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LEGUMES GRAINS BROADLEAF SQUASH FOLATES ROOT CROPS FRUIT TREES ANIMALS FLOWERS / POLLEN / HERBS HONEY BEES MUSHROOMS Remaining Crops
These remaining crops are nutritious, but they have nutritional, processing, or flavor disadvantages. However, they are useful in that they provide a broad range of diversity for disease resistance and environmental adaptability.
**********************************************************Legumes:
Soak all legumes for 24 hours. See Safe Sprouting Technique Cook with low heat. Making tempeh will also reduce the anti-nutrients. Most legumes contain incomplete proteins and are best when consumed as a complement to grains. Some people are too sensitive to tolerate legumes, even after sprouting and fermenting.Great Northern, White, and Navy Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris):
(Point of origin: South America) Advantages: Large beans are efficient and easy to harvest and process. For the young and healthy, these specific beans are some of the best sources of calcium. Good source of calcium for the elderly if sproated for 3 days and then boiled. Good flavor. Disadvantages: High levels of anti-nutrients Sources: Vermont Bean Seed, Johnny'sSoybeans (Glycine max):
(Point of origin: Asia) Advantages: drought resistant long storing, high protein (but out of balance) Disadvantages: high enzyme inhibitors and phytates. Tempeh may be the only form fit for human consumption. Protein profile is out of balance. Supplement with high tryptophan grain. Source: Seeds of Change, Territorial, Bountiful GardensPeanut (Arachis hypogaea):
(Point of origin: South America) Advantages: grows well in loose sandy soils has below ground protection from high wind, hail, etc. only requires moderate amounts of water High in resveratrol and biotin. Disadvantages: harbors toxic aflatoxin fungus requires cold storage requires 5 months of warm weather can cause severe allergy symptoms Sources: Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, BurpeeFava (Vicia faba var minor):
(Point of origin: Disputed) Advantages: Survives to 10 F. Disadvantages: Long growing season. Requires cool moist conditions. Varieties: Banner Bean, Broad Windsor Bean Sources: Territorial, Johnny'sChickpea (Cicer arietinum):
(Point of origin: Near East) NUTRITION: high protein low glycemic index Desi type is high in calcium Advantages: Requires slight drought conditions to set seed. Can regrow if frozen to the ground. Actually a vetch, so has different disease tendencies, and therefore good in crop rotation with other legumes. Disadvantages: Difficult to remove seed coat. Requires a long growing period. Requires warm dry weather to grow organically without fungicide. Variety: Myles (Desi type) Sources: Desi Chickpea Sources **********************************************************Grains:
Most grains contain complete proteins which are slightly out of balance. They are even better when complemented with legumes.
Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum):
(Point of origin: fertile crescent) Preparation: Soak for 24 hours before cooking Grind and ferment if inhibitors and phytates are a problem Cook with low heat Advantages: greater chance of a crop before summer heat and drought set in. Moderate to high protein, yield is higher than oats. Self pollinated. Disadvantges: Be sure to grow the proper type for your environment. high gluten Nutrition: Great as chicken feed. Wheatgrass has very little nutrition. It isn't the wheatgrass that has unusual properties, it's the Tilletia caries that has phytohormones. Source: Johnny's, Seedway, Welter Kaltenburg, Great Harvest Organics, Albert Lea Seed House, Bountiful Gardens WHEAT TYPESHulless oats (Avena sativa):
(Point of origin: Europe) Preparation: Soak for 24 hours, changing the water often Partially sprout if gluten is a problem Ferment if inhibitors and phytates are a problem Cook with low heat Advantages: grows well in cool climates tolerates heavy rainfall more than other grains hulless so fairly easy to thresh Self pollinated. DISADVANTAGE: very small grain Source: Johnny's, Seedway, Welter Kaltenburg, Great Harvest Organics, Albert Lea Seed House, Bountiful GardensFlax (Linum usitatissimum):
(Point of origin: Eurasia) Nutrition: Very high in ALA oil. Ok for humans, but difficult to digest. Best fed to animals since they are more efficient at converting ALA to DHA. Feed only small amounts as it imparts a bad flavor. Properties: Cool weather crop. Only harvest when fully mature or it will still contain cyanide. At maturity, cyanide moves into the roots. Planting: Plant thick to suppress weeds. Plant in early spring before weeds can sprout. Source: Bountiful Gardens, TerritorialHemp (Cannabis sativa):
(Point of origin: Asia) Advantages: Complete high protein, easy to grow High bio-mass producer even on low fertility. Low water requirement. A staple grain in ancient China: HISTORY OF HEMP No gluten. Omega-3 and omega-6. DISADVANTAGE: In the U.S., legalized in many states, but not federally approved. Some of the countries where it is grown commercially: Australia, Austria, Canada, China, Great Britain, France, Russia, Spain, etc. Grains not included: Corn - low protein, high gluten, open pollinated. requires lime to unlock protein. Rye - very low protein; if given a choice, animals will avoid. open pollinated Barley - used mainly for alcohol fermentation, difficult for chickens. Millet - not climate diverse, difficult to harvest. Sorghum - very low protein, open pollinated. **********************************************************Broadleaf:
******* Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioca): (Point of origin: Europe) Nutrition: Very nutritious. Consumed by humans and animals for centuries in Europe. Preparation: wilting or cooking slightly will neutralize the formic acid Propagation: Cannot be dry stored. Best planted in pasture fields for occasional use. Perennial. Propagated by seed, cuttings, or root division. Sources: Johnny’s Selected Seeds, Bountiful Gardens Richters *******Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum):
(Point of origin: Asia) Advantages: grows well under cool moist conditions gluten free contains rutin complete high protein excellent poultry feed great cover / catch crop quick maturing Disadvantages: requires cool conditions during blooming high in enzyme inhibitors easily lodges in high wind low yield Sources: Bountiful Gardens ***********************************************Squash:
Squash family (Cucurbitaceae): (point of origin: the Americas) nutrition: converts to sugar quickly so do not eat too much. good source of B6. insect control: grow up on a wire fence to control the squash bug keep away from night lights to avoid squash vine borer seed saving: species will not cross, but varieties within species will cross. Grow only one variety of each species if you save your own seed. properties: deer resistant winter squash: Kabocha Gold Nugget (C. maxima): Properties: AAS winner. Sweet potato substitute. Sources: Territorial Tatume (Cucurbita pepo): Properties: Immune to vine borer. Alternate names: Calabacita, Calabash ***********************************************Folates:
Liliaceae family: Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis): (point of origin: Europe) nutrition: high in folate, B6 contains rutin high in purines. the more red, the greater the possibility of lycopene. preparation: eat raw properties: deer resistant varieties: Jersey Knight - especially good hybrid for cold regions Purple Passion - purple color Jacques Ma - red color propagation: by root division sources: Thompson and Morgan, Territorial ****************************************************Root Crops:
Sugar beet (Chenopodiaceae Beta vulgaris 'saccherifera'):
(point of origin: Europe) nutrition: trimethylglycene in root. leaves are high in oxalates, so only eat the root. culture: wind pollinate up to 5 miles source: USDA Sugar Beet program ********Parsnip (Apiaceae Pastinaca sativa):
(point of origin: Eurasia) NUTRITION: medicinal harvest before frosts before it turns to sugar DISADVANTAGE: Converts to sugar quickly, so do not eat too much at one time. ADVANTAGES: Flavor is a cross between carrot and vanilla. If harvested before frost converts the carbohydrates to sugars, this crop can be parboiled, dryed, and used as a source of simple carbohydrate during times of adverse weather. PROPAGATION: very insect and disease resistant SOURCE: Territorial, Bountiful Gardens ********Salsify (Asteraceae tragopogon porrifolius):
(point of origin: Mediterranean) nutrition: converts to sugar quickly so don't eat much propagation: very insect and disease resistant source: Johnny's ********Rutabaga (Brassica napus napobrassica group):
(Point of origin: hybrid from Europe) nutrition: B6 converts to sugar quickly so don't eat much. preparation: does not store well propagation: will cross with turnips source: Territorial, Bountiful Gardens ********Potato (Solanum tuberosum):
(Point of origin: South America) Disadvantages: High alkaloid content. Difficult for the elderly to digest. Advantages: Northern Europe adopted potatoes because it prefers cool wet climates. Central Europe adopted potatoes once it realized that it was easy for an enemy to destroy a field of wheat but not a field of potatoes. It will survive heavy hail, fire, late freeze, high wind, etc. Source: Johnny's, Territorial, Burpee ********Radish ( Raphanus sativus ):
(Point of origin: hybrid from Europe) nutrition: high in calcium a little too spicy to eat much ****************************************************Fruit:
Apricot (Prunus armeniaca):
(Point of origin: Asia) Advantages: the more red, the greater the possibility of lycopene Disadvantages: Tends to bloom too early Properties: will not continue to ripen after harvest Sources: Miller's, Raintree Varieties: Harglow - zone 4a, late bloom orange flesh, disease resistant Jerseycot - zone 4b, late bloom orange flesh, disease resistant Hunza - zone 4b, late bloom pit is edible, deep orange skin disease resistant Chinese (Mormon) - zone 6, late bloom light orange flesh, disease resistant Violet and Tiger - Ben-Dor, dark red, zone 7 Apricot varieties Late Blooming Apricot **************Peach (Prunus persica):
(Point of origin: Asia) Advantages: the more red, the greater the possibility of lycopene Varieties: Red Haven - zone 5, red skin Very disease resistant Reliance - zone 5, red blush Very disease resistant McKay - zone 5 Peche de Vigne (Blood Peach), deep red flesh and skin Blood Peach Peche de Vigne ******** Black current (Ribes nigrum): (Point of origin: Europe and Asia) Nutrition: Seed oil is high in preprocessed omega 3,6,9 Black Consort - Properties: white pine rust immune, trim to single cane Sources: St. Lawrence **********Fig (Ficus carica):
(Point of origin: western Asia) Nutrition: will not ripen further after picking, so wait until the stem itself darkens. high in quick releasing sugar, so don't eat much. the tree has latex so some people cannot tolerate the fruit. Properties: prefers a warm dry environment. cool weather varieties are available. Varieties: choose a variety which will ripen in your region. Brown Turkey: bears on new wood , has a small eye , ripens in cool weather Hardy Chicago: bears on new wood , has a small eye , ripens in cool weather Sources: Miller, Raintree, One Green World ********Damson Plum (Prunus domestica insititia):
(Point of origin: Europe) Nutrition: Very rich in anti-oxidants Properties: Slightly acidic Requires a moist environment Shallow root, not even slightly drought tolerant Tastes best after touched by frost Very cold hardy Varieties: Merryweather, President PlumAmerican Wild Plum (Prunus americana):
(Point of origin: North America) Nutrition: Very rich in anti-oxidants Properties: Slightly acidic Will tolerate a moist environment Intermediate root depth, moderately drought tolerant Excellant root stock for grafting other varieties onto Moderately cold hardy Varieties: Monitor, South Dakota Grafted plums onto Prunus americana can be slightly more moisture tolerant. St. Lawrence Nurseries - grafted plums There are many other plum varieties, that are very anti-oxidant rich, but they only grow well in extremely dry desert environments, with a moderate temperature. ********Blackberry (Rubus nigrobaccus):
(Point of origin: North America) Nutrition: very nutritious, seedy Properties: one of the most disease and insect resistant fruits conifers (cone bearers) harbor disease mulch to protect from freezing grows well around water Management: IPM Center Varieties: Triple Crown: Very sweet but prone to sunburn. Good for fresh eating Erect, thornless Zone 5, good disease resistance Doyle - zone 5 , mainly good for jelly , thornless, trailing (needs trellis) , very disease resistant Obsidian - zone 7-9 , excellant flavor , thorny, trailing (needs trellis) , very disease resistant USDA - Obsidian blackberry Marion - zone 7-9 , excellant flavor , thorny, trailing (needs trellis) , good disease resistance Disease and other characteristics ratings: Oregan State - blackberry rating University of Arkansas - blackberry rating University of Arkansas - blackberry rating University of Arkansas - Navaho Sources: Millers Weeksberry Backyard Berry Plants ********Black Raspberry (Rubus occidentalis):
(Point of origin: North America) Nutrition: astoundingly nutritious, seedy Disadvantages: Even the most resistant varieties are still very disease prone Cultivation: Well drained soil, never water from overhead To overcome disease, grow in semi-wild setting as desribed below: The Contrary Farmer Varieties: JEWEL - good overall disease resistance, good yield MUNGER - good fungal resistance, poor cold hardiness Wild - potential for superior flavor *************Honey berry (Lonicera edulis var. Kamtschatica):
Source: One Green World ********Chinese Wolfberry (Lycium chinense):
Nutrition: rich in zeaxanthin Source: Horizon Herbs, One Green World Properties: Invasive *****************************************************TREES:
Siberian Pea Shrub (Caragana arborescens):
Properties: A member of the legume family, nitrogen-fixing extremely hardy The ``peas'' are reportedly 36% protein Use for animal or chicken feed. Must be cooked before feeding to animals. Source: St. Lawrence LEGUME TREES - PURDUE UNIVERSITY LITTLE KNOWN LEGUMES ****************************************************Animals:
********************************************** Fish: nutrition: moderate levels of purines properties: can be farm raised easily in freshwater. all of these fish will have some level of omega-3 oils, maybe more depending on their diet. Advantages: Feed conversion ratio slightly over 1:1 Disadvantages: High labor inputs Difficult to control disease Moderately high purine levels Varieties: North American Native Species and their dietary sources: bluegill - algae, zooplankton, insects, plants, invertebrates, small fish reproduces freely very ammonia tolerant Excellent flavor. channel catfish - bottom feeder of detritus will not easily reproduce but can be managed very ammonia tolerant Excellent flavor. Asian Species and their dietary sources: grass carp - feed on soft aquatic plants. can control aquatic plant growth. very ammonia and low oxygen tolerant. Will only spawn in moving water. Excellent flavor. Coastal Species: cod - moderate in purines , high in omega-3 , high in vitamin D salmon - moderately high in purines , high in omega-3. , high in vitamin D Efficient recycling integrated farming systems can be used to create a complete cycle of nutrients. Earth Policy Institute Freshwater Fisheries and Aquaculture in China Integrated Agriculture-Aquaculture ******************************************************** HOG: Advantage: Large farms in warm climates can justify having a few for their utility. Can be used to eat fallen fruit if the orchard is large enough. This will interrupt insect pest cycles. They can utilize crop residues after harvest, dig up weeds after harvest, clear land for cultivation, speed decomposition of manure, and interrupt parasite cycles in other animals. Hogs are often raised with cattle since they share few diseases. Feed them acorns, soy, forage, sugar beet, okra seed, flax, squash seed, Jerusalem artichoke, etc. If consumed on farm, recycle everything on the farm. FCR around 2:1. Disadvantage: Coprophagic animals can be parasite carriers. Dig up pastures. Best kept in small numbers only sufficient for their function. May require winter protection so utility of hogs must be large enough to warrant the expense. Breeds: Some heritage breeds are more docile and substantial forage eaters. Breeds that have reduced digging tendencies: LARGE BLACK HOGS GLOUCESTERSHIRE OLD SPOT KUNE KUNE ********************************************************** Sheep: Nutrition: moderate purine levels nutrient rich red meat Advantage: very docile grass and forage eater in small numbers, good for controlling weeds, eating stubble, on farm consumption, etc. for commercial use, best in cold climates too cold for other animals Disadvantges: FCR of 8:1 General Information: Sheep 101 Sheep - Oklahoma State Sheep - Encarta Hair sheep for mutton: Katahdins - parasite resistant. Damara sheep - parasite and disease resistant. Mutton Wool Breeds: Southdown - good mutton North Country Cheviot - hardy, tasty mutton Scottish Blackface - hardy, tasty mutton, parasite resistant Commercial Breeds: Suffolk - large lambs Dorset - prolific lambing Hampshire - efficient ********************************************** Insects: Advantages: excellent for poultry and fish even for cat and dog food insects which are likely to be more tolerable are ant eggs, worms, caterpiler, grubs, etc. Disadvantages: some insects may trigger allergies, especially the hard shell insects. purine levels are unknown. Book: Creepy Crawly Cuisine by Julieta Ramos - Elorduy, PHD COMMENTARY: Feed high omega-3 crops like flax, buckwheat greens, or purslane, etc. to insects. Then feed the insects to laying chickens and fish. This might produce high levels of DHA. High protein and mineral crops like soy, sesame, quinoa, lambsquarters, amaranth, okra, etc. might also be converted without cooking or processing. These crops cannot be fed in large quantities directly to chickens or fish due to flavor and digestability problems. Or convert animal viscera to larvae and feed to chickens. Mississippi State - insect diet for fish DHA levels in insects Insects as Chicken Feed Ohio State University Avian Aqua Miser The Modern Homestead ******************************************************** GOOSE: Advantage: Grass eater and weeder Egg production Disadvantges: Better suited to large fields. Noisy. Guide: Metzer Farms Geese Breeds Egg Production Breeds: Chinese Geese - weeder and eggs Pilgrim - good meat and low fat Toulouse - for meat and eggs Embden - eggs and meat ******************************************************** Beef cattle (Grass eaters): nutrition: moderate purine levels nutrient rich red meat Advantage: grass eater High in B vitamins. Ideal for market Brains and eyes are an extremely rich source of DHA. Muscle has only moderate amounts of EPA / DHA. Disadvantages: FCR of 7:1 at best. Usually, the smaller they are, the more efficient they are. Too small or too large may reduce fertility. If you are new to working with cattle, start with some of these more docile breeds. Beginner breeds(very docile): Galloway Galloway Very Docile, polled, medium small sized, cold climate, finish on grass. South Devon Very Docile, polled, medium sized, very efficient FCR, finish on grass, young at puberty. Highland Highland Sires Very docile. Ideal in harsh cold climates and rough terrain. Can be used as an ox. ************** The cattle below are more about commercial ranching. They are more demanding and less docile. Moderately Docile Breeds: Murray Grey Murray Grey Docile, polled, medium sized, finish on grass. (North or Red or Ruby Red) Devon Devon Docile, horned or polled, medium sized, finish on grass with very good marbling, can be used as oxen. Hereford Docile, horned or polled, finish on grass, hardy, can be used as oxen, miniature and full sized. Independent Breeds: Angus Independent, polled, finish on grass, high quality marbling, miniature and full sized, fertile. Beefalo Independent. Efficient grass eaters. Links: Thousand Hills Cattle Co. Stockman Grass Farmer Bakewell Reproductive Center Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Bovine Bazaar Pharo Cattle ***************************************************** Animal products not included: Dairy - not a normal food after weaning except in extreme environmental conditions. Labor intensive. Magnesium is low compared to calcium. Chicken - grain is better used to keep layers producing eggs. Retired layers can be sold as broilers. Ostrich - will only breed in warm climates. ********************************************** Final conclusion: Meat will be high in purines. Drink plenty of unchlorinated water. GoutCure.com ****************************************************Flowers, Pollen, and Herbs:
African Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.):
ORIGIN: Mexico NUTRITION: rich in lutein ADVANTAGES: excellent for laying hens to increase levels in their eggs SOURCE: Goldsmith (Inca II Gold)Peppermint (Mentha × piperita):
Aromatherapy that is very soothing and calming. Source: RichtersScots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.):
ORIGIN: Scotland, Europe NUTRITION: pollen is rich in androstenedione ****************************************************Honey Bees:
ADVANTAGES: Improves pollination rates on the farm. Honey is a very effective way to encourage cattle to eat old dry hay. Bees can be used to collect pollen. DISADVANTAGES: Anything other than very small amounts is not healthy. LINKS: Bee Landing Back Yard Hive Petite Top Bar Hive Honey for Cattle Pacific Crest Apiaries Build Pollen Trap ****************************************************Wild Mushrooms:
ADVANTAGES: Will grow under low/no light conditions. Rich source of copper, selenium, zinc, and iron. DISADVANTAGES: Growing mushrooms is not easy. It makes more sense to harvest them wild. Extreme allergies are common. Requires in depth knowledge to keep from poisoning yourself. LINKS: Golden Oak Mushrooms - how to cultivate Edible Wild Mushrooms Nutrition Data American Mushrooms Back to Garden for Nutrition Index