Izaak, The Master Gardener Fair & Urban Ag Ponderings

By Jami Scholl | May 4, 2011 | 10:14 pm | Comments (0) |

Guinea Hogs at Brambleberry Farm in Paoli

When it rains it pours! And there is little difference between H2O and computer problems, which is why I have not recently posted on my new fabulously user friendly blog. Have I mentioned that technology and I have an extreme love-hate relationship? This latest monsoon of tech issues reminds me of one topic I want to discuss with you about water, but I will save it for another most. What I will do is update you on the Master Gardener Fair at the National Guard Armory a few weekends ago.

During this wonderful day I talked to a lot of people about gardens and Permaculture… I had some index cards and pen sitting in front of a chalk board on my table asking folks to share their thoughts, dreams, trials and, triumphs about gardens or experiences with food on these cards which I promised to share on my blog.

Throughout the day people came and went, and did not really seem all that interested in writing anything down. By the end of the day I did not think anyone would be using the index cards…. but I had one person who took me up on this offer.

This is what Izaak, aged 5, had his mom write:

“I like to pick strawberries & blueberries.”

To Izaak: I like to pick berries, too, especially raspberries and blueberries. And do you know what I learned about blueberries? If you eat a lot of them your poop turns green not blue. (My son said that if I told you about poop turning green not blue from eating a lot of blueberries you just might try it. If you do and have your mom write for you again, please don’t include photos!) I could also tell you they are full of antioxidants, but that may be too complex, so I’ll just say they are really good for you which is a good thing since they taste sooo good!

During the middle of the day, the middle of lunch, actually, I gave a presentation entitled: Introduction to Permaculture. The slideshow went well, and I had more attendees than any other presentation that day; thank you for those of you who came! We had a lively discussion about urban agriculture and natural building. As some of you may know, I have a fairly extensive knowledge about Bloomington’s municipal code on this topic. Yes, you may have up to 5 chickens; and yes, you MUST get the approval and signatures of all contiguous neighbours to your property before you can legally keep chickens.

No other creatures labelled as “farm animals” are currently approved within Bloomington city limits. Although I find it interesting how life, as I have gotten older, becomes less black & white and dualistic in nature, therefore I find it interesting that one may keep a pot bellied pig but not a guinea hog. (Not a guinea pig that many in our culture keep as pets, although in other places around the world they are raised for food.) Most people have never heard of guinea hogs. These wonderful homestead sized hogs are smaller than Pot bellied pigs. Personally, I think the hog more attractive than the pig, besides it being more useful. Pot bellied or guinea… which sounds smaller? Who is allowed within city limits and who is not?!?

A strong inclination I have had of late is to harness a miniature horse and Great Dane to a small carriage. I then imagine driving this carriage downtown. First thought would be if the animals would cooperate in this endeavour –I think there would be a good possibility of it since both are herd/pack animals. I will assume at this point that both creatures are happy and we are trotting down the street – would I get ticketed? And for what? Will these animals be considered pets or farm animals?

At least in online literature the Great Dane and the miniature horse are the same height. Neither bred specifically for farm work, which should mitigate the thought that one or the other is a farm animals. Thinking that most farms have dogs then I wonder what is the criteria that garners this distinction between farm and pet? Is it that one may be eaten and the other not? This appears to be the designation between the Guinea hog and the pot-bellied pig, although they are both swine. I offer that it is our perception of them which creates this distinction of what is considered a farm animal and what a pet. Yet when comparing the horse and the dog, one would likely still be considered a farm animal and the other a pet… based upon what criteria?

What if I decided to forgo the automobile like so many folks do in cities – what are my options for transportation? For the years I lived in San Francisco, I and most of the population within the city regularly relied upon trains, busses, trolley cars, bicycles and feet. Instead of any of these options based upon where I now live, perhaps I decided that the Amish have a good thing going and I want to have a horse as my main form of transportation since my fuel costs would then be returned as fertilizer for my garden which then brings about food for my family and possibly others. This type of small farm and transportation option is incredibly efficient as well as being better for the environment.

Where along the timeline of discoveries and inventions did the people of this nation give up our common sense for “progress”? Now, let us define “progress”…

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