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Drought = Food Shortages?

Well after this summers extreme temperatures especially here in the Midwest and extreme or near extreme temps all over the US.

How likely is it we face food shortages next year?

Tags: drought, extreme, food, heat, shortages, summer

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Replies to This Discussion

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by D ale on August 13, 2012 at 21:05

Sue OldsWidow said : ... and squeeze off the air ...

The easiest quickest most efficient way I've found to remove as much air as possible .... have a deep container of H2O handy ... and submerse the baggies up to the zip-loc seal .. wk the baggie around a bit and all the air will be forced out due to the pressure .. zip-loc all but a finger width or so .. submerse the bag up to that open point .. then zip-loc shut. Works great !!!!

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by D ale on August 13, 2012 at 21:16

I just happen to have playing .. "Lord of the Rings" .. got some Hobbits down there, do ya ?!?

Jan Carter said:

Sue and Dale,

Where I live a root cellar is not feasible but I have been looking at this

http://izismile.com/2011/02/02/instructions_for_an_earthbag_dome_17...

Permalink Reply by Ron James on August 13, 2012 at 23:27

Jan, are you going to evict the hobbits first?

Jan Carter said:

Sue and Dale,

Where I live a root cellar is not feasible but I have been looking at this

http://izismile.com/2011/02/02/instructions_for_an_earthbag_dome_17...

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on August 23, 2012 at 18:44

Well Hobbits dont eat much, maybe they can stay in the root cellar

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on December 8, 2012 at 15:16

We always seem to think of canning or preserving as a summer and fall activity. How about winter veggies that lend themselves to being preserved

Storing Whole Winter Squash

Left unpeeled, whole winter squash can keep at room temperature for at least 3 months. However, sometimes spots of mold occur that soften the outer layer and ultimately spoil the squash.

To prevent mold spots, commercial growers sometimes wax the outsides of winter squashes. If you are going to store unwaxed winter squashes, you can achieve the same effect by oil buffing them.

To oil buff winter squashes, first wash them thoroughly to remove any dirt. Dry them completely (it is important that the surface of the squash be completely dry to prevent mold). Put a small amount of vegetable oil on a paper or clean cloth towel. Rub the oil all over the surface of the squash, buffing off any excess oil. The squash should be just barely shiny and not greasy to the touch.

Be sure to work the oil into the crevices of scallop-shaped squashes such as acorn and delicata varieties.

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on December 8, 2012 at 15:16

Dehydrating Winter Squash Dehydrated pumpkin and other winter squash works well for soups. I find it less successful for pies and other recipes. The advantages of using this preservation method are the light weight and little storage space required, plus the final product will keep indefinitely if stored away from direct light and heat. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Peel and seed the squash. Cut into pieces 1/4-inch thick and 1 to 2 inches long. Blanch the squash in the boiling water for 3 minutes. Drain. Spread on dehydrator trays leaving space between the pieces so that air can circulate around them. Dry at 125F until brittle. Store in airtight containers away from direct light or heat. To use, pour boiling hot water over the dehydrated squash pieces and let steep for 15 minutes before draining and proceeding with your recipe (save the soaking liquid to use in soups).

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on December 21, 2012 at 15:27

making soup tonight and I am using some of the dehydrated peppers. I want to get some squash done up. If you slice this stuff pretty thin it makes for great snacks too

Permalink Reply by Clay Strong on October 9, 2013 at 19:59

I'm glad to see others discussing what will surely be a very real problem for us. I heard today that some corn producing acreage is worth over 20 grand per acre and is being invested in by foreigners. They see the future alright. Our government should consider that threat to our national security. I will be dead before society in general sees the light. It may be too late for future generations though. If I were young, I would look to the North for a life with less strife and I don't think I would have children who would have shortened and difficult lives.

Permalink Reply by Clay Strong on October 9, 2013 at 20:04

Isn't that something. As I finished that post, Nova came on with a mega storm documentary on PBS. In the trailer a guy says "Florida is doomed." Geeeeez.

Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on October 9, 2013 at 20:17

Wow well that's not good either especially if the doom part is related to weather... There goes Orange juice.

Clay Strong said:

Isn't that something. As I finished that post, Nova came on with a mega storm documentary on PBS. In the trailer a guy says "Florida is doomed." Geeeeez.

Permalink Reply by Clay Strong on October 9, 2013 at 20:45

30.thousand years ago the beaches of Florida were 30 to 35 miles farther out in the Gulf. That was during the last major ice age. It has not stopped rising. And, is now like a runaway train. Just eight feet more and half of the state is under water. Orlando is low country recovered from swampy areas. Yet, people are flocking to that area. Where will these people go? And, what will it take to make them see the folly of ignoring it?

If California, and Florida, are no longer able to produce food 40 years from now, chaos will be the norm. Panic will build and battles fought over food supplies. Along with this will be the losses from drought conditions that will last for centuries. Survival will be tough for our grandchildren. Can we train them in survival so they will have a chance? We must try.

Permalink Reply by Ron James on October 9, 2013 at 23:30

I'm 56, and I think I will see hard times in my lifetime. Children and Grandchildren need to be weaned off of smartphones and reality shows and get them back to the art of survival, including weapons, defense, gardens, medical, canning, hunting and fishing.

If things were to fall apart right now, they would be in big trouble because of their lack of knowledge.

I have a survival library that has books on almost every needed subject. Having been in survival for over 35 years, I would be glad to teach the younger people the art, but no one is interested. Really sad.