Wow! It's chilly outside!! I guess winter is finally here. My ground is frozen solid, making it difficult to do various farm tasks and making me more & more reluctant to take sweet Percival James out into the field. Despite colder temperatures, the BADSEED *Winter* Farmers' Market will be in full swing this Friday from 4-8 pm with dwindling vegetables (come early!!) and a plethora of mouthwatering morsels like artisan cheeses, meats, and hand-crafted breads. Flesh-eaters rejoice!! It seems that summer markets are dominated by the almighty "vegetable" but as the seasons change, a different sort of "animal" takes the cake. The BADSEED Market is lucky to have some of the finest ALL-NATURAL meat producers in the area. Parker Farms will have a variety of grass-fed beef & lamb cuts, natural pork products, and succulent pastured chickens. Wells Family Farms has certified organic beef aged to perfection, and Green Dirt Farm has beautiful grass-fed lamb to compliment their impressive variety of French Farmstead cheeses...which make great holiday gifts by the way!!! Speaking of gifts - MATERIALISM SUCKS!!..and I bet we all have enough stuff already!!! That's why I urge you to avoid buying a bunch of useless crap manufactured in China and INSTEAD give the "gift of food" produced with love and care on LOCAL family farms. Beyond the positive social, economical, and environmental impacts that go along with "buying local", it's also a great way to get family and friends to EAT HEALTHIER!! Last year I gave my in-laws a CSA share from my very own farm - 24 weeks of veggies!! This year I am considering purchasing a meat CSA share from Parker Farms for another set of family members. (I hate the fact that they eat hormone-induced meats from inhumane factory farms and I want to introduce them to a more ethical, nutritious, and tasty alternative). Furthermore, the options are not limited to FOOD. We also have 100% natural & organic hand-made body products from Nutressant and herbal teas, salves, and tinctures from Rocky Creek Valley Farms. Ooooh baby...such great stuff....such great gifts! OK - your local/organic "Santa" is done with her spiel. Until next week...
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Mini Farm & BABY Up-date:
It seems like it has been IONS since I gave y'all a proper farm up-date. For the record, THIS ISN'T IT...(I'd have to have a couple shots of whiskey in me before I could do that!!). In reality, it's just way too painful & time-consuming to unravel the ridiculous happenings on URBAVORE Urban Farm in these little "market e-mails". That's why I give you bits and pieces here and there...ya know, a decimated tomato crop one week and a turnip crisis the next. This week's insanity includes the on-going construction of our deer fence. The freakin' thing stands 10 ft high and is making it's way around the majority of our 13 acre property. We commonly refer to it as our "t-rex fence" cuz Farmer Dan over compensated when cutting the posts and many of them stand 14 feet high AFTER being set in the ground 4 feet. It's quite the spectacle!! This very costly fence is our reaction to an estimated 13,000 dollars in crop losses this season. The deer decimated our entire heirloom tomato crop among other things. Poor Dan looks about half-dead after cutting over 100 monster hedge trees from the surrounding woods and dragging them onto our property. The good news is the post holes have been dug and most of the posts are now set. Soon we can stretch fence and be done with it! Anyway, I could go on about the endless trials and tribulations we face on a daily basis. I guess hardship and sheer insanity just goes with the territory - I mean what else can you expect when you are a couple of anarchist "city-kids" building a 13.5 acre farmstead in the middle of the City with very little resources and a new a baby!
Uh-oh....I said the magic word: BABY! I know most of you "baby-crazed" readers would much rather hear about sweet Percy James than those damn vegetables any day!! So, I'll humor you and give you your fix. Percy is scrumptious (fat rolls and all) and he's growing like a weed. He's 20 lbs at 6 months old! As scrumptious as he may be, he's giving his mama a hell of a time. I thought farming was demanding! This voracious "milk monster" is high-maintenance and demands every ounce of my attention. Some days I secretly wish I could escape my "farmer mommy" hell by choking on one of the many OBNOXIOUS plastic toys Grandmother WON'T STOP BUYING despite my best efforts to STOP THE MADNESS. AHHHHHH!!! No but really, I'm hanging in there despite the fact that I haven't slept in 6 months. At the end of the day, I'm just happy that Percy is so damn healthy. This little boy is going to kill me, but he's worth dying for! The three of us had one of those quintessential "family moments" last Sunday when we took a nice long walk on the farm, visited our crazy flock of chickens & ducks & geese, got attacked by a rooster, and finally cut down our very first Christmas tree!! It is a pathetic and tiny specimen, but our house is the size of a postage stamp so it's the best we could do!! Percy had a ball....
It seems like it has been IONS since I gave y'all a proper farm up-date. For the record, THIS ISN'T IT...(I'd have to have a couple shots of whiskey in me before I could do that!!). In reality, it's just way too painful & time-consuming to unravel the ridiculous happenings on URBAVORE Urban Farm in these little "market e-mails". That's why I give you bits and pieces here and there...ya know, a decimated tomato crop one week and a turnip crisis the next. This week's insanity includes the on-going construction of our deer fence. The freakin' thing stands 10 ft high and is making it's way around the majority of our 13 acre property. We commonly refer to it as our "t-rex fence" cuz Farmer Dan over compensated when cutting the posts and many of them stand 14 feet high AFTER being set in the ground 4 feet. It's quite the spectacle!! This very costly fence is our reaction to an estimated 13,000 dollars in crop losses this season. The deer decimated our entire heirloom tomato crop among other things. Poor Dan looks about half-dead after cutting over 100 monster hedge trees from the surrounding woods and dragging them onto our property. The good news is the post holes have been dug and most of the posts are now set. Soon we can stretch fence and be done with it! Anyway, I could go on about the endless trials and tribulations we face on a daily basis. I guess hardship and sheer insanity just goes with the territory - I mean what else can you expect when you are a couple of anarchist "city-kids" building a 13.5 acre farmstead in the middle of the City with very little resources and a new a baby!
Uh-oh....I said the magic word: BABY! I know most of you "baby-crazed" readers would much rather hear about sweet Percy James than those damn vegetables any day!! So, I'll humor you and give you your fix. Percy is scrumptious (fat rolls and all) and he's growing like a weed. He's 20 lbs at 6 months old! As scrumptious as he may be, he's giving his mama a hell of a time. I thought farming was demanding! This voracious "milk monster" is high-maintenance and demands every ounce of my attention. Some days I secretly wish I could escape my "farmer mommy" hell by choking on one of the many OBNOXIOUS plastic toys Grandmother WON'T STOP BUYING despite my best efforts to STOP THE MADNESS. AHHHHHH!!! No but really, I'm hanging in there despite the fact that I haven't slept in 6 months. At the end of the day, I'm just happy that Percy is so damn healthy. This little boy is going to kill me, but he's worth dying for! The three of us had one of those quintessential "family moments" last Sunday when we took a nice long walk on the farm, visited our crazy flock of chickens & ducks & geese, got attacked by a rooster, and finally cut down our very first Christmas tree!! It is a pathetic and tiny specimen, but our house is the size of a postage stamp so it's the best we could do!! Percy had a ball....
Pics attached.
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New Vendor Alert:
Please welcome Lizzy from Rocky Creek Valley Farm!! Lizzy is an herbalist turned farmer who cultivates glorious acreage north of Richmond, MO. Lizzy's diversified farmstead includes organic vegetable & herb production, free-range laying hens, and dairy goats. Lizzy also offers classes in sustainable gardening and herbalism. Winter offerings will include herbal teas, healing salves, herbal tinctures, and multi-colored free-range eggs!!
And that's not all....
Put your hands together for John and Sandy from Nutressant in Mission, KS. Their hand-crafted, organic body products are petroleum and chemical free and will not pollute the planet or irritate your skin! Furthermore, they are luxurious and fragrant and oooh soooo wonderful. They have the mother-load of offerings including tooth paste, dish soap, and detergent!!!...(not to mention your more typical health and beauty products). Lather up and feel good!!!
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Up-coming Herbalism Workshop:
Herbal Remedies for Winter-time Woes
To be held at the BADSEED on Saturday, December 17th from 1-3
An alarming number of well-meaning folks choose to “do nothing” and suffer unnecessarily through painful colds, flus, sinus congestion, fevers & more. What they sometimes don’t know is that nutrient-depriving pharmaceuticals are not the only option for relief, & that help is often within reach of their own kitchens, backyards and neighborhood parks.
In this hands-on demo & discussion workshop, we will thoroughly explore a manageable list of effective, traditional, plant-based home remedies, and how to properly use them in various forms (infusions, tinctures, steams, etc.). We will make an organic, nutrient-dense, herb-infused chicken stock; a great food-based remedy to have on hand at all times and easy to make in your own home. We will also create (and enjoy!) herbal cocoa-a great soothing remedy for all (and especially enjoyed by children) during the long, cold months.
Each participant will leave with an in-depth handout covering all topics discussed in class & a handcrafted “Gypsy Cold & Flu” organic infusion blend. Fresh-made herbal tinctures discussed in class will be offered at a 20% discount.
MAKES for a THOUGHTFUL HOLIDAY GIFT! Gift Certificates for plant-based remedies, workshops, Medicinal+Edible Identification Hikes & Herbal Consultations also available.
*Registration required. Please contact amy.subrosasanctuary@
Send a message for directions!
COST: $40
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THIS WEEK'S ORGANIC OFFERINGS -
URBAVORE Urban FarmA project of BADSEED - Brooke Salvaggio & Daniel Heryer5500 Bennington Ave., Kansas City, MO 64129Welcome to URBAVORE - an off-grid, diversified, urban farmstead in the heart of KCMO. Born in 2011, URBAVORE is working towards the creation of an “edible oasis” that brings organic growth, sustainable life, and creative solutions to a city neighborhood. We grow an extensive variety of heirloom vegetables noted for their unique appearance and extraordinary flavor, as well as an array of culinary/medicinal herbs and edible flowers. URBAVORE is a non-certified, beyond organic operation dedicated to respecting both the health of the individual and the environment. It is our aim to build community and collective consciousness through the universal pleasure that comes from eating good food.OFFERINGS:*Gold Ball Gourmet Turnips (amber flesh, buttery, best cooking turnip on earth)- last of the season!*WILD PERSIMMONS (so freakin' good...)*FREE-RANGE EGGS
Herb'n GardenerLew Edmister17th and Belleview, Kansas City, MO 64108For the “meanest greens” in town, check out Lew's gourmet selection of urban-grown goodies. He grows a mouthwatering array of lettuces, spicy mustards, arugula, and gourmet salad mixes on KC’s west side. Other tasty morsels include heirloom tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, okra, and filet beans. New For 2011 -RUSTIC BREAD straight from Lew’s hand-built wood-fired oven. YUM!LEW WILL BE BACK WITH BREAD NEXT FRIDAY!!!
JJ Farms
John & Judy Kaiahua
8531 E. 81st Terrace, Raytown, MO 64138
John has been growing organically since 1984!! He plants, weeds, and harvests all his own crops on urban land that has been chemical free for over 20 years. Produce includes a wide array of vegetable offerings as well as apples, peaches, and pears in season. John is originally from the far off lands of Hawaii where he comes from a long line of pearl divers!! Now he spends his days out of the ocean and in the dirt, growing righteous foods for the Kansas City community. Lucky us!
OFFERINGS:
*Lettuce Heads
*Spinach
*Beets
*Swiss Chard
*Bok Choy (red and green)
Alice & Marvin Huenefeld
Wellington, MO
Alice is famous for her utterly delicious baked goods made from homegrown, hand-milled whole wheat flour. Her tasty breads, cakes, cookies, and muffins are complimented by an assortment of jams, jellies, pickles, and relishes all made from ingredients sustainably grown on the farm. Marvin adds his own touch with one of a kind wood-turned items handcrafted with the utmost care and creativity. Products can be found during the regular growing season at the Westport Farmers' Market.
OFFERINGS:
*Farm Fresh Brown Eggs
*Wholesome Baked Breads
*Sweet Treats
*Canned Goods
*Wood-turned items by Marvin
Parker Farms All-Natural MeatsTom & Paula ParkerRichmond, MO"We produce all-natural gourmet beef, lamb, pork, poultry, and eggs. All of our beef and lamb is 100% grassfed. They are never fed any grain, animal by products, antibiotics, or injected with growth hormones. We have been practicing Management Intensive Grazing since 1997. It is our goal to care for all of the livestock that we have been blessed with, in as natural and humane a manner as we can. Our chickens for meat and eggs are also raised on pasture with green grass under their feet as much as the weather in this part of the world allows. Our hogs are fed grain, but do live outdoors with dirt under their feet. We do not use any petroleum based pesticides or fertilizers on our pastures. We believe that healthy people, and healthy animals start with healthy plants and a healthy, biologically active, soil community. Our meats are available at the BADSEED Market or through our Community Supported Agriculture shares."OFFERINGS:*Grass-fed BEEF in ground and assorted cuts*Pork Products: Chops, Brats, Breakfast Sausage, Italian Sausage, & Spare Ribs*Lamb Cuts: Ground Lamb, Shoulder Steaks, Rib Chop (butterfly cut, loin chops), Leg (bone in whole, shanks, lamb liver)**Pastured Chickens !!!!*Tea Towels, Hand-made Teas, Candles, and Gourd Bird Houses from the lovely Parker Girls!!* HOT PEPPER JELLY !!!
Green Dirt FarmJacqueline Smith & Sarah HoffmanWeston, MO"Life is too short to eat grocery store cheeses! Green Dirt Farm, LLC invites you to try our HANDCRAFTED ARTISANAL SHEEP CHEESES created with milk from our very own PASTURED ewes. You can be assured of a richness and depth of flavor unique to the rolling bluffs of Weston, MO. Also on the menu is 100% GRASS-FED LAMB which is of unsurpassed quality, tenderness, and flavor."OFFERINGS:*Grass-Fed Lamb*Artisan Sheep's Milk Cheese in aged and fresh varieties
Wells Family FarmKim & Steve WellsKing City, MO