Practical Farmers of Iowa winter newsletter

Rick Exner (dnexner@iastate.edu)
Thu, 03 Apr 1997 10:33:04 -0600

grounds of incompatibility. The three remaining - two

organic and one 7 year non-organic - were than compared

using the Holistic Management testing guidelines. One

rotation package, a split five year corn, bean, oats, hay,

pasture / corn, bean, corn, oats, hay, emerged as the most

likely practice to produce our desired quality of life.=20

Following the tradition of Holistic Management, we assume

that this choice is wrong and will monitor its adaptation

using early warning criteria. Soil loss, weed problems, and

crop yields constitute most of the criteria.

To achieve the physical environment that we desire requires

a lot of decision making. The very first one is to decide

to do the planning. Daydreaming can be a healthy exercise.=20

Goal setting helps us plan for the future. Dead-ends can be

avoided by careful monitoring.

We now have a map, a selected decision-making process, and

an activity manual to guide us. The future looks

interesting! =20

39^ FROM THE KITCHEN

Marj Stonecypher, Floyd, 515-398-2417 (recipes welcome!)

The Farmer's Almanac says, "nicer weather from February on,"

sure hope so. Time to think about spring and summer? My

cousin from McKinney, Texas and I are trying to plan a

family reunion for summer. He is deep into doing family

geology. So we need to get the families together again for

more information for him to put into his computer. Thinking

about reunions, here is a recipe that my late Aunt Mollie

always brought. She left us a year ago at the age of 94.=20

Now someone else has to bring her dish. She gave the recipe

to me a few years ago. I'm wondering if she meant for me to

carry on with her beans? It was simply delicious, and never

a bean for her to take home.

AUNT MOLLIE'S BAKED BEANS

2# assorted dried bean - soaked over night in plain cold

water

Add: 1/4 tsp soda - Boil for 2 or 3 minutes, drain and

rinse.

Add: 2 cups brown sugar=20

desired bacon (not fried).

1/2 cup dark molasses=20

1/2 tsp. dry mustard

salt and pepper=20

1/2 stick of butter

Bake 3 hours or more till done - 350 degrees. Keep moist

with water. You don't like baked beans? - You will these!

SOUR CREAM CHOCOLATE CAKE

3 blocks (3 oz) baking chocolate

1 1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 cup butter or margarine

1 tsp. salt

1 cup boiling water

2 eggs

2 cups light brown sugar, packed

1/2 cup dairy sour cream

2 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp. vanilla

Combine baking chocolate, margarine and boiling water in a

small bowl; stir until chocolate and margarine are melted.=20

Thoroughly combine brown sugar, flour, baking soda and salt

in a large bowl. Gradually add chocolate mixture beating

thoroughly. Beat eggs, sour cream and vanilla. Blend into

above and beat one minute at medium speed. Pour into a

greased and floured 13 x 9 x 2 inch pan. Bake at 350

degrees for 35-40 minutes. Cool and frost with your

favorite frosting. Note: If you do not have baking

chocolate bars, you can use 1/2 cup cocoa plus 1 1/2 tsp.

shortening.=20

40^ CORRESPONDENCE TO THE BOARD

Correspondence to the PFI directors' addresses is always

welcome. Member contributions to the Practical Farmer are

also welcome and will be reviewed by the PFI board of

directors.

District 1 (Northwest): Paul Mugge, 6190 470th St.,

Sutherland, 51058. (712) 446-2414.

Colin Wilson, 5482 450th St., Paullina, 51046. (712)

448-2708.

District 2 (North Central): Doug Alert, PFI Vice President,

972 110th St., Hampton, IA 50441. (515) 456-4328.

Don Davidson, 18711 250th St., Grundy Center, 50638. (319)

824-6347.

District 3 (Northeast): Walter Ebert, RR 1, Box 104,

Plainfield, 50666. (319) 276-4444.

Dan Specht, RR 1, McGregor IA 52157. (319) 873-3873.

District 4 (Southwest): Robert Bahrenfus, 15365 S. 12th Ave.

E., Grinnell, IA 50112. (515) 236-4566.

Donna Bauer, 1667 Hwy. 71, Audubon, IA 50025. (712)

563-4084

District 5 (Southeast): David Lubben, PFI President, 24539

Hwy

38, Monticello, IA 52310. (319) 465-4717.

Jeff Olson, 2273 140th St., Winfield, 52659. (319)

257-6967.

PFI Executive Vice President & Treasurer: Dick Thompson,=20

2035 190th St., Boone, 50036. (515) 432-1560.=20

Coordinators: Rick Exner, Gary Huber, Room 2104, Agronomy

Hall, ISU, Ames, Iowa, 50011. (515) 294-1923.

Internet: dnexner@iastate.edu =20

x1ghuber@exnet.iastate.edu

41^ PFI MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION AND RENEWAL FORM

Name _____________________________________________________

Address __________________________________________________

City _____________________________________________________

County __________________________________________________

State __________________________________________________

Zip Code __________________________________________________

Phone # (________) ________________________________________

This is a:

new membership

renewal

Do you derive a significant part of your income directly

from farming in Iowa?

yes no

Individual or family membership: $20 for one year, $50 for

three years.

Please enclose check or money order payable to "Practical

Farmers of Iowa" and mail to:

Practical Farmers of Iowa

2035 190th St.

Boone, IA 50036-7423

****************************************************************************

Rick (Derrick N.) Exner

<bold><color><param>ffff,0000,0000</param>PFI</color></bold><color><param>=
ffff,0000,0000</param>
</color>Farming Systems Coordinator

<bold><color><param>0000,0000,ffff</param>ISU</color></bold>=20
Extension

Practical Farmers of Iowa

2104 Agronomy Hall, ISU, Ames, IA 50011

(515) 294-1923, -9985 fax