Today, we were kind of taking a rest after working so hard yesterday and the day before. Will had been readying the gardens for applying manure and tilling while I was busy canning up dozens of jars of the older beef and chicken from the freezer. And it’s been raining heavily since early this morning. We have almost 2 inches already and no sign of it stopping. We did need the moisture to keep the fire danger low and to get our beaver ponds filled up nicely.
I was happy with the canning as I only had two jars that didn’t seal, one was dog food chicken breast, and the other was ground beef. I heated up that jar of ground beef and we had a nice meal of tacos last night and the dogs were happy with the addition of chicken to their kibble this morning.
We had been to town to mail some seed packages to customers and after we got back a knock at the door and barking dogs announced a visitor. It was Jeff from the Dept. of Agriculture, here to get seeds for a germination test. For months and even years, we’d been kind of expecting a black helicopter with black-Opp guys, rappelling down with big guns. Jeff was just a regular nice guy in civilian clothes. No big guns. We had a nice visit and he collected some seeds and information. Whew, we were glad our nightmare hadn’t come to light! He said he’d like to come see our gardens with his wife this summer and we said we’d be glad to have them.
I’m almost done transplanting tomatoes and should finish tomorrow. Then, it won’t be long before I’m starting melons, brassicas, squash, and pumpkins inside. They’ll have to go out to the deck when they’ve grown some as there is absolutely no room in the greenhouse!
This rain is greening up the grass and the tree buds are swelling. Lots of our flowers are coming up. Now I hope we don’t get more snow!
— Jackie
Since you have numerous questions to answer on this blog, I’ll add mine!
I’ve canned ground beef both ways now, dry and with liquid. Is it still considered “safe” to do it dry? I think I like the texture better when using it, because the liquid ground meat seems mushier and makes me think of dog food.
If it is safer to use liquid, can I add a lesser amount, or does it need to be within an inch of the top?
Thanks for all the guidance, and interesting peeks we get into your life up there. How you do it all, is beyond me!
The meat has so much moisture in it that it creates enough steam inside the jars to ensure safe canning. That said, it is not an “approved” method as the government experts don’t bother testing various foods. I figure if you can can raw meat without liquid, this should be just fine. I’m sure someone will crucify me for saying this but have at it.
If you wish to can ground meat with liquid, you should fill the jars to within an inch of the top to gain 1″ of headspace, with liquid over the meat.
A lot of people wonder about the ag guy. Can you do a post just on this question?
In order for us to be licensed to sell seeds, we must agree to being inspected at any time, to ensure our germination meets state standards.
I don’t get it. Why would the dept of ag come? It’s none of their business! Have they taken it upon themselves to register your farm? The central gov would like all of us with backyard vegetable gardens to register them. That’s sick.
No, they haven’t registered our farm or other spinster theories. In order for us to have a state license to sell seeds, we had to agree to being inspected at any time. Luckily, we were home when Jeff showed up. Our seeds must meet the state minimum germination, which I’m sure the do, and then some; we do our own testing. He was pleasant and polite. We have had a state license for years now and this is our first visit.
Hey, you wouldn’t want to buy seeds that wouldn’t germinate, would you?
We sure could use some of that rain here. Send it my way if you want, lol. The canning looks great and what a comfort to have that on the shelves. I’m sure its on the the next project, but at least you got a day of rest. Sending prayers for a blessed week!
Thanks again! We are so happy to have all that food all canned up now. Yep, it’s on to the next projects!!
We have had a lot of rain here in Ohio. Our garden hasn’t been able to dry out long enough to till but hopefully soon. Do the dogs get along any better since being fixed?
No, unfortunately, it isn’t Sarge that caused the problem. Hondo is still trying to be the alpha dog and snarls at Sarge when he walks by his crate. (Hey, didn’t he get his a** whipped but good last time they tangled?) And at 12, going on 13, we feel Hondo is just too old to have neutered. We’ll see what we can do with training.
Dear Jackie, your canning looks great. I have done ham, beef and chicken this last year and I am wondering why I waited so long. Your Dept of Ag man may have come to see if you are growing weed with your seeds! LOL. I know Daddy used to have helicopters fly very low over his green house to check it out. He was such a prankster and often said he was going to paint an illegal weed plant on the inside glass of his greenhouse ceiling. He was an artist, too.
Boy, that got me laughing! Naw, he didn’t even look in our greenhouse, although we invited him. We used to think those helicopters that used to fly low over us were looking for weed. They could come for lunch; we don’t grow or use it. : )
I’m wondering why that man from the dept. of agricultural came to get seeds from you. Is it to make sure you’re not growing anything that has a patent belonging to big corporate farms? I never heard of this happening before and I have many farmer relatives who farm in Illinois. You don’t have to worry of course but it sounds intrusive. Love all those beautiful jars you canned up.You sure are a hard worker!!!
No, he had to collect 800 seeds of four varieties for germination testing, as to maintain our license, we had to agree to a random test for germination. It’s the same for anyone, including Menards and Walmart, who sell seeds in the state. We were a little nervous as it was our first visit. But no sweat; the guy was nice and friendly.
800 hundred seed of four varieties – I hope that didn’t wipe you out of those seeds.
It has been decades ago but I used to deal with MN insurance auditors. They were thorough – I never had any issues with them. One VP did but truth be told, the VP was a bit of an arse.
I enjoy canning meats also now, as I had always been intimidated to try it. You changed that for me. Thank you.
Now a question. When I can ham, is it normal for ham to turn color after processing?
Yes, it is. Ham will either turn quite dark, due to the sugar in the smoking brine or light, if it doesn’t have much sugar. Both are just fine tasting though. We sure love our canned meat. It’s so handy!
Thank you.
I got my first lot of asparagus-really a spring treat. I’m planting potatoes today as it finally dried up enough. You did a lot of canning. Everything is greening up here. Some of my apple trees I planted last year didn’t survive winter. So it goes
That canning is quite an accomplishment! I’ve found the presto pressure canner harder to use as I’ve become older so have cut back to a smaller electric pressure canner. Can’t do that volume of jars anymore. Glad you could rest a little.
Katherine
Hooray the canning is done. They keeping talking rain here but it has yet to appear. All depends on “the cap” they say.
Co-workers in the Twin Cities headed home at noon today to avoid getting caught in the predicated downpour (during rush hour).
Interesting you got a visit from (at least I hope your state) Department of Ag.