The Coronavirus has us all sheltering at home. Here’s an English Muffin Recipe that makes you feel like you stepped right into Thomas’ Bakery…if you were to leave home, that is!
Pasture-Making
Well, I’ll be the first to admit that we don’t have the growing schedule exactly right yet for rotating our pastures. But just like everyone else, the Coronavirus has meant tightening our belts and finding new ways to cut feed costs.
Free-ranging the chickens and water-fowl and pasturing the goats is very cost effective, along with fermenting and feeding kitchen and garden scrap…we know that. It’s just convincing yourself to step out into that 100 degree heat…yes, April and already 100 degrees… and seed, seed, seed takes real resolve!
This video shows one way to get off to a good start…
Those of us who are fortunate enough to have our own homestead, seem to be in better shape than some folks. We’re used to staying home, and we have most everything we need here. Like Wendell Berry says, “You truly have to love your farm to be a farmer.”
Uh-oh, gotta run…the TP delivery is here!
Happy Homesteading,
T.
Black Soldier Flies
If you are unable to reliably provide suitable pasture or foraging space, at least once a day feed your livestock, (in addition to fermented grain), either greens or hay and some other source of protein. Black Soldier Fly Larvae is a good choice.
Black Soldier Flies resemble mud dauber wasps, with translucent wings and primarily black bodies. They are about 3/4 inch long and have two antennae, but no mouthparts. They do not bite or eat, and they are not interested in people’s houses or sneaking indoors.
We have had success attracting Soldier Flies using deep tubs with ventilation holes cut in at the top and a harvesting tube inserted at the bottom. A small amount of kitchen scraps will attract the flies, and the females will lay 500+ eggs inside pieces of corrugated cardboard attached to the inside of the tub.
Black Soldier Fly Tub 
Cardboard Nests 
The larvae hatch in about four days and begin eating the food scraps in the tub. They grow to about an inch long, and exit the tub after about 22 days. Send the remaining foodstuff in the tub to your compost pile and feed the larvae to your chickens, ducks, hogs, and fish. They are about 42% protein and yummy!
Oh…just FYI – people can eat them, too. Just saying…
Happy Homesteading,
T.
