Comments on: Second Update on Our Food Experiment

By: Ryan

Ryan — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:41:27 +0000

Thanks for the update. It’s great to read of your experiences. Here’s a topic I’d be very interested in reading your perspective on: If you could have only 25 trees to live from (number of trees, not 25 varieties), what would you purchase/grow? I’m talking from the point of view where, apart from a few raised garden beds and a few egg-producing chickens, that’s all you’ve got (i.e. no stores, no neighbors). You can divide it up any way you like (i.e. 3 might be breadfruit trees, 2 might be avocado, etc.). From the perspective of food independence I’m trying to make some decisions on trees to purchase and your perspective would be very helpful. Note: If it’s not inconvenient for you to be detailed, I’d be interested to know which varieties: for example, that of the 3 breadfruit trees you would choose 2 Hawaiian and 1 Samoan. Blessings, Ryan

By: jon kirby

jon kirby — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 12:43:15 +0000

hi thanks I appreciate the help
I am ever so slowly gravitating your way.

we live in hawaiian acres and there is much to learn. jon

By: bill grant

bill grant — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:51:09 +0000

Dear Scott:

A very interesting, well written, and apparently honest article. Thanks.
It is a nice relief after the “living naturally is all sunshine and happiness” crowds’ comments. Excellent comments on the micro-environmental advantages of farming in Hawaii. I also especially liked the frank comments on the neighbor’s dogs, sheep, and hunting wild pigs. Sad to hear the pigs are so infested.
Well done, thanks, and good luck!
Do you cultivate Breadfruit trees? Do you also eat the Breadfruit seeds? If so, how much trouble are they to grow, cultivate and eat. How do they taste?
If you do not grow or eat breadfruit, I would really appreciate as complete an answer or explanation, of – why not?
Again, thanks and well done
Bill Grant

By: francisco

francisco — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 17:05:33 +0000

very interesting post scott,
you probably have something similar but i stumbled on this little dutch made, 100 euro, oil expeller on youtube. could be useful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EO0E5UzZBJM

By: Myles in Bda

Myles in Bda — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:31:29 +0000

Sounds like life is treating you all very well. You certainly got me jealous. Everyone here is doing good, our newest arrival (Dezi) has us on our toes. She’s got a set of lungs on her. Satya is steady growing and turning into a little roughian. Sara and I are both very well and really love parenthood. Sara has gone back into law since we last spoke and I have left the private sector to run our local botanical gardens and Arboretum. The change feels good it’s part of centralising our lives we can both walk to work now and have little need for our car any more as the girls ride as passengers on our bicycles.
I’m still tremendously inspired by your work and trying to grow anything I can get my hands on. I love checkin’ in and getting excited about all the growth you guys are enjoying, I rejoice in your spirits.

Give Thanks
Take Time
More Time
Myles and Family

By: mike

mike — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:21:06 +0000

hi scott…
great post! quite a good description of the yin/yang of farming here.
lucky live hawai’i!
we’ve started clearing land! soon flinging out the microfarm into fullsize being. i’ve moved up to volcano, 1/2 acre; clearing a few parcels in fern forest, and after the hawaiian beaches lot is cleared of all the equipment and materials gathered over the past year, planting that up with that which requires the lower elevation.

have you seen any beef bullcalves for sale during your looking for dairy sort?
i’m looking to get a couple for draft training.

aloha,
mike