About 30 people came for the rollout of the new Food Council, and we had an action-packed evening. Fueled by beautiful hors d'oeuvres and organic wine, we spoke about what the Food & Agriculture Committee had accomplished over the past 4 years, and where the new Food Council could go in the next few years.
- After a long run at creating over 40 edible gardens in the Valley, The Grow Food Party Crew has been dormant for the last year. We're hoping one of you/us will step forward and reinvigorate the garden installations program. Digging in a garden with strangers became some of the best friend-making time I've ever found. Join the May 22nd event!
- The Culinary Club continues to have way popular Recipe Swaps and Tasting Socials every quarter. A class in preserving and canning foods is coming in July. If you've got something special that you cook and want to share, don't be shy, share it with us.
- The FOOD NEWS has been published every month for the last year and a half, connecting people to good food events and what's up in the policy world of food & farming.
Kathy Nolan led an activity where we visioned what the newly coined Food Council can become over the next year. There were a number of ideas flying about... soup kitchens, co-ops, recycling restaurant greens, compost businesses, youth employment, incubator kitchens, green catering..... what's your idea? These are two that are really ready to ripen:
- Harvest Helpers is waiting to be born. We're looking for someone who'd like to help organize a group of volunteer pickers for a gleaning program this summer. The idea is to help homeowners pick & distribute their excess fruit and veggies from the garden....you know how those pesky zucchinis can multiply... and share them with the pickers & community organizations. We've got the info on how to get started. Anyone?
- Ojai Valley Community Garden is up and going. We're rooting on them becoming the newest Food Council project, under the 501.c.3 umbrella of the Green Coalition. Final word on this May 5th. Plots for rent at the Honor Farm, with a one-time annual fee to pay for water. For Info: [email protected] or 640-0569
Council Projects: Deborah rolled out the PowerPoint and showed us how the new system works. Watch for the "how-to" in an upcoming OVGC newsletter. Basically, if you have an idea of some project you'd like to do, and you'd like to be part of the O.V. Green Coalition Food Council to do it, there are a few basic steps:- Share your idea and get at least two people to agree to help
- Download a Project application form from the website
- Fill it out and submit it
- Wait for someone who looked it over to get back to you
- Simple.
The Giveaway: Justin & Quin, from Mano Farm CSA contributed a brimming basket of fresh produce that was raffled off (free raffle tickets, you can't beat it!) They also regaled us with stories about how they got started, how their CSA works, cost of food, Q&A.
Robin Graham is excited about the new Ojai Valley Community Garden - what they've done, how it's set up, the plot sizes (10x10 & 10x20), and to come on down and sign up. There's still room.
Jean Pedersen spoke briefly about the Weston A. Price Foundation and their monthly meetings about how to incorporate more traditional cultural foods into our diet.
And I, Dulanie, passed the torch and made the case for Job Sharing the leadership of the Food Council. Since my film is demanding 23 hours a day, I'll spend the 24th hour publishing the FOOD NEWS each month; but the rest of the organizational jobs will be shared with all those who want to play with me. Kathy Nolan, Noel Douglas, Bonnie Bartling, Liz Grummette and others have offered to take on a piece of it.
I got so enthused, I capped off the evening with a rousing pep talk about developing our food culture here in the Ojai Valley and what that could look like. Thanks to everyone who joined in!
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A Slow Food Chapter is in the Making Jason Rodriguez wants to get a chapter of Slow Food going in Ojai. He had an initial meeting April 27th at Farmer & the Cook. If you're interested in this global movement to cook good whole food, to leisurely enjoy flavors and companionship, that celebrates worldwide food cultures, give him a holler. Contact: [email protected] |
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WARNING: COMPOST AWARENESS - SLUDGE INDUSTRY
Don't be fooled by the growing P.R. campaign to convince us that Kellogg and other companies "bio-products" are just fine for our gardens. These large commercial fertilizer companies are using sewage sludge in their compost products.
INSTEAD - make sure you are buying organic or biodynamic compost. This is what will feed your plants and you want them eating well. Remember, we feed the soil & it feeds us.
Malibu Compost (sold at both Flora Gardens & Ortiz Nursery) is mind-blowing in its effect on my vegetables. My chard and beets are inspiring, literally making visitors pause & comment. My lettuces came up full and vital. Really, I can't help but give a plug. Because of the price, I only used handfuls of Bu's Blend in the holes. But after the results of my winter garden, I am buying several bagfuls to turn into the soil for my summer garden. I am 100% sold on this stuff. |
The Kid on the TED TALK - What's Wrong with our Food System
Don't we wish we all had kids (or even friends) who so completely groked our food system -- what's wrong with it and what we should do -- as this 11 year-old boy. I sent it to many of you already, but here it is again, just to make you smile and give you hope, one more time:
http://youtu.be/F7Id9caYw-Y
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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
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Upcoming Events |
May 1-2
Make Money as an Urban Farmer
Presented by the Sustainable Commercial Urban Farm Incubator (SCUFI) program.
Read about this amazing workshop:
http://virtuallygreen.com/scufis/scufi-program/
Santa Rosa, CA
May 7
free
Waterwise Landscape
Bike Tour
Ojai Valley Green Coalition
http://www.ojaivalleygreencoalition.org/water_matters.shtml
May 11 & 12
$180
Outstanding in the Field
5/11: Earthrine Farm
5/12: Rio Gozo Farm
http://outstandinginthefield.com/landing/
May 13
free
Transition to Organics:
Weed Management
Meditation Mount
10340 Reeves Rd.
RSVP: 646-4294
10:30-12:00 noon
May 14, 22, 28
May Walks w/Lanny
Herbs & Edibles
$10-20
5/14: Sulphur Mtn Rd East, Upper Ojai, Canada Larga 5/22: Cozy Dell Trail 5/28: Matilija Canyon
[email protected]
RSVP: 646-6281
8:30-11:30
May 14 free
Graywater Workshop Ojai Valley Green Coalition http://www.ojaivalleygreencoalition.org/water_matters.shtml
May 17 free Permaculture 101 Workshop Ojai Valley Green Coaltion
http://www.ojaivalleygreencoalition.org/water_matters.shtml May 20 Free Open House Farm Tours Mano Farms CSA is inviting you to visit the farm on the 3rd Saturday of the month. 999 Fairview Rd. 5:00-6:00pm May 21 free Weston A. Price Found. Mtg Ojai Valley Community Church 907 El Centro, Rm. 302 1:00-3:00 May 22 free Nordhoff Grow Food Party Crew - Fall Garden Teens & mentors 90-day to fruition plantings for Fall Harvest 5:00-7:30pm Call Julia: 217-4370 Future Planning:
June 25
free
Lavender Festival
Libbey Park
http://www.ojaivalleylavenderfestival.org/
July 9
$15
(the long-awaited....)
Canning Class
Remember that when the fruit comes, it comes all at once. Learn how to enjoy the summer fruit all year long!
Thunderbird Farms, Oak View
10:30-1:00pm
RSVP: [email protected]
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Tomato Planting Tip
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Transplant tomato seedling into one gallon pot and let it get settled in there before you plant it in the garden.
Take your seedling from it's small pot and put the rootball at the bottom of a cleaned 1-gallon pot. Pour in soil up to just below leaves. Seems that all those fuzzy little hairs on the stem will become roots. More roots, stronger plant, more tomatoes.
Too bad I read this AFTER I did all my garden planting. Rats!
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May is WATER Month
Meatless Mondays |
are a good way to cut back on contributing to the massive amounts of water necessary to grow the grains & raise our livestock.
Secret Smoothie This is my breakfast default:
Cup of Almond Milk Half a banana Half a dozen strawberries 2-3 leaves of Kale One scoop Protein Powder Blend & Enjoy (you'll never taste the kale)
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