28 February 2008
A Baker’s Viewpoint of the Economy
Posted by Terrie Soberg under: Emergency Preparation; World Economy .
I received this information in a email from a friend of mine. I have not verified the information and contacts contained herein, but I feel that it is beneficial for our readers to see:
I have been meditating on the problems we as a community/nation face. What I have come up with are a few informative choices and facts that you and your family may want to ponder/incorporate into your lives.
I do baking as a cottage industry.. the facts in this department are discouraging, as far as the pricing goes. In some instances I grind my wheat that is purchased from a dealer. When checking the pricing on this commodity…they go up not only monthly but weekly. One of my dealers that I purchase from is Corn Farms, out of Ontario, Oregon. Pricing Corn Farms–February 15, 2008, 25 lbs of wheat cost $11 and February 29, 2008 price was jumping up to $15 for 25 Lbs. In March the same outlook was predicted with a constant gain and no stop in sight.
I asked a dealer why the gain in prices … was it to do with the increase in fuel? The response took me by surprise. The Midwest experienced a crop failure in 2007 due to weather conditions, which caused a shortage. (Usually a country can purchase wheat from another during these hard years to help supplement the failed crop, but that didn’t happen in 2007 due to weather conditions in foreign lands.)
The US wheat stores have been sold off to other countries in the last 4 years leaving the US in a wheat deficit.
What has this to do with ethanol you ask. The farmers who normally grow grain, or other food crops are now growing, or planning on growing corn for the increase demand for ethanol. In plain English, all crops for food, whether it be for human or animal consumption will and are increasing in price because they will be in short supply. (Short supply of any commodity increases cost across the board).
The outlook is bleak to say the least. We as consumers can do something however to help our families thrive in the coming hard times. We can prepare our own private stores so to speak. We still have the means to buy wheat (or other grains), and store them in a cool, dry, dark place. Grain can be stored indefinitely if the above procedures are adhered to. Make sure your grain is put into containers that are food safe and seal-able, using a tight fitting lid where no bug or varmint can enter. On one web site it reportedly states “for every 25 lbs of wheat stored in a plastic bucket add 3 whole bay leaves to deter the bugs.”
Woo…help! Why am I storing any grain? Well, do you want to be left without ? Do you think the state or government will be able to take care of you? Without any stores, it doesn’t look to be so. I myself feel if prices increase across the board for all commodities, and our income doesn’t, something has to give. Could it be our economy? I surely don’t know and I am not trying to predict such a happening. I am just suggesting if we are prepared, we will not fear the future.
Some questions you might have are: Where do I buy grain for home production and what can I store it in? How do I fix it after its stored? (The following answers are just my own findings . I have nothing to gain from suggesting that you purchase your products from these companies, only the satisfaction knowing I may have helped you and your family is some small way). Wheat and other commodities can be purchased from the following: Corn Farms, Ontario, Oregon 541-889-5728 or Honeyville Grain at www.honeyvillegrain.com or call 810-3212 ext.121. For all orders to this company they will ship a flat rate of $4.49 for each order, no matter if a ton or 10#.
You will need a mill if planning on grinding your own wheat. I prefer to use a non-electrical brand…for electrical or non electrical you can contact Lehmans@Lehmans.com or call for a catalog 1-877-438-5346. (Lehman’s are a great source of non-electical appliances and other products pertaining to life off the grid). Country Living Mills are another good source at www.countrylivinggrainmills.com .
As far as cooking/baking with your own grain supply you can purchase the books..”The Amazing Wheat Book”, by LeArta Moulton. This book and the following book ,is in my estimation a couple of the best. “Cooking with Home Storage,” by Vicki Tate, which carries a section on sprouting (yes, you can sprout wheat and many other grains.) Vicki includes making cheese from scratch, curing meats, making pasta, making home remedies, beauty products, etc.
Not only is there a problem with our grain supply, but with our food supply. It is a prudent time to grow your own garden. If you have never done this practice bef ore this valley has many seasoned gardeners who would be happy to share their expertise. One suggestion that I do have is to buy open pollinated/heirloom seeds.These are seeds that are non-hybrid, non-GMO, non-treated, non-patented . They are seeds that are capable of producing seeds from this seasons plants, which will produce seedlings that will be just like the parent plant,which is not possible with hybrids. The following are two companies that I have purchased from..Seed Savers Exchange, 3094 North Winn Rd., Decorah, Iowa, 52101, www.seedsavers.org, phone: 563-382-5990. Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, phone: 417-924-8917, www.RareSeeds.com. More can be found on the internet.
How to store and preserve your home grown produce is another problem that can be learned from publications, family, neighbors, and your own County Extension Service.
Sharlene C., Oregon
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One Comment so far...
CindyL. Says:
28 February 2008 at 12:58 pm.
Wheat is what the Egyptians put up when Pharoh had that dream. I’m glad my parents already did this. I hope they have enough for me.
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