i'm learning so much from the book "nature at war: american environments and WWII", edited by Thomas Robertson, Richard P. Tucker, Nicholas B. Breyfogle, and Peter Mansoor:

"In the South, the government encouraged farmers to plant quick- growing kudzu, the bane of many of today’s native plant enthusiasts and gardeners, with payments up to eight dollars an acre. Hence, even after the war cut off access to kudzu seed from Japan, Soil Conservation Service nurseries in states across the South kept farmers supplied with kudzu. Kudzu and lespedeza took on new significance during the war. Because nitrate factories produced bombs as well as fertilizers, enriching soils with nitrogen-fixing crops meant more artificial nitrogen could go to munitions. As one 1942 booster of legumes put it, “Oregon’s 200,000,000 pound crop of Austrian winter pea, vetch, and crimson clover seed this year is the quivalent of 24,000,000 100-pound bombs.” The crops’ use as animal feed also took on new wartime meaning. Legumes like kudzu made protein-rich hay that could replace the protein-rich components of animal fodder cut off by the war, like fish meal, which were seen as essential to maintaining and boosting meat production."

#WWII #agriculture #history #AgriculturalHistory #kudzu #InvasiveSpecies #plants

This article also discusses making home-made weed killer from vinegar and soap, but be careful when applying it... Don't apply to flowering plants, and apply at night after the bees have gone home.

#EcoFriendly and #EnvironmentallyFriendly #WeedKiller: Does It Exist?

By Stephanie Osmanski
Updated July 20 2020,

Excerpt:
"Another eco-friendly alternative to weed killer is enlisting the help of animal friends. Good for the environment and entirely non-toxic, goats can scarf down any unwanted weeds from #kudzu, #OrientalBittersweet, and #ailanthus to #MultifloraRosa, #JapaneseHoneysuckle, and mile-a-minute.

"In fact, some companies — such as #Ecogoats and #GoatsEatWeeds — even rent out goats to homeowners that want eco-friendly help controlling their unwanted noxious weeds. Because a goat’s least favorite food is grass, a goat will eat everything else first before munching on your lawn."

Read more:
https://www.greenmatters.com/p/eco-friendly-weed-killer

#SolarPunkSunday #Gardening #Weeds #GoatGoals #Goats #YardGoats #InvasiveWeeds #HireAGoat

6 Ways #GoatFarming Impacts the Environment That Support #Sustainability

Excerpts: "Goats produce significantly less #methane than #cattle, emitting approximately 5 kg of methane annually compared to 70-120 kg from cows. Their efficient digestive systems extract more nutrients from fibrous plant material while generating fewer greenhouse gases. This lower methane output makes goats a more climate-friendly protein source, especially when raised on marginal lands unsuitable for crop production.

[...]

"Goats offer a chemical-free alternative for controlling #InvasivePlant species that threaten native #ecosystems. Their unique browsing habits target woody plants and weeds that other livestock avoid, effectively reducing invasives like #kudzu, poison ivy, and multiflora rose without #herbicides. You’ll find that targeted goat grazing preserves soil health and protects beneficial insects and microorganisms that chemical treatments typically harm.

[...]

"Goat #manure offers exceptional #composting potential due to its pellet form and balanced nutrient profile. When properly composted, these droppings transform into valuable organic fertilizer rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. The composting process eliminates pathogens while preserving beneficial microorganisms that enhance soil structure. You’ll find that goat manure composts faster than cow manure—typically ready in 2-3 months versus 4-6 months for cattle waste."

Learn more:
https://www.farmstandapp.com/67170/6-ways-goat-farming-impacts-the-environment/

#SolarPunkSunday #AnimalProducts #Goats #GoatMilk #ClimateChange

NETWORKS - KUDZU [OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO] (2025) SW EXCLUSIVE

https://peertube.gravitywell.xyz/w/r2CiYWTHEyuHBVDWzdgDdx

NETWORKS "KUDZU" OUT NOW!

https://peertube.gravitywell.xyz/w/v3yuJeD35z7LU1BfJwWnae

#KudzuBlossom Jelly

by Molly53

"#Kudzu blooms the end of July through September. It has attractive bunches of delicate purple flowers with a fragrance reminiscent of grapes which may be used to make a unique jelly to spoon over cream cheese, or melt and serve over waffles and ice cream. Make sure picking area has not been sprayed with chemicals to kill the kudzu. Overnight steeping is not included in the preparation time. Posted in response to a forum topic."

Full recipe:
https://www.food.com/recipe/kudzu-blossom-jelly-94579

#SolarPunkSunday #Recipes #FoodPreservation #Foraging #InvasiveSpecies #EatEmToBeatEm

Der #Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) ist eine aus Asien stammende invasive Liane, die sich durch ein extrem schnelles Wachstum auszeichnet. Dank einer effektiven mechanischen Bekämpfung (Schnitt unterhalb des Wurzelhalses) und mit regelmässigen Kontrollen kann man die Pflanze aber in Schach halten.

Mehr auf #waldwissen 🔗 https://www.waldwissen.net/de/waldwirtschaft/schadensmanagement/neue-arten/der-kudzu-quo-vadis

#Forstwirtschaft #Wald