It's time to cool off . . .

Probably in more ways than one . . . it's scorching outside and it feels like, well . . . the desert is on fire. I also feel like the stake and ward have been on fire with preparedness! Since February, when I received the stake calling, I have organized 4 stake group orders - solar ovens, honey, water barrels and I am wrapping up the hand grinder order and submission. Preparedness has been on fire and the momentum has been simply amazing! But, I think it's time to cool off and enjoy the break of routine summer provides. Actually, the water barrel and hand grinder orders virtually fell into my lap. The information and prices just seemed to work out but I know better than that. It is what the Lord wanted to have happen for our ward and for our stake. It was much too coincidental that the details and circumstances were near perfect. So for now, enjoy your family, enjoy the break in routine for the last few weeks of summer and start saving for our next round of group orders. There is still so much to be accomplished and lives to be blessed through teaching self-reliance and obedience. Cool off and enjoy the break - I'm going to for a bit . . .

FYI Stake News - We (High Council, Stake RS President, myself and others) are hard at work devising a stake preparedness plan. It is a bit overwhelming but when it is completed I will sleep a whole lot easier! Also, just a heads up the stake Presidency will be focusing on preparedness starting in the fall complete with firesides and other activities. The rest will be short lived as the works moves forward!! Keep your sleeves rolled up and your shoulder to the wheel!

More Cannery News

Inflation is here...

Prices at LDS canneries show inflation for food up between 11 and 49%

• By Kenneth Schortgen Jr, Finance Examiner
• April 7th, 2011 1:17 pm ET

Price increases on April 4th at the LDS canneries show inflation up between 11 and 49% for many basic food staples.  These rise in prices are a strong barometer for the overall economy since the LDS facilities are usually the last to raise prices for their communities, which provides food in bulk that they can collect through their vast networking operations.

According to the new price list from April 4th, many food staples have increased by more than 20% since the last price list came out just 3 months ago on January 3rd.

Beans. Black 13.69%
Beans, Pinto 12.13%
Beans, White 11.88%
Milk, Non Fat Dry 25.00%
Rice 38.99%
Sugar 33.81%
Wheat, Red/White 44.54%
Apple Slices 24.53%
Carrots 21.31%
Macaroni 40.25%
Oats, Quick 48.90%
Oats, Regular 49.19%
Onions 21.60%
Potato Flakes 33.33%
Spaghetti 38.99%
Beans, Refried 27.72%
Cocoa Mix 40.69%
Flour 29.70%
Fruit Drink Mix 26.20%

LDS churches and organizations have long been at the forefront in preparedness for families and communities.  As one of the wealthiest corporations in the world, their network of companies and church affiliations allow them access to cheaper food sources, and the capacity to store them for long periods of time through their canning facilities.

As the government and Federal Reserve continues to tell the American people that inflation is low, and contained by their monetary policies, the real barometer of inflation in the economy comes from the grocers, markets, and institutions that deal with food sales and production, and must monitor prices daily as commodities continue to climb.

The LDS's raising food prices at their canneries by 11 to 49% in just three months should be a serious wakeup call to all Americans on the true inflationary conditions that exist in our economy, and that we need to constantly look outside government reports for the true data affecting our spending and finances.

Tags:

Prices, LDS, Food, canneries, Inflation, commodities

Interesting Article . . . Should we feel embarassment getting prepared?

Interesting article I read today from Solutions From Science. Although it specifically uses the example of heirloom seeds, the general message is universally applicable to ALL aspects of preparedness - our desire to be independent and self-reliant while contending with the funny looks and strange questions we get as we attend the cannery and buy huge amounts of wheat and then shove it any place it will fit in our homes or when we stroll out of Costco with a year's worth of toilet paper as heads turn and people wonder aloud, "What are they doing?!" Read it and see what you think, I could relate . . . I thought it was thought provoking, well stated and I wanted to share it with you. "Keep calm and carry on!"
~Lisa

A recent condescending article out of the New York Times made me understand why there is a "them" and "us" mentality in this world. I'm sure you know the reaction when any type of preparedness topic comes up in polite conversation. I've seen it, and I'm sure you have too.

It's the little smirk, the raised eyebrow, the quiet chuckle that lets you know in no uncertain terms that you're a lunatic because you choose to be prepared for the hard times coming. We're not talking hard-core survivalists here--we're speaking in terms of "preppers," people who can read the signs of the times and know it's about to get tough, and you better figure out a way to feed your family when it does.

It's like being prepared and not living life on the edge is idiotic for some reason. It's like using your common sense and seeing the way things are, refusing to put on the blinders, is comical to these people and cause for derision and snide insults.

I'm beginning to realize how Noah must have felt!

The Times article starts off with a condescending smirk. The subject is heirloom seeds, and the opening lines start with a suggestion that the reader consider buying a 1936 Oldsmobile coupe. No matter that modern safety features and technology haven't been incorporated into the 1936 car. If you're in the market for a car, why not start with a 75-year-old model? And then the writer comes in with his clever rejoinder and says that's exactly what heirloom seed purchasers are doing.

We're dinosaurs. We're stupid. We're ignoramuses that just don't understand, refusing to advance into the modern era of genetically modified seed that has been chemically treated and manipulated. After all, according to one seed seller, "modern seeds, which are generally hybrid crosses, produce a 'more vigorous plant, with better resistance to diseases.'"

We're called "right-thinking" gardeners, spouting an orthodoxy the Times author calls "heirloomism." And the chief executive officer of the Burpee Seed Company states that our desire for heirlooms comes from an "anti-science credo" that has hardened into a "Luddite fundamentalism."

And this is where the author of the piece really doesn't get it. He goes on about taste, about the size of the plant and supporting structure, about the time it takes for vegetables to grow and harvesting. He never gets into the main reason that we want heirloom seeds.

Independence.

You see, I'm willing to allow a little more time for my tomato plants to mature if it means I can get the seed from them to grow another crop next year. I'm willing to forego all the wonders of modern science and genetic manipulation (and the resulting crop failure like has happened for those poor farmers in India) for those heirloom seeds that have hardiness etched into their genetic makeup, those varieties that have withstood the test of time and continue to grow and reproduce without needing a life support system to sustain them.

I'm willing to do all that for the sake of not having to depend on a smirking, condescending agri-giant to supply me with my seed stock. I'm willing to do that for the sake of being able to feed my family without having to depend on government subsidies or a faltering economy to do so.

And I'm sure that's the main reason you continue learning, striving, and doing as well.

Independence.

We used to know what that word meant, but many people don't anymore. Those of us who do are ridiculed for our grit and determination. The neighbors look at you askance as you plant another fruit tree, till another garden plot, or try your hand at canning and food storage. Self-sufficiency has become the joke of the modern world that would rather trust its future to dubious associations and connections than experience true freedom.

And freedom is what it's all about.

 Freedom from worry...

 Freedom from stress...

 Freedom from empty stomachs and your children going to bed hungry...

In these days, when that technological grid that we've become dependent upon seems more and more fragile, it only makes sense to step back and access the situation. Technological advancements are wonderful, but if they put you and your family at increasing risk of harm, then their usefulness in some areas needs to be questioned.

You can call me a Luddite, you can raise your eyebrows and smirk, you can be condescending and talk about me behind my back. But when that next true Great Depression hits (no, we're not in it yet, but it's coming), those that stood back and laughed won't be laughing so hard anymore.

Sometimes, that ancient 1936 Oldsmobile coupe is hard to beat.

Solutions From Science – 6 April 2011

Prices on the Rise at the Mesa Cannery

For the third time this year I received an e-mail from the Mesa Cannery with updated prices changes. Thus far, the price changes were relatively minor with only a few items becoming more expensive by a few cents. It was more annoying than alarming at that point since it meant getting every ward specialist in the stake the new information and not getting confused with older price sheets. The current e-mail I received yesterday from the cannery was different. Every item the cannery currently carries jumped in price - everything. Price jumps range from $0.05 per can on potato flakes to $1.10 price increases per can on hot cocoa. Average price increases are about $0.80 more per can. If you have been following our ward blog, you may remember last summer I challenged the ward to re-evaluate and reassess long-term storage. I hope you did and took advantage of the cheaper prices then. I personally feel with the volatile economy combined with ever rising fuel prices and the "food crisis" underway from failed crops, we have not seen the last of the price adjustments at the Mesa cannery. I am not saying this to be an alarmist but rather as a realist and as someone who has been called and set apart to help and teach families in our ward and stake to be prepared. Again, I would urge you to look at your long-term storage and decide where you need to add and replenish. If you would like to go on a Friday and do some canning for your family and would like me to go, please let me know. I am planning on a Friday or two in May to accompany already interested families to the cannery. I am more than happy to go with you and help! Both Christina Atwood and I have the updated cannery price list and Christina has the updated sign up sheet for May if you want to sign up and go. Please reassess your long-term storage and decide what you need and then sign up . . . I'm here to help you and ready to take you on a Friday - just say the word!
Yours in preparedness,
~Lisa