#i live in a town where there's a big tobacco processing plant

[invinciblerodent]

i feel like I haven't seen enough people mention the fact that Halsin canonically smokes, specifically exotic tobacco, and specifically out of a nice, old pipe that looks (to me) like it might be briar wood.

i just think there is something so inexplicably warm about that, that he enjoys such a small, but extravagant little luxury.

like the only thing I can imagine him smoking is something that envelops him in that woodsy-spicy, pleasantly scratching scent of good quality tobacco for the rest of the day, and the only way I can see him doing it is settled back in a nice chair, with his feet propped up, a good book in his hand, and some fuzzy critter curled up in his lap.

[crimsonpublishersenvironmen-blog]

Hemp, Overproduction in Agriculture, and How to Control it_Crimson Publishers

Hemp, Overproduction in Agriculture, and How to Control it by Chad Hellwinckel in Environmental Analysis & Ecology Studies

Opinion Hemp has the potential to support a decent living for small farmers in the US, but it depends on what will happen in the coming years after hemp is fully legalized. Hemp is no different than any other crop; if fully legalized, industry would quickly employ methods commonly used on other crops. The industrial system stands at the ready with machines, inputs, universities, transportation systems, markets, and capital, to plant hemp on large acreages, process it, market it, and bring it to consumers. If unleashed, the vast majority of the crop will be grown on large acreages under industrial management, mechanized, and with few people on the land. Organic hemp will be another option offered by the industrial model, but equally as mechanized. Any profit advantage of hemp to farmers would, within 5 to 10 years, diminish to roughly equal the market returns of other industrial crops like corn or beans.

Today new hemp farmers are able to do what they love and make a living doing it. These new farmers are truly building an ideal agrarian life; often producing organically on small acreages, while integrating other crops on the farm, raising families on the land, improving the local ecology, being good neighbors, and seeing their work as an art form - caring for the earth, the soil, and all the inhabitants of their unique corner of the universe. I want this to persist. I want to see more farmers tending to small acreages. Yet after studying the history and nature of agriculture, I believe this bright future will only be attainable if we insist upon parity in prices and a cooperative system that assures that the small hemp farmer will always receive a fair price for their crop.

The tobacco quota system that supported small scale rural farmers from the 1930’s to around 2000 provides a good model for hemp growers. The tobacco system functioned by the government granting the sole right to sell tobacco to farmer cooperatives. Cooperative members voted every 3 years to determine if they wanted price-support. If so (they always voted yes) they were subject to a quota system limiting their level of production to that which would return a living wage to tobacco farmers. Members of the cooperatives received ‘quotas’, or rights to bring a certain amount of crop to market. The program worked by limiting supply and thereby raising the market price above what the price would be under all-out free market production. The program was mostly self-funded with minimal cost to taxpayers [1]. Consumers of tobacco paid a slightly higher price, and this higher price allowed farmers to make a living on small plots of land. For example in Kentucky, tobacco made up only 1% of cropland but tobacco equaled about 50% of total crop income in the state [2]. It kept small farmers in business and, in turn, small town economies healthy.

In 2004 the program ended through a ‘buyout’ by the tobacco industry due to the decrease in domestic tobacco demand and tobacco companies importing greater amounts from other countries. Since the buyout, farmers are ‘free’ to produce as much as they want. Not surprisingly, tobacco farmers in hilly forested rural areas of Appalachia where the geography is not conducive to massive machinery could not compete. Production now happens in the flat country on the coastal plain. Instead of 1 to 5 acres of production supporting a farm family, you now see thousand acre fields under mechanization. Small Appalachian rural economies have collapsed. It may be no coincidence that the opioid epidemic has exploded in old tobacco country since the quota system ‘buyout’ in 2004.

I’ve heard some hemp farms say that the market is growing big enough for everybody and that they do not want to see any prohibitions on the growing or selling of hemp. I think we need to pause and take a deep look at the problem of overproduction in agriculture that has been a constant occurrence for the past century, and not let these boom times cloud our view of reality. Technology, mechanization, and the inability of any one farmer to control market supply has consistently driven the market price of crops below the cost of production, leading to cycles of farmer bankruptcies and consolidations. Overproduction is in the nature of agriculture and it cannot be solved without an agreed upon system of production controls [3].

Hemp is a new crop not yet in the hands of industry. New farmers and conscientious consumers should take steps now to devise a cooperative run quota system that would assure fair prices for small hemp farmers now and into the future. If full legalization occurs without a quota system, prices will likely fall within a decade, the vast majority of production will be in the hands of corporate entities, and the potential of the crop to support agrarian life and rural prosperity will have been missed [4].

For more articles in Journal of Environmental Sciences,

Please click on below link: https://crimsonpublishers.com/eaes/

[charlieswan-squad]

Twilight Rewrite First Sight (ii)

Thick fog was all I could see out my window in the morning, and I could feel the claustrophobia creeping up on me. You could never see the sky here; it was like a prison cage, that after sixteen years was finally locking me in. 

Breakfast with Charlie was a quiet event. He wished me good luck at school. I thanked him, knowing his hope was wasted optimism. Good luck tended to avoid me. Charlie left first, off to the police station that was his wife and family. After he left, I sat at the old square oak table in one of the three unmatching chairs and examined the familiar kitchen, with its dark paneled walls, bright yellow cabinets, and white linoleum floor. Nothing had changed. My mother had painted the cabinets eighteen years ago in an attempt to bring some sunshine into the house. 

Over the small fireplace in the adjoining handkerchief-sized family room was a row of pictures. First a wedding picture of Charlie and my mom in Las Vegas, then one of the three of us in the hospital after I was born, taken by a helpful nurse, followed by the procession of my school pictures up to last year's. Those were embarrassing to look at; missing front teeth, the horrendous haircuts, the braces - I would have to see what I could do to get Charlie to put them somewhere else, at least while I was living here. It was impossible, being in this house, not to realise that Charlie had never gotten over my mom. It made me uncomfortable.

 I didn't want to be too early to school, but I couldn't stay in the house anymore. I donned my jacket - thick and unbreathing like a biohazard suit - and headed out into the rain.

 It was just drizzling still, not enough to soak me through immediately as I reached for the house key that was always hidden under the eaves by the door, and locked up. Only in a town like Forks, would it be normal for the chief of police to keep his house key in such an obvious place. The sloshing of my new waterproof boots was unnerving. I missed the normal crunch of gravel as I walked. I couldn't pause and admire my truck again as I wanted; I was in a hurry to get out of the misty wet that swirled around my head and clung to my hair under my hood. 

 Inside the truck, it was nice and dry. Either Billy or Charlie had obviously cleaned it up, but the tan upholstered seats still smelled faintly of tobacco, gasoline, and peppermint. It was a strange combination, but not totally unpleasant. The engine started quickly, to my relief, but loudly, roaring to life and then idling at top volume. Well, a truck this old was bound to have a flaw. The antique radio worked, a bonus that I hadn't expected.

 Finding the school wasn't difficult, though I'd never been there before. The school was, like most other things, just off the highway. It was not obvious that it was a school; only the sign, which declared it to be the Forks High School, made me stop. It looked like a collection of matching houses, built with maroon-coloured bricks. There were so many trees and shrubs I couldn't see its size at first. Where was the feel of the institution? I wondered nostalgically. Where were the chain-link fences, the metal

detectors? You know, all the homely aspects of a school in a city like Phoenix.

 I parked in front of the first building, which had a small sign over the door reading Front Office. No one else was parked there, so I was sure it was off limits, but I decided I would get directions inside instead of circling around in the rain like an idiot. I stepped unwillingly out of the toasty truck cab and walked down a little stone path lined with dark hedges. I took a deep breath before opening the door.

 Inside, it was brightly lit, and warmer than I'd hoped. The office was small; a little waiting area with padded folding chairs, orange-flecked commercial carpet, notices and awards cluttering the walls, a big clock ticking loudly. Plants grew everywhere in large plastic pots, as if there wasn't enough greenery outside. The room was cut in half by a long counter, cluttered with wire baskets full of papers and brightly colored flyers taped to its front. There were three desks behind the counter, one of which was manned by a large, friendly-looking woman wearing glasses. She was wearing an orange t-shirt, which immediately made me feel overdressed.

 The woman looked up. "Can I help you?"

 "I'm Bella Swan," I informed her, and saw the immediate awareness light her eyes. I was expected, a topic of gossip no doubt. The Chief's daughter, the one with the unstable mom, come home at last.

 "Of course," she said. She dug through a precariously stacked pile of documents on her desk till she found the ones she was looking for. "I have your schedule right here, and a map of the school, Isabella." She brought several sheets to the counter to show me.

 “Um, it’s Bella, please.”

“Oh, sure, Bella.”

 She went through my classes for me, highlighting the best route to each on the map, and gave me a slip to have each teacher sign, which I was to bring back at the end of the day. She smiled at me and hoped, like Charlie, that I would like it here in Forks. I smiled back as convincingly as I could.

 When I went back out to my truck, other students were starting to arrive. I drove around the school, following the line of traffic. I was glad to see that most of the cars were older like mine, nothing flashy. At home I'd lived in one of the few lower-income neighborhoods that were included in the Paradise Valley District. It was a common thing to see a new Mercedes or Porsche in the student lot. The nicest car here was a shiny Volvo, and it stood out. Still, I cut the engine as soon as I was in a spot, so that the thunderous volume wouldn't draw attention to me.

 I looked at the map in the truck, trying to memorise it now; determined I wouldn't have to walk around with it stuck in front of my nose all day. I stuffed everything in my bag, slung the strap over my shoulder, and sucked in a huge breath. It won’t be that bad, I lied to myself feebly. Seriously Bella, it’s just high school, it wasn’t like anyone was going to bite me. I finally exhaled and stepped out of the truck.

 I kept my face pulled back into my hood as I walked to the sidewalk, crowded with teenagers. My plain black jacket didn't stand out, I noticed with relief.

 Once I got around the cafeteria, building three was easy to spot. A large black "3" was painted on a white square on the east corner. I felt my breathing gradually creeping toward hyperventilation as I approached the door. I tried holding my breath as I followed two unisex raincoats through the door.

 The classroom was small. The people in front of me stopped just inside the door to hang up their coats on a long row of hooks. I copied them. They were two girls, one a porcelain-colored blonde, the other also pale, with light brown hair. At least my skin wouldn't be a standout here.

 I took the slip up to the teacher, a tall, balding man whose desk had a nameplate identifying him as Mr. Mason. He gawked at me when he saw my name - not a particularly encouraging response - and of course I felt blood rush to my cheeks. But at least he sent me to an empty desk at the back without introducing me to the class. It was harder for my new classmates to stare at me in the back, but somehow, they managed. 

I kept my eyes down on the reading list the teacher had given me. It was fairly basic: Bronte, Shakespeare, Chaucer, Faulkner. I'd already read everything. That was comforting… and boring. I wondered if my mom would send me my folder of old essays, or if she would think that was cheating. I went through different arguments with her in my head while the teacher droned on.

  When the bell rang, a nasal buzzing sound, a gangly boy with skin problems and hair black as an oil slick leaned across the aisle to talk to me.

 "You're Isabella Swan, aren't you?" He looked like the overly helpful, chess club type.  

"Bella," I corrected. Everyone within a three-seat radius turned to look at me.

 "Where's your next class?" he asked.

 I had to check in my bag. "Um, Government, with Jefferson, in building six."

 There was nowhere to look without meeting curious eyes. I wondered if this is how animals felt in the zoo. 

 "I'm headed toward building four, I could show you the way…" Definitely over-helpful. "I'm Eric," he added.

 I forced a smile. "Thanks Eric."

 We got our jackets and headed out into the rain, which had picked up. Several people seemed to be walking too close behind us - like they were trying to eavesdrop or something. I hoped I wasn’t becoming paranoid. 

 "So, this is a lot different than Phoenix, huh?" he asked.

"Very.” 

"It doesn't rain much there, does it?”

"Three or four times a year."

"Wow, what must that be like?" he wondered.

"Sunny," I told him.

"You don't particularly look like you grew up in the sunshine." he laughed; most likely referring to the fact that I don’t even have freckles, or that, despite the rain, I wasn’t in shorts and flipflops with a baseball cap or something. I never did fit any of the Arizona-stereotypes.

"Well, you know what they say about vampires."

He studied my face apprehensively, and I stifled a groan. It looked like clouds and a sense of humour didn't mix. A few months of this and I'd forget how to use sarcasm. 

“I’m joking, Eric.” 

He began to laugh too loudly and forcefully to be real. I could still read the confusion in his eyes, suggesting he didn’t understand my joke, but at least he hadn’t run away screaming that the new girl is a freak. Just give it time. 

 We walked back around the cafeteria, to the south buildings by the gym. Eric walked me right to the door, though it was clearly marked.

 "Well, good luck," he said as I touched the handle. "Maybe we'll have some other classes together." He sounded hopeful.

 I smiled at him, in what I hoped was not an encouraging way and went inside.

 The rest of the morning passed in much the same way. My Trigonometry teacher, Mr. Varner, who I would have hated anyway just because of the subject he taught, was the only one who made me stand in front of the class and introduce myself. I stammered, blushed, and tripped over my own feet on the way to my seat. 

 “Nailed it.” I thought snarkily.

 After two classes, I started to recognise several of the faces in each class. There was always someone braver than the others who would introduce themselves and ask me questions about how I was liking Forks. I tried to be diplomatic, but mostly I just lied a lot. At least I never needed the map.

 Every one of my teachers called me Isabella, and though I corrected them immediately, it was depressing. I had decided at the age of three that I was Bella, and had refused to answer to anything else until Mom and Charlie got the message. At home, no one remembered that Bella was just a nickname; but now I had to start over again.  

 One girl sat next to me in both Trig and Spanish, and she walked with me to the canteen for lunch.  She was tiny, several inches shorter than my average height, but her hair was pulled into a very tight ponytail on the top of her head which made up a lot of the difference between our heights. I couldn't remember her name, so I smiled and nodded as she rattled about teachers and classes and what gossip I had to catch up on. I barely listened let alone try to keep up.

 We sat at the end of a full table with several of her friends, who she introduced to me. I forgot all their names as soon as she spoke them. At least I couldn’t complain about the manners here. They all seemed to think it was really cool and brave of her to invite me. Eric, the boy from English, waved at me from across the room, and my neighbours all laughed. I thought it must be a new record for me, already the butt of a joke. But none of them seemed nasty about it. That was something at least.

 It was there, sitting in the canteen, attempting to make conversation with a bunch of strangers, that I first saw them. I was surprised it had taken me so long to notice them.

[yahwehscholar]

I've been away for awhile. Honestly, I've been creeped out by the whole Big Brother thing, and 1984 (Big Brother Is Watching You) but it's 2021... 2014 even. Yikes. What has happened these past 7 years? I don't know, but I'm glad I won't have to relive them again.

I've also been depressed about my husband, in every way except legally. We had separated for 6 months, and now... I don't know. It's like a big question hanging in the air, if we're going to stay together. It sucks. It always is, and it drives me to yelling and excessively overreacting to the negative comments he makes about me. And how what he tried to tell me what I did, but it's just all delusions in Joeys's head he thinks are real. And it's all sexual things, and it's harassment. I can't handle this anymore.

And the gossip is probably all over town. We live in a very small community. And Joey seems to know everyone. It's stressing me out to the point where I'm living out their expectations of FAILURE. I feel like such a victim, but no one knows.... no one knows what it's like. To be the sad man, the bad man, behind blue eyes... only I don't have blue eyes, mine are mostly brown.

I need to learn how to make friends. I'm so bad at this... someone else's opinion of me. My opinion of them, too, if the person I am talking to seems to understand and to hear me. I really, really need to be heard.

I'm trying. It's not easy when your brain won't work they way you're trying to tell it to work. You're in a constant state of panic and stress, buzzers telling you to move, yelling at you, but you don't know where to go.

I have been listening to good music over this period. It's nice hearing other people say, and truly sing their hearts out, thw truth. The album Science Fiction by Brand New is what I'm listening to right now. It's amazing. The amount of depression, sheer pain felt by me, by us, for so long, is played out in music and sung so you can clearly understand thw words. I love that band. Brand New, the Offspring, Rise Against. Green Day, Alkaline Trio. Weezer, Fountains of Wayne. Panic! At The Disco. Fall Out Boy. Music I have loved, that has changed my life. Also, the two best books by Terry Prstchett, because of their subject matter: Night Watch and Thief of Time. Night Watch is a revolution and process of instituting a new Patrician, who is like the king. And it's about having a baby. Getting the world ready, making it a better place, cleaning it up a bit, for your child to live in. For yourself to live in too, but it means more when it's for someone else. Humans can withstand a lot of badness. We need to clean this place up. Take thw TRaSH out.

Night Watch is about the head guy of the night police, Commander Sam Vimes. He knows that sometimes, you need to break the rules to get the job done. And it's about a clearly crazy peraon.... what do you do with them? How can any one person do to stand in יהוה's place of repaying vengeance? "Don't blame me, I just work here." Yeah, right. What have we been doing to people? What are we still doing?

What this world needs is love. אהנה that Jesus taught us, to do for our neighbor what we would want done to us. Who really is our neighbor? Every human being on this stupid Earth. She's a beautiful planet. We need to learn how to wreck her properly so green continues growing and the blue water has a home. People have a limit, there's a population problem. That's why I choose not to have children, not even one. One of the many reasons, I guess. Jesus said "Woe to the pregnant woman and nursing mother in those days " I think being childless is the right choice, since I can make that now with pills. I adopt children. I try to do my best not to tell them what to do, but to bring out the best in them by letting them make their own choices. Maybe that's the wrong way to look at it, but...

How would I react to someone controlling my life? Or even someone (Joey) trying to fool me, to trick me into doing something (or stop doing something) I don't want to do (or stop doing)? Without my mental input? It won't happen. I won't be happy about the results.

It takes work, physical work, of moving one object containing mass from one point in space and time to another place in space and time. Work = Current x Voltage, in electrical circuits. I did retain a few things from the schooling I attended. I know that in circuits, you always need resistance, which is measured in Ohms, which has an upper case Omega as it's symbol. I don't have a Greek keyboard, just a Hebrew one. And English, of course. But, Hebrew is hard.

You need resistance to complete the circuit and make the electrical energy, measured in Volts or V, from a battery or whathaveyou, move throughout the circuit to power a motor or LED light. The current, or I, is equal to the Volts divided by the ohms. The ohms measure how much resistance there is over a period of time.

That is where ths equation picks up the variable of Time, in the resistance measurement. Time is so important. Cherish it, because eight now, things are getting worse everyday because we know we're going to die. We are on a slow aging march to death and the grave.

Maybe that's why I choose to hasten it by smoking things. I firmly believe my measurement of time was correct, that the end has started. When will it end? Or is this just like the new beginning, my life slowly getting better? I don't know. But, getting worse at the same time. Joey told me "my mom said I can mind fuck you all I want, but I better never lay a hand on you" I got loud. He got loud first. He keeps interrupting, he doesn't hear me. He wants me me see him, but he can't hear me because he's too good for it. Or whatever. A Narcissist, to the elevens (not just the nines).

I know I am recovering from C-PTSD, over and over traumatic situations this person, and even the police and doctors, have put me in. And the law enforces it. How can you stop them?

I know that cannabis, the marijuana flower, that you can smoke and smell so strong, is thw holy spirit when burnt. If American Spirit cigarettes are tobacco, then the "holy spirit" could very well be this plant, when you put fire to it, like the incense burned at the temple every morning and evening.

I'm not telling anyone they should smoke it. Make your own choices. But please, let me make my own choices. It definitely effects different people differently than it effects me. I like reading and writing on it. It helps clarify, I understand. It's like I'm being fed truth about what really is happening, or even had happened. It's amazing reading the prophets of the bible.

It's all about his name, and vengeance. "Vengeance is mine, I will repay" says יהוה☆.

[foodpilgrim]

High Country Tenderness

It’s a dramatic and spirit-lifting drive along the six-mile stretch of NC Highway 18 from Cumberland Knob Recreation Area in Surry County, NC, to the community of Ennice in northern Alleghany County. The highway unrolls to the west like a ribbon along the ridgetops, almost in sight of the Virginia state line. To the south and west, long, peaceful views of grazing cattle and symmetrical fields of boxwood and Christmas trees undulate toward Bullhead Mountain, a landmark on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Beyond Ennice, the road runs down to the county seat of Sparta, where I was headed for a weekend of food and festivities associated with my book, The Month of Their Ripening. I was hosted by Alleghany Writers, a scrappy literary group with a big vision in this small mountain county populated by hard working farmers and joyful retirees.  Some residents qualify in both categories, as did the two families I met on the first day of my visit.

The visiting bull (right) on the move to a different pasture

Before moving permanently to Alleghany County, Ricky Brown lived in several NC cities as a senior bank executive. He and his wife, Kim, had been childhood sweethearts in the eastern NC town of Robersonville in Martin County where cotton and tobacco are the primary products. The Browns moved into the cattle business when their daughter Sara declared she wanted to become an organic farmer.  While Sara went off to study at The Farm School in Athol, MA, followed by a volunteer stint for Heifer International, Ricky took early retirement and found some 175 rolling acres that had formerly been planted in Christmas trees.  Then Kim’s sister Lynn Perry and her mother, Doris Perry, joined the Browns in the mountains.

Chilly Water Farm’s Kim Brown and Levi, a standard donkey

Today Chilly Water Farm raises Dexter and Angus beef cattle without hormones and antibiotics. The herd feeds exclusively on grass and hay, rotating every two days through a series of paddocks that keep the pasture grass thriving. Each year Chilly Water sells a limited quantity of high quality steakburger meat by the pound to local customers and to select Winston-Salem restaurants.  

“The burgers are made from everything but the short ribs and soup bones,” Kim explained, as we set out toward the chicken pen. (Chilly Water also sells eggs and uses chicken fertilizer for the garden.)  “We recently got rid of the rooster,” Kim continued. “He drove the girls crazy.  They didn’t need that. We are all about harmony here.” She grinned.

The farm menagerie involves several dogs, including a Jack Russell terrier named Opie, a standard donkey named Levi, and eight miniature donkeys, all female, who keep him company.  

“These animals are for nothing but peace and joy,” Kim said, as the small herd trotted over to greet and nudge us for head rubs along the fence. Nearby, Little Jack, a rescue goat, was penned with his companion, Watson, also seeking an audience with the humans. More goats played up the hill in a separate pen near an heirloom apple tree that was loaded with yellow fruit. Kim explained that only the goat named Elvis could possibly be a candidate for a meal, leaving us to wonder about his offenses.  

Watson in foreground and Little Jack, the rescue goat 

After paying our respects to these “house” animals, sister Lynn joined us as we climbed onto a four-seat gator and sailed across the pristine fields to get a closer look at the horses and cattle down in the holler, including an enormous visiting bull who quickly showed us his stuff. We laughed as Lynn put on her mucking boots and hopped off the vehicle to lead the herd through the gate to their next grazing destination. Then we shot forward again, bouncing and angling downhill and then uphill again on a washed-out trail through dense white pines, mature hardwoods, and an occasional Norwegian fir.

When we stopped to observe the pond from the far side of the woods, the sisters reminisced about their grandmother’s unforgettable molasses cake recipe that they had asked her to share with them as her health was failing.  The ingredients, as it turned out, were the last words she spoke to her granddaughters. “But when we made it, it didn’t turn out like we remembered,” said Lynn, now amused by the memory. “I think she maybe didn’t give us all that the cake called for.”  

“Of course, she never measured anything anyway,” Kim added.  “Just a pinch of that and a spoonful of this.”

Back at the house, Ricky had cooked juicy and tender steakburgers on the grill and Doris set out a buffet of green beans, okra, fresh sliced tomatoes, stewed apples from the tree outside, and crisp homemade pickles and jalapenos. After such a feast, I hated to leave Chilly Waters, but I presented my kind hosts with a signed copy of the book and headed out to my next destination.

                                                      ***

Frances Huber grew up in the toney Buckhead section of Atlanta but started coming to Alleghany County for family retreats as a ten-year-old.  Now, just past 80, she is raising Angus breeding stock.  She used to sell her cattle for beef, but today she raises the original Angus that have shorter legs and carry more meat than their big-boned, genetically modified relatives. “Now I don’t have to apologize when I sell them off,” Frances explained, “because they are not going off to be processed but are headed for breeding.”

Huber, assisted by a full-time farm manager and an occasional student intern, also raises all-natural, forest-grazing hogs that were lolling around the edge of the woods alongside the cattle as I made my way down the treelined drive to the two-story frame house that she and her late husband, Andy, built in the 1990s.

Long before her organic farming adventure started, Frances read Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring and developed an interest in holistic medicine. With Andy, who was a Cornell graduate in agriculture, the Hubers bought this abandoned dairy farm in 1994 and raised hay and horses without the use of chemical fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides. “The weeds will tell you what’s wrong with your soil,” Frances explained. She taught herself how to correct deficiencies in the dirt with natural applications of minerals such as gypsum to get the pH right. 

Frances Huber of Brush Creek Farm After her husband died of a debilitating cancer of the spine in 2000, Frances did not want to leave the farm. With her daughter’s help, she opened the land to families and busloads of schoolchildren who visited her newly acquired collection of petting animals.  She also created a store and planted a whimsical garden on the farm.  While she loved the children who came to visit and learn from her, Frances said, “It was like running Carowinds. Too much.” She laughed.

Now Huber has put her 200-plus acres into conservation easements, including the land that provides the most extraordinary view from her screened porch toward Bullhead Mountain. She then challenged her children to come up with a crop they could raise on a portion of the land. The only requirement was that no chemicals be used in the process. Her son who is a bond trader and her daughter who is in marketing came up with the idea of hops and planted citrus hops from five sources last year on a single acre. “An acre of hops is a lot,” Frances said.  “I told them I would give them the rest of that sloping field if it went well.”

Hops growing on a rope of organic hemp

I had never seen hops growing. Though most of the first crop had been harvested by the time of my visit, a few vines still climbed upward from the ground on organic hemp ropes suspended from wires strung high above on ten-foot poles that were set out in a grid pattern. Clearly the infrastructure for this crop took no small effort to construct. Frances explained that they had to hire a grappler to install the poles while two of her grandsons helped to site and move the heavy poles. Huber’s daughter spent hours digging trenches out of thick sod between poles and amending the soil under the wires where they would plant the ten rows of hops.  Each row required constant weeding. The siblings chronicled each variety carefully and found no signs of mildew, though some bugs did come along. They declared the first harvest a success. Frances now admits that she was not sure if the kids would pull it off, but they did. Their new business cards say “Huber Hops.”  Perhaps these flavorful ingredients will be coming to a craft brewer near you.

Hops in hand

Two nights later, before I gave a talk about the new book at a farm-to-table dinner for seventy guests in support of the Alleghany Writers’ Development Fund for creative writing in the local schools, I had a chance to sample Frances Huber’s Brush Creek Farm pork tenderloin and chorizo. Local chef Garrison Wagoner used the just-this-side-of-fiery chorizo to stuff succulent mushrooms.  It was a most satisfying burn.

The tenderloin served next needed no accompaniment. Huber’s forest-fed pork was like none I have ever had in memory. Soft, sweet, tender, pale, and without any obvious grain in the meat nor toughness.  In short, remarkable. A few days later I would hear just the right phrase, supposedly posted outside a BBQ joint in Mississippi—“You don’t need teeth to eat our meat.”  That is how tender it was and how easy the visit to this rural enclave. Thanks to Alleghany Writers’ leader Ginger Collins, the Brown family, and Frances Huber for the high-country hospitality.

Need an autographed copy of The Month of Their Ripening for a gift? Write me: georganneubanks9 (at) gmail.com

[toddrogersfl]

Contemporary fragrance houses flying the flag

Who can lay claim to being ‘the birthplace of perfumery’? France and Italy regularly duke it out for the title, but British scents have been going strong since 1730 – with whispers of Yardley London‘s heritage in fact going all the way back to the reign of King Charles I, supplying royalty with lavender-scented soaps. Sadly, these records were lost in 1666’s Great Fire of London, but many British houses have archives bursting not only with records of their fragrant wares, but the customers who bought them – including royalty, film stars and prime ministers along with the many millions who flocked to their historic doors.

We decided to dedicate the latest issue of our award-winning magazine, The Scented Letter, to these Best of British. The emphasis being on heritage houses who have made our name and are still some of our favourites to this very day, and with a selection of newer houses mentioned – inluding Miller Harris, Angela Flanders, Ormonde Jayne and Floral Street – all of whom have their own boutiques you can visit to stock-up on those perfumes, both historic and ground-breakingly new. The streets of London may not be paved in gold, but perhaps they are with perfume…

To be frank, the feature was practically an entire book’s worth of material, and we still didn’t have room for every single one we’d have like to mention, which goes to show how many we have to be proud of. Also, we are thrilled that so many contemporary houses are continuing to fly that fragrant flag, being sold online and stocked in independent perfumeries that stretch the entire globe.

What better time, then, to continue our celebration of the diversity, ingenuity and creativity British fragrance houses display, and share with you a list of some contemporary houses your nose should definitely get to know…?

Ruth Mastenbroek

Born in England, graduating with a Chemistry degree from Oxford University, Ruth trained and worked as a perfumer in the 70s – both in the UK and Netherlands with Naarden International (which later became Quest and is now Givaudan – one of the largest perfume suppliers in the world…) Ruth then went to work in Japan and the perfume capital Grasse before returning to England to work for a small company, where she created fragrances for up-and-coming brands like Kenneth Turner and Jo Malone – including her Grapefruit candle. Setting up her own perfumery company, Fragosmic Ltd., in 2003 – the year she became president of The British Society of Perfumers, it was in 2010 that Ruth launched a capsule collection of scented products featuring her signature fragrance – RM – the first to use advanced micro-encapsulation technology in a scented bathrobe…! Still creating bespoke fragrances for brands, Ruth’s own fragrances allow her to bottle memories, she says, ‘…of childhood in England and America – chocolate cookies, fresh earth, blackberries… Of Holland – lilies, narcissus, hyacinth and salty sea air… Of France – orchids, roses and wild herbs… Of Japan – cherry blossom, lotus and green tea…’ Believing that fragrance can uniquely move us, and with a wealth of knowledge at her fingertips; Ruth distills olfactory flash-backs into perfumes that everyone can enjoy and form their own, highly personal connections with. And with her latest, the sulty, smoking rose of Firedance, shortlisted for Global Pure Beauty and Fragrance Foundation Awards this year, we suggest you allow yourself the pleasure of connecting with them, too…

Quintessential Scents: Launching tomorrow (Friday) on our site, we’re giving you a sneak-peek of how you can indulge in a whole box of emotionally uplifting scents. From the sparkling secret-garden fruitiness of Signature, through the romantic, rolling landscape of Umbria captured in Amorosa. A furtively-smoked Sobranie with notes of jasmine and cashmere evoke the dreaming spires of Oxford, while a classic rose is transformed with hot leather in Firedance, to become quite swaggeringly swoon-worthy. Have a chaise-lounge at the ready…

Ruth Mastenbroek Discovery Set £17.95 for 4 x 2ml eau de parfum

4160 Tuesdays

Founded: If we live till we’re 80, we have 4,160 tuesdays to fill, and so the philosophy of copywriter-turned-perfumer Sarah McCartney is: better make the most of every single one of them. Having spent years writing copy for other people’s products, and writing for LUSH for 14 years, Sarah wrote a novel about imagined perfumes that make people happy, with such evocative descriptions that readers began asking her to make them. Ever the type to roll up her sleeves and take on a new challenge, Sarah explains she’d ‘…tried to find perfumes that matched what I was describing, and they still weren’t right, so I set off on my quest to make them myself. I became a perfumer!’ Proudly extolling British eccentricity, the ever-increasing fragrances include Sunshine & Pancakes, which Sarah made to evoke a typical 1970s British seaside family vacation, opening with a burst of sunny citrus, with jasmine to represent sun-warmed skin – alongside honey and vanilla (the pancakes element). The Dark Heart of Old Havana is based on a 1998 trip to Cuba: brown sugar, tobacco, rich coffee, fruit, warm bodies, ‘alcohol, exuberance and recklessness,’ as she puts it. Maxed Out and Midnight in the Palace Garden were both shortlisted for the coveted Fragrance Foundation Awards 2016 in the ‘Best Indie Scent’ category, and an army of devotees now relish every day, scented suitably eccentrically.

Quintessential Scent:  Named for a comment made by a Tatler beauty editor who smelled it, a dash of bergamot, a soft hint of creamy vanilla, velvety smooth woods, musk and ambergris make for a dreamily decadent ‘your skin but oh, so much better’ affair. Like wearing a magical potion made of lemon meringue pie and fancy pants, if they don’t fall at your feet after a whiff of this, they aren’t worth knowing.

4160 Tuesdays The Sexiest Scent on the Planet Ever (IMHO) £40 for 30ml Buy it at 4160tuesdays.com

  Nancy Meiland Parfums

Founded: Nancy’s background as a bespoke perfumer began with her apprenticeship to one of the UK’s experts in custom perfumery, creating signature scents for those coveting ‘something highly individual and special…’ Before launching Nancy Meiland Parfums, her decade-long journey through fragrance had already included co-running the former School of Perfumery, acting as a consultant for independent perfume houses, working on collaborations with Miller Harris, and speaking on the subject of fragrance at events nationwide. Now dividing her time between town and country (Nancy’s based in East Sussex), she explains that ‘the creative process of gathering sensory impressions and honing them into a formula is a vital one. Once a blank canvas, the formula sheet acts as a metaphor – and gradually emerges essentially as a kind of poem, with body, light and shade and a life of its own.’ It amuses Nancy, looking back, that she often had school essays returned to her emblazoned in red pen for being “too flowery”. ‘It figures!,’ she says. Thank goodness, say her extensive base of fragrance fans, in love with these portrayals of often traditional ingredients, composed with elegant modernity and beautiful harmony.

Quintessential Scent: Definitely not your grandma’s drawer-liner, this is a rose in all its glory, with the entire plant evoked – pink pepper, for the thorns, stalky green galbanum for the leaves; geranium, jasmine, white pear and violet delicately sketching the tender bud. As Nancy observes: ‘I wanted to depict both the light and the dark shades of it, as opposed to this pretty, twee and girly rose that’s become slightly old-fashioned.” Rambling roses entwined with brambles, if this scent surrounded Sleeping Beauty, she’d never forgive that meddlesome prince for cutting it down…

Nancy Meiland Parfums Rosier £62.50 for 50ml eau de parfum Buy it at nancymeiland.com

  Tom Daxon

Recalling his childhood and growing up ‘in fragrant surroundings,’ Tom Daxon rather understates how perfume practically ran in his blood. Lucky enough to have a mother who was creative director at Molton Brown for over 30 years, and therefore ‘would often give me new shower gels to try, fragrances to sniff’ his scented destiny was sealed by frequently accompanying his mother on her business trips to Grasse. There he met the father-daughter duo of Jacques and Carla Chabert, who worked for Chanel, Guerlain and L’Oréal, with Jacques the nose behind Molton Brown’s ground-breaking Black Pepper and Carla creating the hit follow-up, Pink Peppercorn. Having esteemed perfumers in his life from such an early age was a connection that would bravely – still in his twenties – lead Tom to launch a brand new British fragrance house. Clearly a chap who doesn’t like to hang around when he’s got a bee in his bonnet, by the end of that same year, he was already being stocked in Liberty’s. Not a bad start, all things considered, and describing the impetus behind him starting his own line of fragrances, Tom says ‘I wouldn’t have bothered if I thought I couldn’t offer something a bit different.’ Uniquely intriguing, the entire range celebrates a luxurious kind of British modernity in their pared back, clean lines, the oils being macerated and matured in England for at least six weeks before they’re bottled here. Harnessing Tom’s Grasse connections but remaining resolutely British in their spirit, it’s just the beginning for this exciting house.

Quintessential Scent: Lushly narcotic, it’s a hyper-realistic big-hitter – like sticking your entire face in a buxom bouquet, the better to get another dose of its lascivious charms. Using traditional, headily feminine notes like lily of the valley, carnation, rose and oakmoss might have become ‘vintage’ or even a bit old-fashioned smelling in the wrong hands, but the Chaberts and Tom vividly evoke just-bruised, silky petals with a futuristic drama that never fails to shake you out of the doldrums.

Tom Daxon Crushing Bloom £105 for 50ml eau de parfum Buy it at tomdaxon.com

  Marina Barcenilla Parfums

A rising star of perfumery, Marina Barcenilla is one of the talented ‘noses’ driving the strong trend towards natural perfumery. As the name may suggest, her birthplace may not have been in the UK – in fact she was born in Spain – but it’s where Marina chose to make her home, and to set up her now thriving perfume business. Marina recalls being intrigued by the aromatic notes in the Herbíssimo fragrances and in her grandmother’s lavender water. Having always been fascinated and inspired by scent – when the chance came to branch out from her aromatherapy roots into the world of perfume, Marina rose beautifully to the challenge. In 2016 Marina won the coveted Fragrance Foundation (FiFi) Award for Best New Independent Fragrance with India. Against incredibly stiff competition, judged blind by Jasmine Award-winning journalists and bloggers, this prompted her to take the next step on her journey – what had formerly been called The Perfume Garden became Marina Barcenilla Parfums. But although the name had changed, the ethos remained the same – ‘to create the finest fragrances, using what nature has to offer.’ More awards followed, including a Beauty Shortlist Award for Patchouli Clouds, an International Natural Beauty Award for The Perfume Garden, and the Eluxe Award for Best Natural Perfume Brand. In 2017, for the second consecutive year, Marina won Best New Independent Fragrance for the opulent Black Osmanthus – which truly put her on the radar of journalists and perfumistas. From sourcing rare and precious aromatic essences from around the world to blending fragrances by hand in her own perfume studio, after years of study, Marina’s long-awaited olfactory journey to ‘rediscover the soul of perfume’ is off to a rousing start – and all from the suitably mystical base of Glastonbury. More than simply reaching for the stars, parallel to her perfumery career she’s also studying to become a Planetary Scientist and Astrobiologist, at the University of London; recently combining her twin passions by creating AromAtom – creating the imagined scents of space as a way to make space science more engaging for children – which Marina regularly tours through schools. What else can we say for this exciting house, but “up, up and away…!”

Quintessential Scent: Silky smooth sandalwood is enticingly laced with flecks of fragrant cardamom, dotted with coriander, huge armfulls of rose and woven with incense for an all-natural scent that’s soothingly spiced, earthily grounding and yet erotically tempting; so you’ll be wanting to dance barefoot (perhaps comletely bare) and wrap yourself around a Maypole, have no doubt…

Marina Barcenilla Parfums India £130 for 30ml eau de parfum Buy it at mbparfums.com

  St Giles

Rarely do founders of fragrance houses come with such experience, passion and dedication to the industry as Michael Donnovan. With a career thus far helping stock the shelves of such cult fragrance-shopping destinations as Roullier White, running his own PR company, representing such luminaries as Fréderic Malle – every time we’ve met Michael, he’s been bubbling with enthusiasm about a perfume we ‘…absolutely must smell!’ or a nose who’s ‘a complete genius!’ And you know what? He’s always been right. He’d been badgered for years by fragrance experts and enthusiasts alike to launch his own range, but the idea had tickled his brain for some decades before being fully explored as a reality. As Michael explains, the concept he just couldn’t let go of was to have a collection that truly represented ‘scents as complex as you are.’ And so, the St Giles fragrances have ‘…been created to stimulate and amplify the many different aspects of our character. This wardrobe of fragrances celebrates the parts that make us who we are, fusing the reality and the fantasy.’ And the nose he sought out to compose them just happens to be one of the greatest of our time. ‘The perfumes are made in collaboration with Master Perfumer Bertrand Duchaufour, whose vision I have long admired and whose friendship I cherish.’ Having spent many years working alongside Bertrand, but always in regard to his work for other houses, Michael admits he was ‘…extremely nervous’ about approaching him, but it turns out Bertrand was more than enthusiastic in his acceptance. The only question you need ask, now, is which fragrant character you want to embody, today…

Quintessential Scent: Rosemary absolute – now proven to stimulate memory performance – adds an aromatic, drily green note while fresh ginger warmly fizzes alongside Champagne-like aldehydes, herbaceous clary sage and the uplifting, fruity zing of rhubarb. There’s a sigh of soft leather and frankincense at the heart, slowly sinking to the inky-tinged base of castoreum absolute, sandalwood, Atlas cedarwood and a salty tang of driftwood. Absolutely unique, you’ll want to cover yourself in it while seeking your muse, perhaps while enjoying a sip or three of something refreshing, wearing nothing else but a velvet smoking jacket and an enigmatic smile…

St Giles The Writer £130 for 100ml eau de parfum Buy it at stgilesfragrance.com

With a strong heritage behind us, and many of those houses still not only surviving but thriving, it seems British perfumery is once again blooming with a fresh crop of forward-thinking (and often self-taught) perfumers shaking up the scent scene. No fuddy-duddy fragrances, these, they’re flying the flag not only for British niche perfumery, but for the art of fragrance itself. Hoist the bunting!

For further reading, we suggest getting your hands on a copy of British Perfumery: A Fragrant History by The British Society of Perfumers, £30 including UK delivery.

Written by Suzy Nightingale

The post Contemporary fragrance houses flying the flag appeared first on The Perfume Society.

from The Perfume Society https://perfumesociety.org/contemporary-british-fragrance-houses-flying-the-flag/

[naturecoaster]

Delightful Family Fun Jan. 27 at the 2018 Kumquat Festival

Kumquats are fun to eat and the word kumquat is fun to say, so it stands to reason that the Kumquat Festival January 27 in Dade City is going to be a fantastically fun event for all! Today, NatureCoaster explores all things kumquat to help prepare you for the 21st Annual Kumquat Festival. Read on.

What is a Kumquat?

The kumquat is native to China and was given as a traditional gift on New Year’s Day. Translating to “golden coins,” the kumquat represents prosperity, according to information from TV horticulturist Roger Swain, who has long been associated with the Kumquat Festival.

Where Did the Kumquat Festival Come From?

Nearly 100 years ago, Casper Joseph “J. C.” Nathe came to what is now known as St. Joseph, and worked several jobs to make ends meet, including at a nursery near Jessamine owned by J. W. Ellsworth. There, he became acquainted with the kumquat, an ornamental plant that was given to wish prosperity to the recipient. Nathe planted an acre of kumquat trees in 1912, as well as 50 acres of citrus, and bananas, avocados, guavas, pineapples and vegetables to feed his family and trade for other goods and services.

An acre of Kumquats planted in 1912 by J.S. Nathe has blossomed into a great festival. Image by Robin Draper of Authentic Florida. The Nathe family used the fruit for preserves and they became popular among area residents. Orders started coming in, so they began growing more kumquats. In less than 15 years, Florida Grower magazine crowned J.C. Nathe “the world’s kumquat king.” Several local St. Joseph families began converting their acreage to the profitable little sweet and sour fruit. From the 1930s to 1962, when a bad freeze destroyed the fruit on most of the trees, the quantity of kumquats grown in this rural area of eastern Pasco County grew and grew.

Kumquat Growers, Inc. was started, and is still owned by descendants of the original St. Joseph families that have been growing, packing and selling kumquats for close to 100 years. Kumquat Growers, Inc. was started in 1971 by owners/growers were Charles Barthle, Frank Gude, Joseph and Paul Neuhofer and Fred Heidgerken. Today, Frank and Rosemarie Gude and Joseph and Margie Neuhofer own the nation's largest producer and shipper of kumquats and kumquat products. They are descendants of the original St. Joseph families that have been growing, packing and selling kumquats for close to 100 years.

Why a Kumquat Festival?

Twenty years ago, The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce began holding a festival to celebrate the golden kumquat and all it has contributed to the area. Today, this wholesome, fun, and delicious event features over 420 vendors and 30 sponsors coming together throughout the streets of an historic, charming Southern town to celebrate the little fruit that is both sweet and sour. “We couldn’t put on such a grand event without our generous sponsors,” John Moors, Executive Director of the Chamber said, “It is great to walk down 7th Street during the Festival and see the crowds interacting with our sponsors.”

Over 420 vendors and 30 sponsors make the Kumquat Festival a treasure hunt for visitors. Image courtesy of Richard Riley. Florida Hospital Zephyrhills is the headlining sponsor for 2018. “We are proud to partner with the Chamber in bringing this family-friendly festival to Dade City. We wanted to show our support for the community in a big way. Every year our staff interacts with the thousands of people who attend this fun event and we have a blast,” said Susan Frimmel, Director of Marketing for Florida Hospital, Zephyrhills. Premier sponsors include the City of Dade City Community Redevelopment Agency, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Peterson Insurance Agency-Auto Owners Insurance, the Tampa Bay Times, VisitFlorida, and Visit Pasco.

Kumquat pie is one of the crowd favorites, available at the Festival and shuttle locations, it is delectable. Valued sponsors include Big Storm Brewing, CSX Transportation, Dade City Business Center-JDR Properties of Pasco, Inc., GEICO, Jarrett Ford, Jim Browne Chevrolet-Buick-GMC of Dade City, Jim Browne Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge-Ram of Dade City, Jim Browne Collision Center, Tampa Electric Company (TECO)-Pasco County, Wells Fargo, and Kumquat Growers Inc. More Valued sponsors include AAA Auto Club Group, All American Gutter Protection, Beef O’Brady’s & The Brass Tap, Boltin Pest Control, CenterState Bank, Community Foundation of Tampa Bay, First Baptist Church of Dade City, First National Bank of Pasco, Hampton Inn Dade City/Zephyrhills, Majestic Oaks Apartments, Metro PCS, Morningside RV Estates, Nicoletti Law Firm, Pasco Hernando State College, Ryman Roofing and Construction, Saint Leo University, Sam’s Club, Senior Helpers, Tobacco Free Florida, Traveler’s Rest Resort, and Verizon Wireless

What Happens at the Kumquat Festival?

The 1909 historic Pasco County courthouse is a Dade City icon and is registered on the the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Live music is held on the courthouse steps throughout the day during the Kumquat Festival Music is held on the 1909 Classical Revival style historic courthouse steps throughout the day, where visitors are encouraged to stop and refresh themselves.  Local entertainment includes many styles from clogging to jazz throughout the day.

Kumquat Festival Entertainment Schedule

9:30 am – 10:00 am - Saint Leo University – Totally TABS 10:00 am – 11:00 am - Calvary Assembly of Dade City – Christian Contemporary; National Anthem/Prayer 11:15 am – 11:45 am - Strawberry Express Cloggers 12 Noon  –   1:30 pm - Eli Mosley – Country 1:45 pm  –  2:00 pm - St. Rita Catholic Church Folklore Dancers 2:15 pm  –  3:15 pm - Dean Johnson’s Music & Friends – Various Styles 3:30 pm  –  4:30 pm - Seventeenth Street – Contemporary/Country Special thanks to Turning Point Church of Dade City for providing and operating the sound equipment. The Annual Kumquat Festival® Car & Truck Show, sponsored by O’Reilly Auto Parts, features an amazing variety of classic cars and trucks in the large parking lot of the downtown Robert D. Sumner Judicial Center. Organized by Trophies, dash plaques and a well-organized show attracts some of the nicest vehicles to be seen in the Southeast U.S. Show runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Pops 54 by Mike Groseclose at the Kumquat Festival Car Show. Ronnie Setser's Car & Truck Shows puts on the annual event, drawing great vehicles from around Florida and the southeast U.S. Local storefronts are decorated for the festival in kumquat themes and it can be nice to duck into a shop or restaurant and rest during the festivities. The Brass Tap, at the corner of 7th Street and Pasco Avenue offers Kumquat craft beer for the connoisseur. Dade City is a great town to visit any day and the unique shops and restaurants that make up this vibrant downtown are another great way to spend part of your day. Antiques, toys, books, jewelry, quilting, and pet supplies are some of the types of shops you will find. Restaurants vary from an authentic tea house to sandwich shops, coffee shops, Mexican, Italian, craft beer and fine dining. Although Dade City is a pet-friendly city, please allow your pets to stay at home during the festival for their safety. Unique arts and crafts are fun to discover in many of the vendor booths lining the streets of this quaint city in eastern Pasco County. Many of these artisans return year after year to sell their wares. Delicious kumquat foods, as well as many ethnic offerings are available to festivalgoers. There is a myriad of opportunities to sample the tasty little fruit, whether it be as marmalade, cookies, salsa, ice cream, refrigerator pie, or a sip of kumquat craft beer.

Great festival foods are available at the 20th Annual Kumquat Festival in Dade City from Kumquat Pie to fresh tamales. Image courtesy of Richard Riley. A Kumquat Kids Corral offers families the opportunity to let off some steam with bounce houses, pony rides, games, face painting, sand art, photo booth and more. The health and wellness area gives visitors a chance to talk with providers and glean valuable information.

Make it an Overnight Visit

Frank Gude, president of Kumquat Growers will give an introductory kumquat talk as part of the festivities at the Open House. The 2018 Kumquat Growers Open House will be held at the Kumquat Growers packing house in St. Joseph from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM on the two days before the Kumquat Festival (Jan. 25 and 26). Here you can immerse yourself in the agricultural side of kumquats. Talks by Frank Gude, President of the Kumquat Growers, share the origin and history of kumquats in the Dade City area. Also learn about the different types of kumquats and how they are used. Previous years have had Roger Swain, known as the "man in red suspenders," and host of PBS’ "The Victory Garden" giving this interesting talk. There are tours of the Kumquat Growers packing house which explain how kumquats are picked, processed, packaged and shipped and a visit to the Kumquat Gift Shop where you will find a little bit of “all things kumquat.” Lunch and live music, along with some historic demonstrations are provided. Half hour tram tours allow visitors to see an actual kumquat grove. This tour explains the planting, maintenance and care of kumquat trees for commercial production.

Tram tours of a kumquat grove are part of the Kumquat Growers Open House event. There is a nice Hampton Inn just south of downtown Dade City, and several hotels in Wesley Chapel along the I-75 and SR56/SR54 corridor. Camping and RV hookups can be had at the Travelers Rest Resort. The Kumquat Festival offers a fun-filled, family friendly alternative to the more boisterous Gasparilla Pirate Fest, held the same day in downtown Tampa. Free admission, 420 vendors, 30 sponsors, a welcoming downtown, and free shuttle service from parking areas make the Kumquat Festival a must-do for NatureCoasters. Satellite parking lots are at the Pasco County Fairgrounds, 36733 State Road 53, Dade City, and along U.S. 301 across from Jarrett Ford. The kumquat has become an important part of Florida’s Nature Coast, and the 21st Annual Kumquat Festival January 27 in downtown Dade City promises to be one not to miss. For more information, click here. Be sure to plan a visit back to Dade City after the festival for a slower-paced shopping, dining and unwinding experience. John Moors says, "Enjoy the festival and come back to visit soon."

Additional Kumquat Events

2018 5Kumquat Run The Dade City Youth Council and the Saint Leo Women's and Men's Cross Country teams are putting on this family-friendly 5k event. The sponsorship of Florida Hospital and Florida Educators Insurance enabled lower entry fees. Registration is at 7:00 am, followed by a kids half-mile race at 8:00 am.  The 5K Starts at 8:30 and is planned to be finished by 11 am. The costs to participate are: 5K Adult Runner: $25.00 entry, 5k race- All students: $5.00 entry, 1/2 Mile race entry: free. 2018 Kumquat Festival Quilt Challenge Local quilters enter their handiwork at this annual competition. Enjoy the beautiful designs and variety of patterns at the Kumquat Festival Quilt Challenge where you can vote on your favorite item from each category. Some are available for sale. All items will reflect the 2018 theme "Anything Goes!" and use a splash of orange. Categories include: Small Quilts (quilted and bound items including wall hangings, table runners/toppers) that are less than 144" in perimeter, Large Quilts- same as Small Quilts, except perimeter greater than 144" but less than 250", and Miniature Quilts with a maximum size of 12" per side. The entries may be made by individuals or groups, both machine and hand quilting are acceptable. Each item must have a 4" wide sleeve attached for hanging, and all techniques (pieced, applique', art, machine embroidery) are eligible. There is a separate category for Junior Quilters, ages 17 and under to enter their pieces. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in each category will be awarded by business and resident sewing experts, as well as Viewer's Choice Award Ribbons for 1st place in each category voted on by visitors at the Kumquat Festival January 27.           Read the full article

[6xplore6]

Salzburg Geographical Expedition #6

Sister cities (also called “twin towns”) are cooperative agreements between town, cities, and even countries in geographically and politically distinct areas, which are used to promote cultural and commercial ties. In modern-day Europe, town-twinning is quite a common practice, as a significant number of political units are interconnected into sister cities. The concept of town twinning started to develop after World War II, which goal was to encourage cooperation between the cities and to improve understanding between their inhabitants, who were once enemies. Nowadays, this strategy is used to mainly to establish international business connections among its members.

The goal of the sixth installment of the Salzburg Geographical Expedition is to deepen my understanding of a process of community/economic development. Salzburg is engaged in a sister city relationship with a small village in Paraguay, Teniente Morales (also known as Aleman Cue). The village has around 1000 inhabitants and is located 25 kilometers from a major town in the center of the country called Coronel Oviedo. The main source of subsistence for families from Teniente Morales is the small-scale production on their small 5 hectare farms. The most important crops grown there include cotton, mandioca, beans, sugar cane, bananas and yerba mate. Currently, plating cotton became non-profitable due to an extreme decrease in value of this cash-crop. The quality of life is in Teniente Morales is surprisingly low. They have dirt roads, a small health care facility that is open rarely, have electricity but no plumbing system. Children can attend primary school, but secondary school is located 25 km away in Cornelo Oviedo. However, bus service depends on the weather as the rain turns the road into mud. Most families do not own vehicles (cars or tractors). The level of corruption and interest rates are high in both Paraguay and the Department of Caaguazu.

Throughout the history of Paraguay, agriculture has been playing a significant role in the country's economy. Today, the agricultural sector compromises around 48 percents of citizens' occupation , 23 percents of GDP (Gross Domestic Product). Moreover, 98 percents of Paraguay's export earnings come from agricultural products. Most important crops grown in Paraguay are soybeans, cotton and tobacco, which are currently not that profitable to produce due to lack of technology and arable land in the country.

Salzburg and Teniente Morales can work together as sister cities to improve economic and social conditions of the village. The plan of our NGO (non-governmental organization) is to invest into the development of cocoa production. Cocoa trees require hot, rainy tropical areas, and are well suited for Paraguay's climate. Moreover, cocoa can be harvested at any time of the year, and harvest usually occurs after several month, which makes its production quite profitable. Cocoa products, such as beans, powder, and butter (and of course, chocolate, which is eventually made out of them) are very expensive in MDCs. According to the statistical data of ICCO (International Cocoa Organization) a ton of cocoa costs around 2070 US dollars on the market, which is almost twice as big as the price of raw cotton.  Besides, they are also popular, cheap and easy to transport as they do not tend to go bad fast, and are constantly in-demand. Thus, with a fair amount of marketing production of cocoa can gain a lot of money for Teniente Morales, and strengthen its economy in a long-term way.

The budget of our NGO's project to help the village of Aleman Cue is 100 000 Euros in total. First of all, I would propose to invest 10000 Euros into transportation and alimony of volunteers-professionals, who would educate local farmers about the specifics of the crop and efficient ways of agriculture, as well as increase their economical and political awareness and education, which would help Paraguay's economy in a more long-term way. This cost accounts for 5 trained professionals, who would come for 1 month education program with a daily budget of 25 Euros. Then, we will need 15000 Euros to make the soil appropriate for the cacao trees to grow (with research of soil included), to purchase fertilizers and to enrich the soil with nutrients, necessary for this plant. One of the benefits of cocoa farming is that it does not really require any machinery. Density of planting cocoa trees ranges from 800-3000 trees/ha, so we will take 2000 trees per hectare as a standard. In this case, we will be able to plant around 400 000 cocoa trees by occupying 1 hectare of land of each farm. (So, each family would use one fifth of their farm land to plant cocoa trees). We are planning to spend 25000 Euros on purchasing and planting trees. Moreover, we will invest 40000 Euros into salaries of 100 farmers who would work on cocoa farms for a period of two months. Thus, 10000 Euros will be left in case if any extra costs (taxes, shortages, accidents, etc.) will appear throughout the project.

The goal of our NGO is to provide a successful course of development for Teniente Morale, which would eventually improve its living conditions in long-term means. In this paragraph I will list the desired outcomes, however, they may vary from ones achieved on practice. The educational program led by volunteers-professionals would improve farmers' yields and decrease corruption throughout the region by educating people and raising awareness. Cocoa farms would strengthen the economy and decrease unemployment by providing job opportunities. Again, the main goal of the project is to improve economical and social conditions by shifting the agriculture to the cocoa production. With the right marketing strategy, cocoa from Paraguay can be sold for high prices in European cities, especially in Salzburg which has several chocolate factories within its areas. Moreover, Salzburgers would be more willing to buy products of their sister city, especially if Teniente Morales will eventually make contracts with other NGOs (ex. Fair Trade) who would control fairness of labor and well-being of the farmers.

Self-sufficiency is a way of development that focuses of country's ability to provide for itself. Foreign assistance does not necessarily promote self-sufficiency (in fact, they are the opposites), but can help to achieve it. Foreign assistance projects can play an important role in development of the stabilized economy, if they are planned correctly. However, there can be some thorny barriers in development of places like Teniente Morales. Most common of those are corruption, lack of education, and foreign projects which eventually put the less-developed country into loans. Project that are not that well-planned can lead to such situations, when invested money will go into pockets of corrupted governmental officials, or just to uneducated people who do not know what to do with it.

I, as a Salzburger can put my small contribution into the development of Teniente Morales, Salzburg's sister city. For example, choosing products which are produced in the sister city, and spreading the information about it, rising the awareness among other Salzburgers, are those actions which can be accomplished by every citizen without putting much effort into it. Thus, I can help people in Teniente Morales by just informing myself on the current situation in the village, and making consumer's choices taking into account where the products are produced. 

Work Cited

1. The definition of sister-city. www.definitions.net

2. Matthew. Cocoa Farming Techniques. Photo. April 21, 2015. www.greenhealthyfarm.com

3. International Cocoa Organization. FAQ. April 29, 2013. www.icco.org

4. Queensland Government. Growing Cocoa. November 24, 2015. https://www.daf.qld.gov.au

5. EMW. Map of Paraguay. www.emapsworld.com