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More bees, Less Disease–splits might be the way to go

Posted July 19, 2016 by Peter Brezny

A concise and informative article from Bee Culture magazine on using splits to help manage varroa:
http://www.beeculture.com/splits-varroa-more-colonies-fewer-mites-new-queens-what-could-be-better/

 

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Peter Brezny

Modern, human-scale, regenerative agriculture.
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La ferme de poulet dérangé écologique apaise mon esprit!
I've been saving seeds as long as I can remember. I've been saving seeds as long as I can remember. As a child, I was dazzled by the menagerie of random small jars on my grandfather's cobbled together basement shelves--each filled with odd shaped, colorful, miracles that could sit for years and yet somehow, still grow into magnificent plants--that you could eat!!! What was this strange magic from old world Slovakia, and how could I, a mere 9 year old, be trusted with the dazzling black and deep purple wonders of the scarlet runner beans he put in my palm? Decades later, this is the result. Not just a conservation, but a strengthening of regional heirloom genetics through the careful work of the @utopianseedproject the @appalachian_seed_collective and thoughtful chefs/bakers like Susannah @oldworldlevain who have the patience to work with small producers who can't always deliver all they need and are willing to save buckets of pumpkin guts for the farmer to collect, process, and distribute. Regional Food Security isn't just one thing, it's a system that requires a lot of moving parts, from the seeds to the consumers and everyone in between. We're stronger together and it all starts with YOU. So hit the link below and help WNC Farmers by helping yourself to some of the best open pollinated seeds that know the south! https://theutopianseedproject.org/appalachian-seed-growers-collective/
The once-a-year Appalachian Seed Growers Collectiv The once-a-year Appalachian Seed Growers Collective seed sale ends March 20, so don't hesitate and pick up a pack of the heirloom WNC Cherokee Candy Roaster's we grew (Pictured here) for the seed collective's sale! https://theutopianseedproject.org/appalachian-seed-growers-collective/ The ASGC grows regionally and culturally significant varieties. By planting these seeds, you become a critical part of local food security, insuring seeds adapted to grow in the Southern Appalachian region continue to thrive. Support your local seed growers and become a part of this incredible, living seed bank.
Hurricane Helene Survival Tips: WASHING This side Hurricane Helene Survival Tips: WASHING This side loading washer uses 12 gallons of water per load. You don't have to have a tote (but it's handy). Here are the parts we used (connected in this order): 1. clean 1000L water tote with this 3/4" hose reducer (https://tinyurl.com/3rurm6ap) NOTE: totes commonly have two types of thread, course and fine. This one is for the course thread tote fitting 2. Short garden hose between tank and pump. 3. Diaphragm pump kit from amazon (https://tinyurl.com/bdd59rzt), includes hose connections and filter. You can gravity feed the water, it's just slower to fill. 4. secondary filter (not necessary if water source clean) we use one like this: https://tinyurl.com/yv8buzue 5. Water efficient washing machine 6. 55 gallon barrel to collect waste water (which our neighbors use for flushing indoor toilets). Other photos: 2. detail of pump connections 3. pump spray bottles (you'll be amazed at how much water you save washing hands/showering with these!) 4. gravity fed siphon for dish washing with clamp to slow the flow (too fast even with just the 1/4" diameter hose) 5. mini green house for our outdoor shower. We get nearly 100 degree water after a sunny day. Again, just a 1/4" diameter hose siphon down below the deck to shower. We get 4 showers out of one 5 gallon bucket! When you're shell shocked and in panic mode witnessing all the devastation all around us, it's easy to forget that yeah, you know how to setup a siphon, you have a spare black bucket in the yard and 10 square feet of clear plastic, and oh, that plant sprayer sure is nice with a little soapy water in it when your faucet isn't going to turn on again any time in the next two months. Hope this helps someone spend less time with daily living so we can all spend more time on community recovery. If you're walking distance from Highland Street 28801, come do some laundry! If you're farther away, please find a washing location closer to you. Let's keep the fossil fuel burning that caused this hurricane to a minimum! Stay strong 828. Share the love.
Helene Survivors tip. COMPOST! Tired of playing S Helene Survivors tip. COMPOST! Tired of playing Sisyphus, carrying water in buckets up from the creek only to flush it back down into the river? It's amazing how much more time we have to support others by simply not carrying water and reverting to a composting toilet (also keeping fertility here in WNC, rather than the problematic flushing of it into the ocean). It's easy to get a little 'ooh, ick' talking about poo, but this is something we've been doing for eons. It's safe, clean, and one day I'll build a a little outhouse to go with it. Still not sure? See the "Humanure Handbook" for all the details: https://humanurehandbook.com/
Early Spring, NoTill, covercrop seeding with a gan Early Spring, NoTill, covercrop seeding with a gang of Chinese 'duck bill' seeders. For all you notill, feet-on-the-ground farmers out there wanting to seed larger areas in the spring without all the diesel, compaction, and weather timing issues, this might be a good choice. The boards that clamp the seeders together works surprisingly well. We'll see how well seeding directly into the existing feral spring grasses and asters goes. Fingers crossed the cover crop will take over! Yep, that's a couple handfuls of #Johnson-Su #compost thrown into my seeding mix (didn't have time to properly inoculate with a compost slurry and wait for the seeds to dry this time around). For a short video of the thing in operation: https://youtu.be/8T3T3hR4S7Q #regenag #wncfarm #notill #humanscalefarming #humanscale #covercrop #smallfarm
Happy (almost) spring everybody! Best wishes on y Happy (almost) spring everybody! Best wishes on your early season prep! #farm #828isgreat #wncfarms #regenerativeagriculture #localfood
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