Archive for the ‘Community’ Category

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

Reverse the Effects of Growth?

Sunday, June 14th, 2009

by Catherine Haug

Edmund recently sent a provocative article from the Telegraph titled “Leonard – US cities may have to be bulldozed in order to survive.” This concerns a plan in the declining city of Flint, Michigan, where whole districts lie vacant from foreclosures and the departure of workers who have lost their jobs at GM.

De-constructing suburbia

The plan in Flint is to raze the vacant districts, contracting the city by as much as 40%. The remaining areas would be consolidated into distinct urban centers separated by countryside. (more…)

Posted in Agriculture, Community, Ecology | 4 Comments »

Locally-Grown: What Does it Mean?

Tuesday, June 9th, 2009

by Catherine Haug

In these tough times, many people are rightfully turning to locally-produced foods for their families.  In fact, there’s a boom in home gardeners, roadside stands and farmers’ markets.  And a few local meat producers are selling pasture-fed products directly to customers (no feedlot involved).

The reasons to buy local are many; here are a few:

  • Fresher and more healthful produce, meats
  • Riper and tastier produce
  • Helps the local economy
  • Has potential to create jobs

Locally Grown Processed Foods

But what about processed foods that claim to be “locally grown?”  Are they truly local? (more…)

Posted in Shop Local | Comments Closed

Dancing Cow Farm: a CSA in Oregon

Thursday, June 4th, 2009

by Catherine Haug

One of my Portland, Oregon friends, Kevynne, has an excellent blog in which she talks mostly about her weaving and travel experiences.

She recently had a post about her visit to Dancing Cow Farm, a CSA in Prineville, Oregon. This CSA offers more than veggies, as you will read and see (photos) in the post, including a Yurt for community events and classes! Also a very interesting “Complete Victory Gardening System.” (If you’re interested in the system or have any question about it you can contact Duane and Julie at Farm & Garden Structures in Bend at 541-CHICKEN (541-244-2536) or email them at chicken@gmail.com).

Mother’s Day Weekend at the Dancing Cow Farm

 

    

Our good friends Jerre Kosta and Sean Dodson run a small family farm 5 miles northeast of Prineville. They were holding an open house over Mother’s Day weekend so that locals could come and see the operation. They also are part of a local CSA (community supported agriculture) and sell shares so this is a good way for those interested to come and see exactly what goes on. (more)

Posted in Agriculture, Community | 1 Comment »

Gardening at Senior Housing – June 1, 2009 Update

Monday, June 1st, 2009

by Fran Wade

This is an followup to my earlier post, Gardening at Senior Housing.

Used straw for layering material

Had a little trouble rounding up my layering material for my lasagna garden plot, but 5/22, I finished it and planted my seedlings.  Back 20 years ago when I had stock, it seemed there were always a few rotten bales laying around to use on a garden, but I hunted high and low before I located some.  For reference, anyone looking for “used straw”, North Valley Ag, out on Hwy 2, beyond the airport, has a big stack of loose straw for the taking.

Raised bed plantings

So I built up my 5’X5′ bed, about 15″ high.  Would have liked to make it bigger, but ran out of materials. I think this Fall, I may add some more layers and let it cook over the winter.  I made a small trellis for the snow peas, put in the kale and bush beans, and scattered some seeds for chard and salad greens.

Anne Guerrant, bless her industrious soul, and her green house, has some extra cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower starts she graciously shared.  She also gave me a couple of heirloom tomato plants, I am going to put into a hanging planter.  After everything was in the bed, I sprayed the leaves with some of that critter repellant made from habanera peppers.  So far, so good, but I’ll cry “Success” at the end of the season if I have a garden to harvest.  My okra plants are growing slowly and I’m still babying them, taking them in on cool nights.

The Senior Complex has sprouted about 4 more tomato planters.  If they all bear well, everyone should get their lycopene this year.

Posted in Community, Gardening | Comments Closed

A New Breed of Survivalists

Monday, June 1st, 2009

by Catherine Haug with Sally Janover

Old Homestead Root CellarThe May 26 edition of the Daily Inter Lake featured a cover story by Gillian Flaccus of the Associated Press, “Crisis spurs spike in ‘suburban survivalists’.”

The article notes that typically-suburban people are now stocking up on food and necessities in the wake of our current economic crisis. Flaccus states:

“Emergency supply retailers and military surplus stores nationwide have seen business boom in the past few months as an increasing number of Americans spooked by the economy rush to stock up on gear that was once the domain of hard-core survivalists. …

For … a fire protection contractor, that’s meant spending roughly $20,000 since September on survival gear — and trying to persuade others to do the same.”

Yes, you read that right. In a time when people are losing their jobs and tightening their spending belts, this man spent in 6 months, about what most Bigfork residents earn in a year, on survival gear. (more…)

Posted in Community, Community Preparedness | Comments Closed

Native Plant Garden on Bridge Street?

Friday, May 29th, 2009

by Catherine Haug

ESP is soliciting ideas and volunteers to help with getting a new project off the ground.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a well-tended native plant garden in the village, not only to add beauty to the village, but also to educate passers-by to the importance of our native plants?

Future native garden?Over the last year, CFBB (Community Foundation for a Better Bigfork) completed its sidewalk construction project down the hill from Osborne & Mill, along the east side of Bridge Street.  The area on the other side of the handrail was filled with good soil, but then left to grow weeds, mainly quack grass.  

This would make an excellent location for a native plant garden.  A big bonus is that once they are established, the natives will not need a watering system, and will help retard the incursion of weeds, minimizing seasonal maintenance needs.

Brett Thuma is interested in designing the garden, but funding and labor are required to eradicate the quack grass, purchase and set the plants, and keep the area weeded while the plants become established. A volunteer group to maintain the garden should be established.

If you have ideas, or want to volunteer, please contact Catherine or Edd (see our Contact ESP page for email and phone info).

Posted in Community, Ecology | Comments Closed

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »