I’ve been presented with an exciting new opportunity–stumbled into it, really. Our core group of Somerset Beekeepers is made up of members who have been at it for 2 or more years now, and we are ready for some more advanced beekeeping topics–so I’ve been emailing various academics and beekeepers across the state trying to…
Category: Environment
Pollinator decline threatens agriculture
As president of the Somerset Beekeepers, people often ask me if it is only the honeybees who are in trouble, or is it all bees? Not only is it all bees–it’s all of our pollinators, too! Everything from bees to beetles and butterflies, even flies–are all at risk. And a new study that was recently…
Designing a sustainable future with permaculture principles
When the idea of Runamuk first began to form in my mind, I envisioned a future for my family that revolved around living in harmony with the land. I imagined that we would cultivate, nurture and protect the land, and the land in turn would support and nurture our family for generations to come. I…
10 tips to help you stretch your meat-budget
Previously I ranted about budget-meat versus local and sustainably raised meats. I’m not going to rehash the topic–but you can read that post here if you are so inclined. Basically my point was that if you’re truly committed to avoiding the factory farmed meats offered at the grocery store, there are ways to eat sustainably…
Meat rant
I want to take a moment today to talk about meat. Actually–I’m going to stand on my soap-box and rant about meat. Specifically big-box grocery store meat versus the alternative.
What really demonizes Monsanto
It was brought to my attention recently that Monsanto is not bad–it’s just a corporation looking to make money. At the recent MSBA meeting Monsanto affiliate Jerry Hayes spoke about the company’s desire for sustainable agriculture (you can read that post here), but if that is true then there are some seriously misguided people leading…
GMOs, Let’s review
A recap of the health issues with GMOs: Previous posts in the GMO series: What’s the problem with GMOs?, How GM-foods affect the body, Let me decide, Old Mansanto had a farm, 10 tips on how to avoid GMOs. Next post: What really demonizes Monsanto
What’s the problem with GMOs?
October is GMO awareness month. In order to raise awareness of GMOs and in participation of Non-GMO Awareness month, I’ve put together a series of blog-posts to help inform those who may not know why this is such a big deal. What is GMO? GMO stands for genetically modified organisms, and they are plants that…
Bees have been good to me
So what if I’m quickly becoming known as the local “Bee-lady”–that’s not so bad (better than being the crazy cat-lady, if you ask me). Bees have been very good to me. In the three years since I brought home my first colony, my life has changed dramatically–in a very positive way. I did not expect…
Pollinator Conservation at MOFGA
Keith said I had a glazed look in my eyes as we sat in the conference room at the MOFGA educational facility in Unity yesterday. I was high on the excitement and pure joy of participating in the Pollinator Conservation Planning Short-Course offered by the Xerces Society. I first learned about the course last year…