Tails From the Farm

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Christ In You,Why God trusts you more than you trust yourself- by Eric B Johnson

At times reading a religious book can be hard. You feel that you don't quite hit the mark. Or you think that you are so far away from where you should be that you will never make it to the first base of life! Sometimes what we need is a book that is just written so we can read, understand and apply it to our lives.

Reading this book has really brought a lot of questions to mind. I think its good to get out of our comfort zone and really look at ourselves, our religion, what God wants us to be. It is good to questioned what we are suppose to be doing and how we are suppose to do that.

I found this book to be "real". Something that I wanted to read and work on. Not someone telling me this is how it needs or has to be done. I like that there are questions as it makes me think. Makes me wonder if there might be others ways of living my life, gives me a different perspective.

I would recommend checking out this book. See what it has to offer you. See how things can change in your life.

Friday, June 19, 2015

Chicken of the Woods by Emily M. Stone

I am once again sharing this great article written by Emily Stone over at Cable Natural History Museum. I know there are a lot of people out there into foraging as well as looking for mushrooms!

Enjoy!

By Emily M. Stone

Naturalist/Education Director

Cable Natural History Museum

"Did you see that giant chicken!?" exclaimed my co-worker Jayme as she stepped out of her Jeep in my driveway. My puzzled look must have answered her question. "There's a huge chicken of the woods right next to your driveway! It's bright orange. I can't believe you missed it!"

Jayme's excitement was warranted. Chicken of the woods (a.k.a sulphur shelf) are choice edible mushrooms, and she is an enthusiastic mychophagist (mushroom-eater) and wild forager. A little embarrassed that I had missed such a neat find, I joined her and Steve, her partner, on a quick hike back up our long gravel drive. "I won't tell you where it is," she teased, "let's see if you can find it yourself."

Once I was looking, it wasn't hard, but I did discover why I hadn't seen it before. Tucked away up a steep bank, several yards back in a balsam thicket, the cluster glowed orange on the cut stump of a fallen tree. We grabbed baby birch stems and kicked our toes into the dirt, clambering up the near-vertical road cut.

It was impressive. Nearly two feet across, with layer upon layer of rippling brackets giving it a ruffled appearance, the yellow edges and undersides contrasting with rich, orange caps - this mushroom was beautiful. It is also unmistakable. David Arora, author of "Mushrooms Demystified", includes chicken of the woods in his "foolproof four." Upon closer inspection, we found that the cluster was fresh, clean, and flexible. Just ripe for eating.

We reached into the mass, and gently tugged free a few of the most fresh and tender looking caps. The flesh was cool and moist to the touch, with a texture like fine velvet. Part of this consistency comes from it being a polypore. Unlike stereotypical mushrooms with the umbrella-like cap and radiating gills, polypore mushrooms are composed of many small, vertical tubes. Reproductive spores are produced on the sides of the tubes, and use gravity to disperse out of the bottom opening. From there, the spores use wind and animals to disperse them into a new home, eventually growing more mushrooms.

The pore structure also contributes to the succulent, stringy texture of the caps, which reminds some people of chicken meat. Soon we had tugged free enough caps to share with everyone for dinner.

Cooking mushrooms is extremely important for both safety and nutrition. Heat can denature toxins, kill nematodes, and break down tough cell walls to give our bodies access to nutrients. After wiping off a few specks of "trail spice," we added the orange caps to a warm skillet in a pool of melted butter and garlic. With a lid to help keep in the juices, the "chickens" were soon sizzling merrily.

The first bite was the best: chewy but tender, with a light lemony undertone and a touch of the savory umami flavor, too. Though we wanted to keep eating, each of us tasted only a couple of small pieces. Chicken of the woods causes mild stomach upset in some, and allergic reactions in a very few. With any wild mushroom, it is best to try only a little at first, to gauge how your body will react.

After a comfortable night, I headed back to the stump to collect more. The wood still looked solid, so I suspect that this fungus will be back again next year. Chicken of the woods is a parasite (it kills trees) and saprobe (it decomposes dead trees), most commonly on oaks. After years of decay, it renders the wood - especially the heartwood - into a friable mess of brown cubes. Until then, it may fruit in the same place year after year.

And until then, I will continue making it part of my dinner. As I pulled off more chunks for my skillet, I noticed slugs and flies dotting the yellow undersides of the brackets. In just a few days, its brittle flesh would be riddled with insects, slug trails, and beetle holes. The fungus will die back. The decomposer will decompose.

The tree feeds the fungus. The fungus feeds the animals. Eventually the soil will feed a tree. And somewhere in that cycle, is me.

For over 45 years, the Cable Natural History Museum has served to connect you to the Northwoods. Come visit us in Cable, WI! Our new exhibit: "Lake Alive!" opened May 1, 2015, and will remain open until March 2016.

Find us on the web at www.cablemuseum.org to learn more about our exhibits and programs. Discover us on Facebook, or at our blogspot, http://cablemuseumnaturalconnections.blogspot.com.

I would love to hear your comments, questions, and ideas about this article!

Contact Me!

emily@cablemuseum.org

The succulent flesh of the beautiful chicken of the woods mushroom tastes surprisingly similar to its clucking namesake.
Photo by Emily Stone.

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Spooner Advocate- Springbrook/Trego Column, June 18, 2015

Good morning! The sun is trying to come out after the rain from last night. I hope you are having a great summer!

THIS WEEKEND.... June 19-21, 2015 Soaring Eagles Wellness Center Fair, W6031 County Hwy A, Spooner. This event is FREE, please sign in at the entrance. Gates open at 9. Questions shellyfoureagles@gmail.com, 715-205-3366. www.soaringeagleswellness.com

There are a couple new businesses in the area worth mentioning. Wembendangig (Those who are hopeful) Community Sewing Center has opened! Mary is stocking her shop with fabric, beads, jingles, bells, quilts, handmade items. If you would like to take a quilting class or need help making something Mary is the person to talk too! The shop is located at 14362W County Road K, the shop number is 715-699-1379 and the email wembendangig@yahoo.com If you bring in a pow wow button you can get 10% off your purchase, also tax free with a Tribal ID. Right down the street from this awesome shop is Cloud 9 Coffeehouse- 14392 W County Road K. I have to say I have really enjoyed the panini's that Sandy and Eva have created over there. Its a great place to have an iced coffee, a frappe or one of there other wonderful drinks. Sandy's menu changes as they are always trying something new, right now its BLT panini. The number to cloud 9 is 715-634-0340 o on the web at www.c9ch.com. I hope to see you at one of these great new businesses!

LCO Community College Class schedule for the month of June. June 19- LCO Farmers Market 10-2 pm, Birch Bark Baskets 5-8 pm at the farm. June 20- Marengo Overlook 10-3 transportation & Lunch provided. June 22- Making and Cannning Strawberry Rhubarb Jam 5-8pm at the College kitchen. June 24- Beginner Producer Program at the College Farm 5-8pm and Belly dancing from 3:30- 4:30 in Room 500. LCO Farmers Market at the LCO Country Store Parking Lot 4-7 pm. June 26th LCO Farmers Market at the LCO Country Store Parking Lot 10-2 pm. June 27 Shawl Making 9-4 pm in room 305, Lost Creek Falls 10-4 pm Transportation provided. To register for any of these class please call 715-634-4790 x156 o email Amber at marlowa@lco.edu.

Anyone out there have some fishing gear that they no longer use? One of my goals is to get a license and get out there and fish! It doesn't need to be pretty, just so it works.

A happy birthday goes out to all the folks with June birthdays! If you are having a birthday this month remember you are special! There is no one quite like you! Happy Birthday goes out to my sister Donna, a happy belated birthday to Mary Ann Povlitzki. Happy birthday to my cousin Shana! Have a wonderful birthday! We love you!

Put it on your calendar:

June 27, 2015 Sawyer County Dairy Breakfast, early morning. Held at the Hayward fairgrounds.

July 17-19, 2015- 35th Annual Conference and Campout. Where? Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, Iowa! If you have not attended this you are missing out!!! Hope to see some of you there!

July 24-25, 2015- Hayward Piecemakers Quilt Show. New location is at the Hayward Wesleyan Church in Hayward. More information- haywardpiecemakers@hotmail.com or call Michelle at 715-661-3575

August 19-21,2015- Return To First Medicines 2nd Annual Gathering. A Gathering for adults and children to learn about Sacred Medicines Growing Traditional Foods and how to care for our environment. This event will will be held at Fortune Bay Resort and Casino. www.indigenouspeoplestf.org

September 11-13, 2015- Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival, Jefferson Fair Park, Jefferson, WI. www.wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com

I know that there HAS to be some events going on out there! Please let me know!

Please remember that I would like any information from all of you of what is going on! This is your column ! Any garage sales, church functions, raffles etc? Let me know- thank you!

Have a friend or family member that would be interested in the column? Maybe they live out of town? They can access the column on my blog on Thursdays, at www.twogirlsandagarden.blogspot.com .

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Spooner Advocate- Springbrook Column, June 11, 2015

Hello there neighbors! Sorry I have't been on top getting the column written. Graduation, the holidays and well just life have gotten in the way of deadlines! I hope that this finds everyone enjoying the sun...when its out. Those rains that came through this last weekend were crazy! I was stuck sitting in the van at Walmart while it poured. Sure hope everyone keeps good tabs on what is going on with the weather. Please be safe out there as this is the time when alot of people are out on one of the many bodies of water in our lovely area.

This weekend! June 13, 2015 Tri- County Dairy Breakfast, starts at 6:30- 10:30. Held in Spooner at the Fairgrounds, Hwy 63 to Beaver Brook Avenue. Adults $6.00, children 6-12 $4, under 5 free. Hayrides, face paining, live music and door prizes! This is a great event every year so come on out and enjoy an awesome breakfast!

Graduation day was awesome! Many people came out to see us all graduate. A big thanks goes out to Karen and Leif Nestingen and my beautiful daughter Mikhaila for coming out to see my get my Associates in Native American Studies! I was honored that you were there. Thank you to all the folks at LCO College for all their hard work getting ready for the graduation. Thank you Elders for making the food- it was a wonderful meal!

Congrats to all the people graduating in the area! This is that time of the year when all the high school students are taking that BIG step. I would like to say Happy Graduation to all those that are graduating with me at Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community College this week! We rock! I am so proud of each of you as I know it has been a huge battle to get there. Best wishes to all of the graduates as they go forth with their plans.

Anyone out there have some fishing gear that they no longer use? One of my goals is to get a license and get out there and fish! It doesn't need to be pretty, just so it works.

Put it on your calendar:

June 20, 2015 Burnett/Polk Dairy Breakfast, early morning. no location yet.

June 27, 2015 Sawyer County Dairy Breakfast, early morning. Held at the Hayward fairgrounds.

July 17-19, 2015- 35th Annual Conference and Campout. Where? Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, Iowa! If you have not attended this you are missing out!!! Hope to see some of you there!

July 24-25, 2015- Hayward Piecemakers Quilt Show. New location is at the Hayward Wesleyan Church in Hayward. More information- haywardpiecemakers@hotmail.com or call Michelle at 715-661-3575

I know that there HAS to be some events going on out there! Please let me know!

Please remember that I would like any information from all of you of what is going on! This is your column ! Any garage sales, church functions, raffles etc? Let me know- thank you!

Have a friend or family member that would be interested in the column? Maybe they live out of town? They can access the column on my blog on Thursdays, at www.twogirlsandagarden.blogspot.com .

If you would like me to put something in the column please give me a call 715-558-0335,

twogirlsandagarden@hotmail.com, or send me your info to P.O. Box 172, Stone Lake, WI 54876-0172.

Thursday, April 30, 2015

Spooner Advocate- Springbrook/ Trego Column- April 30, 2015

Hello there neighbors! What a beautiful morning out there. The birds are singing outside, they like like to sit on the antenna on my roof and talk to me. Hope everyone had there windows cracked and are able to enjoy some of the beautiful weather.

The Sustainable Living Fair that was held at LCO Farm had a great turnout. I think people had a great time learning at the various classes. I know I had a good time on our walk through the woods and wild harvesting. I also got to make a little birch bark basket with my friend Winona. Chi-Miigwech to the teacher Larry Barber.

The WITC Fishing Tournament is returning to Washburn County. It will be held on Sunday May 17 on Long Lake. The goal or the tournament is to raise money for high school students to attend WITC. To register you can find info at www.witc.edu/foundation/events/ricelake . Or call Scott Theilig at 715-234-7082 ext 5211 or email scott.theilig@witc.edu.

Wi Master Naturalist Training will be coming up soon! If you would like to register for this great program or see what it is about please go towww.masternaturalist.org.

May 15-17, 2015 Shepherd's Harvest - Sheep & Wool Festival. Being held at the Washington County Fair Grounds in Lake Elmo, MN. More information can be found at www.shepherdsharvestfestival.org

A happy birthday goes out to all the folks with April birthdays! If you are having a birthday this month remember you are special! There is no one quite like you! Have a wonderful birthday! We love you!

Not sure if there are some May Day babies out there but Happy Birthday if there are! May already right around the corner- so excited!

Cable History Museum has the following things to offer the community. Sat May 2- Rag Rug Workshop. May 6- Pastels- painting lakes by Diana Randolph. Sat May 9 International Migratory Bird Day- make a bird friendly craft from 1-3 also hosting a workshop making Fairy Houses. If you would like more information or to register please contact Cable History Museum at 715-798-3890 or go to www.cablemuseum.org.

Until next week please do something that makes you feel good and puts a smile on your face. Hugs!

Put it on your calendar:

Midwest Woman's Herbal Conference- June 5, 6, 7 2015. More info www.midwestwomanherbal.com

July 17-19, 2015- 35th Annual Conference and Campout. Where? Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, Iowa! If you have not attended this you are missing out!!! Hope to see some of you there!

July 24-25, 2015- Hayward Piecemakers Quilt Show. New location is at the Hayward Wesleyan Church in Hayward. More information- haywardpiecemakers@hotmail.com or call Michelle at 715-661-3575

I know that there HAS to be some events going on out there! Please let me know!

Please remember that I would like any information from all of you of what is going on! This is your column ! Any garage sales, church functions, raffles etc? Let me know- thank you!

Have a friend or family member that would be interested in the column? Maybe they live out of town? They can access the column on my blog on Thursdays, at www.twogirlsandagarden.blogspot.com .

Monday, March 30, 2015

Saw- Whet Owl....written by Emily M.Stone, Naturalist at the Cable Museum

Hey there readers! I know there are alot of you that are like me and find it amazing to see all the great animals, flora and fauna that we have in NW Wisconsin. This was a great email waiting in my email box today. I just had to share it as I have had the privilege to see one of these up alive and personal- they are soooo cute! Enjoy!

By Emily M. Stone

Naturalist/Education Director

Cable Natural History Museum

If you are interested in volunteering for the Annual Midwest Crane Count on Saturday, April 18, please email Deb atdeb@cablemuseum.org. We coordinate Ashland, Bayfield, and Sawyer Counties.

"Wow. Look at the stars," said Drew as he stepped out of the car. With no moon, they glittered brilliantly in the inky black sky. I paused from unloading the car, and gazed heavenward with him. Breathtaking. I love living in the middle of nowhere. But after I closed the car door, and even the dome light went dark, a sound penetrated our consciousness, too.

Hoo. Hoo. Hoo. Hoo. The repeated note sounded kind of like a back-up beep, or the car's warning ding that I left my lights on or the keys in the ignition. But all was dark, the keys were in my hand, and no engine noise accompanied the mystery. Suddenly my synapses zapped, the sound registered, and my eyes lit up in the darkness. "It's a saw-whet owl!" I grinned, excited at the prospect of a new avian neighbor.

The last time I heard the incessant (and somewhat annoying) call of a saw-whet owl, I was in the Sierra Nevada mountains of northern California. From there to Wisconsin seems like quite a stretch, but saw-whets breed in mature forests with an open understory from southern Canada to the northern and western United States.

While their habitat preferences are pretty well understood, the movements of saw-whets are not. Granted, it's hard to track small things that are well-camouflaged and only fly at night. We do know that they can cross the Great Lakes and other large bodies of water. One saw-whet owl even landed on a fishing boat 70 miles from shore in the Atlantic Ocean! Concentrated banding/recapture efforts have started to fill in the blanks.

One study in southern Indiana found that saw-whet owls tend to move into a territory when prey numbers are high, and move somewhere else when prey numbers are low. Deer mice are their preferred prey, along with other small critters. The study also noted that during a year when the owl numbers were below average, it had also been the worst year for acorns in recent history.

This is just one more example of how mast trees send ripples far out in the ecosystem. Mast trees save up their energy for three to five years before synchronously producing thousands of seeds (acorns in this case) all at once. Since mouse populations are known to fluctuate with acorn abundance, it follows that during a non-mast year, the mouse population would be low, and the owls would migrate somewhere else.

It also makes sense that the mast of acorns we experienced last fall may have increased the local mouse population and attracted this cute little hooter to my backyard. (Remember our discussion of how passenger pigeons might once have eaten all the mast, leaving no acorns for the mice, and no mice for the deer ticks? And how acorn caps made the ski trails rough this winter?)

A banding study from Maryland found that saw-whets increase and decrease on a two year cycle, with an irruption (a migration in response to irregular changes in food supplies) every four years. Based on that data, 2015 should be an irruption year for saw-whets! In theory, it's a simple equation: more acorns = more mice = more owls. In nature, I know that nothing is quite that free of complications.

No matter why he's here, I'm excited that the smallest owl in eastern North America is beeping in my woods. Without feathers, the saw-whet owl is the same size as a robin (another sign of spring that's singing in my woods). With feathers, he is an adorable, top-heavy oval of brown-and-white-streaked fluff with expressive yellow eyes. If he's lucky, a female will arrive soon; responding with her own series of whistles. To seal the deal, he must fly in circles, and then present her with a gift of food - the limp body a mouse.

If they decide to breed here, the saw-whet couple will likely place their nest in an old woodpecker hole, excavated by the pileated woodpeckers or northern flickers that also frequent my woods. She won't do any interior decorating, but just starts her family on whatever debris is at the bottom of the cavity. If the mice are plentiful, she may lay up to eight eggs.

Perhaps it's a little early to throw a baby shower for my new visitor, but I'm thrilled at this addition to the neighborhood, and wish him a well-fed and productive spring.

For over 45 years, the Cable Natural History Museum has served to connect you to the Northwoods. Come visit us in Cable, WI! We are currently constructing our new exhibit: "Lake Alive!" which will open May 1, 2015.

Find us on the web at www.cablemuseum.org to learn more about our exhibits and programs. Discover us on Facebook, or at our blogspot, http://cablemuseumnaturalconnections.blogspot.com.

I would love to hear your comments, questions, and ideasabout this article!

Contact Me!

emily@cablemuseum.org

At eight inches long and 2.8 ounces on average, the tiny saw-whet is our smallest owl.
The Cable Natural History Museum is lucky to have a specimen of this cute creature, and you can visit us to see it up close!
Photo: CNHM collection.

Cable Natural History Museum
13470 County Highway M
Cable, WI 54821

www.cablemuseum.org

Phone: (715) 798-3890

The Cable Natural History Museum connects people to Northwoods nature through educational experiences that inspire wonder, discovery, and responsibility.

Seed Starting and Seed Saving Workshop- Tuesday March 31st from 6-8:30, 2015

This is an invitation to attend a Seed Starting and Seed Saving workshop at the Spooner Ag Research Station on Tuesday March 31 from 6-8:30 pm

The discussion will focus on a review of general botany (flower parts), pollinations/cross pollination, seed saving (including proper sanitation and seed borne diseases) and seed starting techniques.

MGV Russ Parker will be leading the discussion and promises to enlighten us with lots of thought provoking ideas and practical concepts.

This session will include a short presentation and lots of hands-on activities and demonstrations! Everyone will be asked to help/assist in seed planting of our tomatoes for the North Country Master Gardener Plant Sale. Everyone will also have an opportunity to take home supplies and seeds to start their own seeds.

If people want to bring seeds to exchange you are encouraged to do that as well.

This will be a great hands-on learning session and I encourage you all to attend!!

Space is limited to 30 people.

Please RSVP to this email by Monday March 30.

Thanks and looking forward to seeing on Tuesday at 6 pm.

Kevin and Russ

"A volunteer's time is the true example of selfless giving" JRC

Kevin Schoessow

Area Agriculture Development Agent

Spooner Area UW-Extension

Spooner Agriculture Research Station

W6646 Hwy 70

Spooner, WI 54801

kevin.schoessow@ces.uwex.edu

phone: 715-635-3506 or 1-800-528-1914

Fax 715-635-6741