Archive for April, 2013

Agriculture on the rise in the Flathead?

Wednesday, April 10th, 2013
Canola Field in Lower Valley

Canola Field in Lower Valley

by Catherine Haug, April 8, 2013

(photo, right, by Devvi Morgan)

On January 15, 2013, Kalispell CHS General Manager Mark Lalum and Bigfork’s Duane Johnson, owner of Clearwater Biologicals (vegetable oil milling) gave a presentation to the Flathead County Democratic Party and Central Committee at the Swan River Community Hall. Matt Naber reports (in the January 23 issue of the Bigfork Eagle) that agriculture is on the rise in the Flathead. From the article:

[According to] Kalispell CHS General Manager Mark Lalum …“Ag is considered a new wealth industry. It’s what’s making us have a higher standard of living because it’s bringing in wealth.” … Alfalfa’s worth increases to $1,950 per acre once turned into cubes or pellets. Canola’s value per acre increases to $1,314.46 per acre, and camelina’s increases to $2,493.09 per acre once processed [to oils].

Indeed, this is big money. However, please note that ALL 3 of these crops are GMO. I suspect that if a monetary evaluation of the harm done by GMO crops to our soil, water, and health were completed, it would show our collective citizen wealth in a tumult.

Across our nation, most of the acreage producing these crops are corporate farms owned by Big Ag companies like Monsanto. While this may not be true in the Flathead today, the potential to make big money from these crops could lure the corporations to our valley.

The article goes on to discuss the premium value of Montana wheat: (more…)

Kitchen Hint: Keeping Asparagus Fresh with Water

Monday, April 8th, 2013
Asparagus

Asparagus

by Catherine Haug, April 8, 2013

(photos from Wikipedia)

It’s asparagus season, not only in the groceries, but also soon it will be sprouting up in neighborhood fields. Don’t know what wild asparagus look like? See photo, below.

Wild Asparagus

Wild Asparagus

However, if you find it like this, it’s too late. You want to pick it when the shoots first come up. All is not lost, however; take note of where you saw this plant, then watch for the shoots next spring.

Keeping Asparagus Fresh

Today’s hint comes from Jean H. When you buy/pick asparagus, the best way to keep it lasting fresh is to place them upright in a glass container with a couple inches of water (asparagus tips pointing up), and place in the fridge. If there is still asparagus after 5 or 6 days, change the water. It keeps very well.

This also works well for leafy herbs like parsley and chervil. Like a bouquet of flowers, put the stems in a glass of water and place in the fridge.

When root veggies like carrots, and stem veggies like celery begin to wilt, place them in a bowl of ice water; they will crisp right up!

Kitchen Hint: Chopping Nuts

Sunday, April 7th, 2013
Whole walnut kernel

Whole walnut kernel

by Catherine Haug, April 7, 2013

Thanks to Jean H. for this kitchen hint.

(Walnut photo, right, from Wikipedia; knife photo, below, from Amazon)

How do you chop nuts?

If you use a food processor, you know that they can quickly be reduced to a paste, as the processor extracts oil from the nuts.

Most chefs use a Chef’s Knife in a rocking motion over the nuts on a cutting board or counter. But this requires holding your fingers on the nuts as you chop – risking bits of finger in the nuts….

If you use a knife on a board or counter, you know that they tend to scatter all over the counter as you chop. To minimize scattering, use a bread knife – the kind that has a scalloped serrated cutting edge, as in photo, below.

Wusthof Bread Knife

Wusthof Bread Knife

For more ideas on chopping nuts by hand, see:

GMO Alfalfa in the Flathead?

Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013
Alfalfa

Alfalfa

by Catherine Haug, April 3, 2013

(photo, right, from Wikipedia)

Two years ago, on January 27, 2011, the USDA approved Roundup-Ready GMO alfalfa for planting. You can view this history and read pertinent documents on the USDA’s Roundup-Ready Alfalfa website.

Originally, USDA Chief Vilsak had assured Organic growers that there would be restrictions on how close this new crop could be planted to Organic alfalfa fields, but he did not follow through with that promise; instead, he gave a green light to unrestricted planting of this crop. See Grist: In a stunning reversal, USDA chief Vilsack greenlights Monsanto’s alfalfa from Jan 2011.

What does this mean for Flathead farmers and ranchers? What does this mean for those who raise a dairy cow or goat for the family milk? (more…)

Update on Honeybees and Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD)

Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013

Honeybeeby Catherine Haug, April 2, 2013

(Photo of honeybee, right, from Bug Guide)

It is becoming more and more clear that pesticides are largely responsible for the decimation of honeybees by colony collapse disorder, and that Big Ag is to blame. (more…)

Kitchen Hint: Storing Produce to Last

Monday, April 1st, 2013

by Catherine Haug, March 28, 2013

Soon we will be planting our gardens and before you know it, we’ll be harvesting our bounty, or receiving our live CSA dividends. But then what do you do with all that produce? How do you store it for use in the near future, or to last through the winter?

Experts say the average American wastes $2000 worth of food during the year, simply by not storing it properly or not using it before it needs to be added to compost. (more…)