I chose the masthead picture above because it reminded me of how hopeful I want to be that I could actually salvage some grapes from the racoons and rats and leaf blight that are working my grapevines; and that I might save a few of my tomato plants from the gopher(s) that invaded my property this year and systematically began munching 6 tomato plants, 10 peppers, 5 cucumbers and assorted other crops); hopeful that I'll actually get to the Club and start working out, to balance out the ice cream addiction..... you get the idea. I'm also hopeful that one of you will step forward to help me and Noel and Kathy to lead this food culture/food council. I know it's easy to think you're too busy. I'm too busy. We recognize that becoming the "Chairperson" may seem daunting (though it's really just a few hours a month) -- so we've chosen to job-share. What we really need at this point is someone who will agree to create regularly scheduled meetings for folks in the Food Council who want to gather and talk about projects underway and dreams worth pursuing. It's basically picking a time and place, facilitating the meeting and communicating the results to me to publish. Don't be shy....come on down..... |
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Canning Class Huge Success -- Thanks Cecil!
Next up: Tomato Bonanza
The Culinary Club hosted a canning class led by Cecil Baumgartner at his amazing orchard home off Creek Road. It was sold out early, with 15 people on the waiting list for the next one. I'm thinking we might plan on something for late August or early September as the tomatoes really hit big and do several tomato canning/preserving/preparing items. Anyone have fabu recipes for tomatoes?
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Hor's D'Oeuvres: News Tid-Bits
** "Urban Farms Take Root" was front page of The L.A. Times. A couple of gals in San Francisco, Little City Gardens, got city leaders to revise zoning laws to allow the cultivation and sale of produce in all neighborhoods. Berkeley is looks at a similar permit and Oakland is tackling the raising of backyard animals for personal food sourcing. Go Bay Area!!
** Slow Food announced that the "ag-gag" bills to make it illegal to take photographs of farms (yep, that's right, illegal to snap pix) that Big Ag was sponsoring is dead. Iowa, Florida, Minnesota and New York all had bills on the docket. A victory for transparency.
** GMO Salmon is encountering resistance in the Senate. This is a good time to send a letter to the FDA requesting that they DO NOT approve AquaBounty's proposal for genetically modified fish. Senators representing Alaska, Oregon & Washington are opposed to creating this "Frankenfish." Send or call them a "thank you." ** Worldwatch Institute (along with many others) published results that "sustainable agriculture is emerging as a solution to mitigating climate changes, reducing public health problems & costs, making cities more liveable & creating jobs in a stagnant global economy." (Not to mention carbon sequestration!) ** Farmers markets beat grocery stores on prices for organic food. A recent study in Vermont of ten products showed a 38% price difference. Do your own study and send me your findings! ** 43 million households turned to home farming (veggie gardening & fruit trees) during the recession & are sticking to it! Our own Grow Food Party Crew helped install about 50.... how many of you are still growing food?? Who wants to step up? |
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Grow Food Party Crew Inspires 100 Seeds of Change
Julia Pfeifer joined me to share the secrets of our success here in the Valley, with the multiple-garden-installation-days, with the Social Justice Learning Institute in Inglewood. Featured in my new documentary, the SJLI is committed to creating 100 home & community gardens in the City of Inglewood, a food desert rife with fast food & liquor stores, hungry for fresh food.
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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 |
Aug. 6, 20, 27
Hose Wranglers Wanted(free) You can help water newly planted trees in Ojai by volunteering as a hose wrangler for one of the above Saturday mornings. trees@ojaitrees.org2 hours
August 13
($20 ) Bokashi Compost
This unique Japanese composting technique creates nutrient rich, probiotic soil amendment in less time & space than usual. Take-home starter kit included.
Class size limited. RSVP: ElevateEcology.com
1:00-3:00 (Glen Muse) August 16 (free) 2012 Master Gardener Trainee Recruitment Leah Hayes, Program Coordinator from the UC Master Gardeners program will address prospective trainees, outlining the Jan-Dec 2012 program. Limited seating, so call to reserve your seat! Valley of the Moon Community Garden Robin Graham: 640-0569 2:30pm August 28 Ojai Trees Volunteer Appreciation Picnic (more info to come)
Future Planning:
Farmagedden (the movie) will be shown in September here in Ojai
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Syrian Cucumber Soup | |
In solidarity with freedom fighters in Syria, we bring you this soup.
4 C. chop & peel Cukes
2 C. plain yogurt
2 C. water
2 minced garlic cloves
1/2 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. salt
Throw it all in the blender and chill.
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Big Thanks
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To all of you who participated in getting meals and some cash infusions to our dear foodie, Noel. We're happy to report that his spinal surgery went well and he's on the mend, albeit slowly.
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