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Merit Badge Chit Chat:  Just a bit of merit badge chit chat  |
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MaryJanesNiece
True Blue Farmgirl
7231 Posts
Krista
Utah
USA
7231 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 21 2024 : 4:21:29 PM
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Yesterday I worked on canning 2 different things in my water-bath canner. Now I just need to share some of the goodies with a friend and I will be able to apply for the badge!
Krista |
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KnyttWytch
True Blue Farmgirl
84 Posts
Hilary
Cambridge
Cambridgeshire
United Kingdom
84 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2024 : 4:33:52 PM
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That's great news!
#6958 Disabled knitter and stitcher (lover of real food!) |
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MaryJanesNiece
True Blue Farmgirl
7231 Posts
Krista
Utah
USA
7231 Posts |
Posted - Aug 23 2024 : 2:39:00 PM
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Thank you Hilary!
Krista |
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jillyd
True Blue Farmgirl
729 Posts
Jill
Saanichton
British Columbia
Canada
729 Posts |
Posted - Aug 23 2024 : 7:15:32 PM
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Well done, Krista!
Jill
Farmgirl #6748
"When life gets super crazy, do your art. It helps you remember the exquisite, imaginary, delightful, lovely side of what is otherwise sometimes a bit much" Sylvia Olsen |
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shennandoah
True Blue Farmgirl
129 Posts
Shennandoah
La Vernia
TX
USA
129 Posts |
Posted - Aug 24 2024 : 05:23:32 AM
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Hey Krista! What level of canning are you doing? I just got my beginner badge there and beginner art of letter writing. Want to pressure can some meat for quick week night meals and hopefully green beans if the fall garden cooperates. This was the first spring that I didn’t have green beans coming out of my ears. Just received the book for the intermediate letter badge. I’m in the last week of the Summer Reading Challenge I hosted thru work and will have the awards party mid September then can submit that one. My colleagues loved it so much I’ve been asked to do it again. They all got a thank you gift from me for participating and there will be winners for certain categories.
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Wanda Sue
True Blue Farmgirl
1253 Posts
Wanda
Murrells Inlet
SC
USA
1253 Posts |
Posted - Aug 24 2024 : 05:45:44 AM
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I love your reading challenge Shenandoah, and the thank you gift is wonderful! I might have to adopt that idea for my neighborhood.
A day hemmed in prayer is less likely to unravel.
Farm Girl #3677
Farmgirl of the Month: Aug/2022
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MaryJanesNiece
True Blue Farmgirl
7231 Posts
Krista
Utah
USA
7231 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2024 : 12:40:38 PM
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Shennandoah, I am doing both the beginner and intermediate canning badges. I did them together and now I just need to apply for them both. Your summer reading challenge sounds great. I am happy to hear it was such a success. You have been kicking butt with all your badges. Way to go!
Krista |
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shennandoah
True Blue Farmgirl
129 Posts
Shennandoah
La Vernia
TX
USA
129 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2024 : 1:35:39 PM
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| Thanks Krista and Wanda! I just earned the expert level Grease Chicks and was hemming and repairing clothes for Nellie Will Do (I think lol).going to build a bigger brooder for my baby chicks and trying to find sheep for backyard farmer intermediate badge too! I’ve fallen in love with raising poultry and am trying to hatch some, as well as adding broilers and ducks. Been researching heritage breeds and have a wish list going. Trying to salvage material for building more coops! |
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KnyttWytch
True Blue Farmgirl
84 Posts
Hilary
Cambridge
Cambridgeshire
United Kingdom
84 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2024 : 3:03:48 PM
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Wow you all sound busy! I just rejoined for six years and need to find badges I can do whilst sat in my chair!
#6958 Disabled knitter and stitcher (lover of real food!) |
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jillyd
True Blue Farmgirl
729 Posts
Jill
Saanichton
British Columbia
Canada
729 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2024 : 5:05:16 PM
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Wow, Shannandoah, you have been busy. I love the sound of your book club, that sounds like a really fun badge. I'll have to check it out. Good job on all your canning, Krista. I've mostly been spinning, spinning, spinning for my course. I should have a read-through and see if I've finished anything over the summer.
Jill
Farmgirl #6748
"When life gets super crazy, do your art. It helps you remember the exquisite, imaginary, delightful, lovely side of what is otherwise sometimes a bit much" Sylvia Olsen |
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MaryJanesNiece
True Blue Farmgirl
7231 Posts
Krista
Utah
USA
7231 Posts |
Posted - Aug 28 2024 : 1:06:49 PM
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Look at all those badges you are finishing Shannandoah! Great work!
Hilary, that's great! I look forward to seeing which ones you pick.
Jill, I have to do the same thing. That's how I found out about the canning badges.
Krista |
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shennandoah
True Blue Farmgirl
129 Posts
Shennandoah
La Vernia
TX
USA
129 Posts |
Posted - Sep 04 2024 : 1:48:36 PM
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Thanks ladies! The reading challenge ended so we will be doing our awards party next Friday. Then I can submit for the intermediate badge! I've had some set backs the past two months but back on track with my badges. Hope to knock out a bunch more soon!
Making memories, building connections, and adding color and magic to every day life |
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Tchr66
True Blue Farmgirl
502 Posts
Terri
Clarington
Ohio
USA
502 Posts |
Posted - Sep 06 2024 : 05:21:25 AM
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I've been working on my Cleaning Up for earning a Expert Leave It Better Than You Found It Merit Badge for the summer. This morning as I was walking to my classroom, I found myself stopping to pick up litter that was on the ground out of habit. I had not realized that this has simply become something I do. I think this is part of the idea of the badge. If we all get into the habit, it will be a much better place to live, this beautiful blue Earth.
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord
Joshua 24:15
Farm Girl #8042 |
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MaryJanesNiece
True Blue Farmgirl
7231 Posts
Krista
Utah
USA
7231 Posts |
Posted - Sep 06 2024 : 12:46:20 PM
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Shennandoah, you have been rocking it! Even with your set backs. I bet you will be knocking out a bunch more in no time.
Terri, that's great! And I agree with you. Because sometimes even our habits will rub off on others. Good habits like that would be wonderful to spread around. At my daughters school, they encourage cleaning up litter. They are awarded positive tickets if they clean up litter while at recess. Makes me happy knowing they are teaching them at such a young age.
Krista |
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Tchr66
True Blue Farmgirl
502 Posts
Terri
Clarington
Ohio
USA
502 Posts |
Posted - Sep 13 2024 : 7:12:45 PM
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In working on my Green Energy Beginner Merit Badge, I have made a number of interesting facts about the generation of the electricity for our system. It was easy to find by simply checking out our Co-op's website. I learned that although most of our electric is generated by burning coal, it is not the only way. I have learned that natural gas is also one of the resources used for this. But, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that "solar, hydropower, anaerobic digesters and landfill methane are used to supplement the energy mix." I did a little digging to learn what these other sources actually were. The solar and hydropower I knew were of the sun and flowing water. I learned that the methane produced on pork and chicken farms (in the manure) and the landfill in a nearby county are being collected and used to generate electricity.
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord
Joshua 24:15
Farm Girl #8042 |
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MaryJanesNiece
True Blue Farmgirl
7231 Posts
Krista
Utah
USA
7231 Posts |
Posted - Sep 16 2024 : 12:40:25 PM
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Way to go Terri! Congratulations on completing a badge.
Krista |
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Tchr66
True Blue Farmgirl
502 Posts
Terri
Clarington
Ohio
USA
502 Posts |
Posted - Sep 18 2024 : 06:29:37 AM
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Thank you Krista. It was interesting to learn about the renewables. I can not wait to share this with my students when we get to that lesson.
Have a great day!
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord
Joshua 24:15
Farm Girl #8042 |
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Nancy Joplin
True Blue Farmgirl
286 Posts
Nancy
Ontario
California
USA
286 Posts |
Posted - Sep 18 2024 : 5:54:47 PM
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Great job, Terri! Keep earning those badges!
Nancy 8352 |
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Tchr66
True Blue Farmgirl
502 Posts
Terri
Clarington
Ohio
USA
502 Posts |
Posted - Sep 19 2024 : 09:46:20 AM
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Has anyone borrowed books from the MJ library? How long does it take to get the book? How long can you keep it without fine? Is S&H high on books these days?
Thanks for your input in advance.
Terri 8042
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord
Joshua 24:15
Farm Girl #8042 |
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Blessed in Colorado
True Blue Farmgirl
6722 Posts
Debbie L.
Oregon
USA
6722 Posts |
Posted - Sep 19 2024 : 10:16:29 AM
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I have a book I borrowed from MJF and I am still reading it. I am slow. But I think I can keep it as long as I need as long as I return it and someone else does not need it. Shipping one book it not that bad. The farm ships the book to you free you just need to pay to send it back. If the book is available it comes very quick, mine did anyway. Hope this helps Terri,
Big Hugs,
Debbie
#1582
Blessed in Oregon
With Colorado on My Mind
Farmgirl of the Month September 2012, February 2018, September 2022
“My altars are My Mountains
and the Ocean.” Lord Byron”
When I am Old I Shall Wear Purple, I am Old now!!
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MaryJanesNiece
True Blue Farmgirl
7231 Posts
Krista
Utah
USA
7231 Posts |
Posted - Sep 20 2024 : 12:06:35 PM
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I agree with Debbie, but I do want to add that it's very important to return the book. I wasn't able to borrow one once because the previous lady never returned it. It can affect a lot of people.
Krista |
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shennandoah
True Blue Farmgirl
129 Posts
Shennandoah
La Vernia
TX
USA
129 Posts |
Posted - Sep 21 2024 : 06:53:50 AM
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I was able to find the books at Abe books for a significant discount. That way I didn’t have to worry about deadlines and I have been loaning them to my fellow farm girls here.
Making memories, building connections, and adding color and magic to every day life |
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Nancy Joplin
True Blue Farmgirl
286 Posts
Nancy
Ontario
California
USA
286 Posts |
Posted - Sep 25 2024 : 3:04:39 PM
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Hi, All! I am working on Putting Away For Winter expert level. I researched the different types off canning that are considered to be safe now. Three types were recommended based on what is being canned. Pressure Canning (which can be used for all typed of food), Water Bath Canning (for high acid foods), and Atmospheric Steam Canning (also for high acid foods).
I found out that there are two typed of Pressure Canners, Dial Gauge and Weighted Gauge. With the Dial Gauge, heat and pressure increase as the dial rises. It is necessary to monitor the gauge and adjust the heat to maintain correct pressure, and the gauge should be tested yearly for accuracy. With the Weighted Gauge, there are two types. One has a flat disk with 5, 10, and 15 pound markings, while the other has three rings - 5 pounds is one ring with each added ring ring an additional 5 pounds. This type of canner does not need to be checked for accuracy.
Water Bath Canners need to be big enough to allow for the jars to be completely surrounded by water. They need to have a rack for this purpose and space above for the jars to be covered with 1 - 2 inches of water. They also need a lid.
Atmospheric Steam Canner reach a temperature of 212*F for high acid foods, so they are safe for canning those types of food. Any food that needs to be processed for more than 45 minutes should not be processed in an Atmospheric Steam Canner because the canner could boil dry.
Always use scientifically research tested recipes and process for the correct time and at the correct pressure (if applicable). |
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jillyd
True Blue Farmgirl
729 Posts
Jill
Saanichton
British Columbia
Canada
729 Posts |
Posted - Sep 25 2024 : 4:43:09 PM
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That's very interesting, Nancy. I've only ever used a water bath canner, but have thought about getting a pressure canner.
Jill
Farmgirl #6748
"When life gets super crazy, do your art. It helps you remember the exquisite, imaginary, delightful, lovely side of what is otherwise sometimes a bit much" Sylvia Olsen |
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MaryJanesNiece
True Blue Farmgirl
7231 Posts
Krista
Utah
USA
7231 Posts |
Posted - Sep 27 2024 : 12:21:22 PM
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I use my water bath canner frequently, but my pressure canner only once. I hope to use it more next year when my garden does better. I haven't heard of the Atmospheric Steam Canner before. Great work on your expert level badge Nancy!
Krista |
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Merit Badge Chit Chat: Just a bit of merit badge chit chat |
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Just a bit of merit badge chit chat
