Author Archives: Virtual Farmgirl

Despite widespread, but I’d say gradually changing, thinking to the contrary, researchers at the University of Michigan believe that organic farming can produce three times the yield of pesticide-based farming operations. In a release [plus podcast] on July 10, U of M Natural Resources and Environment Professor Ivette Perfecto talked about her research that foundContinue reading “Organic Can Feed the World, Study Says”

The Chicago Tribune is generally a Farmgirl must read, especially on Sundays. And this Sunday was no disappointment with microbiologist turned model turned Farmgirl Johari Cole-Kweli gracing the cover of Tribune Magazine…standing on her tractor no less. Turns out Farmgirl Johari is deep into the organic movement in Kankakee County, Ill., where her 45 acresContinue reading “Covergirl on the Farm”

It’s been way too long since I’ve provided an update…but not too late to share our farm adventures from last weekend. We were in Southern Indiana for some family business and spent our free time at The Goat Farm where my husband spent some of the best parts of his childhood. And let me tellContinue reading “Feeding Goats Feeds the Spirit”

We think we’ve finally found a CSA to join. I wish I could say we chose Sandhill Organics because we’ve done a bunch of research. But we’re making the choice purely out of convenience…because we can walk to the veggie drop-off site. [The drop-off site negative is that it’s a cafe that now serves someContinue reading “Looking Forward to Farm Fresh Veggies”

I’ll admit that I get nostalgic when I think about and visit my family’s farm. [I’m not old enough to remember how the sheep kept the hillsides manicured. I’m just barely old enough to remember exploring the hay loft in the red barn before time and storms brought it down.] And I realize that fewerContinue reading “My Little Rant”

Who knew there’d be such a great Virtual Farmgirl news find in the Chicago Reader…But sure enough, this week’s A1 story is about a downstate Illinois farmer who is building an organic slaughterhouse for the organic cattle he’s raising. Stan Schutte’s been farming organic, acre by acre for nearly 30 years at Triple S FarmsContinue reading “Organic from Grain to Slaughter”

Love this story in the San Francisco Chronicle about the proliferation of farmers markets in the United States and California in particular. There are 90 markets in the Bay Area alone. And their popularity is spreading, in part because enormous, deep-pocket companies like Kaiser Permanente are supporting “mini markets” throughout the state on hospital sites.Continue reading “Getting Your Apples from the Doctor”

We had a great weekend at The Farm…Unfortunately our camp out/stargazing was rained out. But the periodic (and welcomed) rain showers didn’t keep us from exploring: First we got a visit from Chuck who lovingly restores, and likes to share, his Model A fleet. He took us for a spin around the block, including oneContinue reading “Back to Urbania…Score One for Rural”

We’re so looking forward to this weekend. Finally…a trip to The Farm. We get to check out the garden first hand and see how those beans are doing. I’m eager to see the new herb section and to see how the thousands of lavender seeds are coming along. We were planning on doing some campingContinue reading “A Break From the City”

Hoosier Outsider’s been checking out the county fair, with aspiring farmgirls and boys. Here’s my favorite shot…