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Gift Certificates for Vegetables Available
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The perfect gift for the holidays, $25 will give the recipient a one week share at either farm.
Other Gift Items:
Geraldson Community Farm t-shirts are $15
Cookbooks are $15
Buy together for $25
To order your gift certificate, t-shirt or cookbook contact us at the office 941-981-0111.
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USDA's Guide to
Home Canning
is Available
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Everything you need to know about canning and food preservation is available in USDA's Complete Guide to HomeCanning. This resource is for people canning for the first time or for experienced canners wanting to improve theircanning practices.
The free, 196-page publication can be downloaded from the National Center for Home Food Preservation website. The publication is also available in a spiral, bound book format from Purdue University. Single copies are available for $18 per copy, Orders can be placed via phone (toll-free: 1-888-398-4636), or online at Purdue's The Education Store.
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MADE HERE
crafts | music | eats
Friday, December 2nd
11am - 9pm
Palmetto Art Center
907 5th Street West
Palmetto, FL 34221
PalmettoArtCenter.com |  | |
Save the Date!
Friday Dec 2nd MADE HERE
Both farms will have produce available at the December 2nd event in Palmetto. This is in conjunction with the Palmetto First Friday monthly street event.
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USDA: Continuing to serve pizza to schoolchildren won't save much money
by Linda Davidson THE WASHINGTON POST |  |
Congress just sent a clear message that protecting industry is more important to them than protecting children's health. Congress passed an Agriculture spending bill that weakens the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) ability to implement strong, common-sense standards for school meals. The legislative push to enable school cafeterias to keep serving pizza and french fries won't save nearly as much money as some lawmakers have suggested - if any, according to the Agriculture Department. Read article
And if you want to get active - here is a link to the Center for Science in the Public Interest click here
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| Join Geraldson Community Farm and Eat Local
Published Saturday, November 5, 2011 2:05 am
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There are few things that can benefit the local economy, reduce our carbon footprint and protect our ability to maintain a healthy and adequate food supply as buying local, sustainably-farmed foods. Read article
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Greetings!
We're thankful for a bountiful harvest at the farms as we begin our season. We want you to be aware of all that the Florida West Coast RC&D has to offer the community. In addition to our two CSA Farms and Buying Club, we also provide beginning farmer training and apprenticeships. |
 | First Harvest at both farms is bountiful... | |
First Harvest at Geraldson Community Farm included flowers, greens and squash and lots more!
Both Gamble Creek Farm and Geraldson Community Farm members are reaping the benefits of a fine growing season. If you are not a member this year - it is still possible to join, the website has pro-rated share prices. What are you waiting for?
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| ...So what exactly is Broccoli Raab? | |
Broccoli Raab is a cooking green has long been popular in Italy and is now catching on in America. It's best to just eat the florets and leaves; the stems are quite bitter. At the farms we have been harvesting only the early greens to provide a less bitter taste. The result is no broccoli-looking florets with a much tastier green for eating.
As for eating lots of greens, Geraldson Community Farm member Ann Rogers tells us "My osteoporosis improved--- maybe all those greens (in last season's share) helped!!"
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Local Food Buying Club Expands to Sarasota for Delivery
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Big news for Sarasota folks - our Local Food Buying Club now provides a drop-off once-a-month at WSLR Sarasota at 525 Kumquat Court on Thursday during the farm share pickup time from 4pm - 6pm.
The Florida West Coast RC&D works directly with local farmers and producers of goods and connects them to you the buyer. We do not mark up the price from the farm.
To become a member of the Local Food Buying Club click here. It costs $25 for a one-year membership ($20 if you already have a Farm Share). All costs are passed directly on to you from the farms that supply us. Products include local grass-fed beef, poultry, eggs, raw milk (for pet consumption), Gulf-caught seafood, baked goods, honey, soaps, lip balm and much more. There is a slight handling fee based on number of items purchased.
Take advantage of this opportunity to join NOW!
Our next order dates will be just in time for the Holidays, December 5-9, 2011. Buy Local!
There will be a limited number of Turkeys available from Ben Pate's farm in December. Join the club and order yours today.
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Buying Club provider spotlight:
Ben Pate, Turkey Farmer
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Ben Pate, Assistant Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Sun City, has been farming heritage turkeys for 9 seasons. It is a labor of love because, as Ben puts it "I work for chicken feed" read more...
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| EBT for Markets Training in Sarasota
Electronic Benefits Transfer for food assistance | |
EBT technology allows those with SNAP benefits (food stamps) to use their EBT cards at the farmers markets to purchase acceptable items.
Market vendors are encouraged to attend this free session at the Sarasota County Extension office that will discuss Point of Sale devices available for vendors.
When: Wednesday November 30, 2011
Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Where: Sarasota County Extension office
Who: Market vendors interested in food stamp sales
For more information contact Jacob Leech or Robert Kluson
Or download this flyer
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| Training Opportunities for
Beginning Farmers |
 The Florida West coast RC&D has received funding for 5 "traditionally underserved" producers to attend the 21st annual Practical Tools and Solutions for Sustaining Family Farms conference in Little Rock, Arkansas in 2012. Reply to this e-mail for more information on the scholarships - which include travel and lodging.
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There is a lot going on at our community farms - if you are not a member already, come join us - you'll be glad you did!
Sincerely,
Karen Fraley, Marketing & Outreach Coordinator
Florida West Coast RC&D Council |
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