Broad Branch Farm

Welcome to Broad Branch Farm! BBF, Ltd. is an 8-acre organic (not certified) farm owned and operated by Anita & Brian Poeppel. Located in central Illinois just 4 miles east of Wyoming, Illinois, the farm is in the heart of what used to be beautiful prairie as far as the eye could see. Although the prairie is essentially gone, the beautiful fertile top soil is still present. And it’s this precious soil that is the foundation for the beautiful organic vegetables produced on the farm.

Like farms of years ago who grew and sold an array of products to support the family, BBF is also a diversified family farm. Broad Branch Farm produces high quality organic vegetables and herbs, healthy pasture raised organic chickens, free range organic eggs, the FarmTherapy line of natural body care, and homemade organic granola.

For more info, go to broadbranchfarm.com
http://www.vimeo.com/5095281

Food, Inc. Documentary Film

I was able to attend a preview of the documentary, Food, Inc. last night.
If you have ever wondered how our food arrives at your local supermarket or drive through restaurant this is a must see movie.

Food, Inc. brings to light why America suffers from many of the food issues that were not present 50 years ago, such as the large increase in diabetes and the spread of harmful bacteria such as e coli. From economic strategy to health ramifications, this movie will open your eyes to the world of Agribusiness. It also demonstrates how consumers can drive the demand for healthier options.

There are a few spots that are not for the faint-hearted. Watching how mass production can lead to e coli risk, which leads to more chemical being introduced to “out-engineer” the problem leads to a vicious circle. These shocking scenes may not be the easy to watch, but they are a vital part of how food gets to our table – and one that everyone should understand.

The movie also shows how food that seems to be a bargain, is actually very expensive when the hidden costs to our health, worker safety and the environment are considered.

The movie will have limited release in Chicago starting on June 19th. Their website has information on release dates and locations www.foodincmovie.com

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Growing Home

Growing Home
Providing Training Through a Non-profit Organic Agriculture Business
Growing Home provides job training for homeless and low-income individuals in Chicago through a social enterprise business based on organic agriculture.
Their program provides experiential learning opportunities and employment in the horticulture field as well as a unique job readiness curriculum that helps reintroduces participants back into the work-force.
Growing Home sells their produce through farmers markets in Chicago south side neighborhoods and CSA. Proceeds from the sales of organic produce are used to support their training program and pay for the upkeep of their farm sites

Check out their website at http://www.growinghomeinc.org

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April is for Plan(ting)

Even Though it still seem like Spring is taking it’s time…

Today is April 1st. Although the ground still is cold and very wet from recent rains, you can see that early Spring flowers and grass are starting to pop. You may be inspired to start turning up the earth and start planting.

Hold on- we are still a little early (remember we just had snow) but take advantage of these time to start planning a garden that you can enjoy until late fall. Remember we can still get frost until about May 5th. The general rule is to wait until May 15th.

There are so many articles out there on the benefits of growing your own food. I have attached a couple of links that offer ideas for planting this year no matter how much growing space is available.

The first link is from the University of Illinois Extension. They have many articles, especially for beginners. If this is your first garden you don’t have to excavate your yard. You probably have a couple of spots in your flower beds
http://urbanext.illinois.edu/veggies/basics.html

But wait, even if you don’t have any space for digging, balconies and patios provide great opportunities for growing. Horticulture experts at Kansas State created a great article on container planting. They even included some great examples of plant combinations for pots

http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/library/hort2/MF2873.pdf

Be it in the ground or in a pot both schools stress the importance of preparing the soil. Northern Illinois is known for its clay so it it needs a little help. A little compost goes a long way to healthy tomatoes. (Compost, that’s a good idea for another article).

Have questions? Here’s a great resource.

Garden Help Line
Date & Time April 1, 2009 (10:00 AM - 3:00 PM)
Location: University of Illinois Extension - DuPage County
1100 E Naperville RD - STE 170
Naperville, IL 60563 (DuPage County)
Description DuPage County Master Gardeners are available to help with your garden and insect questions and problems. At this time of year, Master Gardeners are available on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. You can call at any time during the week and leave a voice mail, and a Master Gardener will return your call.

Also, if you are in the Naperville are in May (when you need to be serious about getting your plants) visit the Naperville Community Gardeners Plant Sale. Gardeners keep their seeds and “grow their own” plants for you to grow and enjoy.

Date & Time: May 9, 2009 (7:30 AM - 1:30 PM)
Location: Garden Plots on West Street
Naperville, IL 60540 (DuPage County)

There are also Master Gardeners on site to answer any questions you may have. Master Gardeners are a group of volunteers trained by University of Ilinois Extension educators to provide a network of gardening and horticulture programs to educate the public.

More to come in a few weeks!

Community Sustainable Agriculture (CSA)

Did You Know?
What is Community Sustainable Agriculture (CSA)?

In a nutshell Community Supported Agriculture is a program where a local farm offers prepaid subscriptions or shares for a weekly box of fresh food.

“(CSA) is a new idea in farming, one that has been gaining momentum since its introduction to the United States from Europe in the mid-1980s.

Basically, CSA consists of a community of individuals who pledge support to a farm operation so that the farmland becomes a community, with the growers and consumers providing mutual support and sharing the risks and benefits of food production.

Typically, members or “subscribers” of the farm or garden pay in advance to cover the anticipated costs of the farm operation and farmer’s salary. In return, they receive shares in the farm’s bounty throughout the growing season, as well as satisfaction gained from reconnecting to the land and participating directly in food production.

Members also share in the risks of farming, including poor harvests due to unfavorable weather or pests.

By direct sales to members, who have provided the farmer with working capital in advance, growers receive better prices for their crops, gain some financial security, and are relieved of much of the burden of marketing.”

Why Participate in a CSA ?
The most important advantage is the quality of food you receive. The fruits and vegetables that go in the boxes are usually picked the night before or day of the pickup or delivery. Unless you are growing yourself, you can’t get fresher food.

When you sign up for a CSA programs from participating local farmers, co-ops or farmers markets you help support the local economy and are a part of sustainable growth for the future.

How Can I Participate?
CSA producers can be located by searching through the web I found this site that offers some options: http://www.localharvest.org/search Just type in your zip code and you’ll find several options for your area.
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*An EXCERPT from Community Supported Agriculture (CSA): An Annotated Bibliography and Resource Guide

Organic vs. Sustainable

Did You Know?
Organic vs. Sustainable – Understanding What’s Behind the Words

As the interest in organic and sustainable food continues to grow, people are wondering what these words mean – and how it impacts their buying decision at the marketplace.

To label anything organic requires a rigid certification program by and authorized organization to be “legit.” In reality organic can mean different things to each individual. Many consumers believe that organic means locally grown food without the use of pesticides and fertilizers using ethically and ecologically sound methods. Meat and dairy is considered organic if it is without genetically modified hormones or feed.

So is Sustainable the Same as Organic?
Sustainability really ties into the reality of growing good food is all about. Without sustainability there cannot be organic. Sustainability speaks to how the food is grown on land that isn’t treated with chemicals to increase growth and diminish insect infestation. By rotating where crops are planted farmers can keep nutrients in the soil. It is also how when the food is harvested what is not used is put back into the earth. All of these farming practices are a part of what makes food organic. It seems like the farmers from a few generations ago had the right idea.

Here’s One Things To Remember
You can’t have organic food without sustainable farming. Sustainable = good soil = nutritious food.

More on nutrition and sustainable food coming soon.

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