Turtle Times
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Vol. 14 No. 1, April 08, ‘09 7260 NW 58th St., Johnston 50131 278-4522 (577-9208)
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All the buried seeds crack open in the dark
The instant they surrender to a process they can’t see . . .Nepo
The Fourteenth Season of Turtle Farm . . .
Ready or not, here comes the fourteenth season at Turtle Farm. While we are beating on the walls that encase us in winter, may we let go and trust that Nature knows the process far better than we do. Spring will come and all those physical seeds and seeds of intent will open and expand into a wonderful array of bounty for us again. It’s a dance of joy that I may escort these veggies and fruits into your life.
A tiny window of opportunity between moisture events allowed part of the farm to dry out last week, and Ben and I were able to get some of the garden tilled and some peas and spinach planted. Everyone and thing is so anxious for spring to arrive--Ben saw a small rat snake basking in the sun the one day it appeared last week, and I saw one earthworm that had ventured near the surface of the soil. No signs of asparagus though. I hope to begin the season mid-May, but you will be contacted by e-mail, phone or postcard on exact date when the time gets nearer. In the meantime some of you may be contacted for early asparagus deliveries. Nettles, a traditional spring tonic, are now emerging and available free to anyone interested in coming out to pick them. Call me to check on their whereabouts and bring gloves.
Orientation Meeting for New Members
This year’s orientation meeting is May 7th at 7 pm at Plymouth Congregational Church, 4126 Ingersoll Ave. (parking off Ingersoll on the east side of the church), Room Waveland One. We will cover the nuts and bolts of how Turtle Farm works, answer your questions, and show you how to keep your boxes and food in good shape. There will be food samples to eat and tips for veggies that you may not have cooked with before. I will have some Asparagus to Zucchini cookbooks for sale. Maybe there will be asparagus, too. Please RSVP so that we can plan for numbers, but if you forget, don’t let that keep you from coming (email angela@turtle-farm or call 278-4522).
Friday Deliveries Needed
Our numbers between delivery days are unbalanced this year as Tuesday is the more popular day. If you are new this year and chose the Tuesday delivery day and are able to do Friday pickups, please contact me to switch days. If you chose Tuesdays because you need to go out of town occasionally on Fridays, we are able to temporarily switch you to Tuesdays on those weeks.
Potato Planting Day Set
Friday evening May 1, after 5 p.m. we will have potato planting for those interested in visiting the farm and getting their fingers in the soil (weather permitting). This is an activity that the children are especially good at. We will have a light supper, campfire, and possibly drumming. Come and go as you wish. Your crops would love to meet you!
Farm Stand Vegetable Transplants
Turtle Farm will have some transplants available again for purchase this season. The farm stand will be open Saturday April 25, and Saturdays in May, 9-12 a.m. or other times by appointment for these sales. I’m attaching a list of the veggies and fruit available. The strawberries offered are day-neutral strawberries that will produce in this season. You can send your orders to reserve your choices ahead if you want.
Recycle Your Recycling Bins
Turtle Farm could use your recycling bins if they are still in good condition once you get your new recycling “can”.
Practical Farmers of Iowa Summer Camp
Here is information for the PFI summer camp. This year’s theme is “Not So Creepy Crawlies”. This camp is always a fun adventure for children and youth. And the food for it is sourced locally from PFI members—like me.
Bugs and Insects are “Not So Creepy Crawlies” at PFI’s 2009 Summer Camp
Ames—Worms, bees, wasps, spiders, flies, and things that buzz in your ear. Some may say that these are annoying, but do you know what they really do for you? Come learn about “Not So Creepy Crawlies” and why they are so important to the soil, to your food, and to you—at Practical Farmers of Iowa’s 2009 Summer Camp, June 10-13 at the Des Moines Area Y-Camp near Boone. The Youth Leadership Program, June 8-10, trains young adults ages 14 to 18 to be counselors for the summer camp.
During “Not So Creepy Crawlies,” participants will: discover bugs, insects, bees, and birds in Central Iowa on a discovery hike; learn about bees and pollinators, and do a dance to show where your “hive” is; look and listen for dragonflies and other water bugs while canoeing on a pond and playing in the creek; use bugs for fishing bait; and go on a scavenger hunt for bugs! Camp goers will also try their hand at archery, build campfires, go swimming, and climb a rock wall.
Youth leadership program participants will learn valuable leadership skills while camping, hiking, and zipping down the zip line. After the leadership program ends, participants will become camp counselors for the summer camp!
For more information about Practical Farmers of Iowa Summer Camp and Youth Leadership Program contact Suzi Bernhard, (515)232-5661, suzi@practicalfarmers.org, or visit www.practicalfarmers.org.