By: David Lynch, Land-Link Director
In early 2009, Guidestone began exploration of the idea of launching a Land-Link Initiative here in the Upper Arkansas River Valley (see Introducing Guidestone's Land Link Intitiative). Since that time, the Chaffee County Land-Link Initiative has been gaining considerable momentum. The Chaffee County Board of Commissioners recently embraced the program committing $5,000 in matching funds toward the USDA grant proposal that is currently being prepared by the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union. Seven area nonprofit organizations and agencies have lent their support to this initiative by providing endorsements and several have stepped up and made pledges in matching funds toward the project. In addition, the program has received considerable attention state-wide from other organizations and leaders thanks to a recent article featuring the Land Link Initiative in the Denver Post.
At the recent annual convention of the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union (RMFU), policy was adopted by the delegates from a three-state area, to support a region-wide land link effort. RMFU’s Cooperative Development Center under the hand of director Ben Rainbolt is eyeing the Chaffee County Land-Link Initiative as the pilot for a statewide undertaking. Additionally, RMFU covered all expenses for David Lynch, Guidestone’s Land-Link Director, to attend a western region farm-link conference held in California. Considerable information and resources were provided at this event and David returns with increased enthusiasm for developing a Central Colorado region land-link program.
The USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grant that is in progress, will provide the initial funding to get the Initiative off the ground. The grant proposal will be submitted in February, and if approved, will be awarded this next summer. Expectations are high and the land-link steering committee will continue laying the foundation in the coming months. Stay tuned for additional updates!
We would like to thank all of the organizations who have expressed their support of this program:
Central Colorado Foodshed Alliance
Chaffee County Board of Commissioners
Chaffee County Heritage Area
Chaffee County Planning Commission
GARNA
Land Trust of the Upper Arkansas
NRCS
Sonoran Institute
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Another Splendid Pumpkin Patch Festival
Guidestone’s Pumpkin Patch is an annual event, hosted over two weekends in October, which provides a festive celebration of the harvest season for children and families. Activities include crafts for kids, a hay bale maze, face painting, pony rides, and a horse drawn wagon ride out to a pumpkin patch where children can pick their own pumpkin to bring home. For three years the event has been held at Cottonwood Meadows in Buena Vista, where there are farm animals to visit and Weathervane Farm’s beautiful gardens to peruse. Or participants can take a walk through the golden leaves of the Cottonwood trees along Cottonwood Creek. Music and food round out the festive atmosphere.
This year, our 3rd annual, was the most successful one yet, with around 1000 people in attendance over the two weekends. People came from Chaffee, Lake, Fremont and Eagle Counties to enjoy this abundant time of year. All of the event’s proceeds go to support Guidestone’s Farmhands Education Program, which provides hands-on, experiential farm & nature-based education programs to groups, children and families. Community support is invaluable to the success of these programs, and Guidestone is grateful to everyone that attended this year for appreciating and celebrating agriculture, community and education. We would also like to thank the farmers, volunteers, and the folks at Cottonwood Meadows for their continued support of this festival.
By: Andrea Earley Coen
Monday, December 14, 2009
Online Farmers Market Makes Buying Locally a Cinch for Central Colorado
The Arkansas River Valley is rich in agricultural abundance and now a new company is making it possible for residents to access local products by providing a convenient way to buy locally from dozens of producers over the web.Lindsay Diamond is the founder of Colorado Local Market, a new year-round online local foods market dedicated to bringing the people of Central Colorado freshly picked, locally produced food and related products. “There are dozens of local food resources in the Arkansas River Valley alone,” says Diamond. “My goal is to make it very convenient to purchase from all of them so eating locally can become an easier and richer experience.”
The new website, www.colocalmarket.com, enables local producers to list what foods they have available each week. Customers can shop from those items, add them to a shopping cart and pickup their order on Tuesday afternoons in Buena Vista.
Diamond is targeting farms and producers and consumers of all sizes. “The beauty of this site is that it provides the abundance of a farmers market (CSA), the convenience of community supported agriculture and the selection of a grocery store all in an easy-to-use website.”
While there are active farmers markets and CSAs in the area, Colorado Local Market fills the need for individuals who don’t want to commit to a CSA or who can’t always attend a weekend farmers market. “With Colorado Local Market you get more choice. You can choose what you want and how much you want,” says Diamond.
Colorado Local Market will begin selling items spring 2010. It is currently accepting producer and customer registration. Items ordered from Colorado Local Market (www.colocalmarket.com) will be available for pick up on Tuesdays from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Jala Blu Yoga, behind the Evergeen Café in Buena Vista. Visit www.colocalmarket.com to learn more.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Pumpkin and Pistachio Risotto
By: Jeff B.
This elegant combination of creamy golden rice and orange pumpkin can be as pale or bright as you like by adding different quantities of saffron. Who doesn’t love cooking with saffron and, better yet, this recipe cleans out the frozen pumpkin left over from Halloween and Colorado Grown. Please be careful, this risotto recipe is likely to be a stepping stone to booking a spring trip to Northern Italy.
Serves 4
Ingredients
5 cups fresh vegetable stock or water
Generous pinch of saffron threads
2 tbsps olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 lb Arborio rice
2 lbs pumpkin, peeled, seeded and cut into ¾ in cubes
¾ cup dry white wine
½ oz parmesan cheese, finely grated
½ cup pistachios
3 tbsps chopped fresh marjoram or oregano, plus extra leaves, to garnish
Salt, freshly grated nutmeg and ground black pepper
This elegant combination of creamy golden rice and orange pumpkin can be as pale or bright as you like by adding different quantities of saffron. Who doesn’t love cooking with saffron and, better yet, this recipe cleans out the frozen pumpkin left over from Halloween and Colorado Grown. Please be careful, this risotto recipe is likely to be a stepping stone to booking a spring trip to Northern Italy.
Serves 4
Ingredients
5 cups fresh vegetable stock or water
Generous pinch of saffron threads
2 tbsps olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 lb Arborio rice
2 lbs pumpkin, peeled, seeded and cut into ¾ in cubes
¾ cup dry white wine
½ oz parmesan cheese, finely grated
½ cup pistachios
3 tbsps chopped fresh marjoram or oregano, plus extra leaves, to garnish
Salt, freshly grated nutmeg and ground black pepper
- Bring the stock or water to a boil and reduce to low simmer. Ladle a little stock into a small bowl. Add the saffron threads and leave to infuse.
- Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Add the onion and garlic and cook gently for about 5 minutes until softened. Add the rice and pumpkin and cook for a few more minutes until the rice looks transparent.
- Pour in the wine and allow it to boil hard. When it is absorbed add ¼ of the stock and the infused saffron and liquid. Stir constantly until all the liquid is absorbed.
- Gradually add the stock or water, a ladleful at a time, allowing the rice to absorb the liquid before adding more and stirring all the time. After 20-30 minutes the rice should golden yellow and creamy, and al dente when tested.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese, cover the pan and leave to stand for 5 minutes.
- To finish, stir in the pistachios and marjoram or oregano. Season to taste with a little salt, nutmeg and pepper and scatter over a few extra marjoram or oregano leaves.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
The Season of Giving – Shopping Local
Judie Anders - Nathrop, CO
It’s the holiday season and I find myself reflecting on people and things in my life that I am thankful for. I love living in this Valley with its clean air, beautiful views, majestic mountains, great people and good food. Salida and Buena Vista have their own farmers, ranchers, gardeners, farm workers, food workers, and cooks who are long time food lovers and make the world a more delicious place in which to live. They are near and dear to my heart. My thoughts of holiday meals and gift giving are getting a lot of my attention these days and this year I am considering the impact of my food purchasing and gift purchasing choices and how that affects this valley in which I live.
Statistics released by the U.S. Department of Labor in February — state that if half of the country’s employed population spent an additional $50 per month at locally owned businesses, it would generate more than $42.6 billion revenue.
From a 2008 study by analysts from Chicago-based Civic Economics — reveals that, of every $100 spent at a locally owned, independent merchant, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures. This number drops to $43 per $100 for purchases at retail franchises.
I found these on a website called The 3/50 Project: Saving the brick and mortars our nation is built on. You might want to check it out yourself for some new ideas: www.the350project.net This website inspired me to consider how I could change the way I shop and make a difference where I live.
PUTTING YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS
I am a member of Guidestone, a local not for profit organization which is devoted to supporting a sustainable future for the bioregion of the Upper Arkansas River Valley. Guidestone enhances our growing local food economy by supporting local growers through programs such as the Land-Link Initiative and Farmhands Education Program. It puts on great events like the Pumpkin Patch every year which brings people out to the farm for a taste of farm life and to meet the farmers who grow their food. Food production and farming, and their benefits to a happy and healthy lifestyle, is a passion of mine. Here’s a little history about our valley from the Guidestone website www.guidestonecolorado.org:
Believe it or not, historically, the Upper Arkansas River Valley was a thriving agricultural region. At one point the iceberg lettuce capital of the US, our soils played host to a large variety of crops and livestock. As our American culture began to lean more heavily on foods imported from elsewhere, much of our local agricultural knowledge and food economy was lost. We envision an Upper Arkansas River Valley of the future that embraces the agricultural heritage of our past while always keeping a keen eye for better and more sustainable methods of food production. Food is a celebration of life. It is at the core of who we are as people. It is often the centerpiece for community gatherings and events. It tells stories of our past and, we believe, our collective regional knowledge of it will determine much of our future.
Through our educational work and the facilitation of new relationships with farmers and landowners, we encourage the emergence of new farming enterprises here in the valley. We look for ways to bring buyers and producers of local goods together by promoting and offering opportunities such as CSAs, distribution centers, farmers markets, and events.
I realize that I can do something to keep our local economy GROWING by making unique, or sometimes just different, choices about what I purchase and where. I can support the local growers, restaurants and artists who make this valley more diverse, more sustainable and more enjoyable.
SHOPPING LOCAL
Support local artists and attend Craft Fairs where locally produced gifts can be purchased, often to the benefit of local charities and people in need right here in our community. There are fine cheeses, wines, breads, baked goods, clothing and tools made right here. There are many locally made gifts which can be found for everyone on your shopping list. Give a subscription to a local CSA Garden - Community Supported Agriculture - which provides in season vegetables fresh each week from local gardeners for a number of months each season. That will support our agricultural lands right at home and those who grow it as well. What about taking the family on a vacation to any number of the hot springs in the area, or eating out at a local restaurant for a special meal? These things would bring money to our friends and neighbors who live and work here and be pleasurable as well.
In this economy we may need to downsize the amount of money spent or number of gifts given this season. Even so, it’s good to remember the often quoted saying when giving or receiving gifts, it’s the thought that counts the most. When someone gives thought to the perfect gift it fits just right in every way. Shopping locally gives to the well being of the community and is a loving gift to someone special. Giving gifts that give again in growing the health and wealth of our community can be one of the joys of this season.
Happy Holidays!
It’s the holiday season and I find myself reflecting on people and things in my life that I am thankful for. I love living in this Valley with its clean air, beautiful views, majestic mountains, great people and good food. Salida and Buena Vista have their own farmers, ranchers, gardeners, farm workers, food workers, and cooks who are long time food lovers and make the world a more delicious place in which to live. They are near and dear to my heart. My thoughts of holiday meals and gift giving are getting a lot of my attention these days and this year I am considering the impact of my food purchasing and gift purchasing choices and how that affects this valley in which I live.
Statistics released by the U.S. Department of Labor in February — state that if half of the country’s employed population spent an additional $50 per month at locally owned businesses, it would generate more than $42.6 billion revenue.
From a 2008 study by analysts from Chicago-based Civic Economics — reveals that, of every $100 spent at a locally owned, independent merchant, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures. This number drops to $43 per $100 for purchases at retail franchises.
I found these on a website called The 3/50 Project: Saving the brick and mortars our nation is built on. You might want to check it out yourself for some new ideas: www.the350project.net This website inspired me to consider how I could change the way I shop and make a difference where I live.
PUTTING YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS
I am a member of Guidestone, a local not for profit organization which is devoted to supporting a sustainable future for the bioregion of the Upper Arkansas River Valley. Guidestone enhances our growing local food economy by supporting local growers through programs such as the Land-Link Initiative and Farmhands Education Program. It puts on great events like the Pumpkin Patch every year which brings people out to the farm for a taste of farm life and to meet the farmers who grow their food. Food production and farming, and their benefits to a happy and healthy lifestyle, is a passion of mine. Here’s a little history about our valley from the Guidestone website www.guidestonecolorado.org:
Believe it or not, historically, the Upper Arkansas River Valley was a thriving agricultural region. At one point the iceberg lettuce capital of the US, our soils played host to a large variety of crops and livestock. As our American culture began to lean more heavily on foods imported from elsewhere, much of our local agricultural knowledge and food economy was lost. We envision an Upper Arkansas River Valley of the future that embraces the agricultural heritage of our past while always keeping a keen eye for better and more sustainable methods of food production. Food is a celebration of life. It is at the core of who we are as people. It is often the centerpiece for community gatherings and events. It tells stories of our past and, we believe, our collective regional knowledge of it will determine much of our future.
Through our educational work and the facilitation of new relationships with farmers and landowners, we encourage the emergence of new farming enterprises here in the valley. We look for ways to bring buyers and producers of local goods together by promoting and offering opportunities such as CSAs, distribution centers, farmers markets, and events.
I realize that I can do something to keep our local economy GROWING by making unique, or sometimes just different, choices about what I purchase and where. I can support the local growers, restaurants and artists who make this valley more diverse, more sustainable and more enjoyable.
SHOPPING LOCAL
Support local artists and attend Craft Fairs where locally produced gifts can be purchased, often to the benefit of local charities and people in need right here in our community. There are fine cheeses, wines, breads, baked goods, clothing and tools made right here. There are many locally made gifts which can be found for everyone on your shopping list. Give a subscription to a local CSA Garden - Community Supported Agriculture - which provides in season vegetables fresh each week from local gardeners for a number of months each season. That will support our agricultural lands right at home and those who grow it as well. What about taking the family on a vacation to any number of the hot springs in the area, or eating out at a local restaurant for a special meal? These things would bring money to our friends and neighbors who live and work here and be pleasurable as well.
In this economy we may need to downsize the amount of money spent or number of gifts given this season. Even so, it’s good to remember the often quoted saying when giving or receiving gifts, it’s the thought that counts the most. When someone gives thought to the perfect gift it fits just right in every way. Shopping locally gives to the well being of the community and is a loving gift to someone special. Giving gifts that give again in growing the health and wealth of our community can be one of the joys of this season.
Happy Holidays!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Guidestone's Land-Link Program Featured on Front Page of Denver Post
Jason Blevins of the Denver Post recently visited with Land Link Director, David Lynch, and members of the Guidestone board to learn more about our newly developing Land Link program. From the article featured in today's paper:
"A Land Link toolbox would include a variety of leases that protect both the new farmer and the landowner. It could be a crop share, a profit share or a straight land lease or lease-to-own. It would include an educational component for young farmers. It would require prospective tenant farmers to have a solid business plan."
Read the entire article at this link.
"A Land Link toolbox would include a variety of leases that protect both the new farmer and the landowner. It could be a crop share, a profit share or a straight land lease or lease-to-own. It would include an educational component for young farmers. It would require prospective tenant farmers to have a solid business plan."
Read the entire article at this link.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Guidestone Launches Membership Drive
By: Allison A.
This past year has brought significant growth to Guidestone as an organization. This summer season had a very active and successful Farmhands educational program that provided many of our local children an opportunity to be exposed to life on the farm – which, for many of them, was their first time. Now, we are in the process of launching our Land-Link Initiative, a new program that will potentially serve as a statewide pilot project to connect retiring farmers and non-farming landowners with next generation farmers who desire to work the land, produce food, and otherwise participate in a local food economy. With every passing season, the commitment to our mission and the clarity with which we pursue it is becoming more powerful.
As our conviction grows, so does our need for a greater financial basis from which to operate. In light of this, we will be introducing a new membership drive at this year’s Pumpkin Patch Festival. We hope you will find the time to come out and celebrate the autumn season with us and to learn about all of the work that has been accomplished in the past year. We also hope you will consider joining us as a member. Our membership levels consist of Individual, Family and Business annual memberships.
We appreciate your support.
This past year has brought significant growth to Guidestone as an organization. This summer season had a very active and successful Farmhands educational program that provided many of our local children an opportunity to be exposed to life on the farm – which, for many of them, was their first time. Now, we are in the process of launching our Land-Link Initiative, a new program that will potentially serve as a statewide pilot project to connect retiring farmers and non-farming landowners with next generation farmers who desire to work the land, produce food, and otherwise participate in a local food economy. With every passing season, the commitment to our mission and the clarity with which we pursue it is becoming more powerful.
As our conviction grows, so does our need for a greater financial basis from which to operate. In light of this, we will be introducing a new membership drive at this year’s Pumpkin Patch Festival. We hope you will find the time to come out and celebrate the autumn season with us and to learn about all of the work that has been accomplished in the past year. We also hope you will consider joining us as a member. Our membership levels consist of Individual, Family and Business annual memberships.
We appreciate your support.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Introducing Guidestone’s Land-Link Initiative
By: Allison A.
As many of you know, we have three key guiding mantras here at Guidestone:
• We connect people to the land and land to the people.
• We grow farmers.
• We support and revitalize our local food economy and food culture.
Over the last several months, the board and staff of Guidestone have been developing a new project that has the potential of significantly contributing to the fulfillment of all three of those mantras.
The agricultural lands of the Central Colorado Rockies are currently faced with substantial development pressure, water is being removed from the land and their rights are being sold to municipalities and corporations far away from their source. Many would-be young farmers and ranchers are moving to the city rather than choosing to take over the family farm while other would-like-to-be farmers and ranchers cannot afford or have no access to productive land. Our expectation is that this new project will provide a healthy alternative to all of those scenarios.
The Land-Link Initiative will work to connect retiring farmers and ranchers as well as absentee landowners with next generation farmers. The initiative will create a database that provides solutions to the challenges of access to farmland, security of tenure, long-term affordability and stewardship of the resources. Guidestone’s services will assist with crafting the lease and equitable agreements between the landowner and the farmer. These agreements provide economically viable options for landowners that keep the agricultural heritage and water on their land intact. In addition, this program will support beginning farmers through an educational curriculum with a strong emphasis in financial planning, marketing strategies, business plans, food policy, legal issues, and production techniques.
Currently, the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union is providing technical assistance to Guidestone in procuring a USDA grant, which, if awarded, will provide initial funding for a land-link pilot program for Chaffee County. To meet the requirements of the grant, Guidestone must provide a $10,000 matching fund. A number of local organizations have already written letters of support of this project and many have pledged financial support in contribution to the matching fund. A list of these organizations can be found on our website.
Programs similar to this Land-Link Initiative are in place in twenty other states throughout the U.S. Already, Guidestone has received a number of applications to participate in the pilot program – both landowners and farmers. Our hope is that the Guidestone Land-Link Initiative will become a model project in Colorado and will later serve as a template for other regional or statewide land-link programs.
As many of you know, we have three key guiding mantras here at Guidestone:
• We connect people to the land and land to the people.
• We grow farmers.
• We support and revitalize our local food economy and food culture.
Over the last several months, the board and staff of Guidestone have been developing a new project that has the potential of significantly contributing to the fulfillment of all three of those mantras.
The agricultural lands of the Central Colorado Rockies are currently faced with substantial development pressure, water is being removed from the land and their rights are being sold to municipalities and corporations far away from their source. Many would-be young farmers and ranchers are moving to the city rather than choosing to take over the family farm while other would-like-to-be farmers and ranchers cannot afford or have no access to productive land. Our expectation is that this new project will provide a healthy alternative to all of those scenarios.
The Land-Link Initiative will work to connect retiring farmers and ranchers as well as absentee landowners with next generation farmers. The initiative will create a database that provides solutions to the challenges of access to farmland, security of tenure, long-term affordability and stewardship of the resources. Guidestone’s services will assist with crafting the lease and equitable agreements between the landowner and the farmer. These agreements provide economically viable options for landowners that keep the agricultural heritage and water on their land intact. In addition, this program will support beginning farmers through an educational curriculum with a strong emphasis in financial planning, marketing strategies, business plans, food policy, legal issues, and production techniques.
Currently, the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union is providing technical assistance to Guidestone in procuring a USDA grant, which, if awarded, will provide initial funding for a land-link pilot program for Chaffee County. To meet the requirements of the grant, Guidestone must provide a $10,000 matching fund. A number of local organizations have already written letters of support of this project and many have pledged financial support in contribution to the matching fund. A list of these organizations can be found on our website.
Programs similar to this Land-Link Initiative are in place in twenty other states throughout the U.S. Already, Guidestone has received a number of applications to participate in the pilot program – both landowners and farmers. Our hope is that the Guidestone Land-Link Initiative will become a model project in Colorado and will later serve as a template for other regional or statewide land-link programs.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Allison's Righteous Carrot Cupcakes
Carrot cake is a wonderful autumn comfort food. Make a batch of cupcakes and either freeze a few for a later time or make your friends smile by giving them away. We like using hazelnuts, but that is because we have a great source in Oregon. The walnuts or the pecans both make a fantastic cake. Enjoy!!
Cakes
4 Large Eggs
3/4 C Canola Oil
3/4 C Applesauce
2 t vanilla
1 C Turbinado (or granulated sugar)
1/4 C Honey
2 C Whole Wheat Flour
1 1/2 t Baking Soda
1 t Baking Powder
1 1/2 t Salt
1 T Ground Cinnamon
1/2 t Ground Nutmeg
2 1/2 C Finely Grated Carrots
1 C Chopped Pecans, Walnuts, or Hazelnuts
1 C Shredded Unsweetened Coconut
1 C Raisins
Preheat the oven to 350 F. Grease and flour muffin pan or line with cupcake papers. Beat the eggs in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer, and add the oil and apple sauce while the mixer is running. Add the vanilla, then sprinkle in the sugar and honey. You will have a thick, foamy mixture. Whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and spices in a medium bowl. Add these dry ingredients to the eggs and oil in your mixing bowl, mixing to make a smooth batter. Add the carrots, raisins, and nuts, then the coconut. Pour the batter into the prepared muffin pan. Fill each pan 3/4 full.
Bake the cakes for 20 minutes, then check the middle with a toothpick to see if any batter sticks. The cakes are done when a toothpick comes out of the center clean. Cool completely on a wire rack then frost.
Cream Cheese Frosting
This particular frosting is low in sugar but still acts as the perfect compliment to the carrot cake.
8 oz Cream Cheese
5 T Unsalted Butter
2 t Vanilla
1/4 C Powdered Sugar
Have the cream cheese cold. The butter can be cold, but preferably at room temperature. Combine in a food processor and pulse just until smooth and creamy. If the frosting is too stiff, pulse for a few seconds longer. Do not over process.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Ark Valley Voice October Issue Features Local Food Issue
The cover story of the Ark Valley Voice October print edition is "The Local Food Issue". The article, Valley Sees Biggest Jump in Local Food Production Since 1930, features Guidestone's David Lynch who talks about the Land-Link Initiative.
To read the article in it's entirely, you'll have swing by and pick up a hard copy. Otherwise, you can read the first several paragraphs at this link.
To read the article in it's entirely, you'll have swing by and pick up a hard copy. Otherwise, you can read the first several paragraphs at this link.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Farmhands Article in Chaffee County Times
The Chaffee County Times recently published this article about Guidestone's Farmhands program:
"Being connected to the land is a way of life in the American West. Nowhere is this more evident than at Guidestone, a sustainable-farm project nonprofit organization. Its roots have been firmly planted in Colorado soil since 1992 with a dedication to creating a sustainable local food economy..."
Read Sustainable-farm project includes educational day camps here.
"Being connected to the land is a way of life in the American West. Nowhere is this more evident than at Guidestone, a sustainable-farm project nonprofit organization. Its roots have been firmly planted in Colorado soil since 1992 with a dedication to creating a sustainable local food economy..."
Read Sustainable-farm project includes educational day camps here.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
3rd Annual Pumpkin Patch Festival: October 17 & 18 and October 24 & 25, 2009
Autumn is a time of color and wonder in the Arkansas Valley and there’s no better way to celebrate it than to take part in its seasonal festivities. One such event will be the third annual Pumpkin Patch Festival at Cottonwood Meadows in Buena Vista. The Pumpkin Patch Festival is a two weekend celebration open to the public which offers a variety of activities and amusements for the whole family.You can join in on a horse-drawn wagon ride pulled by a local team of horses. They’ll pull you out to the patch where you can pick the perfect pumpkin. Bring it back and carve it at the farm. Or, if you’d prefer, you can carve it at home and spend your time running through the hay-bale maze, playing cow-pie bingo, bidding in a silent auction, enjoying a barbecue lunch, sipping hot-apple cider and enjoying homemade pies and cookies, bobbing for apples, visiting and petting the rabbits, horses, calves, ducks, chickens, dogs and more. You can have your face painted, see fire trucks and learn about fire safety with the Chaffee County Fire Department, take a walk through the gardens or back to the beautiful meadows along Cottonwood Creek. Be sure to visit the raw milk dairy and Colorado Grown, a distribution center specializing in locally grown and Colorado-based products.
Admission is five dollars for adults and children three and over. The cost of admission and the barbecue will go to support Farmhands Education, a program of the non-profit Guidestone, which aims to join children with the hands-on experience of small scale, local food production. The Farmhands Pumpkin Patch hours are Saturday, October 17th and 24th from 10am to 4pm and Sunday, October 18th and 25th from 12pm to 4pm. For more information or to schedule education programs for your group schools, contact Andrea at Guidestone 719-395-5814. Special thanks to Cottonwood Meadows, Weathervane Farm, The Dairy at Cottonwood Creek and Guidestone for their support
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Life on a Farm!
By Judie Anders
Last week I was invited to attend a Farm Feast prepared by one of my favorite friends, Charlie, age 5. It was the completion of a three day Farm Camp experience for youngsters ages 5-7. We ate carrots, radishes, beets, cooked chard & kale all fresh picked from the garden, eggs from the chickens and homemade Ice Cream with wild harvested gooseberries on top made with creamy milk from the cows. It was delicious! What was even more enjoyable was seeing the shining faces of the children as they sang a song they made up about their farm experience about the cow Unbelievable who gave birth to a calf the night before including lots of laughter about the animals and how much fun it is to be on a farm.
Farming life is foreign to most of us even in this agricultural county, with fewer young people going into the farming and ranching lifestyle. I salute John Cogswell, owner of The Meadows, for hosting the programs and Weathervane Farm and Cottonwood Creek Dairy for allowing the plants and animals to be enthusiastically loved by these youngsters. The Farmhands Program is created and run by Guidestone, a non-profit educational organization that serves the Upper Arkansas River Valley of Colorado. Its goals are to Grow Farmers; To Connect people to the land and land to the people; and To Support and revitalize our local food economy and food culture. Andrea Earley Coen, a banjo playin “farmer” heads up each of the programs offered. Andrea has a degree in Geology and has taught middle school Science/Earth Science and designs the programs to meet Colorado State Science standards. She comes with 20 years of outdoor teaching experience in environmental education and an obvious love of the earth and the critters and kids (goats and human). If you're a teacher looking for a fun field trip for your students, you might want to contact Farmhands about setting up a program that can both take place on the farm and meet CO State Science Standards.
I was very inspired by this program which introduces children in a practical grounded way to where their food comes from, how it is grown and how delicious fresh vegetables can be. There’s still time this summer to get in on the action. Here’s the info on upcoming events:
Join Farmhands Education for one or many of these fun, hands-on programs based at The Meadows at Cottonwood Creek in Buena Vista. Designed for children ages 5-11, all programs are interactive, educational, and exciting opportunities to experience a working farm, meet the farm animals, assist with farm projects and explore the surrounding natural habitat. Local producers Weathervane Farm and Cottonwood Creek Dairy provide the hands-on “classroom.”
JUNIOR FARMERS
July 28 - ages 5-7, 9:30-11:30am; July 29 - ages 8-11, 10am-2pm
Don your overalls and come on out to the farm for a day of good-ole, down home farm work and fun. We will help work on some projects for Weathervane Farm, and the day will conclude with a special, tasty frozen treat thanks to the cows at Cottonwood Creek Dairy!
FARM CAMP
Aug. 3rd-5th - ages 5-7
If a one-day program seems too short, come join us for this unique and exceptionally fun 3-day program. Each day begins with farm chores and a snack. Then it really gets exciting! Days will be filled with teambuilding, nature exploration, aquatic ecology, farm projects, art, journaling, music and possibly even a hint of magic…. We will conclude the camp with a farm feast, harvested and prepared by the campers for their families. Offered throughout the summer. We hope to see you there!
FAMILY FARM DAY
Aug. 1st 9-11:30am
Want to come to camp, too? Here’s your chance! Spend a morning on the farm with the whole family. Meet and feed the animals, tour the farm, assist in a farm project and create a farm-inspired craft to take home. A farm-grown snack will be provided. You are invited to bring a picnic lunch and stay as long as you like!
Pre-registration is required for all programs. Please contact Andrea Earley Coen at (970)309-3175 or pflower[at]sopris.net to register or for more information.
Last week I was invited to attend a Farm Feast prepared by one of my favorite friends, Charlie, age 5. It was the completion of a three day Farm Camp experience for youngsters ages 5-7. We ate carrots, radishes, beets, cooked chard & kale all fresh picked from the garden, eggs from the chickens and homemade Ice Cream with wild harvested gooseberries on top made with creamy milk from the cows. It was delicious! What was even more enjoyable was seeing the shining faces of the children as they sang a song they made up about their farm experience about the cow Unbelievable who gave birth to a calf the night before including lots of laughter about the animals and how much fun it is to be on a farm.
Farming life is foreign to most of us even in this agricultural county, with fewer young people going into the farming and ranching lifestyle. I salute John Cogswell, owner of The Meadows, for hosting the programs and Weathervane Farm and Cottonwood Creek Dairy for allowing the plants and animals to be enthusiastically loved by these youngsters. The Farmhands Program is created and run by Guidestone, a non-profit educational organization that serves the Upper Arkansas River Valley of Colorado. Its goals are to Grow Farmers; To Connect people to the land and land to the people; and To Support and revitalize our local food economy and food culture. Andrea Earley Coen, a banjo playin “farmer” heads up each of the programs offered. Andrea has a degree in Geology and has taught middle school Science/Earth Science and designs the programs to meet Colorado State Science standards. She comes with 20 years of outdoor teaching experience in environmental education and an obvious love of the earth and the critters and kids (goats and human). If you're a teacher looking for a fun field trip for your students, you might want to contact Farmhands about setting up a program that can both take place on the farm and meet CO State Science Standards.
I was very inspired by this program which introduces children in a practical grounded way to where their food comes from, how it is grown and how delicious fresh vegetables can be. There’s still time this summer to get in on the action. Here’s the info on upcoming events:
Join Farmhands Education for one or many of these fun, hands-on programs based at The Meadows at Cottonwood Creek in Buena Vista. Designed for children ages 5-11, all programs are interactive, educational, and exciting opportunities to experience a working farm, meet the farm animals, assist with farm projects and explore the surrounding natural habitat. Local producers Weathervane Farm and Cottonwood Creek Dairy provide the hands-on “classroom.”
JUNIOR FARMERS
July 28 - ages 5-7, 9:30-11:30am; July 29 - ages 8-11, 10am-2pm
Don your overalls and come on out to the farm for a day of good-ole, down home farm work and fun. We will help work on some projects for Weathervane Farm, and the day will conclude with a special, tasty frozen treat thanks to the cows at Cottonwood Creek Dairy!
FARM CAMP
Aug. 3rd-5th - ages 5-7
If a one-day program seems too short, come join us for this unique and exceptionally fun 3-day program. Each day begins with farm chores and a snack. Then it really gets exciting! Days will be filled with teambuilding, nature exploration, aquatic ecology, farm projects, art, journaling, music and possibly even a hint of magic…. We will conclude the camp with a farm feast, harvested and prepared by the campers for their families. Offered throughout the summer. We hope to see you there!
FAMILY FARM DAY
Aug. 1st 9-11:30am
Want to come to camp, too? Here’s your chance! Spend a morning on the farm with the whole family. Meet and feed the animals, tour the farm, assist in a farm project and create a farm-inspired craft to take home. A farm-grown snack will be provided. You are invited to bring a picnic lunch and stay as long as you like!
Pre-registration is required for all programs. Please contact Andrea Earley Coen at (970)309-3175 or pflower[at]sopris.net to register or for more information.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
A Perspective on the Cow Tax.
By Joel Benson
The Environmental Protection Agency has announced that greenhouse gases may endanger public health or welfare. This discovery will be under public eyes for 60 days of comment. While the statement may be true, particularly given concerns over global climate change, there are some significant unintended consequences that could follow, including consequences that would affect the relatively few producers here in along the Upper Arkansas River Valley as well as the plentiful consumers.
If the EPA settles on its decision, then emissions of methane, among other gases, have to be regulated. Methane comes from a many, many sources, but primarily decomposition in an environment that has no oxygen, such as a landfill, a bog, rice fields, and the stomachs of animals. We are concerned with the latter, cows in particular. Ogden Nash wrote, “The cow is of the bovine ilk; One end is moo; the other, milk." One additional product of the cow is gas. Biogas, if you will. According to one study, a single Holstein dairy cow can fill 140 two-liter bottles with gas in a single day. An 1800 animal dairy (Holsteins) can produce 48,000 pounds of manure in a day, or more than 17 million pounds in a year. The manure can be composted or, with proper grazing management, put out on the fields. Flatulence and burped gas cannot. So, the EPA would have to regulate this methane. A policy is put into place and regulators get busy enforcing this policy. The EPA would now have a “cow tax” or “flatulent tax”. For each cow you have, you pay a tax to offset its potential damage.
Let’s analyze the policy. We have to ask ourselves what problem the policy is trying to address. Then we work to get to the root cause of the problem.
First, what is the problem that the policy is trying to address? Global climate change.
Second, the root cause: Why does global climate change happen? Many, many factors contribute and one piece of conventional wisdom says that there are too many greenhouse gases. Why are there too many greenhouse gases? We are burning fossil fuels and cows burp and fart methane. Regardless of your opinions on the validity of global climate change, I will focus on this last question; the answer to which gives a tremendous breakdown in logic.
We visit the sources stated: Fossil fuels and methane.
Fossil fuels: This is not the subject of this article. There is a lot to say about this subject and experts from around the globe are debating the topic and creating new industry that deals with fossil fuels and distribution networks. One note, if we were to stop all burning of fossil fuels, we would not stop the build up of atmospheric greenhouse gases.
Methane: We will address methane in depth, as it is the ‘problem’ that the cow tax policy is trying to address.
Other sources: We as global citizens generally do not talk about fire as a contributor to atmospheric greenhouse gases. One acre of rainforest burning is the equivalent to the annual emissions of 16 vehicles in the United States. Millions of acres burn each year. On average 3.8 million acres burn in the United States alone. Most of the continent of Africa burns annually. The argument goes, that fire is natural. This statement should be visited in depth and the role of fire as opposed to other tools, such as herds of animals, should be visited. The point in bringing this up is that there are other significant sources of greenhouse gases that do not get the attention they deserve.
This argument brings up the fact that there may be more to global climate change than we first assume and therefore we may not be treating the root cause of the problem. But, we investigate: are cows the root cause of the problem?
As far as I can tell, there are studies that measure methane produced in a confined animal lot, or feedlot. A bag is attached to the back end of a cow and a hose to the front end with a meter that accounts for methane and other gases emitted. Measure, average the readings, and enact a tax. But, cows did not evolve to eat grain as their primary feed, rather grass. The microorganisms inside the rumen of a cow behave differently for different feeds. If a cow primarily ate that which it evolved to digest, namely grass, the methane levels would change. And again, if the cow spent a majority of its days on pasture where its manure would decompose outside of a massive pile of anaerobic dung, total methane would be reduced. Furthermore, the activity of a cow can affect the growth of the grass and the microorganisms in the soil, actually removing carbon and sequestering it into the ground. The curiosity: feedlot animals are not pastured animals. Granted, most every cow in the country is in a ‘feedlot’ at some point in its life, and even the anticipated new organic rules state that a cow only needs 30% of its diet for 120 days from pasture. But the interplay with pasture will change the flatulence of cows, and therefore gives cause to reevaluate the cow tax. Conclusions of a study carried out on feedlot animals may not pertain to pasture. Perhaps the management of cows by humans and the resultant behavior of cows are more the root cause of the influx of methane.
So, the policy of a ‘cow tax’ does not address the root cause of the problem of contributing greenhouse gas. I do not bring up the actual build up of gas nor how to remove greenhouse gases. The inability of the soil to sequester carbon may be closer to the root cause of the problem than actually putting carbon and methane into the atmosphere. Even so, the taxation of cows that eat food that they did not evolve to eat, i.e. corn, and managing them in large feedlot operations, address a symptom of the problem. The policy of a ‘cow tax’ is flawed from the outset because it will not do what it intends.
We then look at the externalities. The Upper Arkansas has a limited growing season. Cows are generally pastured in the summer and hayed in the winter. Some grain will be fed, but not to the extent or ration that is done in a conventional feedlot. Across-the-board ‘emission fees’ would jeopardize the solvency of any ranching or dairy in the valley. According to calculations by the American Farm Bureau Federation farmers and ranchers would pay $175 per dairy cow and $87.50 per beef cow. Levying a tax places an additional burden on our local producers and may be a tipping point to encourage ranchers to sell property and water rights to other entities. Perhaps not, but the potential of both water moving out of the county and the area’s green agricultural fields being turned into subdivisions grows significantly. What some call open space or viewsheds could disappear from the valley as well as a potential supply of beef and milk. Furthermore, meat prices will go up as we the consumer offset the cow tax.
The policy fails on all accounts.
The Environmental Protection Agency has announced that greenhouse gases may endanger public health or welfare. This discovery will be under public eyes for 60 days of comment. While the statement may be true, particularly given concerns over global climate change, there are some significant unintended consequences that could follow, including consequences that would affect the relatively few producers here in along the Upper Arkansas River Valley as well as the plentiful consumers.
If the EPA settles on its decision, then emissions of methane, among other gases, have to be regulated. Methane comes from a many, many sources, but primarily decomposition in an environment that has no oxygen, such as a landfill, a bog, rice fields, and the stomachs of animals. We are concerned with the latter, cows in particular. Ogden Nash wrote, “The cow is of the bovine ilk; One end is moo; the other, milk." One additional product of the cow is gas. Biogas, if you will. According to one study, a single Holstein dairy cow can fill 140 two-liter bottles with gas in a single day. An 1800 animal dairy (Holsteins) can produce 48,000 pounds of manure in a day, or more than 17 million pounds in a year. The manure can be composted or, with proper grazing management, put out on the fields. Flatulence and burped gas cannot. So, the EPA would have to regulate this methane. A policy is put into place and regulators get busy enforcing this policy. The EPA would now have a “cow tax” or “flatulent tax”. For each cow you have, you pay a tax to offset its potential damage.
Let’s analyze the policy. We have to ask ourselves what problem the policy is trying to address. Then we work to get to the root cause of the problem.
First, what is the problem that the policy is trying to address? Global climate change.
Second, the root cause: Why does global climate change happen? Many, many factors contribute and one piece of conventional wisdom says that there are too many greenhouse gases. Why are there too many greenhouse gases? We are burning fossil fuels and cows burp and fart methane. Regardless of your opinions on the validity of global climate change, I will focus on this last question; the answer to which gives a tremendous breakdown in logic.
We visit the sources stated: Fossil fuels and methane.
Fossil fuels: This is not the subject of this article. There is a lot to say about this subject and experts from around the globe are debating the topic and creating new industry that deals with fossil fuels and distribution networks. One note, if we were to stop all burning of fossil fuels, we would not stop the build up of atmospheric greenhouse gases.
Methane: We will address methane in depth, as it is the ‘problem’ that the cow tax policy is trying to address.
Other sources: We as global citizens generally do not talk about fire as a contributor to atmospheric greenhouse gases. One acre of rainforest burning is the equivalent to the annual emissions of 16 vehicles in the United States. Millions of acres burn each year. On average 3.8 million acres burn in the United States alone. Most of the continent of Africa burns annually. The argument goes, that fire is natural. This statement should be visited in depth and the role of fire as opposed to other tools, such as herds of animals, should be visited. The point in bringing this up is that there are other significant sources of greenhouse gases that do not get the attention they deserve.
This argument brings up the fact that there may be more to global climate change than we first assume and therefore we may not be treating the root cause of the problem. But, we investigate: are cows the root cause of the problem?
As far as I can tell, there are studies that measure methane produced in a confined animal lot, or feedlot. A bag is attached to the back end of a cow and a hose to the front end with a meter that accounts for methane and other gases emitted. Measure, average the readings, and enact a tax. But, cows did not evolve to eat grain as their primary feed, rather grass. The microorganisms inside the rumen of a cow behave differently for different feeds. If a cow primarily ate that which it evolved to digest, namely grass, the methane levels would change. And again, if the cow spent a majority of its days on pasture where its manure would decompose outside of a massive pile of anaerobic dung, total methane would be reduced. Furthermore, the activity of a cow can affect the growth of the grass and the microorganisms in the soil, actually removing carbon and sequestering it into the ground. The curiosity: feedlot animals are not pastured animals. Granted, most every cow in the country is in a ‘feedlot’ at some point in its life, and even the anticipated new organic rules state that a cow only needs 30% of its diet for 120 days from pasture. But the interplay with pasture will change the flatulence of cows, and therefore gives cause to reevaluate the cow tax. Conclusions of a study carried out on feedlot animals may not pertain to pasture. Perhaps the management of cows by humans and the resultant behavior of cows are more the root cause of the influx of methane.
So, the policy of a ‘cow tax’ does not address the root cause of the problem of contributing greenhouse gas. I do not bring up the actual build up of gas nor how to remove greenhouse gases. The inability of the soil to sequester carbon may be closer to the root cause of the problem than actually putting carbon and methane into the atmosphere. Even so, the taxation of cows that eat food that they did not evolve to eat, i.e. corn, and managing them in large feedlot operations, address a symptom of the problem. The policy of a ‘cow tax’ is flawed from the outset because it will not do what it intends.
We then look at the externalities. The Upper Arkansas has a limited growing season. Cows are generally pastured in the summer and hayed in the winter. Some grain will be fed, but not to the extent or ration that is done in a conventional feedlot. Across-the-board ‘emission fees’ would jeopardize the solvency of any ranching or dairy in the valley. According to calculations by the American Farm Bureau Federation farmers and ranchers would pay $175 per dairy cow and $87.50 per beef cow. Levying a tax places an additional burden on our local producers and may be a tipping point to encourage ranchers to sell property and water rights to other entities. Perhaps not, but the potential of both water moving out of the county and the area’s green agricultural fields being turned into subdivisions grows significantly. What some call open space or viewsheds could disappear from the valley as well as a potential supply of beef and milk. Furthermore, meat prices will go up as we the consumer offset the cow tax.
The policy fails on all accounts.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Farmhands Announce Education Program for Spring/Summer 2009
As spring emerges, Farmhands education programs are getting underway! April 11th marks our first program, hosting the Chaffee County Mentors for a tour and fun on the farm. Youth In Action will also be participating in a farm-based program a few days later. There are many unique learning opportunities available to groups through Farmhands. To schedule a Farmhands program, please call Andrea Earley Coen at (970)309-3175.
Kid’s Summer Programs at Weathervane Farm
Farmhands is expanding its summer programming! Join Farmhands Education staff for one or many of these fun, hands-on programs based at The Meadows at Cottonwood Creek in Buena Vista. Designed for children ages 5-11, all programs are interactive, educational, and exciting opportunities to experience a working farm, meet the farm animals, assist with farm projects and explore the surrounding natural habitat. Local producers Weathervane Farm and Cottonwood Creek Dairy provide the hands-on “classroom.” Some of the class titles include:
- Farm & Wilderness Camp
- Chicken & the Egg
- Kids N’ Kids
- Little Sprouts
- Fun with Fleece
- Tracks & Signs – Who Lives Here?
- Diggin’ for Decomposers
- Farmer’s Helpers
Pre-registration is required for all programs. To register or for more information, please call Andrea Earley Coen at (970)309-3175.
** Farmhands, Guidestone's youth education program, gives children and school groups an opportunity to learn about their food source and what it takes to provide a safe, healthy food supply.
Kid’s Summer Programs at Weathervane Farm
Farmhands is expanding its summer programming! Join Farmhands Education staff for one or many of these fun, hands-on programs based at The Meadows at Cottonwood Creek in Buena Vista. Designed for children ages 5-11, all programs are interactive, educational, and exciting opportunities to experience a working farm, meet the farm animals, assist with farm projects and explore the surrounding natural habitat. Local producers Weathervane Farm and Cottonwood Creek Dairy provide the hands-on “classroom.” Some of the class titles include:
- Farm & Wilderness Camp
- Chicken & the Egg
- Kids N’ Kids
- Little Sprouts
- Fun with Fleece
- Tracks & Signs – Who Lives Here?
- Diggin’ for Decomposers
- Farmer’s Helpers
Pre-registration is required for all programs. To register or for more information, please call Andrea Earley Coen at (970)309-3175.
** Farmhands, Guidestone's youth education program, gives children and school groups an opportunity to learn about their food source and what it takes to provide a safe, healthy food supply.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Cultivating Relationships with Land and People
By: Caitlin RobertsAs we fold brochures and finish website updates, the green grass begins to push through the brown carpet of winter and the perennial plants display emerald crowns of new growth. A new garden season is upon us. With seeds started in the greenhouse, baby chicks on order, and a season of field plantings on the schedule, we set the course on a new farming adventure.
This season marks our tenth year working on farms and our third as business owners of Weathervane Farm. In our first year here we grew a small garden for farmers market sales and worked with a West Slope fruit grower to provide fruit CSA shares. We also started egg production. Last year we expanded our operation to include vegetable CSA shares from our garden, wholesale accounts, pasture raised poultry, and lacto-fermented vegetables.
Our direct and local marketing provides us with great opportunities to cultivate relationships within our community. It is a pleasure for us to feel connected to the folks eating the food we grow.
When food dollars go to support local agriculture, there are many positive outcomes. Where shopping at the grocery store can be a detached and anonymous process, eating locally is about cultivating relationships with food, people, and land.
When we know the biological roots of our food and can connect with the source, there is more opportunity to learn about and be involved with the farming practices that directly impact us. Visits to the farm to pick-up shares, volunteer, or attend farm events, are activities that aid in connecting members to the land and food producers.
The Asian Palate, Mother’s Bistro, Simple Foods, Nature’s Pantry and Colorado Grown also help keep you close to the source by incorporating our products into their offerings.
Fruit and garden shares are still available. For more information about our farm and products visit our website at www.weathervanefarmbv.com.
Caitlin Roberts and her husband, Seth own and operate Weathervane Farm in Buena Vista, CO.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Guidestone Seeks New Board Members, Advisors, and Volunteers
Buena Vista, Colorado - Guidestone, a local non-profit devoted to supporting a sustainable future for the bioregion of the Upper Arkansas River Valley currently has positions open for new board members. In addition, Guidestone is looking for interested participants to serve as advisors and volunteers as the organization will be expanding the scope of its work in supporting the local food economy, farm based education, and local agricultural resource preservation in the coming months.
More information about Guidestone can be found at www.GuidestoneColorado.org and at www.GuidestoneCO.blogspot.com. Residents of the Upper Arkansas River Valley who are interested in becoming involved with Guidestone in any of these capacities are requested to send an email to guidestoneco[at]gmail[dot]com.
More information about Guidestone can be found at www.GuidestoneColorado.org and at www.GuidestoneCO.blogspot.com. Residents of the Upper Arkansas River Valley who are interested in becoming involved with Guidestone in any of these capacities are requested to send an email to guidestoneco[at]gmail[dot]com.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Jumpin' Good Goat Dairy Opens in Buena Vista
Posted by: Allison A.
The past two weekends here in Buena Vista have marked the long anticipated grand opening of Jumpin' Good Goat Dairy. As they say on their website, the cheese is, "Made by hand, with love." And you can clearly tell that this is true by how amazing each variety tastes. The dairy creates a number of aged and flavored cheeses and has them available for sale at their on-site country store. To learn more about the dairy, visit their very fun website at this link.
Welcome to the valley... we're glad you're here!
The past two weekends here in Buena Vista have marked the long anticipated grand opening of Jumpin' Good Goat Dairy. As they say on their website, the cheese is, "Made by hand, with love." And you can clearly tell that this is true by how amazing each variety tastes. The dairy creates a number of aged and flavored cheeses and has them available for sale at their on-site country store. To learn more about the dairy, visit their very fun website at this link.Welcome to the valley... we're glad you're here!
Monday, March 23, 2009
A Response to the National Animal Identification System
By: David Lynch
Very often, focusing on our “local minds” we lose sight of the impact that state or national legislation may have on our personal lives. Take NAIS for example: even as I write this, the National Animal Identification System is a new regulatory process being implemented by the USDA. What is NAIS? It is an identification system for all U.S. livestock that will keep track of the movement of all domestic animals intended for our food supply. It is being couched under the auspices of national food safety and Homeland Security.
Sounds good, doesn’t it! Very American! But the facts are this regulatory proposal creates a huge imposition on the small, family farmer. Not only will require everyone who raises livestock for food production to register their farm premises in a national database, by 2010, the USDA will mandate the microchip identification of every cow, sheep, pig and eventually chicken on a farmer’s property. The cost? Estimated at $37.00 per animal!
In reality, the regulation is primarily intended to keep track of interstate and global commerce. However, it’s unintended consequences become a huge burden to our local family farmer. Shouldn’t there be an exemption for local and regional movement of livestock from farmer to consumer? After all, this is easy to track. For example, take the cow share program for distributing raw milk. The dairyman is required to keep on file a copy of every consumer’s contact information: the tracking system is already in place.
On all of our behalf, the Farmer to Consumer Legal Defense Fund has sued the USDA in opposition to NAIS. The Raw Milk Association of Colorado has joined this fight, as have many grass roots consumer advocacy organizations. Trust me folks: NAIS is bogus regulation, an unnecessary invasion of our privacy, a substantial burden on the small farmer, and a complete waste of taxpayer money!
For more information, visit these links:
- Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund
- Livestock Tracing Bill Could Be End of Family Farms, Ranches - a recent opinion article from the Washington Examiner
Very often, focusing on our “local minds” we lose sight of the impact that state or national legislation may have on our personal lives. Take NAIS for example: even as I write this, the National Animal Identification System is a new regulatory process being implemented by the USDA. What is NAIS? It is an identification system for all U.S. livestock that will keep track of the movement of all domestic animals intended for our food supply. It is being couched under the auspices of national food safety and Homeland Security.
Sounds good, doesn’t it! Very American! But the facts are this regulatory proposal creates a huge imposition on the small, family farmer. Not only will require everyone who raises livestock for food production to register their farm premises in a national database, by 2010, the USDA will mandate the microchip identification of every cow, sheep, pig and eventually chicken on a farmer’s property. The cost? Estimated at $37.00 per animal!
In reality, the regulation is primarily intended to keep track of interstate and global commerce. However, it’s unintended consequences become a huge burden to our local family farmer. Shouldn’t there be an exemption for local and regional movement of livestock from farmer to consumer? After all, this is easy to track. For example, take the cow share program for distributing raw milk. The dairyman is required to keep on file a copy of every consumer’s contact information: the tracking system is already in place.
On all of our behalf, the Farmer to Consumer Legal Defense Fund has sued the USDA in opposition to NAIS. The Raw Milk Association of Colorado has joined this fight, as have many grass roots consumer advocacy organizations. Trust me folks: NAIS is bogus regulation, an unnecessary invasion of our privacy, a substantial burden on the small farmer, and a complete waste of taxpayer money!
For more information, visit these links:
- Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund
- Livestock Tracing Bill Could Be End of Family Farms, Ranches - a recent opinion article from the Washington Examiner
Friday, February 27, 2009
Buena Vista hosts CSA Conference
By: Sterling Quinton
The 20th century advent of industrialized agriculture, commonly known as the Green Revolution, did not bode well for localized farming or those practicing its art. From an apex of 6.8 million practitioners in 1935, which accounted for one third of the jobs in America, small-scale farmers became such a diminished minority that by 1993 the United States Census Bureau announced that it would "no longer count the number of Americans who live on farms."
With nearly a decade of the 21st century behind us, that historical trend is changing in a big way. According to a recent New York Times article, between 2005 and 2007, small scale farmers increased by almost 90,000 individuals. Buena Vista has shared in some of that growth and now, via locally based Weathervane Farm and the Dairy at Cottonwood Creek, has hosted a Community Supported Agriculture conference.
Guidestone was a major organizer of the event. Another organizer is the Central Colorado Food Shed Alliance or CCFA. The CCFA bills itself as a locally based organization working to revitalize the valley’s food industry. As a coop organization, it is responsible for running the Farmers’ Market in Salida and, according to one board member, it hopes to bring another market to Buena Vista in the near future.
Despite a rapid national and local growth of CSA, its exact purpose remains obscure or unknown to many. According to Seth Roberts, co-owner of Weathervane, the CSA model was created to, “Develop a direct connection between producer and consumer through a contractual basis. It really started with vegetable farmers providing seasonal produce to their membership. It has grown now to encompass many different agricultural products.” Essentially, CSA is a model wherein the consumer has a personal relationship with the people growing the food.
On a seasonably cold but sunny February 15, twenty-two attendees from the south central part of the state gathered around the crusty earth of Weathervane’s winter-dormant gardens to make connections, drink coffee, and talk about the future of CSA and other forms of local food production.
Roberts, said the goal of the conference, “Is to get people together who are currently operating a CSA or want to, and to discuss challenges, opportunities, the future of the movement, and to prepare for a state-wide gathering in 2010.”
One farmer in attendance, Jerome Osentowski, traveled from Basalt, Colorado, to revel in the exchange of ideas and participate in the shaping of the future of CSA. Osentowski, a bespectacled 64 year old with slight build and academic air, is the owner of a CSA school.
“We started a 20 member CSA with 20 students and 10 farms involved and we are closing in on a permanent sight to house the school,” he said.
About why he felt the CSA model is important, Osentowski stated that, “The industrial system is a failed system. It’s crumbling. The manufactured food system is toxic. In all of our communities we only have two days supply of food. Any town in Colorado, especially in the winter, is susceptible.”
His claims demand attention but don’t be too quick to label him just another pessimist. Osentowski has put positive energy into creating a counterbalance to what he sees as a real problem in modern food production. “This is a way of building in food security,” he said. “With green houses and high tunnels we can become year round producers of our own food.”
In addition to his tools for season extension, like the greenhouse, Osentowski has surrounded his home with acreage of Permaculture. He says Permaculture is, “a designed system for development of sustainable permanent agriculture and other perennial systems.”
Others define it as a smart way to produce a lot of food without a lot of continuous labor. Besides the more typical fruits and vegetables, Osentowski’s approach has allowed him to grow relatively exotic foods like bananas, artichokes, passion fruit, pineapple, figs, guavas, and jujubes at his mountainous site.
Of course, food can be produced and a living made without building an off-the-grid Permaculture camp in the mountains or developing a CSA. According to the CCFA, which serves a “foodshed” encompassing a 100 mile radius emanating from Salida, Chaffee County and the surrounding areas have a lot of food producers growing and distributing their products in a variety of ways.
Some of those producers include: Javernick Family Farms, Landmark Beef, Simple Honey, TBD Farm and Cherry Orchard, Black Mountain Mushrooms, Haugen’s Mountain Grown Lamb, Gosar Ranch, Erin’s Organics, Green Earth Farm, and Jumpin’ Good Goat Dairy. To see a fuller list of local vendors, readers can visit www.ccfa.coop.
Back at the conference, attendees took a tour of Weathervane and The Dairy, swapped solutions for common problems, discussed current and impending legal issues, as well as the difficulties and triumphs of competing in the bigger markets. In the late afternoon current farmers, people wishing to be farmers, and others who came simply because they support local food production, shook hands and said goodbye hoping to meet again at the 2010 sate-wide conference. As Osentowski prepared to leave, he reflected on the day’s conference and the future of his work, saying, “I think CSA is the most viable model out there and it continues to grow.”
The 20th century advent of industrialized agriculture, commonly known as the Green Revolution, did not bode well for localized farming or those practicing its art. From an apex of 6.8 million practitioners in 1935, which accounted for one third of the jobs in America, small-scale farmers became such a diminished minority that by 1993 the United States Census Bureau announced that it would "no longer count the number of Americans who live on farms."
With nearly a decade of the 21st century behind us, that historical trend is changing in a big way. According to a recent New York Times article, between 2005 and 2007, small scale farmers increased by almost 90,000 individuals. Buena Vista has shared in some of that growth and now, via locally based Weathervane Farm and the Dairy at Cottonwood Creek, has hosted a Community Supported Agriculture conference.
Guidestone was a major organizer of the event. Another organizer is the Central Colorado Food Shed Alliance or CCFA. The CCFA bills itself as a locally based organization working to revitalize the valley’s food industry. As a coop organization, it is responsible for running the Farmers’ Market in Salida and, according to one board member, it hopes to bring another market to Buena Vista in the near future.
Despite a rapid national and local growth of CSA, its exact purpose remains obscure or unknown to many. According to Seth Roberts, co-owner of Weathervane, the CSA model was created to, “Develop a direct connection between producer and consumer through a contractual basis. It really started with vegetable farmers providing seasonal produce to their membership. It has grown now to encompass many different agricultural products.” Essentially, CSA is a model wherein the consumer has a personal relationship with the people growing the food.
On a seasonably cold but sunny February 15, twenty-two attendees from the south central part of the state gathered around the crusty earth of Weathervane’s winter-dormant gardens to make connections, drink coffee, and talk about the future of CSA and other forms of local food production.
Roberts, said the goal of the conference, “Is to get people together who are currently operating a CSA or want to, and to discuss challenges, opportunities, the future of the movement, and to prepare for a state-wide gathering in 2010.”
One farmer in attendance, Jerome Osentowski, traveled from Basalt, Colorado, to revel in the exchange of ideas and participate in the shaping of the future of CSA. Osentowski, a bespectacled 64 year old with slight build and academic air, is the owner of a CSA school.
“We started a 20 member CSA with 20 students and 10 farms involved and we are closing in on a permanent sight to house the school,” he said.
About why he felt the CSA model is important, Osentowski stated that, “The industrial system is a failed system. It’s crumbling. The manufactured food system is toxic. In all of our communities we only have two days supply of food. Any town in Colorado, especially in the winter, is susceptible.”
His claims demand attention but don’t be too quick to label him just another pessimist. Osentowski has put positive energy into creating a counterbalance to what he sees as a real problem in modern food production. “This is a way of building in food security,” he said. “With green houses and high tunnels we can become year round producers of our own food.”
In addition to his tools for season extension, like the greenhouse, Osentowski has surrounded his home with acreage of Permaculture. He says Permaculture is, “a designed system for development of sustainable permanent agriculture and other perennial systems.”
Others define it as a smart way to produce a lot of food without a lot of continuous labor. Besides the more typical fruits and vegetables, Osentowski’s approach has allowed him to grow relatively exotic foods like bananas, artichokes, passion fruit, pineapple, figs, guavas, and jujubes at his mountainous site.
Of course, food can be produced and a living made without building an off-the-grid Permaculture camp in the mountains or developing a CSA. According to the CCFA, which serves a “foodshed” encompassing a 100 mile radius emanating from Salida, Chaffee County and the surrounding areas have a lot of food producers growing and distributing their products in a variety of ways.
Some of those producers include: Javernick Family Farms, Landmark Beef, Simple Honey, TBD Farm and Cherry Orchard, Black Mountain Mushrooms, Haugen’s Mountain Grown Lamb, Gosar Ranch, Erin’s Organics, Green Earth Farm, and Jumpin’ Good Goat Dairy. To see a fuller list of local vendors, readers can visit www.ccfa.coop.
Back at the conference, attendees took a tour of Weathervane and The Dairy, swapped solutions for common problems, discussed current and impending legal issues, as well as the difficulties and triumphs of competing in the bigger markets. In the late afternoon current farmers, people wishing to be farmers, and others who came simply because they support local food production, shook hands and said goodbye hoping to meet again at the 2010 sate-wide conference. As Osentowski prepared to leave, he reflected on the day’s conference and the future of his work, saying, “I think CSA is the most viable model out there and it continues to grow.”
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Bananas in Nathrop? Anything Is Possible!
By: Erin Oliver, Erin’s Geothermal Greenhouse in Nathrop, CO.
Restoring our local food shed is possible. We are lucky to live in this valley where productive farmland with water is still available. There is the potential to put these valuable lands into food production. Although our growing season is shorter then some, it is still possible to grow most crops and we even have micro climates within our valley where we can produce corn. Tony Madone has proven this on his Farm to Table site in Salida. There are countless home gardeners producing food for their family right in their backyards. We also have the unique resource of geothermal water which can heat greenhouses for year round production. This is especially wonderful for those heat loving crops we all love like tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers. If it is our desire to produce food in this valley, it is possible.
So, back to the banana.
I was inspired to buy this banana tree by Paul at The Crystal Shop in Salida, he had one years ago. Five years later, I have fruit on the tree and not just a few. It lives in my greenhouse here on Chalk Creek where it is kept warm with our 160 degree geothermal water. I continue to nurture it in hopes that the fruit will ripen into the sweetest bananas I have ever tasted. I’ll keep you posted.
This winter in the greenhouse has been very productive. Lots of sunshine means faster growth and an abundance of tender greens. We were able to keep some of the tomato and cucumber plants producing until Thanksgiving when we pulled them to prepare for the next crop. Although the tomato plant is a perennial, I find we have much better success with a fresh crop every year. We have planted a round of sugar snap peas to take advantage of the space before this year’s tomatoes are transplanted. Our starts table is heated with our geothermal water and is full with tomato, pepper and perennial flower starts. They are also happy with all of the sunshine and will be ready to transplant into the large containers in a few weeks. We may just break our earliest vine ripened tomato record this year! (April 20th is the date to beat) As the days get longer, we are gearing up for our spring starts sale and will have a variety of vegetable and flower starts available.
This is my favorite time of year. Watching the hundreds of starts grow and knowing that they will feed our community is very rewarding.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Starts Soil Recipe
By: Erin Oliver, Erin’s Geothermal Greenhouse in Nathrop, CO.
This is a great time of year to prepare for the growing season. Plan your garden space. Get a soil test if you haven’t already, a small task that will bring huge rewards. Order your seed. One of my favorite places to order seed is a company called Fedco. Pleasant Avenue Nursery in Buena Vista also has vegetable and flower seed varieties available that grow well in our area.
Get a jump on the season by starting seeds inside. You’ll need a sunny window or a grow light, some start trays, soil and seed.
Starts Soil Recipe:
2 parts good garden soil or potting soil
1 part perlite or builder’s sand
1 part compost or peat moss
1 T. bonemeal per quart of mix
other amendments may be added
I’ve included the schedule that I follow for starts at my greenhouse. I use May 15th as our last spring frost date although that does vary from year to year. When you are ready to move the starts outside, create a cold frame to harden them off and allow them time to get used to the outside environment. Once planted, continue to cover your tender crops like tomatoes and squash with remay to protect them from a late spring frost.
Seeding Schedule:
6-8 weeks before the last frost date seed tomatoes, onions, peppers, eggplant and celery.
4 weeks before the last frost date seed lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, collards and chard.
3 weeks before the last frost date seed corn, cucumbers, melon, squash and spinach.
Vegetables like peas, carrots, beets, potatoes and other root crops prefer to be direct seeded once the danger of frost has passed.
Some of my favorite suggested readings:
Four- Season Harvest by Eliot Coleman
Solar Gardening by Leandre Poisson & Gretchen Vogel Poisson
How to Grow More Vegetables by John Jeavons
Have fun, try new varieties and may your garden be bountiful!
This is a great time of year to prepare for the growing season. Plan your garden space. Get a soil test if you haven’t already, a small task that will bring huge rewards. Order your seed. One of my favorite places to order seed is a company called Fedco. Pleasant Avenue Nursery in Buena Vista also has vegetable and flower seed varieties available that grow well in our area.
Get a jump on the season by starting seeds inside. You’ll need a sunny window or a grow light, some start trays, soil and seed.
Starts Soil Recipe:
2 parts good garden soil or potting soil
1 part perlite or builder’s sand
1 part compost or peat moss
1 T. bonemeal per quart of mix
other amendments may be added
I’ve included the schedule that I follow for starts at my greenhouse. I use May 15th as our last spring frost date although that does vary from year to year. When you are ready to move the starts outside, create a cold frame to harden them off and allow them time to get used to the outside environment. Once planted, continue to cover your tender crops like tomatoes and squash with remay to protect them from a late spring frost.
Seeding Schedule:
6-8 weeks before the last frost date seed tomatoes, onions, peppers, eggplant and celery.
4 weeks before the last frost date seed lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, collards and chard.
3 weeks before the last frost date seed corn, cucumbers, melon, squash and spinach.
Vegetables like peas, carrots, beets, potatoes and other root crops prefer to be direct seeded once the danger of frost has passed.
Some of my favorite suggested readings:
Four- Season Harvest by Eliot Coleman
Solar Gardening by Leandre Poisson & Gretchen Vogel Poisson
How to Grow More Vegetables by John Jeavons
Have fun, try new varieties and may your garden be bountiful!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Announcing: Regional CSA Conference
By: David Lynch
A statewide initiative on community supported agriculture (CSA) is being launched to bring together CSA producers and other farmers who are interested in the CSA model. Four state regions have been pinpointed for regional gatherings and will be conducted this spring to begin drawing together the Colorado CSA network. Guidestone and the Colorado Food Shed Alliance are collaborating to organize an event to include producers from the Arkansas River Watershed and the San Luis Valley. This is an exciting opportunity to promote practice of local food production and stimulate farmers to pursue the CSA business model. These regional meetings are being held to define the topics that will shape an agenda for a larger statewide gathering anticipated in 2010. The following plan is now set for our regional CSA event:
Date: February 15, Sunday
Location: Weathervane Farm
Time: 10 am to 4 pm
The agenda will include an introductory circle to learn about the regional CSA operations; a survey will be conducted to summarize the features of the CSA movement in the region. A potluck lunch and tour of the farm will follow. Two significant discussions will fill out the rest of the day:
1. Challenges and rewards of the CSA model
2. Directions for the future CSA movement
This will be a time of sharing and building our CSA community. CSA producers have long valued the opportunity to talk of their experiences, gather mutual support and learn from one another.
A statewide initiative on community supported agriculture (CSA) is being launched to bring together CSA producers and other farmers who are interested in the CSA model. Four state regions have been pinpointed for regional gatherings and will be conducted this spring to begin drawing together the Colorado CSA network. Guidestone and the Colorado Food Shed Alliance are collaborating to organize an event to include producers from the Arkansas River Watershed and the San Luis Valley. This is an exciting opportunity to promote practice of local food production and stimulate farmers to pursue the CSA business model. These regional meetings are being held to define the topics that will shape an agenda for a larger statewide gathering anticipated in 2010. The following plan is now set for our regional CSA event:
Date: February 15, Sunday
Location: Weathervane Farm
Time: 10 am to 4 pm
The agenda will include an introductory circle to learn about the regional CSA operations; a survey will be conducted to summarize the features of the CSA movement in the region. A potluck lunch and tour of the farm will follow. Two significant discussions will fill out the rest of the day:
1. Challenges and rewards of the CSA model
2. Directions for the future CSA movement
This will be a time of sharing and building our CSA community. CSA producers have long valued the opportunity to talk of their experiences, gather mutual support and learn from one another.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Movie Review: Wall-E
Written by: Eric Belsey
One of the joys of living with housemates is that they often bring cultural products to one’s attention that otherwise would have been missed. This was my experience with the first Men in Black movie; I dismissed it out of hand as some big-budget Hollywood blockbuster with little redeeming value. Then someone said, no, you have to see it. And I was pleasantly surprised by its creative humor.
Wall-E has followed the same trajectory for me. I saw the previews, and thought, oh, the mouse over at Disney/Pixar has made a cute little massive budget animated film about a lonely robot. Luckily, Cait bought a copy of the DVD, and while holding down the fort around here during the holidays, I popped it in our player.
Wall-E is slick, aesthetically intense and well-crafted, yet the movie carries an overt pro-farming and anti-consumerist message. Without revealing too much, basically the movie follows current trends in consumption to their logical conclusion: the death of the Earth’s capacity to sustain life. Humanity is choking on garbage, and so a spaceship is launched to preserve humankind in space while robots clean up our mess. Hijinks ensue.
Pay attention to the music when the credits roll; that’s Peter Gabriel, singing a great tune he wrote for the movie called Down to Earth (available on iTunes!) which extols the virtues of returning to a life lived closely with Nature. While there are times, as with any movie, when doubt must be suspended, I highly recommend this film for all ages.
One of the joys of living with housemates is that they often bring cultural products to one’s attention that otherwise would have been missed. This was my experience with the first Men in Black movie; I dismissed it out of hand as some big-budget Hollywood blockbuster with little redeeming value. Then someone said, no, you have to see it. And I was pleasantly surprised by its creative humor.
Wall-E has followed the same trajectory for me. I saw the previews, and thought, oh, the mouse over at Disney/Pixar has made a cute little massive budget animated film about a lonely robot. Luckily, Cait bought a copy of the DVD, and while holding down the fort around here during the holidays, I popped it in our player.
Wall-E is slick, aesthetically intense and well-crafted, yet the movie carries an overt pro-farming and anti-consumerist message. Without revealing too much, basically the movie follows current trends in consumption to their logical conclusion: the death of the Earth’s capacity to sustain life. Humanity is choking on garbage, and so a spaceship is launched to preserve humankind in space while robots clean up our mess. Hijinks ensue.
Pay attention to the music when the credits roll; that’s Peter Gabriel, singing a great tune he wrote for the movie called Down to Earth (available on iTunes!) which extols the virtues of returning to a life lived closely with Nature. While there are times, as with any movie, when doubt must be suspended, I highly recommend this film for all ages.
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