Preserving the Harvest Class - 9.25.2010

Preserving the Harvest
September 25th, 2pm-5pm
Vancouver, WA
Hosted by Gertrude & Dee Creek Farm
$35/person - RSVP Required

"Preserving the Harvest is a fun, hands on class devoted to the understanding of traditional food storage techniques that use the basic gifts of earth, air, water and salt to put up food in a creative and individual way, to best enhance the flavor, nutrition, over-all health and pure excitement of fresh, local whole food and garden harvests. This class is poetry in motion and participants are encouraged to bring their ideas, questions and recipes, every class is unique!" ~ Gertrude

Attendees will have the opportunity to sign up to the instructors Google group, where there is continued shared interaction and bulk food buying opportunities. We also will have some herbs available for sale (and/or sharing - so please bring anything you have extra of) at class.

This instructor is a wealth of information, and could answer nearly any question, I'm certain (tho' won't hold her to it). She's easy to understand, and makes all of these things so simple & normal and encouraging.  She has been a long-time customer of DCF, and a committed Locavore in our community, with two boys needing maximum nutrition to keep their health maintained.

To register for the class, email me your interest,
And confirm with your admission fees (at deliveries or by mail)
Class space is limited
Bring snacks - for yourself, or to share!

I think there is no better time than now, when the economy is struggling,
to learn old-fashioned ways of living!

Email
Farm Phone: 360-225-9711
Cell Phone: 360-903-6956 (no service at the Farm)
Blog: http://summersperspective.wordpress.com

The Camas Farmer’s welcomes Recycleman!

The Camas Farmer’s Market will once again be hosting Recycleman on Wednesday, September 8th.  For over ten years, Recycleman has performed at schools, camps and fairs inspiring, educating and entertaining thousands of students. In his superhero costume made out of recycled trash - complete with a truck inner tube kilt - Recycleman is able to capture kids' and adults' attention and get them excited about recycling and other eco-friendly messages.


Peter DuBois, aka Recycleman, works during the day as Sustainability Coordinator  for Clark County Washington.  During his off time Peter assumes the identity of Recycleman and takes working vacations to tour the Pacific Northwest to promote his original music with a message. You may have seen Recycleman perform in his award winning music video "Away with Waste."  


The Market is a celebration of our region’s agricultural bounty. Each Wednesday the market fills up with freshly harvested seasonal produce, flowers, pastured meat, eggs, crafted cheese and prepared foods. Fill your shopping basket, chat with a farmer, get cooking tips from local cooks and enjoy local music—all in one place—or even speak to a Master Gardner about your garden questions.  This year the Market will run every Wednesday from May 26th to September 29th in Historic Downtown Camas.


When:
Wednesday, September 8th, from 3pm-7:30pm.


Schedule:
3 p.m. to 7 p.m.: The Kid's Connection booth will have recyclables available for sorting, making instruments and other related activities.
5 p.m. to 7 p.m:  Recycle Man will perform in our Market Music Tent, inviting children of all ages to join him in recycled music


Where:
In front of the Camas Public Library, on Fourth Avenue between NE Everett and NE Franklin.

Vancouver Farmers Market Heads East

Clark County’s newest farmers market, the Vancouver Farmers Market – East, will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays from Sept. 18th through Oct. 30 at the Evergreen Public Schools center at 13501 N.E. 28th St.

The market's grand opening will be on Sept. 18.

Vermicomposting Class at Northwest Redworms - 9.11.2010

Clark County's very own resident worm rancher, chicken coop builder and compost maker, Doug Knippel is holding another great vermicomposting (composting with worms) class next week.  Keep on reading to get the scoop straight from Doug.


Vermicompost Class 


I want to compost with redworms, but...? 


This is a class that is suitable for all levels of adult compost enthusiasts. Although if you are a beginner it would be a good idea to read some of the basics about composting on our other pages before you come out. We will cover: 


Types of compost and when you should use them 
Compost and redworm biology 
Compost systems for redworms and other types of compost 
Setting up, feeding and harvesting your compost 
Compost critters - good, bad and ugly 
Common problems and the solutions 
How long to compost and how to harvest 
and much more. 


This class is a little bit of lecture and then hands on or "hands in" to your compost. I think it's a good idea to see what you need before you get started, how it works and with what options. There is a 10 page hand out of information that comes with the class so you don't have to take notes (at least not too many). You must sign up in advance so we know how many copies of handouts to have on hand. 


Remember bring lots of questions!!! 


Vermicomposting is fun and it's a hobby that can have many questions. If you want be the neighborhood authority on "how to compost with redworms", these are the classes to take. See the tools we use and the systems we have available to make this an effective recycling adventure that anyone can do. . 


Northwest Redworms 
806 NE 202 Ave, Camas WA 98607 
360-513-7251 


See our compost class page to sign up! Compost class link 

My Contiguous County Companion...The Cowlitz Locavorian!

Check it out. Our neighbors to the north have a blogger who is writing all about food and agriculture ...just like me...except she writes all about the culinary capers of Cowlitz County. Very cool stuff, Elizabeth!

The Cowlitz Locavorian

Thar's OIL in Camas!!

Olive oil, that is.

I've been slacking on my Clark County gastronomic safari's this summer, but school and the wee ones have had me pretty well tied up. That being said I've heard some very nice things about a new specialty food shop in Camas called Navidi's Olive Oil & Vinegars. Although I can't give a firsthand review, I'd like to at least pass along a nice e-mail I received from one of the proprietor's, Ken Navidi.

Glenn,

I know we do not carry products grown in Clark County but we are a small Ma & Pa convenience store operating in small downtown Camas. We would appreciate playing a role on your website, maybe writing an article on the health benefits of the Medeterranean Diet (particularly Extra Virgin Olive Oil & Italian Balsamic Vinegars).

We carry a unique product line. We have over 48 different Extra Virgin Olive Oils & Balsamic Vinegars. We also have 22 different loose tea dispensers, 22 different Sea Salts, Pastas & Saffron. We carry products not found in Whole Foods or Trader Joes, such as French Roasted Walnut Oil & White Truffle Sea Salt.

We were a finalist in SW Washington’s Business Growth Awards, Startup or the year!

Please drop by our store, we have true “taste – before- you –buy” policy!

Ken Navidi

Navidi’s olive Oil & Vinegars

322 NE Cedar St.

Camas, WA 98607

(360) 600-9836

www.navidioils.com

So next time you're antique and boutiquing or grazing at the Camas Farmers' Market, sounds like Navidi's is a no brainer for a side trip. Hopefully we'll see some guest blogging here by Ken in the near future too!

 

More News On Chuck's Produce & Street Market

http://www.columbian.com/news/2010/aug/31/grocer-plans-october-opening-in-joes-spot/

Gorge Grown Food Network Annual Feast on the Farm - 9.12.2010

Here's a GREAT way to wrap up a day in the Gorge. Go for a a waterfall hike or explore the Tom McCall Preserve, drink a couple of beers at the Thirsty Woman in Mosier, then head out to the Feast on the Farm.

Save the date for this year's 3rd Annual Feast on the Farm! Our annual harvest party is open to everyone and is a chance to support Gorge Grown, celebrate the region's farmers and food producers, and enjoy an entirely local menu, live music, and lots of fun amidst a gorgeous cherry orchard.

Sunday, September 12, 4 - 8 PM

Idiot's Grace Farm & Orchard in Mosier, OR

ADULTS $25 advance, $30 at the door

CHILDREN $10 for ages 4 and up, under 4 FREE!

Live music from Steve Einhorn and Kate Power

   -- including a kids' ukulele workshop!

Fantastic Dinner Dishes from:

Nora's Table

Celilo

Solstice Wood Fire Cafe

Stonehedge Gardens

Good River

Sophie's

Brian's Pourhouse

6th Street Bistro

Wildflower Chef Services

Henni’s Kitchen and Bar

Directions:

From I-84 Eastbound or Westbound, take Exit 69 for Mosier, OR. Head east through Mosier on Highway 30. From the Mosier Creek bridge, Idiot's Grace is about 1 mile east on Highway 30. Look for a gravel driveway and signs on the right. VIEW A PRINTABLE MAP HERE.

  

If you're interested in volunteering, please contact Sarah at sarah@gorgegrown.com or 541-490-6420.

Visit the Gorge Grown web site for more info and to purchase tickets online.

The Great Downtown Mushroom Hunt! - .9.25.2010

The Great Downtown Mushroom Hunt
September 25, 3-5:30
Turtle Place / 7th and Main


Whether you hunt them (Safeway? In the woods?), grow them yourself, love them or fear them………..mushrooms are a fabulous add to your dining experience.  Come get up close and personal with these exciting fungi and the folks who know all about them.
  
Sample delicious appetizers prepared onsite by some of downtown’s best chefs……..there’s even something for your “little sprouts” to enjoy while you enjoy live music, mushroom munchies, and a beer garden (By the Bottle will bring their best).


3:00 Come on by for a little mushroom love  We'll have music, fun, and a little something to learn…you CAN be the Fun Guy at the Party!


4:30 Mushroom appetizer “best of ‘sho-MUSHROOM!” contest.  Who will win?  Rosemary’s?  The Grant House? Gray’s at the Park? Tommy O’s? Tiger Garden? Charlie’s Bistro?  Hey……more are joining this competition every day!  We are serious about our mushrooms in the ‘Couve!


By 5:30…….Here comes the HUNT part of the party.  Wander over to the downtown restaurant or lounge that has added YOUR favorite mushroom dish to their menu for the evening. 

SW Washington Labor Day Weekend Wineries Tour

Labor Day Weekend Wine Tour

September 4, 2010 to September 5, 2010

11:00am-6:00pm

Vancouver and Southwest Washington-area wineries host the Labor Day Weekend Wine Tour. Eleven of Southwest Washington's wineries, some only open for special events, will welcome visitors for wine tastings. To download a PDF version of a map which shows the location of these participating wineries, please click on the link below.

Location:

Southwest Washington Wineries

Bethany Vineyards and Winery; Rusty Grape Vineyard; Three Brothers Vineyard and Winery; East Fork Cellars; Confluence Vineyard and Winery; English Estates; Olequa Cellars; Heisen House Vineyards; Gouger Cellars Winery; Bader Winery; and Benke Cellars

WINERY MAP

Chuck's Produce & Street Market

Looks like opening day is getting nearer for Chuck's Produce & Street Market. Here's a link to their website:

http://www.chucksproduce.com/

It's just a single splash page, but keep checking back for more news.

Here's my report on my visit to Chuck's

Second Butchering Class @ Olympic Provisions - 9.12.2010

Due to popular demand, join us for butchery class number two: Peach fed pigs, butchery basics and the art of making fresh sausage.


Thanks so much to everyone who signed up for our very first butchery class and for expressing such interest in and enthusiasm for it!  Susan and Wolfgang have another beautiful peach-fed pig for us, so we're going to offer the same class the following weekend as well.  Eli Cairo and his right-hand man, Josh Graves (formerly of Fleischer's Meats), will go over whole animal butchery with hands-on demonstrations and the basics of fresh sausage making.  Attendees will leave with a well-rounded grasp of butchery basics, along with a couple choice cuts of meat and some fresh sausages.  Class is limited to twenty attendees.  


Date:  Sunday, September 12th
Location: Olympic Provisions, 107 SE Washington
Time:  2:00 - 5:00pm
Cost:  $125.00 


Please call or email to sign up for the class and for more information.  


The fine print:  Payment for class must be made upon sign-up.  We accept VISA, MC, AMEX and DISCOVER.  Full refunds for cancellations will be granted until Friday, August 27, 2010.  Cancellations made after this date will forfeit any refund.   


Visit our website:
www.olympicprovisions.com 


Give us a call:
503.954.3663


E-Mail

Salmon Creek Farmers' Market - 8.26.2010

The bluegrass gospel group, Misty Mamas, will entertain us on Thursday, August  26th – from 5 to 7.  More corn is coming from Thoeny Farms, not to mention all of the freshly harvested SW produce provided by our vendors.  We’re moving swiftly into peak harvesting season for our local area.


For Thursday evening’s dinner, look for PIZZA, served freshly and directly by Russell’s Bread’s mobile pizza oven, making its debut visit at the Salmon Creek Farmers’ Market.  Foody Blues BBQ continues to provide ribs and chicken (and grilled corn) and Felida’s Farrar’s Bistro will be there with all kinds of nifty-tasting wraps.


For the kids, don’t forget the Barnyard – and the turkey and cheese sandwiches made especially for them by Farrar’s Bistro.


We had no takers for the Market Basket last week.  Give this some thought and we’ll try it again this week.  Order via email in advance based upon a list of products that the vendors provide on Wednesday.  Pick it up at the market by 7:15 p.m., Thursday.  Great for those of you who whose work keeps you until 7 p.m., or whose kids’ soccer practices keep you from getting to the market on time.  You’ll hear more about this on our website, on Facebook and an email to follow on Wednesday.


Salmon Creek Farmers' Market

THURSDAYS
3:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Conveniently located at the west end of NE 139th Street.
On the north side and west side of the Three Creeks Library and Salmon Creek Fred Meyer.

Lasagna Gardening Workshop - 8.21.2010

Clark County Homegrown Gardens will be hosting a 'Lasagna Gardening' Workshop on Saturday August 21, 2010 from 10:00 AM to 12 Noon. The workshop is free, but registration is required. Participants will receive information regarding the location of the workshop at the time of registration.

Get Your Pressure Checked!

Well the food preserving season has been a bit slow to go this year, but it's always a good time to have a safety check done on the old pressure canner. The good folks from the local WSU Extension Service would love to help you with that task, so make a date and get your pressure checked!

Pressure Gauge Testing: Dial gauges need to be tested each year for accuracy.

Volunteer master food preservers will test gauges at Wilco, 815 W. Main St., Battle Ground, from 11 a.m. to noon Aug. 28, Sept. 11 and 25 and Oct. 9. $3 for each lid tested.

WSU Clark County Extension Food Safety hot line, 360-397-6060, ext. 5366."

Farm To Family at the BG Farmers Market This Friday!

This Friday starting at 1:30 the BG Farmers Market has partnered with WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program, Farm to Family Project and WSU Extension to educate the public about healthy eating! 2.00 produce vouchers will be distributed to the local WIC clients to use at the BG Farmers Market, bags of produce will be handed out to selected families, and Sandy Brown from the local extension will be doing some raw veggie samples for you to try! Pick up a flyer from the Market Manager Booth to learn about seasonal eating and information about the Plant A Row For The Hungry campaign as well!

Holy Smokes BBQ will be there and longtime vendors Two Creeks Farms, Herrs Farms, Griffin Woodworks, Rosemattel's Farm, Iko Farms and more!

Remember, anything fresher is still growing!


The BG Farmers Market is located on HWY 503 and 199th Street at the Gardner Center Shopping Plaza.

Find out more about the BGFM at their website.

Pizza in the Park - 8.17.2010 - A Fundraising Event for the LOCALS Food & Farm Program

Hooked! at Columbia Springs Education Center

Here's an excellent opportunity to 'Spend $50' locally and help your community...

The Columbia Springs Education Center is holding it's annual fundraising event 'Hooked' on Thursday, August 19th. Tickets are $50 and I GUARANTEE you WILL be getting good value for your dollar as well as helping a fantastic, local non-profit. Great food, Double Mountain Brewing beer on tap (generously donated by Double Mountain and Apizza Scholls), games, silent auction and the mayor in a dunk tank! SHWEET!!

Here's the link:

http://www.columbiasprings.org/events/hooked.html

Home Orchard Society Potluck & Workshops THIS SATURDAY - 8.7.2010

Budding Workshop, Summer Pruning, Summer Fruit Tasting and Annual Potluck

Saturday, August 7 from 9 am to 3pm at the HOS Arboretum


A full day of fun and learning at the HOS Arboretum at Clackamas Community College. Learn how to propagate stone fruit and other fruit trees using summer bud wood at the Budding workshop from 9 am to 11 pm. HOS experts will demonstrate summer fruit tree pruning and maintenance from 11 pm to 12 noon. Enjoy samples of summer fruit varieties such as blueberries, peaches and plums from noon to 1:00 pm. Bring a dish to share and enjoy good company and food at a potluck picnic in the shade of our arboretum’s trees from 1 to 3 pm. Please bring your own tableware!


No cost for this event, just bring a potluck dish to share! Questions: Contact Joanie Cooper (503-835-5040).


Mark Your Calendar:
October 9 & 10: HOS All About Fruit Show
http://www.homeorchardsociety.org/events/

Duck Eggs !

I just received this nice e-mail from Michael Berkompas regarding the availability of duck eggs for sale at his farm. If you like chicken eggs, you'll love duck eggs! Give the Berkompas family a call and support local agriculture.

Hi Glenn,I've got 40 ducks which will start laying in early September and was wondering whether you'd post an ad for me on your Clark County Food & Farm site. The ducks have all been well taken care of and have been fed no antibiotics, etc...

Eggs are $5.50/dozen and I'm looking for enough customers to sell 15 dozen a week.My house is located 7 minutes north of Battleground but I'm also able to pass out eggs in Brush Prairie.

Here's a link to the Craigslist ad I currently have up:http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/grd/1872584626.html

I want the attached image posted as well as the following short description:

The Berkompas Family Farm has a new flock of approximately 40 Khaki Campbell ducks which will start laying early this September. Sign up now to get yourself on the customer list for once they start laying. $5.50 per dozen. First come, first serve! Only 15 dozen per week available. Eggs can be picked up either at the farm (7 minutes north of Battleground), or in Brush Prairie (Union Business Park). Contact Michael at mberkom@gmail.com or use the online form here to add yourself to the list. 

Thanks!