Old 99 Farm, week of Feb 28 2016

This is a leap year, one extra day in the calendar. Anyone born on Feb 29th?
There were lots of public scheduled for today in the Leap Manifesto campaign to reverse climate disruption and reform the economic system. Check out the statement of climate rights at "LeapManifesto’:www.leapmanifesto.org and LeapYear2016 to find out more.

Special this week is spaghetti squash, two for one. You can cook and freeze for quick meal under sauces or as a side in place of potatoes.

Remember the Paris Agreement, so long ago Dec 2015? I was one who felt dismayed at the meager scope of agreement that was reached. I hoped that maybe the main players had a plan: minimal win now for big win later. In three years all parties are supposed to report back and update their plans to reduce carbon.

One of my main ‘go-to’ guys on climate is Albert Bates, I have posted his work here often. He has attended all COP climate summits! His first post after Paris was flat disappointment. Now with a couple of months he’s got a more complete picture. He says " what actually came out of Paris, there’s a paradigm shift. It’s giving rise to a geotherapy which puts biology first. It’s challenging big agriculture at the global industrial level. It places the soil-food-life web near the center of discussions in every COP to come."
And “The real victory at COP21, I think, was the recognition that we had this previously hidden weapon to fight climate change – the role that soils can play in reversing global warming. Managing carbon content in soils is really the best way to take control of the carbon cycle.”

I have been studying permaculture for 10 years now, practising it here for 8. It says the same and shows how to indeed treat the soil as a living system that store carbon. I farm that way. I buy thousands of dollars of hay and straw to feed animals who poop out 80% of it which I return to the soil on our farm. Better soil, better crops, better carbon capture. There are other ways too, but that is a main one. So when you buy food here, you are helping me do that. Plain and simple.

This week pretty much same as last week, except for the special on squash. As of Feb 28th, we can offer the following crops: sweet potato, cilantro, parsley, kale, spaghetti and turban squash, purple potatoes and a new crop of arugula. We’re taking advance orders for sides of pork and lamb.

I remind you of Easter if a leg of lamb is in your plans, please talk to me. (Speaking of lambs, Kazlyn shepherded triplets on Thurs last, was up most of the night, and all 3 are doing well.)

On March 16th there is a Food Freedom Rally in Newmarket at the courthouse. I am going and invite any of you to come with. The point is to come show your support for the right to eat what you choose, specifically raw milk!

MARCH 16, 2016 | Rally @ 8:30am | Hearing @ 9:30am
Ontario Court of Justice, 50 Eagle Street West, Newmarket
(south-west corner of Yonge St. & Eagle St. W.)

Who decides and controls what you eat and drink?
Not you apparently. The government has decided that raw milk is so dangerous that it must “protect” you by stopping the flow at the source – your farmer.
You go out of your way to access our fresh, nutritious milk, knowing it’s sourced from healthy, pastured cows and handled properly. You want raw milk but the current laws forbid farmers from selling or giving it to you.

After 22 years of raids and harassment against one courageous farmer, Michael Schmidt at Glencolton Farms, the government has just crossed the line. They intend to shut down ALL raw milk producers in Ontario.
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Regional Municipality of York have issued Notices of Application for a court injunction against Michael Schmidt, his wife and son, members of the farm co-operative, another person, John Doe, Jane Doe and Persons Unknown, and the Church of the Christian Community in Canada.
They were accused of contravening the provincial Milk Act, and the Health Protection and Promotion Act. They’re being told to stop selling and distributing raw milk. The church allowed the Glencolton van to use its parking lot. Parties will appear in court on March 16th.

Unite and defend your freedom to choose what foods you consume, not just milk.

It’s NOT a done deal. We have to make it clear that we will not be intimidated. Contact me if you can come.

Healthy eating,
Ian, Cami and Kazlyn