Yearly Archives: 2007

I was raised to know better about healthy eating. We shopped at food co-ops…bought granola, wheat germ, rice and beans in bulk. In the mountains, we grew our own food or only ate food from gardens I could walk to. For a while I slept in a cozy loft overlooking a greenhouse full of tomatoes.Continue reading “Longing for a Good Co-Op and Hand-Cranked Ice Cream”

I made up for not getting to the Daley Center Farmer’s Market by going to the one at Pilgrim Church in Oak Park. I had nearly forgotten the charm of the market. Not only is there fabulous “local” in-season produce, organic meats and cheeses, but there’s bluegrass music and, of course, the church’s famous cinnamonContinue reading “This Week's Market: Music, Salsa, Good Neighbors and…Donuts”

I didn’t get a chance to get to the farmer’s market for more rhubarb today…but I did learn a nifty little fact while watching the Colbert Report. Congressman Adam Smith was the night’s brave guest and seemed to hold his own. During Smith’s “interview” it was noted that Pierce County, Wash. (the heart of Smith’sContinue reading “Speaking of Rhubarb…”

So…what’s on the seed order list this year? Lavender? Strawberries? I’m hoping for some green beans, tomatoes and corn in the mix…if dad can figure out how to keep the bugs and rabbits out.

In addition to organic produce and dairy, this Wisconsin family is growing future farmers at Grassway Organics in Eastern Wisconsin. The Sheboygan Press article about the family and store features testimonials from those who swear by the power of organic food. And there’s plenty food stuffs to be found at the Craig family farm…grass-fed beef;pasturedContinue reading “Future Farmgirl”

All this debate over raw milk made me wonder what’s happening with the organic movements. I had to look no further than the Columbian in Wash. state to learn about the 150 healthy Holsteins at Farmgirl Karen van Tol’s pesticide-free pastures. Despite increasing demand for raw milk, organic daily still brings in a premium. TheContinue reading “White Gold: Organic Milk?”

I was checking out my former paper the [Gary] Post-Tribune and found onetime Farmboy Carrol Vertrees musing about the raw milk of his childhood. I’ve read loads of raw milk stories, but the tidbit about Carrol’s milking expertise is a new one for me: I was adept, udderly adept, being able to squirt milk intoContinue reading “A Raw Milk, Hungry Cat Story”

Just came across this Scarecronie photo from Farmgirl Cyn. She posted this in March: Love it. Not sure what the neighbors around my new urban dwelling would think, but we’ll see if this idea catches on at The Farm.

Word is that the beans are already sprouting in the big field after the first big rain after planting. No photos yet, but check Hoosier Outsider’s Flickr site for more pix of The Farm and field progress. My favorite is this shot of The Lane. It’s the quickest way to the river. Just watch outContinue reading “Sprouts Up”

There’s so much activity, it’s hard to keep up, even virtually. But I’ll take a stab at a summary of the last few days… Hoosier Outsider writes that the artifact hunters haven’t had much luck on “flint ridge” because the fields haven’t actually been plowed, just disked enough for no-till planting of soybeans: Here’s theContinue reading “Planting, Fertilizing, Flint Hunting”