Rushton Farm Wild Carrot!
this week's
HARVEST
Rushton Farm Bag
This list may change, but here's our best guess of what you'll be getting in your share this week. 
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Brussels Sprout Tops (Greens)

Peppers                                 Onions

Hakurei Turnips

Carrots
Salad Mix
Cooking Greens

 

 

                                            
Pick up time is 2 - 7 pm!
Tomato Tasting Table
Upcoming Event

   
Harvest Celebration 
at Rushton Farm is
October 20!  

Advance registration only.  Unfortunately we are SOLD OUT except for those who wish to sponsor the event.



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Ashley, Lisa, Joanna and Fred  
CONTACT US
Noah
Joanna
Fred  
Week of October 15, 2012 - Issue No. 20
IN THE BAG  tidbits from  Fred
  
Farm Market

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to speak at a land trust conference in Salt Lake City. Now Salt Lake is not on my list of "must see" cities but it was an opportunity to get away from the farm for a few days and visit some place new. Upon arriving in Salt Lake I asked around about what the major attractions were. To a person the answer was "you have to go to the farmer's market- it's the 'best in the west'".

 

I went to the farmers market and they were right. With over 300 sellers, two live bands and over a thousand people shopping in the well manicured park it was quite a site to see. Wandering through the assorted farm stands and food vendors I came across one very interesting booth. It was manned by two gentlemen clad in blue jumpsuits with "prisoner" written on the legs. They were accompanied by two officers who were unloading food from a prison truck and stocking the impressive displays. This was the farm stand for the Salt Lake County Jail.

 

After talking with the prisoners and the guards I became very impressed with this unique form of rehabilitation. Inmates at this minimum security prison are given the opportunity to participate in the agriculture program in which the prisoners are taught a curriculum that resembles the Utah State University master gardener program. It is in fact taught buy USU Cooperative Extension agent Katie Wagner. Inmates learn about soil science, integrated pest management systems, composting and other agricultural basics. They then have the opportunity to apply their knowledge on a three acre plot located at the jail. Produce harvested is taken to market where the inmates sell it for profits that go back to farm development.

 

What I was intrigued by was the reasons why this program had become popular with the inmates as well as the guards supervising them. Many of these inmates are drug offenders and focused on instant gratification. The farm teaches them the rewards of working towards a goal; the gratification of persistence in work that starts with a seed and ends with a harvest. It teaches the value of working with others towards a common objective. It teaches the importance of following instructions. Ultimately it gives them a skill set that they can use after they are released.

 

I find it interesting because these values are the same ones we try to teach our Rushton Farm interns and students who visit the farm. In a world of instant gratification through tweets, texts and technology, farming teaches the values of patience and persistence. On a farm you find success by working together and following instructions. In the end it is the earth that rewards the efforts of the farmer.

 

I note these similarities because I think it reflects the increasingly important role agriculture is playing in our society. Seeing the inmates at the Salt Lake County Jail finding a new life through agriculture reflects the values in farming that ultimately can change lives.    

  

 

-Fred
Spicy Stir Fried Brussels Sprout Tops

 

 

 

Willistown Conservation Trust