A to Z Challenge: A is for ALFALFA

Wahoo! Today kicks off the 10th anniversary of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge, the annual event where hundreds of bloggers write 26 blogs—one for each letter of the alphabet—and post them each day of the month, except Sundays.  I’m blogging about: THINGS THAT GROW IN ALBERTA. (Bet you can guess what my "c" post will be!) Leave a comment on my blog, Facebook page, or Twitter for a chance to WIN a set of the Superman Duffy educational graphic novels

A is for Alfalfa

Have you seen the big rolls a lot of farmers have in their fields? Covered in plastic or left bare, many of those rolls are made from ALFALFA—one of the most useful and widely grown hay crops in the world.

A large number of Alberta’s ALFALFA crop goes toward feeding farm animals because it’s high in protein and contains a highly digestible fiber. (You’ve probably seen cows eating it.)

Sure it's great for animals, and yes, it might look cool in the movies, but I’d probably refrain from eating ALFALFA hay—though the crop has been used as an herbal medicine for more than 1,500 years (aka: a LONG time).

ALFALFA is a fantastic Alberta crop. Not only is it resistant to drought (extended periods of time without rain/moisture), when it’s planted with other grasses, it helps prevent soil erosion.

SPEAKING OF SOIL… Have you read Beneath the SOIL? It's one of my favourite books in the series (and one of the spookiest too)—and you could WIN a copy, just by leaving a comment.

Gotta jet! See you tomorrow for the letter B.

~ Chase Superman Duffy

P.S. Are you doing the Blogging from A to Z Challenge? Drop a link so I can check out your blog!