Self-reliance Seminar in North Dakota

This is not a question, but perhaps a resource for you. You were just asked about putting on a self-reliance seminar at your place. The Mark Dagley family of central North Dakota have been doing something along this line for just about 10 years. The event is called “Prairie Days” and will take place June 17, 18, and 19th this year. It is a family oriented gathering where homesteading and self-reliance is demonstrated in sessions throughout the weekend. There are great pot luck meals, and sessions on everything from colt starting, to making soap, to musical stage shows and jam sessions, a zip line for the kids, stilt walking, and period clothing from the late 18- early 1900’s. It is attended by many home schooling families and has a Christian theme running throughout the weekend. They have a small “off-grid” cabin, a green house, and all kinds of gardening and livestock “goodies.” This year the Friday event will be the first day of an “Appleseed Project” event (the next two days of the Appleseed Project will finish in Minot, North Dakota). They do have a website that should show up under Google if you search “Prairie Days 2011.” Thought you might like to know.

Holly Burch
Mandan, North Dakota

Storing wheat berries

What is the best way to store wheat berries? I just bought a bucket and thought they would be in a mylar bag but they’re not.

Philip Russell
Hampton, New Hampshire

I store my wheat in a plain white gasketed 5-gallon bucket I buy at Super One bakery for $1. I’ve done this for years and have never had wheat go bad. — Jackie

Shelf life of frozen meat

What would you say the shelf life of butcher paper wrapped, vacuum sealed packages of venison that has been in a deep freezer? I have some uncased venison sausage, tenderloin, backstrap, and a neck roast that is from October 2008. It looks good and smells good but I am a bit concerned…

Rich Garcia
York, South Carolina

As long as the meat has been solidly frozen all that time, and it does not show signs of freezer burn, the meat will be fine to use. It won’t “spoil” in the freezer as bacteria don’t grow at zero degrees or lower. Your meat can be used up as normal. (But I wouldn’t let it store too much longer. If you must keep it longer, I’d advise canning it up. Then it’ll keep for years and years with no freezer burn fears! — Jackie