Yearly Archives: 2007

As a follow up to recent posts about Colony Collapse Disorder and the mystery of the disappearing bees, Virtual Farmgirl recommends checking out a podcast series “Honeybees in Crisis” produced by Penn State. The podcasts explore a range of topics, beginning with a discussion of Colony Collapse Disorder from January, followed by segments exploring possibleContinue reading “Penn State Podcasts Feature 'Honeybees in Crisis'”

If there is such a thing as a horror-story for agriculture, the mystery of the disappearing bees fits the playbill. After beekeepers in 24 states began sounding alarm bells last year when they noticed empty hives, the general media and government is taking notice. Indeed, the New York Times reported about the vanishing bees –Continue reading “Vanishing Bee Mystery Deepens”

There are some beautiful, touching and out-right hilarious observations in Erika Schickel’s LA Observed blog post entitled “The Swarm.” She relates her experiences dealing with a swarm of bees that has overtaken her sister’s home in Pasadena. Here’s the Virtual Farmgirl relevant passage – complete with lessons about environmental protection, farming and nature. In theContinue reading “Where Have All the Bees Swarmed?”

To preserve the almonds and grapes that grow along the San Joaquin River near Fresno, Calif., families such as the Wattenbargers have sold their development rights and entered a conservation easement, according to this story in the Fresno Bee. Farmgirl Anna Wattenbarger says it’s been her dream to keep the family ranch going for herContinue reading “As City 'Creeps Closer' to Farms Each Year, Families Opt to Preserve Land”

Learn about 70-year-old Navajo Farmgirl Mae Denet Claw and the health of farming in Shiprock, N.M., in this piece in the Farmington Daily Times. The story talks about how in the Shiprock area the older farmers rely on farming for their livelihood, but younger farmers have jobs elsewhere…mines or power plant. There are some insightsContinue reading “Farming Dry Land in Shiprock”

Those attending a FamilyFarmed.org Expo in Chicago this weekend will be treated to a special sneak preview of an exciting new documentary that features four Illinois families who have farmed their land for at least 150 years, according to this piece in the Daily Herald. The film, “Deep Roots: Legacy of 150-year-old Family Farms,” willContinue reading “Film Features 150-Year-Old Family Farms at Chicago Expo”

I saw today in the NW Indiana Times that there’s a new cookbook – “More Recipes From the Farm: Family Recipes and Memories of a Lifetime” (Pediment Press, 2007, $29.95) – on its way from one of the farm-connected journalists in Northwest Indiana. Columnist Phil Potempa writes a “From the Farm” column each week, withContinue reading “Farm-Inspired Recipes in New Book”

I got my Women in Ag newsletter today and homed in on a great Letterman-like Top 10 list: “You know you’re a farm wife when…” There were some cute one-liners in the newsletter. But the best were on the Women in Ag discussion board. Here are of my favorites, from a post published on MarchContinue reading “Farm Wife Top 10”

BusinessWeek.com has a vivid little story – dated Monday – featuring a young family making a go of a small raw milk goat farm in Michigan. The story chronicles a typical day in the lives of the Klaty brood – Farmgirl mom Tamra, dad Robb and their five children – at their Simple Times FarmContinue reading “Family Enjoys "Simple Times" with Raw Goat's Milk Dairy”

I’ve been thinking of those adorable, cuddly looking alpacas lately so it was great to see this enticing headline: “N.C. Woman Quits Banking to Raise Alpacas.” Raise alpacas indeed. Farmgirl Erin McCarthy’s Belleauwood Farm is one of the largest alpaca operations in the country. While many farms have an average of 12 alpacas at anyContinue reading “MBA-Wielding Farmgirl Banks on Alpacas”