County Fare

Growing Power snapshots

Saturday, March 27th, 2010 | Food Activism, Organizations | 2 Comments

Trying out this photo gallery to see if I like it.

Loading Images

Growing Power recap

Sunday, March 21st, 2010 | Food Activism, Health, Organizations | No Comments

The Growing Power workshop in Milwaukee, WI I have just finished was nothing short of amazing! A great and diverse crowd from such places as Washington State and D.C., Ohio, Long Island, Colorado, South Dakota, South Carolina and even as far away as Ghana and Mozambique! The Garden Girl herself, Patti Moreno, was there shooting an episode. All in all, it was an exhilarating experience teeming with talented amazing people, great ideas, projects and wonderful instruction on real world ways to begin agricultural projects.

Now I am exhausted. I’ll share a few photos that I snapped over the weekend soon.

VEGETARIAN’S NIGHTMARE

Friday, May 8th, 2009 | Food Activism, Food Writing, Organizations | No Comments

VEGETARIAN’S NIGHTMARE
by Baxter Black

a dissertation on plant’s rights

Ladies and diners I make you
A shameful, degrading confession.
A deed of disgrace in the name of good taste
Though I did it, I meant no aggression.
I had planted a garden last April
And lovingly sang it a ballad.
But later in June beneath a full moon
Forgive me, I wanted a salad!
So I slipped out and fondled a carrot
Caressing its feathery top.
With the force of a brute I tore out the root!
It whimpered and came with a pop!
Then laying my hand on a radish
I jerked and it left a small crater.
Then with the blade of my True Value spade
I exhumed a slumbering tater!
Celery I plucked, I twisted a squash!
Tomatoes were wincing in fear.
I choked the Romaine. It screamed out in pain,
Their anguish was filling my ears!
I finally came to the lettuce
As it cringed at the top of the row
With one wicked slice I beheaded it twice
As it writhed, I dealt a death blow.
I butchered the onions and parsley.
My hoe was all covered with gore.
I chopped and I whacked without looking back
Then I stealthily slipped in the door.

Read more at:

Baxter Black

Tags: baxter, black, cowboy, plant, poetry, rights

Wednesday, January 28th, 2009 | Minnesota, Organizations, Recipes | No Comments

Tags: event, slow food, splendid, table

The Future of Food: Muy Importante!

Tuesday, December 9th, 2008 | Food Activism, Health, Minnesota, Organizations | No Comments

The Future of Food, a film by Deborah Coons Garcia and Lily Films, is an important look into the state of our current food supply. People sometimes ask me why I have taken the stand that locally produced agriculture is important. My replies are always shallow because I can’t sit down with them for the hours it takes to explain the depth of the issue. This film is an excellent resource for knowledge and does a great job of stringing together the pieces of the puzzle that are often hidden from us.

Visit the web site

Tags: film, food, future, Health

Brussel Sprouts mark the end of our CSA season

Sunday, October 26th, 2008 | Food Activism, Minnesota, Organizations | No Comments

October 26 is our last Community Supported Agricultural Delivery from the Women’s Environmental Institute in North Branch, MN.

For the past 19 weeks we have been shareholder in WEI with our dividend being picked up in a bushel box of produce at our local grocer every Sunday. All in all this has been a wonderful experience. Fresh sustainably farmed fruits and veggies from our neighbors has provided us with a steady supply of sustenance. Knowing that this food has been grown without the use of Johnny-come-lately chemical agriculture has helped to put our mind at ease about our food supply. And, last but not least, without our neighbors help we would never have known what brussel sprouts looked like while still on the stalk. Thanks WEI

If you would like to know more about WEI visit their web address: WEI

Search for Community Supported Agriculture near you: Local Harvest

Tags: CSA, farming, food, local, wei

Sustainable Fashion? You Bet!

Thursday, September 18th, 2008 | Minnesota, Organizations | No Comments

Our friends over at MNfashion are working for a sustainable local business environment for fashion designers and retailers. But don’t take my word for it:

“MNfashion is dedicated to providing resources and professional development allowing designers to establish a sustainable livelihood in Minnesota. In doing this, we foster community and encourage industry growth.”

It’s not food, but with goals like that count us in! Let’s support our neighbors and help bring livable earnings to some of our most creative citizens. All through this weekend you can attend local fashion events around Minneapolis for MNfashions Fashion Weekend. Check out their site to find out when and where.

Fall Fashion Weekend

Tags: economy, fashion, local, Minnesota, sustainable

Slow Food on Campus

Thursday, September 11th, 2008 | Food Activism, Organizations | No Comments

Here’s a great blog I just found when I was renewing my student membership to Slow Food. Here’s who they say they are:

“Slow Food on Campus is a network of Campus Convivia, chapters of Slow Food USA run by college and university students across the country. These Campus Convivia are the living, breathing, working arm of Slow Food USA in the college community. By promoting food and food justice issues and by engaging their fellow students in the pleasures of the table and the garden, Campus Convivia aim to promote a slower, more just, and more harmonious rhythm of life on our nation’s college campuses.”

I am especially excited to see this movement spreading amongst university and college campuses. After all the future of our nation has often been molded in such places.

Slow Food On Campus

Tags: campus, convivia, food, slow