Subscription Farming Workshop on December 17, 2011

Last night the Local Food Network held one of their periodic strategic planning meetings at the River School. At this meeting interested people (30 of us) identified local food economy trends and needs. Then we determined which aspects are really important and need advocacy. One of the messages we heard from new young farmers is the need for education and training on the business end of farming and how farming works in a high-desert environment. In this regard, Western Nevada College fills a valuable role with educational opportunities for future farmers. Here's the latest, from my mailbox to you.

 Western Nevada College Offers

Subscription Farming Workshop

Subscription services are not limited to magazines and newspapers anymore. Farmers have discovered the popularity of offering weekly subscriptions to consumers for local, seasonal produce.

Area growers can learn more about this trend at an upcoming Western Nevada College Specialty Crop Institute workshop.  “Subscription Farming for the Small Farm” meets Saturday, Dec. 17, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., at WNC Fallon campus, 160 Campus Way. Cost is $35 for registrations by December 9 and $45 afterward. Lunch is included.  

Get ready to plant your own local food - River School organic gardening workshop

Tom Stille at the River School puts these organic gardening classes on every year and they're not to be missed if you want to learn to grow your own local food in this region.  This weekend he'll cover irrigation and water conservation.  RSVP, bring $20, and get ready for the planting workshop scheduled for May 22nd. And, if the weather prediction holds, Saturday will be a perfect day to be outside.

                                                                                     Saturday, May 8 at 9:00am to 12:00pm       Map


(Pic - April 2010, our organic heirloom tomato transplants)

River School has local eggs

If you eat local food you know by now how much tastier fresh food right from the farm is compared to supermarket fare. Of all the great local food we've eaten over the last few years eggs are a standout. Just this morning we had a simple scrambled egg and bacon breakfast: eggs from Rise and Shine, bacon from the Mill family in Fallon, and toast with jam made with peaches from a friend's tree. Everything was awesome but I remember thinking...these eggs are so tasty they don't even need to be smothered in salsa or cheese to taste great - unless you really like cheese and salsa on your eggs.

Yes! Even in Northern Nevada it is possible to eat fresh local food in November

Until a couple of years ago I used to spend September getting ready to transition to the supermarket produce mind-set. Then I learned that it is possible to grow food even when it's cold outside. Now we get our fresh veggies from late season CSAs, and at least some of it from our own garden. Now you too can learn how to grow food during the cool season.

Lattin Farms Cornucopia of Corn

Here's a great family event! From my inbox to you:

Another harvest season has passed and the Lattin Farms Corn Maze is done for the year. Now, what will Farmer Rick do with all that corn? Give it away! Join us for corn picking & corn milling (on an antique corn mill) so you can take home as much corn meal as you can carry!

When: Saturday, December 13th from 10-3 pm
Where: Lattin Farms, 1955 McLean Rd, Fallon, NV 89406
For information, call 775.747.3910 or contact the River School.

Bring gloves and bags!