Juan

Los Alpes

My perennial lupine is setting buds!!! I grew this from seed using the winter sowing method 2 winters ago. After being transplanted last spring it spent the summer getting established. And this year we’ll have blooms! 🩵💙💜

I believe I'm making my peace with the fact that buying a "forever home" is a stupid idea. Because you may plink down your life savings on your dream property only to find that one day, the taxes triple, or they put solar farms all around you, or that they clear-cut your favorite forest. You might find that the economy dies entirely and that everybody leaves; or that the economy grows exponentially and sprawl covers everything you loved about that place. Gentrification, migration, drastic political change, ecological fallout of development, natural disasters, crime waves -- the risks are innumerable and are strategically impossible to plan for. I just actually have zero faith in the idea that there is anywhere sufficiently stable in all of America where becoming deeply invested in "rootedness" and a "forever home" is wise, reasonable, or justified. Blessed is he who remains (very) light on his feet -- particularly when he is living in "interesting times." One could argue that there is honor in "standing and fighting," etc etc, but I simply do not see it. Much as I love NYS, I do not think there is any honor in staying here because the problems are intractable. And at any time, in any other haven I may find, there is no iron-clad way to ensure that the same problems NYS has won't find their way there. In fact, a sober look at the trends shows it'd be likely.

Sometimes I wish I lived in the south… is it that easy?

Neighbors wonder why our grass is so much better than theirs. Graze intensely and fast, every 35-40 days, mow down the remnants (with blades or horses) to stimulate vertical growth instead of rhyzomatic, also adds organic matter growth, 8 tons of compost per hect a year, fermented manure broths with added calcium and sulphur after every grazing, sometimes other micros, then drill in seeds every other year. Till every 10 years if ever. Never ever herbicides. Short answer: work and brain

Los Alpes

Chestnut peaking out of its tube on a rainy morning.

GREEN FODDER IN DAIRY FARMING: A CRITICAL NUTRITIONAL STRATEGY The image beautifully illustrates a well-organized dairy farm where green fodder crops Maize, Sorghum, Napier Grass, Hydroponic Grass, and more are grown alongside dairy cattle, emphasizing the critical role of fresh green feed in modern dairy production. What Is Green Fodder? Green fodder refers to fresh, succulent plant material grown specifically to feed livestock, particularly dairy cattle. Unlike dry hay or processed concentrates, green fodder provides animals with a rich, natural, and balanced nutritional profile including water, fiber, protein, vitamins, and essential minerals all in one fresh feed source. Types of Green Fodder Shown in the Image Maize Fodder is one of the most widely used green feeds globally. It is high in digestible energy, starch, and fiber, making it ideal for boosting milk production. Maize can be fed fresh or preserved as silage in the storage silos visible in the image, ensuring year-round feed availability. Sorghum is a drought-tolerant fodder crop that thrives in hot, dry climates where maize struggles. It provides excellent energy and fiber content and recovers quickly after cutting, offering multiple harvests per season making it highly economical for farmers. Napier Grass (Elephant Grass) is arguably the most popular green fodder in African dairy farming. It grows rapidly, produces enormous biomass, and is extremely high in protein and digestible nutrients. One acre of Napier grass can sustain several dairy cows year-round when managed properly. Hydroponic Grass represents the future of green fodder production. Grown without soil using nutrient-enriched water in controlled systems, hydroponic fodder produces highly nutritious green feed in just 7–8 days, using up to 90% less water and land than conventional fodder farming. It is ideal for urban dairy farms and drought-prone regions. Benefits of Green Fodder in Dairy Farming Green fodder delivers transformational benefits to dairy operations. It significantly increases milk yield and quality by providing easily digestible nutrients that directly stimulate milk synthesis. It reduces feed costs substantially since farmers grow their own feed rather than purchasing expensive concentrates. Green fodder improves animal health, fertility, and coat condition through natural vitamins and minerals. It also reduces heat stress in cattle due to its high moisture content, keeping animals hydrated and productive during hot seasons. Conclusion Integrating green fodder systems into dairy farming is one of the smartest and most profitable decisions any dairy farmer can make. Fresh, homegrown fodder means healthier cows, higher milk yields, lower costs, and greater long-term farm sustainability.

Amanda has a beautiful brain... and awesome body

More on the Amanda thread I want to take her to the fields and mountains someday