Archive for March, 2011

Selling At Local Farmers Markets

Posted on March 30th, 2011 by  |  Comments Off

Lots of people these days flock to their local farmers market for fresh produce at fair prices all across the country.  Selling at farmers markets is a great place for farmers to generate some extra cash and make people aware of what they do, and what they grow.

If you have an excess of homegrown produce and are considering selling it at the local farmers market, you can contact the market directly for information. Farmers markets often publicize in the newspaper, but if you cannot find a contact number, then visit the market directly and ask vendors for the name and phone number of the market organizer.

You might also find out information online by visiting your local Department of Agriculture website. The Department of Agriculture offers information on local laws and farmers market requirements, and often lists the markets looking for vendors, along with the appropriate contact information.

Showing and selling at a farmers market does have a fee associated with it, which can vary from area to area, and each market is different.  Some markets supply the basic essentials such as tents, poles for banners, tables, and chairs.  Electricity and water are other valuable things to have at a space, depending on what is being sold and displayed.  Others simply rent out the space.  Typically the more things that are supplied by the market, the more you will pay for renting the space. Some markets charge by the day, others by the week, month, or even for the entire season.  Always check out the details so you’ll be well informed.  Also, insurance is often needed so the owner of the market will not be liable.

Legitimate farmers markets follow their local regulatory agency requirements regarding licensing, health and cleanliness, food labeling, and eligibility. Vendors should receive this information from the market organizers, or they can visit the Department of Agriculture website for information.

Farmers are responsible for providing safe and properly labeled food, whether or not the market provides them with the rules and regulations. Farmers who grow their produce themselves usually do not need a license, but if a farmer buys any produce from another source to resell at the market, a license will be required.

Tax rules can vary, too.  Some farmers markets take care of tax information, but others do not.  A vendor needs to keep their own records either way.  They can monitor the market, or submit their own records.  Having an accurate accounting of their sales will give them a system that works for either.  A tax expert is a good idea as well.

Signage is helpful to be successful at a farmers market. People often wander around and look, and a sign will help them remember the name of the place they want to come back to. They can also refer people when they know the name of the vendor.  Vendors need to also have supplies, such as a place for money, pricing information, and bags to sell their product in. Never overlook transportation either. Getting product to market is important, and large quantities often require a larger vehicle to transport it to market.

A professional looking display can really help get a space noticed.  Vendor displays can compete with each other, so having good details in place to catch a customers eye helps.  Good signs, use of color, and clever displays will help sales soar.

These are only some of the guidelines from Susan Nelson Hopkins for you to consider when selling through a farmers market. Have a look at this no-cost listing of Farmers Market References and Resources to find comprehensive federal, state, and community contact information. By the way, since ripe, succulent fruit is often among the first items that sell out at any farmers market, you should also check out this relevant article about developing and maintaining healthy young fruit trees.

Bed Bug Covers, A Must Have

Posted on March 29th, 2011 by  |  Comments Off

Practically, you’d not be on this page looking for bed bug covers had you not had a huge bed bug assault recently so I will suppose you might be presently pre-occupied with acquiring your own personal space lessen unwanted intruders. An intriguing truth here is that although the first factor that you’d contemplate whenever you realise you’ve your bed invaded by these small pests is to hire a pest control man for hundreds (even thousands) of dollars, most professional exterminators agree that the most effective defence will be the use of mattress covers. Widely available nowadays in distinct price margins, bed bug mattress covers are becoming more popular worldwide although some individuals still tend go for the more extreme measures.

How do the bed bug covers assist anything?

It can be generally recognized that if your home is under an infestation or even should you believe it can be, the first thing you may desire to do is get some good fair covers. This really is simply because once these nasty creatures find a means in to your bed bug cover as well as box springs, it becomes a good deal harder, if not unattainable, to get rid of them. In present year, bed bugs have become something of an epidemic in many portions of the world and unfortunately the combat next to these creatures could get tiring. The factor is, this certain invasion is not only be subject to dirty, horribly unkempt houses. You just have to get exposed to them to take these insects house. If you have just got a new new mattress and there’s no rips or maybe tears in there, you may just spare yourself the task of acquiring bed covers however it is always better to be safe than sorry.

Issues when finding bed bug covers

A. At the beginning, when buying bed bug covers, you need to ensure you get them house and draped around your mattress once probable. The much less time you take to safeguard your mattress, the more chances you stand of obtaining there before the your very small enemies do. Do make sure you have got the size right which includes considerations for the box spring.

B. It is frequently argued that the vinyl mattress covers are way better compared to other contemporaries on the market however it all comes down to your own personal desire. The vinyl covers make excellent selections due to the fact not just do they keep the pests at bay but rather, they also show resilience to moisture.

C. Should you have allergies, you should take extra care when choosing your bed bug covers. It is possible to most definitely discover available on the market covers to keep away dust along with other allergens so make certain you know what you are doing.

D. Last but not least, you also should consider preserving your pillows. See, it’s really ironical how individuals invest a lot on bedding covers and tend to overlook their pillows. It’ll end up being a complete waste. Pillows also make wonderful homes for bed bugs so do not provide them with the bliss of sharing your own personal accessory. Consequently, be positive to safeguard yourself making use of bed bug covers.

Is Asphalt Roofing Right For Your Minnesota Home

Posted on March 29th, 2011 by  |  Comments Off

Asphalt Shingle Roofing

As the choice of 4 out of 5 homeowners, asphalt shingles top the list of popular roofing materials in the United States. The two basic types are composition and fiberglass-base shingles. Composition shingles have a core of organic “felt” made from wood and paper fibers. Fiberglass-base shingles have a core of man made fiberglass matting.

Both composition and fiberglass-base shingles are soaked in asphalt, but the fiberglass base shingles are more fire-resistant than the organic ones. Asphalt shingles have mineral granules embedded in their surfaces to offer protection against wear and the sun’s ultraviolet radiation.   It is a sign that you need to repair or replace your shingles when you find these granules washing away.

Four types of asphalt shingles are manufactured:

1) strip shingles

2) laminated shingles

3) interlocking shingles

4) large individual shingles

Strip shingles are the conventional type. They’re made in both standard and metric sizes. Those made for the American market are 12 inches wide by 36 inches long. Of these, “three tab” shingles are the most common. With these, a cutout distinguishes each tab, making it appear like an individual 12-inch-wide shingle. Depending on how you align these tabs, you can create a variety of patterns of shadow and light on the roof.

Laminated shingles, also known as architectural or three-dimensional shingles, vary in the size, number, spacing, and thickness of the tabs. They have more character and visual depth than standard strip shingles.

Interlocking shingles, excellent for heavy-wind areas, are designed to fasten to one another.

Large individual shingles are generally used in specialty situations. Their shapes tend to be either hexagonal or rectangular and they don’t have tabs.

The portion of a shingle that shows is called “exposure,” and the lower edge is referred to as the “butt.”  Shingles come in a variety of weights. Typically, the heavier the shingles, the longer they will last.

Choosing from the large assortment of available colors, textures, patterns, and weights can be daunting . Very often homeowners prefer premium-weight shingles, which may weigh 430 pounds per square (a 10-by-10-foot roof area), compared with standard shingles at about 230 pounds per square. Due to the fact that premium-weight shingles are more three-dimensional, they do a better job of mimicking the texture of real wood shingles.

Choosing A New Roof In Minnesota Is A Big Decision

Which Roof Is Best For Your Home?

Whether it’s superb colors and beautiful styles you’re looking for, or unparalleled durability and performance, the bottom line is you simply won’t find all these features in a single material… unless it’s asphalt. See the list of asphalt roofing benefits below:

Beauty

  • Wide array of rich, gorgeous colors
  • Large selection of textures
  • Huge choice of shingle styles
  • Look like wood, cedar, or slate

Price

  • Very affordable
  • Many pricing options
  • Cost-effective
  • Excellent value

Performance

  • 100-year proven track record in North America
  • Long life-expectancy
  • Ideal weight; not too heavy or too light
  • Few leak problems
  • Durable
  • Excellent uplift resistance
  • Excellent fire resistance

Ease

  • Ease of installation
  • Ease of repair
  • Low maintenance
  • No additional structure required to carry weight
  • No need for ice stops
  • Wide availability of products
  • Wide availability of qualified installers

One of the biggest expenses faced by homeowners is choosing a new roof. It is also one of the most crucial decisions to make as well. Your roof keeps the weather out of your house and away from your family and possessions. It truly is one of the most important parts of your home.

To help you choose the right roofing material for your home, contact your local roofing contractor. In spite of the fact that traditional roofing shingles have been around a long time, it doesn’t mean yours has to look outdated. In fact, if designed the right way, your shingled roof can be sensational and especially unique just for your home.  Ask your roofing contractor to show you a good, better and best selection of products to determine the choices in warranty periods offered.

Worm Poop is Good for Your Garden

Posted on March 29th, 2011 by  |  10 Comments »

Never in a million years would I have predicted that I would be getting up at the crack of dawn to go worm shopping. Yes, worm shopping, and no I don’t fish.

A never ending list of domestic chores – I have become the housekeeper, the cook, and now the gardener. Of all my domestic duties, I actually like the garden. It doesn’t hurt that in San Francisco everything grows regardless of my lack of a green thumb.  So I decided to tackle composting.

In order to create compost, you will need to dump yard scraps in a corner of the yard. Alternatively, you can also collect the yard scraps in a composter bin. An ideal blend would involve equal amounts of soft/green material (like manure and leaves) and hard/brown material (dead leaves or chopped twigs). Whenever you mow or rake your lawn, add your grass clipings and leaf rakings to your compost heap. An ideal compost pile reaches 3-4 feet high.

Back to the worms. I have decided my compost is not composting fast enough. How do I know this? I have no idea, but I do. So my new friends (the worms) have been called to duty. Apparently, they will cut my composting time in half, as they munch their way through last week’s lawn clippings. Then – why do I read the Internet – they will poop fertilizing nectar of the gods. For those of us garden types – worm poop is called “castings” and are high in Nitrogen. Apparently, this is a good thing.

So, I have launched 400 or so of my new friends off to work.

Rustic Garden

We’ve searched the globe for the world’s best brands and selected the top rustic bath accessories for our Cabin Garden category.  Bear at Home provides perfect rustic accents for your cabin or rustic lodge. Shop for rustic  garden accessories and wildlife accessories at Bear at Home, the ultimate source for rustic decor and lodge furnishings.  There is something unique and different here no matter your taste – casual, cool, or woofy!

Rustic Cabin Decor including fishing cabin decor, black bear, moose lodge, white tail deer and pine cone themed rustic decor.

Flip Flops for Women

Posted on March 10th, 2011 by  |  Comments Off

Mai Pehn Rai.

This is Thai for “It’s cool, no worries, or take it easy”.

The perfect mantra for a well-rounded and balanced life.

envision if we could all live with such an easy and calm manner. The big problems would suddenly seem not so big and the Small ones would mostly disappear. This Thai mantra is also the philosophy of Feeldgoodz, the creator and designer of curiously comfortable flip flops. These 100 per cent all-natural all rubber flip-flops are the perfect addition to your wardrobe. ideal for women looking for relaxed, stylish and snazzy flip flops.

In fact keeping with the Thai theme, these flip flops are inspired by the Feelgoodz founder’s time in Thailand. After many days of touring Thailand, soaking up the culture, the people, and the philosophy of the country, Kyle Berner decided he wanted to give back to the men and women of Thailand. Enter flip flops for women. Everywhere Kyle looked there were people walking around in these brightly colored and all-natural flip flops.

Kyle, founder of Feelgoodz, recalls his excitement at Finding this wonderful footwear.

“I’ll never forget the moment. It was late-December 2007, and I was walking around the local markets shopping for a new pair of flip flops. After exhausting some time in this one large market, I came across this display of flip-flops that were marketed as “Thailand’s most comfortable, all-natural rubber flip-flop. I tried a pair on, and that was it. Light bulb!”

I tracked down the supplier, and I learned that Thailand is the world’s leading exporter of organic rubber. Our supplier claims that every Thai person has at least one pair. Now that’s a lot of flip flops. Because of this huge natural rubber supply, there is excellent quality at great value. And I found the most comfy flip flop in the world.”

With his thinking cap firmly in place, Kyle recognized that he needed to import these sustainable, environmentally friendly and snappy flip flops to America. Thinking maybe that bringing a bit of Thailand home with him, we’d all be able to relax and really just start to take things easy. Women looking to take a load off their feet finally have the ideal answer: Feelgoodz flip flops. Look good and stay relaxed with flip flops for women.

Not only are these flip flops for women developed in a sustainable factory, environmentally friendly and 100 per cent natural, they’re also recyclable! That’s right; when you’re done with your flip-flops, chop them up and stick them in your garden or compost bin. Yes, they are 100 percent biodegradable.

incredible isn’t it? Flip flops that look good, are good for the environment and that are created with one thing mind: taking life easy and feeling good.