Seed starting stuff

Today a friend sent me home with:

• two boxes of seed starting supplies on loan
  
• a personal walk-through
  
• a book to figure it all out
  
• and a vow of support should I need it

Other friends were going on vacation to a Bountiful Gardens store location, and will pick up our seeds while they're there. This gardening thing is beginning to feel real... except for we haven't DONE anything yet!

Peaceful Valley Farm & Garden Supply

Yet another amazing organic growing catalog-- this one from the fine folks at Peaceful Valley Farm & Garden Supply is on my nightstand. I've enjoyed it a great deal, and am happy to pass it on to anyone who might wish to see it next...

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds

I just got a lovely, glossy catalog from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. I have pored through it to my heart's content now, and am happy to pass it on to the next planner. Any takers?

The sugarbush

I was talking to a woman who works at Science Central, another locally-minded person, and she recommends the sugarbush for those who would like to volunteer at a real maple syrup farm (chopping wood, collecting sap, carrying said wood, etc). It sounds like an amazing opportunity for those with older children (Kindergarten, or so). Also, you can purchase maple syrup there as well. By the way, has anyone ever been to the Christmas tree farm on St. Joe Rd.? It is also a maple syrup farm, but everytime I've gone to get information there they are closed. Has anyone been there and if so, could you please give us the information you have?
Here's the link for more info on the sugarbush:
http://www.goshen.edu/merrylea/sugar/MAPLE.HTM

Lovely local eggs

Our friend Christine knows a local egg supplier who usually only has enough eggs for her normal customers, but around the holidays she has more than she can use. Guess who just got eighteen big beautiful brown eggs for $1.75/dozen? I think I have to make oatmeal cookies right this moment! Who knows what may happen if this egg entrepreneur finds our area to be more and more interested in local food sources... And thanks, Christine!

Seven Sons Meat Sale!

I just received an e-ad from Seven Sons. Cut-up free range chickens and whole turkeys are 50% off. Visit the farm store to get this great deal.

More yogurt lids, please!

OK, I already turned in my offer for a free subscription to Organic Gardening, but have two lids for the Organic Gardening offer if anyone needs them. If not, I'd appreciate ANY Stonyfield Farms yogurt lids because now the first 250 customers who turn in 25 lids to Stonyfield Farms dairy or soy yogurts can get a free autographed copy of Stirring it Up: How to Make Money and Save the World. I want to read that book, but wouldn't argue about a free copy-- I'd even donate it to the library once we're all finished with it!

Thanks, all!

Earth Laughing Farm

Yesterday morning we visited Earth Laughing Farm in Leo to buy raw wool and eggs. The eggs are beautiful and reasonably priced at $2/dozen.

The wool is, well, it is raw wool (read: stinky) and just what I needed. I am going to use it in a fiber art program to show kids the process from sheep to finished product. The farmers were extremely helpful and even gave me some carded wool and yarn!

We are on the egg list so we should be able to pick up more eggs in a few weeks. If you would like eggs, contact the farm OR comment here and we'll pick some up for you and make a smaller CFP.

The farm will have produce in the summer, chickens in the spring and turkeys in November if you order them soon.