The Backyard Economist – Issue. 1 The Pear Standard by Harriet Fasenfest Welcome to the first installment of the Backyard Economist. As a disclaimer let me be clear, I am not an academic. I was never taught the principles of economic science. I forgo the requirement because I do not think it is necessary. In…
Backyard Economist
An old pear trees lives in my backyard. It has taken me some time to understand how connected we are. How similar our cycles. Sitting in the backyard by the old pear tree I watched The buddings, the blossoms, the fruit. And wondered how I ever took it for granted. But then modern life can…
The House Economist
My home economics career started in my grandmother’s kitchen in the early 1950’s. We made a cake together. She taught me how to read the recipe, measure accurately and stir the ingredients just so. A successful result depended on effort and skill. We cleaned up the kitchen while the cake baked and then waited patiently…
Food Safety Links
We all eat and Americans are fortunate to have a highly regulated food industry. A perfect system doesn’t exist however, so consumers need to be aware and knowledgeable about their role in avoiding food born illnesses. Most food related illness happens at home. You have control over the most common food safety problems by following…
Food Preservation Links
Enough people across the US preserve food that the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) continues to support research and education through its Extension Service partnership at the University of Georgia. Your tax dollars are well spent on this resource. Check it out at: National Center For Home Food Preservation Other university-based Food Preservation sites…
Food Preservation Hotline
Oregon Food Preservation Hotline 1-800-354-7319 2007 Hotline Dates and Time: July 16 – October 12 Monday – Thursday 9am – 4pm
Seasonal Tips
Eating It Up previous tips: Tomatoes and a Note on Appples previous tips: Fruits of Summer Now that you’ve relished the joys of preserving food (and perhaps a few sorrows,) it’s time to “eat it up” so to speak. Your canned, frozen, pickled and dried foods are at their peak now. As the months go…
Recipes and How To’s
Recipes and How To’s Strawberry Jam with Currant or Gooseberries (pdf) Video at cookingupastory.com – Make small batch jam Small Batch Fresh Strawberry Jam (pdf) Homemade Pectin Stock (pdf) Jam and Jelly Making Basics (pdf) Strawberry Freezing Tips (pdf) Testing The Jelly Point (pdf)
Food Preservation
Why Food Preservation by Marge Braker There was a time when home food preservation was not optional. Our predecessors found the work of tilling, sowing, seeding and harvesting the land a time consuming business. Outside food sources were neither available nor affordable so eating what had been grown and preserved was about survival. Time passed,…
Media
Preserve videos, blogs and radio programs Read Harriet’s Blog at culinate.com Preserving – A Way of LifeHarriet at blogger.com See the video interview from cookingupastory.com Download PDF NEW! Harriet on CO-OP Radio 2/24/1011 – It Takes a Villiage NEW! 1/12/2011 – KLCC 89.7 Laura McCandlish chats with Harriet House Holding with Harriet and…