If you're not in Nebraska now, let me give you a quick update: we're having one of the harshest winters in my memory. In December, we had two snowfalls of 12", a string of days between -14F and -10F, and tonight, we're expecting windchill temperatures of -40F. Allegedly, we'll have high temperatures in the 20s next week, but I have trust issues with the weather forecasters. We'll see.

Our chickens are getting frostbite on their combs, but there's really nothing we can do about that. A couple of days ago, Kelly watered the birds. After she fed them and gathered eggs, she noticed that the water surface had already formed some ice. It's cold, cold, cold.

In December, I also learned an important lesson in resource management: use a tarp. A couple of months ago, I picked up some used roofing tin in Iowa and built a simple woodshed. Maybe I had last year's mild winter on my mind, but I didn't enclose the north side of the shed, which faces the house. Each snowstorm we had has had strong winds, so our wood pile has a layer of snow on it. Not smart, but I have learned my lesson. Even though we have a propane furnace, I miss using the wood furnace. Wood heat is something special.

I've also been torturing myself with seed catalogs. Everything looks beautiful, but I know I won't get to eat most of it for months. We've got a good idea of what we're planting for 2010, but we need to get the orders made before our preferred seed companies sell out. With an increasing number of people gardening, the good stuff is difficult to procure.

We ordered seed potatoes from Wood Prairie Farm. They're a certified organic family farm in Maine. We've researched them, had an email conversation with Megan and determined that they're a safe source. We make efforts to double-insulate from Monsanto/Seminis since we do not support genetic engineering or chemical-based farming. If you had the pleasure of eating our Yukon Golds or French Fingerlings in 2009, you had Wood Prairie Farm potatoes. (This year, we selected Yukon Gold and Cranberry Red.)

-Brian

zinnia seedsAs winter is rapidly drawing near, I am busy collecting seeds.  I am relatively new to seed saving since it has always seemed to be such a dauting task.  But once I took a step back and realized that nature has been rebirthing itself season after season without man, I decided that all the "necessary" steps and procedures were really not all that necessary after all.  But making the move to preserving our own seeds each year is something I definitely want to do, not just for financial reasons, but also because I worry that giant companies, like Monsanto, are working towards total domination of the seed market. 

My main focus this year was on flower seeds.  Flower seeds like poppies, cosmos and zinnias are very easy to collect.  I just wait for the head of the flower to dry up and pull the seeds right off.  DONE!  Although, this year, tons of cosmos came up and I never even collected seeds.  Self seeders are definitely keepers in my garden. 

 poppy seeds

I would like to start collecting seeds from vegetables, but that is more of a challenge due to cross pollination.  It's difficult in our gardens to separate pepper and tomato varieties so far away from each other so they will not cross pollinate.   As an experiment, I collected some of the seeds anyway to see what happens.  I am quickly learning that the books are not always right, and usually the best way to learn about something is to just do it. 

~Kelly

I've heard a lot of discussion around Food Inc., and I've read a lot of the reviews. One thing I've not done is see the movie. Surprised? Anyone who knows me understands that I take my food seriously. So why have I not rushed out to my theater?

Part of the reason is that we are farming. It's not convenient to take time off during the busiest season of the year to watch a movie. I work a full-time off-farm job, and Kelly runs Black Sheep Farms. I spend evenings and weekends helping with farm tasks. Add three kids, and time gets short.

Sure, I'll watch it on DVD. But I don't expect to learn a lot from it. Why?

I already know the issues. Heck, I'm a chemical-free farmer. I should know. I have studied Monsanto and their extensive programs. I know that they own or supply many organic seed companies. I have read most of Joel Salatin's books. My next-door neighbor at the farmers market has even had Joel stay at his farm a couple of times.

I think that it's fantastic that Food Inc. is making a splash in mainstream America. People should know why ground beef from a small farmer costs $6/lb instead of $1.77 at the grocery store. As a nation, we should be aware how Monsanto has infiltrated the federal government in order to promote their own agenda. Education is wonderful.

But education is wonderful only if it continues. Do this for me: go to a farmers market and ask some farmers how they farm. What are they doing in relation to the issues that are important to you? It's just like studying a political candidate... just more important.

At Black Sheep Farms, we have made a commitment to make sure that we don't buy any seed from Monsanto's seed companies (Seminis, this means you). We go a step further and research the companies that we buy from to make sure they don't buy from Monsanto/Seminis. We don't want any of our money to go to companies that support genetic modification or agrichemicals. We are opposed to chemical sprays, artificial additives and tinkering with Mother Nature.

So, please don't stop at watching Food Inc. Start a discussion with your farmers. Start a discussion with your friends. Buy some food when it's ripe and delicious. Swear off corn syrup. Do anything that makes you feel like you're making progress. But, just take the next step.

At first glance, it seems like there's not much to do in January. Although it's 41F degrees right now, it won't stay that way for long. Yesterday, we took a family walk to enjoy the sunshine.

Kelly and I are actually pretty busy right now. We're planning our first year at the Farmers Market, so we are working on all the details that will result in tasty tomatoes and vibrant blossoms. It's not terribly easy to get to that point, especially when you consider seed.

Seed catalogs are one of the joys of winter. It gives the mind a chance to imagine a green world instead of a white one. We spend many hours leafing through the colorful pages. A giant problem lurks behind the photos. Many of the seed companies are owned by or get their seed from companies like Seminis and Monsanto. Since we are opposed to genetic modification, chemical dependency and a host of other "agri-business" concepts, we need to identify the sources of our seeds before we order. It takes a little digging, but it's worth the effort.

If you want to order seeds for your personal garden from a "safe zone," try Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, Iowa. They specialize in preserving heirloom seeds, so you can find exciting food treasures that help continue a long line of human agriculture.