Pennypack Pickings 3/25/2012

Pennypack Pickings

March 25, 2012
Volume 10, Issue 7

In This Issue

Support Raina & Jenn

Spring Calendar

Sustainability Series

Congratulations

New Bees at PFEC

Saturday, March 23rd, 4pm - 4:45 pm, Farmer Dennis will be restocking the farm's hives with fresh bees. You're invited to come, watch and ask questions. For the intrepid and non-allergic, you can lend a hand. Be prepared for mud, wearing long sleeved shirts/coats and pants tucked into your boots. Gloves and a hat are must if you wish to get closer to the action.

Please contact Dennis at dennisreil@yahoo.com if you'd like to attend so he has your email to reach you in case of cancellation due to weather. Bees are pretty particular!

Want to start a beekeeping group?
Since our recent bee movie (Queen of the Sun), there has been some interest.
Want to know more? dennisreil@yahoo.com

Did you miss Queen of the Sun in the theater? It is now available on DVD and instant streaming through several providers including Netflix.

Thank You

We received $180 from Whole Foods Market in North Wales from the Valentine's Day Fair Trade Roses coupon.
Thank you to all farm families who participated.

Save the Date
June 14, 2012

Help Raina and Jenn Team Pennypack in their quest to raise money for subsidized shares, and beat Farmer Andy's time!

Support our farm staff as they participate in the 2012 Walk-Run Against Hunger! Last year our farm director Andy Andrews participated in the Run Against Hunger. This year he has challenged the farm staff to beat his numbers. Raina and Jenn bravely accepted the challenge and will be training for the next few weeks to run the 5K and raise money to support subsidized CSA shares.

Please help Raina and Jenn reach their fundraising goal of $1500! Your donation will bring us closer to the finish line in the fight against hunger, and will bring fresh vegetables to families in our region.

Visit our fundraising page here.

Thank you for your support!
Watch Raina and Jenn run: Saturday April 14, 2012, 8:30am at the Philadelphia Art Museum

Spring Calendar

Welcome Spring at the First Ever Philly Farm & Food Fest

Sunday April 1, 11am to 4 pm

Convention Center Annex

A family friendly event celebrating local farmers, food artisans, and delicious eating! For more information and advance tickets, visit phillyfarmfest.org

Preserving the Wild Harvest

Thursday April 5, 7:00-8:30pm, $12

Learn to use and preserve wild and not so wild edibles. Turn your favorites into sauces, preserves, chips, pickles, leather, etc. Register now...

Sustainability Movie Series and Expo - PLANEAT

Tuesday April 10, $10 at the Ambler Theatre

6:30pm Expo in Theatre Lobby, with free tastings

7:30pm Movie followed by a panel discussion

Follow the story of three men's life-long search for a diet, which is good for our health, good for the environment and good for the future of the planet. With an additional cast of pioneering chefs and some of the best cooking you have ever seen, the scientists and doctors in the film present a convincing case for the West to re-examine its love affair with meat and dairy. Learn how our food choices contribute to global warming, land use and oceanic deadzones. With the help of some innovative farmers and chefs, PLANEAT shows how the problems we face today can be solved.

Teen Battle Chef (ages 10-15)

In partnership with the Ambler YMCA Healthy Food and Fitness Initiative

April 17 - May 31

Cooking session Tuesdays 6:30-8:00pm

Fitness session Thursdays 6:00-6:45pm

YMCA members $160, Non-Y members $200

On-line Registration on the Ambler YMCA website. Click on Register for programs and search for Teen Battle Chef.

Become a Teen Chef: Learn to cook, decipher recipes, and compete in weekly cooking challenges! Stay Fit to Stay Healthy: Learn strengthening exercises and have fun with cardiovascular activities.

Pennypack Seeds and Sprouts - Classes for Young Gardeners

In partnership with Meadowbrook Farm and
the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society

Bring your little ones out for hands on gardening and outdoor fun.

Themes include:

Mud and Worms 4/18

Seeds and Flowers 5/9

Bugs and Insects 5/23

Dance of the Bees 6/6

Sustainability Series Draws Large Crowd

Daniel Endicott and Gerard Olson from Forest & Main Brewery & Pub

Quite the crowd turned out for "What's Organic about Organic?" the second movie in Pennypack Farm's Sustainability Expo & Movie Series. Attendees at the Expo caught up with friends they haven't seen since last season as they browsed the exhibitors' tables. The Expo is becoming the place for like-minded organizations and people to connect. The new Forest & Main Brewery and Pub helped liven up the crowd with samples of their local beer. A cheese tasting by Yellow Springs Farm provided the perfect accompaniment to the liquid refreshments.

The movie highlighted the importance of keeping to Organic's true principals and supporting small local farmers. It urged viewers not to be fooled by the term "organic" when it is co-opted by agribusiness. After the movie, the panel answered questions about local vs. organic and the importance of good soil. Many

Raina Ainslee was on hand to provide information about Pennypack Farm

thanks to our panelists - David Woo from Weaver's Way, Casey Spacht from Lancaster Farm Fresh, and Pennypack Farm Director, Andy Andrews.

The final movie will be shown on Tuesday, April 10. The Expo will feature surprise treats and it is sure to be another lively event. The movie, PLANEAT, will highlight the health benefits for people and for the planet of eating a plant based diet. With a cast of pioneering chefs and some of the best cooking you have ever seen, the scientists and doctors in the film present a convincing case for the West to re-examine its love affair with meat and dairy.

Congratulations
Our land host, The College Settlement of Philadelphia, has captured a prestigious national award for a summer biking program that teaches economically disadvantaged children from urban areas teamwork, self-esteem and other skills while completing 18 to 26-mile rides.

The American Camp Association recently named the organization winner of the Eleanor P. Eells award for program excellence.

"We are thrilled," said College Settlement Camp Director Karyn McGee. "It's the Association's highest honor, and I believe we are only the second camp ever to have been awarded this honor more than once. The first time was in 1974 for our environmental education program."

Hosted by the College Settlement of Philadelphia