| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| sugar1 |
Posted - Jun 27 2004 : 09:47:46 AM
Hello from Michigan! I am new to the forum. My husband grew up in the country but I was born and raised in Detroit. I spent summers on my grandparents' farm in Kentucky until I was about 14. Somehow I always thought I'd end up in the city, but looking back I realize I was on the path to a country life! My husband just built a house for us on 2 acres and this week we decided to purchase an adjacent 4.5 acre piece. We were on the fence until we awoke early last Monday to find 4 small deer frollicking in our yard!
Anyway, I worked in the natural/organic field for 10+ years, studied herbalism, worked on a CSA, taught myself to knit & crochet, etc., all the while insisting I wanted to live in Chicago once I could afford to. I moved to the country 2 1/2 years ago after we got married and haven't looked back. I am 31, no children (yet), and now run a housing assistance program for our county. I saw someone else post that a lot of people are viewing but not posting and that inspired me to get over my shyness and introduce myself. If you haven't posted yet, please do so soon! |
| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| terese |
Posted - Aug 08 2004 : 5:52:46 PM
The csa was in production for about 10 years in the eastern part of geuga county in ohio.
It was run by two very orignal hippies. It was primarly farmed by members but, there were a few paid employees (i was one). We planted seeds, for flats of vegetables and flowers for a spring sale.
We also used the plugs for the garden which was used for the csa. The couple who ran it retired this year and we lost one of the only csas' in the area. Cleveland has a very strong organic community.
we have three organic grocery store chains. A fully organic farmers market. Many new organic farms popping up. terese
beginnings |
| MeadowLark |
Posted - Aug 08 2004 : 5:12:16 PM
Welcome! I am very interested in your work with CSA. Here in Kansas we are getting onto the bandwagon but need more information. We just got our first farmer's market going in my local town 2 years ago. Great to have you involved in this forum. MeadowLark |
| terese |
Posted - Aug 08 2004 : 4:37:33 PM
I too had the opportunit work on a csa, it was a very educational experience. I found myself surrounded by interesting, intelligent people all with a common goal.
terese
beginnings |
| cecelia |
Posted - Jul 22 2004 : 3:38:07 PM
 Thanks Clare, we have community supported agriculture here but we don't really have a name for it. There are a few co-op farms around, but they don't advertise much. You pay a fee for the season, and as the produce/crops come in, you get a bushelfull of whatever is ripe. Makes for an interesting menu, I would think! I've never joined one because I have my own garden, and I don't think they do too well here, because we still have a lot of roadside stands and farmers markets in the area.
Cecelia
ce's farm |
| Clare |
Posted - Jul 02 2004 : 08:32:06 AM
Welcome Padma! I can relate to your goal of wanting to live with as little money as possible. It's a challenge in this society, but definately a worthwhile pursuit.
I wanted to comment on your post in the book idea section. I think you've brought up some great ideas and very valid points. I think the reason many of us here participating in this forum have chosen to grow our own food is for precisely the reasons you've listed. I know that organically grown food does cost more for the farmer to produce and I question the corporations that have gotten into organic farming... so my solution is to grow what I need for the most part, and to stay away from processed foods whenever possible. Whole foods are much healthier for my body. The financial aspect does play a part in how I eat and live too. Reconciling these issues and making better lifestyles available even to those of lower financial means is something that we have to reconcile as a society. Maybe we, collectively as women who care, can find viable solutions.
Gardener, Stitcher, Spiritual Explorer and Appreciator of all Things Natural |
| rabbithorns |
Posted - Jul 02 2004 : 08:14:56 AM
Hi, everyone. I'm new here. I'm a remarried mom of two. I grew up in Missouri but have lived all over the country including New York City and Alaska. We moved to Arizona 3 years ago because our Buddhist lama (teacher) was wanting to create a Buddhist university out in the desert (good and quite for meditation and retreat). Although it's still 2 hours away from us, my husband and I get out there now and then, but we founded the local study group and now teach classic Buddhist texts. We focus our earnings and lifestyle around being able to take more time for spirituality than worldly pursuits.
I was a hippie at the tail end of the thing. (My husband's a bit younger than that.) So I was already versed with how to live simply and make many handmade things. I'm toying with the idea of a sewing machine since I handsew everything. I'm a terrible cook and prefer to create life systems that require the least amount of effort. I used to be a plant killer, but my karma has changed and oddly in the desert, I seem to do well at gardening without using much water.
I have two teenaged children, one girlie-girl who teaches me how to play at life, and one much more serious "old soul" boy who would rather do yoga and meditate and unicycle than much else.
We live in a manufactured home in which my biggest challenge is making it less ugly. It is coral pink and we can't afford to paint it, so I'm working with gingerbread elements, windowboxes and yardwork to turn it into a pretty cottage instead of the pink box it was when we bought it. It's in a really nice park and all these houses look like "real" houses. They don't look like "mobile homes". We want to do what we can for resale value so when the kids are grown, we can move on into a earth home (www.calearth.org) or just be free and mobile and not need much money.
My total worldly goal is to live a life free of financial entanglements. I would like to not need money. I've believed it is possible since I was 10. I have lived at times on only a couple of hundred dollars a month being mostly self-sufficient.
I am starting to learn about how to eat from native sources. The desert is not my first choice for environment so it's quite the challenge. (I'm a snow person.) |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Jun 28 2004 : 9:09:46 PM
I like to purl more than knit too. I knit my socks sort of funny where I do a purl stitch..I guess they are inside out basically, although they look right side out as I knit the tube part...hmmm..I don't explain myself very well...anyway, I can see why you think purl stitch is easier. You will get the knit stitch sooner or later...dont' stress!!
Jenny in Utah
Bloom where you are planted! |
| ElizArtist |
Posted - Jun 28 2004 : 6:41:34 PM
Hello everyone I've been very busy lately and unable to post. I'm getting ready to teach a sock knitting class (making samples and trying to be somewhat organized) and working on lots of dance costumes. etc etc. I'm glad there's another knitter on board. Don't worry Clare, if you just purl then you can do all kinds of garter stitch things.
Elizabeth
joyously dancing through life |
| sugar1 |
Posted - Jun 28 2004 : 10:13:22 AM
I forgot to mention--I would love to chat about crochet/knitting on the stitching thread--I have the opposite problem from Clare--knit like crazy but purl drives me nuts.. |
| sugar1 |
Posted - Jun 28 2004 : 10:08:39 AM
Thank you all for the welcoming messages--they made my day!
The CSA I was a member of is near Lansing, so I haven't participated since I moved. It was a wonderful experience--I miss it! We each paid about $400/share and worked 5 hours per week on the farm. I learned a lot about organic farming methods from the other members--I was pretty green when I started (no pun intended). One share was enough produce for at least two adults, so I split my share with a friend. We had a weekly distribution/potluck night where members swapped recipes, farm stories, etc. Some years with a CSA are more bountiful than others, but that is life, isn't it? I always felt that the investment was repaid and then some--in produce, friendship, knowledge, fun...If you have a CSA in your area, I would recommend checking it out--it is a great experience! Has anyone out there started a CSA? |
| Clare |
Posted - Jun 28 2004 : 08:44:08 AM
Community supported agriculture... you pay a fee to join in for the summer's crops. Usually receive a weekly installment of fresh fruit and veges in season.
Gardener, Stitcher, Spiritual Explorer and Appreciator of all Things Natural |
| cecelia |
Posted - Jun 28 2004 : 07:31:34 AM
Welcome!
Glad to hear from you. What is a CSA? certified something? Sounds like something I might like. I also taught myself to knit, but crocheting is taking some time to learn. Hope to hear more from you and your experiences.
 Cecelia
ce's farm |
| simpledreamer |
Posted - Jun 28 2004 : 07:05:26 AM
Welcome!
Dreaming of a simpler life,
Marybeth |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Jun 27 2004 : 9:33:22 PM
welcome Sugar1!! I am sure glad you decided to post. You sound like you have alot to offer. We would all love to hear about the CSA. That is something I have considered to. Welcome to the family!!
Jenny in Utah
Bloom where you are planted! |
| Clare |
Posted - Jun 27 2004 : 10:46:31 AM
Welcome! I would love to hear about your experiences working with a CSA. I think this is an endeavor I might like to try some day. I too am teaching myself to knit. I'm at the really comfortable stage of being able to make dishcloths and I might stay here indefinately! I can purl like crazy, but that knit stitch is a bugger. I'm a slow learner, I think!! So glad you decided to participate!
Gardener, Stitcher, Spiritual Explorer and Appreciator of all Things Natural |
