Author Archives: Virtual Farmgirl

I love contests and lists…so one that focuses on sustainability is a shoo in for a favorite. Check out this Geotourism Challenge. There’s a great interactive map and you can browse eco-friendly nominees from all over the world. The challenge, sponsored by National Geographic, is a search for tourism innovations that “sustain, enhance and preserveContinue reading “What's Your Favorite "Green" Destination?”

It’s not that the iFarmer has to drag me to church on Sundays, but today I can say I was pretty eager to go. Sadly it wasn’t because of Pastor Kersten’s timely “low Sunday” sermon about Doubting Thomas. No, today Grace hosted a Winter Farmers Market! I tried my best to pay attention and beContinue reading “Feeding the Soul and Tummy this Sunday”

Interesting reading in the Chronicle-Tribune today about Van Buren-area Farmgirl Kris Goff, who moved back to the area with her husband, in part, to raise a family and to breed and sell swine. Farmgirl Kris works for Purdue Extension and is active with 4-H clubs. “I enjoy the people I work with, especially the kids,Continue reading “Will Ethanol Demand Edge Out Small Farmers as Feed Prices Rise?”

I trekked out tonight in the sleet and snow…yes…it’s still snowing in Chicago. I was on the hunt for some Milk & Honey granola at Whole Foods. But no such luck. I bought a bulk granola instead to make my own parfaits. I have some good Mexican strawberries that I need to use up. Anywho,Continue reading “Cherry & Peach Salsa? Sounds Pretty Good”

I had a lovely random day off. Hoosier Outsider and I decided to take the Future Farmkids to the Field Museum. So what’s the VFG connection? There was a nice little exhibit featuring the peanut king and organic farming pioneer George Washington Carver. Here’s an inspirational quote HO jotted down: “Start with what you haveContinue reading “Organic Farming Hero at Field Museum”

American Idol was OK tonight. I was hardly paying attention until David Cook performed Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean. He totally rocked . Who knew someone could put a rocker spin on a yippie Michael Jackson ’80s tune. So here’s my Farmgirl Confession…I was a HUGE Michael Jackson fan. I owned every biography, tapes and hadContinue reading “A Farmgirl Confession”

Big news on the Macy’s front…Frangos are going green. Doesn’t make up for Macy’s destroying the quality and history of Marshall Fields. And it doesn’t make up for Macy’s only returning a portion of Frango production to Chicago. But it is nice to see a big company embracing organic. Organic milk chocolate, cane sugar andContinue reading “Frango Mints Go Green”

Looking over Farmgirl Renee’s Sweet Earth Organic Farm site made me start craving heirloom tomatoes. Sounds like Renee knows her heirlooms too. She’s been farming organic for more than three decades in Wisconsin. But will Spring ever really arrive? I suppose it’s time for me to start some seeds on my kitchen window sill andContinue reading “Ready for Some Green, and a Splash of Yellow”

None of us could wait…especially me. I had given up candy (and Dunkin Donuts) for Lent, so it was near torture (though not quite nail-to-the-cross-and-die torture) to dream up and work on those Peep dioramas and not even get to lick my fingers. Future Farmgirl was first to unwrap a candy carrot hanging from herContinue reading “Peeps for Breakfast”

Sad news from Marion this morning. My fearless purple & gold lost the state championship last night after a dramatic buzzer shot by a senior from Brownsburg. Brownsburg kids can play basketball? Who knew. The Chronicle-Tribune reports senior forward Bulldog Gordon Hayward pushed up a last-second shot inside the paint, netting the team’s first stateContinue reading “So Close to Victory…Elusive 8 Slips from Giants' Grasp”