Decency, Partisan Thinking, and Intelligent Debate

February 3, 2025

Decency, Partisan thinking, and what has become of intelligent debate?

I spent 6 hours this week watching and listening to the RFK, Jr. senate confirmation hearings for the role of Secretary of Health and Human Services. By the end of the Thursday session, I was pretty depressed. It seemed more like a three-ring circus, or to be more accurate, a look into the Coliseum with folks being thrown to the lions, than a serious discussion with Trump’s candidate to run this Cabinet post that manages 39% of our national budget. With few exceptions (and I felt there was a handful of exceptional testimonies in the hearing room -https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-health-secretary-nominee-rfk-jr-survives-heated-hearings-ahead-crucial-confirmation-votes – here is a link from Rand Paul who speaks for being curious to find causation on things like autism), it seemed that republicans often gave Kennedy a pass, or used the time to discuss their pet issues, and democrats were often aggressive and cut Kennedy off when he would try to explain something.

I am concerned at how many individuals receive money from corporate influencers – in this case pharmaceutical interests. I have to believe that this impacts their position on these important issues.

I want our elected officials and us, the public, to learn about all of the health issues that are crippling our national health, and work toward our improved vitality.

Expressing Gratitude this Week

Have I spotlighted the chickens lately? With flocks being destroyed all throughout the country due to fear of avian influenza, I more than ever appreciate these little orange beings who chat all day, after laying at a rate of about 96% each morning. And forage, and rush around excitedly from kelp to compost to gravel, who race to the back door when we open it, and who trip us as we feed, water and tidy up their house each day. They are always positive spirited, forever curious, and extremely gregarious and sociable. Would that I could maintain an attitude of such wonder and expressive activity all day every day. They are excellent role models!

2025 MHOF CSA

There were 57 crops in our CSA last year. I will to cover two of them per week for through May, to give you a closer look at our offerings.

Spearmint was in the shares 3 times last year.

Spearmint (Mentha spicata) is a widely recognized herb that offers a multitude of health benefits, primarily attributed to its rich phytochemical composition, including essential oils, phenolic compounds, and antioxidants. These components contribute to various therapeutic effects, making spearmint a valuable addition to both culinary and medicinal applications. We are working to get a designated spearmint patch well-established so that we can offer it more in the future.

Green onions were in the shares 6 times last year. One of my most favorite farm vegetables, these aromatic plants come early and can be used to improve almost any vegetable or animal protein dish. We use the white bottom and also the greens, all the way to the tip.

Green onions, scientifically known as Allium fistulosum, serve as a significant food source due to their rich nutritional profile and culinary versatility. They are valued not only for their flavor but also for their health benefits. One of the primary nutritional benefits of green onions is their high content of vitamins and minerals. They are particularly rich in vitamin C, which is essential for immune function and skin health, and vitamin A, which is important for vision and cellular communication (Kim, 2023). Additionally, green onions contain dietary fiber, with approximately 3.5 grams per 100 grams, contributing to digestive health and promoting satiety (Chen et al., 2019). The presence of antioxidants such as quercetin, chlorophyll, and various sulfur compounds further enhances their nutritional value, providing protective effects against oxidative stress and inflammation (Surya, 2024). Moreover, green onions are recognized for their potential health benefits beyond basic nutrition. They have been associated with various therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. The bioactive compounds found in green onions, particularly quercetin, have been shown to exert vasodilatory effects, which can help in managing cardiovascular health by improving blood circulation and reducing blood pressure (Madăric et al., 2013).

Oregano was in shares 5 times last year.

Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is a widely used culinary herb known for its distinctive flavor and numerous health benefits. Its qualities are attributed to a rich composition of bioactive compounds, particularly essential oils, which have been extensively studied for their antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. One of the most significant qualities of oregano is its high antioxidant capacity. The essential oil of oregano is primarily composed of phenolic compounds such as carvacrol and thymol, which are responsible for its strong antioxidant activity (Węglarz et al., 2020; Skoufogianni et al., 2019; Rodriguez-Garcia et al., 2015). These compounds help neutralize free radicals, thereby reducing oxidative stress and potentially lowering the risk of chronic diseases (Hać-Szymańczuk et al., 2016; Scarpa et al., 2021).

Download the 2025 CSA Order Form

Farm Zoom Interviews

We started a new project to talk to some of our supportive customers to find out why they are eating with us. Check out what Karen Way has to say about the MHOF CSA and share the YouTube video with friends who might be interested in a CSA.

We have our comprehensive Farm 8 ½” by 11” trifold completed – thanks to a lot of effort by Amanda. Additionally, we have some nice posters to put around. Please be in touch if you would like us to send you some to pass out, or I can send PDF’s for downloading.

We are taking shares right now. Here is the form.

Order a 2025 MHOF CSA Share

Volunteering at MHOF

For now, we are only working Mondays and Fridays, but by April we will be working M, T, W, F, with a 2 ½ hour stint on Saturdays for those who can’t come during the week. Now is a good time to sign up for a season at the farm. Presently we are pruning apple trees, fixing bird houses and cutting, splitting and stacking firewood.

Regenerative Agriculture Podcast – John Kempf

Episode 142 – Harnessing Technology for Regenerative Grazing with Jason Rowntree

There is interesting information about omega 6: omega 3 oils in here discussing raising cows on grass vs grain, and other inputs too. And some interesting conversation around climate change and agriculture’s role in carbon management.

Our new guy – Justin

Over the past few years, we have been lucky enough to be able to hire a young man who lives at Stetson School in Barre. Justin is our new hire and finished a wonderful first week. I can’t emphasize enough how beneficial it is for us to be able to work with an 18-year-old guy, who has so much physical power, a quick mind, and a fresh outlook on life. Welcome Justin.

8-week-old Laying Chicks Available for Purchase June 16

As we usually do, we will have young layers available for you to purchase from us to take home and start, or add to, you flock. They will have been in the brooder house for the first 4 weeks, and then spent their next 4 weeks on pasture. The young birds should start laying around the middle of September to the beginning of October.

Contact Julie at julie@mhof.net or 978-257-1192.

This Week’s Recipe from Jennifer: Ayurvedic Spiced Oatmeal

This Ayurvedic Spiced Oatmeal is a deeply nourishing breakfast that supports both body and mind. Shatavari, a key herb in Ayurveda for women’s health, is renowned for its ability to balance female hormones and support reproductive health, making it especially beneficial during perimenopause and menopause. It helps to regulate hormonal fluctuations and bring stability to a woman’s body during these transformative stages.

Ashwagandha, an adaptogen, is known for its remarkable ability to support the adrenal system, helping the body manage stress and maintain energy levels. It calms the nervous system, reduces anxiety, and revitalizes the body, making it a great ally for those feeling the effects of stress or hormonal imbalances. Astragalus, an immune-boosting herb, strengthens the body’s defenses, promoting overall vitality and resilience.

Together, these herbs create a holistic breakfast that not only nourishes the body but also nurtures emotional and mental well-being. The warming spices of cinnamon and cardamom help support digestion and balance Vata, while the addition of raisins and walnuts provide natural sweetness and healthy fats. This grounding oatmeal is a perfect way to start your day feeling centered, balanced, and nourished, supporting both your physical resilience and your inner calm.

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon ghee
2 cups water
1 cup organic oats
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 teaspoon each of: cinnamon, cardamom, shatavari, ashwagandha, astragalus, and pink Himalayan salt
Walnuts, for topping
A sprinkle of cinnamon, for garnish
Drizzle of ginger syrup
Splash of raw cream

Instructions:

Cook the Oats: In a saucepan, heat the ghee over medium heat until it melts. Add the oats and raisins, toasting them lightly for about 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally to infuse the oats with the ghee’s richness and to plump up the raisins.
Add Water and Spices: Pour in the water and bring the mixture to a simmer. Add the cinnamon, cardamom, shatavari, ashwagandha, astragalus, and a pinch of pink Himalayan salt. Stir well to combine and allow the oatmeal to cook for about 5-10 minutes, or until it reaches your desired consistency.
Serve: Once the oats are soft and creamy, ladle into bowls. Top with a handful of walnuts and a light sprinkle of cinnamon.
Finish with a Drizzle: Drizzle ginger syrup over the top for an extra burst of flavor, and add a splash of raw cream for a rich, creamy finish.

Enjoy this grounding breakfast to help nourish your body and mind for the day ahead!

Now Available at the Farm

We have been having a number of new visitors coming to the farm to purchase this or that – what fun to meet all of the health-conscious folks out there. Contact us and come on over. We love visitors.

Frozen Foods

Bacon
Lard
Applesauce
Pear sauce
Peaches
Cooked Beet puree
Paw paw puree
23 lb. turkeys (3)
Pork stock
Chicken stock
Turkey stock
Winter Squash
Pork roasts (7) – 3-4 lbs. each

Fresh

Eggs

Shelf Stable

Dried Peaches
Canned tomato juice
Canned apple juice

Tinctures

Bitters combo
Holy basil

Personal care

Comfrey salve
Calendula salve
Hemp salve
Lavender soap

Available at the Farm

More on Gut Health

I signed up for Kiran Krishnan’s Gut Health course. I hope to put interesting information in this newsletter each week as I learn it.

I ran out of time for this, but will have something next week. My head is filling up with wonderful insights.

Farm Doin’s

We are still working through our apple pruning, and have moved out of the home orchard and into the pond field orchard. Monday, we worked on a difficult tree, a Baldwin, that was planted in 1987 that contracted fire blight about 3-4 years ago. We cut out the fire blight and the tree survived, but ended up with about 100 potential leaders. We worked on this issue last year, but found again this year the need to cut a lot of water sprouts. We will see if our designated leader will take the mantle of leadership in 2025. Another, healthy Baldwin was pruned Friday.

Brandon picked right up on pruning skills

Stu and Jim did Jack and me a big favor and took apart three of our beds upstairs and moved them around and rebuilt them. We “grew out of” our king size bed which used to hold 6 of us back in the day, and we are now happily back into our homemade double bed.