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Farmgirl Chapter Chatter:  The Mavens' Haven - February 7, 2009  |
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LivingWell4You
True Blue Farmgirl
1411 Posts
Karen
Hillsboro
MO
USA
1411 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 07 2009 : 08:37:13 AM
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THE MAVENS’ HAVEN
February 7, 2009
Save Our Seeds – Feed Our Future
Welcome to MJ’s Heirloom Mavens!
This week my husband and I had the ultimate gardening experience – at least the most one could have in February. We took a day trip to Mansfield, Missouri, home of Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. You have to know where you’re headed to find Baker Creek. Once you leave the main drag and turn on London Road, you go from paved road to gravel. Turning onto Baker Creek Road at this time of year you go from gravel to dirt road. The parking lot is not paved so, it being February after a snowstorm, we parked our car on a combination of icy snow and mud. It was, as they say in the catalog, “a legacy to the passing of time.” And it was marvelous. Open fields, open air, the sound of hammers reminding us that this is a work in progress, continually reinventing itself and growing, just like our gardens. Stepping out of our car was truly like stepping back in time.
To get the full Baker Creek experience, one should go on a festival day (the first Sunday of every month). Since we were there on a Friday, it was a quiet day in Bakersville. Quiet everywhere except the Seed Store. It was hoppin’! Three walls of the store are lined with bins of heirloom seeds. Customers and employees alike were pouring over their catalogs and selecting seeds. I couldn’t help but wonder if one of those orders being filled was for a farmgirl sister. The fourth wall is lined with books, garden charts and other items for sale – and an old swing-arm record player providing background music. Along the top of every wall are old farm implements. Hanging from the rafters are dried gourds. Are you a little warm in that coat? You can hang it on a branch of the log supporting that beam!
The highlight of the day was meeting Baker Creek founder, Jere Gettle, and his wife, Emilee. (Yes, I know that sounds corny but it’s true.) They are so down-to-earth, welcoming and helpful, as is everyone who works in the store. You can tell that Jere loves what he does because he thanked the shoppers – individually – for visiting. Even after being in the business for 12 years (he started at 17), he is still seems so humble and grateful that people are taking an interest in his work. The love that he has for heirloom seeds and livestock – rare poultry breeds are available at the farm this year – pours out of his efforts into our hearts. Emilee is an MJ farmgirl (woo hoo!) who spends most of the precious little time she’s on the connection in the Stitching and Crafting forum.
We were able to go inside some of the other buildings in Bakersville – the mercantile, the apothecary, the flour mill. It was there that I saw the cutest grocery bag holder that looks like a little girls pioneer-style dress. I’m thinking since Emilee loves stitching and crafting maybe that was one of her creations? As we continued to walk around the farm, we saw sheep and goats, chickens and turkeys – all heritage breeds, of course. Baker Creek Poultry Farm will have chicks available for sale at the farm beginning this spring.
Now we’re back home. The seeds are filed away, ready for planting. The books and magazines are by the bed for evening reading. Plans will be revised to expand the garden to make room for the additional seeds we couldn’t resist. And there’s a smile on my face as I remember our day at Baker Creek.
**** MAVEN TO MAVEN ****
In the Life of a Maven
Brenda (Homespun Livin) has a birthday TODAY! Here’s wishing you the best birthday ever and hoping to hear from you soon. We miss you, maven!
Corinne (Corinnelouise) is settled into her new – temporary – location just in time to celebrate her birthday this Tuesday, February 10.
Tuesday was a rough day for Lora (FARMALLChick) as she had to deal with a 34-car pile up in I-69 north of Indianapolis. It’s something we don’t like to think about every day – and we would go crazy if we did – but as Lora said, “Please be sure to tell your loved ones how much you love them, because you just never know when you number will be up......” Go. Now. There’s no time like the present.
Lliam, Lora’s son, starts back at his old school this Monday. Let’s keep him and the family in our thoughts and prayers that everything goes well and Lliam has a great time there.
Lanna (Lanna) got a wonderful garden gift from her neighbor – garden space. Because her neighbor will be out of town from time to time, Llana gets use of her garden this summer. Let the dreaming begin!
Annika (Annika) popped in to let us know she’s had her hands full with the farm and caring for her dad. He fell last Saturday and broke his upper arm. The doctors also found a white spot on his lung and are waiting for test results. She may be going to Seattle to stay with him for awhile so please keep her close to your heart as she deals with all of this. We love you, Annika. Keep us posted when you can.
Congratulations to Teresa Sue (Contrary Wife). Her son-in-law was just promoted to Major in the Marine Corps. We all appreciate the service he is giving to his country. It’s always great to see it recognized.
The February/March edition of Small Town Living, Tina (Tina Michelle) and Paul’s online magazine, is now available at www.stliving.net . This edition has gardening information that “may be of interest.” Hmmmmm………
New 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 ****
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.
As Marcy (Marcy Jo) noted, there are new sisterhood badges available. “Theres a new one in Cleaning up, one in Make it easy and 3 in Garden Gate!!”
HMBC (Heirloom Maven Book Club)
Congratulations to Cheryl (K-Falls Farmgirl), our new book club coordinator! She has started a thread for the February selection, “Carrots Love Tomatoes” by Louise Riotte, in the henhouse http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=741 Grab your garden journal, make notes as you read along and post them on the thread. Remember, you don’t need to read the entire book before commenting. As you find something of interest, share it with the rest of us. You never know which spark will catch fire and start a really interesting discussion. So 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 .
More Good Reads
Lora started a new thread in the Book Discussions forum called “Garden Folklore.” She shares tips she’s gleaned (like that harvesting tie-in?) from things she read and from talking to her grandfather). To check them out and to add your own, go to http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/HenHouseSnitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=739
Guide to Growing Your Own Food, the latest addition to the Mother Earth News Wiser Living Series, in on bookstands now until May 5. Every article is maven-oriented but here are my top three picks:
- “Swap Seeds this Season: Save Money and Connect with Local Gardeners” contains information about finding existing seed swaps to join and/or start one of your own.
- “Seed-Starting Basics” is a timely article since this has been a hot topic on the DOE this week. The article contains information on how to begin, planting media (including recipes for making your own), techniques for transplanting from the germinating flat to individual containers, nurturing seedlings, disease prevention and hardening off before planting. It also includes a handy dandy chart for starting your seeds indoors.
- “Grow Your Own Seeds” could be written just for the mavens. This article is reason enough to buy the magazine.
Garden Talk
Rene’ (prosserfarmgirl) has put all the reading and re-reading she’s done with “Square Foot Gardening” into practice. “I have decided to do 6 (4x4) boxes... 2 strictly for herbs and 2 for additional garden space and 1 for medicinal herbs and 1 for flowers. I also have my eye on an apple bin at the local salvage yard of the local fruit packing plant... to fix up and use for a compost bin....... I ordered 8 Orpington Buff chickens so I will have a little to compost ~”
Diana (gramadinah) came up with an intriguing solution for keeping a large amount of seedlings warm. “Ok so I have always grown my garden with plant starts and a few seeds. I have tried to do the seed thing but I always seem to kill them. I can't seem to find the right combination of heat and light. So I am trying a new growing area. I found an old electric blanket which I will lay down on a 4x8 sheet of wood with a good plastic cover on it and then put my plant cells on that and then the grow light over top. I hope to keep a constant tempture on the bottom of the plant cells will allow the seeds to germinate at a better rate.”
And the Winners Are……..
Last week I wrote about the grassroots movement by the Brockman family to solicit nominations for the position of White House Farmer. The results are in. The names of the top three vote getters – Claire Strader (Troy Community Farm, Madison, WI), Carrie Anne Little (Mother Earth Farm, Puyallup, WA) and Margaret Lloyd (Home Farming, Davis, CA) – will be given to a White House staffer for consideration. The site received 56,000 votes in just 10 days! Go to the website to find read the winners’ statement and what the next steps are in the process.
USDA and Event 98140 Corn
Thanks – again – to Rene’ for alerting us regarding another attempt by the USDA to approve another version of genetically-engineered corn. “USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has given preliminary approval to Event 98140 corn, the first of a new generation of pesticide-promoting, genetically engineered (GE) crops designed to survive spraying with multiple herbicides.” They also provided an extremely narrow window for public comment – a window so narrow that in the time Rene’ posted “What part of NO don’t they understand?” http://www.maryjanesfarm.com/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=29150 and the issue of this newsletter, the window has closed. This is just another reminder that we need to remain vigilant and vocal.
**** 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 ****
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 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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Contrary Wife
True Blue Farmgirl
2164 Posts
Teresa Sue
Tekoa
WA
USA
2164 Posts |
Posted - Feb 07 2009 : 09:38:36 AM
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Thank you Karen for your unending devotion to our newsletter!
Teresa Sue
Farmgirl Sister #316
"Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly." The Dalai Lama |
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ruralfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
4309 Posts
Rene'
Prosser
WA
USA
4309 Posts |
Posted - Feb 07 2009 : 1:00:21 PM
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Karen, I always love to read the newsletter, you do an amazing job! I am always surprised by how many steps we have come as a collective group....Thanks for tracking it for us.
Rene~Prosser Farmgirl #185
http://farmchicksfarm.blogspot.com/
Circumstances made us FRIENDS; MaryJane's has made us SISTERS :) |
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graciegreeneyes
True Blue Farmgirl
3107 Posts
Amy Grace
Rosalia
WA
USA
3107 Posts |
Posted - Feb 07 2009 : 4:43:39 PM
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Wow Karen - thanks for your commitment to our cause, the newsletter, and for taking field trips and sharing:)
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without" |
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gramadinah
True Blue Farmgirl
3557 Posts
Diana
Orofino
ID
USA
3557 Posts |
Posted - Feb 07 2009 : 6:48:16 PM
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Great Job You really do an amazing job.
Thanks
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #273 |
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Farmgirl Chapter Chatter: The Mavens' Haven - February 7, 2009 |
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The Mavens' Haven - February 7, 2009
