As a glance at any URL will tell you, unless you’re a computer with internet access, a “Universal Resource Locator” is nearly meaningless. Further, as IT standards continue to evolve no doubt even this seemingly bedrock spec will probably change. Further, far from “Universal”, URLs are only meaningful in specific, limited contexts: there are many resources that cannot be located with a URL.
This leads me to ponder a truly Universal Resource Locator. What form would it take? What attributes would it have? How would you use it?
The question stems from a practical problem in my current work with the James Madison Carpenter Folklore Collection edition. In the final printed volumes we wish to reference original documents, their digital counterparts and some digital-only resources in a way that is comprehensible to an ordinary human (as much XML can be, for example), not tied to a particular technology which will no doubt become obsolete or superceded, and which can describe many kinds of things: documents, sound recordings, photographs and so on.
Bibliographic references offer an analog: various standards have evolved over the years to reference different kinds of print materials in particular contexts. Of course, no standard is universal: Chicago, APA, etc. are all variations on this theme which appear to vary more in presentation than actual substance. But these standards have evolved because they’re useful: they provide a consistent and clear way to cite a book, article or other document.
So that’s the challenge I’d like to pose to anyone who’s interested: help me imagine a technology-independent, obsolescence-resistant and truly Universal resource locator.
After months of work by (mostly) Rina and Sam, the culmination of the Corn Patch Project took place on Saturday, October 13th. A pleasantly warm but overcast day greeted scores of huskers who arrived through the afternoon to husk and braid the corn, share a potluck supper and finally, enjoying the hard work of so many folks who helped fix the barn, dance! Thanks to Rina for spearheading, thanks to all the huskers, thanks to the local breweries (Indeed and Excelsior) for the fine beer we enjoyed, thanks to the musicians (who were those folks? I’d never met a number of them – some fine old-time tunes!). Thanks to the neighbors who stopped by and the kids who . . . had a good time!
In short, it was a rousing success start to finish. You’d have to go a long way to fine a more picturesque and enjoyable event.
Here’s the latest update on our as-yet-unnamed farm. We have three projects, one news report and two upcoming events.
Projects:
Alfalfa in the Evening – looking east across the largest field
The tillable acreage is home to three efforts this season. The largest portion is in alfalfa for the second year of organic transition. The alfalfa is being sold to Thousand Hills Cattle Company where, in time it turns into hamburgers and steaks. You can find Thousand Hills products at the Wedge, and many other places.
Kelli selling at the Linden Hills Farmers Market
Next, Kelli Tennyson is growing vegetables on a couple of acres and selling them at the Linden Hills Farmers Market and to Harvest for the Hungry. She calls her effort “Broadfork Farm“. Kelli’s growing all sorts of things but so far the kale, beets and watermelon have been particularly wonderful.
Rina stands in front of some of her “Sweetheart” corn.
Finally, Rina Rossi is leading a project to grow corn for chicken feed – for real! Rina and a number of her friends keep chickens in South Minneapolis so they’re growing about an acre of corn to feed to their birds this winter. This project will culminate in a shucking bee and barn dance! You can find Rina on Facebook at “The Corn Patch at Bob and Julie’s Farm”.
News.
This summer’s crazy weather included a storm that dumped 10 inches of rain on the farm in just a few hours. It made a mess of many things and completely blew out our culvert – so we no longer have an easy way to cross the stream. You can see pictures at this earlier post. Our little farm office is nearly complete: we have electricity, hot and cold water with real floors and everything. Thanks to all the skilled friends who’ve helped.
Events.
We have two events planned for this fall:
Fall Farm Day September 8th
Come visit the farm, see our progress and, if you like, lend a hand building steps, setting up a hop trellis, fixing the barn floor, clearing the flooded creekbed, fixing washouts or beginning preparations for a controlled burn. Food, drink and good company provided. Overnight camping if you like.
Corn Husking and Square Dance October 13th
Help with the harvest then enjoy the hoedown! More information when I have it.
Last night Cannon Falls got 10 inches of rain. The farm took a bit of a beating as you can see from the photos. We lost our culvert completely: a 6-foot diameter corrugated steel pipe was washed 120 yards downstream around an S curve, and a 4-foot diameter 40-foot long culvert wound up at a 45 degree angle, 100 yards downstream. We lost a number a trees and have a cleanup job ahead of us.
Makes me think about resilience in the face of weather extremes. Climate change?
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