I am on the list serv for “Chickens in the City.” Yesterday a post came through about a new urban farm store opening up called Egg/Plant Urban Farm Store. The grand opening was yesterday and since it was close to my house and I am all about supporting local food I loaded the kids in the car and popped right over. If you are a novice or experienced, “urban homsteader” there are plenty of supplies for you from organic seeds and growings supplies, to

organic chicken food and

cheese making supplies.

Peat Willcutt, the father of the urban chicken movement in the Twin Cities (in my humble opinion) shared with me how when his family was living in Europe during World War II, “they were basically on a starvation diet.  Rationing was so strict.” He shared that to supplement, “everyone had a backyard orchard or garden, or the goose they were saving for Christmas.”

A couple years ago when the economy fell apart I had hopes that this would happen again, people would, “own their food choices,” as chef Oliver would say and take responsibilty for growing their own food. However the cities don’t always make it easy. Even our little consumer haven, “Egg/Plant” had problems with zoning, now luckily resolved. At least for the most part you can garden, tap your own maple trees, have a few fruit trees and bushes and luckily in my city have a few chickens.

Here’s one of ours enjoying a dust bath.

I am a Seventh Day Adventist Christian, born and raised in the church but it wasn’t until having my own children that I had my own real conversion experience. Since becoming a Christian it is often hard for me to see the inconsistencies in the church especially when other non Christian groups seem to grasp the truth of behaving like Christ more then Christians do. Two areas have really bothered me–how children and family are viewed in the church and how the environment is viewed.

I was overjoyed to receive this weeks copy of my denominations national magazing yesterday. Here’s the cover.

In the cover story article Sigve Tonstad of Loma Linda University calls Adventists and other Christians to “mercy.” “We have to hear the plea of nonhuman creation, be sensitive to the abuse that is happening,” Tonstad says. He goes on to say that he believes there are humane was to produce and consusme meat,”the issue is not so much that the animal has to die, but that is hasn’t had a chance to live a normal life in any way.” Tonstad uses frequently the term “ecotheology” which I love. 

When we got the mail yesterday I was so excited to show Proeun. It was the first positive sign I have seen that the Adventist church has an interest in the environment and our negative effects on it. I plan to write a letter to the editor in appreciation of the article. To read the whole article go to, What Are We Really Doing to God’s Creatures?

This weekend we had another training session through the Minnesota Food Association. Two representatives from the The Land Stewardship Project Farm Beginnings Program came to speak to us about Whole Farm Planning. Honestly I wasn’t too sure about the class. Proeun and I have been planning and dreaming for years now and I didn’t really think that we needed the class. However there is something to be said about being with like minded people. Over 12 farmers gathered together–ranging from young people wanting to return to the land, to older retired couples that are looking for the peace hard, physical labor brings. All of the farmers, except me were immigrants.

I wish I had brought my camera. There was so much brainstorming and creative juices flowing. We started out talking about why we farm. For me the answer was easy, “for our children.” Other answers were for healthy lifestyle, peace and my favorite answer from a young man named Tou “For me farming is an art–it’s more art then work.” Of course we all know that farming is work but different then the mentally draining work so many of us engage in. Art fulfills us, gives something back to us. In this way farming definitely fits the bill.

Nick from LSP said, “If you only plan for this year you will never move ahead.” So our main task was planning where you want to be in 5 years and then identifying the steps to get there–most importantly the next step. We were all given big sheets of paper and markers to draw our “dream farm in 5 years.” it was great getting it all down on paper, dreaming and color always helps. Another Tou in our class included a paintball field, ceramic house and the children he hopes to have in 5 years. He defintely taught me a few things about dreaming outside the box.

Even if you don’t want to farm, knowing where you want to be in 5 years and the steps to get there is really valuable. Recently we asked some friends of ours where they wanted to be in 5 years. They are the same age as us but just shrugged their shoulders and said, “I don’t know I guess still working.” Dreaming really set you free. Think about your “Whole Life Plan.” What do you want to change, what don’t you want to change and how will yiou make your life what you want it to be.

With the warm weather it is easier to think about farming again. I do have to admit thinking about warmer weather to come and all the good food to come from our fields has helped get me through a long cold winter. Now the actuality of my dream seems closer. A little over a week ago we still had nearly a foot of snow on the ground. Now it is all but gone. Over the weekend we set up one of our 2 portable greenhouses to begin onions. Yes our first seeds are in the the trays and it feels really good.

My soul mate did most of the work getting the potting mix the right conisstency and putting it in trays. This was one job Two really enjoyed helping with.

The girls enjoyed the greenhouse more.

Starting seeds has always been a nervous time for me. Waiting and waiting till that first green pops up and then anxiously watching it until they are ready for the ground.

Now that the actual farming tasks have begun rather than planning and paperwork the children are getting really excited. When I had to take my father-in-law to an appointment I asked my mother-in-law to watch the children. They had a great time playing with the leftover potting mix and pretending to plant seeds. Now Avril asks, “Can we go outside and work on our crop plants?”

One fun thing we found at the conference was farm related temporary tattoos. I had the kids wait until we got home to do them so yesterday as we were putting away all the conference stuff and they reemerged it was a high order of business to get those tatoos done now. Here is the one Two picked out. I didn’t say anything or name the tatoo but he did—super farmer, spoken long and drawn out like any self respecting super hero. This was his persona for the day. I wasn’t able to get him to stand still long enough to snap a picture until the end of the day.

Here’s Captain Strawberry.

And a young member of Tomato Force.

We are back from the Midwest Organic Farming Conference in La Crosse, WI. This was our first trip down there and though everyone told us it was an amazing conference we really weren’t prepared.
 
The whole Crazy Boy Farm family went down together. Our fun began on the way down. We chose the slightly longer scenic route of highway 61 along the St. Croix river all the way down. At Lake Pepin and Wabasha we started seeing bald eagles–so many we just had to count them. Seven on the way down, 5 on the way back. On the way down it was mid day so most of the eagles were just perching on trees near the highway watching the open water. On the way back it was getting close to dusk and they were out hunting–that was a sight. We also saw a flock of 13 wild turkeys and 3 bulls. Two was our little wildlife spotter. I told Proeun one day we will have to get a really good camera to take all these wildlife pictures.  

One great quote from the trip down came after a stop to buy snacks. Mavis had been fussing for about a half hour and we couldn’t take it anymore so we decided she needed a distraction. We stopped at a grocery store in Red Wing and when Proeun came back with a bag of chips and lollipops (not my choice) there was much excitement in the car. Two gleefully took his first bite of chips and said wistfully, “we got chips and the power of love.” Proeun almost choked on that one.  

Over 2,000 people attended the conference which is the largest one  in La Crosse according to one of the workers who said, “no one is allowed to take vacation for this one.” Moving the children from place to place with that many people around can be an adventure.

Our plans also changed frequently during the conference to accomodate the children. Avril was sick the first night in the hotel so taking them to the children’s area was out of the question until we figured out if it was a virus or something she ate. We also had to change plans to allow her to rest and recover. Of course the workshop Proeun really wanted to take was early the next morning. So he went and I took the shuttle from our hotel later when the children woke up. Then later in the day we again changed plans to allow for nap for us  which was totally worth it and it really helped us enjoy the evening more.

The class Proeun took was on organic mushroom production.

I love oyster mushrooms.

One of the best things about the conference was meeting other farmers who were out there living the dream and doing the good work.

Here’s the Cowsmo man. His family runs a dairy farm. They came up with a new, unique and healthy use for all that cow poo and now produce a really popular organic compost and potting soil, all from thinking outside the box. We used their compost to start our seeds last year and plan to again this year.

The dining area was another great place to network. I guess I have been neglecting my children’s culinary education though, they weren’t too keen on the quinoa and couscous. Luckily they had good old mac and cheese and organic pulled pork sloppy joes.

I even got to attend a workshop on media relations. Since I am also sort of media I thought it would be a good one for me to attend. I wasn’t prepared for just how amazing it would be. Through their directed exercises I was able to hone our business philosophy and mission–“Family Friendly Farming: for our children and yours.” Lisa Kivirist and her husband John Ivanko run Inn Serendipty, a bed and breakfast where they produce their own food organically. Lisa said “we have to look at the big picture. This is more then just about our businesses. As our businesses improve, the movement [sustainable agriculture] grows and the world becomes a better place. . . we are changing the world by changing the food system.” Wow talk about a pep talk!

We did take time to allow our own little portion of the world to take a break. Our hotel had a pool and game room and by the second day Avril was much improved and was able to go to the children’s area, supervised by one of her parents. Here’s a picture I will really remember from what ended up being more then a farming conference but also a great family trip.

Another part of our really busy weekend was attending the 5th Immigrant and Minority Farmers Conference in our hometown of St. Paul, MN. We attended for the first time last year and knew that this would be on our yearly to do list. We both attended Friday and Proeun on Saturday. The event was hosted by many non-profits including the Minnesota Food Association.

Sometimes when you are out there trying to make a way for yourself in the world that is not popular and sometimes misunderstood surrounding yourself with people on a similar path is invaluable.

While I am not an immigrant I am married to one–a refugee actually. There is a big difference. My children are the first generation born here on one side of the family. While the people attending the conference came from all over including Nepal, Mexico, Burma, Laos and Cambodia they were all joined by a connection to the land and a desire to work it. A passion many Americans do not share. We are eagerly awaiting next year.

A group of Karen (ethnic group from Burma) farmers.

Today was the Smarter Living Fair in Roseville. A friend of mine described it as this really cool, small town, festival feel. When you live in a city finding this kind of laid back feel so close to home is a welcome relief. Mavis and I spent the majority of the day there at our very own booth representing the Crazy Boy Farm Family. Thanks to all of those who stopped by to say hello and gave me an opportunity to chat about my two favorite subjects–family and farming.

Two and Avril divided their time with Bpa (Cambodian for daddy) at the Immigrant and Minority Farmers Conference and grandma and grandpa who thankfully stepped in to give the children a little break from too much sitting still.

The whole family came out for the afternoon to enjoy the great things the fair had to offer–notably the children’s area.

Hard getting him to stay still long enough for a picture.

Face painting is so much fun!

The goal of the day was to share what we are doing to make this world a green, better place and that as citizens we can live Smarter. I am so thankful they included us in the day! And thanks especially to grandma and grandpa.

I can’t remember when or why we started composting. I believe it was around the time we started gardening in our backyard. We actually started with vermicomposting, with worms. We bought tupper totes and drilled the appropriate holes in them, ordered a pound of red worms from a place in Texas, added a bunch of shredded paper and a few vegetable peelings and we were ready to go.

But with a growing family we were producing much more food waste then the worms could keep up with. We had been giving our meat scraps and spilled messes to the dog for a while already. However, once you wrap your mind around the idea of composting it is actually really hard the throw food scraps away. So we set up our own compost pile in the backyard.

I love grapefruit (and so do the kids). Each year we order several boxes from our local church school. These produce a lot of waste with the grapefruit peals. Last winter we successfully composted all those peelings and a host of other things and added them to our garden before starting the winter pile again.

My favorite way to compost though is through the chickens. They love veggies scraps but their favorite is apple cores. Luckily we eat a lot of apples. This now is a well known fact in our family that apple cores are shared with the chickens, no matter where we are. This weekend we attended a class on marketing for farmers. There were apples there as a snack. The kids and I each had one then I put the apple cores in my purse to take home  for the chickens. Not something I pictured myself doing when I was in high school I assure you.

Last summer we were going camping. My brother-in-law and his friend Henry were riding with us. Henry ate an apple then threw the core out the window before any of us could stop him. Avril looked at him with indignation in her eyes and said, “Hey our chickens like apple cores.” He quickly apologized and said he would save them next time and he did.

I am really enjoying the seasonal life. Normally January would be a really depressing much but not so when you have seed catalogs coming in the mail. Each day I wait eagerly for the mail and hope for seed catalogs. Here is one of my favorites

                      
.

I love the classic look of it. I feel like I am taking part in a tradition that goes way, way back through my generations, which actually is exactly what I am doing.

Of course seed catalogs like any other catalog are designed to make consumers buy something, and that is exactly what I want to do when I look at them. But rather then purchase some ready made item produced in a factory some where I am purchasing something to add to life.

This year we are examining the Slow Food USA “Ark of Taste” and selecting some varieties from there. I can almost taste it now!

I am still waiting for some of my favorites– Johnnies, Seeds of Change and Seed Savers Exchange.