The Kansas City CSA Coalition

Shawnee Eat Local! Farmers' Expo a Smashing Success (despite Old Man Winter's best efforts)

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 14:14:18 GMT

Thanks to everyone who braved last Saturday's insane weather (gusty wind, lashing rain, heavy snow AND sleet?!) to attend the Shawnee Expo — it was a great success and such a joy to see so many enthusiastic faces filling the Shawnee Civic Center! It was plain to see that despite (or perhaps because of?) the stressful times we're enduring, lots of people are planting more food this year and becoming more interested in investing in our local food economy.

If you would like to see some photos of the Expo, please visit Emily Akins' (fellow KCFC and KCCSAC volunteer) Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyandsergio/sets/72157616047849576/

If you couldn't make it to the Shawnee Expo, I do hope that we'll see you in Independence this coming Saturday — at the Roger T. Sermon Community Center (Truman & Noland Rd., 1 ½ miles west of US 291), between 9:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.! We will be holding the FREE "How to Eat Local" workshop again at 9:30 a.m., so come find out about all the myriad ways you can find — and create — local food in KC!

Michael Pollan Coming to KC

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 21:42:12 GMT

When: Wednesday, May 20, 2009, 7:00 p.m. Where: Unity Temple on The Plaza, Sanctuary, 707 W 47th Street, Kansas City, MO 64112

Michael Pollan is a contributing editor at Harper's magazine, where he served for many years as executive editor, and a contributing editor and writer for The New York Times Magazine. He has written two award-winning books, Second Nature: A Gardener's Education and A Place of My Own: The Education of an Amateur Builder. His essays and articles have appeared in numerous periodicals, and he lectures widely on environmentalism, gardening, and nature.

Mr. Pollan will talk about his new book (In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto), his life, his work, answer audience questions, and he will autograph copies of In Defense of Food purchased from Rainy Day Books, on Rainy Day's website and/or at the event which are accompanied by a stamped ticket.

To purchase the admission package, please visit the Rainy Day Books website at: http://rainydaybooks.com

Eat Local – 11th Annual Exhibition of Farmers almost here!

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 20:38:33 GMT

Two events again this year. These events are hosted by the Kansas City Food Circle and co-sponsored by a number of other organizations. See our website or the attached flier for more info.

March 28, 2009: Eat Local! – 11th Annual Exhibition of Farmers at Shawnee Civic Centre 13817 Johnson Dr., Shawnee, Kansas, 9 AM to 2 PM.

April 4, 2009: Eat Local! – 11th Annual Exhibition of Farmers at Roger T. Sermon Community Center, Truman & Noland Rd, Independence, Missouri, 9:15 AM to 2:00 PM.

Get organic produce on site and by CSA subscription, free range meat and eggs, garden seedlings for the coming season; free 2009 Producers Directory. Free Parking & Free Admission.

Also free workshop at both sites at 9:30 AM: "How to Buy Local – CSA's and Organic Farmers Markets"

For more info call Craig Volland, KC Food Circle, at 913-334-0556 or email hartwood2@kc.rr.com. See also www.kcfoodcircle.org.

UPCOMING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AT GREELEY GARDENS

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 06:15:45 GMT

Come see what a fledgling urban farm looks like, and work out that cabin fever! Warren Kittler will be hosting open volunteer days at Greeley Gardens, a new CSA this year, on the following dates:

Saturday, April 4, 12:30-5:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 18, 12:30-5:30 p.m.

Greeley Gardens is located at 1544 Greeley Avenue, KCKS 66104. Please contact Warren to let him know if you would like to come help out: warren.kittler AT gmail DOT com or 913-217-5950.

"Urban homesteading a trend with a twist", by Anne Brockhoff for the Kansas City Star

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 06:11:24 GMT

A very nice article in today's KC Star, with some great informational links.

Spring Urban Homesteading Classes Starting Soon at BADSEED Market

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 06:06:50 GMT

"Learn to Live OFF the Grid IN the Grid" Rediscover the essential craft of the "Agrarian Life" through an on going series of classes and workshops focused on traditional skills for self-sufficiency and personal fulfillment.

Spring/Summer 2009 Course Offerings:

INTRO To Urban Homesteading
Canning & Preserving Workshops
BEER BREWING
Kombucha "Mushroom" Tea
Organic Transplants: How to Start Your Own
Backyard Gardening: Growing Food For Your Family
Make a RAIN BARREL
Build Your Own Solar Dehydrator
Humanure: Build Your Own Composting Toilet
Vermicomposting
Green Parenting – Baby's Homestead
Holistic Health Series: Herbs & Home Remedies

The Truth about "Free Range" Eggs

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 05:59:00 GMT

Here is an excellent, and timely, essay by Ed Bruske regarding why we as eaters should become familiar with, and not be afraid to ask questions of, those from whom we buy our food. Courtesy of the blog The Slow Cook

Thanksgiving Farmers' Market at BADSEED

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:01:00 GMT

From Brooke Salvaggio, proprietress of the BADSEED Market:

BADSEED is proud to announce our annual Thanksgiving Market featuring a bounty of divine delicacies to enhance your holiday feast this Friday from 4-8 PM.

It's Easy Being Green: Cultivating Community through Agriculture

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 22:02:00 GMT

Have you lost faith in the stock market? Here's a delicious stock option: your local farm. Consumers who participate in the growing community supported agriculture movement in America send greenbacks in to local farmers, who send greens back in the form of lettuce, broccoli, cucumbers, or other produce.

Read the whole article at the Center for American Progress.

(photo credit: Flickr/riebschlager, thebittenword.com)

Uniting Around Food to Save an Ailing Town

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 19:36:30 GMT

THIS town’s granite companies shut down years ago and even the rowdy bars and porno theater that once inspired the nickname “Little Chicago” have gone.

Read the whole article at nytimes.com.