Valley Flora, nestled on the banks of Floras Creek near Langlois, Oregon, is a diversified family farm producing over 100 varieties of vegetables, berries and fruit for local restaurants, grocery stores, foodbanks, our farmstand & u-pick, and a community-supported agriculture program. We're passionate about growing good food and are deeply committed to ecological farming practices. We use cover crops, compost and crop rotations instead of synthetic fertilizers and sprays and do most of our work by hand - with the occasional help of a couple of tractors and a draft horse. We adhere to all organic practices, principles and regulations, but we are not third-party certified organic. Whether you're biting into a crimson strawberry, savoring a vine ripe tomato, or heaping your plate high with Abby's Greens, you'll know you're getting the freshest local produce a person can find in this neck of the woods. We love what we do - so much you can taste it. 

Autonomous 'RoBoat' Making World Record Attempt
Wired News
According to the project manager for the team, Roland Stelzer, “because [the RoBoat is] energy self-sufficient, in addition to marine biology, these solar energy powered robotic sailing boats can also be used for tsunami early warning systems, ...

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Moneycontrol.com
NWS-WCATWC Tsunami Information Statement
Newsroom America
A STRONG EARTHQUAKE HAS OCCURRED BUT A TSUNAMI IS NOT EXPECTED ALONG THE CALIFORNIA/ OREGON/ WASHINGTON/ BRITISH COLUMBIA OR ALASKA COASTS... NO WARNING... NO WATCH AND NO ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR THESE AREAS. BASED ON THE EARTHQUAKE MAGNITUDE.
No tsunami threat to Hawaii from 6.2M Chile earthquake Thursday (May 17)Hawaii 24/7 (press release)

all 38 news articles »

Moneycontrol.com
No tsunami threat to Hawaii from 6.2M Chile earthquake Thursday (May 17)
Hawaii 24/7 (press release)
THE WEST COAST/ALASKA TSUNAMI WARNING CENTER WILL ISSUE PRODUCTS FOR ALASKA…BRITISH COLUMBIA…WASHINGTON…OREGON…CALIFORNIA. USGS: How large does an earthquake have to be to cause a tsunami? Earthquakes of this magnitude are very unlikely to trigger ...
NWS-WCATWC Tsunami Information StatementNewsroom America

all 36 news articles »

We are still enjoying SamM salsa from Mother's day. diced Roma tomatoes, White Onions, Yellow bell peppers , Balsamic vinegar and fresh Oregano. Held in a glass container. Last night I sauteed Fresh ground Italian sausage removed from it's casing. Added in one cup of SamM salsa to a pound of sausage. I then thickened the sauce by adding a Ragu style sauce, turned off the heat and concentrated on boiling the Vermicelli in fridge juice.

Fridge juice is created by saving the cooking liquid from a previous meal. This juice was the saved cooking liquid from boiling Mother's Day Redskin potatoes. Always taste your fridge juices before using to insure they have not soured on you. And I make it practice to never save cooking liquid that had seafood in it. 

With the Vermicelli cooked I tossed the noodle in Olive oil and Fresh Oregano.Placed the hot noodles in a bowl and ladled the meat sauce over the top.  I brought home from a bakery round loaves of cheese bread. I quartered the loaf, split the quartered loaf and added margarine.

It is a meal worth repeating. I foresee adding Beans, Chili seasoning and cooked Pasta to the Meat sauce for Chili mac in the near future.

 

 

Why are we the most fed WEALTHY nation on earth but the least nourished and Healthy?Why slaves were imported from Africa to do slave work at the farms and plantations and why there are modern day slavery to continue doing so using illegal immigrants to do the donkey back breaking work of farming ?Watching a movie is the best we can do using a remote control or a computer .So here we go, watch this movie:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgpP4o30X2k&feature=relatedv

Watching a movie could give us more entertainment in the comfort of an air conditioned comfortable room.So let us use this for the best of educating ourselves about what is in our food and where it comes from etc:Watch -

http://www.cultureunplugged.com/documentary/watch-online/play/6501/Bad-Seed---The-Truth-About-Our-Food

 

Is it time to take back our right to work jobs in the field?

There are so much rehtoric about who will work the land?Take this one you tube documentery for example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYhVbbN2_sM&feature=relatedv

It's gonna be red, white and blue all over for the next two weekends! Armed Forces Day is this Saturday and then we get to celebrate Memorial Day on the 28th! Let's start with this Saturday...it is our chance to give thanks to the service men, women and their families for the sacrifices that they make so that we can enjoy things like shopping at the Bluegrass Farmers' Market! There are folks in many countries who do not have that privilege. We salute you with pride! :)

So how are we going to celebrate Armed Forces Day at the Bluegrass Farmers' Market? The red, white and blue will be flying! And, our farmers will have their own homegrown red, white and blue available! Look for...

STRAWBERRIES

RED RIPE TOMATOES

CUT FLOWERS

JAMS

ONIONS

GARLIC

CUT FLOWERS

P.S. These are the white goodies but I figured you all wanted to actually see what would be available! lol

BACHELOR BUTTONS

HAMDMADE SOAP

Now, let's mention the green goodies that will be available...

SWISS CHARD

NAPPA CABBAGE

SAVOY CABBAGE

CUCUMBERS

ZUCCHINI

GREEN BEANS

PEAS...maybe!

BOK CHOY

ROMAINE LETTUCE

MIXED LETTUCE

BASIL

GREEN TOMATOES

HANDMADE SOAP

But, that's not all of the colorful items available...

PATTY PAN SQUASH

BEET GREENS

SWEET TATERS

BEDDING PLANTS

HANGING BASKETS

HONEY

EGGS

HERB SEASONING

PEPPER JAMS

VEGGIES PLANTS

CONTAINER PLANTS

And, don't forget the...

Smiling faces from our farmers!

Plus, a visit from the folks at Chiro One Wellness Center!

One more special thing to remember...

June 2, 2012 we will be celebrating our 2012 Grand Opening of the Bluegrass Farmers' Market and we'll be giving away market tote bags to the first 500 customers! Mark your calendar!!!

~*~ 2012 MARKET HOURS ~*~

3450 Richmond Rd.

Saturday 9 until 2 or until sold out

Tuesday 3 until 6 or sold out

We'll be set up in the beautiful tree lined parking lot of Pedal the Planet and Fast Signs, right next door to the Glenn Auto Mall on Richmond Rd. It's just a hop, skip and a jump outside of Man 'O War Blvd. Parking is right there so you don't have to drive around hunting for a spot to park. The parking lot is also paved and that makes it very stroller and wheelchair friendly!

********************************************

The Bluegrass Farmers' Market

is Lexington's largest

100% homegrown/produced farmers market!

And, each farmer is certified...

KENTUCKY PROUD!

And

GAP Certified

~*~*~*~*~*~*

We Accept

EBT/DEBIT

WIC & FMNP Cards!

See ya on Saturday!

On Friday nights I have a tradition: I bottle honey and make soap. I began with the basic melt-and-pour glycerine soaps, adding honey and other yummy ingredients. But as time went on, I discovered that not all soaps are created equal. There's a nasty ingredient or two that make their way into most soaps and shampoos, going by the acronym SLS. That's Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, and it's sidekick, Sodium Laureth Sulfate. These are foaming agents which cause a host of health problems, and are in practically everything!

Here are some of the fun facts I discovered about this dastardly duo:

Both Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and its close relative Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) are commonly used in many soaps, shampoos, detergents, toothpastes and other products that we expect to "foam up". Both chemicals are very effective foaming agents, chemically known as surfactants.

SLS and SLES are esters of Sulphuric acid - SLS is also known as "Sulfuric acid monododecyl ester sodium salt", however there are over 150 different names by which it is known. In fact, SLES is commonly contaminated with dioxane, a known carcinogen.

Although SLES is somewhat less irritating than Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, it cannot be metabolised by the liver and its effects are therefore much longer-lasting.

A report published in the Journal of The American College of Toxicology in 1983 showed that concentrations as low as 0.5% could cause irritation and concentrations of 10-30% caused skin corrosion and severe irritation. National Institute of Health "Household Products Directory" of chemical ingredients lists over 80 products that contain sodium lauryl sulfate. Some soaps have concentrations of up to 30%, which the ACT report called "highly irritating and dangerous".

Shampoos are among the most frequently reported products to the FDA. Reports include eye irritation, scalp irritation, tangled hair, swelling of the hands, face and arms and split and fuzzy hair. The main cause of these problems is sodium lauryl sulfate.

So why is a dangerous chemical like sodium lauryl sulfate used in our soaps and shampoos?

The answer is simple - it is cheap. The sodium lauryl sulfate found in our soaps is exactly the same as you would find in a car wash or even a garage, where it is used to degrease car engines.

In the same way as it dissolves the grease on car engines, sodium lauryl sulfate also dissolves the oils on your skin, which can cause a drying effect. It is also well documented that it denatures skin proteins, which causes not only irritation, but also allows environmental contaminants easier access to the lower, sensitive layers of the skin.

Perhaps most worryingly, SLS is also absorbed into the body from skin application. Once it has been absorbed, one of the main effects of sodium lauryl sulfate is to mimic the activity of the hormone Oestrogen. This has many health implications and may be responsible for a variety of health problems from PMS and Menopausal symptoms to dropping male fertility and increasing female cancers such as breast cancer, where oestrogen levels are known to be involved.

Products commonly found to contains Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or SLES

Soaps
Shampoos
Bubble-baths
Tooth paste
Washing-up liquid / dish soap
Laundry detergent
Childrens soaps / shampoos
Stain Remover
Carpet Cleaner
Fabric glue
Body wash
Shave cream
Mascara
Mouthwash
Skin cleanser
Moisture lotion / Moisturiser
Sun Cream

 Shocking, isn't it! What was even more shocking was when I discovered that my melt-n-pour soap base contained SLS. I quickly did some homework, and found another formula or two. My soaps are now SLS FREE, and instead they're based on Coconut oil and other happy, healthy (delicious) ingredients. I always add honey, and frequently add things like cinnamon, nutmeg, oatmeal, or poppy seeds and lemongrass, or turmeric and olive oil. Did I mention Shea butter? Cocoa Butter? My Friday night explorations include all the best kitchen goodies I can find!!! The smell is incredible. The soaps are moisturizing enough to use on your face,  I've heard from my daughter that the soap tastes good, too, although I prefer to use it just for washing!!!

A beautiful morning to really enjoy pasture clean up. I am amazed how well the camelid manure turns this dry and stoney land into great fertile soil. The ranch is full of beautiful wild flowers and I am sure it is because of the great rain that we had the last few days as well as spreading the fertilizer all throughout the land. Today I have to run into town to get some errands done after that getting some of the boys ready to get picked up tomorrow. I wish everyone a great and productive day Yours Truly Petra

For Custom Hoodie Hooded Sweatshirt Giveaway 1, our friends at Crooked Brook are offering a heather grey hoodie with an embroidered Dominique Chicken on the back.

 

The winner can get this hoodie with just the Dominique Chicken, or with:   
   
1.    The name of your farm, ranch or business.
2.    Town and state or URL.
3.    Tag line or goods and services.

The above options are subject to approval by Crooked Brook.

The value of this hoodie, including shipping is $90.00.

The winner will be chosen randomly, from those who post a comment with an answer to this question;

What breed of live stock would you like to see for Custom Hoodie Hooded Sweatshirt Giveaway 2?

Terms & Conditions:

You must be 18 years or older to win.
Contest ends midnight (Eastern Standard Time) 05/24/12.
Winner will be chosen randomly and contacted by email.
Winner will have 48 hours to reply or a new winner will be chosen.
Crooked Brook will ship the prize to the winner within 30 days of contest end.
Physical address required for shipping; no PO boxes, US recipients only residing in one of the 48 contiguous states.

About The Dominique

The Dominique, also known as Dominicker or Pilgrim Fowl, is a breed of chicken (Gallus gallus) originating in the United States during the Colonial. It is considered America's oldest breed of chicken, probably descending from chickens brought to New England from southern England during colonial times. By the 19th century, they were widely popular and were raised in many parts of the country. Dominiques are a dual purpose breed, being valued for their meat as well as for their brown eggs. They weigh 6 to 8 pounds (2.7 to 3.6 kg) at maturity. In earlier times, their feathers were much sought after as stuffing for pillows and mattresses.

After the Plymouth Rock breed was developed from the Dominiques in the 1870s, the Dominiques' popularity declined, until by 1950 they were so rare as to be considered nearly extinct. During the 1970s, Dominiques were listed in "Critical" status by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, with fewer than 500 breeding birds in North America. However, due to a revival of interest in them and other rare breeds, the Dominiques have made a comeback and are now listed on the "Watch" list, indicating lesser danger of extinction.

About Hoodies

The origin of the hoodie goes back to the Middle Ages when the standard trappings for monks was a long tunic or robe with a cowl. The hooded sweatshirt as we know it today, was invented in the United States by Champion (an apparel manufacturer specializing in sportswear) in the 1930s and the word hoodie or hoody started to appear in popular culture in the 1990s.

Today, almost every major apparel brand offers a line of hoodies. Some high-end brands offer hoodies in high-performance fabrics, knitted silk, merino wool or other fabrics. With all of the different brands, styles, profiles, fabrics and colors of hoodies to choose from, it can be a bit overwhelming.

Whatever you do don’t buy cheap hooded sweatshirts; they are thin, ill fitting, lose their color, shape and shrink excessively after the first wash.
 

Been checking to see what's coming in, and low and behold there's squash! So guess what I have in my salad today??? Also, arugula and kale still, and fresh radishes!  Love radishes, they are so FAST to grow! (28 days to harvest!) And they are good for you, too!  Can't wait for the green beans, maybe this weekend i'll be able to eat a few! Hope your gardens are all producing some great produce, too!  have a great day!

The Hinckley Farmer's Market group met once again last evening to discuss plans for this season's market. The first market will be held on Saturday, June 23rd from nine to noon at the Hinckley Fresh Market parking lot. The market is located at 710 James Street in Hinckley, Illinois. This year everyone is excited as we have several new venders joining us. The market will feature fresh locally grown vegetables, crafts, jellies and jams, flowers, honey, eggs, granola, baked goods, and much more. We are really hoping for a big turnout and anticipate a wonderful year. The market is open each Saturday through September. 

At Bountiful Blessings Farm, we are still planting and maintain the crops already in the field. Dad ran the cultivator yesterday while I planted beans. Today we plan to plant more sweet corn, so it will be a very busy day. The end of the week looks promissing for more planting. I would like to get the balance of the large tomatoes in the field. I will most likely start planting zucchini today. Hope you have a wonderful day. May God richly bless you in Christ Jesus.

 

What a wonderful Wednesday it is. We where blessed with more rain yesterday and today the earth and all the inhabitants here are overjoyed with the beautiful warm sunshiny day today.

The peacock that found his way to our ranch a few days ago seems like he likes it here since he already found a place in one of our large trees that he spends the night in and he is very content with haveing the llamas and alpacas visit daily.

It is a great day to wash and soak more fiber. I also have quite a few orders that need to be filled and shipped. I will get jumping, I opended all the windows and doors so the beautiful energy from outside can flood the house.

Wishing all a super groovy, happy and peaceful day

Yours Truly

Petra

HULIQ
Housing market in Canada called hottest in the world with lessons for US home ...
HULIQ
At the same time, some prime south and central Oregon coast property is also selling fast with those wanting a getaway or summer home now that both home prices and interest rates are more attractive. “I would never, ever think of living that close to ...

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No injuries, damage after quake in Anchorage area
KTVL
Alec Medbery with the West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center says there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage. Anchorage residents, as well as those from Palmer, Wasilla, Talkeetna, Kenai and other communities, reported feeling the ...

It has been over nine days without rain.  The rain we did get was only 1/4 of an inch.  The fields are so dry.  My husband is going to start cutting the fields this week.  We need to do it before we loose the protein.  We have been watering the garden every other day.  Our plants already have tomatoes. cucumbers, zuchinni and squash on them.  I feel like a proud parent seeing the "fruits" of our labor.  We have been eating broccoli for over a week and we should be eating cauliflower by Sunday.  The lettuce and snow peas have such a great flavor.  I think our garden looks better than it has in years.  We tilled up a new area to give the old garden a little break.  I can't wait to get home tonight to get my fingers dirty in the morning......

 

The more distant your relationship with the person who produces your food, the more potential for corruption.

Dr Mercola and the Cornucopia Institute have been pointing out the mass corruption in the organic movement.

As with anything that becomes popular or trendy, the potential is recognized and seized by large corporations who are looking to profit from it.

I am including a video from Mark Kastel, co-director of the Cornucopia Institute that details some of the unbelievable antics taking place in the organized organic movement.

If you're short on time here are some of the highlights:

1. Those charged with reviewing and approving additives and chemicals for use in organic foods have in large part been affiliated with the same corporate agribusinesses and/or food producers lobbying for their use.
2. There are currently almost 300 non-organic and synthetic compounds approved for use in organic foods.
3. "Independent" industry experts, who have been advising the USDA's National Organic Standards Board on scientific matters, also appear to have been largely supportive of synthetics in organics
4. The Cornucopia Institute are now pursuing a pressure campaign aimed at the organic program at the USDA, and at the National Organics Standards Board, to persuade them to review the manipulation and misinformation provided at the November 2011 NOSB meeting, which led to the approval of synthetic, genetically mutated DHA and ARA oils—ingredients that have been "confidently linked" to health problems in infants.

What I want to point out here is my original statement of the more distant your relationship with the person who produces your food, the more potential for corruption.

While I applaud and support the Cornucopia Institute for their efforts to rally the American people to hold those accountable who oversee organic standards in the U.S., I also believe the best route to food transparency is to have a relationship with the folks who produce your food.

That's why I have an open door policy at my farm. Folks can come visit and judge for themselves if they want to do business with me.

Complete transparency to your customers is a safeguard against corruption.

How could I say for example 'we use no chemical herbicides on our farm' and at the same time be hosing down weeds with weed killer? If I know customers are coming and no door is locked, no cabinet out of reach it will deter me from such actions.

There is a myriad of temptations to cheat even on the small farm. Farmers need accountability. I need accountability. I need to know that my customers have the right to inspect what I'm doing and why I'm doing it.

I gave them that right.

If you're paying with your hard earned dollars you deserve that right.

No amount of regulations or regulators is ever going to replace a relationship between two people.

Here at Spring Hill Farms we think honesty, integrity, transparency, and accountability should be some of the foundational principles you build your farm on.

Until next time…

 

WSET.com - ABC13AP IMPACT: Evacs and drills pared near nuke plants
WSET
A retired state judge supported by marijuana advocates has defeated a former federal prosecutor in a Democratic primary race for attorney general that focused on Oregon's medical marijuana law. A retired state judge supported by marijuana advocates has ...

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It’s a Grilling Weekend! And Westminster Farmers’ Market Has What You Need!

 

Looks like a perfect grilling weekend and Westminster Farmers’ Market has everything you need for a delicious local meal.  Offering local burgers with award-winning melted cheese on the freshest homemade bread.  All served with fresh, lightly buttered asparagus and a green garden salad.

Healthy, Delicious and LOCAL.

Top it all off with a simple but tasty rhubarb crisp.

In addition, the Westminster Farmers Market now offers seasonal favorite vegetables and herbs including the season’s first carrots, radish, specialty greens (lettuce mixes, spinach, chard, cress, dandelion greens, and kale) and herbs (spring garlic, chives and cilantro).

Regional gourmet specialty foods including locally raised grass-fed beef, pastured pork, farm-fresh eggs, award-winning goat and cow cheeses, a wide variety of artisan breads, jams and jellies, spice mixes, delicious desserts and pastries, pies and cookies.

The market will run from 3:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. on Fridays.

For more information visit www.WestminsterFarmersMarket.com or find us on facebook.

###

Another day in the field at the Bountiful Blessings Farm. We planted another twelve rows of sweet corn this morning. Dad cultivated sweet corn, onions and potatoes. I had to pick up a few supplies from our local fertilizer dealer this afternoon. Once that was complete, I had to water tomatoes in the field. The wind today dried the ground out real fast. I could barely tell they were watered last night. Dad mowed lawn this afternoon while I was watering. Once Kim came home from work, we continued to plant cauliflower and broccoli. I guess we planted about 300 plants before it started to storm. It came up quick and only lasted a few minutes, but the lightning was fierce and we had to come in from the field. I wanted to get the rest of the cole crops planted, but still have about four flats left to go. I guess tomorrow is another day. I don't think we got enough rain to slow us down. I am going to have to planted some mid-season sweet corn in the next day or so. We are moving along almost perfectly on schedule. We have to keep to our plan in order for this to run smooth. If we break away from our plan, things could get very hectic. I am really learning that planning is probably the most important thing a person can do in this business. I am also learning that I should have done even more planning. But as for now, I plan to eat and relax a bit before another productive day tomorrow. Hope you have a great evening and God Bless!!