Turtle Times
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Vol. 13, No. 24, Oct. 21, ‘08 7260 NW 58th St., Johnston 50131 278-4522 (577-9208)
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Rain: 10/13, 0.3 “; 10/15, 0.6”
In the Box . . .
Brussels sprouts ‘Diablo’
Carrots ‘Bolero’ (from Gary Guthrie)
Beets ‘Lutz’
Leeks
Potatoes ‘German Butterball’
Winter squash (kabocha type) I like this better for soups than roasting as it is a drier type
Spinach or lettuce (we hope)
By request: sage, basil (while it lasts)
October Farm Update
There were two special reasons to do an October share besides continuing great food-- Brussels sprouts and Gary’s ‘Bolero’ carrots. These have not been a reasonable option in the regular share with our season ending the last of September. The Brussels sprouts are best after a freeze—it helps them to sweeten. Well, who would have thought that we wouldn’t have had a freeze by now! That’s the whole reason I asked the October half-share customers to wait to get their second box this third week of the month. We’ll see how they taste. Gary only does his sweetest ‘Bolero’ carrots in the late fall. I’ve been privileged to experience them in the past, and now we can share them with you.
If you are getting a full October share, you have one more box coming next week. If you are a half-share, this is your final box. Please bring bags to put your produce in so that you can leave your box behind, or get the box back to my home or the farm sometime when you are in the area this fall. Thanks much for your participation!
The Great Turtle Farm Pumpkin Contest
The winner of our pumpkin contest is Linda Dawe. She guessed 32 lbs and the pumpkin weighed in at 33 pounds. She will find a pumpkin with her box this week. Enjoy!
Fall Get-Together
We are eager to see you one more time (or maybe the first time). We are going to try a fall gathering potluck with a pumpkin theme at the farm on November 2 at 1 pm (eating commences around 1:30 or 2). Ben says he will clean all his basil out of the greenhouse, so that if there is sun or a half way decent day, we can be comfortable. If it is really cold or miserable, the default location will be my home in Johnston. Because of that, it’s really important that you let us know you are coming so that if the location does change, you will be contacted, or you can check in with us. Anyone who wants (as long as they last) may request one of our TF pumpkins if you will make and bring a pumpkin dish for the potluck The rest of you bring the potluck dish of your choice. Bring your own service and maybe a chair or two.
Iowa Food Cooperative Begins
I want to share with you the press release for the Iowa Food Cooperative so that you can have access to Iowa food during the whole year. It hopes to start taking orders in November, but you can sign up now to be ready to participate.
Des Moines—This fall, buying local food will just be a mouse-click away, thanks to the Iowa Food Cooperative. The Iowa Food Cooperative (Coop), a web-based direct farmer-to-consumer ordering system, will launch in October. Membership applications are now being accepted at the coop website www.iowafood.org.
How will the Iowa Food Cooperative work? Each month, farmers will enter their products on-line. During the ordering period (generally 2 weeks) shoppers will place their orders via the internet. Distribution will occur monthly at the Iowa Food Cooperative location in the Merle Hay Mall. Farmers will bring their products in the morning, and shoppers will pick up their orders in the afternoon.
Jason Jones, farmer and president of the Iowa Food Cooperative board, thinks this is a milestone for local food in central Iowa. “This is a large-scale attempt to promote local foods in Des Moines. People in Des Moines will have access to foods produced in Iowa that they didn’t have access to before.” Jason also thinks the market will provide ease of shopping for all. “Customers pick products in advance from farms of their choice. When they arrive on distribution day, their order is ready for them. Farmers know exactly what is sold before they deliver, so they don’t have to bring home unsold merchandise.”
LaVon Griffieon, farmer, looks forward to marketing her products all year. “People would like to eat local food year-round if they could find it. It is not just a seasonal demand.”
Both farmers and consumers need to become a member of the Iowa Food Cooperative to participate. The cost is $50 to join, with a $10 annual fee starting in the second year.
For more information about the Iowa Food Cooperative or to join, visit www.iowafood.org or call 1-800-775-9815.
The Iowa Food Cooperative was developed by Practical Farmers of Iowa, with funding from the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and the Blooming Prairie Foundation.