while now, and I feel a sense of urgency welling up within me to answer it already. I believe those who have wakened in the last year (2020-2021) either to the wicked agenda of the powers-that-be, or to the realization that the powers-that-be shouldnāt even be, are likely going to need a bit of direction going forward. And, I believe, there are those who may have already been awake…
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What is a Food Forest Garden?
Here’s our personal definition of a food forest garden. Discussion and tour includes layer design, edible landscape, self sustaining, resilience, abundance, prosperity, creative mandate, land stewardship, hills and valleys, tips, free nitrogen, passive irrigation. How do you define a food forest?
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Unique Keyhole Beds Video
In today’s video we show part of our zone 7 garden design, inspired by keyhole beds, and also go into more detail as to why we recommend Rototilling as permaculturists. Included are some tips for bringing in pollinators, and our favorite tools and machinery for being the most efficient without causing harm to the land. Along with that, we discuss our method with using weeds, or wild edibles, as cover crops.
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Propane Flame Thrower Weed Control Video
Clearing the weeds out of our gravel parking lot for the Homestead Stand. Using a propane torch is an easy and more natural choice to kill weeds. No pesticides required. No weed eating required. Burning broom sedge is a good way to add bio-char (charcoal) to low humus soil. It seems nature has been designed to heal itself. Broom sedge has no grazing value so it grows in large dry stands on the thin soils of ridges and overused land in Virginia. It sits there just waiting for a ignition source. This is a rugged pioneer plant than is early on the ladder of natural succession back to forest. Any…
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Planting Yukon Chief Sweet Corn Video
In today’s video we demonstrate how we’re planting our corn this year and what we do to get it in so early, just a few days past the spring equinox. In this example, we’re planting Yukon Chief Sweet Corn which is known for its early maturing at 55 days and its dwarf stalks, coming in at three to four feet in height. Going against tradition of a much later planting time, we’re planning to have these stalks grow in our large greenhouse. Stay tuned for the journey in future videos!
