February 2010 Blog Posts (12)

Today was a beautiful day in Austin, TX. We had a very late dusting of snow this past week. Austinites are like Bambi on a frozen pond on snow days; quite a sight. Of course, I could not help running out in it and playing a bit and more importantly bidding the cold winter a fond farewell. Having just returned from visiting my sister and family in Illinois, it really began to dawn on me how difficult it must be in colder climates to have to wait for Spring to spend time in the garden. I walked… Continue

From Whole Foods' Whole Story Blog:

UPDATE 02/18/10: The U.S. Department of Agriculture is currently considering whether or not to approve the use of genetically engineered (GE) Roundup-Ready alfalfa. Their report says you don’t care about GMOs in organics.

The comment period has been extended from February 16 until March 3, 2010.…

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• Brenton Johnson of Johnson's Backyard Garden - from a small city lot to C-TX largest organic Local Food CSA…

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I am writing this to add to the winter garden discussion that was up when I first started reading this blog. I am posting a photo that shows how I've grown winter vegetables indoors. I like 5 gallon buckets because they are sturdier and easier to move than regular plant pots and I start the plants in the bucket to avoid problems with transplants. And as the photo shows I actually switched to the square buckets (delis and restaurants, mayo, etc) because they are slightly smaller, therefore… Continue

We have all been impacted one way or another by the Winter snow that has covered the US. Some areas have seen more than others. Many places have had school closings with consequences that most of us wouldn't anticipate: Hungry Students. I am fortunate that my skill set, work ethic and educational opportunities have afforded my kids and me a place to live where hunger is not a concern. So perhaps I was being naive when I was surprised by the following story about kids going hungry due to the… Continue

I like what I am seeing and learning and it is good to see the energy and interest spreading.



The local kids (in the 3rd-6th grade range) are studying Sustainable Cultures every semester last couple of years, set in a different era and place each time. There are guest teachers on occasion and I have had the honor/pleasure of guesting once. My overall comment, to the kids as well as the teachers, has been that the setting is never here-and-now in America. I think it's time to change… Continue

I came across this book; which I will definitely purchase; and wanted to share it with all of you. Following is the decription of it;

The Holistic Life: Sustainability through…

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I confess... I am a nerd. If someone asks me what something is, especially while I have internet access, I may pull the old "let me Google that for you" trick. The truth is, the very first time I heard the word permaculture was only a few short months ago. Oh the rush of excitement... to learn a new word!! One so new even my spell check doesn't recognize it.



In short, permaculture is a term coined by Australians… Continue

Hello all,

Just wanted to share this information/web site with you. The American Farmland Trust work on spreading the No Farm, No Food message; striving to improve food, farm, and land policies and sustaining farms for the future.

You can vote for your farmers market to become one of the America's Favorite.

Good site to check out and another avenue for supporting what you believe in.

The following is taken from their web…

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Hello, group --



Rachel, I just saw your photos of the permaculture group and am wondering where and when this met; or is it an on-going thing?



I have another website and info for anyone interested in a full-out permaculture course. Again, this is from my friend Amanda at Catalyst for Fun, and this is late in that it started last week. Perhaps some of you are taking part??



I would like any feedback any one can give on permaculture courses they have taken or know… Continue

Just thought I would introduce myself- I was referred here by Brian Dorman, one of my oldest friends- we litereally grew up two houses apart. I love gardening, and have seen the results of organic foods and health first hand. We have 7 children still at home, and when they are on a fully organic diet, ADD disappears, allergic reactions are much more mild, and overall, they are just healthier. We have a small farm in the foothills of North Carolina, and our 88 year old neighbor is a huge help in… Continue

I would like to share this link with everybody:



http://www.grist.org/article/2010-01-28-michael-pollan-sets-food-rules-on-oprah/



it is a short video from Oprah's show -- not a show I watch -- that features Michael Pollan, the author of The Omnivore's Dilemma. The show was probably a good one, at one point they show Food Rule #27 in the background. I would watch the episode if I… Continue