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Drought & Warming Climate in Montana

Sunday, September 2nd, 2012

Soapberry Shrub

by Catherine Haug, Sept 2, 2012

Photo by Catherine Haug

First I want to be clear on this point: this post is not about whether our warming trend is human caused. This post is about what we all are observing this year throughout Montana, and what we can – and should- do to avert trouble from the drought.

The last two winters, Montana was blessed with heavy snowfall in the mountains, and we all rejoiced that drought was over. Little did we guess that this summer would be one of the driest on record and that drought east of the divide would be so intense and devastating to our forests and our agricultural economy.

It’s not been as bad here in Western Montana, but yesterday, I found strong evidence of the effect of increasing drought in my own yard. (more…)

Posted in Agriculture, Ecology, Home & Ranch | Comments Closed

Pollinators: Critically Important Partners

Sunday, August 12th, 2012

by Catherine Haug, August 12, 2012

The summer issue of Organic Matters, the magazine of Montana Organic Association (MOA) had a great article on Pollinators: Your Stealthy Partners, by Anna Jones-Crabtree of Vilicus Farms (in Havre (2)), with Jennifer Hopwood of the Xerces Society (3).

At a recent short course on pollinators in Great Falls, the only farmers in attendance were Organic! Now that tells you something … For key points from the short course, with my notes added, read on.

(more…)

Posted in Agriculture, Ecology, Gardening, Landscaping, Organics | Comments Closed

Preparing for widespread drought

Saturday, August 11th, 2012

Dryland Farming-Palouse

by Catherine Haug, August 11, 2012

(Photo, right, from Wikipedia)

We’ve all heard about the disastrous drought in the high plains and midwest portions of our country – from Nebraska to Texas; Colorado to Kentucky. Just the other day, the Daily Interlake carried an article about the drying and heating up of rivers in Nebraska and Iowa, a problem that is cooking fish to death as the streams exceed 90° F.

While we haven’t yet felt the drought here in NW Montana (and the rest of the Pacific NW), that doesn’t mean that we won’t feel it in future years. Yes, it’s hard to look at the high water in our reservoirs and lakes, and think that a drought could happen. But our part of the state did experience drought during the dust bowl years.

As the drought conditions spread to more states, including ours, how will we cope? How will we feed and water our livestock? How will we nurture our gardens? Will our water supplies hold up? Where will our food come from? (more…)

Posted in Agriculture, Community, Emergency Preparedness, Home & Ranch, Local Food System, Security, Shop Local | Comments Closed

Montana Co-op seeking new member-owners

Saturday, August 11th, 2012

by Catherine Haug, August 10, 2012

ESP’s July gathering was a presentation by Jason Moore about the Montana Co-op – A Virtual Farmers Market that promotes buying local food and Montana-made products through online access. While the Co-op is not yet ready for business, they are presently working on their on-line store/website and raising capital through new memberships and grants.  They hope to be up and running before the end of the year.

The Co-op’s intent is to provide access to fresh, local, affordable food – and Montana made products – to everyone in western Montana. Eventually they hope to encompass the entire state. But they cannot do this without member-owners who join now.

This project is about:

  • Montana people/businesses working with each other to improve the local economy and bring Montana products to Montana people;
  • Building a strong local and Montana community;
  • Creating Montana jobs; and
  • Feeding people and ensuring a sustainable food supply for all Montanans.

All of these points are consistent with ESP’s mission of building community and living sustainably. Read on for information on how to join, if this interests you. (more…)

Posted in Agriculture, Community, Food-Nutrition-Health, Home & Ranch, Local Food System, Shop Local | Comments Closed

Cold storage of foods: a review

Saturday, July 21st, 2012

by Catherine Haug, July 21, 2012

It’s that time of year again when we start thinking about preserving summer’s bounty. What can you keep in a root cellar?

  • Many fresh foods can be kept through at least part of the winter in a root cellar; these include root veggies, fall cabbages, and apples. (I still have some honey crisp apples from last fall; they are getting a bit soft but still sweet and delicious).
  • Home-canned foods can be stored there;
  • Cured meats, such as from a fall hunt, can be cured and stored in a warmer part of a root cellar.
  • Eggs that have been brushed (of bird poop) and rinsed but not washed. See ‘Egg Note’ below.

I’ve written on this topic before, but I just came across a couple links on other sites that might be of interest to you:

Read on for links to articles and printable pdf files on these topics. (more…)

Posted in Fermentation, Culturing & Curing, Food-Nutrition-Health, Home & Ranch, Survival; Primitive Living | Comments Closed

Preserving eggs and cheese for long-term storage

Saturday, July 21st, 2012

Waxed round of cheese

by Catherine Haug, July 21, 2012

photo, right, of waxed cheese by Cat

As we explore ways to reduce our energy consumption, we may wonder how to preserve fresh eggs and cheese for long-term storage without refrigeration? How was this done in earlier times? Read on for more.

(more…)

Posted in Fermentation, Culturing & Curing, Food-Nutrition-Health, Home & Ranch | Comments Closed

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