tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46223931821437654982024-03-18T20:26:01.191-07:00From the RangeCallene Rapphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10031027594451629128noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4622393182143765498.post-65972170673667607592010-09-06T07:25:00.000-07:002010-09-06T07:46:41.798-07:00The Great Boo Boo of 2010Any one who has ever met me will have noticed that I'm not the most...graceful...person in the world. If it can be stumbled over, cut upon, or dropped, I'm the girl to find it. I've fallen off of things I should never have gotten on, and been kicked, stepped on, scratched, bit, smacked and butted by nearly every species of domestic animal, and never had a serious injury.<br /><br />On August 13th, Friday the 13th, in fact, my luck ran out.<br /><br />While moving a certain cranky cow, in a situation that had happened dozens of times in the past, I took a kick to the lower leg, resulting in multiple fractures. Yep, multiple.<br /><br />Fortunately, thanks to modern medicine, titanium rods and screws, and a hotshot young lady surgeon who enjoys repairing "difficult" fractures, I should make a complete recovery. But for the time being, I have been reduced to a talking, typing houseplant. I'm not allowed to put any weight on the leg for some time yet, and am hobbling from chair to bed with a walker. The little things have taken on a whole new meaning, like a trip to the bathroom gets planned out with a few other tasks so the trip can be efficient as possible.<br /><br />I've discovered a sudden urge to jog. Not because I want to, but because now all of a sudden they say I can't!<br /><br />Eric has been a sport about having to pretty much do everything for me, although I'm sure it wasn't on his to do list either. We've managed to figure out systems for stuff, like I can still tattoo rabbits if they are brought to me, and our rabbit records are so up to date, it's frightening.<br /><br />But I'm going into horse and cow withdrawal for sure. I can't remember ever going without horse hair on me for this long. I may have to have Eric bring me in a grooming brush for some aromatherapy!<br /><br />So, in the meantime this blog may actually have some current material posted, and I promise not to whine. Much. I promised everyone that I would be good and do what I'm supposed to to heal, because believe me, we are only doing this once. Period.<br /><br />Everyone has been so supportive and helpful, and I feel truly blessed by having such awesome friends and family. You are all rock stars and as soon as I can I'm chasing you all down for a big hug!<br /><br />Thanks,<br />CCallene Rapphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10031027594451629128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4622393182143765498.post-46680289857572342412010-08-26T10:17:00.000-07:002010-08-26T10:49:36.741-07:00Hudson Gardens 2010<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgGPAOjz6kEtBQySorLIfRrPBQCRpSPjjPUrj0ZEK4XzjDOQecQDBR-tucU-iDyF12V1DcuZZIfFdgo4kfNEUYz74kuNayttizFdTeaaxTWkPcI2fEaeHeHV0hqA-VrEToOT32hv4bIi5/s1600/100_1421.JPG"></a></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfxYP8yfEBRp6exHUncPWZe9JfttfRdKJWa3fNCC7tpAuW-MmQUGOq2vgTNapP2S3DJ4UmYZ2FFoSly784znN45BT0mn8J8I0YEUpw4hXmRGiq8c2bABbcB-hVfgLnyBpNWXMreI1GmB3/s1600/IMG_0818.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509773323763937906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfxYP8yfEBRp6exHUncPWZe9JfttfRdKJWa3fNCC7tpAuW-MmQUGOq2vgTNapP2S3DJ4UmYZ2FFoSly784znN45BT0mn8J8I0YEUpw4hXmRGiq8c2bABbcB-hVfgLnyBpNWXMreI1GmB3/s320/IMG_0818.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>We were invited to participate in Hudson Garden's "Taste of Butler County" dinner again this year. </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://visithudsongardens.com/index.htm">Hudson Gardens </a>is a local greenhouse that has heirloom veggies available, both from the nursery as plants and later in the season, for home delivery for the table! </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>For the last 6 years they have produced the "Taste of Butler County" dinner. Last year we brought our "Hare Balls", and this year, to change it up a bit, we brought something different. And since Eric was totally on his own this year (more about that later) it needed to be something that didn't involve a lot of prep work.</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Introducing "Chips <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">O'Hare</span>"!</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">tongue</span> in cheek name refers to what is basically a mini taco salad. First we took <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tostito's</span> Scoop chips, filled them with our fabulous rabbit sausage, added some cheese, topped it with homemade salsa, and voila! (It was supposed to also have Mango Salsa to accompany it, but due to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">extenuating</span> circumstances...more about that later)</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Needless to say, they were a big hit. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFX_WblJeDDVmLj8udPA_rG8BTcPSGAk1MeoYGBGPcpPVOueItJ6knipdB8daLX_Sf01rWtERNSGvd0PQj61VWt8uE4VMyT8A2KWJDHEC4h0HrEOKmoT9MTibyZ1zk0DljmGyUfKKu5Rg/s1600/100_1421.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509776185639206930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFX_WblJeDDVmLj8udPA_rG8BTcPSGAk1MeoYGBGPcpPVOueItJ6knipdB8daLX_Sf01rWtERNSGvd0PQj61VWt8uE4VMyT8A2KWJDHEC4h0HrEOKmoT9MTibyZ1zk0DljmGyUfKKu5Rg/s320/100_1421.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>(And a special <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">shoutout</span> to our friends, Ann and Cary <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Knutson</span>, who helped Eric with the event, making sure everything was prepped and in a row, and helping out with the customer service. Anna-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">banana</span> is one of my dear friends from the zoo, and it was awesome of her and Cary to help out. )</div></div>Callene Rapphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10031027594451629128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4622393182143765498.post-66069009482445786142010-03-07T10:36:00.000-08:002010-03-07T14:31:59.642-08:00<strong>Rare Hare Air Lift 2010</strong><br /><br />Our latest adventure involved sending some American Chinchilla rabbits to a fellow breeder in Canada.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Yep, Canada. We are now an “international incident”!<br /><br /><br /><br />The logistics itself were an adventure, and I won’t go into too much detail about the headaches I got while working with the company we used to book the flight. I did decide that I can give myself headaches better than anyone else, so the next time, I’m taking it on myself. If I’m going to be driven to drinking or swearing, I want to be able to blame myself.<br /><br /><br /><br />Here are some photos of the process.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8baQ5JCTsXwRcwG8o4bRG2Ex6XBQ73GDBv3sRazoRtijfU4LIfV0Z5E6iuOWcF7P3QpfCeWDfe-0O3J74zHfKuLlIXCg2n0drSIKj6vE51_hUw4-MU5rcMACUmX802-Mqux-xn3qDt768/s1600-h/100_0958.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445967424709897650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8baQ5JCTsXwRcwG8o4bRG2Ex6XBQ73GDBv3sRazoRtijfU4LIfV0Z5E6iuOWcF7P3QpfCeWDfe-0O3J74zHfKuLlIXCg2n0drSIKj6vE51_hUw4-MU5rcMACUmX802-Mqux-xn3qDt768/s320/100_0958.jpg" /></a>The crate looked like we were shipping rabid squirrels before we were done with it. 17 zip ties, three square feet of hardware cloth, a handful of washers and bolts, and these dangerous animals were ready to go.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>The Gang of Three </strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0r9Rc42XARzqmDCcxGfS2bwmwut_NtOquW3tg_yuBVVWQ6IW1tN_dgv2wgMeTSRrPkkpi_urdMo9hLlaEagnUPFg11e7K1flIgQlk-i-cNBG2pddxaiGEqLHwfKGMtjn_wSKu4FdVZkaQ/s1600-h/100_0968.jpg"><strong><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445969463930495314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0r9Rc42XARzqmDCcxGfS2bwmwut_NtOquW3tg_yuBVVWQ6IW1tN_dgv2wgMeTSRrPkkpi_urdMo9hLlaEagnUPFg11e7K1flIgQlk-i-cNBG2pddxaiGEqLHwfKGMtjn_wSKu4FdVZkaQ/s320/100_0968.jpg" /></strong></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt1CLfQRDrXAriQfMDUttN2_nljRrPPVSVCjHMSHsc0-XauKpCqnR0RzmcTRRLd6k0dg754oR_otju4CiMCjE_XzgCXJdTQcmpFh0IZSABWuHDCZIJLA8OwGPYP4olOXFYvt6WmQcIrLvc/s1600-h/100_0969.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445970377525371378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt1CLfQRDrXAriQfMDUttN2_nljRrPPVSVCjHMSHsc0-XauKpCqnR0RzmcTRRLd6k0dg754oR_otju4CiMCjE_XzgCXJdTQcmpFh0IZSABWuHDCZIJLA8OwGPYP4olOXFYvt6WmQcIrLvc/s320/100_0969.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The rabbits are eagerly anticipating their new adventure. I think.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9aDTFmfzBVenf_WiIG5QKTjY05oTgVjTUNlqTgcsurtXK4E6pnybKfBRyghN1sL3Iy-PnC5beVZ-VmO-KBf2XAqEmy3glVYwRiMCfJqPfOzuQIeVhtXzZqSVslBw3_SCJCRBSkTJ7wAN/s1600-h/GetAttachment.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445971644525637842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9aDTFmfzBVenf_WiIG5QKTjY05oTgVjTUNlqTgcsurtXK4E6pnybKfBRyghN1sL3Iy-PnC5beVZ-VmO-KBf2XAqEmy3glVYwRiMCfJqPfOzuQIeVhtXzZqSVslBw3_SCJCRBSkTJ7wAN/s320/GetAttachment.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And here they are arrived in their new home. The doe does look a bit jet lagged, doesn’t she?<br /><br /><br /><br />Robert reports that they seem to be settling in nicely, none the worse for wear for an extra night on the road. We are super excited about exchanging these does for some of his stock later this spring. Our rabbits couldn't be in better hands.<br /><br /><br />One interesting wrinkle that occured, when Robert picked his rabbits up at the airport, the customs agent was flummoxed by the notion that we had just given these rabbits to Robert. He didn't even seem to get the notion that it was intended as a reciprocal trade.<br /><br /><br />As any of you that work with rare breeds knows, finding new blood isn’t an easy task. These little pockets of diversity aren’t around the corner, down the street, or often even in the neighboring states. Heck, even in the same country!<br /><br /><br /><br />It involves a lot of planning, travel, and yes, money. It isn’t a task for the faint hearted, or the easily discouraged. It’s a commitment, in every sense of the word, because some days, you will wonder if you should be committed.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />But, when you build relationships with other breeders, with like minded folks who <em>get it</em>, get the importance of genetic conservation, why it's important, and why we have to do it, and are willing to go the extra mile with you, it makes everything worthwhile.<br /><br />Here's to another "international incident!"Callene Rapphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10031027594451629128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4622393182143765498.post-26576746822558283282010-03-04T03:51:00.000-08:002010-03-04T18:22:43.810-08:00<strong>SPECIES VERSUS BREED</strong><br /><br />“Are American Chinchilla rabbits really on the endangered species list?”<br /><br />Short Answer: No.<br />Long Answer: Sort of.<br />We are used to the concept of endangered species. We’ve all heard stories of the decline of the Bald Eagle, the Siberian Tiger, Black Rhino, Grey Wolf, Spotted Owl, etc. The list is unfortunately far too long, and not getting any shorter. These animals are classified as endangered by their species.<br /><br />A <em><strong>species</strong></em> is defined as a group of animals, a subdivision of the taxonomic classification of genus that are closely related, physically similar, and can interbreed with one another but not with members of another species.<br /><br />A <strong><em>breed</em></strong>, on the other hand, is a further subdivision of the species classification. All domestic rabbits in the United States are members of the same genus and species, Oryctolagus cuniculus. (Don’t ask me how to pronounce it.)<br /><br />So, while all domestic rabbits are the same species, no one would ever confuse a Netherland Dwarf with a Flemish Giant. The differences between the Netherland Dwarf and the Flemish Giant are obvious, and evidence of the further subdivision contained within breeds.<br /><br />New breeds can be created. New species are discovered.<br /><br />Breeds are unique to domestic animals, a legacy of the 10,000 year old relationship between man and domestic animals. (The closest thing that compares in wild animals is the subspecies classification, but let’s not muddy the water with that right now.)<br /><br />There are no endangered species of domestic animal. Cattle, horses, sheep, pigs and rabbits, as classified by species, number in the tens of millions of individuals.<br /><br />What is endangered are certain breeds of domestic animal.<br /><br />It’s easy, especially in a relatively rural environment; to be so used to the presence of domestic species they seem to escape our notice and concern. But each breed contains a treasure chest of genetic diversity. Diversity honed by the environment, geography, by man’s selection and countless other factors, making each breed unique and valuable.<br /><br />Unfortunately, recent trends in agriculture have placed many breeds of livestock, rabbits included, in the same waters as endangered species. Numbers so reduced, that only careful management can prevent their loss.<br /><br />That’s where conservation breeders and organizations such as the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy come in. The ALBC annually publishes a Conservation Priority List, grouping the animals by species, and then further breaking the species down by breed, and then ranking them according to priority. You can see more information <a href="http://albc-usa.org/">here</a>.<br /><br />The list is a working document, and is reviewed annually. If necessary changes can be made in categories, moving breeds from Rare to Threatened, or worse, from Threatened to Critical as data comes in on registrations, births, deaths, etc. A breed in the Critical category can be thought of as being in similar jeopardy as a endangered species, numbers so few that serious action needs to be taken to prevent their loss.<br /><br />It isn’t a perfect document, or an exact science. It isn’t supposed to be. It’s simply a tool to be used in making decisions where to expend resources, and give breeders and idea where to focus their energy. And while no species of domestic animal is likely to wind up on the endangered species list, hopefully we can help to keep certain unique and valuable breeds from sliding further into the category of critically rare breeds.<br /><br />Awareness is the first step.Callene Rapphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10031027594451629128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4622393182143765498.post-22544769943354972352010-01-14T18:00:00.000-08:002010-01-14T18:24:18.657-08:00Lamb Chops<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT_yirEHlbXE2m-oiRDnI_pV1iPAvV8jqjiX0XokWAqI8mRnorL51c9T6WnkGOumqDwXB_h5l5DFyxVMkqf5zo5iHqLNUHaOup6DT7M4xg5L6hft89n8L7HYEjXFLEcZILkCEDNiquo7WG/s1600-h/425.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426781661927071058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT_yirEHlbXE2m-oiRDnI_pV1iPAvV8jqjiX0XokWAqI8mRnorL51c9T6WnkGOumqDwXB_h5l5DFyxVMkqf5zo5iHqLNUHaOup6DT7M4xg5L6hft89n8L7HYEjXFLEcZILkCEDNiquo7WG/s320/425.JPG" /></a> This is a photo of some lamb chops from one of our Navajo-Churro lambs we had processed last year. If you are unfamiliar with the Navajo-Churro, info can be found at the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy's website <a href="http://http//albc-usa.org/cpl/navajochurro.html">albc-usa.org </a><br /><br />The Navajo-Churro is an interesting breed with a poignant history. Nearly wiped out not once, but twice by governmental 'good intentions' , these sheep are hardy, easy keepers and remarkably easy to get along with. The majority of the rams I've worked with have been easy to handle (for male breeding animals! They always deserve your respect!) and the ewes are hardy and productive well into their teens.<br /><br />But, one of the most interesting aspects of this breed is the outstanding flavor of the meat. (For more info on why you should practice conservation by consumption look at the blog post here by the same title. I haven't figured out how to post an internal link yet.) Navajo-Churro sheep tend to accumulate fat around their organs first, which I would imagine to be a handy survival strategy in a marginal environment. Since there is little fat in the meat itself, even male animals a year and a half old, as this lamb was, don't get a muttony flavor. <br /><br />We cooked these chops by searing them for about three minutes on each side, one set we seasoned with salt and pepper, the other got nothing at all. <br /><br />The flavor was incredible. I didn't believe Eric when he said he hadn't done anything else to them, the taste was herbal, almost perfectly seasoned on it's own. Of course, a lot of that could have to do with the fact that he (the lamb, not Eric) was finished entirely on grass, but whatever it was, the combination was perfect.<br /><br />The only issue was finding a good wine to pair with it...more experiments necessary in this category!Callene Rapphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10031027594451629128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4622393182143765498.post-1879740031966628522009-12-29T19:14:00.000-08:002009-12-29T19:31:39.510-08:00Update From the RangeIt should be painfully obvious that I have violated the first commandment of blogging: Thou shalt update regularly. My excuse is that I was afraid of violating the second commandment of blogging: Thou shalt have something interesting to say.<br /><br />Five months between posts should probably count as starting over! And of course, now that I've figured out the blog thing, the kids at work tell me I should be on Facebook. Sigh. One technological hurdle at a time, thank you very much.<br /><br />It has been a busy summer and fall for The Rare Hare Barn. We added a new anex for all the bucks, added some sheep to the to-do list, traveled from Kansas to New York and North Carolina for different rabbit events, gave a workshop on rabbit production at the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy's annual meeting in November. The rabbits continue to do well, although there have been a few challenges along the way. <br /><br />And right now, it is cold, snowy and spring seems very far away. The bright spot is that the mailbox was full of seed catalogs today, as sure a sign of spring on the horizon as the first robin. It is really hard not to salivate at the sight of all those greens, tomatos, potatos, berries. I'm pretty much jonesing for a fresh salad right now, or beans picked fresh off the vine and eaten right there in the garden.<br /><br />How about you? What is your favorite sign of spring, or the thing you look most forward to from the garden?Callene Rapphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10031027594451629128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4622393182143765498.post-53800711851757294062009-07-13T11:22:00.000-07:002009-07-13T11:39:46.345-07:00Hare Ball Photos<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmydFuh9TBsIBIpBw6l2l6p643wiZAl2MGR8Erz7LeIc95-pzhvM5wIKl2M3Xr970dTqHS6xOdr7geO4VctE12_-B3M5wHIfsbiDGNeBrvDW9nMrV9-chz6m-IeQGlqtkYCNt9u4mHhUj/s1600-h/hare+balls+001.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 292px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 201px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358013124475768898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmydFuh9TBsIBIpBw6l2l6p643wiZAl2MGR8Erz7LeIc95-pzhvM5wIKl2M3Xr970dTqHS6xOdr7geO4VctE12_-B3M5wHIfsbiDGNeBrvDW9nMrV9-chz6m-IeQGlqtkYCNt9u4mHhUj/s320/hare+balls+001.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>Here are some photos from the wine tasting at Beyond Napa last week. They paired the Hare Balls with Way Kuhl Dry Reisling. The Hare Balls go with about anything, but that Dry Reisling is one of my faves. </div><br /><br /><div></div><div>Check out the welcome sign!</div><br /><br /><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhfh9ZFjGXFpXxpAxJpCCb6takTv-mr6Z8jMpvEPB413-ZFtTVYGZf2jfDDnI7FmZ6nTiBd-b5Xevc9hVKSziJZRp08gSl4aYLNSwMUu-yiOuzZGEVSB4zLmEcX3lny9GaaL2NhmljDAp/s1600-h/100_0284.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358015576053411794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhfh9ZFjGXFpXxpAxJpCCb6takTv-mr6Z8jMpvEPB413-ZFtTVYGZf2jfDDnI7FmZ6nTiBd-b5Xevc9hVKSziJZRp08gSl4aYLNSwMUu-yiOuzZGEVSB4zLmEcX3lny9GaaL2NhmljDAp/s320/100_0284.JPG" /></a></div><div>Thought that was the cutest thing ever.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Here are a couple of folks enjoying their "Hare Balls"</div><div> </div><div>There, photos. Happy, Danielle? ;o)</div></div>Callene Rapphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10031027594451629128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4622393182143765498.post-6161512835459286722009-06-27T10:49:00.000-07:002009-06-27T11:05:19.107-07:00Hare BallsThis is the recipe for the rabbit sausage meatballs we made for the wine tasting on Thursday night. They went over really well, even a few of the folks who were leery of trying rabbit thought they were wonderful. We loved them, but hey, we are prejudiced! And to think that they even went well with a red wine.<br /><br /><br />Hare Balls<br />(Rare Hare Barn rabbit sausage meatballs)<br /><br />400 degree oven<br /><br />1 1/2 lbs rabbit sausage from The Rare Hare Barn<br />1 Cup breadcrumbs<br />2 eggs, lightly beaten (ours were farm fresh--there IS a difference!)<br />1/4 cup chopped Italian parsley<br />3/4 cup grated Parmesan <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Reggiano</span> (we used a blend of Parmesan, Romano and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Asiago</span>)<br />(The recipe called for salt and pepper, but as the sausage is already perfectly seasoned, we left that out.)<br /><br />Combine all ingredients in large bowl and mix with very clean hands. Try not to compress it too much, keep it light and fluffy.<br /><br />Shape the meatballs by hand, we made small balls, about 1".<br /><br />Place on baking sheet, about 1" apart.<br /><br />The test batch of 12 baked in about 8 1/2 minutes, the larger batch of 70 took about 11 minutes. Test for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">doneness</span> by cutting with a knife; they will mush rather than cut if not done. Being a white meat, they will look a bit paler when cooked than you might expect.<br /><br />We took marinara sauce for the tasting, but I completely forgot about it, and no one seemed to miss it anyway. In retrospect I think that was actually a good thing, the sauce was pretty heavy and would have overwhelmed the taste.<br /><br />For the dinner at Hudson Gardens in August, I'm going to try making one of the sauces that our friends at The Omnivores Solution developed for the brats. That should be much nicer than good <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ol</span>' store bought marinara.Callene Rapphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10031027594451629128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4622393182143765498.post-61926604141790042882009-06-15T07:21:00.000-07:002010-09-06T07:24:42.139-07:00Conservation by ConsumptionAt first, to talk about eating a “rare” breed of anything sounds counterintuitive. After all, if there are only a few of something, then every single one of them needs to be preserved, right?<br /><br />Not exactly.<br /><br />One of the key things we need to understand is the difference between conservation of exotic species, and domestic breeds.<br /><br />Exotic species are the animals we see on the National Geographic, or in your local zoo, or sometimes, just as a footnote in a history book. Think the Dodo. These animals exist on their own merit, changing in response to environmental pressure, with no intentional selection by humans. Zoos do seek to manage captive populations to minimize the effects of inbreeding and to insure pure species in the event that they ever would be released into the wild, but there is no intent to shape the phenotype of the animal.<br /><br />Domestics, on the other hand, exist purely in relationship to human civilization. When the first species were domesticated 10,000 years ago, it represented a huge shift in the evolution of both the animals and the humans. In fact, evolution has been defined as the gene’s desire to reproduce and pass it’s qualities down to subsequent generations and ensure its survival. The animals, in a sense, “traded” their freedom for the security of domestication and the opportunity to ensure the survival of their genes. Humans “traded” the work and risk involved in caring for the animals in return for milk, meat, draft power and a hundred other benefits the animals provide.<br /><br />There are a little over a dozen species of domestic animals worldwide. These species have given rise over the millennia to thousands of breeds of livestock, each uniquely adapted to an environmental, cultural, or job related niche.<br /><br />It is these unique breeds that those interested in conservation of rare livestock find them selves engaged with.<br /><br />Rare livestock breeds find themselves rare for a variety of reasons. One of the most obvious is the trend towards modern agricultural production, which favors one or two breeds at the expense of the others. In fact, most modern confinement livestock operations do not even use pure breeds of anything, favoring instead crosses derived to produce the most output of product, with little regard to any other qualities. These crosses are also sometimes closely guarded corporate secrets.<br /><br />Many of these production systems are also very high input, requiring huge amounts of feed, power and water, and producing large amounts of waste as well.<br /><br />Another reason many livestock breeds find themselves in a precarious position is a human population that has turned largely entirely from its agricultural roots. 60 years ago, a large portion of the population lived on a farm, or in a small town, and bought their groceries from the local retailer that they had likely known for most of their lives. These days, our food comes from the Ultra-Mega-Mart grocery chains, where you can pick up a loaf of bread and get your tires rotated while you wait. We’ve lost the connection with where our food really comes from and what it takes to produce it.<br /><br />So, many otherwise productive breeds of livestock find them selves out of a job, because they did not fit the industrial model food system it takes to feed our growing population. And if these breeds don’t have jobs, there is little reason for them to exist at all.<br /><br />Which is a crying shame.<br /><br />These breeds have the ability to be productive on forage based systems and do not rely on the heavy inputs required by the industrial model.<br /><br />Fortunately, there have been small groups of dedicated folks who kept these breeds because they liked them, they were what grandpa raised, or because they were too contrary to go with the flow. Small populations exist, and with careful management in the hands of dedicated conservation breeders, they are making a small comeback.<br /><br />Now, here comes the counterintuitive part.<br /><br />How do you conserve something by eating it?<br /><br />Not every rare breed animal, no matter how critical the population, needs to put its genes back into the gene pool.<br /><br />Livestock breeding is based on herd management, where often one male will service several females. As a result, there is a surplus of males. Sorry guys, it’s just a math thing. Breeders will chose the best male for a herd sire, one that has the qualities they seek and fits as closely to the established breed standard as possible. The rest of the males, that don’t quite measure up? That’s where the dinner table comes in. It does no breed population, no matter how rare, a service to put animals of mediocre quality into the gene pool. A male gets more opportunity to have his genes represented, and they need to be the best. Females are held to a high standard also, but they get a more limited opportunity to pass on their genetics, and therefore will have a smaller effect on the population.<br /><br />Now, if no one wants to eat those surplus animals? Remember, having a “job” is part of the trade off for domestication. Well, the breeder has little incentive to keep breeding; after all he can only eat so much himself. If he doesn’t breed, then eventually the breeding stock dies off, becomes unbreedable, and basically ceases to exist.<br /><br />And that’s how breeds become extinct. By not having a job. Whether it’s meat, fur, milk, or draft power these breeds exist side by side with humans in a symbiotic relationship. One would not survive or thrive without the other.<br /><br />So, next time you have an opportunity to consume a rare breed, eat heartily and think of it as keeping them in work, and in existence. The rare breeds will thank you for it.<br /><br /><br />-Callene RappCallene Rapphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10031027594451629128noreply@blogger.com2