2009 Northern Nevada farmers market schedule

RENO
California and Booth Street
Saturdays, 8am to 1pm, June 6th – October 3rd

West Street Urban Market
West Street between 1st & 2nd
Sundays, 9am to 1pm, June 14th – September 13th

Shopper’s Square
S. Virginia and Plumb
Tuesdays, 8am to 1pm, June 9th - October 6th


Somersett Town Square, 7650 Town Square Way
Wednesdays, 4-8pm, June 10–Aug 26
Linda, (775) 787-4500 Ext 311
www.somersett.com

Tamarack Junction Casino
13101 S Virginia
Fridays, 8am to 1pm, June 12th – October 9th,


SPARKS
United Methodist Church
1231 Pyramid Way
Tuesdays, 8am-1pm, June 2-Sep 15
Everett, (775)358-0925

Sparks Hometowne Farmers' Market on Victorian Square.
Thursdays from 4pm to 9pm, June 11th to ?

CARSON CITY
3rd & Curry St
Saturdays, 9am-1pm, June 27-Oct 3
Linda, (775) 882-6741
www.carsonfarmersmarket.com

Pony Express Pavilion
East 50 (Williams) & Saliman
Wednesdays 3pm – 7pm, June 10th – September 2nd

DAYTON
Community Roots Nursery
Hwy 50 & 2nd Ave,
Thursdays, 4-7pm, June 25-September
Wendy, (775)250-7884


FALLON
Churchill County Fairgrounds
325 Sheckler Rd
Tuesdays, 4:00-8:30 pm, June 16 – Aug 25 (closed July 7)
Don, (775) 427-3428

Grower's Market
The Slanted Porch, 310 S. Taylor Street
Saturdays, 9:00-1:00, May 30th - TBA
The Slanted Porch at 775-423-4489


GARDNERVILLE
Lampe Park
Wednesdays, 8am-1pm, June 3 - Sep 16
Jana, (775)782-9828
http://www.douglascountynv.gov/sites/recdept/Adult.cfm

MINDEN

Downtown, Esmeralda Avenue
Tuesdays, 4-8pm, June 2 - September
Roxanne, (775) 782-2444

Can we indulge in local food without thinking about canning?

Wow! Is this a crazy year for seriously local-food or what? Everywhere I go people who've never gardened before are looking for community gardens and/or advice about growing food in Nevada. They can’t believe that at this very moment I (a marginal gardener, at best) can walk into my yard and harvest asparagus, lots of lettuce/greens, mustard, broccoli Raab, parsley, chives, thyme, rosemary, salsify, arugula, daikon radish, carrots, and green garlic. And I haven’t really put in much effort yet.

I received an email the other day that got me thinking that we can't really talk about eating more local food without talking about preserving the tasty bounty. And while we're thinking about that why not spend our money in our own community. Here’s what I’ve been thinking…

Learn to grow your own grapes in Northern Nevada

From my mailbox to you. Western Nevada College offers another great workshop on growing your own grapes, whether you dream of being a vintner or just want grapes in your back yard.


Nevada farmers continue efforts to expand the state’s viticulture and wine industry with a workshop at Western Nevada College Specialty Crop Institute on Friday and Saturday, May 8-9.
The two-day workshop includes classroom instruction at the Fallon campus, 160 Campus Way, and a site visit to Churchill Vineyards, a successful Nevada winery.

Friday’s classroom session is 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
On Saturday, participants will choose a morning or afternoon visit to the winery.

Cost is $60 for the two-day workshop, which includes lunch on Friday. Registrants receive a $10 discount if payment is made by May 5.

The classroom session includes instruction on establishing a vineyard; site, rootstock and varietal selection; canopy management; and pest management strategies. Viticulture experts and local growers will share their knowledge, including a panel discussion with Nevada farmers about their progress and challenges in growing grapes.

Saturday’s tour of Churchill Vineyards and winery will demonstrate proper pruning and planting techniques in the vineyards, wine tasting, and discussion on the potential for Nevada’s wine and grape-growing industries.

Grapes are one of several specialty crops that conserve water and yield a high-value monetary return per acre. Established in 2001, Churchill Vineyards is Churchill County’s first vineyard, harvesting ten varieties of fine wine grapes. Located seven miles south of Fallon, it is Nevada’s second licensed winery and first Estate Winery. It also has an experimental distilled spirits plant, distilling products grown on Nevada’s high desert farms, including cantaloupe brandy, corn whiskey, and several flavors of vodka.

The Western Nevada College Specialty Crop Institute is an innovative education program for current and future small-scale farmers, as well as students and professionals. Participants learn alternative farming methods to transition from low-value crops to high-value, direct-marketed specialty crops that can increase profitability and conserve water.

Workshops combine classroom and on-farm learning experiences. It is made possible with funding from the Nevada Department of Agriculture and USDA/AMS through the Specialty Crop Block Grant.

To register, contact Ginny Dugan, 775-423-7565, ext. 2230, or visit WNC’s web site, www.wnc.edu/sci.

For information regarding the Specialty Crop Institute and future workshops, contact Project Coordinator Ann Louhela at 775-351-2551.

Master Gardener's plant sale - more help growing your own local food

From my mailbox to you:

The annual Master Gardener plant sale will be held on Saturday, May 16, at the Cliff Fouts Demonstration Garden adjacent to the UNR Cooperative Extension office at 5305 Mill Street (about a block west of east McCarren).

The sale goes from 7:30 am until 11:00 am. Get there early because this is a popular event and the line forms early. Bring something sturdy to hold your plants in while your browse and stand in line to pay.

A large variety of flowers and veggies are for sale at ~$1.50/four inch pot; some ½ gallon pots of flowers, shrubs, and grapes are also available at varying (low) prices. It’s a real deal for a good cause (supporting the demo garden).

Michael Janik is our local fruit tree guy and a Master Gardener. He'll be helping out in the tomato section. Stop by and say Hi!

On a personal note, it was at the 2006 Master Gardener Plant Faire that I discovered what is now our favorite tomato --





-- Silvery Fir Tree. Both fruit and plant are beautiful, it sets fruit early, and it is sooooo tasty!

Stop by...you might find your next family treasure. And while you're there say Thank you to Wendy Hanson Mazet, the Master Gardeners coordinator, and all the Master Gardeners who are dedicated to bringing gardening back to our lives.

New urban farm in Reno

Check this out! One solution to ongoing loss of agricultural land is urban farms. Urban micro-farmers use city land to grow seriously local food. Tom Stille (pronounced Stilly) of Mayberry Farm and his crew have been running an urban micro-farm off of 4th Street for a long time. Now they've added a second site on Valley Road. These farms are a source of tasty, organic, local food for our tables, and great locations for workshops that teach us how to grow our own food. Gotta love mirco-farmers!

Your own seriously local eggs - is it legal in Nevada?

Earlier this month RGJ published an article that is really relevant to an question from earlier posting. The Question? Is it legal to have backyard chickens in Nevada?

As it turns out, for the most part YES! As far as the Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County government are concerned, backyard chickens are fine. Some restrictions apply in Washoe and Sparks so contact them before you jump. The governing bodies most opposed to backyard chickens are Home Owners Associations.

Grapes in Nevada - learn to grown your own

From my mailbox to you. Here's another great opportunity to learn how to grow your own local food, brought to you by Nevada Grown and Western Nevada College.

This two-day workshop will benefit both new and experienced grape growers with a focus on best practices for growing grapes in Nevada. Viticulture experts and local established growers will share their knowledge and experiences within a classroom setting and also “on the farm” at a successful Nevada vineyard. Go here for registration info.


FRIDAY WORKSHOP - May 8 • 9 am-4 pm
Fallon Campus • 160 Campus Way – Virgil Getto Hall

Includes classroom sessions on establishing a vineyard - site and rootstock selection, weed and insect management strategies, importance of canopy management, etc.

SATURDAY WORKSHOP - May 9 • AM or PM Sessions
Churchill Vineyards • 1045 Dodge Lane – Fallon

This half-day session will include a tour of Churchill Vineyards and its winery. Farmers and industry experts will demonstrate proper pruning & planting techniques and provide an opportunity for questions and answers. Established in 2001, Churchill Vineyards is Churchill County’s first vineyard, harvesting 10 different varieties of fine wine grapes. It is Nevada’s second licensed winery and first “Estate Winery.” In 2004, Churchill Vineyards successfully created its first vintage of premium estate wines.

Meyer Lemon Sandwich Cookies

Here's one of my favorite dessert recipes - Meyer Lemon Sandwich Cookies. And how do I justify including a citrus-based dessert on a blog dedicated to locally grown food? My friend Jeanne has a Meyer Lemon tree in her green house, and Leslie and I grow dwarf trees in our kitchens. Seriously local!

Buy garden transplants adapted to Northern Nevada climate

Nevada's Own is now selling vegetable and herb transplant varieities that grow well in Northern Nevada. Order now for your own garden and do it soon because they sell out fast. Call Nevada's Own at (775)465-2810, fax at (775)465-2387 or email at dan@nevadasown.com. See the list of varieties below.

TOMATOES
Big Mama
Black From Tula
Black Plum
Bradley
Brandywine Black – Potatoeleaf
Brandywine - Potatoleaf
Brandywine – Tomatoleaf
Burbank slicing
Bush Celebrity
Cherokee Purple
Custoluto Genovese
Early Girl
Fourth of July
Glacier
Goliath
Green Tomatillo
Green Zebra
Ground Cherry “Aunt Molly”
Jollyelf
Juliet
Koralik
Legend
Manitoba
Purple Tomatillo
Red & White Currant
Red Grape
Red Zebra
Schimmeig Striped Hollow
Shady Lady
Siberian
Stupice
Sungold
Sunsugar
Sweet Million
Taxi
Tumbling Tom Red
Tumbling Tom Yellow
White Cherry
Windowbox Roma
Yellow Pear
Yellow Plum

HERBS
Rocket – Arugula
Sylvette – Arugula
Lemon Balm
Basil Aroma 2
Basil Aromattao
Lettuce Leaf Basil
Lemon Basil
Lime Basil
Poppy Joe’s Basil
Supersweet Chen Basil
Siam Queen Basil
Sweet Dani Basil
St Remo-Genovese Basil
Annis Hyssop-Golden Jubilee
Borage - Burnet
Caraway
Lemon Catnip
Chamomile – German
Chamomile – Roman
Chervil Curly
Chervil Plain Leaf Vertissimo
Chives – Garlic
Chives – Large Leaf
Chives – New Belt
Chives – Welsh Onion White
Cilantro - Delfino
Coriander - Asian Choice
Coriander - Leisure (Cilantro)
Coriander - Santo
Coriander - Slow Bolting
Pepper Grass
Cumin
Dill - Dukat
Dill -Hedger
Dill – Indian – Mammoth Long Island
Epazote
Fennel – Florence
Fennel – Rubra
Fenugreek
Feverfew
Lavender
Lemon Verbena
Lemongrass
Lovage
Marjoram – Sweet Hortensis
Mexican Mint (Spanish Tarragon)
Milk Thistle
Mint – Lemon
Oregano – Greek
Oregano – Italian
Parley – Plain
Parley – Giant of Italy
Parley – Green River
Parsley – Hamburg Root
Perilla – Green
Perilla – Rubra
Rosemary
Sage – Clary
Saltwort
Savory – Summer
Savory – Winter
Sorrel – Garden
Spearmint
St. John’s Wort
Stevia
Tansy
Tarragon – Russian
Thyme – Aromatic
Thyme – winter/German/English
Vitex
Watercress

VEGETABLES
Amarantha – All Red (Chinese Spinach)
Amarantha – Bayam
Amarantha – Calaloo
Lettuce – Truckee
Lettuce – Winter Density
Lettuce – Loma
Lettuce – Nevada
Lettuce – Red Fire
Lettuce – Butter Crunch
Spicy Mesclun
Bush Bean – Blue Lake
Bush Bean – Goldmine
Lima – Pole Sieva
Cantaloupe – Earlisweet
Cantaloupe – Fast Break
Cantaloupe – Little Loup
Bright Lights Chard
Magenta Sunset Chard
Collards
Vates
Cucumber – Lemon
Cucumber – Adam (pickles)
Dusky Eggplant
Fairytales Eggplant
Hansel Eggplant
Littlefingers Eggplant
Endive – Bellesque
Leek – American Flag
Cal Wonder Golden Bell Pepper
Gypsy Bell Pepper
Northstar Bell Pepper
Purple Beauty Bell Pepper
Early Jalapeño Hot Pepper
Dill’s Atlantic Giant Pumpkin
Goldberg Purslane
Red Gruner Purslane
Eight Ball Summer Squash
Sundance Summer Squash
Yellow Bush Patty Pan Squash
Romulus Zucchini
Yellow Crookneck Summer Squash
Sun Green Zucchini
Fragissimo Strawberry
Sugarbaby Watermelon
Petite Treat Watermelon
Nutmeg Melon

Nevada organics program funding restored

Last week the Ways and Means Committee restored funding for the Nevada organics certification program. This is great news for farmers who grow and sell organic food and seed, and to Nevada citizens who rely on them for healthy, local, community friendly food.

Thank you to everyone who called, wrote letters, talked to friends and family, and turned out at the Ways and Means Committee prepared to offer public comment. And let's not forget to show our appreciation to the Ways and Means Committee members who responded to citizen needs and restored the funding. THANK YOU!

It’s fantastic to know that amazing things can happen when we all get together to support what’s important to us and our community.

Woo hoo!

Great Basin Basket CSA 2009 signup

From my mailbox to you:

"Hello everyone!

The 2009 Basket season is approaching and we are excited about this
year. We are rolling up our sleeves and getting ready to dive into an
exciting season. Hoop houses are being planted already and you can see
tender young plants already popping up through the soil in long squiggly
lines.

We don't really have any idea on how much to plant for this year
because we have no idea how many of you have been affected by the economic
times. The farmers are also keeping a very tight budget. So if you plan to
join us this year, you can be a tremendous help by letting us know as soon
as possible by signing up and committing to the year. We have extended our
early sign up to March 31. By paying early, you can receive the early
discount. If you cannot pay up front, we are just asking for the $40 fee
which tells us you are committed for the season you have chosen. Letting us
know now allows the farmers to make more efficient and responsible
decisions when it comes to ordering irrigation supplies, seeds, transplants
and even doing field work. You can get a copy of the registration form
here.

Our thoughts go out to everyone losing a job or having hours or pay
reduced. We feel for you and are sensitive to your situation. Your farmers
have family members who have lost jobs and we understand these trying
times. Some of you, our dedicated partners, may not be able to afford the
basket this year. Some may want to give us a try but can't quite swing it.
Thank you for considering us, and check out the specials listed on our
website. They are available to everyone who visits us there. Feel free to
access our newsletters and recipes. Despite all that is going on around us,
we can't wait for our new year to begin. We are ordering seeds and making
plans. Stay in touch!

Weather permitting, you can look for a heftier basket this year with a
variety of good things to eat. We are also excited to welcome some new
growers into our family of farmers. This will allow for more variety in our
basket—especially the fall basket. Coming soon on our website, you can
meet our new farmers. Stay tuned!

You will also have more opportunity to purchase excess product such as
canning tomatoes and pickling cucumbers. Speaking of canning and pickling,
we all know that education is the best tool for self reliance and
sustainability so we have scheduled more "days on the farm" and we will
offer classes to learn how to preserve food for the winter months.

We had incredible response to the end of the year survey. THANKS to
all of you who took the time. We appreciate your comments. We will make as
many of the changes as possible. Our plans will only go "according to as
planned if the Lord is willing and the creek don't rise!" You know how
farming goes in Nevada.

We thank you for your quick response and letting us know of your plans
this year. You, our partners in this journey, are the key players in this
venture. We appreciate you and sincerely thank you for your continued
support and encouragement. Watch for new information and details on our
website . We look forward to serving you this
2009 Basket season. Spring is at the door. WE CAN'T WAIT!!


Tina, Rick, and Pauline"

Custom Gardens Organic Farm 2009 CSA volunteer and/or sign-up.

From my mailbox to you:

"Silver Springs organic farmers Ray and Virginia Johnson are preparing for another busy season at the farm. They are inviting people who love their veggies to call soon for Custom Gardens Farm’s - Western Nevada CSA subscription program and/or their popular adult volunteer opportunity. They are now accepting memberships for both programs, for coming spring / summer season. The Johnson’s have one central delivery pick-up site in the Reno/Sparks area, and this weekly CSA site is limited in number of members.

In addition to the CSA subscription memberships, a few individuals are invited to join the farm’s popular adult volunteer program, called Food-For-Work exchange.
Volunteers commit to one-half day a week at the farm, exchanging their energy and gardening knowledge and gardening help for a farmer-paid CSA membership. Food-For-Work volunteers have the opportunity to learn new, or advance their organic gardening expertise. FFW members enjoy the physical workout – helping with various farm tasks and programs.

In addition to the CSA membership programs, and an open Sunday green-market day at the farm, Custom Gardens participates in providing fresh produce for state commodity and the senior farmer’s market nutrition programs.

The Johnson’s annual farm production includes a wide variety of A to Z vegetables, herbs, cut-flowers, specialty salad or stir-fry greens, and "recipe meal packs". Other farm treats include a variety of vine, bush, and tree fruit, as nature permits. Members also receive a weekly news letter with recipes, and an automatic invitation at the popular end-of-season Food and Farm-Fest Celebration.

Ray and Virginia invite interested persons to contact them, soon, while subscription and FFW membership openings remain. A current Custom Gardens information brochure is available for the asking. Please call 577-2069 or otherwise contact them by email or visit the farm website. "

Seriously local eggs - get your own backyard chickens

From my mailbox to you:

“Hi Chicken Lovers! Green’s Feed is having their Chick Day on Saturday March 7. They have ordered 1200 chicks. You get five free chicks with each bag of starter feed. You can choose from different breeds and some of the breeds will be sexed. You can also get mixed runs. Get there early!”

Green's Feed is located at 4701 N. Virginia in Reno. Phone is 323-1502.

Learn more about chicken breeds here. Looking for a really cool chicken coop? Check this out.

Washoe County Library also has books and DVDs about the care, history, and importance of chickens in human culture.

Renowned soil expert Elaine Ingham to speak at WNC

From my mailbox to you. To grow your own really great food you need really great soil. Learn how with Dr. Elaine Ingham.

Dr. Elaine Ingham, a renowned soil expert, author and lecturer, will be the featured speaker at an organic farming workshop Saturday, March 14, at Western Nevada College Fallon campus. Dr. Ingham will discuss the basics of the soil food web she developed at the Sustainable Studies Institute in Corvallis, Ore., as well as eco-friendly methods for sustainable farming, landscaping and gardening.

Her presentation is part of a two-day workshop, "Organic Farming - Making the Transition," at WNC Fallon campus March 13-14. The workshop, offered through WNC's Specialty Crop Institute, will include sessions on organic production and a site visit to local organic farms.

Ingham is president and director of research at Sustainable Studies, Inc. and founder of Soil Foodweb, Inc., a biological testing and consulting laboratory with worldwide locations. She is respected internationally as a leader in soil microbiology and is an accomplished author and researcher. A passionate advocate of organic growing systems, Ingham has a dynamic, friendly lecture style that appeals to a broad cross section of audiences, including farmers, ranchers, nursery operators, landscaping experts and even the novice home gardener.

WNC's Specialty Crop Institute, in association with the Nevada Department of Agriculture and the Nevada Organic Advisory Council, aims to teach alternative farming methods in the face of rising land and water prices. The institute is designed to benefit current and future small-scale farmers as well as students and professionals.

Cost: is $60 for the two-day workshop, or $50 for the Saturday lecture only. Lunch will be provided both days. Registrants receive a $10 discount if payment is made by March 10. To register, contact Ginny Dugan, Western Nevada College, 775-423-7565, ext. 2230, or visit WNC’s web site, www.wnc.edu/sci. For information regarding the Specialty Crop Institute and future workshops, contact Project Coordinator Ann Louhela at 775-351-2551.

CSA 2009 sign up season

Both Rise and Shine Farms and Grow for Me (call 775-677-0636) are accepting CSA subscriptions for the 2009 harvest. Now's the time to get your order in and eat true farm-fresh food through the end of the year.

Wendy at Grow for Me sent a lot of information about what's going on a her place, primarily for people interested in CSAs, but some of it of interest to restaurant owners and others who might be interested in some non-profit activity. Read on...

"Hi all!
Had a wonderful trip eight days in sunny Baja - well needed - as the realization I have not taken any time away from the daily chores not that I really mind them but it was a wonderful time to rejuvenate and refresh for the coming year!

For those of you that do not know we have added 8 ewes plus a ram. They are a breed called Jacob's sheep to our list of heritage animals. The ewes are all pregnant and we have had two babies so far. You should see the two babies stormy and survivor...It may be time for a pre-harvest planning dinner and I will tell you their story. I will post picture soon update the blog, etc. but things are good here at the farm - lots of work inside has been accomplished. Even more outside before the storms came.

The chickens are laying very very well and if you want eggs the cost is 2.50 pick up at the farm. 3.25 weekly delivery.

The beautiful jersey cow - Funny Face is happily providing those of you who wish to have a cow for adoption very good results - remember we do not sell milk folks - we only adopt out the cow and what she gives is yours to do with what you wish - details email or call the farm. We have some excellent raw milk cheese recipes!

Janet, a special thank you for all your careful planning and consideration concerning how to accommodate Hoodini the ram - ( he really needs a middle name as well like Hoodini-Copperfield-Wrecking-ball Baroli!) There is still much to do but all good things to put your heart and back into...

For those of you so willing and interested in serving on the board of Grow For Me -here is what I have discovered. The market has effected everyone. The position of the woman who owns this ranch has changed so that there is little benefit to her offering the property as a donation or reduced sale to a non profit.

The legal wrangling and frustration of the tax based issues in the State of California (yes, although the property has a Reno address and number for tax purposes enough of it sits on the border of Nevada and California it is considered in Sierra County) are really more than I am capable of dealing with - at least at this point. However, I do want to continue to pursue at minimum some part of the project I have proposed to you. Think on this.

The farm moves forward as any farm would, the CSA member goal of 50 is pursued to ensure the farm can pay the rent etc., we put together the potential charter and what it should look like and for now - put together one food box per every ten paid CSA memberships for families in need or cancer survivors that are in need. We will donate dollar for dollar spent by any cafe or restaurants that actually joins the CSA - although most chefs prefer weekly faxed updates of what is available we do wish to reward those chefs that also see the benefit of the CSA by contributing to their local charity or family of interest.

Since you are our core group perhaps you could recommend organizations and or names to draw from?

I am really interested in what you think about this as the charity work for now until we can work at the rest of the issues. I feel it would not be prudent to pursue the non profit status until we had a clear charter and have attracted enough membership to sustain the farm expenses? I just want to be sure before taking the legal form that a non profit requires as it is quite a process as a start up and the focus this year really is on expanding the harvest.

For those members who have subscriptions still... we have also procured a 4000 sq foot greenhouse and once the planting begins next week you should begin to see deliveries on a regular basis sometime mid to end of March. Those of you haven't yet committed...now it the time. Once the advertising goes out we fill up very quickly but we always give priority to those interested in the long term relationship.

The weather here took out our small and now insignificant greenhouse and essentially challenged every piece of wherewith-all I had to not tear it all down with my bare hands as I watched pieces and parts fly away into the snow filled nights! But things are back on track - I have a bundle or two of wood left to deliver and am looking forward to an even more interesting year of growing. Oh, and our first wwoofer may arrive around April!

For our restaurants and cafes - it is time to commit if you want anything in particular grown - the seeds have all begun arriving and we will start planting out next week. we would really welcome some local chefs involved in the suggestions of what interests them - thanks for the input to our friend at the Dish Cafe, Nancy your list of suggestions are on the planting list especially designed for you!

All of you who have not renewed your memberships check out the new and improved and perhaps more budget friendly way to join the CSA you get to choose the price level and there are lots more options. The more input on what you are interested in seeing in your boxes.. the more they will look closer to what you expect- any questions call me here at the farm. Leave a message and I will return calls in the evening. Remember the more friends and family that join the more the price goes down for everyone...so those of you with access to colleagues and neighbors ( by the way we will deliver if there are five or more picking up in one place - including work) give us a hand and spread the word. I will also be happy to do a 40 minute talk on CSA membership - with a presentation and a q/a afterwards. I can do it in the evening at your home, a library, a classroom , an office break-room- so please help me make local food an even greater experience and not just for those that can afford fresh sustainable grown but for anyone interested.

Our first demonstration classes begin The first week of April look for it in the blog online.
Let me know what you think of the charity option n-I am open to any suggestions and I am really really looking for a blog writer or two all I need is a few paragraphs and something to provoke a bit of conversation...hint hint.

Thanks,Wendy
W BaroliGrow For Me Sustainable Farm and Teaching Center
775-677-0636"

More on NAIS and your access to local food

From my mailbox to you:

Learn more about NAIS at Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance.

Take action at Organic Consumers Association.

Public comment closes March 16, 2009.

Tell them what you want or Cargill and Monsanto will do it for you!

I try not to get too political on this blog because it’s really about where to get local food, whether you purchase it or grow it, but it’s hard not to when I know what’s going on at the federal level. Everything that happens in Washington affects our ability to get local food here in Nevada. Without public intervention the USDA, big agriculture, big food processing corporations, and big pharmaceutical will get exactly what they want and we’ll be eating food that nature never intended. And bonus for them, these laws makes it increasingly difficult for small producers to compete and reduces our access to local, healthy, organic food.

The USDA, food manufactures, and corporations are making a huge push to change the laws that help protect us all, without any pesky strings that make them responsible to the consumer or the environment. They’re trying to get more GE (genetically engineered) food onto the grocery store shelves without labeling (some is already on it’s way to your local grocery store), exempt big producers from environmental, safety, and health laws, and make it increasingly difficult for small producers who must comply with laws designed to reign in huge producers bent on profit. The Bush administration passed some seriously eater-unfriendly laws through during their last days. Did you know the USDA is planning to implement a law that would require every animal in the country associated with food be electronically tracked? Yup! If this plan goes through you’ll have to register every single one of your backyard chickens with the federal government and pay a fee to do it. Those in the know expect this requirement to drive small producers out of business. See National Animal Identification System (NAIS).

What’s my point? Your voice counts so tell your federal government representatives/agencies what you expect from them! There are all kinds of watchdog groups out there trying to keep us informed about who’s messing with our food supply. You can help immensely by signing up for alerts and signing petitions on line. I do it while checking email. A couple of minutes a day and I can help keep franken-food off my dinner plate. A good place to start is the Center for Food Safety.

Okay, I'm off my soapbox now.

Garden seeds locally grown in Northern Nevada by Mewaldt Organics

Yes! You can grow your own food in Northern Nevada. Bill and Korena Mewaldt have been growing vegetables and herbs in Nevada for many years, and they’ve been saving the seed of the varieties that do well on their place in Fallon. These seeds produce well in our climate and microclimates and are especially successful because they’re the product of plants that have thrived here. (Microclimates are small spaces within your landscape that experience differences in temperature, soil moisture retention, wind speed, etc. due to topography and the placement of urban/suburban structures. So, that little 6x6 space back by the fence where the snow stays longer may be too cold for tomatoes but might be great for lettuces.) These seeds are available to us!

The Mewaldts have been farming in Northern Nevada for years and have experience in many aspects of growing and selling local food -- farmers markets, restaurant sales, CSA, and lucky for us, garden seeds. The garlic they grow and save every year was originally purchased at Raley’s in the 1970s. I love that!

Below is a partial list of varieties you can buy at the Great Basin Community Food Co-op. The list changes so check back often. And, if you’re new to growing your own here's a tip -- start buying your seed now because the good stuff goes fast.

TOMATOES
Ananna’s Noir, Big Rainbow, Big Zebra, Boxcar Willie, Cherokee Purple, Copia, Dixie, Golden Giant, Green Giant, Green Zebra, Homesweet, Korena’s Roma, Yellow Pear II, Yellow Plumb, Orange Queen, White Queen, Black Plumb, Cherry Tomato, Black Cherry, Cuban Yellow, Grape, Green Grape, Red Cherry, Snow White

SWEET PEPPERS
California Wonder, Giant Aconcagua, Szegedi, Super Red Pimento, Pimento L,

CHILI (HOT PEPPERS)
Serrano, Cherry Bomb, Caribbean Red

MISC.
Asian Baby Eggplant, Chioggia Beet, Red Beet, Rainbow Carrot collection, Sweet Chen Basil, Cilantro, Garlic Chives, Italian Flat Parsley, Tat Soi, Parsnip, Dill, Chard (mixed colors)

Watch here for more resources. I'll post info as I learn about it.

Soil is where food starts - Elaine Ingham to speak in Fallon

These days talking and thinking about local food is increasingly about growing your own. My city-kid upbringing hasn't at all prepared me for growing my own food so I appreciate every opportunity to learn how to do it, and people in our community are working hard to put together gardening and farming workshops. Great soil is where it all starts and Elaine Ingham can teach us about it. This message is just a heads-up, but I want to get it out now because it is expected to fill up fast. From my inbox to you:

"On Saturday, March 14, 8am-4pm, Elaine Ingham, world renowned soil expert, will speak at Western Nevada College campus in Fallon. Her lecture is part of a 2-day seminar on transitioning to organics and is produced by the Specialty Crop Institute of WNC. Ingham is an energetic, easy-to-understand speaker who explains what life in the soil is all about. Her audiences include not just commercial farmers, but anyone who grows things. For more information, her website is http://www.soilfoodweb.com/ The Friday event will include sessions by regional organic farming experts and a tour of a local organic farm. Students may sign up for two days or Saturday only - $50 for two days (early sign-up), $40 for Saturday only. Lunch is included with the fee. Registrations will begin in early February. I will provide a link when it's ready. In the meantime, save the date for this dynamic speaker!

Sincerely,
Ann Louhela
Project coordinator, Specialty Crop Institute"

Act now! State of Nevada ready to cut the organic certification program

The State of Nevada is planning to cut our local organic certification program. The one remaining certifier for the State of Nevada, Steve Marty, was just notified that his position would be eliminated on June 30, 2009.

The USDA authorizes the State of Nevada to certify farmers as organic.
However, the state must fund the workers to complete the certification process. The program itself is only funded by the Federal Government if the state supports it. Here’s what Nevada consumer should know before allowing the government to eliminate this program, and why this is important to us and our community.

Organic certification is expensive, especially if the certifier must come from out of state. If the Nevada state certification program is eliminated our farmers will have to pay significantly higher fees and will likely experience delays while they wait to receive service from some other state’s program. This would be cost prohibitive for the farmer, increase the amount we pay for organics, and has the potential to drive committed farmers out of business.

Cutting this program will do very little to help the state meet the budget deficit. The program is almost self-sufficient and thus is not a significant line item that would improve the state's budget situation.

Organic certification is a huge marketing advantage for all organic farmers, and Nevada farmers are no exception. Should the government cut this program and make certification essentially unattainable, Nevada farmers who want to grow organically would have no way of differentiating their product from that grown using conventional, chemical based methods. This would reduce the incentive for organic farmers and our access to organic locally grown food.

Organic farmers do more than bring healthy food to our table. They employ practices that protect our environment, but they need organic friendly programs to maintain these practices. Our government should be doing all it can to support and defend our food, health, water, and land.

Local support provides farmers an incentive to grow real food consumed by humans. The government subsidizes and insures commodity crops like corn, wheat, rice, soybean, but farmers who grow vegetables, herbs, and fruit are pretty much on their own. Organic certification is one of the few supports available to the local farmer. They need it and so do we.

Contact your representatives today and tell them to continue to fund the Nevada Department of Agriculture's organic certification program. We are all passionate about food, especially local and organic food. Let’s work together to let our state government representatives know we expect them to act in our support of local food, organic farmers, and a clean environment.

Contact your assembly and senate members now...they'll be making this cut in February. If you'd like to send a paper letter here's one for your use. And, if you'd like to be included in other support initiatives contact Local Food Network.