Category Archives: Uncategorized

Farmgirl Fare has posted a sweet Valentine. Check out her collection of heart-shaped rocks. Here’s a screen shot of her page, but there are more photos from her collection on her site.

There’s a cute story in Onalaska Community Life about Farmgirl Esther Pertzsch, who after a storm blew the roof off of her barn, discovered a remarkable milk bottle collection from her family’s farm. She’s added to it ever since, and in the process has a history of milk production on display. Esther told the paperContinue reading “Storm Winds Blow Lid Off Bottle Collection”

Between the books I get for review and the iFarmer’s collection, one would think I would be able to find some satisfying evening reading. But no. Nothing on my shelf is particularly inviting. I tried to read Martha Minow’s “Between Vengeance and Forgiveness: Facing History after Genocide and Mass Violence,” but that’s pretty much asContinue reading “Tip: When Looking for Light, Bedtime Reading, Don't Pick Up a Book on Genocide”

Considering how crucial bees are to our food chain, isn’t it completely surprising that so many beekeepers are hobbyists? The Dothan Eagle in Alabama had that same question. The article notes that the USDA estimates there are 2.5 managed bee hive colonies…half of the number in existence in the 1940s. But pollination demands have hardlyContinue reading “A $15 Billion Hobby”

I had forgotten how absolutely beautiful the Chicago Temple is, inside and out. Founded in 1831 by Methodist circuit riders, it’s considered the oldest church in the city. More history here. After slushing my way to noon-time Ash Wednesday services, I got there early enough to take in the intricate wood work and stone walls,Continue reading “A Welcoming Mid-Day Retreat”

I just tripped across this farm near Santa Cruz, Dirty Girl Produce. Love the name and the history of Farmgirl founders Ali Edwards and Jane Freedman. There’s a story in the 1997 MetroActive about the farm when it was beginning to break even. “There is a phenomenal group of powerful women active in [this field]Continue reading “Phenomenal Farmgirls”

At the Schlittlers’ 105-year-old farm in Pennsylvania, the customers are raw milk enthusiasts. Some are recent converts, a part of a growing raw milk subculture. But many others are immigrants from Russia, Egypt and Central America. They pay $5 a gallon for the unpasteurized, non homogenized, sweet milk, the Center Daily Times reports. The farm,Continue reading “Family Farm Finds Raw Milk Market With Immigrants”

I thought we’d end the evening sad, but we’re celebrating a Manning Dynasty. This, by far, was the best Super Bowl I’ve ever seen. That’s saying a lot since the Indy Colts were last year’s champs.

Tom Petty rocked the half-time show, even leading off with one of VFG’s favorite songs. The iFarmer picked that song for me a looong time ago, way before we were a couple. Does it fit?[You can hear American Girl along with a bunch of my other favorites on my finetune widget.]

Great story in the Battle Creek Enquirer about the growth of farmers markets, CSAs and interest in knowing the source of your food in Michigan. The number of farmers markets in Mich. has increased from 90 to 160 in three years. Farmgirl Pam Bosserd, of Bosserd Family Farm Market in Marshall Township, tells the paperContinue reading “Farmers Market Boom in Michigan”