I live with my husband in Ashland, VA. As a permaculture educator specializing in sustainable food production, I am passionate about helping people develop skills to live lightly in this world. As a result, I founded Homeplace Earth and, with the help of our filmaker son, Luke Conner, have produced two videos which are available through our website www.homeplaceearth.com. Since we all eat, we are all responsible for how the earth is used to produce our food. As a market gardener for 10 years, selling to restaurants, a CSA, and at farmers markets, I recognized that a farmer could be organic and still not be sustainable. My study of sustainability led me to become certified as an Ecology Action GROW BIOINTENSIVE Sustainable Mini-farming teacher. I also hold a degree in Home Economics Education from Ohio State University and a Certificate in Permaculture Design. In January 1999, I began teaching at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College in Goochland, VA. My classes evolved into the Sustainable Agriculture program that is there now. I left the college in May 2010 to allow time to address a larger community, such as you. The classes are still there, being taught by our daughter, Betsy Trice. Betsy appeared in our garden plan video when she was Arkansas farmer, Betsy Conner. Besides speaking in public and learning the mechanics of social media (no small task for someone who doesn’t even use a cell phone), my time is now spent researching how to sustainably grow a complete diet in a small space and getting the food to the table using the least fossil fuel.
It is my wish that the community that develops around this blog will expand, each of you becoming a catalyst for positive change wherever you are. Please share your comments as we travel this journey. Together we can make a difference.
Great website, Cindy.
lisa z
Hi Cindy,
I met you at the Mother Earth News Fair in Seven Springs PA yesterday and look forward to reading your blog!
Sheri
Sheri, I had a great time this weekend meeting and interacting with everyone. Glad you can follow what I’m doing. It’s going to take all of us.
Cindy, I met you at the Richmond Quilt Guild Show today. Thanks so much for giving me your business card. I read the blog and must say…you’ve created a “spark” in me to start a garden. Will look at your resources. Thanks again for taking the time!
~Darlene
Darlene, I’m glad Cathy introduced us. Who would think someone would be talking about Ruth Stout at a quilt show? I made the quilted vest I had on to wear in the garden plan video. Each fabric is only used once. I like to think it shows the beauty of diversity. I hope you have a great garden.
Hi,
Please check Sepp Holzer on moles and voles
at site
http://www.richsoil.com/sepp-holzer/sepp-holzer-permaculture.jsp
Sepp says pigs will take care of them. That would be great if I wanted a pig in the garden. So far, that’s not in my plans, but it’s something to think about.
Dear Cindy,
Hello, I was wondering if you had tested your Grain Maker for grinding nuts? I am gluten intolerant and live off-grid and would love to make some nut flour for baking, and I am trying to decide on a mill. I have contacted the makers of the mill, and they said it would only make nut butter, but I find that hard to believe, because if it can make nut butter, wouldn’t it be able to make nut flour? Anywho I was hoping that a real customer with experience would maybe be able to explain it better, or at least test it for me if it’s not too much trouble? Thanks a bunch, Erika.
Hi Erika,
Nuts are really oily, so when you grind them, the results would not be dry like when you grind wheat. That said, I haven’t ground nuts, although I did make peanut butter once–it’s easier to just eat the peanuts. If you are gluten intolerant you should read Carol Deppe’s book The Resilient Gardener. She also avoids gluten and has developed her own cornbread recipes that don’t include wheat. Besides corn, sorghum is also a something you can grow and grind in your mill. I sometimes use sorghum in recipes instead of wheat if I have a gluten sensitive friend coming. If I had some nuts that I didn’t have to shell right now, and had the time, I’d try some for you, but I all my nuts are in shells and I’m pressed for time. Besides, I’d have to take the mill apart to clean it afterward, which I don’t have to do when grinding grains.
Cindy
Cindy I have been considering growing sweet potatoes and white potatoes in raised beds; I have been growing them in rows. I know you have written some about growing them but never the details about how you do it. I was wondering if you could do a blog about them before next growing season.
I enjoy your blog; keep up the good work.
Jim, that sounds like a fair request. Potatoes, both sweet and Irish, are some of the best things we can grow. I’ll see what I can do.
We grew sweet potatoes for the first time last year which at 44° North requires a bit of finessing. It turned out well – http://portageperennials.wordpress.com/2012/11/29/how-sweet-it-is/
Cindy,
This is a very nice post and very helpful. Your comments and replies to other posts were helpful also. I read your review and a number of others and I watched all the youtube posts about the GrainMaker. I just ordered one. No one could say that I bought it on impulse, as I have been looking at mills for just about 30 years. They permit inscriptions on the mill, and since I am a retired Latin teacher I ordered a Latin quote from my favorite author. I purchased the #99. It is a great deal of money but as I read about additives, sprays and such I have a feeling that it is becoming difficult to equate the benefits of organic grains and self milling with money. In fact maybe money has become too much the driving force in our lives. Thanks for the opportunity to express my thoughts.
Hi Bill, I’m glad you’ve found my posts to be helpful. You are going to love your GrainMaker, especially with the personalization of the quote. I don’t think we need a lot of possessions, but the ones we have should be meaningful. Once your mill arrives, you will notice how many recipes that might have whole wheat in their name, call for only a little whole wheat and the rest white flour. The Laurel’s Kitchen Bread Book calls for only whole grain flour. Its a lot of money to spend, but health care costs a heck of a lot more. The exercise you get using the mill, and the benefits from what you make with the grains definitely offset the monetary cost.
Cindy, Just found your blog while searching for tea from Thai Red Roselle. All I can say is “Wow” at all the info and stuff. Love it. It helps motivate me in my journey to become more self-sufficient.
I noticed that you use sorghum as grain. Where can I find more information about this?
Andrea, I’m glad you are enjoying the blog. You can find sorghum seeds at Southern Exposure Seed Exchange and Bountiful Gardens. Small-Scale Grain Raising by Gene Logsdon has information about growing sorghum.
Cindy,
I just finished reading your book, Grow a Sustainable Diet, and am more inspired than ever! I have been growing using bio intensive methods for several years and have had wonderful results. My wife and I started an organic school garden last year and I will be using your worksheets to help coordinate or seed saving, starting seeds and planting schedules. Your book contains so much useful information and I can’t wait to start implementing it this spring and join in the dance! Thank you for writing such an informative and inspiring book, it will become part of or school garden library!
Thanks Rob! You are using my book exactly how I intended–making your garden better and teaching others. Glad to have you in the dance.
Cindy, this sounds almost crazy, but I would like to grow cotton and spin it’s fibers. I have not done anything, and am looking for the information on what kind of soil I need, and how to make it, if necessary. Only what I have is a small land, and I am not sure if I can grow it in the first place. I have been taking of my husband 24/7, and my fund is very limited. I usually do not have enough time to attend a workshop or some sorts. Will you recommend where I start and whom to get information I need? Thank you.
I don’t think it is crazy. I grow cotton in my garden the same way I grow the vegetables. You don’t say where you live, but cotton needs sun and heat. I don’t have more information for you other than is in my blog post at https://homeplaceearth.wordpress.com/category/crops/cotton/.
Hi CIndy, just wanted to let you know that I loved your book and I’ve reviewed it on my blog 🙂 Cheers, Liz
Thanks Liz! People are always asking me if my book or DVDs will apply to them because they live in a different part of the U.S. than I do. I’ve always replied that if you understand the concepts and techniques of what I’m teaching, you can apply it to wherever you are. You are a good example, since you are in Australia!
Cindy we planted some bloody butcher red corn, and it is august, and it’s still white, do u know when it turns red. some of it looks like it has a red tint. thanks
Janice, it will turn red by the time it dries and is ready for harvest. If you take it early at the sweet corn stage, it will not have developed all it’s color yet. Bloody Butcher requires about 120 days to mature to the dry stage. More about corn at https://homeplaceearth.wordpress.com/2011/10/18/corn-harvest-and-shelling/.
Hey Cindy I found your site looking for help starting seeds outdoors as an alternative to grow lights. I garden in south Louisiana, zone 9a, the last frost date is Feb 29. Saw your article about using a cold frame to start seeds outdoors. I was wondering if a low tunnel would work the same way as I already have one. Not sure if would heat up as much as a cold frame though. Your thoughts would be very much appreciated. I’m just not set up with a house that will allow me to start indoors. Thanks.
Chris
Chris, a low tunnel would work, but the sides on a cold frame would keep drafts away and be a little warmer. To make a cozy spot for seedlings you could make a coldframe inside your low tunnel. Make a frame out of wood, bricks or something to outline the spot for seedlings. A cover over that frame could be an old storm window or a piece of plastic. Since it is inside the low tunnel you wouldn’t have to worry about it blowing away. Two layers of glazing will cut down on the light, so as soon as germination happens and you see seedlings come up, you can get rid of the extra plastic or glass layer if necessary. Another option for the extra inside protection would be to cut off the bottoms of clear plastic bottles or jugs and put them over spots where you plant seeds, making mini-cloches within your low tunnel. Once you start thinking in these terms you will come up with some more ideas.
Hi Cindy, I just ran into your blog and webpage the other day. It is all very interesting. Could you tell me how your book, “Grow a Sustainable Diet,” would differ from John Jeaven’s book, “How to Grow More Vegetables?” I am thinking to buy your book and 2 DVDs, and am curious as to how your work would differ or complement or improve on John Jeaven’s material? Thanks so much.
Diane, my work is based on Jeavon’s work. I take what I’ve learned from my study of GROW BIOINTENSIVE and add to it with my experiences. Our books complement each other. My book covers areas his book does not, and vice versa. There is a link in my book to access PDFs of all the worksheets shown in the book. The Master Charts in Jeavons book are a helpful resource for data, such as germination rate, seeds per ounce, etc. to use when working with my worksheets. With my DVDs and book, you get a look at how someone has studied John Jeavon’s work and put it into action in a way that has worked for them. My book and DVDs are teaching tools and How to Grow More Vegetables would be a supplementary text to my course of study.
Cindy: I’m pleased to happen upon your blog. I was looking for a nice photo of a low tunnel and found one on your page. I recently started a blog of my own where I write about gardening as well as Virginia farm policy issues – feel free to have a read at thevirginiaplanner.wordpress.com. I also live not far from you in Louisa. Glad to connect with you and I look forward to reading more of your work!
After reading about harvesting rye as a cereal I wondered what color the rye turns when it’s ready to harvest – i.e. wheat turns golden. Thanks for your help!
Chris, the plants look similar. The straw is golden. Rye grain has a more gray color than wheat. Health food stores may sell rye grain in their bulk bins where you can compare the two.
Hey mam this is sampath kumar from india i am planing to make a solar integrated biomass dryer for my final year b.tech project. i had studied your page and i gone through some designs in your page. I would like to design the dryer on same designs that were available in your page so please could you guide me to construct the new one with some added features?
I don’t have anything to add about solar food dryers that is not in my blog posts. If you are thinking of making a biomass dryer, rather than a food dryer, you will want to search for plans for solar wood dryers or solar kilns. You will find some at http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/WoodDrying/wood_kiln.htm. Unfortunately, I don’t have time to guide you through your project, but I wish you well.
Hello Cindy,
your blog is very interesting and I especially liked your posts on fibers and also composting for the useful information. But I´m writing to say that I saw your post on Marilyn flax and would like to ask you if you would be willing to make an exchange of seeds. I´m looking for some seeds (small amount) of the Marilyn flax to trial it. If it would be allright with you,let me know.
Thank you
Olga, I am happy for your interest in growing flax. Unfortunately, I only purchase enough seed for my own needs and do not resell to others. There might be other sources that sell in small quantities. Also, you can check with handspinning groups in your area. Someone else might be interested in going in on some flax seed with you. Flax-to-Linen interest groups have been popping up many places. They might be willing to share some seeds. I wish you the best of luck!
Cindy, thank you for your answer. I will look around. Good luck with your blog.
Thank you for your post about making tea from red Thai roselle. I just harvested some calyx and am drying them out now. Even though it didn’t frost here last weekend the plants didn’t like those cold temps!
Brian, I’m glad you found it helpful. When I first grew roselle I had many questions and was happy to write this post and let others know what I found out.
You have inspired me. This will be my third year growing cotton. I grow Erlene Green ,Mississippi brown, Sea island brown, and this year I’m trying Pima. The shirt you made is my goal one day. I have an Indian charkha that I love ,but this year I just purchased a Bosworth. I can’t wait for this year’s harvest.
Pamela, Thank you! I’m always happy to bring others into this fun. On March 12–this Friday–I will be giving a free presentation about growing your own cotton and flax/linen clothes for the Carolina Fiber Fest. It is virtual so anyone can tune in from 2-3 pm Eastern time to see it.
Hello, I’m interested in getting in touch with you. I also live in Ashland Va and have just discovered the seed library at Lewis Ginter and they offered your book as a resource.
Laura, the best way to contact me is through email–address on my website. We can meet up sometime after this week.
I hate to seem ignorant but I can’t find the email address anywhere. At the top of the page it only says, home, about and recipes. search and comments. I’m assuming this is your website or is there another one?
Your are looking at my blog. My website is http://www.HomeplaceEarth.com.
Cindy,
I am looking for a good quality supplier for cover crop seeds like the cereal rye and others included in your cover crop and compost crop for no till gardening article. Love your articles and will start the no till this fall. I need to get started now. I am a procrastinator. LOL.
I buy cover crop seeds from Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, Fedco, or High Mowing.
Can I sow a cover crop in a bed that has carrots which will be wintered in bed.
No, it already has carrots taking up the space.