Archive for the ‘Shop Local’ Category

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Take the quiz: The Fracking Truth

Wednesday, May 16th, 2012

by Catherine Haug, May 16, 2012

Right now, many members of our community are working in the Bakken oil fields, the latest fracking mecca, because of the shortage of good paying jobs here in the Flathead. And many public officials are touting the job-creation benefits of fracking large oil-shale deposits like the Bakken. But are these lasting jobs? Or will the Bakken eventually be another series of ghost towns?

The same public officials also project that tapping huge oil and gas deposits in the Bakken will make us independent of foreign oil, and bring the price of fuel down. Is this true? Will the US be the prime beneficiary of Bakken oil? Will we get lower prices at the pump?

How is the tremendous influx of workers impacting the local communities? Was the murder of the Sydney teacher Sherry Arnold an isolated incident? Or is there huge potential for more?

Take the quiz: You don’t know frack and see how well you do. Only 10 multiple choice questions. (Note: not all the questions I ask above are included in the quiz, but they are discussed later in this article). Read on, for more. (more…)

Posted in Community, Ecology, Energy, Security, Shop Local | Comments Closed

Back Porch View Magazine, Spring 2012 Issue

Friday, March 2nd, 2012

by Catherine Haug, March 2, 2012

The new quarterly issue of the local Back Porch View Magazine just came out, and is worth a look. And not just because I have a story published in it (The Great Cribbage Tournament of 1958, pages 6-7). There are several articles on sustainability topics, and it has a great local community feel. You can find free copies at various businesses in Bigfork, Somers, Lakeside Kalispell, Columbia Falls and Libby. Or you can subscribe (see their website).

Here are some articles in the Spring 2012 issue, pertinent to ESP’s mission: (more…)

Posted in Community, Energy, Home & Ranch, Recycle, Repurpose, Shop Local, Simplify, Survival; Primitive Living | Comments Closed

Enuf Stuff

Thursday, February 23rd, 2012

by Catherine Haug (originally published 5/20/2009; updated & republished 2/23/21012)

See also my earlier post: Living a Simpler Life (October 30, 2011)

A New Trend

Recent news reports in this down economy indicate Americans are changing their habits, from spending to saving. This trend means we are discovering we can live with the stuff we have, at least for now. And the longer we can last with no new stuff, the more this new habit will become part of who we are. How freeing! to know I don’t need more stuff to live day to day; I don’t need more stuff to fortify my self identity; I don’t need more stuff to prove I’m at least as good as my neighbor. (more…)

Posted in Home & Ranch, Shop Local, Simplify | 2 Comments »

Swallow Crest Farm to return to CSA format

Thursday, February 2nd, 2012

by Catherine Haug, February 1, 2012

Julian Cunningham of Swallow Crest Farm is pleased to announce he is returning to the CSA format for 2012, after the 2011 season of farmers markets and building construction. For more information, see:

In the past Julian has encouraged CSA members to come help out at the farm; while this is not a requirement of membership, it is a great way to get exercise, meet other members, and learn Julian’s Organic methods. For more information,

This year, as in the past, I will share a half-share with the Blacklers. The food is delicious; sometimes you get something you’ve never tried before (but be brave and try it!), but in my opinion, you always get your money’s worth. Sometimes I’ve been hard pressed to eat up my bounty before the next week arrives. Plus you get opportunities to bulk-purchase certain foods, such as Organic Flathead Cherries, or vegetables that can be stored through the winter in your root cellar.

See also Julian’s presentation for ESP last year: Gathering Summary: Gardening in NW Montana, by Julian Cunningham, Apr 20, 2011.

What is a CSA? (more…)

Posted in Agriculture, Community, Food-Nutrition-Health, Shop Local | Comments Closed

Scary Foods (or why we should support local food producers)

Wednesday, February 1st, 2012

by Catherine Haug, January 26, 2012

Supporting local food producers (gardeners, CSAs, farmers, orchards, ranchers, dairies, etc.) is not only an excellent way to build a strong community, but also the best way to ensure the quality and healthfulness of the foods you and your family eat. A side benefit is a cleaner, sustainable environment and  reduced energy consumption. You can effect food production practices by voting with your dollars.

Given the basic truth of “you are what you eat,” I am astounded at the toxic and unhealthful junk so many of us eat without giving it a second thought. Big Ag and its control of our media have certainly done a good job at getting us to make unhealthy choices voluntarily and enthusiastically. The problem is endemic in our society and affects all aspects of our diet.

(more…)

Posted in Food-Nutrition-Health, Gardening, GMO, Health, Home & Ranch, Livestock, Shop Local | Comments Closed

Frances Moore Lappé on the Food Movement

Sunday, September 25th, 2011

by Catherine Haug, September 25, 2011

Does the name Frances Moore Lappé sound familiar to you? If you came of age in the ’60s or ’70s, it should be a familiar name because she is the author of Diet for a Small Planet, published in 1971. Like most Americans, prior to this book, I was seduced by the possibility of sustaining life by science. I looked forward to the day when all we would have to do to keep our bodies humming, is take a daily nutritional pill. No consideration was given to the environmental and health costs of such a plan.

And then came her book. Wow!

Now she has written a powerful essay on the growing local food movement to counter the food-through-science culture epitomized by Monsanto. The following is from her essay, The Food Movement: Its Power and Possibilities, published in 9/14/11 issue of The Nation. (more…)

Posted in Agriculture, Ecology, Food-Nutrition-Health, Shop Local | Comments Closed

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