I chose this ancient corn picture as a tribute to Mexico, home of hundreds of indigenous corn varieties that are in danger of eradication by GMO corn.
National Non-GMO Month
Superweeds that resist the very toxic pesticide meant to kill them. Infertility and still-born mammals of up to  45% in controlled studies. Changes in the actual organs of animals who eat GMO grain. 75% of the food in grocery stores contain unlabelled GMOs. Careers of scientists who speak out are destroyed. Agricultural colleges are funded by GMO companies. USDA & FDA infiltrated long ago. Supreme Court Justice, Clarence Thomas, a former Monsanto attorney refuses to recuse himself from GMO cases.
Where does it end? WITH YOU!
We have a chance to demand that GMO foods and additives are labeled in California. Public education events are being planned in Ojai. I just bought the film "Scientists Under Attack" and we'll let you know when it arrives and where it will screen.
The LabelGMOs ballot initiative campaign seeks volunteers in Ojai to help organize public information and, starting later in October, training for petition signature gatherers. Pledge, by yourself or with friends, to gather signatures, at LabelGMOs.org. Support and be part of this history-making grassroots project to invite California voters to say YES to a mandatory GMO food labeling law on the November 2012 ballot.
We need 780,000 signatures gathered in 150 days folks! So we need all our volunteers trained and ready to go in November.
Be part of the solution, volunteer to help gather signatures: http://labelgmos.org/pledge/
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Extra fruit or produce growing in your yard?
FOOD FOR THOUGHT wants to know: Got any surplus zucchini? Extra valencias just hanging on your trees, g oing to waste? Too many eggs? Mira Monte 6th grade teacher Kent Houston has his kids do a weekly Parking Lot Produce Sale, the proceeds of which go to fund the 6th grade science trip to Catalina Island in the spring; he is looking for sources of produce to sell. We're still working out the details of collection and distribution, but if you have something to contribute to this effort, whether regularly or sporadically, please and let us know. THANK YOU!
Contact: info@foodforthoughtojai.org
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FOOD FREEDOM - Support HR 1830
I've written a few pieces about what's happening with the FDA raiding farms with guns drawn to arrest farmers for....... milk, cheese and yogurt. But more than raw dairy, this is also an issue of the government clamping down on buying clubs, citizens like you and me who want to buy directly from food producers. For the very best write-up from the Farm to Consumer Legal Defense:
http://www.westonaprice.org/2011-action-alerts/support-food-freedom-now
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Pumpkin Patch at the Faulkner Farm
If you know kids - this is the best afternoon in the County. Hay rides, a Red Corn maze, acres of pumpkins, food, crafts, Master Gardeners, music, animals. The kind of good old fashioned fun that never goes out of style.
Saturdays and Sundays in October 10:00-5:00
287 S. Briggs Road, Santa Paula
(Briggs offramp off Hwy. 126) |
 Farmer & the Cook in the Los Angeles Times
There's a great article in the L.A. Times about Steve & Olivia and the outrageous and varied selection of chilis they've grown and are turning into easy-to-cook-with chili powders.
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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
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Oct. 5
"Genetic Chile" Film Label GMO ballot initiative info and screening. Q&A with Ron Whitehurst, Agroecologist and Pesticide Control Agent.
Topping Room - E.P. Foster Library in Ventura 651 Main St. 643-4360 for info Oct. 9
($20 adult/$8 kids)
SOAR Run Through
the Orchards and a pre-race Audubon-led bird walk There's a 3K,5K & 10K
Fundraising to help maintain our green spaces as SOAR boundaries end.
Oct. 24
FOOD DAY
National grassroots celebration in communities everywhere. What are we going to do?
Suggestions?
West Coast Coordinator:
deborah.gardner@mac.com
Plan Ahead:
Nov. 5
(free)
Speaker: Mark McAfee "Benefits of Raw Milk"
and screening ($7) of
"FARMEGEDDEN"
Ojai Community Church
907 El Centro, Leis Hall
Fundraiser for the Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund
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Celebration Corn-Tomato Soup | |
1 large onion 1 poblano chili 1 jalapano chili 3 garlic cloves 1 tablespoon butter 8 ears of corn 3 cups chicken stock 1 cup milk 1 lemon 2-3 ripe tomatoes or 1 basket of cherry tomatoes 1 teaspoon white balsamic vinegar or cider vinegar 6-8 large basil leaves 1-Dice onion. Cut the chilies end to end. Pull out the stem & seeds. Cut into strips and dice. Peel and mince garlic 2-Melt butter over medium heat in a pot or large skillet with a tall lip. Add the onion, chilies and most of the garlic, reserving about 1/3. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. 3-Clean the corn. Hold each cob, standing up by the large end in bowl. Scrape down the kernels with a sharp knife. Add kernels to the pot. 4-Add chicken stock. Simmer for 15 minutes. Add milk and continue to cook for another 5 minutes. Add the juice of the lemon, then taste, adding salt if necessary. 5- Chop the tomatoes. Or, if using cherry tomatoes, half or quarter, as you like. Mix in a small bowl with the reserved garlic and the vinegar. Pile the basil leaves on top of each other and roll. Then slice thinly. Tomatoes and basil are for garnish. 6-To serve, heat the soup. Ladle into the warm bowls. Spoon the tomato mixture into center of each bowl, dividing it equally. Sprinkle with the basil.
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