Green Eats

I just got back from the South Estes Farmers’ Market and boy did I make a killing in produce! Its been so nice to see green showing up at the market once again, and I just couldn’t help myself – I went on a locavore spree! From Ever Laughter Farm I got cilantro, spinach, a bag of their salad mix, a bag of braising mix (kales and mustards), and a package of bratwurst. From Fickle Creek Farm I bought a bag of kale. Finally, I snapped up some orange marmalade rolls and a loaf of oatmeal bread from The Farm Fairy and a lemon-poppyseed mini bundt cake from Big Bundts & More. Read the rest of this entry »

On a recent field with my class we visited NCSU’s Meat Goat Research Farm in Raleigh. Lucky for us they were in the middle of kidding, so there lots of baby goats to entertain us. They actually time their goat pregnancies so that all the kids are born within the same few weeks, so by the end of this month they could have upwards of 150 kids! But before I get ahead of myself, here (according to NCSU) is what their facility is all about:

Interest in meat goat production in North Carolina has increased steadily during the past ten years because of the increased demand for goat meat by ethnic groups who prefer goat meat in their diet. USDA statistics indicate that 3,363 metric tons of goat meat were imported in the USA in 1999, for a total value of $7.85 million. In the year 2000, It is estimated that a total of over 180,000 goats were sold for meat in NC, representing receipts of over $7.5 million. In addition, it is estimated that the NC meat goat breeding stock inventory totals 122,000 animals for a total of 3,000 farms, or an average of 39 goats per farm. The above breeding stock inventory represents a capital of over $12 million.

The South African Boer goat has provided great incentive to the development of the NC meat goat industry, resulting in the founding of the North Carolina Meat Goat Association in November 1993. Since then, membership has been steadily increasing to approximately 575 members. In addition, the successful establishment of meat goat shows at the Mountain and the NC State Fairs in 1996, the implementation of graded goat sales in certain areas of the state to supplement weekly auction market sales, and the opening in 2001 of a meat goat farmers’ cooperative for direct sale of fresh goat meat to restaurants and retail stores all attest to the rapid growth of the industry. (Source)

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• USDA Inspector General finds Bush Administration ignored organic laws – Organic Consumers Association
• UNC nourishes sustainable local food business – Sustainable Grub
• CFSA Action Alert – S. 510, Food Safety Modernization Act – CFSA
• Is raw, unpasteurized milk safe? – Seattle Times

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been distracted by all the nice weather lately! Instead of doing my laundry, finishing my homework, and yes, writing blog posts, I’ve been outside working on my (tiny) garden, taking walks, and generally just enjoying the outdoors. I do have some great posts coming up though, so stay tuned!

For more information visit the Farm to Fork website.

I was so excited to see some green at the South Estes Farmers’ Market yesterday! While the vendors’ tables aren’t overflowing with lettuce and spinach just yet, Dancing Pines Farm did have a sizeable selection of spinach, kale, beets, romaine, and beet greens. I think the sight of all that green whipped the customers into a frenzy, because within 20 minutes of the market being open Dancing Pines had completely sold out! I was lucky enough to snag some spinach, kale, and beets, and I can’t wait to see what new greenery awaits me next week!

Turn Old Pallets Into A Chicken Tractor! – More DIY How To Projects

Check out this great video from Instructables about how you can turn old shipping pallets into chicken tractors. The accompanying article and supply list can be found here:

Instructables – Turn Old Pallets Into A Chicken Tractor

This upcoming Sunday, March 27th from 2pm-5pm Durham Central Market will team up with Elodie Farms and Benjamin Vineyards for a Family Farm Day at Elodie Farms in Rougemont. Bring the kids, a picnic lunch, and try out some of Elodie’s goat cheese and sip on wine while you tour the farm and play with the goats. Locopops and Dolly Mama Chocolates will be on hand to sell some tasty treats, and there will be games for the kids. The cost is $10 for those 21+, $5 for under 21, and children 3 and under are free.

For more information and directions to Elodie Farms check out the Facebook page for the event.

Coon Rock Farm breakfast sausage links

This morning I fired up my favorite piece of kitchen equipment – my cast iron skillet. Within a few minutes it was roaring hot and I had some breakfast sausages from Coon Rock Farm sizzling away on the stovetop. I paired them with some fresh biscuits I made this morning (using local pork lard!) and the result was a delicious, filling, and local breakfast. I can’t think of a better way to start my day!

Please take a moment and fill out the survey for the Piedmont Local Food Community Visioning Process – at stake is upwards of $30,000 to invest in our local food community and the greater sustainable agriculture movement in the area! You have until March 10th to take the survey, and I’ll be sure to post the results when they are published.