This is Farmer Brooke and I am here to tantalize your taste buds with the sensational seasonal flavors of homegrown foods. Stuff your face this Friday at the BADSEED Farmers Market from 4-9 PM with a mouth watering array of "earthly delights" including sexy vegetables, organic fruits, free-range meats, eggs, artisan goat cheese, wholesome baked goods, liquid elixirs, and sooooo much more. Damn! I am making myself drool for crying out loud. (that is what I get for typing the weekly e-mail on an empty belly)
Mini Farm Up-Date:
As most of you know, Dan and I are preparing to dismantle BADSEED Farm after this growing season and move onto our new 13 acre site on the east side of town. We have loads of work to do as our new land is completely RAW!! We are creating an off-grid farmstead that will include an organic orchard, vineyard, vegetable garden, and an array of heritage animals. WE ARE HOSTING CROP MOB WORK PARTIES just about every Saturday. If you would like to come out and play in the dirt with us please respond to this e-mail and I will add you to our "volunteer e-mail list". On a regular basis you will be notified with dates, times, and directions.
We have an overwhelming amount of jobs to be done before the ice gets thick. Currently we are laying straw mulch for our 2 acre "no-till" vegetable production, spreading tons of agricultural lime and manure, building and repairing fence lines, putting in a gravel driveway and parking lot, designing an underground cistern for rain water storage, digging a pond, preparing to plant apple and pear trees in early November, and (last but not least) tearing down an antique barn and re-building it on our land. Can you say YIKES!!!! I can.
Those are just the initial steps that must begin to take shape before next season's spring planting. The larger picture (as far as infrastructure goes) includes a solar-passive greenhouse and personal dwelling. But first things first. I mean c'mon!!.....we don't even have water on the site right now! In our attempt to stay off-grid, we will not be tapping into City water. We had planned to drill a well, but that will not be possible due to certain geographical reasons. Our only other option is to implement a large-scale rain water catchment system. In order to catch a whole lot of rain, you need a great big roof line. Therefore, the barn needs to get up ASAP. We could never afford to buy new lumber, so we bought an old barn for $1500 and will soon be tearing it down. Check out the picture!! It is pretty wild. I don't even want to think about how much work it will be to get that bad boy re-built, and furthermore, we don't have a freakin' clue as to what we are doing!! JUST BREATHE DEEP AND SMILE........right?? What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. (cliches are my only hope)
Strange Brew: Kombucha “mushroom” Tea
*Tuesday, August 31, 7-8:30 pm at the BADSEED Market, 1909 McGee, KCMO, 64108
The Chinese called it the “Immortal Health Elixir” because they believed Kombucha balanced the Middle Qi (Spleen and Stomach) and aided in digestion, allowing the body to focus on healing.
Join BADSEED Farmer, Brooke Salvaggio, in a relaxing evening sipping “brew” and learning the art and magic of making Kombucha tea.
Students will take home their very own Kombucha culture and written instructions for care and brewing techniques.
*If taken good care of, your Kombucha “mushroom” will accompany you on life’s many journeys and spawn “kombucha babies” to give to your friends!!
Cost of Class: $25
Celebrating Local Food, Culture, and Community
