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Gleanings
eNewsletter ~ June 2010
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GLEANINGS: n.
1. That which has been acquired by gleaning. 2. The monthly eNewsletter
of CT NOFA. [Glean:v. 1. to gather relevant information or material by
patient effort, bit by bit; to find out. 2. to gather grain or other
produce (often: left by reapers); to harvest.]
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From the Executive Director
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Urban
Agriculture
You've
probably heard about the wonderful and exciting growth of urban agriculture in
this country as more people understand the importance of a healthy, local food
supply, especially in the cities where so many folks don't have access to good
food.
At
various NOFA and Community Gardening conferences we've heard from Will Allen
about Growing Power in Milwaukee, from Ian Marvey about Added Value in Brooklyn
and from Daniel Ross about Nuestras
Raices in
Holyoke. They all told inspiring stories about ecological food production in
places where people need good food, about the economic opportunities these
projects create and their successes in engaging youth in the important work of
feeding communities. (Check this site
for more urban agriculture.)
This
summer, CT NOFA provides the opportunity to visit vibrant urban agriculture
projects in two Connecticut towns.
On
June 21, the summer solstice, from 5 to 8 PM, we'll have an on-farm workshop at
FRESH New London's community and educational garden prominently located near
schools and government buildings.
On August 7, our City Farm and Garden Tour
will visit farms, community gardens and other agricultural endeavors in New
Haven. Watch our web site,
www.CTNOFA.org for details.
Read more>
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| CT NOFA & NOFA Events |
Bill Duesing's Upcoming Talks:
Buy Local Connecticut: Glastonbury's Foodshed as part of the Green Movement
Monday, June 28th at 7:00 pm, Glastonbury Public Library, 2407 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT
A panel presentation moderated by Emily Brooks.
On-Farm Workshop: Urban Agriculture with FRESH New London
June 21, 2010 ~ 5:00 to 8:00 pm
NOFA/Mass Fall Bulk Order - The 2010 fall bulk order opening is quickly approaching. It will include cover crop seed, fertilizers, mineral amendments, compost, and potting soil. Single bag and pallet pricing will be available for most items (drop shipping also available). To be prepared, go ahead and get your soil tested now, with recommendations, from your local extension office or other qualified testing facility. Look for the order on our website July 15, 2010; paper copies will be distributed for those without e-mail. Postmark deadline is August 15. Pick up is scheduled for Saturday morning, September 18th. Direct any questions or suggestions to Cathleen O'Keefe, Bulk Order Coordinator, (413)584-6786, bulkorder@nofamass.org
Ashley at the CitySeed Market recruiting New Haven gardeners
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CT NOFA City Farm & Garden Tour - August 7, 2010, New Haven, CT. If you have or know of a city garden that could be featured, please let us know. Advertising and sponsorship opportunities also available. Email for more information.
NOFA Summer Conference - August 13 to 15, 2010, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA. Check out the site for exhibit/advertising opportunities and complete workshop listings and other details. Registration is now OPEN! Discounts for registering before July 12, 2010.
Taste! Organic Connecticut - September 19, 2010, Manchester Community College, Manchester, CT
10th Anniversary - join us for the best celebration ever! Vendor spaces available; email us for details.
RI CRAFT, "Collaborative, Regional Alliance for Farmer Training" is an initiative of NOFA RI to organize workshops led by Rhode Island farmers. The workshops will be held at local farms, each focusing on an area of expertise or issue of interest to the host farmer. The purpose is to broaden the educational opportunities for new farmers, farm workers, farm apprentices, and others interested in farming. The first three dates are:
June 27th: integrating animal production into a diversified farm, Rosasharn Farm
July 11th: Soil fertility with Erik at Ledge Ends
July 15th: Urban farming and herbalism with Farmacy Herbs.
If you would like to receive email updates for additional times, directions or schedule changes, please email Katie Miller at katie.miller@gmail.com (preferred) or call NOFA/RI at (401) 523-2653
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For new and
renewing CT NOFA members High
Mowing Organic Seeds is
now offering free shipping for its products. Check out their site and
learn
more about this independently-owned,
farm-based seed company dedicated to supporting sustainable agriculture
and
providing farmers and gardeners with the highest quality certified
organic
seed.
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Other local and regional events are now maintained on our website. If you have an event you'd like to add, send it along to the office.
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| Community Board |
Job opportunities at Massaro Farm in Woodbridge - Full-time Farm Assistant (30-40 hrs/wk) and part-time interns (8-20
hrs/wk) needed at Massaro Farm in Woodbridge, CT, just west of New Haven. We are year round growing mixed vegetables (non-certified organic) for a 125-member CSA, farm stand, and donations to hunger relief
organizations. Please respond by email to steve@massarofarmcsa.org
Vendors wanted - Olde Mistick Garlic Festival, Olde Mistick Village, Mystic, CT. Sat and Sun, Sept 18 and 19; fee for both days for farmers: $25, Restaurants: $50. those interested contact Suzanne Lane (owner of the Grey Goose Cookery) at goosecookery@aol.com.
Volunteers needed - Northfordy Farm in Northford, CT. Call Peter at 203-484-9570.
For Sale - Olde English Babydoll Southdown Sheep. 3 lambs total, 2 wethers and one Registered ram with good bloodlines. These sheep have wonderful fleece for spinning. If interested contact Tim and Dawn Sotir @ 203-881-1986.
Participants wanted - "Homestead Hobby Farm" Tour in the Oxford, CT area, June 27, 2010, 12:00 to 4:00 pm. Looking for participants to educate people on small scale farming and
sustainability. Contact Dawn by email for details.
Position available - Experienced, hands-on caretaker for private estate in Roxbury, CT. Full-time, live out. Landscape maintenance, general handyman work, snow removal, automobile care, animal care, equipment maintenance and lawn care. Organic knowledge/interest a plus. Fax cover
letter and resume to 860-350-4182.
Growers - Are any Conn. farmers growing (or making) things we could sell in the bulk department - beans, grains, dried fruit, flour, cornmeal, etc.? Contact Ellen at Fiddleheads Food Co-op in New London or call 860-701-9123.
Housing - Unusual housing opportunity for unusual person: greatly reduced rent in
return for "farm" chores--care of pond, bees, chickens, some gardens;
grass cutting, snow removal, minor repairs. Rent negotiable with lease. New Haven area. (203) 230-1080 and leave best time to reach you.
Volunteers Needed for Steering Committee - A group of people from Glastonbury are proposing that a community farm be developed on town-owned property We have a core group of interested people but need to expand that group as we begin developing community awareness, involvement and support for the project. If you would like to know more, we would love to hear from you. Please call Barbara Wagner at 860-657-4345.
Fruit growers sought - looking for suppliers who bring their organic and IPM fruit to farmers' markets in Fairfield County
or have outlets in Fairfield County (farm stands, independent retailers, distribute through CTFFE). Contact Analiese or 203-520-3451.
Help wanted - I am looking for someone with an organic and ecological way of working, who has his own business in the
Hartford area and would be willing to help me install gardens
occasionally. Contact Clemence by email or call 860-233-9878.
For Sale by Owner - 179 surveyed acres on quiet country road. Approximately 95 acres open land under active cultivation and 84 acres in a managed wood lot. Excellent soils for hay and row crops. Near several Amish communities. Three and a half hours to NYC, 40 miles west of Albany. Great small and big game hunting and small stream. Only $1800 per acre. Call (518) 673-5193
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New Business Members
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Mike's Organic Delivery - Greenwich, CT
GreenCycle - Farmington, CT
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Help support our business
members!
If you'd like add logos, pictures or additional text to your listings, send them along to the office. |
Guest Columnist - Zoe Sheldon
| reprinted from NOFA-VT
DISEASE DEVASTATES REGIONAL BAT POPULATIONS
 Bats have long been among the creatures most maligned
by myths and folktales. Flitting in and out of sight at dusk or hanging
silently in the warmth of a quiet attic, they are somewhat otherworldly in both
appearance and behavior, their mammalian bodies and papery wings a bizarre
complement, their erratic, nocturnal flight and communal roosting habits
equally unfamiliar. They seem to be part of a dimension we are unable or
unwilling to access, and though we share habitat, often in closer proximity
than we may realize, most people are reluctant to relinquish the idea of bats
as dangerous, disease-ridden, or otherwise undesirable company. We should
recognize, though, as we watch them swooping above ponds or streams in the
waning hours of a summer evening, that their presence does us far more good
than harm.
Read more>
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Featured Regional Organization
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Can You Dig It? CT
NOFA to visit the Coventry Farmers' Market!
 The
Coventry Farmers' Market will celebrate its second annual Can You Dig It? Gardening
Festival on Sunday June 13, from 11am to 2pm. Whether you want to
plant a few pots on your terrace, or plant the back 40, the event will offer
something for every gardener and farmer, young and old, new and seasoned, big
and small.
There
will be a demonstration on worm composting with D & T Worm Farm and another
on steam distillation of lavender by Glastonbury's Sleepy Bee Lavender
Farm. Ladybug Landscaping will teach a backyard
composting class and Hurricane Farm will lead a session on "Gardening with
Chickens." Learn more about the
importance of pollinators and see Swift Farm's mobile beehive.
Bill Duesing will share his knowledge at the CT NOFA booth and lead a Market Insiders Tour on Foods Grown without Chemicals. Bill will lead participants through the market to visit farmers whose produce is Certified Organic, Certified Naturally Grown, or who have taken the NOFA Farmers' Pledge. Bill will demystify the differences between these practices; there will be samples and an opportunity to chat with growers.
Read more here> |
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Members in the News
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Peter Montgomery, Magical Mulch in Warren
Chef John Turenne, when not traveling to and from West Virginia, helps the students in his daughter's school prepare some local foods. More>Urban Oaks Organic Farm in New Britain won Yankee Magazine's "Best
Heirloom Veggies in Connecticut" award. |
| Legislative & Support News
| Stop Genetically Engineered Alfalfa - Call your Members of Congress
Today. More>
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| Other Items of Interest |  
We recently spiffed-up a porch at the office and Basil (left) and Rue (right) are taking full advantage of it. Rough life.
Conservation Stewardship
Program (CSP) -
The deadline to be considered for the next ranking
and
funding period is June 11, 2010. Details>
Michael Pollan's latest food essay.
AmpleHarvest.org - Plant a little extra this year and donate it to a local food pantry. Learn more>
The Connecticut Department of Agriculture maintains a list of their many farm & food related pamphlets and brochures, from pick-your-own, local meats, honey, processing and more.
Kerr Center Resources - A new
report offers valuable background for anyone seeking to understand the
past - or
potential future - of organic food, farming, and regulation.
New UMass Sustainable Food and Farming Certificate Program. This is primarily for individuals who are working as apprentices, interns or
paid employees on farms in New England. More>
Backyard Poultry Farming Explained by Rutgers Soil Scientist. More>
NY Times article: Invasion of the Superweeds
Speed Coaching for Food Businesses - Local professionals and Sam Adams experts will offer their expertise in
marketing, public relations, sales and distribution, business financing
and more. June 21st, Hartford, CT. Details>
"Managing
Alternative Pollinators: A Handbook for Beekeepers,
Growers and Conservationists" - a SARE publication for either
purchase or download. Details>
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Let us know what you think of the expanded format. We'd like to add additional member profiles and other news of interest. If you have any stories, articles, notices or suggestions for this newsletter, please send them along.
Many thanks,
Deb
203-888-5146
ctnofa@ctnofa.org
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