tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279579726682121592024-03-12T19:41:38.504-05:00East Nashville Farmers MarketEast Nashville Farmers Markethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01366253814396905430noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-827957972668212159.post-30302944860124148702013-05-08T00:04:00.001-05:002013-05-08T12:41:26.172-05:00Stuff's Gettin' Real...<i>by Jas Faulkner</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Hi! My name is Jas Faulkner and this is my second season writing for the ENFM blog. Like many of you, I am continually learning ways to live a cleaner, greener life. Over the next six months we'll explore what the market has to offer. We'll also look at the history and culture behind farmers' markets, local foodways, and other aspects of the production and the politics of food in North America. But first, I need to talk to you about something very important.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4DrA6FLY4Ip9WJJimMegUC9N94CwLl5MT9KXegV5EnqaUX1883uTJSIvELATqqPczgLgtkArmFG8me40cbOqGIk4ZLrE6qeixFKonc8gxRhmtwF9lnXe56gAbj5cyubRXaVDDBwBxbETH/s1600/keep+clam+and+support+local.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4DrA6FLY4Ip9WJJimMegUC9N94CwLl5MT9KXegV5EnqaUX1883uTJSIvELATqqPczgLgtkArmFG8me40cbOqGIk4ZLrE6qeixFKonc8gxRhmtwF9lnXe56gAbj5cyubRXaVDDBwBxbETH/s1600/keep+clam+and+support+local.png" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: center;">Consider this a call to farms. </span><br />
<br />
In the past you may have decided to support your local farmers' market based on some abstract principle. You may have done it because it was an emotional callback to a time when nearly every family had someone who lived on a working farm. You may remember the sweet smell of warm produce picked earlier that day and then lovingly prepared as family shared stories of the past and planned for the future.<br />
<br />
You may have made a weekly trek to The East Nashville Farmer's Market because it's a fun thing to do. It's a way to meet some nice people who are passionate about growing safe, nutritious food for your community. Your friends and neighbors are there. It's a lovely, bucolic space in the heart of the city where children dance to live music and artisans and their families share everything from cheese to salsa to pie to hummus.<br />
<br />
If someone asked you why you visit The ENFM, you might have some vaguely pleasant answers about how it makes you feel good. And that's a good thing. You know? Given the choice, I support local producers and merchants for nearly everything I use in my kitchen and elsewhere. I do a price and availability check at <a href="http://www.theturniptruck.com/" target="_blank">The Turnip Truck</a> and <a href="http://centerofsymmetry.webs.com/" target="_blank">Center of Symmetry</a> first and now that market season is upon us, <i>::deep breath::</i> I have another local place to look for what I need (or sometimes just want.) <br />
<br />
Here's the thing, and it's kind of a big thing, er, deal: Stuff's gettin' real. We can't take for granted that these sources will be around if we don't support them. If you care about preserving Tennessee's agrarian heritage, if you care about what goes into your pantry, if you want to keep something that has become a vital part of community life, you'll understand why it is important to support The East Nashville Farmers' Market. <br />
<br />
It only happens on Wednesdays at those magic hours from 3:30 to 6:30 at 10th and Russell. Come on down and meet your farmer!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgljSp6UZFPG-R23O7grnyiGnSPGT6PekmZpW95g_JgBmGP86xnz6KbMElyy6p15AU9IcfrPpiQ94ec5ze2HOQrLCk8DfHYYVJzOM5ZskC1uAiivnhJL_eDE1ltPFNwZ5J2aUQpy_zqT_EP/s1600/keep+calm+and+eat+local.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgljSp6UZFPG-R23O7grnyiGnSPGT6PekmZpW95g_JgBmGP86xnz6KbMElyy6p15AU9IcfrPpiQ94ec5ze2HOQrLCk8DfHYYVJzOM5ZskC1uAiivnhJL_eDE1ltPFNwZ5J2aUQpy_zqT_EP/s1600/keep+calm+and+eat+local.jpg" height="320" width="222" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />jas faulknerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338478113151823116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-827957972668212159.post-18577007130725164312013-03-18T11:02:00.001-05:002013-03-18T11:02:25.017-05:00Go For The Real Deal: Producer Operated Farmers' Markets<i>by Jas Faulkner</i><br />
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLgowH4lgl7q6MK3j6J-itUUZealz5mvjJqTLVBZQX7h-7S9YQHC8f7DzuM9dSFLkoM4GEbJZ5J2rEWmUtnWz0un316o4No7-PgLYl-IBImutmnoKlWQzWa2ugzt6e7tI7HDT0yMB9w5I/s1600/keep-calm-and-buy-local-11.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLgowH4lgl7q6MK3j6J-itUUZealz5mvjJqTLVBZQX7h-7S9YQHC8f7DzuM9dSFLkoM4GEbJZ5J2rEWmUtnWz0un316o4No7-PgLYl-IBImutmnoKlWQzWa2ugzt6e7tI7HDT0yMB9w5I/s1600/keep-calm-and-buy-local-11.png" width="213" /></a></div>
How much do you trust the people who supply the grocery store you support or the kitchen manager of your favorite restaurant to provide food that is safe? </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In a very telling incident, food journalist Michael Pollan visited a farmer who grew potatoes for McDonald's french fries. During the interview, Pollan asked the farmer if he fed the potatoes to his own family and the answer was an emphatic, No!' The farmer grew his own organic spuds to feed his own clan. Later in the story, Michael asked for a drink of water and was warned away from filling his glass at the tap. The farmer's wife explained that the local water was full of pesticides and they bought bottled water to drink. <br />
<br />
That was a sad example of a farmer knowing his or her food, and also knowing that he didn't want to eat it. It brings up an interesting question of how well the people behind the tables at farmer's markets know their produce. Can they tell you where the seeds came from or whether their stock was exposed to chemicals that might remain not only on t he outside of the fruits and vegetables, but have permeated the flesh? Did those potatoes come from a county away? A time zone away? Did they come from another continent altogether?<br />
<br />
<b>Once upon a time...</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhobQx13Y7uauNIcgFShVBtpt45SYreGdBysKqWg8uW5t9Oe5d8VNCi7_6qU1kUrkfdcUa_V0lMvI7jXejRxxedokHnHMOAiOefk2GbsW6AMQEj1FH_mNpA9E3lwNhANR4Ft_gqAn8ubz1-/s1600/keep-calm-and-buy-organic-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhobQx13Y7uauNIcgFShVBtpt45SYreGdBysKqWg8uW5t9Oe5d8VNCi7_6qU1kUrkfdcUa_V0lMvI7jXejRxxedokHnHMOAiOefk2GbsW6AMQEj1FH_mNpA9E3lwNhANR4Ft_gqAn8ubz1-/s1600/keep-calm-and-buy-organic-1.png" width="274" /></a></div>
A farmers' market was exactly what the title suggested. It was a place where people who grew fruits and vegetables or raised animals for meat could sell what they raised. The advantage was one of both quality and trust. There was a greater sense of accountability on the part of the producers and customers knew that they had a responsibility to support farmers if they wanted to buy food that was locally produced by people they trusted. This worked well because most metropolitan areas were surrounded by farmland. There were enough farmers to feed everyone who cared enough to maintain a locally centered food economy.<br />
<br />
As more people moved to the city and the land surrounding those urban areas was devoted to housing, people got comfortable with the idea of buying everything they ate from large corporate producers who created factory-perfect food-like stuff that could come from anywhere. Zero plotline development and the loss of connection to family traditions such as the household kitchen garden cause people to lose a sense of what it meant to eat with the seasons. The demand for shipped in produce grew and with it, the loss of seasonal eating except for certain holidays. <br />
<br />
Over time, people began to miss the feel of buying from a farmers' market, so they sought out places where they hoped to buy fresh, in-season produce. One thing many of these shoppers didn't think to ask was: "Where did it come from?"<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Not All Farmers' Markets Are Equal</b><br />
<br />
A farmers' market is a farmers marker is a farmers market? Right? Well, on the surface, that might be true. The open air ambiance, the smell-of-the-week of whatever is in season, the atmosphere that makes it feel more like a large outdoor party; these are all things that draw people to farmers markets.<br />
<br />
So what is the difference and why does it matter?<br />
<br />
<br />
There are two different kinds of farmers' markets. The first is the traditional market where farmers sell what they raise. The second, and sadly more common in many urban areas, is really more of a reseller's marketplace. these people often go to food wholesalers and buy large lots of produce. In some rare cases, they might know the person they are buying from without ever actually seeing where their wares come from. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfHt1Or3-K0jtEw5RBbKxfZY3QOKmVUyQwbUqH6o2_yPrrMLx1lacJd-6rj52aFATUdyd8kNVYSohfDg963upTLJU_P075KjUyJ52bYQBBk5JOMngsNu5G19Zba8X6hEzBgxrxjnyDbU9/s1600/keep-calm-and-farm-on.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfHt1Or3-K0jtEw5RBbKxfZY3QOKmVUyQwbUqH6o2_yPrrMLx1lacJd-6rj52aFATUdyd8kNVYSohfDg963upTLJU_P075KjUyJ52bYQBBk5JOMngsNu5G19Zba8X6hEzBgxrxjnyDbU9/s1600/keep-calm-and-farm-on.jpg" width="274" /></a></div>
When you buy from a market that allows resellers, you run the risk of buying food that might have been raised in less than ideal circumstances. Do you or they know exactly what into the items you're considering for your pantry? Chances are the person behind the cash box knows exactly as much as you do, which is nothing or pretty close to it. Is that a risk you want to take? <br />
<br />
<b>Know Your Farmer</b><br />
Traditional farmers' markets are worth the investment of time and money. Eating locally means you are more likely to eat in season and eat in a way that will contribute to your overall good health. It means that you have the confidence of knowledge and the power to make your own choices about what you put into your body. It means that you help keep the local economy robust and food sources close by which is a smart, sustainable way to feed your community.<br />
<br />
Most important of all, know your farmers means that you are buying from people who are selling you the same things they are feeding their own families. They get your support of their hopes and dreams and you get the benefit of years of agricultural education, family experience, and strong personal values that go into organic family farming.<br />
<br />
So the next time you think about visiting a farmers' market, look, ask, and make informed choices. Your local farmers will thank you for it!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
jas faulknerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338478113151823116noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-827957972668212159.post-43989785019898450892012-10-24T08:01:00.002-05:002012-10-24T08:01:21.611-05:00Feeding Ourselves, Each Other<i>by Jas Faulkner </i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfmJUzseBIhwiMIWIhb_vtuUY29K3MLDX8Enizn7lpB8M1iqMVfctsI_4g-Q_Zz5ZFFr77B63audoZ8nyTIs59VSeWHR58fB3eipWzPagxTyKocQV3KeeEBL6rAOtKY3zMPo20A05c2DCN/s1600/peaceable+kingdom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfmJUzseBIhwiMIWIhb_vtuUY29K3MLDX8Enizn7lpB8M1iqMVfctsI_4g-Q_Zz5ZFFr77B63audoZ8nyTIs59VSeWHR58fB3eipWzPagxTyKocQV3KeeEBL6rAOtKY3zMPo20A05c2DCN/s320/peaceable+kingdom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
During a conversation about the division between acts that are sacred and profane, the act of feeding oneself and others was something that quite surprisingly had the room divided. The profane folks saw the enterprise as something purely physical, for them it came down to the mundane business of manufacturing and distributing fuel for the human animal. The profane folks were incredibly prosaic about it. Food goes in, people stay alive at least and are productive at best. I couldn't help but wonder if their response to Soylent Green would have been a shrug and a mumbled response about it being less messy than composting.<br />
<br />
The other side, which in the interest of disclosure, included me, saw things a little differently. The practical aspects are undeniable. In order for it to really work in the long run, there has to be something deeper at work, an awareness of how truly interconnected we are. This starts with the people who raise our food and continues through those who carry out its distribution and preparation. Beyond the obvious requirements of healthy soil, safe water, and hard work, the not so obvious components are knowledge, trust, and the recognition that we are nurturing, respecting and supporting each other at every step in the process.<br /><br />Over the course of the season, I have written about the need to know your food sources and the importance of understanding the nature of how they produce what you put on the table. Now I would like to talk about the table itself. I'll offer this precis: Nothing I'm going to say is particularly new. The subject has been approached by thinkers and observers as diverse as Thomas Merton, John Robbins, Rose Nader, Ward Goodenough, Francis Moore, Lappe, Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, Deb Duchon, Tony Campolo, Jane Goodall, Matthew Fox, Michael Pollan, Marion Cunningham...I could go on for at least a page worth of names. Let's just say I'm standing on the shoulders of giants.<br />
<br />
All of those people recognized how important the act of feeding yourself and your family could be. It is fueling the body. It is also a promise we give to ourselves and each other that we are caring enough to do what is right and what is best when we make choices about food. Preparation should be a continuing learning experience for both ourselves and if we share a home with someone, the people we live with. Mindfulness about preparation means respecting the sacrifices that go into the ingredients you use. If you eat meat, it is the recognition of the life that was sacrificed to provide that protein. For everything, it is gratitude to the farmers who decide to make a professional life borne of either family tradition or an innate dedication to the discipline.<br />
<br />
As hard as it can be at times, really as hard as it has been for North American families since the post-war boom of the 1940s', we need to extend that to a shared time around the table. If the act of choice and preparation are bound in trust, the culmination of that is the meal itself. So much of our consumption happens when we are on the run. Even if we spend quiet time in the early morning making sure we are prepared to meet mealtimes with healthy food throughout the say, there is still the need for the community of the table. Sharing food is a big part of it, but it is also where we share more of ourselves.<br />
<br />
The meal together, whether it is in the morning before we go meet the day or as we close ourselves in for the night is the time when we all get to know each other all over again. As we are touched by the world, we grow and change. To miss out on that shared time without television, without outside distractions, is to miss out on those developments, small and large that make us who we are at every age. We are bonded by what we share when we are most vulnerable,and that is when we settle in and open up to those closest to us. <br />
<br />
So much of what we do is segregated by age, interests and other ways we identify ourselves that the communal table should be a daily thing instead of a rare, special happenstance. Think of it as voting everyone back on to the island. It's as easy as passing the peas and listening.jas faulknerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338478113151823116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-827957972668212159.post-25717404679975907402012-10-17T10:51:00.000-05:002012-10-17T14:43:27.119-05:00Winter CSAs: A Little Bit of Fresh Heaven When the Days Get Shorter<i>by Jas Faulkner </i><br />
<i><br /></i>After today, there will be two more East Nashville Farmers Markets and then the corner of Tenth and Russell becomes a quiet, green square of grass until next Spring. For some market regulars, Wednesday afternoon at the market is the place to pick up dinner and a few extras for the week. For others, it is the source of fresh food now and food to can, freeze, dehydrate and fill a root cellar for later.<br />
<br />
Here's the thing: Those farmers? The ones you pick up a CSA box, bag or basket from? Many of them are offering CSA subscriptions for the winter months. <br />
<br />
Okay, do not flip over to Facebook yet. Hear me out. A CSA share does not mean you're destined to get a box full of butternut squash and a couple of collard leaves.* Here is a list of some of the things you can expect to find in your share: lettuce, kale, broccoli, cabbage, sweet potatoes, winter squash, turnips, all things good, green and leafy, onions and tatsoi.<br />
<br />
Tatsoi? Really? You've never heard of tatsoi?<br />
<br />
Excuse me for a moment.<br />
<br />
I'm back. This is tatsoi: <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIEZIfZjc3EE1QhSqaRohBibkmKOeOimOhN9_Bo0JNkWncWNnGkTrX_TYKzvmogcGG5NIq4uECgvLznnuVbAvfECfKpAnI05uHrQwPGFMtE2AayntVONT0ma_Q8o6-JqOdVpJ_OCPOj-Hr/s1600/tatsoi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIEZIfZjc3EE1QhSqaRohBibkmKOeOimOhN9_Bo0JNkWncWNnGkTrX_TYKzvmogcGG5NIq4uECgvLznnuVbAvfECfKpAnI05uHrQwPGFMtE2AayntVONT0ma_Q8o6-JqOdVpJ_OCPOj-Hr/s320/tatsoi.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
It is the mildest, greenest, tastiest leafy vegetable on the planet. You really want to take the chance that you're going to miss out on this because you <b>might</b> make it to another farmers market the week or two one of the rare actual farmers -as opposed to a reseller- offers up their tatsoi for sale? Really? <br />
<br />
Double checking here. You're going to miss out on Tatsoi? <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpJCWdqr18jHxYG0H4OrMb7PHFCUPSN_mJO3WfbudVLueUOXbjZdO0F3Y6W5YUzdp0rP-WVGAK_xbhPhbv7hvvHWLAJoMHIKVMHcBF-mNKvNHBwWokuJh-aZrfqyV5Q9F92kj47O2I6g9/s1600/john-goodman-thebiglebowski-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpJCWdqr18jHxYG0H4OrMb7PHFCUPSN_mJO3WfbudVLueUOXbjZdO0F3Y6W5YUzdp0rP-WVGAK_xbhPhbv7hvvHWLAJoMHIKVMHcBF-mNKvNHBwWokuJh-aZrfqyV5Q9F92kj47O2I6g9/s320/john-goodman-thebiglebowski-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John Goodman is disappointed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzOeJFyCb0Xx6yUvGSl81VRW12CiWvTgQCNFISaRWdSAgxPcqDO2x9nRq0Uv3TTQirJboctwPU1-fM45Domdu0mvX3RVczgBC43WHbmsox3tF881tlBOkOI6yr6KUnMKe-AtT7mMsvX9B/s1600/disapporving+rabbit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzOeJFyCb0Xx6yUvGSl81VRW12CiWvTgQCNFISaRWdSAgxPcqDO2x9nRq0Uv3TTQirJboctwPU1-fM45Domdu0mvX3RVczgBC43WHbmsox3tF881tlBOkOI6yr6KUnMKe-AtT7mMsvX9B/s320/disapporving+rabbit.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So is this rabbit.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Of course you CAN remedy this by talking to your favorite vendor today to see if they're going to offer a winter CSA. All you have to do is ask. You might be surprised, not only by the fact that there is a lot of good stuff available in the winter, but that it's as easy to get and reasonably priced. Do it today! <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheL_ArlYVwXIzyqAiDGOvK7RmEu2rymjWgQCgXVWKB4F1YP5czMLNtBi8jv-KFxlbe3o_LmFzly8H2Ah1_0fLsMIVu6wUI_E-5qaetYxrRXOYSozdWmp4RykLJ-emQkVWclzxM0jphBMAo/s1600/crabby+critters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheL_ArlYVwXIzyqAiDGOvK7RmEu2rymjWgQCgXVWKB4F1YP5czMLNtBi8jv-KFxlbe3o_LmFzly8H2Ah1_0fLsMIVu6wUI_E-5qaetYxrRXOYSozdWmp4RykLJ-emQkVWclzxM0jphBMAo/s320/crabby+critters.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These crabby woodland creatures missed out on getting winter CSA shares!<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Just a quick note: Next week (10/24) the ENFM will be hosting a Random Acts of Reading bookflash! Have some books you are getting a little tired of? Want to find something new to read? <a href="http://randomactsofreading.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Check out Random Acts of Reading</a> tomorrow (10/18) for more details! <br />
<br />
<br />
<b style="background-color: white; font-family: Palatino, Georgia, 'Sans Serif'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></b>
*Yes, I typed "leafs" and nearly left it that way. Hockey much, Jas?jas faulknerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338478113151823116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-827957972668212159.post-53166647253822255612012-10-08T13:16:00.000-05:002012-10-08T13:16:30.046-05:00Fall Fest: Wednesday! Wednesday! Wednesday! Come Touch a Tractor! <br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<i>By Jas Faulkner </i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMQ-9sscScffZCoS4GdVXW2CRsEaogRkRQdHjmTqnbGeGcY7FnpjLcyfDmIFNVv1PB72Ue7jLw6WsaEuyO09h4wkidLX1_a-_f10EzyGiOBUmCFitoYw7jJCcsun7Eh-gTIHFy43NV5G_5/s1600/East_Nashville_Farmers_Market.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMQ-9sscScffZCoS4GdVXW2CRsEaogRkRQdHjmTqnbGeGcY7FnpjLcyfDmIFNVv1PB72Ue7jLw6WsaEuyO09h4wkidLX1_a-_f10EzyGiOBUmCFitoYw7jJCcsun7Eh-gTIHFy43NV5G_5/s1600/East_Nashville_Farmers_Market.JPG" /></a></div>
Looking for a <i><b>cheep</b></i> thrill this Wednesday? Why not take your offspring to pet a chicken or touch a tractor at East Nashville Farmers Market? <br />
<br />
Now in its sixth year, the ENFM Fall Fest is a great way to see what fresh fare is available from the vendors and spend some low-tech, no-pressure time getting your little rock-and-rollers to consider taking a walk on the country side. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">
According to event coordinator and market director Amy Delvin Tavalin, the event, which started out as a part of the much smaller market in the parking lot of The Turnip Truck, had seven vendors, a bluegrass band and a petting zoo. </div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"This is the 6th year of the Fall Fest, we've had one every year that the market has been open, but it gets bigger every year!"</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">
With the foliage changing colors and the weather getting milder, this is the perfect time to come see what you've been missing if you have not yet made it to the magic at South Tenth Street every Wednesday afternoon. Even if you don't have the excuse of a household small fry with a yen for some face time with a John Deere, there are plenty of events and vendors to delight your senses and inspire your inner Emeril. </div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">
Aside form the kid-oriented events: the petting zoo, touch-a-tractor, and pumpkin- and punkin, er, face painting; each vendor is going to decorate their stand, so you might just pick up some ideas for your own fall decor from our talented crowd of farmers and artisans. Michael Martin of <a href="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/" target="_blank">Whole Foods</a> will be on hand with a chef demonstration that is sure to please the pickiest eater. </div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd07lPa_naoLLBmhfzxfB-dkA1821drfU5H6ZIdbdLFEoXtHYZOR0VBEJ7_5D_81OGHdaUrcVnGSPjTcLxqIbHOdkvteckNcrc3XKV6oBQePDpv2KHkPbmWRh199RV75tJ1eBcaGQETW1_/s1600/fallfest.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd07lPa_naoLLBmhfzxfB-dkA1821drfU5H6ZIdbdLFEoXtHYZOR0VBEJ7_5D_81OGHdaUrcVnGSPjTcLxqIbHOdkvteckNcrc3XKV6oBQePDpv2KHkPbmWRh199RV75tJ1eBcaGQETW1_/s320/fallfest.gif" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #222222;">Many newcomers to local fare might not realize how much is available in the the fall. While the choices differ from the summer months, there is still a diversity of </span><span style="color: #500050;">good for you and good to eat produce to look forward to trying. According to Amy Delvin Tavalin, "v</span><span style="color: #222222;">egetables will be changing in the remaining weeks- cooler weather brings back the leafy greens along with winter squash, pumpkins,sweet potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, radish, turnips, and beets.Some vendors will have fall herbs, flowers, and seasonal desserts as well! </span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">
For Tavalin, the idea of celebrating Autumn in East Nashville is an easy choice:</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">
There's something about the changing of the seasons that inspires community. We're hoping to have the East Nashville community out to help us celebrate Fall and the changes that it brings. Pumpkins, gourds, leafy greens, winter squashes, sweet potatoes, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower will be making their way in, and that nip in the air that October brings will invite folks to try hot cider, coffee and pie. </div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">
Do you really want to miss this? That's what I thought. Come out, sample some good stuff and bring more healthy goodies home. You'll be glad you did! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1HxROPEr-U_syFom7azzZo3EEZsrakAwL9NKOsSxmdlqL4MJzhZxRqJoLut_t4K_GY0EeUaLpOsv60QD0xkB-p55fqnty9MU6MNZi4vratWM34F7VfEW0CtoBcWYzZiQtTpd7IphmzhSk/s1600/eggplants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1HxROPEr-U_syFom7azzZo3EEZsrakAwL9NKOsSxmdlqL4MJzhZxRqJoLut_t4K_GY0EeUaLpOsv60QD0xkB-p55fqnty9MU6MNZi4vratWM34F7VfEW0CtoBcWYzZiQtTpd7IphmzhSk/s320/eggplants.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="im" style="color: #500050; font-size: 13px;">
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
jas faulknerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338478113151823116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-827957972668212159.post-72374516026745473082012-10-03T10:18:00.001-05:002012-10-03T10:18:31.404-05:00Hog Killing Time<i>by Jas Faulkner </i><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Reminder:</span> Next week the ENFM will feature their annual Fall Festival! Check here on Monday, October 7th for more information.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIBP72Vzk45Ohv_QucBqnWMgjLwiIYhV0JAcDqeV-sjTWDtaJCEnQ5YYc_Dp93KJKOtjd6_11hTyBd117vF3erSmkN4nYiEVkwPohrJRa5ZQefs6m1puvQ9_LOsC_zZL1vh-urwreLQj6H/s1600/baconstarrty+night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIBP72Vzk45Ohv_QucBqnWMgjLwiIYhV0JAcDqeV-sjTWDtaJCEnQ5YYc_Dp93KJKOtjd6_11hTyBd117vF3erSmkN4nYiEVkwPohrJRa5ZQefs6m1puvQ9_LOsC_zZL1vh-urwreLQj6H/s320/baconstarrty+night.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>Readers outside of the Nashville area probably picture my hometown as a more of an overgrown small town than the cosmopolitan metropolis that it really is. Like many entertainment industry hubs, the best way to describe the population of Nashville is: "nearly everybody here is from someplace else."<b> </b><br />
<br />
This demographic shift has contributed to some big changes in Music City's culinary diversity. Are you a displaced New Yorker looking for a taste of home? There's a restaurant near Vanderbilt called <a href="http://www.noshville.com/" target="_blank">Noshville</a> that offers deli food Big Apple Style. Nolensville Road is a culinary UN, with establishments representing the foodways of nearly every continent. No matter where a Nashvillian may hail from, there is something here that will give them a touch of "back home." My home city's culinary profile is not just about bringing everything from there to here. <a href="http://www.nashvilleoriginals.com/" target="_blank">Nashville Originals</a> is an organization devoted to promoting local restaurants whose chefs work at the edge of the continually evolving definition of Nashville cuisine.<br />
<br />
Another aspect of this change can be found in our recognition of the holiday calendar in terms of the accepted wisdom of when and to a much lesser degree what is eaten at certain times of the year. The ways in which Middle Tennesseans eat, especially during the winter holidays, is getting less distinguishable from the rest of the country. What many transplants don't realize is that divergent regional traditions in the holiday bill of fare were still the norm less than a century ago.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0F3judINHRYhOncyUrLOfTFnp9Wv4mn3aPzg-bLyvyM3T514dg3G9ELnj08xGD2OdRlWXAhFuR009mwgpHKoJHbRoohHzS0_jDEgVBj-etn0Sc1OKgXeN1tqKEZ1g_LkTO_BG9RvhCQTl/s1600/baconpig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0F3judINHRYhOncyUrLOfTFnp9Wv4mn3aPzg-bLyvyM3T514dg3G9ELnj08xGD2OdRlWXAhFuR009mwgpHKoJHbRoohHzS0_jDEgVBj-etn0Sc1OKgXeN1tqKEZ1g_LkTO_BG9RvhCQTl/s320/baconpig.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Thanksgiving is a classic example of the way regional differences can affect what's on the menu. The Thanksgiving pictured by Norman Rockwell is a version that has its roots in the Northeast. While the custom of having roast turkey, dressing and cranberries is pretty common across the US now, in the first half of the Twentieth Century, Thanksgiving was considerably different for many Tennesseans, especially those who still lived in rural areas. <br />
<br />
The cooler weather meant that many families were devoting the time off from school and work to prepare for the winter months. The last of the produce was canned, frozen, and stored in cellars and the next step, slaughtering and parceling the meat usually occurred in November. Often referred to as "hog killing time," the long Thanksgiving weekend usually entailed families gathering to slaughter livestock and then butcher the carcass. <br /><br />This was, well, actually it <i><b>is</b></i> a communal process. Once the animal is killed and the meat is cut, much of it is either sent into a deep freeze or a smokehouse. Meals center around this activity and the recreational/subsistence hunting that takes place once the livestock chores are completed. If there is deer or turkey meat to be prepared, a similar process ensues. <br />
<br />
Because of this, many families might enjoy a pork roast and vegetables for Thanksgiving dinner (midday) or supper that evening. The next day, the traditional breakfast would consist of tenderloin and biscuits, gravy, grits, fried potatoes and eggs. Tabletop condiments for breakfast usually included molasses, apple butter, butter, and home canned or frozen fruit. For the rest of the weekend, there might be a cookout, but for the most part, meals were made from leftovers.<br />
<br />
Did those 20th Century Tennesseans ever feel their holiday was lacking? Not really. It was a time for fun, telling family stories and yes, giving thanks. According to one person who remembers those Autumn days fondly:<br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><br />"But then we always did that, give thanks. Getting up in the morning is as much a reason for knowing there would be food on the table and a roof over our heads. We were always thankful for both every day!"</i></b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />jas faulknerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338478113151823116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-827957972668212159.post-47871318502371461202012-09-26T06:45:00.001-05:002012-09-26T06:45:59.989-05:00Waste Not, Want Not<i>by Jas Faulkner</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLCb0qpF12h0JYKpq4Ik95KQlnfIdoq9DK3jjPkMkuQPONavH5-0T_0gePulCIhvbJF1OFr6spOw7ikVoHWoy7ZgZz0ySz17u5qSVoyn7QGaiBaQwk6CIXPMtARVCLMNqkNaxuAHC5ul1k/s1600/recycle.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLCb0qpF12h0JYKpq4Ik95KQlnfIdoq9DK3jjPkMkuQPONavH5-0T_0gePulCIhvbJF1OFr6spOw7ikVoHWoy7ZgZz0ySz17u5qSVoyn7QGaiBaQwk6CIXPMtARVCLMNqkNaxuAHC5ul1k/s1600/recycle.gif" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Waste not, want not</span></b>. Few would argue with the wisdom of such a principle, but even fewer fully understand the extent to which it can be carried out in household, much less kitchen management. The idea of low to no household commodities waste is sometimes dismissed as a quaint, antiquated holdover from grandparents and great-grandparents who survived the economic depression that hit the US between World Wars. To many, it has been rebranded. Gramma's frugality now bears the shiny new title, "sustainable living." <br />
<br />
Is this a bad thing? Absolutely not. In fact, to cadge a phrase from Martha Stewart, it is a very good thing.<br />
<br />
Like organic food production, upcycling/recycling/using every bit of everything from snout to tail is a shiny new concept surrounding older ways that have been kept alive by choice and circumstance. Those who live in less developed parts of the United States, citizens of aboriginal North American reservations, urban dwellers who understand the need for commodities to be used up of because of the lack of space and resources for disposal, and yes, many college students.<br />
<br />
Think you're already using everything in every way possible? Here's a quick way to tell if that is the case: What does your curb look like on the days the garbage truck rolls through? If you're doing everything you should be doing, your average household waste for that week should fit into one, maybe two t-shirt bags. <br />
<br />
No? Are you still screaming (on the inside, where it counts) "Hefty! Hefty! Hefty!" as you trudge to the sidewalk? It's okay. We all do it sometimes. If you're doing it every week, you need to know that it is possible to wean your wastebaskets and trash cans from a steady diet of stuff that could be recycled into rugs, clothing, planters and even fashionable vegan shoes. Keep in mind this kind of change does not have to be a zero sum proposition. You can start small. Just start! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP6ky2apg8kl4sYIf3sh368q0slqdQedcvOfBYiHWkzZJ5IN6Jwgys7vZ_r2F1mKFEqcanX3hyphenhyphengdqnVUX5FceRs5XTquFOEK6y5MAkiiqo4-Fdu0pz9r1_9SvPgEyqe4O0eCsK0FKk-T35/s1600/annies-organic-macaroni-and-cheese-sale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP6ky2apg8kl4sYIf3sh368q0slqdQedcvOfBYiHWkzZJ5IN6Jwgys7vZ_r2F1mKFEqcanX3hyphenhyphengdqnVUX5FceRs5XTquFOEK6y5MAkiiqo4-Fdu0pz9r1_9SvPgEyqe4O0eCsK0FKk-T35/s200/annies-organic-macaroni-and-cheese-sale.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
Let me help you out with this. Do you eat <a href="http://www.annies.com/" target="_blank">Annie's</a> Mac 'n Cheese? The next time you're in the mood for comfort food and you tear open a package, ad you're waiting for the water to boil, take a look at the box. Yes, the bunny is cute and the bumper sticker offer that has been open since I was an undergraduate is still on the side. What you'll also find are tips on how to reuse that box before it finally ends up in your recycling bin.<br />
<br />
Low to no waste isn't limited to paper and plastic. Take a look at that pretty yellow oval in your CSA box. For those of you who have never tried spaghetti squash, you're missing out. It has the texture and taste of a good veggie pasta prepared al dente the way the school cafeteria ladies never intended. Don't let this tasty, healthy treat go to waste.<br />
<br />
I consulted with my friends and fellow veggie fans, Sylvia and Bill Red Eagle, on the best ways to use every bit of a spaghetti squash. Starting from the inside out:<br />
<br />
<b><u>Seeds:</u></b> The tangle of seeds and mushy, fibrous stuff needs to be removed before the rest of it can be cooked. Once you've scooped it out, begin to knead it and you'll find the seeds will start to fall out. Rinse them off, buff them barely dry with a clean dishtowel and then spread them out on a cookie sheet.<br />
<br />
They're great plain or you can season them with any of the following: cayenne, chili powder, garlic salt, grated parm or asiago, or cinnamon and a little sugar or (a tiny, tiny amount of) stevia if prefer a sweet snack. Once you've seasoned them or not, pop the tray in an oven set at 275 degrees for five to ten minutes or until the seeds are dry, crisp, and slide around.<br />
<br />
This recipe works with any squash or pumpkin seed and those seeds, called pepitas by my father's people (who also refer to corn as maiz, go figure...) are a great source of protein and fiber. One cautionary note: they are very rich in Omega-6, which do weird things to Omega-3s, which you and I and everyone we know needs. So, as Cookie Monster might say, they're probably best eaten as a sometimes snack when you happen to be cooking a winter squash.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrkxZAPBtGdF1kOxZSiUwLMRFW91-F1BKd3fYuW1RCR0lp_TJV8urgJV3F7Gr3nEzDvTZ2o3LtRgk5llUe_CwSnlhFjVaE6mECtSGXJkdzGi6NhcoHDh6K-edNOEFfaxh0IXpyPMh-rxf/s1600/recyclespaghetti-squash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrkxZAPBtGdF1kOxZSiUwLMRFW91-F1BKd3fYuW1RCR0lp_TJV8urgJV3F7Gr3nEzDvTZ2o3LtRgk5llUe_CwSnlhFjVaE6mECtSGXJkdzGi6NhcoHDh6K-edNOEFfaxh0IXpyPMh-rxf/s200/recyclespaghetti-squash.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<b><u>Flesh:</u></b> Some people boil it, some steam it, the Red Eagles like to cut it in half and bake it flesh side down until the fibers pull away into "noodles". They like it as a side with butter, salt and a little sauteed garlic or garlic scapes when they're in season or as a "chili mac" when the weather in Ft. Worth gets a little colder. I like it topped with a good "tom 'n three plus" marinara ( tomatoes, onions, garlic, peppers plus herbs and wine).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidoUwjyk9CjuU_UQpgLZMk_7gGamaND560dRjcjG-zMtCqkTndE0xkKd2YDFy4YDDJdZuJUx8W2qb2FhaKnR-Ci2aueHgLgVxYXQ10BZYiRB86z4VjHShxgv7GrGVR1Sfa6Yoj8-Nq39T3/s1600/recycle+titmouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidoUwjyk9CjuU_UQpgLZMk_7gGamaND560dRjcjG-zMtCqkTndE0xkKd2YDFy4YDDJdZuJUx8W2qb2FhaKnR-Ci2aueHgLgVxYXQ10BZYiRB86z4VjHShxgv7GrGVR1Sfa6Yoj8-Nq39T3/s200/recycle+titmouse.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<b><u>The Skin, Stem and Seed Muck:</u></b> All of it composts beautifully. If you have established a place for birds and other neighbor critters to visit and grab a bite, you'll find that they see the seed muck is like, the best snack ever to squirrels, titmice and black capped chickadees.<br />
<br />
So, let's review. You started with this ornery hard thing that you wondered if you could use as part of a centerpiece or a decoration for the guest book table at church and now you have a tasty snack, a great meal that is light on the carbs, and some good karma from feeding your fellow earthlings. Best of all, none of that ended up in the trash. <br />
<br />
Hungry for more? Talk to your local farmer about their favorite ways to use winter squash. You might want to check out these recipes by two of my favorite chefs/foodways preservation advocates:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/herbed-spaghetti-squash-recipe/index.html" target="_blank">Emeril Lagasse's herbed spaghetti squash</a> is an easy dish after a rushed day.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.greencitymarket.org/recipes/recipedetail.asp?id=42" target="_blank">Rick Bayless' "Worlds Greatest Chili"</a> includes winter squash as part of his refit of a home kitchen classic.<br />
<br />
Bon appetit and keep green!<br />
<br />jas faulknerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338478113151823116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-827957972668212159.post-11096892567700931522012-09-19T00:23:00.000-05:002012-09-19T00:39:22.203-05:00Good Guys Wear Blue Corduroy<i>by Jas Faulkner </i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChplFBwZ6fbJYbsBhyphenhyphenyZLy70S98JfKM3T5xv0RPpOUoeeXPYwk57uSVViSKsRsRjBroItYh-HmXHXaTrhnD5bH2t3jcPcnvtrTiSQVbAKfWSZQnrlYSGiiaFCkbFJgH86YmfuwnhGQgUc/s1600/ffa+john+mellancamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChplFBwZ6fbJYbsBhyphenhyphenyZLy70S98JfKM3T5xv0RPpOUoeeXPYwk57uSVViSKsRsRjBroItYh-HmXHXaTrhnD5bH2t3jcPcnvtrTiSQVbAKfWSZQnrlYSGiiaFCkbFJgH86YmfuwnhGQgUc/s320/ffa+john+mellancamp.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<i><br /></i>Theirs was the kind of cool that defied the usual taxonomic constraints of senior high school hierarchies. Laconic and for the most part unworried by the usual sturm and dang that plagued teens determined to make those three years the BEST years of their lives by being the BEST class EVER, they moved through life at their own pace. Small, close-knit groups of clean-shaven, baby-faced boys and smartly turned out young women walked the hallways, self possessed, impervious to the handfull of students who sometimes catcalled them without fully understanding their own concomitant loathing and envy. They followed an agenda that addressed few of the concerns of the so-called lives that flittered inside the snow-globe insularity of high school's social order. The timetable and values they followed were those of the real world, the world beyond classrooms. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKL4C3GSCIR36nUQ8GKi6yXvXkbGgGwIybdj9YErW5_tjerCFuJs_2GynQQ3viWG2yBmcXUulgp7YYx5hq76rnkAVBysvwAhA0xRvM8eDzXExFXj0IFIH2j65TXYGSEv9fWjf1UYu-ri1U/s1600/FFA.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKL4C3GSCIR36nUQ8GKi6yXvXkbGgGwIybdj9YErW5_tjerCFuJs_2GynQQ3viWG2yBmcXUulgp7YYx5hq76rnkAVBysvwAhA0xRvM8eDzXExFXj0IFIH2j65TXYGSEv9fWjf1UYu-ri1U/s200/FFA.png" width="158" /></a> What set them apart visually from other self-contained groups, the kids who would grow up to work for Cessna and Boeing and IBM and NASA, were the jackets. Those zippered, cobalt blue, wide wale corduroy jackets with the oddly old-fashioned embroidered logos on the crest and back identified members of FFA, the Future Farmers of America. They were worn with pride by students who were either continuing a family tradition of farming and ranching or contemplating a move beyond the suburban nine to five careers of their parents.<br />
<br />
Actually, there are still kids getting, no, earning those jackets every year. According to the latest figures, over half a million young people ages twelve and up have answered the call to learn agricultural science. Many of them will be in FFA until graduation and then move on to other things. Aside from the artifacts and memories, they'll have a deeper understanding of how important it is to have a vital, thriving agricultural sector within the economic makeup of our country. They will respect how important it is to not take for granted the labor, the availability of resources, and the significance of knowledge and commitment to farming that keeps everyone fed and secure.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dWQRLkSgH_sZKUWst2YoVxyb5IMpnaK_MPoGPz_ezt6qgJsjPLG_gP2-T3avUNgXiAL-t98HoWe6HJOStRPyJEun1FKa4L-d8JWV8eqJvBdcSRuJmJjHV5XKMPfIHDJEncEMJQOfTfTB/s1600/ffa+jackets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dWQRLkSgH_sZKUWst2YoVxyb5IMpnaK_MPoGPz_ezt6qgJsjPLG_gP2-T3avUNgXiAL-t98HoWe6HJOStRPyJEun1FKa4L-d8JWV8eqJvBdcSRuJmJjHV5XKMPfIHDJEncEMJQOfTfTB/s320/ffa+jackets.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Food security is not just organizational lip service. It is a very real value that is at least three shifts each to helping assemble meals for distribution to areas where hunger is a problem. Their goal this year is to assemble one million meals as part of their <a href="https://www.ffa.org/Events/conventionandexpo/volunteers/Pages/FFA-Rally-to-Fight-Hunger.aspx" target="_blank">Rally To Fight Hunger</a>. This initiative not only employs young hands, it engages hearts and minds as attendees learn more about the root causes and possible solutions to food scarcity on both local and global levels. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiULdrmYM_jNYDvwMAxlbhhWqoW8_ntapEvQH2kT5gyCLlJW0PX1OJVhmHZCpL06NIIrXVCY2v9pFoVpU2K24fKXl5OCEbq4nVkcHWfjRXPsk06WjuNyYwzBardJwGkZolSqz7tVPF6bQFz/s1600/FFA+jacket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiULdrmYM_jNYDvwMAxlbhhWqoW8_ntapEvQH2kT5gyCLlJW0PX1OJVhmHZCpL06NIIrXVCY2v9pFoVpU2K24fKXl5OCEbq4nVkcHWfjRXPsk06WjuNyYwzBardJwGkZolSqz7tVPF6bQFz/s200/FFA+jacket.jpg" width="173" /></a></div>
<br />
Those who choose to follow the creed* into adulthood by stepping into the family business or pursuing agriculture as a major in college find that FFA continues to offer support. The organisation provides scholarships and opportunities for mentoring and leadership either in the capacity of apprenticeship or as an educator for the next generation of Future Farmers. <br />
<br />
To the many children who come together from diverse backgrounds to be a part of FFA, those blue jackets are not just a quaint fashion statement to be discarded when other inclinations hold a greater attraction. They represent a serious commitment to the kind of stewardship that goes beyond youthful promises for short term involvement. When it's done right, FFA is life-changing. It is their chance to be part of something good, something bigger than themselves that has fostered personal growth since that first gathering of teachers and students at Kansas City in 1928. It is, in the truest sense of the expression, a way for young people to be empowered by knowledge and to gain confidence in their abilities as agents of positive change for the future. <br />
<br />
Want to know more? Visit the FFA's homepage at: <a href="https://www.ffa.org/Pages/default.aspx">https://www.ffa.org</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3mD6pxNdzcDWDhVFoV2-vycAicY6iGARbtzVxykjvYpjMuTTSg8ib6ynMcXiSARBULQzZXr02eeerwMnpiI5U_lUCEIYz8CYDoCZYoQB7nnOiyZYcOUdyY9GEdjcReWHLLN9dQtJV_Abl/s1600/ffajacketlg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3mD6pxNdzcDWDhVFoV2-vycAicY6iGARbtzVxykjvYpjMuTTSg8ib6ynMcXiSARBULQzZXr02eeerwMnpiI5U_lUCEIYz8CYDoCZYoQB7nnOiyZYcOUdyY9GEdjcReWHLLN9dQtJV_Abl/s320/ffajacketlg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
*The FFA Creed:<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<i>I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds - achievements won by the present and past generations of agriculturists; in the promise of better days through better ways, even as the better things we now enjoy have come to us from the struggles of former years.</i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<i>I believe that to live and work on a good farm or to be engaged in other agricultural pursuits, is pleasant as well as challenging; for I know the joys and discomforts of agricultural life and hold an inborn fondness for those associations which, even in hours of discouragement I cannot deny.</i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<i>I believe in leadership from ourselves and respect from others. I believe in my own ability to work efficiently and think clearly, with such knowledge and skill as I can secure, and in the ability of progressive agriculturalists to serve our own and the public interest in producing and marketing the product of our toil.</i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<i>I believe in less dependence on begging and more power in bargaining; in the life abundant and enough honest wealth to help make it so-for others as well as myself; in less need for charity and more of it when needed; in being happy myself and playing square with those whose happiness depends upon me.</i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<i>I believe that American agriculture can and will hold true to the best traditions of our national life and that I can exert an influence in my home and community which will stand solid for my part in that inspiring task.</i></div>
<br />
<br />jas faulknerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338478113151823116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-827957972668212159.post-6411056294373786662012-09-12T12:15:00.002-05:002012-09-12T12:15:09.278-05:00September 12th and Victory Gardensby Jas Faulkner<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41lg3VI3YAKbX9dB-eGDPWpp6iAhIOxG1JYWUKwe1H6F9SzD_QgI3mCvwYa87SHt0mD7p2Yb2FLkCRG9BhFcC1YsYZ5h3YMu264-Vbs1DBT1Sjx5IPKjN8-l1-ARh8aTeCxACjDRWVCFn/s1600/victorytop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41lg3VI3YAKbX9dB-eGDPWpp6iAhIOxG1JYWUKwe1H6F9SzD_QgI3mCvwYa87SHt0mD7p2Yb2FLkCRG9BhFcC1YsYZ5h3YMu264-Vbs1DBT1Sjx5IPKjN8-l1-ARh8aTeCxACjDRWVCFn/s320/victorytop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
September Twelfth always has a tinge of emotional hangover to it. As each succeeding 9-12 since Nine-Twelve-Oh-One passes, there is has been a decreasing shock about the 3,000 person-shaped hole in who we were as a tribe and more about who we intend to be in the future. As a people, our circumstance, has been shaped by equal parts natural progression and determination to determine ourselves on our own terms. Our most American of characteristics, our rugged, sometimes bloody-minded individuality is part of what moves us to look for better ways to take care of ourselves.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik27w-OU0ZauyuNOMCfJDSPh7zIxoVkmWRKoKzlRe9tpzauf5Rzb36eEBJq1bEW52epOIhVC7E68YliMiiLhMgX4ZSTXrOFKAZP4dQvyT134JE1sNPFVnkZYtLYW_E50vSKGAdiHHJGATn/s1600/Victory1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik27w-OU0ZauyuNOMCfJDSPh7zIxoVkmWRKoKzlRe9tpzauf5Rzb36eEBJq1bEW52epOIhVC7E68YliMiiLhMgX4ZSTXrOFKAZP4dQvyT134JE1sNPFVnkZYtLYW_E50vSKGAdiHHJGATn/s320/Victory1.jpg" width="231" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Localtarianism is one expression of that stubborn streak that keeps us from giving in and going under in the face of opposition from big business and those who seek the approval/protection they perceive to be the advantages of living in the shadow of corporations. We continue to look for ways to take care of ourselves and engage our neighbors as we support their efforts to create sustainable local economy based on production that gives us a first hand look at the intricacies of how what we buy is made. We have striven to know the farmer in the next county, the herbalists and the chicken enthusiasts and the artisans and the neighborhood know-it-all.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxOnmMO3rPacvyzDamfQBkG532PnCWfW5wV-lH8cLBC6w9UAnFDz5DnOivBdv9rPMoz4mMiG5JKvILrT3a0Izr9Zh9LooIfIKL9KE33zapplhZA9mzJVwjkVU3f9ReTJIlsGSrFMzGblz0/s1600/victory2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxOnmMO3rPacvyzDamfQBkG532PnCWfW5wV-lH8cLBC6w9UAnFDz5DnOivBdv9rPMoz4mMiG5JKvILrT3a0Izr9Zh9LooIfIKL9KE33zapplhZA9mzJVwjkVU3f9ReTJIlsGSrFMzGblz0/s320/victory2.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
This sort of urban agricultural renaissance really isn't anything new. The Victory Gardens of the 1940s' inspired a generation to adopt kitchen gardening as a way to supplement the limited food that was available. It was a practical, healthy way to live and one that afforded Americans the chance to make a positive statement about the strength and resilience of those back on the home front.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_vOlkQsymy2mA0zYFrLwYrfLc297IA0eyObYe0Gw-VgDugp4tmbMCu2D0056EFbBU2cB23Csknw3u09VTmI25PJQBTIjzLwl4OtnQW4UDI-NrOVt0ZU4xHCKh0AEZqKULQoBGNZ4sKOI/s1600/victory5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_vOlkQsymy2mA0zYFrLwYrfLc297IA0eyObYe0Gw-VgDugp4tmbMCu2D0056EFbBU2cB23Csknw3u09VTmI25PJQBTIjzLwl4OtnQW4UDI-NrOVt0ZU4xHCKh0AEZqKULQoBGNZ4sKOI/s320/victory5.jpg" width="218" /></a></div>
At its heart, this was the first wave of the American Green Revolution. It was the age of everyone from the President to GI Joe to Rosie the Riveter and her mother who not only kept hearth and home but proved she was as tough as Dad and Joe when it came to dealing with challenging times; all because she and they could. Without really considering it that way, this was sustainability in action. This is what American character looks like in the real world. It is what an American who is conscious of how we can help ourselves and help others learns how to think globally and reach out to help. This is what needs to be reclaimed: feeding ourselves and supporting our neighbors.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_7zRC-Pt5QT72ymHdoD34xpo6Xi_45fyb9IEGFtGnngCbNPkeoChiiPP1AJhVzqhin0SXIXdbkw4ERhiKngp9_b0XVi4pLApMDmSMCulE6XOzh3zNqschJG1EPuiERMvYbHN0E6dSdH0/s1600/victory4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_7zRC-Pt5QT72ymHdoD34xpo6Xi_45fyb9IEGFtGnngCbNPkeoChiiPP1AJhVzqhin0SXIXdbkw4ERhiKngp9_b0XVi4pLApMDmSMCulE6XOzh3zNqschJG1EPuiERMvYbHN0E6dSdH0/s320/victory4.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
<br />
All of this makes what happens at farmers markets, local food co-ops and businesses like The Turnip Truck that much more miraculous. It is not just a cultural survival, but a return to currency for what worked in the past and maintains us. Supporting area farmers and those businesses that foster taking an active part in local food production is and always has been an original "patriot act". Get back to your roots, both literally and figuratively and visit your local farmers market for produce and goods to help you grow your own!<br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdENi2DVKlgbjWklLWSFUibPvPjur_7Gn-j54cPkrbEwnd2gqTeyvZ9tvNzg6NFmjkJhim4DydEUOj6ZkW6hNEnqVI0trFAi_00cjATj9-3SwyBrb7GUx17tddbISD6mQBdXvS7b3lwM0/s1600/victorytop2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdENi2DVKlgbjWklLWSFUibPvPjur_7Gn-j54cPkrbEwnd2gqTeyvZ9tvNzg6NFmjkJhim4DydEUOj6ZkW6hNEnqVI0trFAi_00cjATj9-3SwyBrb7GUx17tddbISD6mQBdXvS7b3lwM0/s320/victorytop2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />jas faulknerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338478113151823116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-827957972668212159.post-78693035356809384962012-09-03T12:49:00.000-05:002012-09-03T12:49:32.015-05:00Kathy Kuhn Wants To Know: What's In Your Kitchen?<br />
<div class="h7 hn " style="background-color: white; clear: both; padding-bottom: 0px;">
<div class="Bk" style="border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-color: rgb(239, 239, 239); border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-width: 0px; float: none !important; margin-bottom: 0px; position: relative; width: 937px;">
<div class="G3 G2 afm" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom-color: rgb(216, 216, 216); border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-color: rgb(216, 216, 216); border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-width: 1px 0px 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<div id=":3q">
<div class="adn ads" style="border-left-color: transparent; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 8px;">
<div class="gs" style="margin-left: 44px;">
<div class="ii gt adP adO" id=":o" style="margin: 5px 15px 0px 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; position: relative; z-index: 2;">
<div id=":p">
<div lang="EN-US" link="blue" vlink="blue">
<div class="im">
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i>by Jas Faulkner </i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #500050; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">"</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">My initial inspiration was the old timey saying <span style="color: #274e13;"><b>waste not, </b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="color: #274e13;"><b>want not</b>, </span>but after reading a lot of different </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">articles </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman';">doing some internet research on green living, I found that </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the new way of saying an old </span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size: large;">adage was: </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><b>Reduce, Re-use, Recycle</b></span>.” </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> -Kathy Kuhn</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <a href="http://green-24-7.com/">Green-24-7.com</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #500050; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For most households, living a greener life starts with what goes into </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
the pantry <span style="background-color: transparent;">and on the table. </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">Finding items that are eco-friendly and easily </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: transparent;">integrated into the day </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">to day goings on in a household </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">can be a challenge. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: transparent;">Kathy Kuhn saw such a need </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">was going unanswered, and this was one </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: transparent;">of the </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">motivators behind </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">the creation of her company, </span><a href="http://green-24-7.com/" style="background-color: transparent;" target="_blank">Green 24-7</a><span style="background-color: transparent;">. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the same time, she wanted to echo the economy and frugality </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
that makes the <span style="background-color: transparent;">green movement not </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">only a smart choice in the global </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: transparent;">sense but a wise way </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">to manage a household on a very local level. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: transparent;">The magical "Three R's" play a big role </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">in the ethos behind Green 24-7.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #500050; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><b>"In times like these implementing the three “R’s” into </b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><b>our </b></span></span><b style="background-color: transparent; color: #274e13; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px;">every day </b><b style="background-color: transparent; color: #274e13; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px;">routine not only </b><b style="background-color: transparent; color: #274e13; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px;">saves money and promotes efficiency </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<b style="background-color: transparent; color: #274e13; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px;">in running the household, </b><b style="background-color: transparent; color: #274e13; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px;">but also </b><b style="background-color: transparent; color: #274e13; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px;">gives us a clear </b><b style="background-color: transparent; color: #274e13; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px;">conscience in </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<b style="background-color: transparent; color: #274e13; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px;">knowing that we are making a </b><b style="background-color: transparent; color: #274e13; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px;">difference in helping to promote a </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><b>sustainable lifestyle for the generations to come." </b></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #500050; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">A visit to the Green24-7 tent is a chance to see cutting-edge products that </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">make recycling, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">composting and implementing smaller changes that add up </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">when it comes to reducing your individual </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">carbon footprint so much easier. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Kuhn does her research to to see that her products are as green </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">in their origins </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">as they will be in their use. Most are created from recycled or recyclable </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">materials s</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">o eco-minded customers can buy with confidence. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Kuhn hopes that a taste of the smaller successes in going green will inspire </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">people </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">to take bigger steps towards adopting more sustainable households. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Her goal </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">is "to reach the average American family and business in their day to </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">day routine. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">Small changes have big outcomes when more and more people </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">continue to live responsibly."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">What three things does she think we can do to <span style="color: black;"> make Nashville a cleaner, </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;">greener placeto live? </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"><b>"Recycle, Reduce (waste) and Reuse. </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><b>We cannot continue to throw everything into a </b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><b>giant trash can and buy new</b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #274e13;">."</span></b><span style="color: #222222;"><u></u><u></u></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">With attitudes changing, ENFM Blog asked Ms Kuhn what she sees that makes</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">her feel hopeful about the future of Nashville as an eco-friendly city.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Many people are into recycling and most are open </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: large;">to </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: large;">the fact </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">that they know they must </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;">begin to do so. It is easy and it is simply routine. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;">If you have a compartment or bin to </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;">put recycleable items in, your household or business </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;">stays organized and is acting </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: large;">responsibly. It is the least we all can do and </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: large;">it's not cool to ignore its importance."</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt;"><u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Want more information about <a href="http://green-24-7.com/" target="_blank">Green 24-7</a>?</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>visit Kathy Kuhn's website at:</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://green-24-7.com/" target="_blank">http://Green-24-7.com </a></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>or drop by her </b></span></span><b style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: x-large;">booth at </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: x-large;">East Nashville Farmers Market!</b></div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/uSM2riAEX4U?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="yj6qo ajU" style="cursor: pointer; margin: 2px 0px 0px; outline: none; padding: 10px 0px; width: 22px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
jas faulknerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338478113151823116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-827957972668212159.post-57792412370670975912012-08-29T11:40:00.000-05:002012-08-29T11:40:50.713-05:00Fall Flavors With Jami from Slocal<i>by Jas Faulkner</i><br />
<br />
Many novice kitchen gardeners see the cooler months as a time to wind down the garden and subdue the flavor profiles that make summer so vivid. Actually, nothing could be further from the truth. Fall gardens offer a tremendous amount of satisfaction both in terms of the spiritual and psychological benefits that come from gardening and the healthy boost that comes from eating locally and with the seasons. <br />
<br />
According to
Jami Anderson from <a href="http://slocalfoods.com/" target="_blank">Slocal Food</a>s, the bright notes herbs can add to your Fall cooking:<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<div>
<div class="im" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #274e13;">Jami:</span></b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #274e13;"> </span><span style="color: #500050;"> </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #274e13;">As we approach the cooler months, look for cilantro again as it bolts and goes quickly to seed during the summer heat. A second harvest of dill and fennel will also be available soon since any planted in the spring will have since run it's life span. Herbs with continuing availability until the cooler weather hits are basil, lemon balm, mint, oregano, parsley, purslane, sorrel, tarragon and thyme. These will die off for the winter but oregano, thyme, sage, winter savory & rosemary will keep going somewhat during the coldest months. </span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 12pt;">
<div class="im">
<br />
Many fledgling gardeners and localtarians want to find ways to keep things growing all year long. Sometimes even the owners of the prettiest raised beds on the block suffer from a secret shame known as Brown Thumb Syndrome. Buried in their compost piles are the bodies of violets, orchids, and yes, even cacti that they or someone else couldn't pass up. With those dessicated bits of decay in mind, many forgo fresh herbs in the winter. Should sufferers from BTS reconsider bringing plants inside for the colder months? How hard is it to tend a kitchen garden in the kitchen? <span style="color: #500050;"> </span><br />
<div style="color: #500050;">
<b><br /></b></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 12pt;">
<b><span style="color: #274e13;">Jami:</span> </b><span style="color: #222222;"> </span><span style="color: #274e13;">Herbs will grow only a large as the container you plant them in so plan your pot size accordingly for the amount of each herb you wish to use regularly. Make sure you have a sunny window that gets at least 4-6 hours of sunlight daily, more is preferable. Our customers have had success growing basil, cilantro, dill, fennel, oregano and rosemary when they start with strong, well-established seedlings and don't under- or over-water them. If you are looking to use large amounts of these herbs for pestos & such, you may want consider growing them outside as a window garden usually yields only enough of an herb for accent and flavoring.</span><br />
<div class="im">
<div style="color: #500050;">
<br /></div>
Of course this means that space is a big concern. Never fear! Herbs can be stored in a variety of ways. Drying and freezing are two of the easiest methods:<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;">
<b><span style="color: #274e13;">Jami:</span></b> <span style="color: #274e13;">One way to get that fresh taste once winter arrives is to freeze your fresh herbs and thaw when needed. Wash, pat dry and freeze in freezer bags. They won't be the same texture or color once they thaw but the flavor will be there. You can also suspend them in olive oil and freeze in ice cube trays. This preserves the structure of the herb a little better and cuts down on some of the color change.
</span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #274e13;">You can dry any herb you wish by either spreading it out on a mat, hanging it upside down out of direct sunlight, or drying it in a dehydrator or oven set to a very low temperature. To decrease the chance of mold, strip the leaves from the stems and discard the stems unless you are hanging the herb to dry. Herbs that taste better by freezing are basil and chives although you can freeze most other herbs as well. Experimentation is the key for determining which method you like best for your taste preferences.</span></div>
<div class="im" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 12pt;">
<div style="color: #500050;">
<br /></div>
<div>
Flavor and texture combinations between Summer and Fall are distinctive. While canning and freezing are a great way to cut food costs once the days get shorter, it's still a good idea to incorporate seasonal produce into the household menu. How to apply all of this? Anderson shares some of her favorite combinations and applications:<br />
<div style="color: #500050;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 12pt;">
<span style="color: #274e13;"><b>Jami:</b> Garlic dill pickles - hands down, my favorite! One of our customers gave us a jar of peach preserves she made by adding some of our lemon verbena leaves during the canning process - exceedingly tasty! Russell teaches a canning class twice a year which has been a great laboratory for recipes he is developing and he is working on a pickle relish recipe right now and I'm working on the perfect pickled egg. All customers get a free recipe with any herb purchase at our booth which features the herb in various dishes, both fresh and preserved, and the combinations are endless. </span></div>
<div class="im" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 12pt;">
<div style="color: #500050;">
<br /></div>
The ENFM runs through the end of October. Does that mean Jami and Russell go on an extended vacation? Not by a long shoot of cilantro!<br />
<div style="color: #500050;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 12pt;">
<span style="color: #274e13;"><b>Jami: </b>We have a website at <a href="http://www.slocalfoods.com/" target="_blank">http://www.slocalfoods.com</a> where we post herbs and other produce we currently have available. Customers can email us from the site to request herbs and we'll hold them back separately at the booth on Wednesdays (we sell out of some herbs every week so this is a wise thing to do.) Customers can also request large quantities needed for catering, parties, etc. This service is available year-round and customers can either pick up what they want at our local garden in east Nashville or we will deliver large herb orders placed during the non-market months (November - April.)</span><br />
<div class="im">
<span style="color: #274e13;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Look for our fresh, organic and locally-grown herbs at the ENFM Slocal booth along with the herbal tea we brew fresh every week. Herbs are sold by the stem AND by the bunch now! For more information on Slocal Foods, visit their website at </span><a href="http://slocalfoods.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://slocalfoods.com</a> or call <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><a href="tel:615-480-5347" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" value="+16154805347">615-480-5347</a><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">.</span></span><br />
<div class="yj6qo ajU" style="color: #222222; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 12pt; outline: none; padding: 10px 0px; width: 22px;">
<div aria-label="Show trimmed content" class="ajR" data-tooltip="Show trimmed content" id=":un" role="button" style="background-color: #f1f1f1; border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); clear: both; line-height: 6px; outline: none; position: relative; width: 20px;" tabindex="0">
<img class="ajT" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/1/images/cleardot.gif" style="background-image: url(https://ssl.gstatic.com/ui/v1/icons/mail/ellipsis.png); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; height: 8px; opacity: 0.3; width: 20px;" /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
jas faulknerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338478113151823116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-827957972668212159.post-6426485368032710552012-08-21T22:35:00.002-05:002012-08-21T22:35:33.485-05:00Dryland Fish and Other Dixie Delightsby Jas Faulkner<br />
<br />
So you've been here for a while and can say the local food is your thing. Honestly, why shouldn't it be? Aside from great eateries like The <a href="http://www.thewildcow.com/twc/" target="_blank">Wild Cow</a> and <a href="http://www.taystrestaurant.com/" target="_blank">Tayst</a> and <a href="http://fatjuicytaco.com/" target="_blank">Fat Juicy Taco</a> and <a href="http://www.cafecoco.com/" target="_blank">Cafe Coco</a> and the to-go selections at <a href="http://www.theturniptruck.com/" target="_blank">The Turnip Truck</a> and a thousand other places in Nashville ready to let loose some delightful fireworks on your taste buds; there is the rich variety of locally produced food just waiting to turn your kitchen into a culinary salon. <br /><br />You're an expert. After all, you can tell hot chicken from fried and a Goo Goo Cluster from a Colt's Bolt. <br /><br />Do you know where to get dryland fish? What is dock and can you add it to Spring mix? Is poke sallet for real?<br />
<br />
<b>Poke Sallet</b><br />
You've probably seen poke sallet (or pokeweed, as it is sometimes known) growing in less tended corners of lots and alleys in Nashville. It is large, with deep red or magenta stalks and flat, oval leaves. As it matures, it produces dark berries that are considered a treat by the local bird population. The best time to harvest poke is when there are small, tender leaves growing from very fine green stalks. Many people prefer to suate' poke with olive oil and onions or bacon if they're omnivores. It is traditionally stirred into scrambled eggs. <br />
<br />Do people still eat poke? Absolutely! Best to be smart and safe about it, though. Either allow a plant or two to grow in your own backyard or find someone who doesn't use harsh chemicals that could leach into those little leaves and make you sick.<br />
<br />
<b>What's Up, Dock?</b><br />
There are a handful of variations of dock growing around Middle Tennessee. The kind that many native Tennesseans' ancestors ate was called yellow or curly dock. While it does have some nutritional benefits, and is plentiful in this region, new weed hunters should exercise caution when selecting and preparing plants. Check out a class with a reputable teacher before you try this (or any kind of wild weed hunting). The best place in Nashville is practically in your back door if you live in East Nasty. Shelby Bottoms Nature Center offers classes for all ages and interests. <br />
<br />
For more information, visit their website: <a href="http://www.nashville.gov/parks/nature/sbnc/index.asp">http://www.nashville.gov/parks/nature/sbnc/index.asp</a><br />
<br /><b>You Get The Line and I'll Get The Pole and...No?</b> <br />
Nope. Dryland fish is a name given to one of the most jealously guarded wild food items in North America. When the water tables were low and creeks and streams had dwindled to a trickle, families would often head out to the nearest wooded area to search for fleshy, tender morel mushrooms. Inthe kitchen, the morels were quartered lengthwise, dipped in a beaten egg, dredged in flour and cornmeal and pan fried. The taste and mouthfeel was thought to be a good substitute for freshwater fish. Morels were also used as an ingredient in stuffing for game animals and a meat extender before they were hunted into near extinction in some parts of the country.<br /><br />All of this antique eating sounds great, doesn't it? It also sounds like a real adventure. If you're a little short on time to Indiana Jones it for supper, drop by the Market. You might not find Great-Grandma's Curly Dock, but you will find a selection of locally produced food sold by the people who grew and raised it. You can't get more authentically Tennessean than that.<br /><br />Next week: Jami from <a href="http://www.slocalfoods.com/" target="_blank">Slocal</a> returns to talk about fall herbs, pickles and why hubby Russell is going to kick butt at the State Fair. Don't miss it!<br /><br /><br />
<br />
<br />jas faulknerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338478113151823116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-827957972668212159.post-12574083120091343862012-08-15T12:16:00.000-05:002012-08-15T12:16:43.791-05:00Living Clean and Green<i>by Jas Faulkner</i><br />
<br />
My writing for ENFM is usually oriented towards news features as opposed to a confessional style. However, I am making an exception after getting a very interesting personal message via Facebook. <br />
<br />
The letter writer in question wanted to know what my family eats, how we eat, and how we afford to eat the way we do. They had been to the East Nashville Farmers Market and the Turnip Truck and Whole Foods and had seen the cost of a can of soup and a loaf of bread and a dozen eggs and from their standpoint, it looked like a prohibitively expensive may to manage a home kitchen.<br />
<br />
I thought about her letter the other day when I was at Publix to refill one of our water jugs. I realized I'd left my cash at home and decided to buy something at the store and just get some cash with my purchase.How hard would it be to buy something useful at Publix? It used to be my go-to for all manner of green, sustainable products for the household pantry. <br />
<br />
The produce section was my first stop. What was in season was trucked in from another part of the continent, sometimes another part of the hemisphere. If it wasn't, it was something my family grew or we bought from a local farmer. Bread and pastries? We bake our own. As for the middle of the store, we usually follow the advice given by Michael Pollan and Chicago Chef, Rick Bayless and keep to the periphery of the store as much as possible. When I did venture down a given aisle, I found that what they had to offer was either something we bought from a family owned, fair trade, or local producer (cereal, staples for baking, oil, crackers) or it was something we already made ourselves (nut butters, mayonnaise, most of our pickles and relishes). I finally settled on a block of organic cheese, took my change and got my water. <br />
<br />
You might be reading this and thinking, "The woman walked all over a Publix and acted like my nine-year-old in front of our semi-filled refrigerator on a Thursday after a Saturday grocery run. What DO you eat? Tofu and lawn clippings? <br />
<br />
The truth might surprise you. While I am not completely meat-free (yet), meals at my house consist of a starch, a protein and vegetables. I know. How exotic. Here are some other facts about how we live: There is little in my household that is processed and has more than five ingredients. One of the goals everyone in the household keeps when shopping is to avoid foods with more than five ingredients or ingredients that would not be recognizable to most great-grandmothers as a food item or a pantry staple. What meat remains, our dairy, our eggs, our produce, are all local. We dehydrate, can, and freeze our surplus as a hedge against high prices in the winter. We use as much of everything as we can. . All food waste is composted or fed to animals who live in the small wooded area behind the house. Putting out the trash for us usually consists of one small bag a week for the people who are contracted by the city, a box of glass bottles and a plastic storage box of paper,boxes and recyclable plastics for a private recycling company. <br />
<br />
One final fact: Our monthly food bill averages around three hundred and fifty dollars a month. <br />
<br />
Want to know more? Here are some websites that have served as valuable resources for us. We recommend the books and magazines attached to these sites as well and encourage you show your support for these individuals and organizations by buying what they publish.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/%C2%A0http://michaelpollan.com/" target="_blank">Michael Pollan's Website</a> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%C2%A0http://www.foodpolitics.com/" target="_blank">Food Politics - Marion Nestle's Website</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.motherearthnews.com/">Mother Earth News</a> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%C2%A0http://www.grit.com/">Grit</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.urbanfarmonline.com/">Urban Farm Online</a> <a href="http://earth911.com/">Earth 911</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.readymade.com/">ReadyMade</a> <a href="http://www.instructables.com/">Instructables</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.slowfood.com/">Slow Food International</a> <a href="http://www.rodale.com/">Rodale</a>jas faulknerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338478113151823116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-827957972668212159.post-18954558174496877952012-08-08T12:54:00.003-05:002012-08-19T17:04:43.004-05:00The BEhive Reaches Out To Make Life A Little Sweeter<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"><i>by Jas Faulkner</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"><i>(Images still aren't working, people. Apologies to everyone involved!) </i></span></span><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></b>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #222222;">"The Heart-Hive logo signifies that we are </span>a collective, much like an actual bee hive, with only good natured
intentions that come from the heart. We are where we live; we are what we
eat, and we all have the responsibility to protect and nourish both. The BE Hive
is the vehicle for this philosophy."</b><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"> -Benjamin, The BEhive </b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wednesday afternoons at the
farmers market are always a feast for the senses. There is live music coming
from the gifted musicians who offer to play in the center of the park.
The colorful tents compete with the brilliant hues of fresh produce and
artisinal goods that catch the eye from every direction. Among the
smells of handmade bars of soap and fresh cut herbs, there is the aroma of
grilling that wafts its way around the square, beckoning the hot, the tired,
and the hungry to get a good, healthy bite while they are there.<br />
<br />
You may have walked by that booth, the one with the curious, engaging logo that
is part heart, part beehive. What is it
all about? What can this mean when you
encounter the delicious food, the artful presentation, and the general good
vibrations? <br />
<br />
Meet the <a href="http://www.bethehive.com/" target="_blank">BEhive</a>. It’s a band, it’s a
creative collective, and it’s a force for good in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Music</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">City</st1:placetype></st1:place>.
You may have seen ads for their benefit
buffets at <a href="http://www.thewildcow.com/twc/" target="_blank">The Wild Cow</a>. (You haven’t
been to the Wild Cow yet? Why not?) You have walked past their table, paused
because, yes, that grill is tempting and then walked on. To that, I say, quit being a baby and go get
you some very good and good for you dinner.
You’ll spend a lot less than you’d spend for the fake fast food-like
stuff they sell on <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Gallatin Road</st1:address></st1:street> and
your tastebuds and metabolism will thank you.<br /><br />So, you're going to follow your nose and pretty soon your tastebuds are going to be convinced...but how did this come about? We talked to Benjamin, one of the founding fathers of the BEhive:</span><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b>Well, it all started with a band, Born Empty,
who all lived in the same house appropriately called The BE Hive<span style="color: #222222;">.</span> W</b></i></span><span style="color: #222222;"><span _idv_element_hash="17258976"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b>e
were a group of dudes that could express ourselves in any way we liked, and as
long as the message and approach was positive, nothing else mattered. Every
couple months we held vegan potlucks at our house, The BE Hive. These potlucks
were amazing with upwards of 70 people at times, a bonfire, and a kitchen
overflowing with vegetarian dishes people had prepared and brought over. We
eventually moved out of the house, held a couple potluck fundraisers at The
Wild Cow, and then came up with the idea for this buffet and business model.</b></i></span></span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>But BE is more than a band; it's a way of life. The BE Hive is about taking care of yourself, and doing what is right for you. We try to inflict the least amount of negative impact on people and the world around us, while positively influencing those who care to take notice and are open to different ideas. There are a lot of things that are wrong and misguided within our society, but the bottom line is you can't change anyone. <span style="color: #222222;">People have to want change, and then control their actions towards doing so. This is why we lead by example, and just BE.<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">Uh. Wait a minute. Did he say...vegan? As in... no meat, no dairy, no... as in VEGAN?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">And I said to quit being a baby. <br /><br />Here's what Benjamin had to say about omnivores and reluctant others who think it's all sprouts and bare, cold blocks of tofu: </span></span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /></i></b></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i> Ha! I'd say don't tell them it's vegetarian! But I usually tell them that they just need to try the right things. Then I guarantee/challenge them that if they came to the buffet or let me cook for them, I could fill them up beyond their wildest dreams. A lot people associate vegetarian dishes with only salads, tofu, and weird and pushy vegetarians ready to jump down their backs for eating meat. There are several alternatives to all those things, and with the right protein and side choices, you can fill up most anyone and have them be completely satisfied.</i></b></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Anyway, Nashvillians are getting smarter about the ways they feed themselves not only in terms of what happens on the inside, but how it effects everything on an environmental and economic level.</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i> I'm seeing a big farm
to table push recently among restaurants. I think one of the things that led me
to being so strict and curious about my diet was they way people ate and lived
their lives. Seeing this push makes me hopeful that more people are being conscious
of the crap they are putting in their bodies (not limited to meat, but also
vegetarian items), and push the local organic farming scene while keeping
people away from genetically modified and over processed foods</i></b></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You know, or will know the food is good and they are green to the marrow, but more important than that is what is at the heart of the BEhive: the creative spirit that fosters commuity and the causes they support.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<blockquote style="color: #222222;" type="cite">
<div class="gmail_quote">
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
<div bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<blockquote type="cite">
<span _idv_element_hash="17116960" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>The Collective part of The BE Hive involves the customer, host restaurant. farms, community, the organizations who support the community, and the Hive itself. The gifts people bring are themselves. The customer brings their money, eats healthy food, and walks away feeling nourished and good knowing that some of their money is going towards bettering their community in some way. The host restaurant is associated with a fundraiser, continues to have a day off, gets free advertising, and also walks with some extra money. The community is supported by the non profits that are being benefited. The farm gets the extra business and exposure, and the Hive gets to help people, be creative, build their business and menu, and also profit a little. </i></b></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></blockquote>
</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote style="color: #222222;" type="cite">
<div class="gmail_quote">
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
<div bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<blockquote type="cite">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>We try to support local organizations with green and sustainable motives. We like to support the bike community, famers, the arts, kids, and whatever else makes a difference. My favorite organization that we have benefited so far has been the Glencliff Garden Project. They teach high schoolers how to start and maintain gardens while also introducing them to the world of plant based whole foods instead of the more processed food items which are more easily available to the majority of kids in this nation.</i></b></span></span></blockquote>
</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
</blockquote>
So what's ahead for The BEhive? Tomorrow they are participating in a benefit ride for Bejamin Waldman and on the 14th, they will resume their buffets at The Wild Cow, with an Indian menu benefiting Good Food For Good People. <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>We plan to continue the buffet and the farmers
market, and hopefully add a location or two. We want to have several fundraiser
events a month in different spots around <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Nashville</st1:place></st1:city>
and continue to use other peoples empty kitchens while building our menu and
developing our catering abilities. We have some things up our sleeve, but
nothing is definite yet. We plan to expand though, and I promise it will be
done in a very different way then you've seen before.</i></b></span></blockquote>
Being a force for good can be as life changing as creating a business that does so much for so many. It can also be as simple as changing the way you do a few things at home. ENFM blog asked Benjamin what three things he would like to see people do to make Nashville a greener place:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>I'd like to see <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Nashville</st1:place></st1:city> become a more bicycle friendly
place, riders and drivers both included. The recycling in this town SUCKS, and
I feel that needs to be overhauled. And I wish all public places would be smoke
free. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Nashville</st1:place></st1:city>
is behind the times with all of these things, and I think its about time we
wake up.</i></b></span></blockquote>
To learn more about The BEhive, visit their website at <a href="http://www.bethehive.com/">www.BEthehive.com</a><br />
and follow them on Twitter and Facebook for up to the minute news on what the guys are up to. <br />
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span _idv_element_hash="17258976"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span _idv_element_hash="17258976"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span></span></div>
jas faulknerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338478113151823116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-827957972668212159.post-58422805104478492012-08-01T10:07:00.001-05:002012-08-01T10:07:33.872-05:00Flying S Farms: Ten Years of Deep Roots and Strong Values<i>by Jas Faulkner </i><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>"This is our way of life, it is not a hobby but a living. We love what we do, it is hard work but at the end of the day we know we are providing the best we can grow and helping others learn what real food tastes like and where it comes from, locally!" </b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> -Catherine Simmons, </b></span></span><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Flying S Farms</b><br />
<div class="im" style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<div style="font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">One of the benefits of getting your produce from a true farmers market is that you are buying it from the people who actually grew what you see on the tables. A visit to each individual vendor can and often does reveal the personalities behind the people who create the places that produce what feeds you. In a way, it's a chance to get a feel for those farms. Okay, it's not absolutely like being there, but it can be the next best thing. </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">The Flying S Farms' retail space at ENFM brings to mind the green, sunny expanses of Cannon County, Tennessee. It is a treat for the senses. In spite of this summer's challenging weather, everything looks lush and vibrant. There is the smell of fresh produce, sometimes accompanied by a tantalizing whiff of items from their kitchen. <br /><br />You will also encounter Catherine and Ben Simmons, the owners and operators of <a href="http://bakingfarmer.com/" target="_blank">Flying S Farms and Baking Farmer.com</a>. The Simmons are not only part of that elite subset of farmers who work on sustainable terms with their environment, they act as approachable ambassadors to anyone who is not quite sure why it is so important to support local agriculture. </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Their sense of community and a natural instinct towards education informs much of what they do. In fact, it was an observation made by a child Mrs. Simmons encountered in a grocery store that inspired her decision to add prepared foods to their products:</span><br />
<br />
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"Baking Farmer came about when I was shopping at one of our local grocery stores and during checkout a young child pointed at me and said "Look mommie, there is that farmer lady and she bakes too!" They had been to our local farmers market and shopped at our booth and I guess through the eyes of a child she ?described me; a 'baking farmer'."</i></blockquote>
Simmons attests doing all of this can put her in the position of educating people about what that farm has to offer:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><b>"You can not just place your produce on a table and say here it is, you've got to promote it. You need to learn what the produce taste like, how to use it, how to store it and where it comes from. People are so far removed from the farm anymore, they don't know what it takes to produce it or how to use it. We are amazed how many people do not know that green beans do not grow cut up!"</b></i></blockquote>
Even with the odd customer who thinks their green beans sprout from the ground already French cut, it is encouraging to see the increase in return customers and the growing awareness of the nature of food production and how it directly affects everyone involved in the process. The Simmons credit the current market manager (Amy Delvin of Delvin Farms) with much of the market's success.<br />
<br />
Even though Flying S Farms is a relative newcomer, having started operations in 2002, the Simmons have strong emotional ties to where they work and live. Catherine Simmons recounts the history of the farm:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"Ben has always been involved in some form of Agriculture since a young child in Arkansas and Mississippi and through the years has worked with John Deere and with row crop farmers in Tennessee in various ways. My background came from parents of the Depression, we always had a garden in our backyard in Arizona. I recall my dad giving me some yellow banana squash seeds to plant in my very own 5x5 plot, we went on vacation for couple weeks and returning home my squash plants had taken over our backyard! He told me I was a born gardener and I had a green thumb because he never dreamed the seeds would even grow. I was hooked.</i><i> </i><i>In 2002 Flying S Farms began when Ben and I moved to the farm to care for my mother after the passing of my father. We met a family that market farmed and they encouraged us to make our kitchen garden larger and sell the excess at local farmers markets. We started very small with about 1/4 acre over a couple years making a few more plots I called Ben and told him Flying S Farms was growing, when he got home that evening I had tilled up the rest of the field with drive around plots, there was now 2 acres of growing room. Flying S Farms is still growing on acreage that we lease locally."</i></blockquote>
The name of the farm is also steeped in family history:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="background-color: white;">"As a young man, Ben designed a brand for their family farming business, his father was a pilot in WW2 and Ben followed in his dad's love of flying and he used the Army Aircorp Wings as inspiration for their brand."</span></i></blockquote>
Fans of "The S" state that the hearts, hands and minds that drive the farm can be seen in the quality of what appears on their tables. Most of what goes in to the prepared foods they offer from their licensed commercial kitchen is either directly from their fields or provided by local farmers. Customers can also be confident that the same care goes into their produce.<br />
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="background-color: white;">"We use natural and organic methods of growing our produce, the produce is getting their nutrients from the soil, not from commercial fertilizers. We sow covercrops in the early fall in various locations of our field to turn under in the spring providing the soil with green manure. During the growing season, we cultivate any weeds and grasses that grow between rows back into the soil. All our plants are either direct sown or started from seed in our greenhouse. We grow mostly heirloom type produce, the real thing and the real taste! As for day to day work, that is exactly it, work!"</span></i></blockquote>
Want to know more? Visit Flying S Farms at East Nashville Farmers Market and on the internet at: </div>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<div>
<a href="http://www.bakingfarmer.com/">www.bakingfarmer.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.flyingsfarms.blogspot.com/">www.flyingsfarms.blogspot.com</a><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="yj6qo ajU" style="cursor: pointer; margin: 2px 0px 0px; outline: none; padding: 10px 0px; width: 22px;">
<div aria-label="Show trimmed content" class="ajR" data-tooltip="Show trimmed content" id=":uo" role="button" style="background-color: #f1f1f1; border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); clear: both; line-height: 6px; outline: none; position: relative; width: 20px;" tabindex="0">
<img class="ajT" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/1/images/cleardot.gif" style="background-image: url(https://ssl.gstatic.com/ui/v1/icons/mail/ellipsis.png); background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; height: 8px; opacity: 0.3; width: 20px;" /></div>
</div>
</div>jas faulknerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338478113151823116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-827957972668212159.post-55991940326461307192012-07-25T12:40:00.002-05:002012-07-26T20:24:48.170-05:00A Chick Chick Here and a Chick Chick There<br />
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>by Jas Faulkner </i><br /><br /><i>Here a chick!</i></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>There a chick!</i></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Everywhere a chick chick! </i></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Depending on who you ask, chickens can be cute and fluffy or big and scary or bug-eating fertilizing phenoms or good friends with egg benefits. For people who have never spent much time around them, they are bit of an enigma. Their presence as part of Nashville's burgeoning localtarian culture has caused some of the more heated arguments in city council over the past few months. So what is it about these complex, sensitive creatures that incites so much passionate debate? ENFM sat down with Mary Self, a Middle Tennessee chicken enthusiast who is quickly turning into one of their most persuasive advocates.<br /><br />According to Self, there are a number of things to take into consideration when deciding whether or not to keep chickens, not the least of which is location. Some districts opted out of the current ordinance and others placed restrictions based on the amount of space you have available. </span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Per Self:</b> According to the ordinance there must be a minimum of two square feet per hen provided for henhouses and six square feet per bird for fenced enclosures.</span><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;">In an urban setting, following the ordinance, the chickens depend on the owner for fresh food and water and protection. No free ranging! I visit my girls 3 or 4 times a day for between 10-15 minutes each visit. I bring them fresh food and water in the morning, they get a few treats a day and then I check them at night to make sure they are tucked in and safe.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></i></blockquote>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">No free ranging means you'll have to provide a coop for your little cluckers. There are retailers offering coops, pens and "chicken tractors" that range from budget friendly basic to palatial in scale and ornamentation. Ms Self confirms that premade coops can get spendy.</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> "Well, that is totally up to the person because some coops can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars, however we built our coop for $400."</span></i></blockquote>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The biggest expenses occur at the beginning. The chickens seem to cost considerably less and and maintenance is reasonable:</span></div>
<div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Our chicks cost $5 each and a 50 lb bag of convential feed costs about $20. A feeder and water bottle cost about $10 each. I have also had a few vet visits with my chickens so that adds up quickly. Over time, I don't think it will feel expensive because they are my pets and I love them."</span></i></blockquote>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So. You have the cute little house, the safe place for them to play and stuff for feeding and watering and...chickens. Where do we get chickens? Self says you can go the traditional route and buy them locally or shop online, A quick look at hatchery (chickery?) websites reveal dozens of breeds of poultry. Some are pretty, others are sleekly practical. It all depends on why you want chickens. Metro ordinances will allow chickens for eggs only. Self recommends Rhode Island Reds, Barred Rocks, Opringtons, Araucanas, and Marans. <span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">"I have two Buff Orpingtons, Thelma and Louise, who have been laying an egg almost every day since they turned 6 months old," she added.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Is it worth it? Ms Self says the happiness a feathered friend can bring into your life is contagious:</span></div>
<div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Where should I start? I love it! I look forward to visiting them during the day. They each have a different personallity and they "talk" to me. Their eggs are delicious. The yolks are a beautiful shade of orange and taste creamy and fresh. I share eggs with my closest friends and some of my husband's co-workers. The girls are not messy and my neighbors love them. I have one neighbor who is currently building their own coop. It's a beneficial relationship, like dogs and cats, but my pets make my breakfast!"</span></i></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and has inspired an ingenious business idea... </span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> "I only worry when I go out of town because it is hard to find someone to care for them. I am actually thinking of starting a chicken sitting service to help others."</span></i></blockquote>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Does urban chicken keeping sound like it might be your cuppa? Join Mary Self and other like-minded fans of our feathered friends at <span style="background-color: white;">Urban Chicken Advocates of Nashville. UCAN Is a volunteer group that provides education and advocacy for people who wish to keep hens in Metro Nashville. Her hope is that the group can help keep the ordinance alive. </span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">"Our next meeting will be in September and anyone interested should sign up on our website </span><a href="http://www.ucannashville.org/">www.ucannashville.org</a><span style="background-color: white;"> The ordinance has a sunset clause attached to it and in 18 months it will be up for more discussion and a final vote. If Nashvillains want to have the right to raise hens they really need to communicate with their council members and become a part of UCAN!"</span></span></i></blockquote>
</div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For more information, visit UCAN online at <a href="http://www.ucannashville.org/">www.ucannashville.org</a> and be sure to say "Hi!" to Mary at ENFM, where she acts as an outreach educator for Nashville Foodscapes.</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br />
<div class="yj6qo ajU" style="cursor: pointer; margin: 2px 0px 0px; outline: none; padding: 10px 0px; width: 22px;">
<div aria-label="Show trimmed content" class="ajR" data-tooltip="Show trimmed content" id=":5m" role="button" style="background-color: #f1f1f1; border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); clear: both; line-height: 6px; outline: none; position: relative; width: 20px;" tabindex="0">
<img class="ajT" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/1/images/cleardot.gif" style="background-image: url(https://ssl.gstatic.com/ui/v1/icons/mail/ellipsis.png); background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; height: 8px; opacity: 0.3; width: 20px;" /></div>
</div>
</div>jas faulknerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338478113151823116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-827957972668212159.post-51611196227706257182012-07-25T08:53:00.003-05:002012-07-25T08:53:37.190-05:00Recipes for your CSA<br />
<div class="ii gt adP adO" id=":49" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; position: relative; z-index: 2;">
<div id=":4a">
<a class="e" href="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=d7b512b7e7&view=att&th=138bbe7e98608b35&attid=0.1&disp=inline&realattid=1408244605201154048-1&safe=1&zw" style="clear: right; color: #1155cc; cursor: pointer; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;" target="_blank"><img alt="IMAG0108.jpg" class="hv" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=d7b512b7e7&view=att&th=138bbe7e98608b35&attid=0.1&disp=thd&realattid=1408244605201154048-1&zw" style="border-bottom-color: white; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-left-color: white; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 2px; border-right-color: white; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 2px; border-top-color: white; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 2px; float: left; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;" /></a><div id=":4a">
By Megan Wicks</div>
<div id=":4a">
<br /></div>
<div id=":4a">
<br /></div>
Hey East Nashvillians!<br /><br />This week I got to bring my mom with me and show her around the market. She was fascinated by the variety of offerings and insisted on checking out each tent, which felt like rediscovering the market for me. It was hot, but it was wonderful to see my neighborhood's market again through fresh eyes.<br /><br />This week, my box from Delvin Farms contained the following:<br /><br />Cantaloupe<br />Watermelon<br />Cabbage<table cellpadding="0" class="cf hr" style="border-collapse: collapse; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 8px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="hw" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-right: 7px; vertical-align: middle;"><span id=":3v"></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Two kinds of potatoes<br />Tomatoes (slicing, roma, and cherry)<br />Yellow crookneck squash<br />Zucchini<br />Eggplant<br />Bell peppers<br /><br />If you're like me, you may feel like you're drowning in tomatoes (not that that's a bad thing necessarily)! I'd like to offer you a couple of new ideas on how to use them in tasty ways.<br /><u><br />Orzo Pasta Salad</u><br /><br />1 cup orzo pasta<br />1/2 cup spinach<br />10 leaves basil<br />1/2 cup cherry tomatoes<br />1 lemon<br />2-3 Tb olive oil<br />Salt<br /><br />Boil water and cook 1 cup orzo according to package directions. While the pasta cooks, julienne the basil and spinach and slice the cherry tomatoes into halves or quarters. I like to use a variety of colors in cherry tomatoes to add to the beauty of the final dish. Place the tomatoes, spinach, and basil in your serving bowl and add the zest from the lemon. Drain the pasta and add it to the bowl containing the the basil, spinach and basil. The heat of the pasta will wilt the greens slightly and draw out the oils of the basil and lemon. Add olive oil, squeeze in the juice of the lemon, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir gently to incorporate. Serve warm. Can be served chilled if preferred.<br /><br /><u>Caprese Salad</u><br />Tomatoes<table cellpadding="0" class="cf hr" style="border-collapse: collapse; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 8px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="hw" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-right: 7px; vertical-align: middle;"><span id=":3t"></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Fresh mozzarella<br />Basil<br />Olive oil<br />Balsamic vinegar<br /><br />This salad can be served on a bed of greens, but it is perfectly delicious on its own. Slice tomatoes between 1/4 and 1/2 inch thick (per your own preference). Slice fresh mozzarella approximately 1/4 inch thick. Lay out tomatoes on serving platter (or on greens of your choice - spinach or arugula are especially nice). Top each slice with a slice (or half slice) of mozzarella. Place a basil leaf atop each stack. Drizzle lightly with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Enjoy!<div class="yj6qo">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" class="cf hr" style="border-collapse: collapse; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 8px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="hw" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-right: 7px; vertical-align: middle;"><span id=":3t"><a class="e" href="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=d7b512b7e7&view=att&th=138bbe7e98608b35&attid=0.2&disp=inline&realattid=1408244605201154048-2&safe=1&zw" style="color: #1155cc; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;" target="_blank"><img alt="IMAG0112.jpg" class="hv" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=d7b512b7e7&view=att&th=138bbe7e98608b35&attid=0.2&disp=thd&realattid=1408244605201154048-2&zw" style="border-bottom-color: white; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-left-color: white; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 2px; border-right-color: white; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 2px; border-top-color: white; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 2px; cursor: move; float: left; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;" /></a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="hq gt" id=":3y" style="border-collapse: collapse; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px;">
<div class="ho" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 5px;">
<br /><b><br /></b></div>
</div>East Nashville Farmers Markethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01366253814396905430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-827957972668212159.post-51328667725666652862012-07-22T12:12:00.001-05:002012-07-22T12:12:23.920-05:00Recipes for a CSA box<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Guest Post from Megan Wicks:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Happy July, East Nashville friends!<br /><br />This week, my market shopping included a CSA box from <a href="http://www.delvinfarms.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Delvin Farms</a> and (again) milk from<a href="http://www.hatcherfamilydairy.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Hatcher’s Dairy</a>. I’m always impressed with the folks at the market and their cheerful demeanor despite the heat or, in the case of this week, the rain. Here’s what was in my box this week:<br /><br /><u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Medium green cabbage<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Cucumbers<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
One gorgeous zucchini<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Green bell peppers<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Kale<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Eggplant<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Corn<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Potatoes<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Gorgeous tomatoes – some slicing, golden, and either roma or plum (I’m not excellent at differentiating tomatoes – I should ask)<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
My husband’s favorite part of the cache this week is definitely the cantaloupe – he is a huge fan of summer fruit, and Delvin has provided him with some beautiful specimens this summer. He’s been known to just scoop the seeds out of half a melon and sit down to the rest with a spoon!<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Corn might be among the easiest to prepare. If you want to keep it on the cob, you have several options:<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
•The most common would be to <b>boil</b> it. I think the trick is to add a teaspoon or two of sugar to a few quarts of water (whatever size pot fits the number of ears you’re preparing. Remove the husk and all the corn silk from the ears (twisting your hand around the ears briskly can help with removing the silk). Bring to a boil for no more than 2 minutes. Turn off the heat and let sit for 5 minutes before removing the corn.<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br />•To <b>grill</b> your corn, you can carefully peel back the husks (not removing – it will just look like you turned the husk inside out) and remove the silk from the ear. Once the silk is removed, pull the husks gently back up around the kernels. Some people soak the husks for a few minutes in water, but I usually skip that step. Place the ears on the top rack of your grill for 15 to 20 minutes. You can let them cook like you do burgers, steaks, or whatever else you like to grill. The husks will char, and the corn will be perfectly cooked. Careful though – they need time to cool before you can remove the husks!<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
•<b>Microwaving</b> is another option when it comes to corn on the cob. If you’re like me, and you’re the only one in the family who likes corn (no, I do not know how this is possible), this is an ideal way to quickly prepare an ear of corn for just yourself. It also comes in handy when preparing corn for yourself at the workplace. Peel back the husks and remove the silk as you would in the instructions above for grilling. Pull the husk gently back into place, and place the ear of corn in the microwave for 2-3 minutes. It will steam inside the husk and come out perfectly tender. This is another preparation where you might want to wait a minute or two before removing the husk – otherwise, you risk a steam burn.<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
For the tomatoes, when the batches start getting larger, I start putting up tomato sauce. Everyone in our little family likes tomato sauce, and I’m the only one who likes them any other way. (They’re delicious roasted, on sandwiches, in caprese salad or orzo pasta salad . . . I could go on and on!) Perhaps in an upcoming post, I will.<br /><br />However, I’m going to give you a quick versions of tomato sauce today. Personally, I usually blanche the tomatoes to remove the skin, but when my husband and I were dating, he taught me that you can just core the tomato or remove the stem area, and put the whole thing in the blender for a must faster puree. While the puree is processing, sauté a minced clove of garlic and a finely chopped small onion in olive oil until fragrant in a sauce pan or a pot. Be careful not to burn the garlic. Once you’ve pureed the amount of tomatoes you need (keep in mind that you’re going to lose about a third of the volume of the puree), transfer the puree to the pot on the stove. Stir gently to incorporate the garlic and onion. At this point, you can add fresh or dried herbs to taste. I like oregano, rosemary, and basil. The hubs likes to add dill. There are ready made “Italian seasoning” herb mixes at most grocery stores if that’s easier for you. Salt and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer until the puree reduces to the thickness you prefer. This will create a very smooth sauce that can be used on pasta or as a pizza sauce. When using it for pasta, I like to dress it up with slice mushrooms, dices squash and zucchini, and/or some chopped fresh spinach. Experiment with different veggies in your pasta, and find out what you like!<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>East Nashville Farmers Markethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01366253814396905430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-827957972668212159.post-26574379320066876302012-07-18T07:01:00.000-05:002012-07-18T07:03:32.748-05:00Is A CSA Right For You?<i>by Jas Faulkner<br /><br />writer's note: Apologies to readers who might want to see what a share looks like. The image application for Blogger isn't working. Check out the links at the end of the article to get a look at examples of each farm's share. Better yet, come to ENFM and take a look at the boxes and baskets that are picked up each week by happy subscribers.</i><br />
<br />
You see them every time you visit the market, those people walking to their cars or pedaling home, happy as clams. They're bearing boxes or baskets that would make Martha Stewart fling herself across her perfectly appointed four-poster and weep bitter tears at the perfection that defies all of her lifestyle maven's logic. What is the cause of all of that peacock-strutting to the parking lot? Only one thing could incite that kind of feeling: picking up a weekly share from one of the CSAs at East Nashville Farmers Market.<br />
<br />
<b>What is a CSA?</b><br />
<b>CSA</b> stands for <b>C</b>ommunity <b>S</b>hared (or <b>S</b>upported) <b>A</b>griculture. They offer consumers a chance to buy a share in dedicated crops that are delivered on a weekly or biweekly basis. Most farms offer subscriptions that run from late Spring to mid- to late Autumn. Some farms offer Winter CSAs, which are usually shorter and provide whatever produce is available in the cooler months. The average share per delivery is around a half bushel of fruits and vegetables. <br />
<br />
The costs can vary, but you can expect to pay four hundred to eight hundred dollars per subscription depending on the duration and frequency of deliveries. If paying that much money at once brings on a case of sticker shock, look for farms that offer early subscription discounts and installment plans. Keep in mind that upfront economy might cost you later on in terms of time, convenience, and gas. Some lower cost CSAs require a commitment to helping with the labor or actually driving to the farm or a designated participant's home to pick up your share. If you're in doubt, be bold about asking for the details regarding delivery and whether you'll be picking tomatoes or waiting in line to assemble your box or basket.<br />
<br />
<b>Why should I get a CSA?</b><br />
I can give you four good reasons. Siddown. You're going to like this.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><u style="background-color: white;">Quality</u><span style="background-color: white;"> - Buying a CSA means you know your pantry is going to be filled with fresh, beautiful produce that was grown fairly close to where you live. The person who hands you your share every week is more than likely the person who grew it and picked it. They take pride in what they sell and frankly, the nature of the business is that you're supporting them and they're feeding you. It doesn't get more personal than that. </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><u style="background-color: white;">Well-being</u><span style="background-color: white;"> - Eating produce that is locally grown means eating plants that have adapted to the soil conditions and climate of your part of the world. It also means eating with the seasons. While most ongoing studies are still inclusive, <a href="http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/06/boosting-health-with-local-food/" target="_blank">there is strong evidence suggesting mental and physical benefits to eating in tune with your environment.</a></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;"><u>Cost</u> - Remember that sticker price that seemed so big at the start of the article? Do the math. If you break down the cost based on the weight of your average share, it comes to around two dollars per pound. Try getting that much produce for the same price at your local market.</span></li>
<li><u style="background-color: white;">It's the right thing to do</u><span style="background-color: white;"> - Supporting family farming in your area keeps agrarian culture alive for another generation. By enabling local farmers to stay in business, you also help protect scarily dwindling arable land from disappearing and the ecosystems they support along with it. </span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>Is this right for me?</b><br />
Could be. Do you like vegetables? Have you been trying to find some way to structure your kitchen management that will help you eat a healthier diet? Do you like the idea of preparing fresh meals? Are you the least bit adventurous when it comes to trying new things? If you answered, "yes" to those questions, the <span style="background-color: white;">CSA pickup will be a bright spot in your week. <br /><br />However...and there's always a however, isn't there? If you're a picky eater who has been known to throw out produce once it starts looking like a lab culture, you might want to continue buying your veggies a la carte. A share means just what it says, a share of whatever the farm produces that week. Finding out there is an eggplant nestled among your greens and a half-dozen of the prettiest peppers and tomatoes you've ever seen means you have to be a sport. The fat purple guy is going home with you. The upside is you might get motivated to learn how to make a killer <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie-krieger/babaganoush-recipe/index.html" target="_blank">baba ganoush</a>. <br /><br /><b>Where do I sign up?</b></span><br />
Many of the Spring and Summer CSAs are already underway and few (if any) allow for midseason additions to their subscription lists. It's not too late to look into Autumn shares and get into the loop for next year. For more information, take some virtual trips to the farms that provide CSA deliveries to the ENFM.<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b style="background-color: white;">Produce CSAs</b></li>
<li><a href="http://www.delvinfarms.com/CSA_Info.html" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">Delvin Farms</a></li>
<li><a href="http://bakingfarmer.com/CSA_2012.html" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">Flying S Farms</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.paradiseproducefarm.com/csa.html" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">Paradise Produce</a></li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b style="background-color: white;">Meat CSAs</b></li>
<li><a href="http://www.peacefulpastures.com/csa.html" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">Peaceful Pastures</a></li>
<li><a href="http://grassorganic.com/c-31-meat-csa.aspx" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">Westwind Farms</a></li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<br />jas faulknerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338478113151823116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-827957972668212159.post-43062502726818595862012-07-11T00:04:00.000-05:002012-07-12T08:52:12.405-05:00Nashville Foodscapes: A Gentle Approach to Revolutionary Change<i><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">by Jas Faulkner</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></i><br />
<b style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">"I am most proud that more hands are getting dirty, and that more mouths are eating local."</span></b><br />
<b style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> -Jeremy Lekich, <a href="http://nashvillefoodscapes.com/" target="_blank">Nashville Foodscapes</a></span></b><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGGX12P68Q_Ikh7df3-kYRKtXbM0wanlcZvulmiZIfhhcCIFSPcKbjRlL9di89wADVxgmPv55EGzKZi62gvnIv8btAoeD-hmKfAmzjah-Hmw3lc692gy2_ExtKRMVT4rMnLLfC5ubsYko0/s1600/foodscapes3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGGX12P68Q_Ikh7df3-kYRKtXbM0wanlcZvulmiZIfhhcCIFSPcKbjRlL9di89wADVxgmPv55EGzKZi62gvnIv8btAoeD-hmKfAmzjah-Hmw3lc692gy2_ExtKRMVT4rMnLLfC5ubsYko0/s200/foodscapes3.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Like many Green visionaries, Jeremy Lekich has a lot of faith in the people he hopes to reach. Souls on such a mission are often presumed to be impatient, wanting to see big changes sooner rather than later. Lekitch has taken the time to understand his chosen audience. To him, the pace that Middle Tennesseans take when it comes to change seems about right. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Nashville people take their time with it. The Southeast is behind most other areas of the U.S. in terms of moving towards "green" living. I do not believe this is bad or good. It just means we are taking the time to do it well."</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Lekich is one of the minds behind <a href="http://nashvillefoodscapes.com/" target="_blank">Nashville Foodscapes</a>. He wants to see more people filling their souls, tables, and pantries by gardening. Many prospective farmers find anything beyond a planter full of patio tomatoes daunting. Lekich recognizes this. In fact, he maintains that the perception that you have to know everything from the beginning is one of the more common objections Nashvillians raise when the subject of permaculture gardening comes up.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHh0ONvZ-5S8GMgfsVJmGbCVzFZCvG23YTbLI0tEwMQMYz1cceIaKR5LL-0eFiD0HS2pYg7qoF-sKizpQGaKVtXOOVpYohefrQxuUXZCM8SmzIN3ZQQNhlA9uQMVuRarExmg4fAi16Tsl3/s1600/foodscapes2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHh0ONvZ-5S8GMgfsVJmGbCVzFZCvG23YTbLI0tEwMQMYz1cceIaKR5LL-0eFiD0HS2pYg7qoF-sKizpQGaKVtXOOVpYohefrQxuUXZCM8SmzIN3ZQQNhlA9uQMVuRarExmg4fAi16Tsl3/s320/foodscapes2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>"I believe the biggest challenge for people is to not become overwhelmed by all there is to learn. <b>The knowledge base for living a life of good stewardship is wonderfully huge and can be intimidating. But you start with what you are interested in and move from there.</b> Overall, this type of living creates a life with no boring or dull moments...there is always more to learn." said Lekich.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What is permaculture gardening and how does it differ from the Victory Gardens of the previous century and the sustainable household gardens that are touted as the next big thing in the slow food movement? Permaculture gardening is a far more interdisciplinary approach. Instead of clear demarcations that separate the form and function of space, the landscaping flows between plants that are designed to maintain the health of the soil, plants that are meant to beautify where we live and plants that are intended to produce food for the household. Some plants might meet one of those needs while others do double and triple duty. The goal is to create a synergistic environment that feeds the body, mind, and soul. </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For Lekich, this means thinking beyond the basics of sustainability: <i>"</i></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>To be honest, I am not a proponent of the "sustainability movement". We need to move beyond sustainability. Sustainability asks that resources are not depleted and that we put in as much as we take out. Our resources are depleted... and polluted. <b>We need to detoxify our resources and put in more then we take out. That is regeneration. Lets become the regeneration movement."</b></i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCe95irKVwk_FDNxmjBXwYXYKL43vE-hKd93eX0ItM9XD4fDQ7zW3RHDIjBCUhMOBbeOXQ1bjVI8OCa7MrJ96Hvv9bRUY0t1CjjRM6sVA3LHuTRcc_ABwr4lKqH0JlQo2Gbuhgri69obOt/s1600/foodscapes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCe95irKVwk_FDNxmjBXwYXYKL43vE-hKd93eX0ItM9XD4fDQ7zW3RHDIjBCUhMOBbeOXQ1bjVI8OCa7MrJ96Hvv9bRUY0t1CjjRM6sVA3LHuTRcc_ABwr4lKqH0JlQo2Gbuhgri69obOt/s400/foodscapes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The spark, or rather the seed for Lekich's ideas began to germinate while he was still in school: "</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>The main inspiration for <a href="http://nashvillefoodscapes.com/" target="_blank">Nashville Foodscapes</a> comes from a Permaculture garden I worked on at Warren Wilson College. <b>Beauty and food weave together so gracefully in that garden and the abundance and variety of foods is awesome.</b> </i></span><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> It was a long dance with that Permaculture garden that eventually manifested into <a href="http://nashvillefoodscapes.com/" target="_blank">Nashville Foodscapes</a>. </i><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>It was the best preparation I had. I came into contact with a myriad collection of fruit trees and shrubs, fruiting vines and canes, vegetable, herbs, and more. I learned how to grow these plants, give care for the plants, propagate these plants, and eat these plants. From there, I have expanded my knowledge by reading, talking with others, and exploring the areas around me. "</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To learn more about permaculture gardening, visit Nashville Foodscapes at East Nashville Farmers Market. You can also contact Jeremy and his team by visiting his website: </span><a href="http://nashvillefoodscapes.com/">http://nashvillefoodscapes.com/</a><br />
<div class="im" style="color: #500050;">
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br /></blockquote>
<span style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"></span><br />
<div class="im" style="color: #500050;">
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="im" style="color: #500050;">
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />jas faulknerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338478113151823116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-827957972668212159.post-79255527647346955702012-07-03T12:37:00.000-05:002012-07-03T12:44:31.488-05:00Thomas Jefferson, Green American<i>by Jas Faulkner</i><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljhlbpHnIWWAzPUHVZcb4O_w1zisuFUU5LiHA6NNlJgJq4lut5KxmbHn3iw9KfyETHDZ3bKYyAi81-psM-wpruQr7NAYv6F6lLckjW1AM7eMBozcNvuK4XGy4l-f86-MMQL7SjIQZQHPb/s1600/Thomas_Jefferson_by_Rembrandt_Peale_1800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljhlbpHnIWWAzPUHVZcb4O_w1zisuFUU5LiHA6NNlJgJq4lut5KxmbHn3iw9KfyETHDZ3bKYyAi81-psM-wpruQr7NAYv6F6lLckjW1AM7eMBozcNvuK4XGy4l-f86-MMQL7SjIQZQHPb/s200/Thomas_Jefferson_by_Rembrandt_Peale_1800.jpg" width="167" /></a></div>
<div>
It may come as a surprise to many Americans that one of the most vocal proponents for the conservation of our farmlands and preservation of agrarianism as a way of life was also a founding father of this country. Thomas Jefferson may be remembered first and foremost as the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, but he considered himself to be a farmer by profession. <span style="background-color: white;">According to Jefferson, farming was the only truly pure and honest profession. He reasoned that farmers had to maintain a relationship with the land that did not allow for the byzantine devices put in place that alienated people from what sustained them. A false promise to the earth accomplished nothing, but hard work and devotion to stewardship of the land could keep a nation fed. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;">In Jefferson's own words:</span></div>
<div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><span style="color: #073763;">“Those who labour in the earth are the chosen people of God, if ever he had a chosen people, whose breasts he has made his peculiar deposit for substantial and genuine virtue. It is the focus in which he keeps alive that sacred fire, which otherwise might escape from the face of the earth.”</span></b></i><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><b><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"> - from "Notes on the State of Virginia 1781</span></b></i></blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig1cVeuefhdOBh6qUOKrTb6dm64cKRaddtbNjas1b1JaZwpOPD41SjLiczIc1K1Pg66ejdOljfLctaHP-U4HfwVrhc7AHOLw5oQWuLbkAD882HJbh9k09cdIsH5qzj2weSxQZ8_BSvv8oe/s1600/colonial+farm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig1cVeuefhdOBh6qUOKrTb6dm64cKRaddtbNjas1b1JaZwpOPD41SjLiczIc1K1Pg66ejdOljfLctaHP-U4HfwVrhc7AHOLw5oQWuLbkAD882HJbh9k09cdIsH5qzj2weSxQZ8_BSvv8oe/s320/colonial+farm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;">Today's organic farmers are looking to the wisdom of older techniques of farming, many of which were borrowed from indigenous people who had cultivated the land long generations before the arrival of the Europeans. Just like those contemporary farmers, Jefferson was very aware of the techniques that had been created by his predecessors. Their watchful, mindful use of the earth was not lost on the statesman from Virginia, who observed and recorded the effects of everything he tried.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Thomas Jefferson's respect for his profession extended beyond merely practicing within the bounds of accepted vocational wisdom. He experimented with the combinations of plants within the same plot, crop rotation, seed saving, soil amendment and fertilization, and even inventive ideas for tools. Most important of all was Jefferson's endorsement of the concept that the land itself was as alive as the plants that grew on it and required just as much care.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">On the eve of the 236th anniversary of the US declaration of independence, take a moment to remember the founding fathers, many of whom were farmers themselves. They're the reason we can celebrate what we enjoy today. Their lives should also serve as examples of how we should view the land we have been given.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Happy Independence Day! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">(and see y'all next week!) </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Jas Faulkner and everyone at The East Nashville Farmers Market</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>jas faulknerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338478113151823116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-827957972668212159.post-62394229423044398402012-06-28T19:56:00.002-05:002012-06-28T19:56:41.939-05:00<h4>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="border0_bottom_only wbgContent" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(178, 178, 178); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-right-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: arial, verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"><tbody>
<tr><td align="left" style="font-family: arial, verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px; text-align: left;"><div class="wmMessage_user_text_special" id="wmMessage" style="width: 708px; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><div>
</div>
</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</h4>
<br />
<h2 class="date-header" style="color: #cc3354; font-family: Vollkorn; font: normal normal bold 12px/normal 'Old Standard TT'; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 0px; position: relative; text-align: justify; text-transform: uppercase;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; letter-spacing: inherit; margin: inherit; padding: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2012</span></span></h2>
<div class="date-posts">
<div class="post-outer">
<div class="post hentry" itemscope="itemscope" itemtype="http://schema.org/BlogPosting" style="margin-bottom: 25px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 0px; position: relative;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Vollkorn; line-height: 19px;"><a href="" name="8815416229150236677"></a></span><h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="font-family: Vollkorn; font: normal normal normal 24px/normal 'Old Standard TT'; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.75em; position: relative; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Farmer's Market #2</span></h3>
<div class="post-header" style="font-family: Vollkorn; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div class="post-header-line-1">
</div>
</div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-8815416229150236677" itemprop="articleBody" style="position: relative; width: 660px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Vollkorn; line-height: 1.4; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Vollkorn; line-height: 1.4; text-align: justify;">
This week at the farmer's market we got more of the same. Squash was everywhere </div>
<div style="font-family: Vollkorn; line-height: 1.4; text-align: justify;">
and there was a trickling in of tomatoes. I even treated myself to an <a href="http://izziesice.com/" style="color: #cc3354; text-decoration: none;">Izzie's Ice</a> </div>
<div style="font-family: Vollkorn; line-height: 1.4; text-align: justify;">
while I walked around. The ice is made by two sisters who use real fruit! </div>
<div style="font-family: Vollkorn; line-height: 1.4; text-align: justify;">
Steve and I split a large, with three scoops of strawberry, watermelon, and mango. </div>
<div style="font-family: Vollkorn; line-height: 1.4; text-align: justify;">
The mango was far and away my favorite flavor. Mango just feels like summer.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Vollkorn; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0898438) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cc3354; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 102, 124); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 102, 124); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 102, 124); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(204, 102, 124); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0898438) 1px 1px 5px; color: #66ccb5; font-family: Vollkorn; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; position: relative; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZAniaBn98AlA8_Owp_NLX7OwQef5q1LyYF1oWujhjFRP4-h9Kztnc_2D9Spe_e8-Y-9vesQArYqtSs4Dhixr0GBX3Vfz35EpwtwgZYWHociEwrIAwqwHQCZKXKsp-KUSAVUSEsYrmhU/s1600/IMG_0434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #cc3354; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZAniaBn98AlA8_Owp_NLX7OwQef5q1LyYF1oWujhjFRP4-h9Kztnc_2D9Spe_e8-Y-9vesQArYqtSs4Dhixr0GBX3Vfz35EpwtwgZYWHociEwrIAwqwHQCZKXKsp-KUSAVUSEsYrmhU/s400/IMG_0434.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.09375) 0px 0px 0px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.09375) 0px 0px 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This week's CSA from <a href="http://bakingfarmer.com/" style="color: #cc3354; text-decoration: none;">Flying S Farms</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Vollkorn; line-height: 1.4;">After my post last week, I received additional information about the market from Amy </span></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-8815416229150236677" itemprop="articleBody" style="position: relative; width: 660px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Vollkorn; line-height: 1.4;">who's family (</span><a href="http://www.delvinfarms.com/" style="color: #cc3354; font-family: Vollkorn; line-height: 1.4; text-decoration: none;">Delvin Farms</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Vollkorn; line-height: 1.4;">) started the East Nashville Farmer's Market 6 years ago (I was way off). This is what she has to say about ENFM:</span><div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; text-align: justify;">
The market was started 6 years ago by Delvin Farms to provide healthy food </div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; text-align: justify;">
to the East Nashville community. It started in the parking lot of the <a href="http://www.theturniptruck.com/" style="color: #cc3354; text-decoration: none;">Turnip Truck</a> </div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; text-align: justify;">
but quickly outgrew that space. We strive to make it an organic market, but do </div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; text-align: justify;">
allow a few conventional produce farms who grow their own produce. </div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; text-align: justify;">
The farmers who grow the food and the people who make the goods </div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; text-align: justify;">
are present at our market- there are no re-sellers. </div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; text-align: justify;">
Vendors who are certified organic or certified naturally grown </div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; text-align: justify;">
get 10% off their vendor fee. We are the first market in Nashville to accept </div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; text-align: justify;">
EBT/Food stamps as a whole. Customers can also use their debit card </div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; text-align: justify;">
at the market info booth to get "cash" in the form of wooden nickles to spend </div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; text-align: justify;">
with the vendors. It has become very popular and allows customers to buy </div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; text-align: justify;">
what they need with vendors who may be unable to accept credit or debit cards. </div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; text-align: justify;">
The food stamp program has really taken off as well, and providing healthy </div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; text-align: justify;">
food in the community (especially the food desert areas) was the goal </div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; text-align: justify;">
from the beginning. We're currently working with the <a href="http://www.marthaobryan.org/" style="color: #cc3354; text-decoration: none;">Martha O'Bryan</a> </div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; text-align: justify;">
center to provide transportation to the Casey housing residents to the market. </div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; text-align: justify;">
The center also brings out groups of children and teenagers once a season </div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; text-align: justify;">
to learn about vegetables, how they are grown and to meet the farmers </div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; text-align: justify;">
who grow them. Delvin Farms has paid for the market for the past 5 years </div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; text-align: justify;">
(insurance, rent, live music, etc), but this year the market is beginning </div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; text-align: justify;">
to pay for itself! We're pleased that it has become a popular market, </div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; text-align: justify;">
not only because it is finally becoming self sustaining, but because our goal </div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; text-align: justify;">
of making it a community market, providing good produce and locally grown, </div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; text-align: justify;">
producers only market has reached its goal!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Vollkorn; line-height: 1.4; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Vollkorn; line-height: 1.4; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifatirHKVAiy-d9IwIr4k5GbBVdIWNcIE5_CLS-KhfZjlgd3ybag-d9TBPcfEOr9bJ7b959T_NicJ7Iea5kRWC3UcylcT-zfZ2DszS1YcIke4h4Ec4Is_hyphenhyphen4wABUuN5I89z1bzhqa2L48/s1600/IMG_0437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #cc3354; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifatirHKVAiy-d9IwIr4k5GbBVdIWNcIE5_CLS-KhfZjlgd3ybag-d9TBPcfEOr9bJ7b959T_NicJ7Iea5kRWC3UcylcT-zfZ2DszS1YcIke4h4Ec4Is_hyphenhyphen4wABUuN5I89z1bzhqa2L48/s400/IMG_0437.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.09375) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cc3354; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 102, 124); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(204, 102, 124); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 102, 124); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(204, 102, 124); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.09375) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Vollkorn; line-height: 1.4; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Vollkorn; line-height: 22px;">This week's basket contained lots of squash, onions, green and yellow cucumbers, </span></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-8815416229150236677" itemprop="articleBody" style="position: relative; width: 660px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Vollkorn; line-height: 22px;">lettuce and green beans. The green beans were the standout of the box. </span></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-8815416229150236677" itemprop="articleBody" style="position: relative; width: 660px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Vollkorn; line-height: 22px;">I just boiled them lightly for 8 minutes and they were perfect- nothing needed to be </span></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-8815416229150236677" itemprop="articleBody" style="position: relative; width: 660px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Vollkorn; line-height: 22px;">added to the naturally sweet taste. This week I tried a very southern style </span></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-8815416229150236677" itemprop="articleBody" style="position: relative; width: 660px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Vollkorn; line-height: 22px;">squash casserole in order to use everything up. </span></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-8815416229150236677" itemprop="articleBody" style="position: relative; width: 660px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Vollkorn; line-height: 22px;">It contained lots of butter and cheese so it wasn't very good for my waistline, </span></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-8815416229150236677" itemprop="articleBody" style="position: relative; width: 660px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Vollkorn; line-height: 22px;">but boy was it delicious. I have a feeling the squash casserole will be making a reappearance.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Vollkorn; line-height: 1.4; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Vollkorn; line-height: 1.4; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhZBLnyHwYqGak08S7_en7uacDlYnDYXIAcGMTTd8lqMojvTrcAiPHKNQiioezuvu06-5pn3EHY9siPG67wlj1QeDjiNJp4BtdlsvZcfCwnc8k7lbxK6U7EH-hX78DjrQfna6yIfhP90/s1600/IMG_0441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #cc3354; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhZBLnyHwYqGak08S7_en7uacDlYnDYXIAcGMTTd8lqMojvTrcAiPHKNQiioezuvu06-5pn3EHY9siPG67wlj1QeDjiNJp4BtdlsvZcfCwnc8k7lbxK6U7EH-hX78DjrQfna6yIfhP90/s320/IMG_0441.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.09375) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cc3354; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 102, 124); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(204, 102, 124); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 102, 124); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(204, 102, 124); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.09375) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; position: relative;" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Vollkorn; line-height: 1.4;">This week's splurge purchase was Hawaiian sausage from </span><a href="http://grassorganic.com/t-news.aspx" style="color: #cc3354; font-family: Vollkorn; line-height: 1.4; text-decoration: none;">West Wind Farms</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Vollkorn; line-height: 1.4;">. </span></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-8815416229150236677" itemprop="articleBody" style="position: relative; width: 660px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Vollkorn; line-height: 1.4;">They have a large variety of sausage and meat available.</span></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-8815416229150236677" itemprop="articleBody" style="position: relative; width: 660px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Vollkorn; line-height: 1.4;"> I guess they are really popular, because when we were at the booth they </span></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-8815416229150236677" itemprop="articleBody" style="position: relative; width: 660px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Vollkorn; line-height: 1.4;">were out of milk and eggs! The sausage was tasty, but I wouldn't go as far as</span></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-8815416229150236677" itemprop="articleBody" style="position: relative; width: 660px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Vollkorn; line-height: 1.4;"> calling it Hawaiian. There weren't any chunks of pineapple like I was expecting </span></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-8815416229150236677" itemprop="articleBody" style="position: relative; width: 660px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Vollkorn; line-height: 1.4;">and I didn't really taste any fruit sweetness. </span></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-8815416229150236677" itemprop="articleBody" style="position: relative; width: 660px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Vollkorn; line-height: 1.4;">Don't get me wrong, I loved the sweet brown sugar taste. </span></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-8815416229150236677" itemprop="articleBody" style="position: relative; width: 660px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Vollkorn; line-height: 1.4;">But if you are looking for something tropical and fruity, this isn't your tube of meat. </span></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-8815416229150236677" itemprop="articleBody" style="position: relative; width: 660px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Vollkorn; line-height: 1.4;">I plan on trying some of their other other options this season!</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Vollkorn; line-height: 1.4; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="clear: both; font-family: Vollkorn; line-height: 1.4;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="post-footer" style="background-color: #eedde2; border-bottom-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #66ccb5; font-family: Vollkorn; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: -2px; margin-right: -2px; margin-top: 20px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: justify;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>East Nashville Farmers Markethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01366253814396905430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-827957972668212159.post-43432991277775117522012-06-27T01:44:00.001-05:002012-06-27T12:31:46.676-05:00Delvin Farms' Green Revolution Is A Family Affair<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>by Jas Faulkner</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>“People are not going to buy produce with spots on them.”</b> </span></i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;">Family matriarch Cindy usually had a lot of
faith in the next generation of the <a href="http://www.delvinfarms.com/" target="_blank">Delvin Family</a>.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">With one son having recently returned from a
stint in the Peace Corp and a daughter who had found a new mission in life
inspired by her urban middle school students, the idea of taking the farm one
step further into a movement that could make the world a better place seemed
well-intentioned, but far fetched.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYAJkc9wsGI69mSYyRvRDvM7J43fDr93TlBWwjqnF0rktsO4Lh8ZQocaLS_NW-UzRDeEA80TwLRCRxfGoBmZT9H9t53yXUFN6W1n73UIwfYHUu40Iwk7tvOkhx5ReS9csz-71XA23ElON/s1600/delvin+farm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYAJkc9wsGI69mSYyRvRDvM7J43fDr93TlBWwjqnF0rktsO4Lh8ZQocaLS_NW-UzRDeEA80TwLRCRxfGoBmZT9H9t53yXUFN6W1n73UIwfYHUu40Iwk7tvOkhx5ReS9csz-71XA23ElON/s1600/delvin+farm.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Delvins were already successful farmers. From the beginning of their business in 1972
they had built up a clientele that included household names to most Middle
Tennesseans such as Kroger and Shoney’s.
Their thriving twenty-five year old<a href="http://www.delvinfarms.com/" target="_blank"> farm</a> wasn’t
in need of any kind of makeover.<br />
<br />
Amy Delvin remembers that summer in 1997:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><b>“During my brother’s time in the Peace Corp, he had observed
farmers using methods that were passed down from one generation to the
next. He came home and tried to tell our
parents that there was a way to have successful crops without using
conventional technology: pesticides, chemicals, GMOs. </b></i></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<b style="background-color: white;"><i>“Dad gave him a section of land so he could try it. He used
organic methods to grow heirloom tomatoes, for which he got four times as much
as Dad got for his conventional tomatoes. That was all it took for him to see
that people would be willing to buy organic produce.</i>”</b></blockquote>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW6l02wAs3iUTmRJr2iaxiFFpIkRfT3D4WmlJnUUvwytAIoJ4bdyVqteo6WBFKyVX-7LMRxx5o23K9c8DvWQTuiYMQvjZAcIt5FObrBmhzemhEKBmX_eo7jA4nPIJxZEAQlGPSVSZ3Ooyk/s1600/delvin+family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW6l02wAs3iUTmRJr2iaxiFFpIkRfT3D4WmlJnUUvwytAIoJ4bdyVqteo6WBFKyVX-7LMRxx5o23K9c8DvWQTuiYMQvjZAcIt5FObrBmhzemhEKBmX_eo7jA4nPIJxZEAQlGPSVSZ3Ooyk/s1600/delvin+family.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course the bottom line was a consideration, but Hank and
Cindy Delvin had always taught their kids the importance of maintaining a strong
set of principles behind whatever they chose to do. In a family that valued learning, growth, and
doing things the right way, exploring more sustainable ways to farm was the
logical next step.</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<o:p> </o:p><i style="background-color: white;"><b>“My parents originally focused on one or two kinds of
tomatoes, greens, and very traditional,
familiar varieties of produce. We grow a
greater variety of vegetables now.
People are more aware of what’s out there and so the demand is greater –not
only for organic produce- but heirloom varieties as well.</b></i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><b>
“Growing up on a farm, you’re aware of the importance of taking good care of
the land. We began to educate ourselves so
we could do what was necessary to become a USDA certified organic farm.” </b></i></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p><span style="background-color: white;">Part of that transition included expanding and changing
their customer base. This would mean reaching out to a new kind of consumer.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5fBpP6Y9ip1oZ5Kw774mB_c1Bv8lPnaTY2UXxfxp0wPkkHnv0cHx_qXNHfIA-md3itAGCopipQn2jpNsIaFmDmzV95PdPsH2QHltgSNzuryokOK8hdYCgdcDl7GkPTK2sDWUyi0yTbUh/s1600/amy+d-t.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5fBpP6Y9ip1oZ5Kw774mB_c1Bv8lPnaTY2UXxfxp0wPkkHnv0cHx_qXNHfIA-md3itAGCopipQn2jpNsIaFmDmzV95PdPsH2QHltgSNzuryokOK8hdYCgdcDl7GkPTK2sDWUyi0yTbUh/s1600/amy+d-t.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amy Delvin Tavalin prepares for <br />
an afternoon at the Farmers Market.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Amy Delvin Tavalin had returned to the farm after years of
teaching at a middle school in <st1:city w:st="on">Baltimore</st1:city>. During a discussion of Harper Lee’s “To Kill
A Mockingbird”, she had what some people would call a “lightbulb moment”.<i style="background-color: white;"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></i></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><b>“We had just read the scene where Jem and Scout were in Boo
Radley’s collard patch and one of my students asked me what a collard was. I realized that these kids grew up never knowing what it was like to have someone in the family living and working on a farm.
Many of them didn’t even have grandparents who gardened. They had no sense of where their food came from.”</b></i></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She implemented some opportunities for her students in <st1:state w:st="on">Maryland</st1:state> to learn more about farming, but realized her
<a href="http://www.delvinfarms.com/" target="_blank">family farm</a> back in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">College Grove</st1:city>,
<st1:state w:st="on">Tennessee</st1:state></st1:place> offered an opportunity
to educate children (and adults) about the importance of agriculture. Working with educators in <st1:state w:st="on">Tennessee</st1:state> she created programs that gave
kids a day on the farm who might have gone their entire childhood without the
chance to see a tomato ripening on the vine.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovO85miXIYjs1-RDAFyQC4jvIagOdzGpg60EJAdHC1zYc5UvaUGEpc6Nz4sKRKifVTo6bR_sqPxLjYXX-Zkw1_VuXvrZtBnHFlChfNcP4OWJyYX1brwSms1gYmUVwtz0lWiUkF1EfKeQz/s1600/delvin+CSA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovO85miXIYjs1-RDAFyQC4jvIagOdzGpg60EJAdHC1zYc5UvaUGEpc6Nz4sKRKifVTo6bR_sqPxLjYXX-Zkw1_VuXvrZtBnHFlChfNcP4OWJyYX1brwSms1gYmUVwtz0lWiUkF1EfKeQz/s1600/delvin+CSA.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The new model of agribusiness they were following would
offer the public another way to be more directly involved with getting their food
from the field to the table. By 1998,
the 140 acre farm* was certified organic and in 1999 they began their CSA with 90+
subscribers. The philosophy was straightforward: provide a way for consumers to
buy their produce directly from the people who grew it. This would eliminate any mystery about the
identity or the producer or the quality and safety of the product.<br />
<br />
Ironically, simplification for customers meant a whole host of challenges and
expenses for the Delvins. The
certification process was much more than just a matter of paperwork and
fees. Inspectors had to flown in, housed
and fed, all at the expense of the Delvins.
In order to be able to identify as USDA Certified Organic, they had to
submit to inspections of the land, the equipment and all of their paperwork,
which has to account for the chain of custody and provenance of the seeds they
use. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Is it worth it? The Delvin Family seems to think so, and so do the over seven
hundred subscribers who participate in their CSA. Every year they enjoy weekly boxes of
in-season produce from the farm that now grows over 80 varieties of organic
fruits and vegetables. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When asked what plant had grown the most in popularity, Amy
says it has to be kale. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We were the sole provider of kale to Shoney’s for a long
time.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZg8MU_yB7A8nqOrMmh8eirDXRt1A5147_cgZLm_fHsQMA2ey3vMCQmQdSJ7prwmkr5wn8_PJNKh2n9-stvxT9I-QH5ohb8sfHy0tr9XghLUYqJiMdL5KInRrFyMfkC5DehfuWI30UVdJB/s1600/kale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZg8MU_yB7A8nqOrMmh8eirDXRt1A5147_cgZLm_fHsQMA2ey3vMCQmQdSJ7prwmkr5wn8_PJNKh2n9-stvxT9I-QH5ohb8sfHy0tr9XghLUYqJiMdL5KInRrFyMfkC5DehfuWI30UVdJB/s200/kale.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">According to Shoney's logic, <br />
kale was just too pretty to eat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyone who ever visited a Shoney’s is probably trying to
recall seeing kale on the menu. The truth is, it was never offered as part of
their fare. Diners certainly saw it on every plate to emerge from
the kitchen, not to mention all over their salad and breakfast bars. Remember those large, dark green leaves
underneath certain entrees and buffet offerings and the curly green sides on
every plate and around the edges of the buffet stations? That wasn’t parsley, it was kale from Delvin
Farms. </div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><b>
“That’s right,” says Ms Tavalin, “One of
the healtiest items we grow was originally used as a decoration. We sold them boxes upon boxes of kale and my
mother would always try to talk them into cooking it. She told them they could serve it just
like any other green.”</b></i></blockquote>
Chef and slow food activist Rick Bayless advises anyone who wants to eat better to "get your food from the periphery of the store." Take it one step further and get your food from the remembered periphery of a Middle Tennessee culinary institution. This time, it's not about eating something on a dare from your big sister, it's tasting what you've been missing.<br />
<br />
*<a href="http://www.delvinfarms.com/" target="_blank">Delvin Farm</a> has grown considerably since then. They now have 220 acres.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: -945.65pt;">
<br /></div>jas faulknerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338478113151823116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-827957972668212159.post-39988739351960148142012-06-24T09:41:00.001-05:002012-06-24T09:41:30.638-05:00Recipes for Your CSA by Megan Wicks<br />
<div class="ii gt adP adO" id=":xu" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; position: relative; z-index: 2;">
<div id=":xv">
<div class="gmail_quote">
<div lang="EN-US" link="blue" vlink="purple">
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Hey, <u></u>East Nashville<u></u> friends!<br /><br />This week, my finds include a CSA box from <a href="http://www.delvinfarms.com/">Delvin Farms</a> and milk from <a href="http://www.hatcherfamilydairy.com/">Hatcher’s Dairy</a> (I simply cannot get enough of that stuff!). The CSA box was packed with gorgeous vegetable goodies! I admit I was hoping some of those beautiful blackberries would be in there, but alas – no such luck. What I did have was this:<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Large green cabbage<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Small red cabbage<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cucumbers<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Yellow “crookneck” squash<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Zucchini<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Zephyr squash (that’s the green and yellow one)<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Kale<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Rainbow Chard<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Garlic<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Potatoes<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Roma tomatoes<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The hubs was <i><span style="font-style: italic;">thrilled</span></i> with the cache of potatoes. We’re planning to make what my friends call my Simon & Garfunkel potatoes. We’ll cut them into quarters or cubes, drizzle with olive oil, and toss them with fresh chopped herbs from our garden (parsley, sage, rosemary, & thyme - are you humming yet?) and some of the garlic (minced). Put them in a roasting pan or on a cookie sheet and roast in the oven at 425° for 30-45 minutes (until fork-tender), stirring once mid-way through.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As for the kale (an amazing nutritional powerhouse green that is full of vitamins and minerals), I’ve got two plans for that bunch:<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<u></u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span>(1)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span></span></span><u></u>I’ll be trying part of it in my morning green smoothie mentioned last week (by the way, those blueberries were from Kirkview Farms). It’s so easy – about a cup of yogurt (I prefer Greek), a cup of greens (I usually use spinach, but have heard of many people using kale so I’m going to try it), a little bit of juice or coconut water to get it moving in the blender, and half a cup to a cup of fruit. I usually use blueberries (the dark color of the berries covers up the green if that bothers you), but bananas or strawberries are lovely too. I tried blackberries once, but I couldn’t get past all the seeds in the smoothie. You can always use frozen fruit if you like your smoothie colder or you’re short on fresh.<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<u></u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span>(2)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span></span></span><u></u>My favorite way to prepare kale is to sauté it. Thoroughly wash the kale and then dry (salad spinners are great for this). Cut out the tough stems and then tear or cut the leaves into pieces approximate 2”x2” until you have about 2 cups of kale. Heat a Tablespoon of olive oil and 1or 2 teaspoons of sesame oil (optional) in a sauté pan large enough to hold all the kale. Add a teaspoon of crushed red pepper (more if you’re into spice!), and a minced clove of garlic. Cook until fragrant. Add the cut up kale and toss with a pair of tongs to coat with the oil, pepper, and garlic mixture. Keep tossing until kale begins to wilt slightly and turns a bright green color. Remove from heat and dress with soy sauce to taste. This will serve 2 to 4. It makes a great side, and I’ve been known to make it my main course.<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I’ll be trying out a new (to me) recipe this week for the cucumbers. A college roommate of mine had success with refrigerator dill pickles, and I’m excited to try it myself. I intend to try this recipe that I found on <a href="http://oneperfectbite.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://oneperfectbite.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com</a>:<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /><i><span style="font-style: italic;">Ingredients:</span></i><br />1-1/2 cups distilled white vinegar<br />1/4 to 1/3 cup granulated sugar<br />4 teaspoons kosher salt<br />1 teaspoon mustard seeds<br />1 teaspoon coriander seeds<br />3/4 teaspoon dill seeds<br />2 cups hot water<br />2 pounds kirby cucumbers, sliced 1/4-inch thick<br />3/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh dill<br />3 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped<br /><i><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />Directions:</span></i><br />1) Combine vinegar, sugar, salt, mustard seeds, coriander seeds and dill seeds in a heatproof bowl. Add hot water and stir until sugar dissolves and liquid is clear. Cool to room temperature.<br />2) Place cucumbers, garlic and dill in a large bowl. Toss to combine. Pour brine over all and turn to coat cucumbers. Cover them with a plate to weigh them down and keep them covered in brine. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight, stirring once or twice. Transfer to an airtight container and store for up to two weeks. Yield: 1 quart.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a class="e" href="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=d7b512b7e7&view=att&th=1381ae83d5bd435a&attid=0.1&disp=inline&realattid=74fbbf4e77042c70_0.1&safe=1&zw" style="color: #1155cc; cursor: pointer; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;" target="_blank"><br /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-ryel6LN0LbMLooMV0L2uPFmOSKhGjKtFbQo-p5DpuvETebjmWI5a-MhzH3w9x8YlDn5irVjywbivMcXcJD81hThsu8Ayfu0cnv3yVfTkeK-ywLoLRZRrk34ItlxgvvxGQeU4o-juCc/s1600/Veggies_0621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-ryel6LN0LbMLooMV0L2uPFmOSKhGjKtFbQo-p5DpuvETebjmWI5a-MhzH3w9x8YlDn5irVjywbivMcXcJD81hThsu8Ayfu0cnv3yVfTkeK-ywLoLRZRrk34ItlxgvvxGQeU4o-juCc/s400/Veggies_0621.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Wish me luck! I’ll let you know next week how it turned out…<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
<div class="yj6qo">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="hq gt" id=":110" style="border-collapse: collapse; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px;">
<div class="hp" style="border-top-color: rgb(216, 216, 216); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; height: 0px; width: 280px;">
</div>
<div class="ho" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 5px;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" class="cf hr" style="border-collapse: collapse; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 8px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="hw" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-right: 7px; vertical-align: middle;"><br /></td><td style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>Veggies_0621.JPG</b><br />8247K <span id=":112"><a class="e" href="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=d7b512b7e7&view=att&th=1381ae83d5bd435a&attid=0.1&disp=inline&realattid=74fbbf4e77042c70_0.1&safe=1&zw" style="color: #1155cc; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;" target="_blank">View</a> <a class="e" href="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=d7b512b7e7&view=att&th=1381ae83d5bd435a&attid=0.1&disp=safe&realattid=74fbbf4e77042c70_0.1&zw" style="color: #1155cc; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;">Download</a> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>East Nashville Farmers Markethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01366253814396905430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-827957972668212159.post-5573883020356292192012-06-22T21:17:00.000-05:002012-06-23T10:04:51.575-05:00Time To Get Adventurous!<i>by Jas Faulkner </i><br />
<i>author's note: Next week, ENFMBlog will feature an interview with Amy Delvin. We'll talk about the history of Delvin Farm -and- cue some scary music here, find out which healthy market mainstay started out as almost unidentifiable industrial decorative matter. You won't want to miss it! </i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRo1dAs6hafnEZCpVlF5PqsxTb82mms941VBt5oSUCJTgNhoKJ2-IgXq0j62Qa7QL2_aHf_-W2NLz5ZB0t1Z_MF93tv7oPlR0BNNNlT6IA4AXpWQ7cHPv5mAPvSsbzrksfK2NlfBSvhRng/s1600/East_Nashville_Farmers_Market.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRo1dAs6hafnEZCpVlF5PqsxTb82mms941VBt5oSUCJTgNhoKJ2-IgXq0j62Qa7QL2_aHf_-W2NLz5ZB0t1Z_MF93tv7oPlR0BNNNlT6IA4AXpWQ7cHPv5mAPvSsbzrksfK2NlfBSvhRng/s1600/East_Nashville_Farmers_Market.JPG" /></a></div>
A nutritional anthropology study conducted by the University of Florida in 1988 suggested that North Americans had better access to a bigger variety of healthy, fresh foods than most of the rest of the world and yet the average consumer limited themselves to approximately eight to twelve different plant-based foods. In the quarter century (give or take a few months) that have gone by since then, Americans have begun to put more thought into where their food comes from and how it is produced.<br />
<br />
The effort to localize production and consumption has led to rethinking heritage and indigenous food crops that had fallen out of favor. Our culinary vocabulary is starting to expand and with it comes a more extensive repertoire of dishes and techniques that sometimes start out as experiments and eventually become familiar household favorites.<br />
<br />
There are plenty of reasons people don't eat specific varieties or whole categories of fruits and vegetables. Sometimes it can be a question of rediscovering a favorite that a grandparent might have grown in the summer. Sometimes it means trying a food you've heard of but never tasted. Sometimes its simply a matter of access. Whatever the reason, local growers are eliminating those excuses. Which reminds me of one last excuse: you tried it and you didn't like it. <br />
<br />
If your parents were like mine, they probably asked you to try at least a bite or two before deciding it was off the menu for you. Okay. I'm going to make that same suggestion. If you see something in your CSA share or it's sitting there in your sample box, and you know this food makes you sad to even think that someone somewhere considers it edible, just stop. Don't ask to swap it out. Don't try to palm it off on the nearest child who looks like he's dying to carry something fresh to Mommy. In short, q<span style="background-color: white;">uit being a baby.<br /><br />Here is a list of seven foods to look for that you may or may not have tried. If they're not in season right now, they will be soon.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDl2GgThp4HoKaVOeKzl1frima37xTukzgOs6hRdRJYQXFasefE0C1WM5a1q53v_Ea8nSbXeP7CVzA7uJPF97bKCQhOQ7DNNJEUuHt6BnpQJlKjBUOac1fbmCzYv0oVKKoEKRsFHkMEJN/s1600/kale-th.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDl2GgThp4HoKaVOeKzl1frima37xTukzgOs6hRdRJYQXFasefE0C1WM5a1q53v_Ea8nSbXeP7CVzA7uJPF97bKCQhOQ7DNNJEUuHt6BnpQJlKjBUOac1fbmCzYv0oVKKoEKRsFHkMEJN/s200/kale-th.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kale</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Kale</b> - curly or luxuriantly leafy, this green is packed with nutrients and flavor. Try it sauteed, in soups, chopped and raw in salads. One of the classic dishes for this veggie is a stew made with <a href="http://www.freshearthfarms.com/?p=1059" target="_blank">cannellini beans, kale, and chicken.</a><br /><b><br /></b></span><br />
<b style="background-color: white;"><br /></b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTFVr4OzP9XZypmQtc8jIgPBeFuGWfn6bW68Mk8qceSg3syee2v-MN-BS-sbTLe9y6qp6WU0ZiF4UQ8yAx0f_55NsOo7RrlRxnL4LCrekbksPT0qpM5qyizx_XpFPECvgagG8xwXPN5I_e/s1600/collards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTFVr4OzP9XZypmQtc8jIgPBeFuGWfn6bW68Mk8qceSg3syee2v-MN-BS-sbTLe9y6qp6WU0ZiF4UQ8yAx0f_55NsOo7RrlRxnL4LCrekbksPT0qpM5qyizx_XpFPECvgagG8xwXPN5I_e/s200/collards.jpg" width="183" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Collards</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Collards</b> - They are a food of the gods. You can usually find them bundled together in bunches of four to six large leaves. If you want to try something beyond the usual greens-n-pork preparation, take a look at this recipe from an earlier ENFM post: <a href="http://eastnashvillefarmersmarket.blogspot.com/2011/10/collard-greens-with-poblano-chiles.html" target="_blank">Collard Greens w/ Poblano Chiles and Chorizo.</a> </span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<b style="background-color: white;"><br /></b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN6myrlBZTIRrm6Y0BBempi1T_DuqHVSd9RR1yv6mptJBZxHSQtKvxtrsWDAwfniDbYkzAC1G14NQWeFUwQW8Bu8oKRo9D6RJUUpm-Vct1O_2tQP14etXMhm5FPgJmGFZCeCzqVhF3yfY1/s1600/basil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN6myrlBZTIRrm6Y0BBempi1T_DuqHVSd9RR1yv6mptJBZxHSQtKvxtrsWDAwfniDbYkzAC1G14NQWeFUwQW8Bu8oKRo9D6RJUUpm-Vct1O_2tQP14etXMhm5FPgJmGFZCeCzqVhF3yfY1/s200/basil.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Basil</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white;"><b> Basil</b> - This sweet-smelling herb is the primary taste profile in pesto and margherita pizza. It also makes a great aromatic garnish for cold ades and a soothing addition to an herbal bath. Try a few leaves on a toasted sandwich with fresh tomato and provolone.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik2lPP5w03yboXZQ78wm_jtI66qw-R5hS01CBbbr19XYUZh-f5PROcOgoHLZHCtmjdCvrOqO0mGmAil2i8-daOhBlu_YcJzxH4e944c-z8vg44GAxuKKeMalPpJTOFj_9MX1w87rqugBgZ/s1600/arugula.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik2lPP5w03yboXZQ78wm_jtI66qw-R5hS01CBbbr19XYUZh-f5PROcOgoHLZHCtmjdCvrOqO0mGmAil2i8-daOhBlu_YcJzxH4e944c-z8vg44GAxuKKeMalPpJTOFj_9MX1w87rqugBgZ/s200/arugula.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Arugula</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Arugula</b> - Steve Martin's character in "My Blue Heaven" couldn't live without it. This peppery green makes a great addition to any salad or stir fry. Great on a fresh tomato sandwich or served as a finger food a la cress. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwp0vbtSY4YEi-JnKWvtrCzsg8FLx3Bx24tafQE3KyvLGDZwO_Q8QRYHSGv4RwzAl_KaqrQGtQchcKZ1kgQx7G_Qi7hzfpqq9rTVpZyXi0hC-7esvVxWp7o_JszDvgEs8JgOA3aWYix8bO/s1600/scapes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwp0vbtSY4YEi-JnKWvtrCzsg8FLx3Bx24tafQE3KyvLGDZwO_Q8QRYHSGv4RwzAl_KaqrQGtQchcKZ1kgQx7G_Qi7hzfpqq9rTVpZyXi0hC-7esvVxWp7o_JszDvgEs8JgOA3aWYix8bO/s200/scapes.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Garlic scapes</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Garlic Scapes</b> - The tender, curly blooming stalks of garlic are often trimmed so the bulbs will grow bigger. Lucky you if you find anyone selling them! They're great in stir fries, caramelized over milder cuts of meat and cooked into pasta sauces. <a href="http://www.2sistersgarlic.com/articles/garlic_scape_recipes.htm" target="_blank">2 Sisters Garlic has an entire page devoted to ways to prepare garlic scapes. </a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZf-uvpiPBOzKnxf38aFBqSiEUKgds9JEPG7mxSmwZTELohFFvDHzZlivdgT5zgHFRLklTnRssPAfX1bO1IvImZ1wB-BPH7eTucs5SLv5Ck2RF48pDQFAYLS9iHLZke0Pr9b5uDQe0Q9JE/s1600/genocup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZf-uvpiPBOzKnxf38aFBqSiEUKgds9JEPG7mxSmwZTELohFFvDHzZlivdgT5zgHFRLklTnRssPAfX1bO1IvImZ1wB-BPH7eTucs5SLv5Ck2RF48pDQFAYLS9iHLZke0Pr9b5uDQe0Q9JE/s200/genocup.jpg" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Was Geno's Cup win fuled by his</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">mama's lucky borscht? </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white;"><b style="text-align: center;">Beets</b><span style="text-align: center;"> - Most people have tasted them pickled or as crispy veggie chips. The roots are great roasted. The greens? They perk up a tossed salad and fit right in with any kind of greens mix, cooked or raw. For a change of pace, go for the tried and true. Every year, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette posts </span><a href="http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sectionfront/life/evgeni-malkins-mothers-lucky-borscht-344362/" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Natalia Malkin's Lucky Borscht Recipe</a><span style="text-align: center;">. Does it work? You might not lift the cup like Evgeni did in 2009, but you'll find it is a tasty piece of Russian culture and a good way to use beets.</span>
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAf6dgGmdpKWsNSVkP7E4lF-Hqt5Mawd1F85b-D8f3XAA-Fc_6GxLjmcRxqT07XpRcqcsJWnprVGeDsCKYiiY26vfB0WJ7loH_Tf21JBzD4t1DjjmJrQFmCFC30ZcUBQUzTGwaxQPmCQDN/s1600/sweetpotatoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAf6dgGmdpKWsNSVkP7E4lF-Hqt5Mawd1F85b-D8f3XAA-Fc_6GxLjmcRxqT07XpRcqcsJWnprVGeDsCKYiiY26vfB0WJ7loH_Tf21JBzD4t1DjjmJrQFmCFC30ZcUBQUzTGwaxQPmCQDN/s200/sweetpotatoes.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Sweet potatoes</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Sweet Potatoes</b> - Many of us were scared away from this nutritious root vegetable by the glutenous casserole that seemed to appear at every big family dinner. Topped with burned marshmallows, each mouthful was a minefield of mush and the odd stealth pecan half that might or might not have been properly shelled. Ah, the holidays! The good news is that sweet potatoes don't have to be such gut bombs. They're delicious baked with a little butter or olive oil and a pinch of red pepper. <a href="http://notesfromthetable.blogspot.com/2009/12/rick-bayless-crusty-chorizo-and-black.html" target="_blank">Rick Bayless has a recipe for a healthier version of baked sweet potato fries</a> that will make you forget that scary concoction your sweet Aunt Estelle used to bring to family gatherings.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgzC6Hsv4XVLv0ZZ-2Nlzg6Szgv4PtdkTu5huJ1imPzsvOhzsjLqvAdLGyQSHbr6rZ_SJJJTJwnYKdMZGANZsoWbcO1TjGumJCJOBTNqhlk5XaP28br4w47kJgQlhIs3MAXVlq9NXcwWu/s1600/indy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgzC6Hsv4XVLv0ZZ-2Nlzg6Szgv4PtdkTu5huJ1imPzsvOhzsjLqvAdLGyQSHbr6rZ_SJJJTJwnYKdMZGANZsoWbcO1TjGumJCJOBTNqhlk5XaP28br4w47kJgQlhIs3MAXVlq9NXcwWu/s320/indy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Honestly, it's just a vegetable!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">That should get you started. Okay, Indiana Jones, get out there and try something new to you. There won't be a test, but there will be another list with some more familiar-but-not-to-you vegetables. Until then, bon appetit! </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444433; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>jas faulknerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338478113151823116noreply@blogger.com0