Glorious Gardens Spring Forth
While the weather jousts back and forth between winter and spring, I'm flinging frost cloth over wire cages at night to protect young plants, only to rip it back for warm mid-days. But I am in heaven. Bulb flowers and fruit trees are blossoming. Every day in the garden there's something new.TIP: Put a raincoat on your fully flowered fruit tree, if it's short enough, when rains come. Drape plastic & secure with clothes pins, to keep the pollen from washing away. Did it last year & had full fruit harvests. Just remember to take it off when the rain is over, so the plant doesn't cook. Last year's pony-pack of Swiss Chard has become a perennial hedge row now, a dding vibrant color and endless dinner greens. Chard is so reliable in Ojai.
It thrives in these cold-cold winters, and can still survive our sizzling summers. It's a beginning gardener's dream plant. Get "Bright Lights" variety for psychedelic colors. Steam it, add butter & soy sauce, serve with brown rice and you've got one yummy meal.
TIP: Make little mini-green houses for starting seeds. Fill pony-packs with seed starting mix. They fit neatly in nursery trays or end to end. Cut a piece of 6' wire-mesh cloth, about 3' wide. Arch it over the trays of seeds like a tunnel. Lay a string of Christmas lights amidst them. Cover with a white sheet or frost cloth, or plastic if raining. Presto, a slightly warmed, protected little greenhouse for emerging seedlings.
|
| Sneak Peak:
America needs a million new farmers -
Veterans want the job!
A Greater Mission
See the Sneak Preview Reel for this new feature documentary, produced by Dulanie Ellis & Ray Singer, about our Iraq war veterans who are becoming organic farmers -- both to recover from combat and to find a new mission -- food security for America.
Also showing: The Greenhorns
Explores America's young farming community, its spirit, practices & needs from a grassroots organization that recruits, supports & promotes young farmers.
Dulanie will be there to speak about A GREATER MISSION.
Justin Huhn & Quin Shakra of Mano Farms will discuss farming
March 26th at 4:30-6:30 pm at the Ojai Theater.
Sponsored by Nutiva
|
|
Sulphur Mtn Herb Walk
|
Ojai Valley Community Garden Start-Up
Yep, there's a group that's intent on creating a community garden. Their core group is now looking for persons interested in leasing small plots in the new garden, to persons and/or families to grow food for themselves. Those persons who are interested in leasing space may send an email inquiry if they would like to be included in the development of the garden.
For info: http://www.ojaivalleycommunitygarden@gmail. |
RAW MILK: Share the Secret
March 13, 12:30 (see Upcoming Events)
Come learn how to build & mourish your immune system through raw milk. Share the Secret is offered free by Mark McAfee of Organic Pastures Dairy Company.
In 2000 Organic Pastures in Fresno became California's first raw milk dairy with certified organic pasture land and is one of the few remaining family-owned and operated dairies in California. Organic Pastures Dairy invented and built the first and only mobile dairy barn of its kind in North America. Only organic green pasture and approved naturopathic methods are used to feed and care for the cows. Watch Mark demonstrate how his mobile dairy barn makes his organic milk completely pasture-based on this Youtube clip:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdYQPdpaaes
|
|
Permaculture Design Grads Looking for a Place
We, permaculture design grads, are looking for a house on 2 -3 acres which we can permaculture for rainwater catchment to improve groundwater, organic food production and make into an inspirational site based on the natural and common sense permaculture principles.
apoloniapaulusse@yahoo.com
|
|
GMO Alert: From one of our Members
We could stop empowering Monsanto by no longer thoughtlessly buying their products and turning our heads. It's our choice. Some actions you can take:
ˇ Stop buying these products and products that contain them (unless they are fully organic): corn, soy, canola, alfafa (as in sprouts), sorghum, wheat and cotton; sugar (from sugar cane or beets).
ˇ Don't buy vegetables that Monsanto has developed. They are sold as hybrid seeds at the nurseries and produce in the groceries:
ˇ BellaverdeŽ broccoli
ˇ EverMild™ onions
ˇ Rainbow carrots
ˇ Ruby Jewel sweet corn
ˇ Cheddar cauliflower, has a unique orange color
ˇ Sweetbites™
ˇ Dialogue with every grocery, food vendor and restaurant that you buy from-tell them you need to know that they are not using Monsanto products, or you will have to shop elsewhere.
ˇ Sign every single petition that comes into your inbox.
This truly is the fight for our lives. Monsanto owns 95%of the world seed supply and is systematically causing "drift" from GMO crops to pollinate organic fields... and then sues the organic farmers for illegally growing it. GMO crops are producing lower yields over time and requiring stronger pesticides (doubling in the last few years). They are not the promised panacea, and they are endangering our natural food supply.
The drumbeat for a food system that is fair, clean & affordable continues to grow louder. Be a part of the food revolution!
|
|
Thanks for your continuing interest in making the Ojai Valley a more delicious place to live. Our food system is a vital part of our resilience and strength.
Growing food, growing community!
Dulanie Ellis, Food & Ag Committee
Ojai Valley Green Coalition |
|
| Mar
Upcoming Events
|
March 5
$10-$20
Sulphur Mountain Herb Walk & View of Canada Larga Valley
lannykaufer@sbcglobal.net
(see article)
RSVP: 646-6281
9:00 -12:00
March 5
$10
Rainwater Harvesting
Kate Riley of Inner Landscape Design
Mulberry Haven
913 Oso Rd.
RSVP 640-1897
cvesecky@igc.org
10:00am-Noon
March 6-8
$150
CA Small Farm Conference
www.californiafarmconference.com
San Jose - Doubletree Hotel
March 12
free
Winter Recipe Swap
& Tasting Social
Our quarterly bash is at my house this round. Watch for invitation.
New classes announced.
Tempeh-Making Demo
RSVPs a Must
ojaiculinaryclub@gmail.com
March 13
Free
Share The Secret Raw Milk educational outreach program. (see article)
Ojai Valley Community Church Leis Hall, # 302, 907 El Centro 12:30pm
March26
$10-10,000
"A Greater Mission"
Sneak Peak
shows along with feature film:
"Greenhorns" Sponsored by Nutiva Presented by O.V. Green Coalition Ojai Theater 4:00-6:30
|
|
Farm Bill Update
| |
The Farm Bill should really be called The Food & Farm Bill, so that more people would pay attention to it. The 2012 Farm Bill is coming up and all we can hope for in this economic climate is hold onto the existing programs we like as there is no money for new progressive programs.
In fact, the House just proposed a budget that would significantly cut sustainable Ag programs, wetland recovery, conservation on farms and nutrition. However, an amendment that would have limited subsidies to corporate commodity farmers to $250K (down from $500K) failed to pass.
Once again, Big Ag wins. Even our California reps voted against reining in corporate welfare.
Speak Out!
|
|
Sonia's Daughter's
Spicy Red Lentil
& Vegetable Soup
|
One large onion, chopped Three cloves garlic, crushed or minced Four carrots, sliced Three stalks celery, sliced Two large tomatoes, chopped Two fresh jalapenos, minced One bag red lentils Two quarts water Salt, pepper, Spike, tarragon, marjoram, sage, parsley, and Bragg to taste  Saute the onion and garlic in olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot for a few minutes or until the onion is translucent. Add the carrots, celery, tomatoes, and jalapeno and cook until the veggies are starting to soften. Then add the bag of lentils, stirring to coat them with oil. Add the two quarts of water and all of the dried herbs, Bragg, etc. I use about two teaspoons each of the herbs (more if fresh), plus Bragg just splashed in a few times. The lentils will absorb a lot of salt, so be generous. Red lentils don't take a long time to get soft, so keep them on a low flame. Simmer, don't boil! The soup will be ready in about 20 minutes and the celery should still have a bit of bite.
|
|
Food Facts
| |
A recent UCSB study found that "99% of over 50 crops, livestock and wine grown in Santa Barbara is exported."
And "fully 95% of the fruits and vegetable consumed in the county are shipped in from elsewhere."
Imagine two trucks on the road,
passing each other.
I wonder how much Ojai grows? And keeps? And imports?
|
|
