Archive for October, 2006

October 3, 2006 – Martin Shows “Character”

Martin’s Kindergarten teacher called us last week and let us know that we should come to a school assembly today to watch Martin as he was recognized in front of the school as a representative from his class as showing outstanding respect.

It’s kind of a mystery to us how he interacts at school – I’d love to view from a hidden camera to watch his interactions. After raising for five years, I really wonder what he’s like when I’m not around. It looks like he’s doing well!

October 2, 2006 – Garden Cleanup

It’s the time of year where part of the gardens can get away…

Here’s what part of the north garden looked like before unleashing the goats.

Four days later, much of the biomass (weeds) are gone and manure deposited. We will follow the goats with chickens for a week or so to clean up the smaller seeds and any remaining squash bugs and other pests.

October 1, 2006 – Slow Food

Today the good people at Two Friends Farm hosted an unofficial Slow Food gathering. Here’s a brief description of the movement lifted directly from their web site.

Slow Food U.S.A. is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to supporting and celebrating the food traditions of North America. From the spice of Cajun cooking to the purity of the organic movement; from animal breeds and heirloom varieties of fruits and vegetables to handcrafted wine and beer, farmhouse cheeses and other artisanal products; these foods are a part of our cultural identity. They reflect generations of commitment to the land and devotion to the processes that yield the greatest achievements in taste. These foods, and the communities that produce and depend on them, are constantly at risk of succumbing to the effects of the fast life, which manifests itself through the industrialization and standardization of our food supply and degradation of our farmland. By reviving the pleasures of the table, and using our tastebuds as our guides, Slow Food U.S.A. believes that our food heritage can be saved.

There was a great mix of folks – organic farmers, owners of Marshalltown’s only white tablecloth restaurant, recent immigrants, jambalya-toting former Lake Charles LA residents, a doctorate student in snake biology among others!

This is what it’s all about – if only manners didn’t prevent us from eating with such gusto!