Month: August 2022

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Estimated reading time: 16 minutes

If there’s one thing central to prepping, it’s stockpiling supplies. In a very clear way, we’re a lot like Scrat, the squirrel in the cartoon movie series Ice Age. He was always looking for one more acorn, to fill that big hollow tree and make sure he would have enough for winter.

Granted, our stockpiles are a bit more complex than Scrat’s and we don’t use hollow trees; but there’s a lot of similarity in the motivation. 

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Considering what we’ve all lived through during the COVID-19 pandemic, starting with the great toilet paper shortage of 2020 and continuing on until today, we’ve seen one shortage after another.

From the way things look, not much is being done about them, and with other problems going on around the world, we’re likely to see ongoing problems for many years to come. 

We talk amongst ourselves about a “new normal” that comes after a TEOTWAWKI event. Well, even though COVID didn’t look like the end of the world as we know it, in many ways it qualifies. Things have changed, thanks even more to government reactions around the world than the pandemic itself.

While this might not seem at all like the “new normal” that we expected to find, at least the electricity works (most of the time) and there’s food in the grocery stores (even with some holes on the shelves). We’re not having to forage for food or scavenge for other supplies. 

But that’s not to say that COVID is the only TEOTWAWKI event that we’ll experience in our lifetimes. Those living in Ukraine have been experiencing the second such event, with the invasion of their country by Russia.

It is unsure what living in Ukraine will be like after the war is over; but rebuilding is going to be a major part of the people’s lives, as they attempt to put their country back together again.

Regardless of what we face in the future, we are going to need the right sorts of supplies to make it through. That means getting those supplies now, while they are available. If they’re not available, that merely proves our need to get them whenever they become available. 

The list of things we might need is literally endless. However, some of those needs may not be as great as others. For example, stockpiling cosmetics might seem important to some women, but in reality, that’s a luxury, not a need.

If we want to build our stockpile right, we should concentrate on our needs, not our wants. We’ll either have to learn now to live without those other things or how to make them for ourselves. 

The best plan is usually to start with the basics and build up and out from there. That means starting out looking for…

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Every plant is different and needs special conditions to grow to its full potential. Various kinds of vegetables need different amounts of sunlight or water. On top of that, they are not resistant to all the weather conditions.

However, there are plants that you can grow throughout the year, even in colder months. This way, you can stock your kitchen with vegetables that grow right on your doorstep continuously. Maybe it is because of the effort you put into it, but the vegetables you grow and harvest yourself taste better. Including fresh vegetables into your daily diet will also bring many benefits to your health and enrich your body with valuable vitamins and minerals.

It can also be advantageous for your budget. New seeds or young plants are not too expensive, and growing your vegetables will save you money for the ones from the supermarket. Additionally, it does not need to be difficult to get started. To make it easier for you, we put together growing tips for three kinds of vegetables you can harvest throughout the year.

Sweeten Your Days With Peas Straight From The Garden

Say goodbye to the frozen peas you used to get from the store. Growing your peas in the garden is not difficult and will taste much better. Whether you would like to snack on peas straight from the plant or use it as an ingredient in a delicious meal, you can rest assured that even if you do not have much gardening experience, you can bring fresh vegetables into your diet.Peas Straight From The Garden

There are many kinds of peas that you can buy. You must pick the right type for your garden and the season you want to harvest the vegetables. To ensure that your efforts to grow vegetables are successful, you need to plant peas in the fertile ground anytime between spring and midsummer. Then, you need to support young plants with pea sticks, so they can wrap around them as they grow taller. After the plant starts to bloom, you should feed it with fertilizer every week.

You should be able to harvest the vegetables after around three months. Filling your home with fresh vegetables does not need to be complicated. All you need is a bit of patience and time. You also must carefully read all the instructions for your seeds or young plants. Research what conditions your type of peas needs and prepare for a successful harvest season.

Give Your Meals Some Kick With Garlic From Your Garden

Garlic is a regularly used ingredient in households all around the world. Not only does it make your meals even more delicious, but it is also very beneficial for your health. It is known to protect from illnesses such as the common cold. Growing garlic in your garden will give you the source of vitamins right on the doorstep.

Garlic From Your Garden

It is known for garlic to…

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EPIC submitted comments to the Colorado Attorney General today as they promulgate rules implementing key measures of the Colorado Privacy Act. Specifically, EPIC urges Colorado to:

• Set out clear standards for personal data collection, use, and transfer that restrict behavioral tracking and secondary uses of data;
• Broadly define “dark patterns” and include a non-exhaustive list of manipulative design tactics in order to curb abuse and aid enforcement;
• Establish a universal opt-out mechanism that makes it easy for individuals to limit the collection, use, and transfer of their data;
• Narrowly scope the definition of affirmative, freely given, and specific consent;
• Empower individuals to meaningfully exercise their right to opt-out of profiling and automated decision making; and
• Define minimum requirements for robust Data Protection Impact Assessments that enable comparative and objective review by both enforcement authorities and consumers.

EPIC advocates for the passage of comprehensive baseline privacy laws, like the American Data Privacy and Protection Act. EPIC Counsel Ben Winters testified during an open meeting of the Colorado Attorney General on the rule-making earlier this year, and EPIC submitted comments to both California and Colorado Privacy Law rule-makings.

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(Continued from Part 1. This concludes the article.)

We did the usual pre-fire prep as soon as we heard the fire broke out, putting all the patio cushions in the house, closing drapes / blinds etc. We have lightweight patio furniture that we stacked up. For folks that cannot do that and do have a pool or stock tank, throw the patio furniture in there is our suggestion. We turned all the interior and exterior house lights on and unlocked all doors and disconnected the garage doors from the electric mechanism so every door could be opened easily. I am so glad we did that, because in the absolute midst of the worst part of the fire, our neighbor’s pump had a problem and I told the son to get the spare pump out of our garage and to take it to his house, which he did and it saved their house. Had their house started on fire, it would have caught ours on fire. We filled every available container with fresh water in the house.

We suggest using the Phos Chek product on the yard – it goes on clear (not like the Phos Check dropped from aircraft which is colored red so they can see where it lands). We bought it at the local hardware store, but it is also available online. We use an electrostatic sprayer to apply it and it lasts for 3 – 6 months in our area which has limited rain in the summer. It can go on vegetation and does not kill it. We also now have purchased a product called Barricade gel, which is sprayed onto the house and was developed by a fire fighter.

Fighting On Two Fronts

When the fire split and started to come around towards us on both sides, up from the canyon on our side of the street and down from the ridge on our neighbors’ side of the street. Winds were between 50 and 80 MPH, visibility was very limited due to smoke and firebrands were racing throughout the community ahead of the fire. The wall of flame sounded like a freight train. We went down to neighbors’ homes at the end of the street and put out spot fires as best we could – the shovel and fire flapper worked well for that. But the fire was overwhelming and we had no water sources there. All those homes caught fire and burned to the ground – nothing left. Only one house on that street, which had been remodeled and hardened, survived.

The fire then came towards us first on our side of the street. My husband was defending one side of the house and I defended the other. I saw that 50’ flame wall and felt the heat through all the nomex gear. It was interesting to watch multiple 5 foot palm fronds sailing through the air on fire, like paper airplanes, setting the neighbor’s yard on fire when they landed. We also had to…

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Munavvar Izhar says that Gardening is one of the healthiest hobbies one can develop. It combines physical activity with social interaction and exposure to nature and sunlight. Also, these days people prefer to eat organic, and gardening gives you complete control over the chemicals and products used during the growing process. It not only provides you with beautiful plants, vegetables, flowers, and fruits, but also has tremendous health benefits for the body and mind.

Dr. Munavvar Izhar says that the most common question people ask him is – How does gardening reduce stress?

Gardening can make you feel more peaceful and content. Focusing your attention on the immediate tasks and details of gardening can reduce negative thoughts and feelings and can make you feel better. It also boosts self-esteem and confidence in a person.

Izhar, Munavvar says that the sights, smells, and sounds of the garden are said to promote relaxation and reduce stress by enhancing the production of Serotonin hormone in the brain. Increased Serotonin in the brain enhances mood, produces happiness, and empowers a better psyche. 

Dr. Munavvar Izhar enumerates the Medical and Health benefits for the readers below:

• Helps fight disease.
• Builds strength.
• Improves memory.
• Boosts mood and Reduces stress.
• Helps addiction recovery.
• Fosters human connections.
• Heals and empowers.
• Helps combat loneliness.
• Exposure to vitamin D
• Decreased dementia risk
• Enjoyable aerobic exercise

Izhar, Munavvar further explains that your skin uses sunlight to make one of the nutrients you need: vitamin D. Vitamin D is essential for literally hundreds of body functions — strengthening your bones and your immune system are just two of them.

Munavvar Izhar cites Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source that gardening is a good exercise. Activities like raking and cutting grass might fall under the category of light to moderate exercise, while shoveling, digging, and chopping wood might be considered vigorous exercise. Either way, working in a garden uses every major muscle group in the body. This fact won’t surprise anyone who’s woken up sore after a day of yard work. 

Munavvar Izhar MD states that there are research studies done at Yale and the University of Pennsylvania that state that the risk of heart attacks and stroke are significantly reduced in people who regularly garden five to six hours a week. Also, in this same group of people, the researchers found that the people who do gardening sleep much better and are less prone to anxiety and stress. Dr. Izhar also emphasizes that exercise improves cognitive functioning 

Dr. Munavvar Izhar is an avid gardener and uses a dedicated area for storing his gardening supplies and keeping them organized. He also has some useful tips for readers:

• Wear gloves, kneecaps, goggles, long pants, closed-toe shoes, and other safety gear, especially if you’re using sharp tools.
• Use bug spray and sunscreen and use a hat if sunny.
• Drink lots of water and take frequent shade breaks to prevent overheating.
• Listen to your body. It’s easy to injure yourself when you’re toting bags of mulch and hoisting shovels full of dirt.
• Make sure…

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In July 2022, EPIC hosted a two-panel webinar discussing the rise of Chinese surveillance technology and its impact on human rights, partnering with Bulelani Jili, our EPIC Scholar-in-residence. The event featured two expert panels, one on the domestic development and impact of Chinese surveillance technology and one on the global impact. Videos of each symposium segment are available below. EPIC works to ensure regulation of emerging technologies and protection of international human rights. Follow EPIC’s work on international privacy developments here.

Domestic Surveillance Panel

This panel addresses the cultural and political context of the development and use of Chinese surveillance technology within China and the policies associated with that development.

Moderator

Bulelani Jili: EPIC Scholar-In-Residence and Research PhD Fellow in African and African American Studies Department focusing on Africa-China Relations at Harvard University

Speakers

Dr. Ge Chen – Assistant Professor in Global Media and Information Law at the Durham Law School

Katja Drinhausen – Senior Analyst and Research Coordinator on Chinese Politics & Society at the Mercator Institute of China Studies (MERICS)

Karman Lucero – Fellow at Paul Tsai China Centre at Yale Law School

International Surveillance Panel

This panel discusses the global spread of Chinese surveillance technology, its use in different contexts, and the impact this has on international human rights.

Moderator

Bulelani Jili: EPIC Scholar-In-Residence and Research PhD Fellow in African and African American Studies Department focusing on Africa-China Relations at Harvard University

Speakers

Maya Wang – Senior China Researcher at Human Rights Watch (Asia Division)

Rebecca Arcesati – Analyst at the Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS)

Raman Jit Singh Chima (Invited) – Asia Policy Director and Senior International Counsel at Access Now

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Every issue of Hobby Farms magazine, our editors search for items useful to hobby farmers, whether heavier equipment such as tractor attachments, garden soil, useful tools, innovative helper items or accessories for livestock management. So take a look at the things we found that can help your farm run better.

Earthquake VERSA

The Earthquake VERSA front tine tiller cultivator (pictured above) can weed, mulch and aerate soil as a cultivator. It will also work as a tiller with its high-performance 99cc engine. Prepare wide open spaces of land in the spring, maintain rows in the summer and do major cleanup in the fall. 

Exhalt WDG Insect Growth Regulator

Exhalt WDG Insect Growth Regulator provides control by causing a gradual reduction in the population in and around livestock facilities. The product interrupts the life cycles of labeled pests, including flies, darkling beetles, crickets and German cockroaches. The elimination of adult insects occurs gradually and becomes visible one to two weeks after application. Tank-mixable, the granules can be put into water to dissolve and apply as a liquid spray. 

Beyond Peat All-Purpose Garden Soil

Beyond Peat All-Purpose Garden Soil  is specially formulated for in-ground growth of vegetables, fruits and herbs. Each bag contains professional-grade organic fertilizer mixed and ready to use right out of the bag for seeding, transplanting and growing. Each bag feeds plants up to three months. Raised bed and potting soil formulas are available, too.

Hemp Pet Bedding

The naturally-grown Hemp Pet Bedding from Eaton Pet and Pasture for brooders and nesting boxes is soft, absorbent and odor-eliminating, a great replacement for shavings. 

From Bottle Calf to Beef-Filled Freezer

Author Leeann Ulics Moos wrote From Bottle Calf to Beef-Filled Freezer: A Beginners’ Guide to Raising Your Own Beef for people interested in raising cattle for the first time. The book is designed to walk the reader through the process in a non-intimidating and fun manner. Find her page on Facebook by searching Leeann Ulics Moos-Author or email her at [email protected].

The Fusion Drill Adaptive Cultivator

The Fusion Drill Adaptive Cultivator attaches to any cordless drill and creates a powerful and lightweight (6.6 pound) tilling option. With an adjustable tilling width up to 8 inches and depth up to 5.5 inches, perfect for mixing and aerating soil in raised beds and small plot gardens. 

Steiner Flail Mower

The Steiner Flail Mower lets you transition between rough cut and finish mowing on the fly with two different knife options. No additional deck necessary.  

This article originally appeared in the May/June 2022 issue of Hobby Farms magazine.

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We have all experienced the situation of an inclement weather report that makes our hearts begin to pump more blood than usual. These reports can be bothersome as a homeowner because your home is valuable to you, and safeguarding it will always be your top priority. In addition, nobody wants to be accosted by home repair bills due to bad weather conditions.

The rise in global warming has brought with it a high level of extreme weather conditions. As a result, we all have experienced either more heat or cold over the past few years than usual. These changes may not be noticeable for those who are not conscious enough. But if you pay attention to the weather reports, you will discover that the hurricanes come now almost the same way the snow falls.

While it is true that weather is very unpredictable, there are steps you can take to reduce its damaging effect on your home. This blog post contains a few things you can do to prepare your home against inclement weather conditions.

What Type of Weather Are You Preparing Against?

It’s not just about preparing your home for bad weather, but what type of weather condition is more rampant in your region? Extreme weather conditions include storms, floods, wildfires, and hurricanes. Knowing what is coming is key to every form of preparation. So the first step is to listen to weather reports often to know what bad weather is typical in your environment.

Check Your Insurance Policy

When preparing for inclement weather, you must check your insurance policy to ensure it covers the type of inclement weather. For example, some insurance companies may leave out flood and hurricane coverage on an insurance policy.

Furthermore, ensure to ascertain the insurance policies to know your compensation for damages due to extreme weather. To enjoy the proper compensation, you must ensure your home content has regular valuation. If you are renting, ensure you insure your contents since most times, your landlord’s insurance policy does not cover your contents.

Begin With Tightening the Roof

Hurricanes and tornadoes can inflict significant damage to your roof. Besides, roof holes can inflate your extensive list of repairs if a strong storm lifts your roofings.

Check for soft patches, missing shingles, and loose overflowing gutters. If you see any of these problems on your roof, you should fix them quickly.

Install Weather-Safe Materials in Your House

Depending on the type of weather you are battling, there are many ways you can weatherproof your home in harsh weather conditions.

Storm windows can be durable glass or plastic panels that insulate the house against cold or heat. It also stands against the pressure from strong winds and rain more than regular windows.

• Automatic Water Shut-Off System

Install a water shut-off system for the whole house to switch off the main water source. These devices are necessary for events of leaks due to frozen pipe bursts. Also, they help minimize the level of damage.

If you are out of the house, turn off the water from the primary source….

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On August 4th, 1944, 15-year-old Jewish diarist Anne Frank and her family were captured by the Nazi Gestapo. The Franks had taken shelter in a small space in a sealed-off area of an Amsterdam warehouse along with another Jewish family and a single Jewish man. They were aided by Christian friends who brought them food and supplies. Her diary survived the war, overlooked by the Gestapo, but Anne and nearly all of the others perished in the Nazi death camps.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 102 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000.
2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
3. A course certificate from onPoint Tactical for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses, excluding those restricted for military or government teams. Three-day onPoint courses normally cost $795,
4. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
5. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
6. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
7. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.

Second Prize:

1. A Front Sight Lifetime Diamond Membership, providing lifetime low-cost training at any Front Sight Nevada course, with no limit on repeating classes. This prize is courtesy of a SurvivalBlog reader who prefers to be anonymous.
2. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
3. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
4. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
5. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of firearms purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

1. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
2. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
3. A LogOX 3-in-1 Forestry MultiTool (a $189 value) and a WoodOx Sling (a $79.95 value), courtesy of LogOx, both made in USA.
4. A transferable $100 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique…

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Let’s face it. When it comes to tractor features and accessories, we tend to focus on the flashy: horsepower, attachments, implements, etc. We’re always eager to discuss engine horsepower versus PTO horsepower and exactly how much weight a given front-end loader can lift. In contrast, it’s easy to overlook the nuances of types of tractor tires, fuel stabilizers and ballast for improved balance and traction.

But less flashy doesn’t mean less important. To the contrary, tires, ballast and fuel stabilizers are important—and in some cases essential—to maximize the performance of your tractor.

Let’s give these three overlooked aspects some time in the spotlight and explore how they can make or break a tractor’s performance.

Tires

There’s an old saying about horses that goes, “no hoof, no horse.” Tractors have long since replaced horses for modern fieldwork. But we can apply a similar phrase: no tires, no tractor.

Without suitable tires, even a powerful tractor can struggle to complete its tasks. Equipping your tractor with the right tires for your needs requires some knowledge of tire types, tread designs, accessories and maintenance.

Let’s dig in and highlight the main areas to focus on.

Radial or Bias?

Although you might assume tire technology is standardized, that’s not the case. When it comes to tractor tires, two types—radial tires and bias tires—offer varying strengths and weaknesses.

Radials are Usually Best

In most cases, radial tires offer superior performance. Their design allows the tread to flex independently of the sidewall, which increases traction with the ground, improves fuel economy, reduces soil compaction, provides a smoother ride and prolongs the life of the tread—perhaps to as much three times longer than a bias tire.

But there are some downsides. The fact the tread can flex independently of the sidewall can make radial tires less suitable for negotiating hills and slopes. And the sidewalls can be a vulnerable point if you strike an unseen object while operating. Daniel Johnson

Time for Bias

This is where bias tires shine. They’re constructed from many layers of overlapping plies, giving them great durability if you’re negotiating rough terrain dotted with rocks, stumps, debris and other obstacles. Their stiffness provides solid performance on slopes. They’re also cheaper than radial tires.

Bias tires can also be less inclined to tear up the ground when turning, because less of the tread will be in contact with the ground at any given moment.

On the other hand, radial tire technology continues to advance, improving their weak spots while doubling down on their advantages. Increased flexion (IF) radials filled to the same pound-force per square inch (PSI) as regular radials can carry 20 percent more weight. Or they can carry the same weight with 20 percent less PSI.

Very high flexion (VF) radials double these metrics to 40 percent. The end result is an even larger tread footprint. This further increases traction and…

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