Rebirth of the Small Family Farm:

A Handbook for Starting a Successful Organic Farm Based on the Community Supported Agriculture Concept by Bob & Bonnie Gregson
This booklet contains the "true tale" of two 40 somethings who went through a mid-life crisis and decided to quit their jobs as corporateers and become organic farmers instead. They explain how they began with virtually no experience as farmers and over the course of a few years were able to turn a two acre area of land into a profitable endeavor. By sharing their story and revealing their trials and errors, they hope to motivate and assist others in doing the same thing with the utopic vision of small farms popping up all over the place and surrounding urban areas in an effort to make food local again. In order to turn a profit, they eliminated the middle man for the most part and sold their produce directly to consumers through a subscription-based system and at an on-site produce stand. This is a very informative and helpful booklet for anyone considering a career as a small farmer. It could also be inspiring to those that don't already know that they want to be a small farmer. I really appreciated their reasoning behind farming organically and selling locally, and I liked how they referred to the farmer as a "junior partner" with the earth. We must work together with nature in order to live in harmony, but we also must realize that we are only second in command for without nature and her miraculous processes, we are nothing.
This booklet costs $12 plus shipping from Acres U.S.A., PO Box 91299, Austin TX 78709, 1-800-355-5313, www.acresusa.com
Oh, and expect to see many quotes from this booklet in future issues of The Juniper.

To The Many Dedicated Readers Of This Blog...

Okay, so that title is a little sarcastic and a definite exaggeration, but who cares?
I am planning on updating this blog more often and I'll tell you why. I am currently writing material for the next issue of The Juniper (issue #5, and it should be out in a month or two) and I am realizing more and more that space is going to be a major issue. I have to keep it small so that I can keep it free to readers and cheap for me to print, yet I am finding that I have more and more stuff to say along with piles of information that I want to pass along. It's rough knowing that I don't have the money to make this thing big, nor do I really have the time right now unfortunately. The first three issues included reviews and recommendations; the fourth issue didn't due to lack of space. The fifth issue won't have space for them either, so I decided that all (or at least most) of the reviews of zines, books, etc and recommendations for websites, products, etc. can be posted here. I hope to post something new each week. For those without internet access or who choose to boycott or avoid the internet at all costs, I will print a few one sheeters of the reviews and recommendations to tack onto some of the copies that go out. That way everyone will have a chance to read them if they'd like to and those who don't want to bother with them at all will also be much obliged. This idea is good for me because then maybe my blog will get a little more traffic, which means it'll actually become worthwhile for me to have this stupid thing. So anyway, look for the first post real soon. bye now..........

Elephant Mess Re-invented

So the 15th issue of Elephant Mess is done. I've been unemployed for the last month otherwise this wouldn't have happened. But a disadvantage to being unemployed is that I don't have the money to print it. Normally I pass along all my zines for free (usually only asking for a trade or some stamps or nothing at all), but this time (because I have no money) there is going to be a charge - at least for those that want a copy of this right now and maybe for everyone if I don't get a job soon. Anyway, issue number fifteen is The Unreviews Issue which just means that it's me writing about a bunch of random stuff that I don't normally write about. Rather than reviewing things like CDs or books or zines, I'm unreviewing things like record players, dumpster diving and public urination - hence, The Unreviews Issue. It's fun...and much different from all the past issues of Elephant Mess. So, don't judge this issue by other issues you've seen and order a copy today. I'm only asking for a buck - not the new one dollar which is two dollars. Just one dollar. Send your George Washington for EM15 to:
Dan Murphy
PO BOX 3154
Moscow ID 83843

or paypal to messyelephant@hotmail.com

Moog Movie

Did you know that there is a movie all about MOOGs? I haven't seen it yet, but I definitely plan to. Remember The Rentals? (Weren't they a side project of one of the dudes in Weezer?) They were all about MOOGs. Awesome. Check out the trailer.

Andrew Skurka and the Sea-to-Sea Route

A guy by the name of Andrew Skurka recently finished a cross-continent, 7,700 mile hike. The route he took is called the sea-to-sea route (C2C). It took him 11 months. That's a lot of walking.

NEW PO BOX

Okay... I finally have a new Moscow address to give to you:

Daniel Murphy
PO Box 3154
Moscow ID 83843

Please write to me soon. It's lonely up here in the panhandle. The Juniper #4 is done. It's been done for over a week. I've just been waiting until I knew what my new PO Box was going to be... Now I have to wait until I have the cash money to print it. But that shouldn't stop you from sending those stamps so that you can be one of the first to see it. It's still free in person and a 37cent stamp by mail. There's lots of stuff about bikes, plus some recipes, stuff about organics and other interesting things. Live free my friends. We'll talk again soon.

oh yeah...and monetary donations are always accepted with thankful arms.

I'm moving!

Okay...I'm not sure how many people read these boring and drab posts and updates, but just in case anyone does and would like to know: I'm moving to Moscow, Idaho next week. I'll be attending the University of Idaho this fall. I am in Moscow now for the first time ever and it's awesome. It's a beautiful, tiny city nestled in the mountains of Northern Idaho (the panhandle). There are lots of trees (evergreens)....and lots of farmland, too. What more can I ask for? I'll give you a more thorough update later along with my new address....but for now you should just know that if you're planning on writing me or sending me something, don't write to my Boise PO Box anymore. Just wait a couple of days and I'll let you know what my new Moscow PO Box will be.

By The Way...

Last Friday we had a tiny zine workshop for the Mountain Home Public Library in Mountain Home, ID. My mom organized it (because that's her job) and I was the presenter. It was fun, even though only a handful of people showed up. I talked about the basics of zining, demonstrated a few different ways of putting a zine together and then we watched parts of the $100 and A T-Shirt DVD (Microcosm Publishing). Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.
We plan on having another one next year and having it be more hands on. Plus by then the library will be newly remodeled with its very own zine section. Thanks mom, the zine community appreciates you ... and needs more people like you.
Link: Mountain Home Public Library

Unbirthday

It was my birthday a couple of days ago....
Since then I've had this song stuck in my head:

"Everybody knows it sucks to grow up......
The years go on and we're still fighting it."
-ben folds

I'm the man with the kid heart and the daydreamy eyes.
I don't wanna grow up......and yet I'm well on my way to 30.
Here's to staying young at heart....forever.

CM Boise is Dead

Okay...so maybe it was never really alive, but after Friday's poor excuse for a ride turnout Jackson and I decided to call it quits, which means that Boise no longer has a Critical Mass Bike Ride. But wait! It's not as sad as it might sound, because one of the main reasons we decided to go defunct (besides the fact that nobody was coming out and the few people that were were all becoming disillusioned) is because there is another downtown Boise bike ride that is actually having success and is actually shutting down some car traffic, which is awesome! It's called the Downtown Bike Shutdown and it takes place every third Saturday at 9:30 pm. Yeah, it's late, but that's the point: to become The Cruise - even if it means getting punched in the face by a meathead on a crotch rocket. Apparently bicyclists have been showing up in droves for this ride (anywhere from 75 to over a hundred) and it has only been going on for about 2-3 months. So yeah, if you want to join a group ride that's actually happening, get your bike in gear and head over to the Capitol Building on Saturday, June 18 at 9:30pm. Hopefully I'll see you there. Also, check them out on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/downtownbikeshutdown

The Geek Is Back

Can you believe it? I'm putting out another issue of The Family Geek. I thought that zine was dead for good....but no, it's been revived somehow. Even though I changed the name of my publishing company from The Family Geek Press to Juniperbug Productions, I still found some reason to keep The Family Geek zine going. It's hard to let a good zine die. So, issue #3 is really simple (just like the last two). It includes zine updates, a couple of CD reviews and some interesting random stuff that you might like to know about, but maybe not. As usual, it will only set you back a stamp (well actually two, because you'll have to use a stamp to send me a stamp, but either way...). Order a copy today... it should be done within a week now that school's out.
Dan Murphy
PO Box 6352
Boise ID 83707

messyelephant@hotmail.com

GREEN ZAP

There is an alternative to Paypal starting up this summer. It's called Green Zap, and you don't need a credit card or a bank account to join. Anybody can join and easily transfer funds with other members. It sounds awesome. But even more awesome is that if you sign up now you will receive $25 to spend anywhere you want this summer as soon as Green Zap is up and running. It only takes a minute to register, but you can only pre-register if you are referred. So here, use my referral link: http://www.greenzap.com/messyelephant
As soon as you're signed up, you can start referring other people. You will then receive 5 more dollars for each person that registers using your referral. So check it out!!

Local Exposure for Zines!

My mom works at the city library in Mountain Home, ID. She was recently asked to write an article about zines for an Idaho state library newsletter. Here's the link: http://www.lili.org/scoop/aprl1505.htm#4#4 - just click on or scroll down to YOUNG ADULT CORNER: "ZINES?" BY ROBIN MURPHY. It's great. I found it amusing that the editor assumed I was her "teenage son." That's okay though - I'm a teenager at heart. GO ZINES! and go local, too!

new zine library at Boise State University

The BSU Publication Club is starting a zine library here on campus. Our goal is to accumulate a collection of zines that can be shown here on campus and elsewhere to help get more people exposed to the idea of zines and also help zine writers to get their stuff out to more people. We also hope to begin distributing zines to interested students and community members. If you are interested, please send copies of your zine for our collection and for possible distro consideration.
If you have any comments or questions, write to Dave and Dan at: publicationclub@hotmail.com

Send your zines to this address:
Boise State Student Activities
c/o PUBLICATION CLUB
1910 University Drive
Boise ID 83725-1335

FAREWELL HEARTATTACK

My little brother's band came and played a show here in Boise this past weekend. It was the first time I had seen them since they changed their name and went through some lineup changes. I thought they were good before, but they are even better now. I was amazed. Their sound has matured and their music is catchy and cathartic. They really rocked out. They are definitely one of the best local bands I have seen in a long time, and I'm not just saying that because my brother is the frontman. They're awesome and they have the potential to become even more amazing.
They have a 5-song CD-r out and a spot on myspace so check them out: http://www.myspace.com/farewellheartattack

"...i felt safe in the silence
but you broke it anyway..."
-farewell heartattack

THE FOURTEENTH ELEPHANT MESS

Elephant Mess #14 is out now....featuring the careful writings of a dissenchanted romantic and the musings, ramblings and inner thoughts of an aging zinester: steeped in mystery and clouded by disillusionment.
Order yours today:
$1, stamps or trade.
orders receive a free button.
paypal payments accepted.
Dan Murphy, PO Box 6352, Boise ID 83707

Fork 'n Spoon Zine Shop

This is a link to Stephanie's new site for her zine and craft distro dealing with all things food related, mostly having to do with the vegetarian/vegan and diy lifestyle. She also does several zines, one of which is called "The Cheap Vegan" - for veggies on a budget. Order some food zines and cook your own food -- It's punk rock!!

It's a war on war

Check out this fake news article found in this weeks online edition of The Onion:

Bush Announces Iraq Exit Strategy: 'We'll Go Through Iran'
WASHINGTON, DC—Almost a year after the cessation of major combat and a month after the nation's first free democratic elections, President Bush unveiled the coalition forces' strategy for exiting Iraq.

read the whole article http://www.theonion.com/news/index.php?issue=4110

Announcement

I guess it's time that I officially announce the name change of my publishing company. About a year ago I chose the name Family Geek Press which was also in replacement of an older name, but this time I believe I have chosen a name that's finally going to stick. Everything that I publish from here on out will be put out under the name, Juniperbug Productions.
I have big plans for my production company, some of which are: a zine/book distro, short films, publishing other people's stuff and putting out music. These are all still in the planning process though, so don't expect anything major to happen anytime soon. Just know that The Family Geek Press is dead; Juniperbug Productions is alive. New issues of Elephant Mess and The Juniper are in the works and back issues are still available. I'll keep you posted.

Genetically Krafted

If you're not down with genetically modified food or if you're at all skeptical or curious, you should check out this link: http://www.krafty.org/flash/
It's an entertaining little cartoon about Kraft Foods' decision to test the effects of genetically modified food on its customers, namely, You & I. It's risky I tell you, and it just ain't right...but don't take my word for it - form your own opinion.
oh yeah and...GO ORGANIC!