All Blog Categories

Blog

Keep Farming First!

Friday, 17 February 2012 10:43

 

KEEP FARMING FIRST

SATURDAY MARCH 24

Chester County’s Premier Farming Conference

at the Chester County Intermediate Unit 455 Boot Rd. Downingtown PA

 

Keynote Address: Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture George Greig

 

“Keeping Pennsylvania Growing”

 

Featured Speaker: Dean Russell Redding of Delaware Valley College

 

“The Future For New Farmers – Of All Ages”

 

Guest Speaker: Rodale’s Mark “Coach” Smallwood

Coach Smallwood’s presentation sponsored by Lancaster Farming and Kimberton Whole Foods

 

“Getting Good Food Means Growing Good Food”

 

Panels and breakout sessions:

Youth and Farming – Fighting Hunger - Reducing Energy Use and Alternative Energy

Linking Available Land With Willing Farmers - Stormwater Pollution

How to Buy Locally Grown Food

 

Sign in at 8 -9 am with continental style breakfast and live bluegrass music.

Box lunch and giveaways included with advance registration.

Advance single registration: $25 Advance group registration: $20 per person

Register online at: www.cc2020.org, email  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Ph. 484-680-5570

2020logo-2008

 

Presented by Chester County 2020 & Sponsors to Date:  Lancaster Farming; Chester/Delaware Counties Farm Bureau; Fulton Bank; Brandywine Conservancy; Natural By Nature; Northbrook Cattle Co.; Regester Associates; Atlantic Tractor; Kimberton Whole Foods

Share
Add new comment

Attention: open in a new window. PDFPrintE-mail

 

High Mowing Seeds

Wednesday, 15 February 2012 08:53

 

The High Mowing Story

 

At High Mowing Organic Seeds we know the environmental importance of growing organic seeds and food, but we also we know we have a responsibility to positively impact the communities around us. We recognize the importance of contributing to our own community here in northern Vermont and far beyond. In 2011 alone, we donated over 100,000 seed packets through our Seed Donation Program! We strongly believe that seeds are an excellent resource which can be used to teach and empower people about food security. Through our donation program, we support organizations that provide farm and nutrition education with programs such as community gardens, school gardens, church gardens, food bank gardens, summer camps, and disaster relief groups.

 

High Mowing Organic Seeds began in 1996 with just 28 varieties. After tilling up a portion of his backyard and turning his shed into a seed packing area, founder Tom Stearns had no trouble selling the seed he grew that first year. Suddenly, what had started as a hobby became a practical business pursuit, as Tom realized the growing and unmet demand for organic seed.  This demand allowed Tom to expand the business beyond his backyard, renting parcels of land to produce the seed he was selling through a hand-made catalog.  By 2001, business had grown to such an extent that Tom began to contract with other local farms to grow seed, in addition to continuing to produce seed himself on High Mowing's own 5 acres.

High Mowing Organic Seeds has grown exponentially, and what started as a one-man operation is now a thriving business making available to home gardeners and commercial growers over 600 heirloom, open-pollinated and hybrid varieties of vegetable, fruit, herb and flower seed. True to our roots, High Mowing Organic Seeds continues to grow many of the varieties we sell on our 40 acre farm, setting us apart from the majority of other seed companies.

 

As we've grown, we have continually worked to produce, develop and sell only the best quality organic seeds for varieties selected for their exceptional performance in organic conditions.  We have expanded the selection and availability of organic seeds, we've reached out to other farmers, locally and across the country, to produce seed for us, and we've established partnerships with wholesale seed companies that have made commitments to develop and produce organic seed. In our own operation, we’ve implemented the highest quality standards for seed testing and invested our on-site lab and Quality Control department, we have purchased state-of-the art seed cleaning and sorting equipment, we have built a knowledgeable customer service team – many of whom are or were farmers – to answer customer questions, and we have created a trials and breeding program to assess and develop varieties that thrive in organic conditions.

At High Mowing Organic Seeds, we believe in re-imagining what our world can be like. We believe in a deeper understanding of how re-built food systems can support health on all levels – healthy environments, healthy economies, healthy communities and healthy bodies. We believe in a hopeful and inspired view of the future based on better stewardship for our planet. Everyday that we are in business, we are growing; working to provide an essential component in the re-building of our healthy food systems: the seeds.

High Mowing’s Safe Seed Pledge

The Safe Seed Pledge was created in 1999 by High Mowing Organic Seeds, guiding a coalition of 9 other seed companies as a statement about the signers' stance on genetic engineering as well as a resource for consumers wishing to find sources of GE-free seeds.  Over 70 companies have signed the pledge, ranging from large seed companies to family-owned businesses such as ours. 

In signing the Safe Seed Pledge we affirm our commitment to non-GMO (genetically modified organism) seed.  We feel that the regulatory framework for the introduction of genetically modified crop varieties is flawed, and that GMO seeds themselves present a threat to plants' genetic diversity through their ability to pollinate non-GMO plants.

 

The Safe Seed Pledge

"Agriculture and seeds provide the basis upon which our lives depend. We must protect this foundation as a safe and genetically stable source for future generations. For the benefit of all farmers, gardeners and consumers who want an alternative, we pledge that we do not knowingly buy or sell genetically engineered seeds or plants. The mechanical transfer of genetic material outside of natural reproductive methods and between genera, families or kingdoms poses great biological risks, as well as economic, political and cultural threats. We feel that genetically engineered varieties have been insufficiently tested prior to public release. More research and testing is necessary to further assess the potential risks of genetically engineered seeds. Further, we wish to support agricultural progress that leads to healthier soils, genetically diverse agricultural ecosystems and ultimately healthy people and communities."

 

Share
Add new comment

Attention: open in a new window. PDFPrintE-mail

 

Pranic Healing

Wednesday, 15 February 2012 08:43

 

Join us for a Free Introduction into Pranic Healing 

Learn about an opportunity to:

*Gain awareness and an understanding of your energy anatomy

*Accelerate the body’s innate ability to heal

*Restore Balance

* Heal Yourself

*Heal Your Loved Ones

*Heal the Earth

Two Opportunities!!!

February 12th, 12-2 pm

 Dreamcatcher

4049 Skippack PikeNext Basic Class- March 3rd & 4th

Contact: Karen M. Thompson – 610-247-0508 – Mirleni Marin 215-205-2192 – www.pranichealinginpa.com

Harmony –  Peace of Mind – Flexibility -Relaxation

MASTER CHOA KOK SUI’S

PRANIC HEALING &

MEDITATION ON TWIN HEARTS

February 19th, 2-4

At Wellness

4130 Creamery Rd    

Share
Add new comment

Attention: open in a new window. PDFPrintE-mail

   

Local Events!!

Wednesday, 08 February 2012 12:08

Saturday, April 28th 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM INTRODUCTION TO EDIBLE FOREST GARDENS

Sunday, April 29th 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM REDESIGNING YOUR YARD for Perennial Food Production


Explore how to transform your conventional yard into a productive, multi-season garden modeled on the ecosystem found naturally in the forest. Edible forest gardens produce delicious food through a combination of trees, shrubs, herbs, vines, groundcovers and fungi. Small-group design exercises will give you the tools to create productive harvests and positive relationships between plants in your forest garden. Find inspiration from contemporary and historic examples of easy-care perennial food plants. Come prepared for hands-on experience in the design and installation of a small food forest garden appropriate for an urban or suburban setting.

 Registration fee: $125 early registration (by Feb 29)

                              $150 after Feb 29  (bring your own lunch)

Workshop space is limited, so sign up today!

Eric Toensmeier has studied useful plants and food forests since 1990. He is the author of Perennial Vegetables and co-author of Edible Forest Gardens with Dave Jacke. Both books have received multiple awards. Eric’s current research is on perennial farming practices that fight climate change by capturing carbon. His 1/10th acre garden has over 200 useful perennial or self-seeding species including 70 with edible leaves and 36 with edible fruit. Eric will be assisted on Saturday by Aaron Guman, permaculture designer.

To register:  http://edibleforestgardens.eventbrite.com/
Share
Add new comment

Attention: open in a new window. PDFPrintE-mail

 

Update About Family Cow Raw Milk

Wednesday, 08 February 2012 08:19

 

Last week many of you may have been following the Family Cow Raw Milk situation. There was suspicion that the milk contained some kind of bacteria that was making people ill. KWF does carry Family Cow milk and once we were informed (by Family Cow directly) to pull their product off the shelves, we did so immediately.
 
Family Cow took all the right steps most immediately to ensure the quality of their reputation and their product. They worked diligently with the inspectors and had their milk tested. As it turns out there is a happy ending to this story. Please read on. 
 
 
Great News, Folks!
 The Family Cow Raw Milk Is Back
 After a week of grueling testing and inspections, the PA Department of Agriculture (PDA) has given their full blessing for us to provide you and your families with milk again. They just finished their lab work today and called us with the results.  All three of their samples also tested 100% free of four different pathogens.  We had these exact same results last Monday from QC Labs but the state wanted to run their own tests at their Harrisburg lab so we had an additional week of waiting.
 Thanks so much for your patience.  I know it seemed silly after we had clear tests, but we understand their caution.  Despite what many think, we have not found the state regulators hard to work with.  Cautious, yes, following their rule book religiously, yes, but we understand their job and respect them.
 A longtime customer who is also a veterinarian was at our store purchasing other foods when the PDA inspector walked up to do his final inspection.  When she realized who he was and what was about to happen she said, “I’ll just wait.”  As soon as he was finished, she immediately bought the first four gallons.  It was so special to have her there to share the special moment and give us her bid of confidence.
 We will be delivering to all drop points and all of our stores yet this week.
 In this moment of rejoicing, please, everyone, do not forget those of our customers who had it rough the last week or earlier. Some are still not feeling too well and my concern is that we not make them feel like we are rejoicing while they are forgotten.  Please continue to pray for their full and complete recovery.  Dawn and I have been in contact with many of you via email or by phone, but we still want to call some more of you who had even a slight touch.  It brings healing to our hearts to be able to personally say, “We are sorry.”  You are not forgotten and are on our minds constantly.  Our family will never forget the food safety lesson of 2012! 
 The forgiveness and levelheadedness expressed by those of you who were made ill is beyond our best hopes.  Dawn and I feel so unworthy!  Your forgiveness and continued confidence in us is surely a powerful testimony to the strength and beauty of the local, sustainable food movement.  Here is an example of what one MD mother wrote on Jan. 28.  As you will see, she gave me explicit permission to share her story with the group along with her name. “Thanks Ivy!”
 Hi Edwin,

We are one of the families who are listed in the "round-up". I was just discharged from the hospital yesterday with a positive culture of campylobacter, and my whole family - save one child (who also drinks your raw milk, but is only here half the time) has been very ill for a week. I'd like to say that ALL of us - including the child who is NOT ill,drank your raw milk. I find it very odd that the one child, who is the youngest, and would be the weakest, would NOT get food poisoning drinking the SAME milk.

I am VERY disappointed that the media and CDC is jumping to such huge conclusions. I was VERY clear in my interview with the CDC that though ALL of us drank your milk, not all of us were sick. I hate the fact that the media and state agencies are so hungry to point the finger at you, the outsider.

We have already discussed that we will continue to drink raw milk as a family. It's so funny, the doctor before discharge lectured me on not drinking raw milk anymore and I asked him, if when people got food poisoning through lettuce, or cantaloupe, or hamburger, he advised them not to eat those foods any longer either. He didn't like that question at all.

((Also, his lecture was before there was ANY presumption of where the bacteria may have come from, so he is assuming a LOT))
 
Anyway, we will be very sad if the bacteria did come from your operation, but if it did, it is the product of a single employee slipping in standards for a single moment in time, not the product of raw milk as a whole, or a reflection of you. We will continue to drink raw milk, just as we would continue to eat a food that had given us food poisoning, because it was not the food itself, but its handling for a while, that caused the illness.

We still support you, and you may show this letter to your other customers, family, and even the state officials if you'd like.

Respectfully,
Ivy Wood & family
I always told people that we have special customers.  That’s why we do not lock our store... ever. That’s why we trust you to figure up your own purchases after hours (sometimes after midnight!) and just leave your check or cash in the money box.  But we still did not know till this week what a really special class of folks you are.
When I read Ivy’s email, which was the first of many of its type, my eyes immediately welled up and I had a lump in my throat so big I couldn’t talk for awhile.  Folks, this is what makes local food sources special.  This is what builds community.  This is what gives the movement power, hope and resilience.  This represents an attitude of love, grace and forgiveness that even we didn’t know to expect and even now do not feel worthy of.  This is a forgiveness, power and strength that industrial food production will never know!  This gives us as your farmers, renewed vision, energy, mission, hope and commitment.  We are growing food for noble people!  And we more than ever, are driven to return the favor with quality and safety that is better than ever.
Thank you one and thank you all.  It will take us a while to work through the 1000 plus supportive emails that poured in during the last few days and we will never be able to reply to them all but be assured every single one was read, appreciated and has moved our hearts.
 May God bless all of us as we move toward a better tomorrow.  With your help and God’s, we are stronger, better, wiser and safer than yesterday.
All the best of Food, Blessings and Prayers,
 Your Farmers ~ Edwin and Dawn Shank and Family
Share
Add new comment

Attention: open in a new window. PDFPrintE-mail

   

More Articles...

Page 1 of 18