Classes, food storage, more

For those of you who are new to the blog, please see the blogs from our earlier days to obtain information about what we've done and how this all works.

There is another class scheduled through University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources at Garden of the Sun, 1750 N. Winery, in Fresno. (For those of you who have not attended classes here, we have been instructed by the Master Gardeners of Fresno, and they have been wonderful!). Saturday, February 11th, 9:30 to 11:00, Free Class!, "All about Citrus". There we will learn how to keep our citrus trees in top shape, as well as producing abundant fruit, including preparing soil, planting and caring for your trees.

On Saturday, February 18, there is another Free Class!, (same place, same time) "Tomatoes, Tomatoes, Tomatoes!". Starting plants, trellising plants, and seed saving will be discussed.

Saturday, February 25 is the Smart Gardening Conference, at the Ramada Inn @ 324 E. Shaw in Fresno. There is a charge for this class: $30 advance registration, $40 at the door. Information for this conference is at http://ucanr.org/sgc

Bithell Farms is offering frozen fruit for sale again for their Spring Delivery. The fruit is high quality (Joel W. uses it in his pies). The order deadline is February 29th for a March delivery. They only do this twice each year. We ordered last year, and the fruit truly is yummy! For information, please go to www.bithellfarms.com If you would like for me to try to put a group order together, please let me know asap, as I believe we can get a discount for doing it this way. Fruits include, but are not limited to, boysenberries, peaches, cherries, raspberries, and more.

The Fresno Cannery is open for your orders for a short time longer. Feel free to call the Cannery on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The number is 255-2377.

If you would like me to borrow the dry pack canner for foods you already have, please let me know.

COMPOST: When I phoned the Gallo Winery last fall, they said that they still sell compost by the large or small truckloads. If you are interested in doing this, please let me know.

Pearls for becoming Self-Reliant

I actually came across this in our new book entitled: "Daughters in My Kingdom". Here goes:

Becoming Self-Reliant

Learn to love work and avoid idleness.

Acquire a spirit of self-sacrifice.

Accept personal responsibility for spiritual strength.

Accept personal responsibility for health, education, employment, finances, food, and other life-sustaining necessities.

Pray for faith and courage to meet challenges that come.

Strengthen others who need assistance.

I find this good advice to live by. Don't you?

Dry Pack Canner, and grain!

As announced in church yesterday, I will be picking up the dry pack canner tomorrow, and will have it for one week. If you would like to use it, please let me know.

Additionally, we have sisters who want a variety of different types of grain, but not one particular grain. We have talked about corn, and others. If you would like to order grain, please contact me or Pacific Feed and Grain (Fresno). I will reserve the dry pack canner on an at least every quarter basis.

One last item: the cannery is still in operation. Contrary to prior reports, cannery personnel are still dry packing grain for us. Feel free to call the cannery and order what you need. The available products and prices are available on the church website under provident living.