Happy Thanksgiving Readers. 
Sand Wars Over Cranberries
The Wall Street Journal reports The Sand Wars Dividing Cranberry Growers and Their Neighbors
Cranberry growers in southeastern Massachusetts are battling neighbors and town officials over…sand.
The conflict is playing out in town meetings and in court across the nation’s oldest cranberry-growing region.
Massachusetts farmers are allowed to excavate sand on their properties with a town permit, as long as it is incidental or necessary for agriculture, but critics complain that sand mining has become a business that is disturbing the bucolic nature of the region.
A half-inch layer of sand acts as a compost that can be scattered on existing vines, while a foot-deep layer of sand acts as soil when growers need to rip out and replace older vines with new higher-yielding hybrid varieties.
Most growers have sand on their property; they just need a permit from the local town, a backhoe and a dump truck to dig it up and apply it to their bogs.
In September, the company applied for a new permit to remove 1.7 million cubic yards of sand from its property to build a reservoir for newly built cranberry bogs.
That operation would allow the removal of 50 dump-truck loads of sand a day, 5½ days a week, for four years, according to a permit application the firm filed with the town.
“Cranberry growing isn’t a booming industry,” said Eric Crone, chairman of the board of selectmen in the town of Kingston, home to growers. “It isn’t something that investors are trying to get into, but they are trying to get into the removal of [sand] because they can make money on it.”
The price of sand and gravel—crucial for concrete and other industrial uses—has climbed from $7.66 per metric ton in 2012 to $12.20 per metric ton in 2023, according to the U.S. Geological Survey—an increase of around 20% after accounting for inflation.
At the same time, wholesale cranberry prices have fallen from a high of $47 for a 100-pound barrel in 2012 to $36 in 2023, a decrease of roughly 44% after accounting for inflation.
Town officials wouldn’t comment, citing the continuing litigation with the company, which sued the town in 2023, saying it disagreed with requirements in an earth removal permit the town issued to the firm.
Conservation advocates maintain that these and other excavation projects go too far.
Cranberry Fun Facts
- The United States is the world’s top cranberry producer, more than doubling Canada’s production in second place.
- Wisconsin is the top cranberry producing state, producing around 60% of the country’s annual cranberry crop. Wisconsin is known as the cranberry capital of the world.
- Massachusetts is the second-largest producer, accounting for around a quarter of the country’s cranberry crop.
- In 2023, Wisconsin produced at about 5.01 million barrels, followed by Massachusetts with 1.97 million barrels.
My Message on Coast-to-Coast Wednesday Night
About once a week, I am on Coast-to-Coast live syndicated talk show with George Noory on over 600 stations with millions of listeners, to give a couple minutes of my take on the economy.
I used to be on the show on random days. Now it’s easy to follow me. I am on Every Wednesday, just after Midnight, on days that I am within cell phone reach. Click the above link for stations.
Last night I discussed how the Quarterly QCEW Data Provides More Evidence of BLS Jobs Overstatement
I also discussed huge negative revisions to second-quarter GDI released on Wednesday that I have not yet commented on, but coming up.
Then I read a prepared Thanksgiving statement.
George enough gloom.
I want to give thanks to you and your listeners.
I have been on your show for I think 18 years. Wow.
And the whole time, George, someone in the media has been predicting China would overtake the US.
China didn’t and won’t. And I have been saying that for 18 years too.
We have the strongest most free capital markets in the world. That is the source of our strength and our jobs.
I laugh at those leaving the US because Trump won the election. But there’s nothing like the US Constitution, anywhere, especially freedom of speech. [Adding this line. We should celebrate free speech, not trash the right.] But hey, you are free to leave. Give thanks to that because not everyone can.
The world didn’t end when Obama won, when Trump won, when Biden won, and it won’t end now because Trump won again.
If you can’t find something to thank about the US, then give thinks to friends and family.
Thank you, George, for letting me express my thoughts for 18 years.
Happy Thanksgiving listeners!
To My Readers
I have been doing this since March of 2003. I don’t believe I have ever missed a day. Yes, I mean 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year, every day for over 20 years, zero days off.
My posts on Christmas and New Years are typically “Merry Christmas” or “Happy New Year” but it has been something.
I do this because I love doing this, not because it is hugely profitable. I often break out laughing at topics I am writing about.
So readers, thanks for the joy you have given me.
And thanks to three close high school friends, Dave, Fil, and Ron with whom I exchange emails nearly every day, also long time friends and family.
Special thanks to friends we have met in Utah, especially our neighbors Sam and Midge, and Sue and Fred. We are all hiking buddies now.
Today we will be with Sam and Midge. She is making a turkey and we are bringing a ham.
And top thanks to Liz, my best friend, and beautiful, intelligent and patient wife. We escaped Illinois to Utah four years ago July, and have never been happier.
To Liz, with thanks to Dobie Gray
Thanks for the joy that you’ve given me
I want you to know I believe in your song
And rhythm and rhyme and harmony
You’ve helped me along
Makin’ me strong
Oh, give me the beat boys and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
From that first photography adventure to Golden Cathedral to the latest in Zion, Fred and I have enjoyed scrambling around rocks, sand and water with you to find beautiful images. We’re so happy to have met you and Liz. You’ve revived my love of photography and given me great advice. I really like the graphics and charts in your posts. Looking forward to our 2025 hiking/photography adventures with you and Liz!
Yay, Mish!
Mish, thank you for your insightful posts. I have been relying on your charts and notes since about 2005 to try to help figure out what the heck is going on.
A sincere thank you, Mish, for the decade+ of my first news of the day. Been around way back with FOFOA, GoldMoney self directed IRAs and the like, all worked out very well and opened my eyes.
…and of course the pictures I don’t see enough of anymore 🙂
Happy Thanksgiving to Mish and to all.
This blog has been on my radar for a couple of decades now.
A fine website for sore eyes.
Thank you Mish. Happy Thanksgiving all!
Happy Thanksgiving. Reading you with a cup of coffe is always a pleasure. Thanks.
Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving. Thank you Mish.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
the world has always been crazy and will always be. may you have the patience and clear thinking to allow you and yours to thrive no matter what.
Happy Thanksgiving Mish (and everyone else).
I found your blog in 07 during the first housing crisis from Nouriel Roubini’s site via commenters there.
“And the whole time, George, someone in the media has been predicting China would overtake the US.”
Cycles don’t permit things to remain static. Otherwise Nixon would never have gone to China. China would not have become producer to the world. China isn’t there yet, but that does not preclude their getting there. Joe Rogan had an interview with Marc Andreessen. He talked about 30 tech companies having been debanked under Biden and their plans for AI, which were laid out to him at a White House meeting. Caused him to support Trump. “…unencumbered by the past,” was a phrase utilized by Harris. “Fundamentally change America,” was used by Obama. Mao got rid of the 4 olds during the Cultural Revolution, so as to be unencumbered by the past. History is attempting to repeat. Franklyn said, “it’s a republic, if you can keep it.” His comment did not indicate permanence.
We have seemingly dodged a bullet for now and should be thankful for that.
Happy Thanksgiving! Thank you for all of the great analysis. insight, and different perspectives. How many years, I do not know, but quite a few following you and I will continue that till you call it quits!
I have it on, good authority the Sun will rise tomorrow and life will go on!
With that, your readers are apt to take a day off from polarization after 20 years without.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. Your daily newsletter is a source of joy,
Give thanks for 50″ of snow in Deer Valley so far!
Sand wars is no joke. There is actually a documentary named ‘SAND WARS’ on youtube. It used to be for free, but is now behind a paywall. I saw it. Quite eye-opening. They showed men free-diving about 20 feet down and scooping sand into canvas bags and then swimming to the surface with them to toss them into a rickety boat. What a way to make a living…horrible.
All sand isn’t the same. The sand in deserts is too rounded to be used in construction. Sharp-edged grains are needed to make concrete. This is a worldwide issue with sand being appropriated (stolen) in places like Morocco, Vietnam, Cambodia, etc. Even the beach sand in Miami Beach was imported from the Bahamas. Then Miami Beach wanted to mine sand off of Fort Pierce to replenish South Beach. The Ft. Pierce-Martin County officials stopped it dead in its tracks.
Have a good Thanksgiving.
“ 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year, every day for over 20 years, zero days off.”
I’ve been reading your stuff since Obama but I had no idea you’ve been at it this long or so diligently. Longtime readers know of the challenges you faced over the years and I’m thankful to read that you’re doing well.
Thank you for having a free website.
I’ve been reading your site for 20 years.
Will be sure to tune in to C2C – I haven’t listened to it since Art Bell left.
Chinese EVs are coming to the U.S., tariffs or no tariffshttps://www.autoblog.com/news/chinese-evs-are-coming-to-the-u-s-tariffs-or-no-tariffs
Mish, Not sure if I’ve been reading since 2003, but it’s close, way back to the Sitka Pacific days. Your blog is one I never miss and appreciate the daily and sometimes multiple times a day incite & info. I don’t always agree with your take, but that’s what makes this a great blog, differing opinions. It would be sad if everyone thought alike all of the time. I also appreciate all of the regular commenters, I’ve learned a lot through them as well as you. You’re right as usual, there is no other place on Earth like the USA. We were in Hawaii earlier this year and got to talking to some people from Australia. An elderly Mom & her son who was a law professor. The last thing he said before we parted was “Never lose the country that you have in the USA or it’s Bill of Rights, you have no idea how powerful your constitution and Bill of Rights are”. That really hit home for me, I think we as a country forget what an awesome place we have. Happy Thanksgiving to all the readers and you Mish!
Thank you Mish. Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving.
I have been following you for a while.
I have 2 questions:
1) Will gold breakout soon? Or is Crypto somehow sopping up the liquidity previously applied to gold?
2) Is there any reason to suspect that the Govt printing of so many dollars during the pandemic will make US labor cheaper and (perhaps) competitive wrt to other countries? (or even make it look like tariffs succeeded?)
Thanks for offering solid economic observations – it is a breath of fresh air
Gold is acting a bit strange given the deficits and rate cuts. It seems to be implying higher rates, falling inflation, or the Fed getting ahead of the curve, perhaps in a recession. There quite the mixed signals. Let’s see how long this lasts.
Mish…..I love your objectivity and refusal to play partisan politics by calling it as you see it. Thanksgiving wishes to you and your family, and keep up the really fine work you are doing. I feel blessed being a reader…..
I am happy to hear you are enjoying the good life Mish. Amidst all the noise and drama I am very thankful for your efforts to be a guiding light throughout the years. I am proud to be able to safely suggest to family, friends and coworkers that they follow your blog to get a fact based analysis of the data, issues and policies affecting us all. Thank you Mish and Happy Thanksgiving.
Thanks Mish, and Happy Thanksgiving to you too. I’ve been reading your blog since around 2005.
Hey Mish,
Thanks for all your articles. I want to wish you a very happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy the day with pride in your hard work, we notice.
I have a funny story from my Childhood in Northern Illinois (near Rockford). My childhood friend, Tommy Stokes, was a rabble rouser and one helluva boxer. His Dad owned his own Trucking Company.
He hauled locally and they had the big house on our Block, brick two story with a real TV REMOTE…I am talking 1966.
His Dad would pay us a WHOLE DOLLAR to load up Birch wood for fire places back then. It was cheap.
He also hauled cranberries. He had us SIT on the cranberries in his hauler…after picking up a load.
On the way way back, nearly loaded, to Illinois from Wisconsin, one October, we started tossing out handfuls of Cranberries, plastering the road and cars …. and Mr. Stokes got pulled over for an uncontrolled load.
He beat the living crap out Tommy and NEARLY socked me, too, but controlled himself as I ducked.
MEN back then were tough as nails….Tommy’s Dad was cruel as well.
He pulled his hand back, lit up an unfiltered Camel, and took a deep drag and said: “Son, if I were your Dad, you would never be the same again.”
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WHOA, the gentleness of my own Dad washed over me and I was miraculously transformed to an admiring son that Thanksgiving.
It causes me, to this day, to be Thankful for a great Wife, easy life and happy wife=happy life.
Alas, my wife fell the other day and she dislocated her shoulder and broke her Humeral Bone. TOUGH TURKEY DAY…one armed.
AND, in TERRIBLE PAIN continuously.
Be Thankful and harmonious and appreciate your family members and Love your Moms and Dads if they are still around.
Thank them for WHO they are and what you became.
There is a connection to Love and Parenting. Be kind to your own kids. Be kind to others.
My dad hauled many oversized loads of various items in his 3/4 ton truck. Think Sanford and Sons or the Beverly Hillbillies. He didn’t have bungee cord tie-downs. That’s what sons were for.
Mish, Happy Thanksgiving and may the blessings of honesty and forthrightness continue to pay you and your family.
Happy Thanksgiving Mish. And thanks for all you do!
Happy Thanksgiving to you as well Mish, and all your followers!
I also wish to “Thank You” for your column, your work that goes into it, your family for their support so that you can continue, and your “Fairness” in your comments, criticisms, and Your patience!!!
Happy Thanksgiving Mish! Enjoy your day in SW Utah and for being a part of our lives for decades!
2003! Amazing. I knew I found your site in 2005. Again, have a great Thanksgiving and thanks for this site. I was a financial dufus in 2005. Not anymore.
Happy Thanksgiving! Thank you for your insightful analysis and good humor. I had no idea you’re on C2C let alone for that length of time, I don’t listen regularly anymore but will tune in.
Now – It’s nearly every Wednesday, just after Midnight Central, Typically minutes but sometimes a full hour. It used to be random days.
Thank you for your writing and clear thinking. One of the joys of the day is reading your articles both for content and style.
And thank you, Mike, for doing this for the last 20 years (or more?) and building a community of like-minded rebels (i.e.critical of the MSM) around you!