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Farmgirl Chapter Chatter:  The Mavens' Haven - January 31, 2009  |
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LivingWell4You
True Blue Farmgirl
1411 Posts
Karen
Hillsboro
MO
USA
1411 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 31 2009 : 06:56:36 AM
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THE MAVENS’ HAVEN
January 31, 2009
Save Our Seeds – Feed Our Future
Welcome to MJ’s Heirloom Mavens!
Let’s take a little trip through time this week. We’ll start with a quote from Rene’s (prosserfarmgirl) first post on September 10, 2008. “…If you wonder why there is a new energy around heirloom seeds and foods it is because we are loosing so many great foods to Genetically modified foods...MaryJane offers so many great learning opportunities about this in the sisterhood with her book lists and more…” Two of those books, “Omnivore’s Dilemma” and “In Defense of Food,” are written by Michael Pollan. This takes us to our next stop, another post by Rene’ a month later, sharing with us Mr. Pollan’s open letter to the “Farmer in Chief.” Here’s an excerpt:
“Since enhancing the prestige of farming as an occupation is critical to developing the sun-based regional agriculture we need, the White House should appoint, in addition to a White House chef, a White House farmer. This new post would be charged with implementing what could turn out to be your most symbolically resonant step in building a new American food culture. And that is this: tear out five prime south-facing acres of the White House lawn and plant in their place an organic fruit and vegetable garden.”
This brings us to this week and an e-mail we received from Marcy (Marcy Jo). If we click on the link in the e-mail, we find ourselves at the White House Farmer website, www.WhiteHouseFarmer.com . With the spunk and resolution that typifies the farmgirl American farmer, the Brockman family of Illinois took the idea of a White House Farmer and ran with it. They received 100 nominations – farmers from across the United States that are walking the talk. (If we had know about this earlier we could have nominated MaryJane.) “The idea came on an endless blue sky day, after reading the Pollan article in the New York Times magazine, and while strolling the country roads with our father to help him regain his strength after Whipple surgery.”
And now we arrive at our final destination: you. The voting closes at midnight tonight, January 31st. The top three vote-getters will have their names, nomination and comments, forwarded to an Obama staff member. If you have already voted, thank you. If you have not, please do. If you don’t see this until after the voting has closed, go to the website for updates. (FYI: If you’re short on time – the list is long – you can click on the VOTE button to see where the results currently stand. I think this will work – let me know if it doesn’t.)
Most importantly, go to the website for inspiration. The stories of the nominees give us all hope for the future of food.
**** MAVEN TO MAVEN ****
In the Life of a Maven
Brenda’s (Homespun Livin) is coming up one week from today (it’s February 7th). Wouldn’t it be great to shower her with cards – so she doesn’t forget us?
Corinne (corinnelouise) will be moving this weekend. Where? We still don’t know. “As I am talking to you, we still have to exit the house before saturday and they haven't started packing yet and we do not have any idea where we are going to end up to.”
New Mavens
Three new mavens came to roost this week!
Lanna (Lanna) jumped right in on the DOE Tuesday and made herself right at home. She wasn’t able to be in on the chat with Lynn Coulter but “just happened” to snatch her book at the library. She’s interested in companion gardening. Have we got the book for you, Lanna! It just happens to be the February book of the month – “Carrots Love Tomatoes” by Louise Riotte.
Elinor (gramax18) showed up later that day. She said she’s been gardening for over 50 years and is getting heirloom seeds for this year’s garden. Her daughter and two granddaughters will be using them also.
Nancy (pathwayforlife) posted her bio in the henhouse Wednesday. It was her first farmgirl post. How special is that? She has plans to open a Wellness Center and says “I'm depending on all the sisters to give me directions.” Sure thing, Nancy, that’s what sisters do.
As of Friday, January 30th, we have 23 mavens! 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!
**** WEEKLY UPDATE ****
Chatting, Heirlooms and Lynn Coulter
Wasn’t that amazing? Lynn Coulter, author of Gardening with Heirloom Seeds, met with the mavens and Small Town Living friends during our Monday night chat time. What a friendly, kind and knowledgeable woman. So generous too. If you haven’t taken advantage of Lynn’s offer for a signed bookplate (to place in your copy of her book) and a bookmark for her latest book, Mustard Seeds: Thoughts on the Nature of God and Faith (B&H Books, Sept. 2008), send an e-mail to Rene’ (prosserfarmgirl).
Special thanks to Teresa Sue for arranging the chat and very special thanks to Tina for moderating. Wonderful job, ladies, and very much appreciated. If you were unable to attend the chat, it’s posted in the henhouse: http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=729
If you haven’t had a chance to read the full transcript yet, here’s a teaser:
When asked whether she sees a growing in heirloom seeds and plants in the future or if it’s a specialized interest, Lynn responded: “I think we'll see lots more interest in the future! More than ever, people are becoming interested in serving their families fresh, local, wholesome, healthy foods, and by growing our own heirlooms, we know what we are getting, and where it's coming from. Also, heirloom veggies and fruits really do offer a taste that you can't find in store-bought stuff. Compare the taste of a juicy, homegrown heirloom tomato to a bland supermarket red "ball," and you'll see the difference! I think heirlooms also give us an important connection to our own ancestors and heritage. They are linked to stories and history and legends, state fairs and science and romance and so much more! To me, it's important to keep heirlooms going.”
HMBC (Heirloom Maven Book Club)
Tomorrow begins a new month and you know what that means – a new book selection! In February we will be reading “Carrots Love Tomatoes” by Louise Riotte. For a quick introduction to companion gardening, check out Dawn’s post in the henhouse http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=724 , then grab your garden journal and begin plotting out your garden as you read through the book. Post your thoughts, comments and questions in the henhouse http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=710 or, if you are not in the sisterhood yet, use the HM/HHM Discussion Thread http://www.maryjanesfarm.com/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=25556&whichpage=1 .
Seeds, Seeds, Seeds
Gardening season is getting a little closer. Some of us have begun to receive our seed orders. Even if we can’t be in the garden it’s wonderful just to be able to look at those packages and know that it won’t be long before it’s time to start planting. Or am I the only one that pulls them out of their box just to be near them and dream? 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
Wondering what tomato seeds to get this year? Here’s what a couple of our mavens are ordering:
Amy Grace (graciegreeneyes):
From the SSE I have decided on:
Wisconsin 55 for canning
Martino's Roma and Powers Heirloom(yellow) for paste
Cherry Roma for cherry
Hillbilly Potato leaf for slicing and because I like the name:)
Jaune Flamme for drying and because I want one French tomato
Cream Sausage, Green Sausage and Federle for salsa
Siberian as an experiment to grow without a cover - it gets down to the 40's here almost every night in the summer so we are doing hoop houses for the tomatoes and peppers
Gourmet Yellow Stuffer because it looked cool
and then from Baker Creek, Marmande - looks like a good one too.
We may try to sell starts too since we will have so many
Lillian:
Thessalonkik- this was my free seed packet from BC, so I'm gonna give it a try.
(BC) Plum Lemon- yellow, lemon shaped
(BC) Flame Hillbilly- verigated
(BC) Bonny Best- Red
(BC) Break O" Day- Red
(BC) Rutgers- I will sell alot of these, they are always in demand
(SSE) Earliana- This is an awsome producer! I kept one in my greenhouse and it produced until Dec.
(SSE) Amish Paste- My patse tomato of choice.
(SSE) Crnkovic Yougoslavian- Red, most of these topped 1 lb last summer.
(SSE) Riesentraube- Cherry tomato
(SSE) Austin's Red Pear- this was a freebie from SSE, so I will give it a try too.
(SOC) Amana Orange- These all weighed well over 1 lb last year and I used them to make some orange spaghetti sauce for Halloween.
I will also have to pick up some seeds for Sun Gold Cherry tomatos because I sell my tomato and pepper starts. I never have enough of the sun gold to sell to people. Personally I Liked my Riesentraube better.
Gardening Tips and Quips
For those of you forward thinking mavens planning on dehydrating some of your harvest, here is an article from Pacific Northwestern Extension. To quote Teresa Sue, it is an “awesome article.” http://info.ag.uidaho.edu/Resources/PDFs/PNW0397.pdf
**** FUTURE ATTRACTIONS ****
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 ****
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 for this week, 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 |
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ruralfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
4309 Posts
Rene'
Prosser
WA
USA
4309 Posts |
Posted - Jan 31 2009 : 08:18:26 AM
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I just LOVE this group. Thanks Karen, as always you are amazing!
Rene~Prosser Farmgirl #185
http://farmchicksfarm.blogspot.com/
Circumstances made us FRIENDS; MaryJane's has made us SISTERS :) |
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gramadinah
True Blue Farmgirl
3557 Posts
Diana
Orofino
ID
USA
3557 Posts |
Posted - Jan 31 2009 : 08:43:25 AM
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Wow a great job.
Thanks Diana
Farmgirl Sister #273 |
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graciegreeneyes
True Blue Farmgirl
3107 Posts
Amy Grace
Rosalia
WA
USA
3107 Posts |
Posted - Feb 01 2009 : 08:00:01 AM
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Yay Karen,
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without" |
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K-Falls Farmgirl
Chapter Leader
2096 Posts
Cheryl
Klamath Falls
Oregon
USA
2096 Posts |
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Sue Feely
True Blue Farmgirl
1044 Posts
Sue
Buffalo
New York
USA
1044 Posts |
Posted - Feb 05 2009 : 5:39:53 PM
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Karen -
looks like you will be one busy girl with that garden, but sounds like you'll love it!
Thanks for keeping us updated on the latest going on!
Sue Feely
Sister #349 |
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Farmgirl Chapter Chatter: The Mavens' Haven - January 31, 2009 |
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The Mavens' Haven - January 31, 2009
