Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Clark County Food System Council Mini-Film Festival - 7.17-18.2009

The Clark County Food System Council is sponsoring this FREE two-day event with screenings of food films on Friday, July 17th 5:30 pm at WSU Vancouver Lecture Hall 110, and Saturday July 18th 2 pm at the Public Service Center at 1300 Franklin St. in Vancouver. Contact Elspeth Durek or (360)397-8000 ext. 7291

Friday, July 17:
WSU Vancouver - Lecture Hall 110
14204 NE Salmon Cr. Ave.
Parking: $1.50/hr metered parking until 7 pm, free
after 7 pm or $3.00/day in Blue lot (automated machine)

6:00 pm: Ingredients “preview”
6:45 pm: Good Food

Saturday, July 18:
Public Service Center – 6th Floor
1300 Franklin Street

2:00 pm: Growing Awareness
3:45 pm: Good Food
5:00 pm: Ingredients “preview”

They all revolve around the theme of building and sustaining a healthy local food system as key to the health of our communities. They show local NW efforts to grow food more sustainably, bring back small, local farms to our food system and restaurants working to serve good food and support local farmers
.

Did I mention it's FREE?

Slow Food Southwest Washington v2.0

I am pleased to announce the return of Slow Food to Southwest Washington! The Slow Food folks are kicking off their re-birth with a potluck on Wednesday, July 8th. Here's the scoop:

Please join past and future members of SFSWWA at the home of Stephani Sutherland for an informal potluck dinner. Our goal is to fill our leadership posts and just to get to know one another face to face. Whether you're an old friend of SF or never heard of us before, come find out what we have in mind for SF SWWA in the coming months! Kids welcome. Please bring (obviously) a dish to share and, if you like, a plate and utensils to reduce the need for disposables. This will be the first of what I hope will become a regular event for our convivium.

Stephani Sutherland
9817 SE 12th St. Vancouver, WA 98664
360.718.2411

Slow Food Southwest Washington Web Site

Urban Farm School Upcoming Classes & Events - July 2009

July is packed full of GREAT classes from Kendra and Toree and the Urban Farm School. Tons of information on canning, pickling, preserving, extending your harvest, and an evening of bat viewing at Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge! VERY COOL STUFF!!

Contact the Urban Farm School and sign up for some classes ASAP, 'cause they're filling up fast. Here's the schedule:

UPCOMING CLASSES

Jams and Jellies Primer
Thursday, July 9, 5 to 8pm
Submerge yourself in the wonderful world of jams and jellies. An easy way to reduce your grocery bills and increase the healthiness of the food you eat. We will discuss pectin options (including how to make your own!), seasonal fruits, sweeteners, and savory jellies as well as tools and materials needed at home. Workshop includes hands-on jam and jelly activity, all supplies, seasonal fruit for canning, and materials. You will leave this class with a bevy of jam and jelly options for home and the goodies you’ve canned in class.
Fee: $40
Location: Pioneer Grange, 3803 NE 199th St. Ridgefield, 98642,
http://www.wa-grange.org/pioneergrange.htm
Registration required: 360-907-5814 or e-mail.
Note: This class is limited to 10 people and requires payment in advance to secure your space.

Drying and Freezing the Harvest Primer
Sunday, July 12, 1 to 4pm
This workshop is designed to aid you in saving some of the harvest without canning. Learn about freezing fruits and vegetables, blanching, and storage as well as how to dry fruits and herbs for use throughout the year. Workshop includes hands-on drying activity, all supplies, seasonal herbs, and materials. You will leave this class with a bundle of knowledge, preservation confidence, and the goodies you’ve prepped in class.
Fee: $40
Location: Pioneer Grange, 3803 NE 199th St. Ridgefield, 98642,
http://www.wa-grange.org/pioneergrange.htm
Registration required: 360-907-5814 or e-mail.
Note: This class is limited to 10 people and requires payment in advance to secure your space.

Thursday, July 16, 6:30 to 8:30pm
Extending the Season’s Harvest
Learn about how to extend the growing and harvesting season throughout the fall and winter. Class will focus on seed selection, planting schedules, harvesting tips, mulching and other garden protectors.
Fee: $15
Location: Five Star Farms, 8806 NE 159th Street, Battle Ground, WA 98604
Registration required: 360-907-5814 or e-mail.

Canning for Couples and Food Tasting
Saturday, July 18, 9am to 1pm
We are happy to be offering a class through Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation at Luepke Center. Spend the day with someone special, exploring the wonderful world of seasonal foods and home preservation. Walk away with a canned
item, basic waterbath canning confidence, and a greater
knowledge of our local food system. There will be seasonal food snacks served during the event.
Fee: $75/couple
Location: Luepke Kitchen Multi-Purpose Room, 1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd., Vancouver 98663
Registration required: (Parks and Recreation office) 360-487-7050

Pickling Primer
Sunday, July 19, 1 to 4pm
There aren’t many things better than homemade pickles. Discussion will include appropriate foods for pickling, brine options, fermentation techniquesas well as tools and materials needed for home. Workshop includes hands-on pickling activity, all supplies, seasonal vegetables, and materials. You will leave this class with a new eye for pickling possibilities and the goodies you’ve pickled in class.
Fee: $40
Location: Pioneer Grange, 3803 NE 199th St. Ridgefield, 98642,
http://www.wa-grange.org/pioneergrange.htm
Registration required: 360-907-5814 or e-mail.
Note: This class is limited to 10 people and requires payment in advance to secure your space.

Waterbath Canning Primer
Thursday, July 23, 5 to 8pm
The workshop will cover the basics of water bath canning including what foods are appropriate for water bath canning vs. pressure canning, safety, syrups, tools, and materials. Workshop includes hands-on canning activity, all supplies, seasonal fruit for canning, and materials. You will leave this class with a greater knowledge of food safety, waterbath canning confidence, and the goodies you’ve canned in class.
Fee: $40
Location: Pioneer Grange, 3803 NE 199th St. Ridgefield, 98642,
http://www.wa-grange.org/pioneergrange.htm
Registration required: 360-907-5814 or e-mail.
Note: This class is limited to 10 people and requires payment in advance to secure your space.

Pressure Canning Primer
Sunday, July 26, 1 to 4pm
The workshop will cover the basics of pressure canning including what foods are appropriate for pressure canning vs. water bath canning, safety, pressure and time requirements, food preparation as well as tools and materials needed for home. Workshop includes hands-on canning activity, all supplies, seasonal vegetable for canning, and materials. You will leave this class with a greater knowledge and confidence of pressure canning and the goodies you’ve canned in class.
Fee: $40
Location: Pioneer Grange, 3803 NE 199th St. Ridgefield, 98642,
http://www.wa-grange.org/pioneergrange.htm
Registration required: 360-907-5814 or e-mail.
Note: This class is limited to 10 people and requires payment in advance to secure your space.

Thursday, July 30, 6:30 to 8:30pm
Family Bat Night!
We’re batty for bats and the whole family can join us for an evening out! We will discuss the important role that these misunderstood mammals play in pest control and pollination. Class will consist of a lecture and short walk to view the bats in action. Come prepared for walking and outdoor weather.
Fee: $15/person, $30/family (up to 4 people)
Location: TBA
Registration required: 360-907-5814 or e-mail.


The Urban Farm School Web Site

78th Street/WSU Concept Plan Sounding Board Meeting - 7.09.2009

This will be a good meeting to attend if you want to know where the 78th Street project is heading before the next public meeting is held. If you want to be involved with the process for this project, I highly suggest that you be there, listen to what is said, and give your input.

78th Street/WSU Concept Plan Sounding Board Meeting Scheduled for Thursday, July 9

The Clark County 78th Street/WSU Concept Planning Sounding Board will meet on Thursday, July 9, 2009 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Clark County Public Service Center in the 6th floor training room, located at 1300 Franklin Street in Vancouver, Washington.

The draft concept plan will be discussed at the meeting. For more information, contact Adrienne DeDona at (360) 993-0025 or by email at Adrienne@jla.us.com

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Thank you Capital Press!

And thank you Chris Mathews for contacting the Capital Press about the Urban Livestock Code debacle and our opposition efforts. You can read the Capital Press article Here:

http://www.capitalpress.com/main.asp?SectionID=67&SubSectionID=619&ArticleID=52391&TM=66868.61

Also, our online petition effort has already been signed by over 200 friends and neighbors. The vast majority of whom are Clark County residents, taxpayers, and voters.

Don't forget to tell everyone you know about what the County is proposing and what we're trying to do about it. We'll be collecting signatures and your comments all the way up until the July 21st Board of County Commissioners public hearing on the proposed Urban Livestock Code. And please mark your calendar with the meeting date and time. I want to see you there, meet you in person, and shake your hand.

The Board of Clark County Commissioners will conduct a public hearing regarding the proposed Urban Livestock Code on Tuesday, July 21,2009, at 10:00 a.m., at the Public Services Building, Commissioners Hearing Room, 6th Floor, 1300 Franklin Street, Vancouver

Thanks to everyone for your support and your efforts. This is what being a community is all about. Feels good, don't it?

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Locavore Delivery & Dee Creek Farm News - 6.25.2009

Here's the latest from Summer @ Dee Creek Farm:

I'm helping put together the Clark County Fairgrounds Feature Agriculture Exhibit (that was a mouthful!), which is Community Supported Agriculture, specifically SW WA CSA Farms. We'll have lots of economic, health, and "green" information, as well as an interactive children's learning area. But I need a small pop-up (or ?) greenhouse. Does anyone have one they can lend me in August - when you may not be using it?

Also, I've been making a liquid, hot-pressed soap (good for dishes, hands, shampoo) and need 4 'testers' before I send it along too far and wide. Up for it? I need your dead honest opinion, so I've got to trust that you can be harsh, if needed ;-)

If you're looking for good quality pastured pork this season (we're out until '10), I've gotten good recommendations from folks I trust for Square Peg Farm near Portland. Check them out!

This week we've got some extra produce from certified organic NW Organics in Ridgefield, as well as a couple of new goodies from Nature's Choice and DCF. See below!

Blue Bird Grain order is on it's way, via UPS Ground!

'Til soon! ~S

*****
Dee Creek Farm Cheeses, from start to finish
Our cheese can also be found at the Wednesday & Thursday Portland Farmers Market, Wednesday evening Interstate Farmers Market, the Saturday Vancouver Farmers Market - and Nature's Choice is carrying our cheeses now at the Camas Farmers Market on Wednesdays!
Aged Feta, $5.00/container - Creamy and salt, unpasteurized
Plain - block or crumble
Kalamata Olive Tapenade - crumbles
Spicy - crumbles
Fresh Chevre, $5.00/container - Creamy - great on crepes, bagels, crackers, veggies... pasteurized
Garlic Chive - made with fresh ingredients
Dill Herb - herbs from Garden Delight
Black Pepper
Raspberry & Honey
Raspberry Lavender Chipotle (contains some sugar)
Original (Plain)
Chelby Cheese Curds, $5.00/container - Mild, pasteurized

Eggs,
$5/dozen, ($4.50 per dozen for egg CSA'ers)
$2.50/half-dozen (limited)
We have very few extra eggs this week, so will not take pre-orders. First come to deliveries, first served this week. Our chickens are fed only natural feeds and lots of pasture - you can find lots of info on our poultry-raising on our website. Be sure to recycle egg cartons that you pick up at our deliveries with us!

Fresh Farmers Fare
Salad Greens, $6/lb.
Kale, $1.50/bunch
Sugar Snap Peas, $3/pint
All of the above are from NW Organic Farm in Ridgefield, owned by an awesome pair of farmers!
Fresh Green Sauce, $5/pint
Made from Dee Creek Farm tomatillos and herbs, this sauce goes great on enchilada's, taco salad, scrambled eggs... Just a little zing, not too spicy. Should last up to a month in the fridge, for a while longer in the freezer!

Wild & Naturally Preserved Eats,
Mushrooms, Fresh (1/4# bags) -
Maitake $4.00
Shiitake $3.00
Porcini $5.00 (beautiful #1's - limited seasonal supply)

Mushrooms, Dried (cello packs - choose one, not mixed packets)
Chanterelle, Lobsters, or Shiitake, $2.00
Maitake or Porcini, $3.00
Matsutake or Morels, $4.00
Dried Snack & Meal Helpers (chopped, diced, sliced, portioned & pkg'd for 1-2 meals)
Organic Red Onions, $1.25
Organic Heirloom Tomatoes, $2.00
Pure Ground Elderberries $10/half-pint jar (ready to use for teas, tinctures, etc)

Dried Herbs, $4/packet
From Garden DElights in Brush Prairie, these herbs were hand prepared from chemical-free herbs. There are several mixes available, including: Grilling Blend, Poultry Blend, and Veggies & Soups. Ask if you want to have a look/smell/feel at deliveries!

Canned "Preserves", low sugar
Strawberry Jelly,
Raspberry,
White Grape,
The above are $5 each, and also come from Garden DElights, in Brush Prairie. A multi generational farm, this Mom and daughter team work hard on creating healthful, local, and delicious foods. Generally known for their herb packets & natural doggy treats, they are also a produce CSA farm and have value-added products!
Wild Huckleberry Jam, 7oz., $5.00
Wild Huckleberry Syrup, 8oz., $5.00
These two huckleberry delights are wild-gathered by Nature's Choice, and are made with white grape concentrate. Both are almost sugar free!

*****

Remember that in an effort to be more efficient, and less wasteful, we do not write individual receipts, but instead keep a book. If you specifically want a receipt, please let us know when you place your order, if possible.

Anyone and everyone can order from our deliveries, not just "subscribers"! To any newcomers on the e-list, welcome! Also rest assured that all farms contributing to our deliveries all meet several standards: chemical-free, sustainable, natural, family farming... If you have questions about any of them, don't hesitate to ask, or check them out yourself!

To order, click here and specify what you would like.
All checks go to "Dee Creek Farm", or bring cash.
**BRING YOUR OWN BAG**
We fill pre-orders first, then it’s first come, first served!
We do mostly pre-orders at deliveries, rather than Farmers Market style.
Please help us in this by pre-ordering what you can!

Summer & Spark
Email
Farm Phone: 360-225-9711
Cell Phone: 360-903-6956 (no service at the Farm)

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Camas Farmer's Market - 6.24.2009

Here's the scoop on the Camas Farmer's Market for tomorrow:

The diversity of foods you will find at the market is amazing. What is on your grocery list? Onions, asparagus, potatoes, zucchini, carrots, beets, lettuce, honey, bacon, eggs, pork chops, lamb, cherries, strawberries, apples, dressings, seasonings, cheese, bread and maybe a treat of cookies, toffee or baklava? You can find all these items and more in downtown Camas on Wednesdays from 3pm-7pm! Shop at the market and you will vote with your dollars for sustainable agriculture, connect with your community and have all the ingredients for a fabulous farm fresh meal!

One more week until the 2nd annual Most Marvelous Mutt of Camas contest. Bring your dog down on July 1st to be registered at 3pm. The dog show will start at 4pm. Read more...

Also on July 1st, Bill Baines will be back with his mobile knife sharpening unit. Bring your knives, gardening tools, food processor blades, kitchen shears, and lawn mower blades (remove them from the mower!) to be sharpened onsite at very reasonable prices. You can find Bill at the corner of Fourth and Everett.

The market is every Wednesday from 3:00pm to 7:00pm, in front of the Camas Public Library, on Fourth Avenue between NE Everett and NE Franklin until September 30th.

Schedule and Products for June 24th

Kid's Activity - 3pm-7pm, Dot painting day
Chef Connection - at 4pm, Morgan McColum, chef at Twilight Pizza Bistro

WSU Master Gardeners - will be at the market information booth with plenty of literature and knowledge to answer your gardening and composting questions.

A quick run down of some of the farmers and vendors:

Berry Fresh - Sylvan berries
Boones Ferry Berry Farms - raspberries and Hood strawberries
Brun's Bakery - French white loaf, French rye baguette, apple cake, chocolate cookies, gluten free chocolate cookies, hot lips soda
Draper Girls' Country Farm - cherries, lamb, pork, dried apples, apples, pears, cider
Duyck's Peachy-Pig Farm - cherries, hazelnuts, walnuts, prunes, strawberries, honey
Flower Child Botanicals - potted perennials
The Garlic Lady - hand stuffed olives, pickled vegetables and garlic, drink mixes and gourmet natural cooking and beverage sauces
Gumbo Goddess - cajun cuisine with a southern twist - offering vegetarian and flourless options
Heather's Toffees - eight flavors of gourmet, hand-made toffee made with organic ingredients
Hill Tree Farms - flowers
Iko Farms - onions, asparagus, potatoes, beets, carrots, zucchini
Lacamas Lavender - lavender plants and items, eggs and honey
Mac's Garden - lettuce, Swiss chard, basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, lemon balm, potted plants
Nature's Choice/Dee Creek Farm - cheese, mushrooms (fresh premium wild porcini & morels, organic shiitake & maitake), wild huckleberry jam & syrup, raw unfiltered honey, spring peas, pure mushroom seasonings,
pure, dried ground wild elderberry powder
Nutz-R-Us - candied nuts, caramel apples
Paper Tiger Coffee Roasters - artisan roasted specialty coffee beans
"Pop-a-Bak" - variety of fruit filled baklava and Greek gyros
Rosemattel's - lettuce, kale, plant starts
Russell's Breads - garlic parmesan, kalamata olive, challah, brioche, whole wheat pumpkin scones, cookies, pumpkin bread
Svitoch European Bakery - baked goods, bread, cookies, pastries
Sweet Al's Cookin - BBQ chicken, beans, salad
Twin Brooks Herb Farm - heirloom tomato plants, vegetable starts, herb plants, camas lilies
Xiong Farms - tulips, irises, wallflowers, and many more flowers
Zabor Mexican Grill - homemade tamales, tacos, burritos, quesadillas, taco salad, strawberry-ade.

We welcome your comments - please send an e-mail or leave a comment on our blog.

Please invite your friends to join the Market's mailing list. E-mails will be sent out by Tuesdays giving you notification of featured local musicians, the chef's connection, kid's activities and a quick run down of the products you will find for each market day.

The Camas Farmer's Market is an all volunteer, non-profit organization. Please help grow your market, to bring fresh local foods to our community, by volunteering. Whether you can spare just an hour or many more we would love to have you join our team. Sign up for our email list and be sure to check the Market Volunteer box on the registration page.

Sincerely,

The Camas Farmer's Market Board

Monday, June 22, 2009

Celebrate Summer With the Vancouver Food Co-op

Celebrate Summer With the Vancouver Food Co-op
hosted by Mint Tea, 2014 Main Street, Vancouver
Drinks and hors d'oeuvres
Thursday, June 25, 2009
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Enjoy a friendly cocktail hour at Mint Tea. Learn more about the
Co-op and chat it up with folks who care about fresh, local food.

Vancouver Food Co-op: Share the vision. Buy a share. Get involved.

www.vancouverfood.coop
e-mail
360-694-8094

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Locavore Delivery & Garden DElights Jelly Sale! - 6.18.2009

We have a sale this week. The Garden Delight jellies need to move (more coming!). If you can use one, they're 20% off this week, at $4/each!


'Til soon! ~S

*****

Dee Creek Farm Cheeses, from start to finish
Our cheese can also be found at the Wednesday & Thursday Portland Farmers Market, Wednesday evening Interstate Farmers Market, the Saturday Vancouver Farmers Market - and Nature's Choice is carrying our cheeses now at the Camas Farmers Market on Wednesdays! Woodland Farmers Market begins THIS Friday for the season - and we may be represented there, too!
Aged Feta, $5.00/container - Creamy and salty. This weeks salad: romaine & wild greens, toasted pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries, and Cylas cheese crumbles with apricot vinaigrette. Sounds more Fall-y, but still delish!
Plain - block or crumble
Marinated - cubes - in olive oil with Garden Delight herbs
Kalamata Olive Tapenade - crumbles
Spicy - crumbles - peppers from Red Basket CSA farm in Battle Ground
Fresh Chevre, $5.00/container - Creamy - great on crepes, bagels, crackers, veggies...
Garlic Chive - garlic from Storytree Farm, chives from DCF
Dill Herb - herbs from Garden Delight
Strawberry Honey - fresh fruit from Pdx Farmers Market, honey from Honey House Farm
Original (Plain)

Eggs,
$5/dozen, ($4.50 per dozen for egg CSA'ers)
$2.50/half-dozen (limited)
We have very few extra DCF or Creative Outlet eggs this week, so order fast! Creative Outlet chickens, like ours, are fed only natural feeds and lots of pasture - you can find lots of info on our poultry-raising on our website. Be sure to recycle egg cartons that you pick up at our deliveries with us!

Fresh Fruit & Berries,
Strawberries from NW Organic Farm in Ridgefield - certified organic, $4/pint, $38/flat

Wild & Naturally Preserved Eats,
Mushrooms, Fresh (1/4# bags) -
Maitake $4.00
Shiitake $3.00 (beautiful #1's - limited seasonal supply)
Mushrooms, Dried (cello packs - choose one, not mixed packets)
Chanterelle, Lobsters, or Shiitake, $2.00
Maitake or Porcini, $3.00
Matsutake or Morels, $4.00
Dried Snack & Meal Helpers (chopped, diced, sliced, portioned & pkg'd for 1-2 meals)
Organic Red Onions, $1.25
Organic Heirloom Tomatoes, $2.00

Dried Herbs, $4/packet
From Garden DElights in Brush Prairie, these herbs were hand prepared from chemical-free herbs. There are several mixes available, including: Grilling Blend, Poultry Blend, and Veggies & Soups. Ask if you want to have a look/smell/feel at deliveries!

Canned "Preserves", low sugar
Strawberry Jelly,
Raspberry,
White Grape,
On sale - 20% off at $4/each jar for the above. The above also come from Garden DElights, in Brush Prairie. A multi generational farm, this Mom and daughter team work hard on creating healthful, local, and delicious foods. Generally known for their herb packets & natural doggy treats, they are also a produce CSA farm and have value-added products!
Wild Huckleberry Jam, 7oz., $5.00
Wild Huckleberry Syrup, 8oz., $5.00
These two huckleberry delights are wild-gathered by Nature's Choice, and are made with white grape concentrate. Both are almost sugar free!

Hot Lips Soda, $2.50/bottle
We still have just a few Strawberry soda's up for grabs, leftover from our Memorial Day concert at the Farm. These sodas are made with organic cane sugar, Oregon & Washington fruits (you'll get pieces in your drink), and are delicious.

*****

Remember that in an effort to be more efficient, and less wasteful, we do not write individual receipts, but instead keep a book. If you specifically want a receipt, please let us know when you place your order, if possible.

Anyone and everyone can order from our deliveries, not just "subscribers"! To any newcomers on the e-list, welcome! Also rest assured that all farms contributing to our deliveries all meet several standards: chemical-free, sustainable, natural, family farming... If you have questions about any of them, don't hesitate to ask, or check them out yourself!

To order, click here and specify what you would like.
All checks go to "Dee Creek Farm", or bring cash.
**BRING YOUR OWN BAG**
We fill pre-orders first, then it’s first come, first served!
We do mostly pre-orders at deliveries, rather than Farmers Market style.
Please help us in this by pre-ordering what you can!

Summer & Spark
Email
Farm Phone: 360-225-9711
Cell Phone: 360-903-6956 (no service at the Farm)

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Wishing You Had Signed Up For A CSA This Season?

Well you're in luck! The growing season is just starting to ramp up and there is plenty of time left to enjoy the bounty of our awesome Southwest Washington CSA farms. Here is a short list of a few CSAs that still have space for one or two more shareholders.


Dancing Crane - Battle Ground - SHARES AVAILABLE
Bernie Crane - 360-687-1210
incana@teleport.com


Gee Creek Farm - Ridgefield - SHARES AVAILABLE
Lyle Stanley - 360-887-0463
www.geecreekfarm.com

Gus & Co. - Ridgefield - SHARES AVAILABLE
April Jones - 360-601-6671
www.gusandco.org

Providence House Farm - LaCenter - SHARES AVAILABLE
Tammy Woltersdorf - 360-904-2578
providencehousefarm@gmail.com

Red Basket Farm - Battle Ground - SHARES AVAILABLE
Kate Rae - 360-687-7030
bkaterae@comcast.net

Rosemattel’s CSA - Vancouver - SHARES AVAILABLE
Brenda Millar-Stanton - 360-576-9767
otbgsm@yahoo.com

Wisteria Gardens, Inc. - Vancouver - Brush Prairie - SHARES AVAILABLE
Kevin & Jo Lyn Cornelsen - 360-907-1151
www.wisteriaphotos.com

Call around to a few farms and talk to the farmers. They all have different personalities, different crop varieties, and different programs. I know you'll find one that feels like a good fit for you. These folks are some of the most passionate growers you'll ever meet and they are all dedicated to providing you and your family with the healthiest, freshest food available ANYWHERE. If my little, amateur, urban plot is any indication of how productive this season is going to be, I am confident that the pros will have you up to your ears in outstanding food for the next few months.

Now go and git yer CSA on!!

Friday, June 12, 2009

Gardening by the Square Foot Class @ EcolutionNW - 6.18.2009

Here comes another cool educational event hosted by the good folks @ EcolutionNW:

Gardening by the Square Foot
06/18/2009
6:30p.m. - 8:00p.m.

Ecolution NW LLC
1709 Broadway
Vancouver, 98663
Phone: 360.601.8454
Contact name: Heidi Olsen
E-Mail
www.ecolutionnw.com

Price: 12.00

Gardening by the square foot taught by Tricia Gehl will be a fact filled hands on class filled with like minded people. Why plant a million seeds and then pluck them out and throw them away? Thinning is a way of the past with this innovative and productive way of gardening.

Class starts at 6:30 on June 18th at 1709 Broadway, Vancouver at Ecolution NW
Come prepared with a notebook and pen and your brain ready to learn. This will be a fun one that you will be able to use whether you are already gardening or just a beginner. Space is limited please pre-register with Heidi at heidi@ecolutionnw.com to attend. 12.00 fee per person

-Happy Gardening

Summer Solstice in the County Farm Tour - 6.20.2009

Summer Solstice in the Country Farm Tour - Hosted by Garden DElights

June 20th, 2009
10am to 3pm

Save the date for our annual summer farm tour with two other farms in Brush Prairie, Half Moon Farms and Scented Acres, on a short loop for a fun and easy family trip.

Garden DElights
15417 NE Parkinen Road
Brush Prairie, 98606
Phone: 360-892-4479
Contact name: Erin Harwood or Eloyce O'Connor
E-mail

Price: FREE

Three farms in Brush Prairie showcasing unique offerings will be open for visitors on June 20th, the summer solstice. A short loop through Brush Prairie will take you to Scented Acres Lavender Farm on Highway 503, then a turn to the right through “downtown” Brush Prairie and off towards Hockinson on 159th St will take you to Half Moon Farm then just a quick ride to Parkinen Rd gets you to Garden Delights. Scented Acres offers a multitude of lavender products, goats and chickens for viewing while Half Moon Farm brings you a large variety of plants, honey and chickens, too and lastly Garden Delights has a great many herb products for people and pets, horses and cows and classes for parents on herbs and farm fresh food for babies. Get out into the country and see what local farms have to offer.

Check out the Google Map of the farm loop

Join us for the following events at the farm:

10:30 am and 1:30 pm
Compost Tours - see our aerated compost system and meet the Chief Composter, Al

11:00 am - $5 for those wanting to make & take home samples. Bring a picnic and stay for lunch!
Herbs for Babies - Join Erin & Kieran (our newest addition!) and learn how you can use herbs and some common household ingredients to easily and quickly create your own natural soothing skin products.

1:00 pm - free recipes
Far
m Fresh Baby Food - Erin & Kieran will discuss how to utilize the upcoming farm fresh bounty to easily make your own baby foods, cheaper than you can buy from the store. We'll cover making, storing, and flavoring common farm foods appropriate for baby. Best of all you'll know exactly where you food is coming from when you buy local and what's in your baby's food when you make your own.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Rosemattel's CSA Open House

Announcing The Spring Open House at Rosemattel's Farm
Friday, June 19th, 10-7pm
10311 NE 72nd ave Vancouver WA 98686
(360) 576-9767
Google directions from your departing address!

A Dinner Together Chef Anna Petrulo will be offering samples of her seasonal edibles made with produce from the farm and from other local growers from 11am-3pm.

Honey Bee Information from the farm's Bee Professional who maintains hives at the farm

Plant and Herb Sale

Farm Walks

BG Farmers Market Information Booth

Local produce, honey, jams, pickles, etc available for purchase

CSA Subscription sign up information for Rosemattel's

Azure Standard Opportunity for local folks who would be interested in ordering in bulk to be picked up at the farm

Vancouver Food Coop Info

Propagation Demo

Local Artisan vendor booths (spaces still available, contact me!)

Kiddie play area

Hen Watching area

Low impact gardening/farming discussions

and much, much more!

RSVP not needed, anyone can come!

Suggested donations for plant a row for the hungry campaign-bring a veggie plant or come get some free carrot seeds, plant row market and brochure to get involved.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Camas Farmer's Market - 6.10.2009

Here's the latest news from the Camas Farmer's Market. The market is open every Wednesday from 3:00pm to 7:00pm, in front of the Camas Public Library, on Fourth Avenue between NE Everett and NE Franklin until September 30th.

The market had another fabulous day last week, but boy was it hot. This week we should have perfect temperatures around 73 degrees, so come on down! We have a special event this week, a Cookbook and Gardening swap, read more...

We'll have lots of the sweetest strawberries you can find. Our cooking demo, starting at 4pm at NE Franklin and NE 4th will give you all sorts of ideas to use fresh, local, sweet strawberries. We may have cherries as early as next week.

This Wednesday we are excited to have goat cheese from Dee Creek Farm. You will be able sample the cheeses from Dee Creek and the jams from Nature's Choice (they can be found at the same booth at the Northwest corner of the market).

Don't forget to stop by the info booth to purchase your market tokens, with your credit and debit cards. Use them at the market (the vendors give change) or give them as gifts for Dads, Grads or Teachers.

A couple vendors are offering vegetarian dishes and gluten free cookies and cakes.

Schedule and Products for June 10th

Kid's Activity - 3pm-7pm, Book mark creations and book readings in conjunction with the Cookbook and Gardening Book Swap.
Chef Connection - at 4pm, Come find out what you can do with a flat of strawberries.
Music - from 5pm-7pm, Richie Bean www.myspace.com/RichieBeanSolo
WSU Master Gardeners - will be at the market information booth with plenty of literature and knowledge to answer your gardening and composting questions.


A quick run down of some of the farmers and vendors:
Boones Ferry Berry Farms - strawberries
Brun's Bakery - French white loaf, French rye baguette, apple cake, chocolate cookies, gluten free chocolate cookies, gluten free apple cake
Camas Roots - compost tea
Draper Girls' Country Farm - lamb, pork, dried apples, apples, pears
Half Moon Farm - honey, plants, eggs
Hill Tree Farms - flowers
Iko Farms - onions, asparagus, potatoes, beets
The Garlic Lady - hand stuffed olives, pickled vegetables and garlic, drink mixes and gourmet natural cooking and beverage sauces
Gumbo Goddess - cajun cuisine with a southern twist - offering vegetarian and flourless options
Nature's Choice/Dee Creek Farm - cheese, mushrooms (fresh premium wild porcini & morels, organic shiitake & maitake), wild huckleberry jam & syrup, raw unfiltered honey
Nutz-R-Us - candied nuts
Paper Tiger Coffee Roasters - artisan roasted specialty coffee beans
"Pop-a-Bak" - variety of fruit filled baklava and Greek gyros
Rosemattel's - lettuce, kale, plant starts
Russell's Breads - garlic parmesan, kalamata olive, challah, brioche, whole wheat pumpkin scones, cookies, pumpkin bread
Sweet Al's Cookin - BBQ chicken, beans, salad
Twin Brooks Herb Farm - heirloom tomato plants, vegetable starts, herb plants, camas lilies
Xiong Farms - tulips, irises, wallflowers, and many more flowers
Zabor Mexican Grill - homemade tamales, tacos, burritos, quesadillas


We welcome your comments - please send an e-mail to info at camasfarmersmarket dot org or leave a comment on our blog.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Beets From Hell or Monsanto vs. Morton?

Cross-contamination of non-GMO farmers fields and Monsanto Frankenseed genetic material? Nu-uh, no way, could never happen...but if it does, they can sue you for illegally growing their patented genes. It's already happened over and over again in Canada and the US, where agribusiness plays a leading role in the policy shaping of the fascist, corporate controlled government. And in Mexico, ancient varieties of maize and the traditions that surround them will be lost forever due to GMO cross-contamination. Now it's happening right in our own backyard and there's not a damn thing we're going to be able to do about it. It's a Pandora's box and you can't put the lid back on.

I say this is a load of dung. I say we need to stop the production of GMO seeds and the cultivation of GMO crops now. If Monsanto can't control their little monsters, then they shouldn't be allowed to create them. Seriously folks. As more and more GMO material cross-contaminates the fields of our nation's farms, the more likely it is that we will see an end to the local agriculture movement, the hope of creating a secure food system that is accessible to all people...rich and poor alike will never be achieved, traditional crops and the cultures that rely on those crops will disappear, and the non-Monsanto co-op, family farm will be come extinct. Monsanto will own all of the crops grown in the Northern Hemisphere, if not the entire world. And we'll all be eating soylent green before it's all over. We CANNOT let this happen. For the sake of our children and all future generations, we have a responsibility to protect non-patented crop varieties and to secure our food supply. The US justice system and the Obama administration are NOT going to help us on this issue. We are on our own to force this issue into the spotlight and to right the wrongdoings of Monsanto and other agribusiness entities who are continuing to use our food supply and our human population as their personal playthings. Boycott any and all products and businesses who use or produce GMO crops, write to your legislators (for what little good it may do), and support groups trying to fight for anti-GMO policy.

The following article spotlights Frank Morton. For those of you who don't know Frank or his work, let me start by saying we are very fortunate to have him living and working in our neck of the woods. He's an Oregon-based farmer and an independent plant breeder/seedsman who has developed numerous outstanding edibles that do very well in the Pacific NW climate. But if Monsanto finds any of their genes in his future seed production he could very well be out of business. And all they have to do is order a few packets of his seeds every year until they find that a significant percentage contains their patented genetic material. Then the litigation will commence and like many other American and Canadian farmers, Frank will either be fighting a losing battle if he goes to court or he'll have to settle, sign a gag order about the litigation and settlement, and pay Monsanto for their trouble and his "transgression".

Alright, I'm off of my soapbox now. Here's something written by a professional journalist for you to read.

Battle Over Beets

Organic seed producer Frank Morton has been warning people for years that genetically modified organisms pose a serious threat to the Willamette Valley’s vegetable seed industry.

Now he thinks his worst GMO nightmare may be coming true.

Roundup Ready sugar beets — a patented variety engineered by Monsanto to tolerate the company’s widely used Roundup herbicide — have turned up in a soil mixture being sold to gardeners at a Corvallis landscaping supply business just a few miles from Morton’s fields.

He fears some of those roots may now be sprouting in area gardens. If so, they could soon start to bolt, sending out clouds of pollen that could fertilize his crop of golden chard — a closely related plant — and render it worthless for the organic seed market. It would also negate years of breeding that went into producing an especially cold-hardy line.

Worse still, Morton says, the GMO sugar beets could cross-pollinate the fields of other chard growers in the area who supply seed to major bagged-salad distributors in California, potentially introducing genetically modified chard into the food system without the approval of federal regulators.

Read the entire article HERE.

Monday, June 1, 2009

A Clark County Farm Tour With the Urban Farm School - 6.14.2009

It’s time to take a tour!

Join the Urban Farm School on Sunday, June 14 for our Local Food Field Trip. We will be visiting Storytree Farm CSA, Bi-Zi Farms farm stand, Bethany Vineyards Winery, and Toree’s backyard farm. We are so excited about this event and the opportunity to share a little of the bounty that Clark County offers. We will be driving so you can enjoy the afternoon and a glass of wine or two with no worries. At each stop we will be taking a tour and learning a little about the farm itself and what part it takes in the local food community straight from the farmer’s mouths. Bring along your appetite as we will have a local snack prepared for you to eat at Bethany Vineyards to accompany your wine and be sure to bring your shopping bag to pick up some goodies for the week. This is a great event to share with friends or family, a great way to celebrate a graduation, birthday, or wedding.

We are thankful to all the farms for having us and for providing such a unique experience for Urban Farm School. We look forward to spending the afternoon with you all! Please, contact us soon to register as this is a limited space event! 360-907-5814 or via e-mail. $50/person. Fee includes: transportation, snack, education, and tours.

A little snippet of the farms ~

Bethany Vineyards (www.bethanyvineyards.com)
Located in Ridgefield, Washington, Bethany Vineyard and Winery combines the best traditions of winemaking with the nearly perfect growing climate of southwest Washington to produce a wine with distinct flavor and character. Their wines represent a careful selection of grapes, grown in small blocks, hand picked, and skillfully produced. Bethany Vineyards celebrated it’s 6th year in May 2009 and hosts a summer concert series “Music in the Vines.” Visit their site for details.


BiZi Farms (www.bizifarms.com)

Bi-Zi Farms is a family owned and operated farm originally established by Gabrial Zimmerman in 1872 when he purchased 180 acres from Gottlieb Wagonblast. The current owners are the 4th and 5th generations on the farm. The Farmstand is open year-round and offers Clark County and Pacific Northwest crops such as strawberries, asparagus, berries, lettuce, herbs, flowers, apples, squash, pumpkins, bread, eggs and a bevy of other in-season crops.


Storytree Farm CSA (www.storytreefarm.com)

Storytree Farm is a locally-owned and family operated CSA farm in the Pleasant Highlands neighborhood of Vancouver, Washington. Their mission is to grow fresh, tasty chemical-free vegetables, fruits & herbs using natural methods. They reject the use of GMO seed. All of their shares are sold out for the 2009 season but visit their site for information about their annual tour, classes, and other on-farm events.


Toree’s Urban Farm

Take a peak into Toree’s urban farm in the Fircrest Neighborhood and what can be done on a subdivision lot. Chickens, fruiting trees and shrubs, and prolific vegetable garden are all featured in this amazing backyard setting. See what hard work and vision can do in three short years.

Note from Glenn: I entered this blog post into the Food Renegade Fight Back Friday's Blog Carnival. Go check out the carnival to read more cool stuff about SOLE food.

SOLE (Sustainable, Organic, Local, and Ethical) food, traditional food, primal food, REAL food, the list goes on. ..