two little challenges- to make a difference.

Today, in my blog travels I happend upon two food growing, preserving and eating challenges. I have told you about my book challenges before, and this is the same idea, just different. I planted a huge garden anyway, and will have food in a couple months coming out our ears here is the deal with these wonderful challenges:

The 100 FOOT DIET the modern times Victory Garden!
Here is the low-down on this challenge, these are the reasons and rules for the challenge, and I copied this directly from urban homestead go there for all the info you could ever need !! :)

100 Foot Diet - Growing Closer to Home: A Lifelong Challenge

It wasn’t that long ago (1940s) that people planted Victory Gardens when it became necessary for them, due to wartime shortages, to grow their own food. Now, it’s our turn

If you want to fight against peak oil, climate change and our consumerist culture, then join us and start a living protest right in your own back (front) yards. Be the change, live the solution! Use your yard (or balcony or porch steps) not only to grow food but also to cultivate a healthier and more fulfilling life.

There have been 100 mile diet and other eat local challenges. PTF’s homegrown revolutionaries are upping the ante by reducing the mileage to a few steps - to right outside your back or front door.

The challenge is simple. Beginning as soon as you can, prepare a meal at least once a week with only homegrown vegetables, fruit, herbs, eggs, dairy products or meat, using as few store bought ingredients as possible.

The purpose is plain - the waging of an all-out fight against the forces that keep you dependent on the system of petroleum fueled food. The degree to which you rely on today’s artificial corporate structure determines the extent of your vulnerability. Resolve to lessen your dependence on outside food sources.

The result is revolutionary. As you take back responsibility for your food supply, you’ll experience the empowerment and fulfillment that comes from learning the basic skills of providing for yourself and your family.

Let’s sow the seeds of victory and get our hands dirty to fill our plates. Plant a VICTORY GARDEN today!

:: Guidelines ::

A meal must be comprised of food grown on your property or garden plot (literally or figuratively within - 100 feet - of your front or back door). If non-homegrown ingredients are needed, then we suggest following these modified locavore guidelines

If not from BACKYARD, then Locally produced (PTF’s addition)
If not LOCALLY PRODUCED, then Organic.If not ORGANIC, then Family farm.If not FAMILY FARM, then Local business.If not a LOCAL BUSINESS, then Fair Trade.

:: Getting Started ::

Plan what food you can grow. Your first meal might only have a few herbs from small pots growing in your window or sprouts sprouted in a jar. In northern climates, January is a good time to plan for spring gardening (think seed catalogues!). Look around where you live and locate a space to plant a small garden. If you sow a variety of vegetables and fruit, soon you will have enough ingredients to prepare a full meal!

:: Moving Forward ::

Once you have planted your garden and have prepared a weekly homegrown meal, consider how you can expand your “farm,” increase your garden’s productivity, and, thereby, cook more homegrown meals per week. Then take a further step on the path to independence and victory by learning to preserve your garden harvest.

:: Keeping Track ::

Keep track of your progress. If you wish, once a week you are invited to leave a comment with a link to your website or, if you don’t have a website, to describe your meal in the comment box and let others know of your progress.

By planting a Victory Garden means:

- More nutrious food & better health
- Food security
- Improving quality of life
- Saving money
- Reducing food miles, fuel & energy dependence
- Reducing excessive packaging and effects of climate change

HOMEGROWN REVOLUTION - Radical change taking root

Declare victory against climate change and corporate powers that be. Take control over the quality of your food and improve your health and immediate environment.

View our inspiring video on YOUTUBE - HOMEGROWN REVOLUTION >>

Join this Victory Garden Challenge, create and inspire new organic gardens.

Spread the seeds and sow the word - let’s grow the future.

Let’s start right here, right now and remember this growing challenge should fun!

SIGN UP NOW

Back 2 the Basics Challenge~!!!
The second challenge works right along with the first, and it is about preserving the harvest, here is the info from Little Homestead in the City

The Wartime Pantry

During the two world wars, despite the increased availability of canned goods, American women were called upon to put up their own food as part of their patriotic duty. Available tin was used for some commercial canning but most tin was used in the war effort. By this time, hot pack canning was considered the most reliable and, with “two hours from garden to can,” the rule to follow. Around World War I, canning clubs were encouraged and fostered by such groups as the Deparment of Home Economics at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Farm women and their teenage children were also encouraged to start canning businesses from their farm homes.

A 1942 article detailed the effort: “This year, American homemakers are canning at home as a patriotic duty, for it is especially important that no food be allowed to go to waste during the summer and fall . . . From the standpoints of family health and economy, the canning of vegetables from Victory Gardens, and homegrown or locally-gathered wild fruits, and also reasonably priced fresh products on the market is one of the homemaker’s important contributions to the wartime nutrition program.”

Courtesy WHYY

Back to Basics

Back in January PTF kicked off the New Year with the 100 Victory Garden -100 Foot Diet Challenge Are you ready for another?

Across the nation, folks are down on their knees, hands dirty, seeds and trowel clench firming in hand determine to grow their own food Though some crops may fail miserably others crops may step in and take up the slack. With hard work, effort and patience this hearty lot of homegrown soildiers will be blessed up to their eye balls in produce.

So now onto the next phase of the challenge, extending your garden’s bounty by preserving the harvest.

Preservation Methods

Canning
Freezing
Drying
Fermenting

Storage

Stockpiling your pantry
Root cellar

Share

Sharing your bounty - trade, barter, exchange with your neighbors.

Tally Ho

Keep track of your preservation and harvest efforts. Tally up how much you’ve harvested and preserved during the course of the growing season. Recording keep is essential if you want to know how well your growing efforts were for the year.

Start by keeping a daily journal with records on how much eggs, produce were harvested, what you preserved that day and even jot down favorite recipes.

:: Resources ::

Nation Center for Food Preservation
Food Preservation Methods
Preserving your harvest with turn-of-the-century methods
Food Storage FAQ

:: Books & Supplies ::

Ball Home Canning Basics Kit NEW ITEM!
Hanging Food Dryer NEW ITEM!
Food Preservation Helpers
Food Preservation Books

:: Participating ::

If you like to take part in this challenge, post in comment box below. Participating on the internet? Feel free to use the ‘B2B’ icon if you are a taking part (remember to “save as” to not use our bandwidth ) and link to this challenge here

By being a HARVEST KEEPER you are

- Providing nutrious food for your family
- Ensuring food security
- Improving quality of life
- Saving money
- Reducing food miles, fuel & energy dependence
- Reducing excessive packaging and effects of climate change

Enjoy the fruits of your labor!

OH, this is going to be fun!!!!!!!