Living on a Few Acres

I think people in general believe farm life to be a tranquil, solitary existence.  Many people after working for 30 years want to retire on a farm or at least on a few acres out in the country.  Maybe you're not at retirement age yet but want to prepare for a life away from the city after you're done working.

That's why the Ag Agent and I have teamed up on a program called Living on a Few Acres.  We want the training to focus on living sustainably on the farm.  In fact, I wondered if we should call in Living Off a Few Acres.  Self-sustainability is kind of a big thing right now.  This program will help you do that.

A fellow horticulture agent sent me this graphic just yesterday about how much land it would take a family to support themselves.  It gets you to think about your different needs and how you might best obtain those resources.

Our program will begin on October 11 and classes will be every Tuesday until November 22.  We skip November 1, however.  We start with a meal at 5:30 and then begin the program at 6 each night.

Registration will be $50 and that covers your meals, a resource binder, and a jump drive.  We hope this sounds like something you or someone you know might be interested in.

Farm to School

Since I was getting ready for a Farm to School meeting set for tonight, I thought I would look around at the USDA website.  Their big initiative (which I LOVE, by the way) is Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food.  The website also has this catch-phrase 'Every family needs a farmer?  Do you know yours?'  I mean, this is great stuff!

But, of course, the first thing you see on the website is this image of 'your average produce farmer'.  That's where I just about lost it.  Here it is:

It's all very cliched.  The gloves is what did it for me.  I mean, this guy is wearing leather gloves you might see a cowboy wear on a bucking bronco!  Can you imagine all the germs living it up on those gloves?  Gave me the creeps almost.

And of course, for vegetable nerds like me, what's in the basket struck me as well.  Broccoli, mainly harvested in the spring or fall (even after a frost!) and tomatoes and sweetcorn which are wonderful summer fare.

I guess I need to get a life and not sweat the small stuff.

Top 5 Reasons to Go to a Farmers' Market

Drumroll.....and I'm not as good as David Letterman's writers....

5. Socializing is a big part of going, and we all like to talk.
4. Where else can you have an intelligent conversation about 12 different cultivars of tomato?
3. TENTS! They just make for a party atmosphere!
2. If you buy from them, they might make enough money not to turn their farm into a subdivision.
And the #1 reason to go to a farmers' market....
1. GOOD FOOD, produced by people you can look in the eye!

Downtown Somerset Farmers' Market open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7am til sellout.
Somerset Farmers' Market at the Mall open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8am til 2pm.