MaryJanesFarm Farmgirl Connection

All Forums

Farmgirl Chapters

Farmgirl Chapter Chatter

The Mavens' Haven - February 28, 2009

Note: You must be logged in to post.
To log in, click here.
To register, click here. Registration is FREE!

Screensize:

UserName:

Password:

Format Mode:

Format:

Message:

* HTML is OFF
* Forum Code is ON

Smilies

Check here to include your profile signature.
Check here to subscribe to this topic.

T O P I C R E V I E W
LivingWell4You	Posted - Feb 28 2009 : 03:39:08 AM THE MAVENS’ HAVEN February 28, 2009 *Save Our Seeds – Feed Our Future* Welcome to MJ’s Heirloom Mavens! “Knowledge is power. But knowledge without action is powerless.” I wish I could remember where I read that so I could give credit where credit is due. As we move into the next season with the mavens, this quote is something that I want to keep front and center in my mind. I love to chat with my maven sisters about anything and everything. I learn a lot about gardening and life from them. But the bottom line for me at this season in my life is “am I walking the talk?” And the conclusion I’ve reached is not enough. There are things I could be doing that only I can do – like starting my blogs and making connections in the community – that aren’t getting done because there’s no room in my nest. So I’ve cleared it out (and put it on the compost pile like a good maven), cleaned it up and decluttered. In the process I realized I needed to pack up some very good things to make room for the best. One of those very good things is this newsletter. I have loved doing it for the last several months. As I was putting this one together last night I realized that I do it with a smile on my face, kinda like the one that’s there right now as I picture all of you in my mind while writing. I hope it’s been a good thing for you. Know that I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. I’ll see you on the road to empowerment. ** MAVEN TO MAVEN In the Life of a Maven Happy birthday TODAY, Marcy!!! Happy birthday this coming Friday, Ruth!!! Tina (Tina Michelle) had her yard sale last weekend and is ready to for the next phase of moving preparations. Amanda (DearMildred) is traveling Route 66 on the way to California where her boyfriend has a new job for the next year. Wishing you safe travels, Amanda, and looking forward to lots of road warrior stories when you return. Congratulations, a happy dance and a big WOO HOO to Teresa Sue (Contrary Wife). She is free from café life as of Thursday. She will continue to be the groundskeeper extraordinaire at the local cemetery spring through autumn. New Mavens** Kelley (gardencottage) – not to be confused with Kelley (farmmommy) – introduced herself in the henhouse last Saturday. She’s a California farmgirl looking for “old-fashioned flowers for my little flower bed!” I think you can find lots of help with that here, Kelley. Jenny (jenybea) joined us in the henhouse on Monday. A warm maven welcome, Jenny. We look forward to getting to know you. If you’re interested in expanding your gardening and food knowledge to include heirloom varieties, come on over to the Danger of Extinction thread and jump right in. Lots of gardening talk, good info and good company awaits. If you are not in the sisterhood yet, come anyway. In these economic times we realize that not everyone has the resources to join the sisterhood so we have created a companion thread, the HHM/HM Henhouse Connection http://www.maryjanesfarm.com/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=25556&whichpage=1 . This way you can read the posts in the henhouse and post on the connection. For those already in the sisterhood, just send Gabe an e-mail at gabe@maryjanesfarm.com to be added to the henhouse. For those not in the sisterhood and are just waiting for a reason to join, this is it! And remember, if you want more information about MJ’s Heirloom Mavens, check out the Heirloom Mavens Beginners Guide http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=667 and then go to the Danger of Extinction Thread and introduce yourself. http://www.maryjanesfarm.com/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=24908 We’d love to get to know you! Mavens Walking the Talk “Met a guy on the phone at work yesterday who is into this as well and we talked forever about heirlooms and heritage animals, going green, making do or doing without. Wow. He was really interesting to talk to. He struck me as a MaryJane type of guy. He lives in a log house he built himself and its solar generated. Running water and yes, he does have electric but mostly chooses not too. He washed his clothes on a wash board. Sigh.... what a life! So I guess it just goes to show you that what we are doing is something that a lot of other people are thinking of as well and that in itself makes me feel good.” Dawn “Yesterday I took the book squarefoot gardening over to my friends house, so she can read about making the most out of her tiny little yard. You would of thought I saved a kitten from a burning house! She was so excited, If she didn't read the whole book last night I will be amazed! She has already put her tomato and pepper order in to me.” Lillian “I've gone and done it... Really gone and done it now...I was chatting with DS's Scout Leader's wife over the weekend, and had brought Seed Savers catalog with me as well as the Wood Prairie catalog (they do heirloom organic potatoes) to see if they were gardeners and wanted to order. Well, Mrs. Scout Leader is now going to tear up the grass behind their garage! And, she has checked out All New Square Foot Gardener from the library! Oh, boy - I totally corrupted her! YIPPEE! We had the best chat talking about vegetables, and how we got SO MUCH produce from such little space – almost microfarming in suburbia. I explained how we were expanding, and working harder with the companion planting, especially to get rid of those nasty Japanese beetles. And ya know what? I got an email from her as a reply to some other info I sent her, and her reply was ‘that frost date can't come soon enough!’” Ann “I think that it is awesome that we are spreading the word. There are so many people who are doing the same things we are and then there are those who aren't....great job to everyone who shares a bit of Maven Wisdom!!!” Marcy ** WEEKLY UPDATE Spring Fling Mama Hen Dawn (deeredawn) is looking for an update of who’s coming to Spring Fling and what they might be able to bring. Check out her post in the henhouse: http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=568&whichpage=2 Maven T-Shirts The final order date to get a maven T-shirt is St. Patrick’s Day (a.k.a. March 17). Let Dawn know your first and second color choice. Lora (FARMALLChick) is waiting on a final price for the shirts but they shouldn’t be more than $15. The front of the shirt will have MJ’S HEIRLOOM MAVENS; and on the back…SAVE OUR SEEDS – FEED OUR FUTURE. New Shopping Green Badge – Shopping Bag Swap Today is the last day to sign up for the shopping bag swap. This swap is open to all farmgirls and is posted at http://www.maryjanesfarm.com/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=29292 Good Reads “Oh yeah, has anybody read "Made from Scratch: Discovering the Pleasures of a Handmade Life?" It's pretty darn funny - her experiences trying to get started with chickens just cracked (har, har) me up. “ Amanda “Amanda~I read it and loved it. Such an easy read.” Ruth “I just received an ACRES USA sample magazine I sent for months ago and was surprised to find an article on Organic seed production. It really opened my eyes as to how intense it is to keep up with our crop heritage. There is a site they mention for Restoring Our Seed, I need to check out. There are quite a few requirements for certain seed crops and some must be totally isolated to keep them from cross pollination. Boy do I have a lot to learn. I did like how they said that restoring our seed is a recollection of varieties lost, skills almost forgotten and community once shared. I think I'm in the right place for learning how to get back to a simpler, better way of life.” Gail Garden Talk Questions…… “oh..and I did get the heirloom tomato seeds from the gal in Virginia..seems the family didn't have names for things after all... other than like Red X and yellow x..they did not actually name them anything..oh my! now I guess I can actually name them huh? they have been passed down for generations and generations in her family she said ,and they are not available commercially, but none of them even have names! does anyone know if I can actually "name" these tomatoes something?” Tina …& Answers “I just got another e-mail from Center For Food Safety. I don't know how I started getting e-mails from them. But today's is titled "Could GE Crop Regulations Be Any Weaker?". That caught my eye. Does anyone else get this? You could look it up under Center For Food Safety or the e-mail is office@centerforfoodsafety,org. There is a place where they want people to send letters to get better crop regulations.” Kris “Hey ya'll.....I found this very interesting to read......Yeah, alot of us may already know this stuff from reading S2s, but you can print this and keep it in your garden journals as an all in one reference sort of thing http://www.energybulletin.net/node/46237 ” Kelley “One thing that I saw that can be used to "isolate" the flower from being pollinated, is to use the small drawstring muslin bags/like spice bags to cover the plants. Southern Seed Exchange offers them in their catalog.” Tina “…One way to insure pollination from the same tomato is to buy those meshey (or some kind of breathable fabric) drawstring bags (like you put wedding favors in)and when the flowers are still closed find 2 that are close together on the plant and put the drawstring bag over them and tighten the drawstring. You can take them off when you see the tomato forming. Tie string or use garden tape to mark where they are. When they're fully ripe and ready, cut them open scoop the gooey middle out place in a jar or plastic cup cover with water. Use plastic wrap with a few holes as a cover. Place in a warm location like a sunny window and now you wait till they ferment. There will be a thick scum and maybe a little mold on the surface. The seeds that are floating aren't any good. Scoop the scum and any floating seeds out of the jar and then strain the remaining liquid and seeds into a strainer rinsing off any excess pulp. Spread the seeds out to dry on newspaper or a paper plate. When they're dry, place them in an airtight container. Store in a dry cool place. Don't forget to label what they are and date them.” Jessi Lynn FUTURE ATTRACTIONS More MaryJane Books If you are in the sisterhood you may have received an e-mail from the farm about vendors for the Farm Fair. But did you notice the last paragraph? “MaryJane Butters writes a nationally-syndicated newspaper column and edits a bimonthly magazine, MaryJanesFarm. Following the publication by Random House of her third book, “MaryJane's Outpost, Unleashing your Inner Wild,” she is now working on three other books. The books focus on quilt making, bread baking, and diet makeovers. More information is available at www.maryjanesfarm.org ” WOO HOO! Great Moscow Meetup All you lucky mavens in the great northwest, the first Great Moscow Meetup at the coop is in the works. Be watching on the DOE for more information. Those of us not in the great northwest will be (jealously) with you in spirit. Heirloom Maven Badge It’s here! It’s here! Go to the henhouse http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=719 , click on the Heirloom Maven blogspot link to see the design, then come back to henhouse, leave a comment (if you haven’t already) for Teresa Sue and tell her what a fabu job she did. Then wait patiently for your badge to arrive in your mailbox. Guess Who’s Coming to PBS…(Part 2) Did you see it? The video for Farmer’s Almanac TV on PBS? Read Rene’s blurb at http://www.maryjanesfarm.com/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=26916 then click on the video and settle in for a wonderful visit with MaryJane and Meg. REMINDERS You Are That Maven Siegers Seed Company is pushing for a patent on warted pumpkins. “Please write Siegers Seed Co. and protest this! Check out these links for more info... http://www.grit.com/daily-commute/Siegers-Seed-Co-Threatens-Action-over-Warty-Pumpkins.aspx?blogid=184 http://idigmygarden.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14625 ” Teresa Sue did the research and made it easy for us to print the complaint form and mail or fax it in. Click on this link for the details: http://www.maryjanesfarm.com/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=29307 This is important stuff. To paraphrase Teresa Sue, don’t wait for the other maven to do it because YOU ARE THAT MAVEN. New Shopping Green Badge – Shopping Bag Swap Did you know that there’s a new Shopping Green badge in the Cleaning Up category? One of the requirements at the Expert Level (why not start at the top?) is organizing a reusable bag swap. As our badge badger, Amy Grace (graciegreeneyes) jumped right on the opportunity. “Hey - since I'm the badge badger and all, wanted to let you all know I just started a thread for a reusable shopping bag swap over in Farmgirl Barter. One of the new badges is to collect and commit to using reusable shopping bags and a higher level is to make and trade one. I thought this might be a good one for Mavens but I know everyone is busy so I opened it up for all farmgirls, but if you are interested hop on in.” To sign up for the swap, go to http://www.maryjanesfarm.com/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=29292 Then post over to the henhouse to help Amy Grace keep track of the mavens participating in the swap http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=745 Heirloom Minor Curriculum at Farmgirl U The curriculum has been posted in the henhouse http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=731 Check it out and let’s get started on getting that degree. Seeds, Seeds, Seeds** Remember to post your planned/purchased seed for 2009 in the henhouse for future seed-swapping activity http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=561&whichpage=6 (This sends you to the last page and you can work your way back from there.) If you don’t have access to the henhouse, remember you can post to the HM/HHM Discussion Thread http://www.maryjanesfarm.com/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=25556&whichpage=1 Gardening Journals: Made by our mother hen, Dawn, “they are preetty dang-gone cute if I must say so myself….. They are $5 each and the $ goes in THE FUND. Just email me when you've paid and I will send it out asap.” You will find more information in the henhouse http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=721 Pillow Squares: Time to get working on those pillow squares! If you don’t know what this refers to, click here and look for Dawn’s IDEA: http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=551&whichpage=1 Due date: Memorial Day weekend. Hmmmmm, isn’t something else happening then too? Mother Hen’s Nest of News: Remember to check out Our Mother Hen’s nest box in the henhouse where she will be laying her eggs filled with gardening tips, tidbits and treasures. It’s labeled as the bulletin board, but Nest Box is much more mavenly, dontcha think? http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=169 Maven Chat Night: Monday night chatting is has a new hangout. Tina has graciously offered the chatroom on their STL site for our weekly hen sessions. You will need to sign up on the site, www.stliving.net , and then jump in. Hang on because it can be a wild ride but it’s one you definitely don’t want to miss! The gab-fest begins at 9pm EST / 8pm CST / 7pm MST / 6pm PST. Maven Lingo: If you get lost in the Heirloom Maven lingo, you can find the lingo list in the Beginner’s Guide http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=582 Badge Info: Here’s where you can find information on badges the mavens are currently working toward: Beginner Farm Kitchen Badge: http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=609&whichpage=1 Beginner Farmgirl Gratitude Badge: http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=637 Beginner Bustin’ Out Badge: http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=638 Small Town Living: Be sure to check out maven Tina’s online magazine, Small Town Living at www.stliving.net Heirloom Maven Bumper Stickers : The Heirloom Mavens Save Our Seeds – Feed Our Future bumper stickers are available for purchase. For more information, go to the Heirloom Mavens Beginners Guide http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=667 You can use PayPal to purchase Heirloom Maven bumperstickers, bracelets and to donate to the Maven Scholarship Fund ( http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=24908&whichpage=89 ) Heirloom Maven Blog: Check out the Heirloom Maven blog site at www.heirloommavens.blogspot.com Seed Saving Support: When possible, purchase books through Seed Savers Exchange to support their efforts in saving heirloom seeds for future generations www.seedsavers.org Heirloom Maven Spring Fling and Farmgirl Round-Up : Mark your calendars for the first annual Heirloom Maven Spring Fling and Farmgirl Round-Up http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=568 That’s all she wrote, mavens. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please send me an e-mail and I will get back with you a.s.a.m.p. In the meantime, have a great week and see you in the DOE and/or henhouse. God bless - Karen ~ Chickherder & KMW (Keeper of Maven Words) Farmgirl Sister #311 "To own a little bit of ground, to scratch it with a hoe, to plant seeds and watch the renewal of life - this is the commonest delight of the race, the most satisfactory thing a man can do." Charles Dudley Warner
2 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First)
graciegreeneyes	Posted - Feb 28 2009 : 8:28:48 PM Thanks for all the work you've put in on this Karen - you are amazing!! Amy Grace Farmgirl #224 "use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"
Contrary Wife	Posted - Feb 28 2009 : 08:13:54 AM Thanks Karen, as usual great job. Teresa Sue Farmgirl Sister #316 Planting Zone 3 "Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly." The Dalai Lama

Snitz Forums 2000