Month: November 2022

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Estimated reading time: 9 minutes

Young tree leaves are the best to eat. This is one of the most important lessons when it comes to harvesting edible tree leaves. 

When your delicious spinach leaves and lettuce leaves bolt, or go to seed, you know that they become tough and bitter. The same is true of these edible tree leaves. They are best harvested in the spring or off of new growth that is young and tender. 

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Late season leaves are going to be the most bitter and the most fibrous. 

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How to Eat Tree Leaves

Of course, you can just tear them off and chew them up. I would recommend you get a little more creative if you want to add edible tree leaves to your diet. 

Foraged Salads

If you are out foraging wild edible tree leaves then you might as well forage some other edible greens, too. Plan on adding all of these foraged foods together to create some kind of simple salad. You can even mix foraged foods with salad lettuces from your own garden. 

Purees 

Wild edible tree leaves can be added to smoothies or even pureed and added to soups and pesto.

Fresh or Dried Teas

Tea is a great way to enjoy wild edibles like tree leaves. Drying the leaves will make them last longer but having tea leaves that are fresh often has a different kind of flavor. 

Wraps 

Larger edible leaves can be used to wrap up things like rice or meat stuffings. 

11 Trees With Edible Leaves 

1. Maple 

Maple trees require a bit of work up front depending on the species. Young Japanese maple leaves can be battered and fried. Larger maple leaves are supposed to be layered in a container and dusted with salt then left in a cool dark place for up to 10 months! 

The process sounds crazy, but this is how you can preserve the leaves. Batter fried, they are dusted with powdered sugar as a tasty treat. Maybe even drizzled with a little maple syrup?

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2. Mulberry

The mulberries get all the love when we are talking about this tree. Few people take advantage of the wild edible leaves as a resource. Mulberry leaves always reminded me of puzzle pieces. They are one of the rare trees, like sassafras, that has a few different shapes of leaves on a single tree. 

There are five segmented leaves that look like stars with rounded edges, then there are fuller, thicker versions of these leaves and finally there is a leaf that looks like…

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Two U.S. House committees recently revealed that identity verification vendor ID.me deliberately underestimated how long people had to wait for virtual interviews to access government benefits and massively overestimated the extent of welfare fraud during the pandemic. “It is deeply disappointing that a company that received tens of millions in taxpayer dollars to help Americans obtain these benefits may have hurt their ability to access that critical relief,” Rep. James Clyburn, Chair of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, said. “ID.me’s practices risked putting desperately needed relief out of reach for Americans who lack ready access to computers, smartphones, or the internet.”

The committees revealed that in 2021, ID.me claimed only a 2-hour wait time for the 10-15 percent of people seeking benefits who ID.me failed to identify with its facial recognition software. In reality, wait times averaged more than 4 hours in the majority of states using the system, and in some states the average wait time was more than 9 hours. The same year, ID.me removed the ability to schedule virtual appointments, making it even harder for working people and people depending on public computers to receive benefits. “In some cases, ID.me removed important customer service accommodations, making it more difficult for users to speak with trusted referees,” Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney, Chair of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, said. “I am also deeply concerned about ID.me providing inaccurate information to federal agencies in order to be awarded millions of dollars in contracts.”

An EPIC-led coalition of privacy and civil liberties groups urged federal and state agencies to end their use of ID.me and other face verification services. IRS dropped its plan to use ID.me after criticism from members of Congress, EPIC, and many others. The company came under fire for forcing individuals to submit to intrusive facial recognition identity verification, subjecting people to long wait times for verification, and misleading the public. Individuals can join organizations pushing back against the use of face verification by signing this petition to Dump ID.me.

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Having good rubber hunting boots can benefit you in a number of ways. These include: waterproofing, comfort, scent control, and keeping your feet warm.

Waterproof

Choosing the right pair of waterproof rubber hunting boots will help you to protect your feet against the elements. Whether you’re in the field during a cold winter or a hot summer, rubber boots will keep your feet dry. But you must keep in mind that they aren’t perfect for every hunting scenario.

Some rubber boots are designed to fit your foot perfectly, so you won’t have to worry about blisters. These boots are also comfortable to wear, and will allow you to enjoy your hunting adventure. They also feature a sturdy outsole, so you can walk on wet surfaces with ease.

When hunting, you’ll likely be walking on muddy surfaces or walking through snow. The right waterproof rubber hunting boots can keep your feet dry and warm.

The LaCrosse Alphaburly Pro is a good option for hunters looking for a heavy-duty rubber boot. This boot features a neoprene gusset and a tough outer shell, making it ideal for hunters who need a boot that can handle a variety of hunting conditions. It also has a dual-density outsole for added durability. It’s also available in a side zip model, and features a variety of camo patterns.

The Irish Setter MudTrek is another option for hunters looking for a reliable rubber boot. This boot features a slip-resistant sole, along with ScentBan odor-control technology. It is also 100% waterproof, which helps keep your feet warm. You’ll also find an abrasion-resistant shin guard that prevents punctures. It’s also available in a variety of colors, including Realtree Timber Camo.

If you’re looking for a boot that’s a little lighter, the Hunters Choice Boots are a good choice. They’re also waterproof, and feature vulcanized rubber. They’re also 16 inches long, so they offer good snake-proof protection. This pair of boots also includes a briar and thorn guard and steel shank for added arch support. They’re available in both men’s and women’s sizes.

When choosing waterproof rubber hunting boots, you’ll also want to choose a pair that fits well. The last thing you want is to have blisters when you walk through the woods. You’ll also need a pair of boots that can keep your feet warm, as cold weather will cause your core temperature to drop.

Scent Control

Whether you are looking for a new pair of rubber hunting boots or are planning on wearing them for the first time, there are many things you should consider. Aside from choosing a pair that will keep your feet warm and dry, you also need to make sure that they are able to help you with scent control.

Scent control is an important part of deer hunting. Keeping your body odor under control can help you to get a better picture of your surroundings and increase your odds of success. While there are many products available to help you do this, you should also remember that it’s your job to keep…

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EPIC submitted comments to the California Privacy Protection Agency yesterday to recommend edits to their latest round of proposed rules implementing the California privacy bills. EPIC provided modifications to sections on data minimization, third party obligations to comply with consumer protection, and to clarify the obligation of companies to limit sensitive data collection and use to strictly necessary and enumerated purposes. EPIC has previously sent comments to the California Privacy Protection Agency throughout this process in August 2022, June 2022, and November 2021.

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The following spicy cornbread recipe comes from reader S.A., as a follow-on to her previous recipe article on how to expand on standard storage staple foods.

I love cornbread, I’m a southerner. I’ve spent a lifetime making muffins from scratch, but here’s an easy way to expand your cornbread. My preference is sweet, jalapeño cornbread with small corn kernels for added texture and calories.

Ingredients

• 1 box Jiffy corn muffin mix
• 1 Can white shoepeg corn
• 2 teaspoon sugar
• Dehydrated jalapeños, to taste.  (Use more or less to match your tolerance for spiciness)
  

  Directions

  1. Grease or PAM-spray a 12-muffin tin.
  2. Mix cornbread per directions with egg and milk.
  3. Add the sugar and at least 1/4 cup of corn.
  4. Shoepeg is preferable to regular corn as the pieces aren’t so clunky.
  5. With a molcajete, grind however much dried jalapeño as you wish to use.
  6. Place some jalapeño bits in the bottom of each slot in the muffin pan.
  7. Pour in the batter, dividing it to make 12 muffins.
  8. Bake as directed, for 12 minutes.

S.A.’s Comments:

“These cornbread muffins are very tasty, especially served with butter right out of the oven. They nicely extend any meal, or make a yummy snack.

Be ready, be strong, be kind.

Remember to practice!”

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Do you have a favorite recipe that would be of interest to SurvivalBlog readers? In this weekly recipe column, we place emphasis on recipes that use long term storage foods, recipes for wild game, dutch oven and slow cooker recipes, and any that use home garden produce. If you have any favorite recipes, then please send them via e-mail. Thanks!

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As your power needs increase, you’ll have more and more reasons to keep your home running smoothly. A generator is an excellent back-up source when your main is compromised. But how long can a generator run continuously? 

The duration you can run a generator before needing to refuel will depend on several factors, e.g., its size, fuel type, etc. 

Many other factors can cause generator breakdowns and reduce running time. But if everything is working correctly  and you have the fuel, your unit should run 24/7 without any problem.

Here’s everything to know about how long a generator can run before needing a refill!

How Long Can a Generator Run Continuously? 

A generator can run 6 hours to 13 hours on a tank of fuel. But Depending on the size, and power, it can last much longer. For instance, an engine that’s producing 10kW will run 6-8 hours with a full tank of gas. 

However, a few factors can reduce or extend this duration. For instance, the time could reduce by 30% if you use an inverter that draws more electricity. 

If you want to operate your generator for extended periods and have questions about what would work best, ask an expert to help you decide.

What Factors Determine a Generator’s Running Time 

Many factors can determine how long a generator can run non-stop. These include:

• Fuel type and grade 
• Engine capacity 
• Load on the generator
• Weather conditions 
• Age of the unit
• Temperature

Generally speaking, generators with high engine capacities will run longer than those with smaller capacities. Plus, more load places greater stress on the generator’s engine, so it may not last as long. 

Generators are designed to function in all weather conditions but running them in cold temperatures or high humidity can shorten their running time by anywhere from 10% to 30%.

Different Generator Types and How Long They Can Run Continuously 

1. Gasoline Generator

If you’re looking to run your gasoline generator continuously, there are some factors that will impact how long it will last. 

The most important factor is the size of your generator, which determines its fuel efficiency. For example, larger generators can run for longer periods than smaller ones because they consume less gas per hour. 

2. Standby Generator

A standby generator can run continuously for as long as it has fuel. Most standby generators have large gas tanks and propane gas lines, so they can run for a long time. 

Huge residential and commercial standby units can run continuously for 48-72 hours before needing a refill.

3. Portable Generator

A portable generator can run for 12 to 24 hours before refueling, depending on its size and other factors like the load on it. 

Its run time may also vary based on the temperature and how well the generator is maintained. 

If your generator is 4,000 watts or less, it can run for up to 8 hours before needing refueling. However, if the unit is 10,000 watts or more, it will only run for about 3 hours before running out of gas.

4. Propane Generator

A propane generator can run continuously for around 12 hours before it needs to be refueled. 

The run time…

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Today is the birthday of Ed W. “Too Tall” Freeman (November 20, 1927 – August 20, 2008. He was a United States Army helicopter pilot who received the United States military’s highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in the Battle of Ia Drang during the Vietnam War. During the battle, he flew through gunfire numerous times, bringing supplies to a trapped American battalion and flying dozens of wounded soldiers to safety. Freeman was a wingman for Major Bruce Crandall who also received the Medal of Honor for the same missions.

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On November 2, 1920, the radio station KDKA in Pittsburgh produced what is often cited as the world’s first commercial broadcast. However, it is noteworthy that an experimental station in San Jose, California was operated by Charles “Doc” Herrold, much earlier. Herrold started broadcasting daily from 1909 to 1917 — long before the advent of KDKA. He began playing record albums on the air in 1912. Herrold’s station was licensed as KQW (in 1921) and later KCBS. I n the fall of 1916, after the De Forest Radio Telephone & Telegraph Company began operating an experimental radio station, 2XG, in New York City. They were the first broadcaster to operating commercially, airing advertisements.

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Palmetto State Armory (our biggest affiliate advertiser) is running a short-term special on Toolcraft Non-Logoed Premium 5.56 Nickel Boron AR Bolt Carrier Group (Complete) with Carpenter 158 Bolt for just $79.99. That is quite a discount as they retail for $179. It is always great to have a complete spare BCG.  To find this deal, search on SKU51655116634 at the Palmetto State Armory web site.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 103 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. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
4. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
5. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
6. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.

Second Prize:

1. 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,
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…

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As winter looms over the farm and we begin to feel we can relax, remember that January and February represent the true the downtime for most growers and small-scale farmers. The months of November and December are when we should clean up our fields, prepare the farm for winter and make a crop plan for next year. 

If we leave a mess from 2022 in the field, we will enter a mess in 2023 when we have a lot to do. So before the snow threatens to cover everything, finish organizing your fields and supplies. Make your crop plan before seeds sell out, and make sure to record observations and data before you forget. 

Read more: When you’re prepping for winter, make sure to start early on your machines.

Pre-Winter Checklist

• Harvest any last root cellar crops. 

• Cover any field greens in high tunnels with double row cover to continue harvesting through winter. 
• Mulch your garlic if you haven’t already with straw or leaf mulch. 
• Mulch over sensitive perennials that need extra protection from severe winter cold.
• Put tree guards on fruit trees to prevent rodent damage in winter. 
• Make sure any labels that have marker names on them for perennials are rewritten so as not to be lost in strong winter light. Use paint markers. 

• Make sure all hoses are drained and rolled up.
• Make sure all your field edges have the irrigation headers removed so they are not driven over accidentally (costly mistake!). 
• Make sure water systems for livestock are in order for winter. 
• Make sure all supplies for winter farm management are bulk purchased ahead of time. 
• Make sure hay for livestock is secure for easy handling near animal pens. 

• Make sure fuels have additives for winter protection.  
• Clean up your equipment, and store all of it indoors. 
• Mark all main drives and lanes for snow-removal accuracy and to prevent damage to pasture, gardens and edges. 
• Pick up anything else that will be lost in the snow! 
• Tidy the barn and sheds to make sure you are organized for the next season. 

• Map any weed pressure in your beds that is still visible so you can account for this in your crop planning for 2023 
• Sort last year’s seed and assess which varieties are still useful for next year and which are no longer viable. You can even do germination tests to be sure.  
• Make sure all your favorite seed catalogs are on their way. 
• Go through any catalogs you have and make some wish lists. 
• Make sure your garden journal is on order and all your notes are ready for crop planning and assessment of the 2023 year.  I always make a year-end assessment in November. Create a plan for your crop planning.   

• Outline all your planning to-dos. (Professional growers will start crop planning end of November/early December to make sure this job is done before…

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The holiday season is right around the corner. Whether you’re planning expansive meals, hunting for holiday decorations or fixing up the farm and home for visits from family and friends, you’ve no doubt got some big plans ahead for the season.

And you know what’s great to help pass the time while testing string lights or stirring batter? Podcasts!

In case you weren’t aware, we’ve got our own podcast here at Hobby Farms. It’s called Hobby Farms Presents: Growing Good, and every other week, host (and former Hobby Farms editor) Lisa Munniksma talks with farmers, food activists and other agriculture influencers and enthusiasts about the good work of growing food to feed communities.

Growing Good is fast approaching 50 episodes of frank, fearless farming conversation, but below you’ll find a quick roundup of our favorite episodes to get you started. Like what you hear? Check out all our past podcast episodes, and make sure to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform so you don’t miss a single chat!

Arwen Donahue

Author, artist and farmer Arwen Donahue discusses her life on a Kentucky farm and her new book, Landings: A Crooked Creek Farm Year. Arwen tells us about her and her husband, David Wagoner’s, Three Springs Farm. You’ll hear about how they searched for their niche and revived themselves from burnout in small-scale farming, from 18 years of having a vegetable CSA to growing food for a local restaurant group. Learn about some of the foragable goodies on Arwen’s farm and how you can incorporate foraged items into a CSA.

Arwen discloses the struggles of writing and illustrating a book while farming and also the beauty in combining a farming life and a creative life. Listen to her read a page from Landings and explain how this book depicting drawings and daily journal entries of the farm came into being.

Rasheed Hislop

Listen as Rasheed Hislop, a Master Composter, offers you his best tips for small-scale vermicomposting. Get your worm bins ready! Hear about how this Brooklyn-raised farmer’s grandparents, in the Hudson Valley and in Trinidad and Tobago, instilled in him an interest in food production by way of gardening, fishing and cooking from scratch.

Rasheed talks about his work supporting farmers, first with urban farmers and community gardeners through NYC Parks GreenThumb and now with farmers in California’s Central Valley, particularly Black, indigenous and farmers of color, through Community Alliance with Family Farmers and African American Farmers of California. He also gets into the racial equity and planning work being done behind the scenes at nonprofits like CAFF. (Plus, this is your chance to make plans to attend, virtually or in person, the CAFF conference, coming up Feb. 27 to March 3, 2022!)

Learn about the Black Zocalo cooperative’s efforts to teach about growing food, planting native plants and fostering farm-related businesses, including Rosalba Lopez Ramirez’s (Rasheed’s wife’s) Dau Butter skincare line and Rasheed’s seed production for Truelove…

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For some background, start by reading JWR’s Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) article, which is considered a standard Internet reference: The Pre-1899 Antique Guns FAQ. Here is an important quote from that FAQ:

Q: What constitutes “antique” under U.S. law?
A: Although your State and local laws may vary, any firearm with a frame or receiver that actually made before Jan. 1, 1899 is legally “antique” and not considered a “firearm” under Federal law. This refers to the actual date of manufacture of the receiver/frame, not just model year or patent date marked. (For example, only low serial number Winchester Model 1894 lever actions are actually antique.) No FFL is required to buy or sell antiques across state lines. They are in the same legal category as a muzzle-loading replica. I regularly ship them right to people’s doorstep via US Mail, with no “paper trail.” Think of it as the last bastion of gun ownership and transfer privacy.

The Author’s Experience, and Objective for this Article

I’ve been passionate about reloading for more than 30 years.  It is more of an obsession than a hobby.  It is a welcomed diversion, yet has a practical application.  It is not an attempt to save money, yet with premium ammunition at $3 and $4, or more per round, the pursuit is paying off as my pile of ammunition grows. Even if I am not actually reloading, I am analyzing data merely for the sake of comparing many different cartridges looking for similarities and differences, and patterns that apply to many different and related cartridges. It is not only about precision ammunition, but in part, an ability to engineer a useful round given limited resources for a particular rifle. I am the type who can become engrossed in a good owner’s manual, or happily pour over data for hours. As a statement of fact, and as another opportunity to take a jab at myself, I realize this is not normal for most people.

Handloading is not ‘rocket science’ that involves factors such as atmospherics, spin drift, the Corriolous Effect, and the math behind the physics needed to compensate and keep the projectile on target. No, we have reloading data and dies to get it done without blowing up the gun. As many of my rifles are over 100 years old, and antiques, the lower pressure cartridges they shoot offer another challenge as one would of course attempt to make their rifle perform as best as it might.  We would like the flattest shooting cartridge, and a precision round of ammunition, yet our powder and bullet selection is limited. Endless testing of all possible combinations is not practical as resources — including our time — is limited.  Fortunately, the process has proven out, and the hours analyzing data, pays at least a meager dividend. It is about getting the most ‘bang for the buck’, whilst conserving resources such as powder, primers, and bullets.>It is a bit like engineering a flight to the moon where…

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