The feng sui folks will tell you that it is an act of self-love to clean out and clean up one’s space to make room for the new, whatever that might be. I have to say they must be smiling on us right now. Matt and Jack have spent hours and hours going through all of our farm tools and supplies over the past two months, and slowly the barn tractor bay, the tool shed, and the basement workspace are taking on a new aspect.
Clare, Marissa, Devra, Amanda and I have been doing the same on the front porch and in the kitchen cabinets. Friday we finished the floor to ceiling cabinet in the NW corner of the kitchen, which — and I checked Clare’s memory — hadn’t been thoroughly cleaned and organized in at least 18 years. Friday night we had friends over for supper and I was able to pull all sorts of attractive serving dishes out of the closet, now that I know where they all are.
On Friday morning we also ceremonially ripped out all of the drip tape from the Clare and blue houses and put it in the trash, now that we know that our fancy whirlygigs are working fantastically after their second use. We have hated the drip tape for years but had not come up with a better plan.
I suppose that all this cleaning up and organizing of space might seem rather commonplace, but then having one’s space — internal and external — cleansed and accessible makes for a productive and efficient farm organism, hopefully able to raise more and better food, which is what makes all of us here at MHOF so very happy.
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It goes to Tyson this week. He is a long-term farmer friend who also now works at Mt. Grace Land Trust. We are always looking for more mulch than we can reasonably grow or harvest as fallen leaves, and we have bought hay from Tyson before. But this year we decided to make a larger purchase from him, 40 800-lb. round bales, all raised with certifiably organic practices (not an easy find). He kept up a running patter of text messages as he struggled with snow drifts at home, then a broken strap on the way here where he lost some of the bales. But when he got here, he was his usual jovial self. As always we had a great time getting the bales off the truck and put where we could access them later. Maybe it is because he is a farmer from the Midwest, like myself, or maybe it is just his humble and affable personality, but doing business with him always feels like part of a right livelihood.
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Tyson, Clare and Marissa hoist the bale off the truck
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Forewarned is Forearmed
by Jack Kittredge
Some of our readers don’t like our past support for RFK Jr. as head of HHS. Others don’t mind that support but don’t want to read about it very much in a blog devoted to food and farming. If you are one of these, please skip the rest of this article. It will deal with RFK Jr.
We feel we need to write this because a number of readers have asked our thoughts on whether Kennedy has “sold out”. For many years he opposed environmental toxins like pesticides, actually winning a major lawsuit against the makers of glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup herbicide.
On February 18, however, the president issued an executive order to expand domestic production of that chemical (as well as its primary precursor, elemental phosphorus – also used in weapons production, electronics, and batteries) calling them scarce materials critical to military readiness and food security. His order would even protect manufacturers from liability suits if the chemical was made pursuant to federal demands.
While HHS is not involved in regulating glyphosate, Kennedy has issued a statement supporting the executive order. He accepts the scarce materials argument and says: “Unfortunately, our agricultural system depends heavily on these chemicals…If these inputs disappeared overnight, crop yields would fall, food prices would surge, and America would experience a massive loss of farms…”
Knowing that Julie and I have actively opposed GMOs and their key enabler, glyphosate, for over 30 years now, friends have asked us if we are not disappointed to see Kennedy supporting continued glyphosate production and even potential liability protection. They feel he should resign in protest.
We are of course disappointed with the order and disagree with Kennedy that a sudden loss of glyphosate would result in a massive disappearance of farms. It would be a difficult adjustment for many. But most farmers would find other means, as we have, to deal with weeds; and the health of the average American would immediately start improving.
But we don’t think Kennedy should resign. First, in the last year he has done much to end corporate capture of health and big food – from flipping the food pyramid to making vaccines voluntary to ending synthetic dyes and exposing seed oils. Julie and I try to apply a keen eye to public figures and not give our support cheaply. But we think Kennedy is doing important work which he will continue to do, and no other figure currently has the political and personal ability to do that as effectively.
Second, I do believe there are times when an official should quit rather than carry out an order he or she opposes. Witness the Justice Dept. prosecutors currently quitting when asked to compile false charges against Trump’s enemies, or the resignation of Attorney General Eliot Richardson when ordered by Nixon to fire Archibold Cox during Watergate. But Kennedy has not been told to do anything as Secretary that he disagrees with. I’m sure he is not happy about it, but my understanding is the executive order pertains primarily to securing access to phosphorus in world markets and ensuring that production of the herbicide is protected by the government — it has nothing to do with easing any existing regulations or quashing current liability suits. If Kennedy were asked to give glyphosate a pass when it comes to analysis of food toxins, to lie about its dangers or deceive the public, I believe he would refuse.
Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.
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When we were calling 2025 CSA members on Friday, Clare talked to a woman who said that she didn’t know how to use everything she received, but when she didn’t, she dried it for putting into soups and stews all winter. It does my heart good to hear all the ways that people make good use of their food, taking me back to a time of frugality and ingenuity in the kitchen. That was the status quo in this country in times gone by. We are always here and available to help you think about how to utilize every scrap of produce that we send your way
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Reason number 6 to join the MHOF CSA
Join the MHOF CSA and change or enhance the way you eat. We load on the vegetables, many of them health-giving greens, and as the season progresses, add ample fruiting crops and roots. We provide recipes and instructional videos to help you on your way.
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We appreciate your early order for a 2026 summer, fall, flower, or egg share now at the following link. https://mhof.net/community-supported-agriculture/.
Please be advised that flower and egg shares are only available with a vegetable share, not as separate items.
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Many Hands Sustainability Center
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The power behind the incredible support that we have given to the Worcester Fridges over the past several years is Matt Kornn, an elite working shareholder (he works extra hours and works only for food). He is the main person to deliver the Fridge shares and has single handedly raised more money to support these shares than anyone else.
This year he located a businessman who is willing to put up $2,000 as a match to the next $2,000 that comes in as donations for our food security line item (mostly the Fridges and the Barre Food Pantry).
Our goal for the year for these donations is $20,000, and we already have $13,000 in the can, as they say, thanks to your generosity this holiday season. Matt explains in the video below how it all works. Now we will carefully track your new donations up to the $2,000 mark, and then gather the $2,000 match. That will put us at $17,000 toward our $20,000 goal. You can donate here – https://mhof.net/many-hands-sustainability-center/food-access/
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An Annual Homesteader’s Preservation Calendar
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This week I would like to talk about celery.
Here are some good tips from this article about preserving https://wellness.alibaba.com/nutrition/how-to-preserve-celery-freshness,-freezing-long-term-storage
“Freezing works very well for soup, stew, and broth applications. Chop stalks, spread on a tray to flash-freeze, then transfer to an airtight bag. No blanching needed for flavor retention in cooked use.
Properly sealed, frozen celery maintains quality for 12–18 months. It remains safe beyond that, but flavor and color fade gradually.
Freezing preserves most nutrients—including fiber, potassium, and apigenin. Vitamin C decreases modestly (10–15%) over 12 months, but remains nutritionally meaningful in cooked dishes.”
I have been a bit shy about preserving celery, probably because it wasn’t something that my mother did as I was growing up, but I intend to do much more of it into the future.
Celery is one of my most favorite vegetables because it seems to me to promote excellent digestion. According to a quick AI search –
It is low in calories: Celery contains about 16 calories per 100 grams, making it a great snack. It is high water content: Composed of about 95% water, it helps with hydration.
It is rich in fiber: Provides dietary fiber, aiding digestion and promoting gut health.
It is a great source of vitamins: Contains vitamin K, which is important for bone health and blood clotting.
It is packed with antioxidants like flavonoids and vitamin C, which combat oxidative stress.
It provides minerals: Contains essential minerals such as potassium and folate, supporting heart health and cellular function.
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Elderberry & Chaga Syrup Recipe
Marj’s recipe
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Ingredients
- 2 cups dried organic elderberries
- 4 cups cold water (distilled, purified, or spring water works best)
Any mix of the following for immune support:
- 2-3 tsp. organic dried ginger root or 1-2 tsp. organic dried ginger powder
- 1-2 organic sweet cinnamon sticks or 1/4 cup cinnamon chips
- 1/8 cup dried rose hips (optional)
- 1/8 cup dried astragalus root (optional)
- 1-2 small chunks of chaga mushroom (optional)
For increased shelf life :
Directions
Combine berries and herbs with cold water in pot and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and allow herbs to simmer 30 to 40 minutes.
Remove from heat and let steep 1 hour.
Strain berries and herbs using a funnel overlaid with doubled cheesecloth or undyed cotton muslin bag and squeeze out liquid (careful, liquid will likely still be hot!). Discard used herbs in compost. You can freeze the discarded herbs and process them one more time for a slightly less potent batch.
Once liquid has cooled to just above room temperature, add honey and stir to incorporate. If it is too cold it won’t incorporate, if it is too hot, you can potentially damage or degrade the enzymes and antioxidants in the honey.
If using vodka or brandy, add here and stir until well combined.
Bottle in sterilized glass and store in the refrigerator.
Pro tips:
Be sure to add honey in a ratio that is at least half of the total volume of liquid after it has simmered. This amount can change slightly and you want to make sure you have enough preservative (honey) so that your syrup won’t spoil. (Example: If you are left with 2 cups of elderberry decoction, you will want to add at least 1 cup of honey.)
My girls and I take spoonful daily to stay healthy during cold and flu season.
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Bionutrient Food Association Conference Week 7 – Abe Collins
I particularly liked this one. So much so that I bought 10 tons of calcium silicate and we spread it all over our farm back in December. Damn, I am glad we got right to that job before the real snow came!
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Once again, we cancelled work on Monday. I guess our 12” was nothing in comparison to the 36” that the folks in SE Mass and RI received. Many, many thanks to Jim who came over and took about 2 ½ hours to plow us out with the farm tractor – as a parting gift before he and Marcia took off for Florida at the end of the week. What a blessing!
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Clare and I hammered away at outreach on Tuesday, updated files, put off some deliveries until we can find the end of the driveway, and Clare went out and did some more plowing touchups.
Thursday Marj and I, at our weekly meeting, talked over the staff pages of the website, improving the MHSC entries, and discussed the innumerable website updates that are always needed. Marj’s marketing is bearing fruit. We are now getting orders for bitters and salves from all over the country.
Friday, we did a lot of hand shoveling to liberate the hoop houses, the shed, and the front of the garage. while Clare did some more on the tractor. It seems that every time the town comes by they sock in our mailbox again! Jack and Matt worked further in the basement and Matt then moved on to the tool shed. We unloaded that hay, finished that cabinet and raced around to do a quick housecleaning just in time for the Circle of Song tenors to arrive for our weekly rehearsal.
Saturday, Jack and I attended the NOFA/Mass winter conference to see son Dan provide the keynote speech. We were welcomed very appreciatively by lots of our old fellows (we are now gone from NOFA for six years). It was interesting to see our son, as an adult, keynote an event for which he helped us manage all the details during his young years. He commented in his talk that when people ask him about whether he went to church as a kid, he answers that he grew up in the church of NOFA – Sunday meetings either of the board, the interstate council or the summer conference.
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