Welcome to this week’s round-up as we move into the late summer heat of August. (Well, hot so far at least, but storms and floods brewing in Scotland.)
How much land do you need?
First up, the Sustainable Smallholding asks how much land is needed to grow food (in the writer’s case, for two people). The article asks some interesting questions about different types of agriculture and other conditions.
Children and cooking
Now the kids are on holiday from school it won’t be long before the novelty wears off and “I’m bored!” echoes round many households. Butcher, Baker are running a cookery school for children 6 - 11 and shared this recipe for doughnuts from their American-themed day. Easy and fun for kids to make.
And also through Butcher, Baker I found My Daddy Cooks, a video blog by dad Nick and his 3-year-old son Archie. I liked his recipe for oven-baked Croque Monsieur. To be honest, I’d like to see Nick using more sustainably sourced and packaged food than appears to be the case, but the enchanting Archie is a delight, and I love the idea of getting kids to learn about food and cooking from the youngest age. Harness all that natural enthusiasm before the teenage years strike!
Fertilizer and compost
A couple of articles this week on the topic of making the land fertile. This is an important topic and one we get regular questions about from prospective WFA members.
First up a potentially controversial take on commercial fertilizer from AgriTrue in the US, asking if commercial fertilizer is evil. Some really interesting thoughts and ideas.
Second, the last in a three-part series on compost at Farm in my Pocket: Can compost be truly organic?
To end, a video found at The Compost Bin, featuring singing flowers and a composted Granddad, here’s the surreal and slightly disturbing Marvellous Compost Bin: