tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34807682040900611342024-02-21T09:26:24.984-08:00Tierra Miguel Farm: Food & CommunityTierra Miguel Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05742644497418385377noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3480768204090061134.post-40850741293589799832011-06-06T12:53:00.000-07:002011-06-06T13:29:15.063-07:00Whew, a lot going on!!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Where do we start</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">? We had a busy week and weekend. We started off the week building a new sign for out front here on Cole Grade Rd. We picked up two Open flags and attached one to the store and one to the sign.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv5qes1_SqPQRPFumvNse2cIorYjNdI7TWCnxlodI3Q7b17pQy2Sie6sOU_Xxm1tL2-PbUZswWpLMehFF1CGHKQ9JSrZv75JyZX5mVhR01MGDQsLJ9NgiF935yaNFLtBbEE8AVYYdGk9-G/s320/photo-12.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615198843199113394" /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOQDOWFrnPblxmP9B2o_fJzTjDZr2Db2UYNTy6fW2i1G1fDCzt4KRes6Esqx_hNfnKxO3DBPKKS2Tj38jpEtzCp07QCp13cEAvNO1JcTCI5nBA2O_aUjjrEKJe1qxVTFb_n1lH3XY4clsC/s320/photo-14.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615199370336474626" /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgla8Z2on-KiqtIUMwZtZM0sJJ5413S7Vq64TAm_1e4_-3gpmLMqgrlf5JDF0U9GsJa3pr5SmnTSbf1trqcTyS2BpOi21qtabFWOryxISMfQ6N2wjspkWyHIWmoV417YUI12-CyrAkbR_pP/s320/photo-11.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615200064449442130" /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We went with the blackboard concept because one of our customers said it would be nice to see what we have when they are leaving for town so they know what they can pick up here. So we listened!! </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We still need a ton more signs and a ton more creative people to help us with that! So come on out when you can.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Our greenhouse renovation day was a great success! </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyhb1xWXJD-w4PCUAxvoXzxmbwgphWdl4UmvmnTzj8AAfppTxF5ig-WYjZVAPiXxBSqh_AnDHBatKUciWeuD6Jf3Pc25r8gBJpp4SGF8f0o88YYDIBBwlx95ycQXQre0BvOBBt7J55Fl17/s320/photo-4.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615201890554925858" /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggzzTKAbccYNBtwT43K0ZYuoUShPPIGakgjQPJ_QGzh5fZEZlFwR3igOhCjkWooaLbTBB0RTTl20hNCD2b7wFr10ubY8fGX2mNie6_fTyVDtDEKhxgYRf7N1aisabaJDnSVpfZ6f5LyhJB/s320/photo-5.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615201958047660930" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN46-33NGa8TA4EQ0AtDOGaYnlxf_NsjrgCN0Ohh6ak9T1_1M3-xRVf4rMm4HPUgXRx6nf6ZGWybeulm2AMH6h5-ZfQStVJwmJhnTGLFIs78p6bfjGFy0uUuF7lZ79PxUV6ThL0pDHs-5r/s320/photo-7.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615201966371576594" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5WVcZ45FtrcJzueN6fidR56Hxvmdub5MNsWBFN6ZoBhIBsLh-HP1-rGe2HE9YaZK9-OjLiyLvrgkGRMi_uo998C0ZLOv0rHMCcUku_cvhfC-oWM_t4_384ls9C1g-hL93_4tIHknCw7D/s1600/photo-8.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5WVcZ45FtrcJzueN6fidR56Hxvmdub5MNsWBFN6ZoBhIBsLh-HP1-rGe2HE9YaZK9-OjLiyLvrgkGRMi_uo998C0ZLOv0rHMCcUku_cvhfC-oWM_t4_384ls9C1g-hL93_4tIHknCw7D/s320/photo-8.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615201979163150098" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJS5wgoquUC_rfXiHOkxFw_rc2XbuToTrY7odW639QgN9ZrLDtLdrjv2_VRv5euw9DqS82mX0PGuJAIURgpUllIXKoSBQEuXmgPMnWcMqhFBom83hiZ8H9MS735pkuH1MzozuuoDoQeM2/s1600/photo-10.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJS5wgoquUC_rfXiHOkxFw_rc2XbuToTrY7odW639QgN9ZrLDtLdrjv2_VRv5euw9DqS82mX0PGuJAIURgpUllIXKoSBQEuXmgPMnWcMqhFBom83hiZ8H9MS735pkuH1MzozuuoDoQeM2/s320/photo-10.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615201986909159186" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Thanks to everyone's hard work. We still have a ways to go to be finished but we got our first row of salad mix into the ground. Honestly, YOU all make this possible. It's growing a great product for you that brings us to work everyday!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; ">n our mix we are going to have Mesculin, Mizuna, Arugula, Red Oak Leaf, Red Salad Bowl, Corn Salad, and Black Seeded Simpson! It's going to be a great mix. It will take about 45 days so mid-July we are looking to have it in stock! </span></div>Tierra Miguel Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05742644497418385377noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3480768204090061134.post-13858264066588320792011-05-31T07:59:00.000-07:002011-05-31T07:59:24.749-07:00We have Honey!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">We have honey in our store! Well, we did as of this weekend. The stuff goes fast and why shouldn't it? Our honey is a mix of citrus and avocado blossoms with wildflowers. It tastes great and is so much better for you than just sugar as a sweetener. And don't forget it's organic.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Today's blog is a guest blog done by Natasha Pekin. Natasha is a Dietetic intern who volunteered some of her time to the farm. So enjoy the read and don't forget to get your jar of honey!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Bees on the Farm</div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> After spending a week at the Tierra Miguel Foundation and Farm all I can say is wow what an educational experience. I want to share with all of you something that I never really knew much about, Bees. This farm houses twelve bee hives on its property and for good reason: Pollination. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Honey Bees pollinate a variety of fruit and vegetable crops which help produce a plentiful harvest. Since Tierra Miguel Foundation and Farm is certified organic, the Bees and their honey are organic as well. This means that the bees are not given antibiotics, pesticides, or any other chemicals or additives. These bees are also not fed high fructose corn syrup; a practice adopted by many non-organic bee keepers.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Most farms will only rent bees during crop season and then return them to the beekeeper once the crops are harvested. This is not an ideal situation for the bees because many will be lost during transportation which will hurt or destroy the hive. Tierra Miguel has taken a progressive and a humane approach to their bees. They are permanently housing their bees on their property. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">To provide the bees with pollen during off seasons the farmers are planting wild flowers throughout the farm. Keeping the bees on Tierra Miguel Farm will help grow the hives and as the hives grow in size they will be able to harvest honey, a benefit lost to those farms who only rent bees. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">This humane bee treatment along with their commitment to organic and sustainable farming makes Tierra Miguel Foundation and Farm an amazing place for a Dietetic Intern, such as myself, to be a part of. I look forward to volunteering my time here on Saturdays and hope to see you there!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">-Natasha Pekin, Dietetic Intern</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04065541936065431754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3480768204090061134.post-51159954420889196422011-05-30T11:00:00.000-07:002011-05-30T11:00:44.746-07:00Happy Memorial Day!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">From our family here at the farm to all of you - our extended family - have a safe and fun Memorial Day! <br />
<br />
Thank you to all of those who have served and are serving.</div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04065541936065431754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3480768204090061134.post-27457670189472903892011-05-29T09:15:00.000-07:002011-05-29T09:15:28.223-07:00This Weekend's U-pick and Valley Center Western Day's<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am continually surprised by the amazing people that come to the farm. Every farmer wants to sit and talk, or "jaw" like my granddad calls it. Don't get me wrong. Farmers love to be out in the fields and the peace and solitude that comes with it is priceless. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Farming is a labor of love. A love of the land, a love of the work, a love of the community, and a love to share. That's why farmers love to sit and "jaw". It becomes our chance to share more then the great food we produce. It's our chance to share the stories of that great food. A chance for us to share our knowledge with you and thereby create a connection that is much deeper. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">That is why I love the U-picks on Saturday and the Open Houses we have once a month. This is also the reason why we are making every Saturday an Open House with U-picks. We want more of a chance to meet YOU. And we want to create the opportunities for this to truly become YOUR farm. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYLeRYW5edMcL4shJ1N9b89iaLagExlgpY1ccx4izZ4_RFD9QRrmmu44y06-I8vg4XPvdr3IydcVNoJGA3EaiC4r2Qy5Vip4RAcKYoWjrY3qAv_RBCor62DWvJNhpmnMjz1VlONkKz8Zs/s1600/259571_10100622558075440_1951473_64160354_5866062_o-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYLeRYW5edMcL4shJ1N9b89iaLagExlgpY1ccx4izZ4_RFD9QRrmmu44y06-I8vg4XPvdr3IydcVNoJGA3EaiC4r2Qy5Vip4RAcKYoWjrY3qAv_RBCor62DWvJNhpmnMjz1VlONkKz8Zs/s320/259571_10100622558075440_1951473_64160354_5866062_o-1.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We had a great time this past weekend exploring the farm and meeting the chickens. We also had the opportunity to attend Valley Center Western Day's and set up a booth. Christy, Colby, Will, Rachel, and Seth pulled the 2 day duty for us and made a bunch of new friends. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhpfRUl6laI5yRKy9TXGFKDOiqxC_1m9OzfJFDiGFJGix7ZFhqiMfj8ftgAl6CVQH_x4eIRyeOx4bkUSyUvluMkMd0VJmGeUCNeg4aS7zdIL_u8hnhNBSIN_sw8AOJx-J1dRzQa1bIWi0/s1600/photo-11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhpfRUl6laI5yRKy9TXGFKDOiqxC_1m9OzfJFDiGFJGix7ZFhqiMfj8ftgAl6CVQH_x4eIRyeOx4bkUSyUvluMkMd0VJmGeUCNeg4aS7zdIL_u8hnhNBSIN_sw8AOJx-J1dRzQa1bIWi0/s320/photo-11.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">They did some face painting and wacky hair designs for the kids. Hula hooping was on the agenda as well.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We set the booth up to help us expand our presence in the local community and to help increase the size of our CSA.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We are looking to expand our CSA dramatically this summer. German, one of our farmers, is gearing up to be in the tractor seat daily. We want to focus our CSA growth in the local communities that surround us, Escondido, and San Diego.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_LC2zfsu6smC2vg9S7QWKTEJ6zquAslFBZ6faAw45VsRjeeB0gNwDL5J243mneejo9hX86Mbg3YjrruzIoDV3xj6Tvd1opbxbJemnTfoxYuDeWaemMqDQmUx-W4OxV-tXJNp6-YGVZrw/s1600/photo-10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_LC2zfsu6smC2vg9S7QWKTEJ6zquAslFBZ6faAw45VsRjeeB0gNwDL5J243mneejo9hX86Mbg3YjrruzIoDV3xj6Tvd1opbxbJemnTfoxYuDeWaemMqDQmUx-W4OxV-tXJNp6-YGVZrw/s320/photo-10.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Our group went around handing out free samples of strawberries and I think it is safe to say they truly are the best in town. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We gave out coupons as well for a free pint of strawberries so hopefully everyone comes out to redeem them soon! </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We also held a raffle for a free 2 box membership to our CSA.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So we have a lot of things planned this summer and we look forward to sharing each of them with you.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Make sure you come out next weekend, Saturday June 4th for our inaugural summer weekend schedule. Here's the schedule for next Saturday and pretty much the schedule for all of them. The only things that will change are the workshops and what's on the menu for the cooking class and potluck! We are looking to make the workshops complimentary so that each one of them builds off the previous one. We need to get the word out about Biodynamics and why the farm is so special! Also after the day is done bring your own instrument so we can have a good old fashioned local hoe down! Hope to see you all there!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">9 a.m. - Introduction to Biodynamics Workshop: What is Biodynamics and what does it mean to you and your food? $5</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">10 a.m. - Farm Tasting Tour - $5, Wear some good walking shows the tour can last around an hour</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">11 a.m. - Strawberry U-pick $5 a bag - the best strawberries around (and we aren't bragging!)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1230 p.m. - Cooking class - By Donations - We'll show you how to make something from the Strawberries you picked and another dish from what is in season and available in our store.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 p.m. - Potluck - Free - This is where we'll enjoy what you learned to make and be able to show off your own cooking skills. The center of any community is good food. You are invited to bring your own refreshments. We want everyone to feel as if they are home when they are here.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 p.m. -? Relaxing time! If you are musically inclined bring your instrument for everyone else's enjoyment. If you are artistically inclined help us make a sign. If you have a green thumb then help us landscape the store. In fact if you have any unwanted, neglected, or just too many plants around the house bring them on over. We are especially looking for hanging plants to help us spruce up the outside of our farm store and outdoor classroom.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So come on out and spend the day in the country enjoying the good life. Remember, this is your farm! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04065541936065431754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3480768204090061134.post-89590962186755659832011-05-26T05:41:00.000-07:002011-05-26T05:41:44.902-07:00Mother Earth helping us feed our Chickens<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi19eMqfUliPhejAgLWrGmiCrd5o7xBZ0lLFLieXLTEv3ljc75VYFtacIHcZRlpB-yx1a1127OQcNA-60t0bQfVCpYKgSN74HiQiWeiSH3AxTSHi80OdcZxSeO3iAixqQ3EOokvBnVUzZSW/s1600/photo-4.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610793579450198066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi19eMqfUliPhejAgLWrGmiCrd5o7xBZ0lLFLieXLTEv3ljc75VYFtacIHcZRlpB-yx1a1127OQcNA-60t0bQfVCpYKgSN74HiQiWeiSH3AxTSHi80OdcZxSeO3iAixqQ3EOokvBnVUzZSW/s320/photo-4.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>One of the things that we are always trying to do around here on the farm is cut costs. Who isn't these days? And our chickens are eager to help out.</div><div><br />
</div><div>We feed our chickens several ways. First we let them free range in our orchard. They help keep most of the weeds down and help with pests on the fruit trees.</div><div><br />
</div><div>We also give them organic feed to make sure they are getting their needed protein for the day.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Third we provide them with green waste. Green waste is the unused fruits and vegetables that some of the restaurants, who buy from us, would otherwise throw out. Thereby we are reducing the waste going to the landfill and closing the loop a bit on the nutrient cycle.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Lastly, we started getting the spent grain from <a href="http://www.motherearthbrewco.com/default.asp">Mother Earth Brewery</a> in Vista. This is grain that is left over from the brewing process and would otherwise go to the dump. Again TMF is reducing the amount of waste to the landfill and closing another nutrient cycle.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Next time you are in Vista be sure to check them out. Next time you are at Tierra Miguel, check out our chickens!</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQuidbMwFLdm1K8F_Qxac8am1_jOW0mNs4A9oMBFe23plvm3Axg2lCPCp2VlM_qF-0iF9dRGhDnymRmWJ4s9P562NL8_exLO5j-12IKtuJ7tX873JtsmVzwR2zWl71vBR1pOiZtQpZ-4I/s1600/photo-5.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610797849491223506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQuidbMwFLdm1K8F_Qxac8am1_jOW0mNs4A9oMBFe23plvm3Axg2lCPCp2VlM_qF-0iF9dRGhDnymRmWJ4s9P562NL8_exLO5j-12IKtuJ7tX873JtsmVzwR2zWl71vBR1pOiZtQpZ-4I/s320/photo-5.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 320px; width: 240px;" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">That's one happy rooster</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div>Tierra Miguel Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05742644497418385377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3480768204090061134.post-73215169497142929332011-05-25T06:43:00.000-07:002011-05-25T06:43:16.747-07:00Farmer for A Day - The San Diego Little ExplorersOn Monday we held one of our Farmer for a Day programs with The San Diego Little Explorers. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzhG5qFG5M2nH_s5Qf_TWtMXurLEoVA72LfzSEpTM-363Xx-C2tOYdUhjgDg4Tfhc-GYXvRWzX_BTkGDuq75SqUiCV70S4GTh_piRwyhAyCJmLfo-4Ij-_1tYpWEnnsX7xtPz2KZJnJQdr/s1600/farmer+for+a+day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzhG5qFG5M2nH_s5Qf_TWtMXurLEoVA72LfzSEpTM-363Xx-C2tOYdUhjgDg4Tfhc-GYXvRWzX_BTkGDuq75SqUiCV70S4GTh_piRwyhAyCJmLfo-4Ij-_1tYpWEnnsX7xtPz2KZJnJQdr/s320/farmer+for+a+day.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">We started off the day with a tour. This is where our Farmers for a Day learn how our food grows. From seed to plant they get to learn what it takes to grow healthy food.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Of course there's time to feed the chickens and then it's off to the fields for a tasting tour. Parents have you ever seen kids be so eager to eat their veggies?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Fennel, carrots, broccoli, beets and more. Eating a raw beet and getting the juice on your face is a right of passage!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">No tour would be complete without a stop to pick strawberries before they head back to the outdoor classroom for lunch.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Our Farmer for a Day program is customized to what you want. This one lasted for only 2 hours but we have another one this Thursday that will be 4. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">For more information on Our Farmer For A Day Program contact Erin, csa@tierramiguelfarm.org </div>Tierra Miguel Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05742644497418385377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3480768204090061134.post-63960812355740659562011-05-24T10:07:00.000-07:002011-05-24T10:07:13.762-07:00Strawberry Potluck and U-Pick<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #33cccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><b><b></b></b></span><br />
<b><b></b></b><br />
<b><b><div style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">This past weekend's Strawberry U-pick and potluck was a huge success and it was all thanks to YOU our members and supporters. </span></div><div style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGA_U53A2TWFVRQPMeSwjBSN2MHZPEuOkvQIyTiV5Tv83-9gijtAKqEZOfXgzwxinP456KIegtdFzxW5GYGCB5qgQO1ikrI_gJMjE19o82brAFiZboqtLI7A37XqbFdhFc6yrVB9APoDcf/s1600/baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGA_U53A2TWFVRQPMeSwjBSN2MHZPEuOkvQIyTiV5Tv83-9gijtAKqEZOfXgzwxinP456KIegtdFzxW5GYGCB5qgQO1ikrI_gJMjE19o82brAFiZboqtLI7A37XqbFdhFc6yrVB9APoDcf/s320/baby.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span id="goog_1758456748"></span><span id="goog_1758456749"></span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Some people showed up a little early and pitched in by picking wildflowers for the vases on the tables in the outdoor classroom. Then they strolled off to pick and eat strawberries in the field.</span></div><div style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">We ran 2 tours for the day with members from the <a href="http://www.sanclementemarket.com/cooperative">San Clemente Community Market</a> coming out for a visit. Hopefully we can get them out here more often!</span></div><div style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47hn8bJJAhM3hBc_PoqRkIPWexttnG0qAgzLM7b38B0LDIPJcmyjlZOwRaqRA41S1ZQ1RPDsBUiVYbU3Mo1voTHOw18q6wzb-Ue9koq3zmWEnAsOwipb7TtwJeFRCB5ajukbbp7hyphenhyphenPGyw/s1600/olive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47hn8bJJAhM3hBc_PoqRkIPWexttnG0qAgzLM7b38B0LDIPJcmyjlZOwRaqRA41S1ZQ1RPDsBUiVYbU3Mo1voTHOw18q6wzb-Ue9koq3zmWEnAsOwipb7TtwJeFRCB5ajukbbp7hyphenhyphenPGyw/s320/olive.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></div><div align="left" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">We had homemade strawberry preserves, homemade strawberry and rosemary bread, and our own Farmer Chris' Strawberry Vinaigrette drizzled over a roasted beet and strawberry salad made by Erin. After some prying Chris has agreed to publish his family's secret recipe.</span></div><div align="left" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">1 cup Olive Oil</span></div><div align="left" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">2 cups fresh Tierra Miguel Strawberries</span></div><div align="left" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">juice of 1 lime</span></div><div align="left" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">1 tbs of coarse grind dijon mustard</span></div><div align="left" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">salt & pepper to taste</span></div><div align="left" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Combine it all in a blender and mix till smooth. Makes one Ball jar and will keep for a couple of weeks in the fridge.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Any of you that have good recipes email them to Erin at csa@tierramiguelfarm.org and we'll post them up here.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #626262; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span><span style="color: #d52c2a; text-decoration: underline;"><strong>On May 28th we are having ANOTHER </strong></span><span style="color: #d52c2a; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><u></u><strong>Strawberry themed potluck and recipe swap. </strong> </span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span><span style="color: #d52c2a; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Bring your favorite strawberry dessert/beverage/sandwich/<wbr></wbr>preserve to share from 1pm to 2pm.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Strawberry U-pick</span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"> - $5 a bag 10am -4pm</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Edible Farm Tours $5 ages 8 and up 11am and 2pm</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">May 28 Stop by our booth at Valley Center Western Day's and say hello </span></strong></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></strong></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">We'll have a booth open looking for new CSA members and we might be doing some face painting as well. </span></div></div><div><br />
</div></b></b>Tierra Miguel Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05742644497418385377noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3480768204090061134.post-51504027871125255692011-05-18T13:10:00.000-07:002011-05-18T13:13:55.405-07:00Food Justice Forum<object style="height: 390px; width: 640px"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/mGE8kPHymNM?version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/mGE8kPHymNM?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390"></object><br /><br />Jonathan recently spoke on a panel at the Food Justice Forum, April 16, 2011, inspired by The Global Action Research Center (The Global ARC). The event was part of a book tour for Bob Gottlieb of Urban & Environmental Policy Institute at Occidental College.Tierra Miguel Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05742644497418385377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3480768204090061134.post-77428236993854354662011-05-01T23:13:00.000-07:002011-05-01T23:31:14.952-07:00Spring Farm RaiserHi Friends and Family,<br /><br />Tierra Miguel Farm and Foundation just launched our Spring Fundraising Campaign. Our goal is to raise $50,000 by July 1st. Please become a partner in our work today.<br /><br />Over the past 11 years, Tierra Miguel Foundation has contributed:<br /><br />Community Supported Agriculture (CSA): Bringing seasonal organic produce directly from our farm to your table.<br /><ul><li>Corporate Team-Building Workshops: Leadership and communication skills are put to the test during essential farming activities on a working farm.</li><li>Farmer for a Day: Hands-on learning opportunities for children of all ages to see, smell and touch where their food really comes from.</li><li>Refugee Entrepreneurial Agriculture Program (REAP): Promotes entrepreneurial farming education through the donation of farmland to immigrant farmers from Somalia and Kenya, coordinated by the International Rescue Committee.</li></ul>Your donations will help keep these and other programs running at Tierra Miguel Farm. By donating, you help support our mission of contributing to a resilient local food system through education, outreach and advocacy. Please donate today via our <a href="http://tierramiguelfarm.org/">website's </a><a href="http://tierramiguelfarm.org/">Paypal account</a>, by check or by calling the office. No donation is too small.<br /><br />Tierra Miguel Foundation Friend - $0 - $500<br />TMF Member- $500 - $1000<br />TMF Partner- $1000 or more<br /><br /><div>Corporate Friend $0 - $5000<br />Corporate Member- $5000 - $10000<br />Corporate Partner- $10,000 or more<br /><br />See you at the farm!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3480768204090061134.post-36881186867510124032009-12-30T10:04:00.001-08:002010-01-29T05:59:58.012-08:00<object width="410" height="249"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/muBT-G0Unn8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/muBT-G0Unn8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="410" height="249"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3480768204090061134.post-4252004792164573382009-09-15T20:52:00.000-07:002009-09-15T20:54:55.397-07:00A Tale of Three DietsThroughout this study I have shifted my belief about the significance of traditional diets several times, from assuming that traditional diets were a necessity, to reconsidering and assigning them an “aww shucks” level of nostalgia. Then in the last week of readings I have found an essay that verifies the co-evolution of desert dwellers with their foods. This was the evidence that I had expected to find throughout the research. I now consider a traditional diet significant due to the health benefits people can assume by subsisting on a diet of locally-available foods and for the cultural experience food provides and the informing of who the consumer has become.<br /><br />The Luiseño Indians are comprised of seven bands from Southern California. Their native land stretched from the coast into the inland mountains and valleys. The Indians accessed different areas depending on seasonal food availability. Upon being displaced from their land and reassigned to an area of poor agricultural viability they were then supplied highly processed commodified food-like products by the U.S. government. This process has destroyed much of the Luiseño food tradition, contributing to widespread degradation of health. The agricultural tradition that does exist consists of large swaths of citrus and avocado trees that thrive on the rocky slopes of the area.<br /><br />At the conclusion of this un-scientific research project, I believe that the Luiseño Indians have the most incentive to retain their traditional diets. Gary Paul Nabhan, a food anthropologist, has compiled compelling evidence that desert dwellers, as the Luiseño are, from Arizona, New Mexico and Australia have co-evolved with their native foods. This co-evolution allows for greater bioavailability of the nutrients contained within the plants. These peoples have eaten low-glycemic, complex carbohydrate, foods throughout their existence until the introduction of highly processed commodified food-like products. These products, made up of simple carbohydrates, are rapidly metabolized and stored as adipose tissue, causing diet-related diseases that have ravaged native communities. The Rincon Fiesta was an opportunity for the Band to celebrate their cultural heritage and build social capital within their community. I hope that the Luiseño Indians continue to celebrate their food culture in similar ways.<br /><br />My experience with the Somali Bantus was the most extensive of the three groups and the most fulfilling. The Somali Bantus, having relocated to San Diego four to five years ago, maintain a strong connection to their traditional foods. Agricultural people in Africa; the Somali Bantus are continuing their tradition in their new home. Many of them are farming small plots at New Roots Community Farm in City Heights, San Diego. This farm is being used as an incubation program to find farmers who are interested and skilled enough to begin farming larger plots at Tierra Miguel Farm before moving onto land of their own. A group of 12 men and women recently visited Tierra Miguel to prepare for the training program. <br /><br />I visited New Roots most recently during the Grand Opening celebration. At that time, I was shown the crops that are being grown by the farmers, beaming with pride. I was then introduced to some of the dishes that were prepared for the occasion. Sambusas stuffed with amaranth leaves and onion then lightly fried, were amazing. Amaranth was also steamed and served like spinach. Amaranth is a huge part of the Bantu diet and is believed to relieve arthritis pain that affects the joints of the lifelong farmers. The last dish I tried was a corn meal cake that is dipped in stewed okra and lima beans. This is regularly consumed as a midday meal and gives strength to the consumer. Okra is also thought to increase male virility. Many young members of the group have widened their food spectrum and now enjoy foods that were abstract when they first arrived, such as pizza. Cheese is uncommon in their native region, leading to its tentative introduction into their present diet, if at all.<br /><br />Most cultures use festivals, holidays and celebrations to experience culture through food. In a culture that celebrates over 200 holidays, food traditions are celebrated daily. Jews who observe Shabbat have a weekly food ritual that involves preparing all the food on Friday afternoon that will be consumed between sunset Friday and sunset Saturday. There are also prescribed days of the week when Jews will enjoy fleishig (flesh) or milchig (milk) meals. Meat and dairy are never to be combined by observant Jews. This curiosity is due to the representation of life and death that milk and flesh respectively represent. Kosher food is that produced in accord with Jewish law. All fruits and vegetables are Kosher. Slaughtered animals, never pigs though, must be done so by the method known as shechitah to be considered Kosher. This method is supposedly painless to the animal.<br /><br />The Seder meal, observed the first or second night of Passover, is the most commonly observed traditional meal for Jews. Each part of the menu is representative of their cultural history; four cups of wine, God’s liberation had four stages; at least three matzot, to remind of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; karpas, a green vegetable such as parsley symbolizing spring and rebirth; haroset, a sweet mixture of dried fruit, nuts, apples and spices symbolizing the mortar that the slaves made for bricks in Egypt; maror, bitter herbs such as horseradish, representing the bitterness of slavery and beitzah, a roasted egg symbolizing a festival sacrifice brought in the days of the Temple (Blech 164).<br /><br />Following the Judaic Diaspora, food continues to connect the people. Their traditional diet has undoubtedly been affected by their present locality but traditions shine through. I admire the pride and joy that their food history elicits. The few opportunities I have had to experience a traditional Jewish meal remain some of my favorite. <br /><br />One of my readings this quarter, The Future of Food by Warren Belasco is a summary of theorized food and agricultural future states that have been written over the past two hundred years. Whether from the Cornucopian or Malthusian school, not one writer has theorized a future state that has come to fruition more than incidentally, such as approximate global population. Malthusians, doomsayers to some, believe that without dramatic population checks we will starve or be eating analogs made of wood chips or algae. <br /><br />Cornucopians are technicists to the core, believing that science will always supply an answer. Scientific breakthroughs, increased yields, decreased labor, have allowed population to grow unchecked without generating total global hunger. Arguments against population control center around the need to continuously refill the population pool. By slowing population growth we will be decreasing the pool size from where the next generation of scientists will come. Food and agriculture have resisted the attempt by technicists to apply theoretical developmental models. As much as Americans love technicism, they do not want fully synthetic foods. Algae burgers and sawdust steaks are not as appealing to the palette as they are to the economics of production. <br /><br />I consider myself a hybrid of the two. I believe that we, as a world community, will experience cornucopian amounts of food by harshly checking the population. I believe that the global carrying capacity is not more than half of our current rate. By increasing global education levels we can learn to enact responsible development practices through which regenerative ecosystems can flourish. Even without drastic population reduction, regenerative food systems will supply more food than can be consumed while improving ecosystem health whereby future populations will not want for delicious, healthful food.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3480768204090061134.post-77220469630921144522009-09-08T14:59:00.000-07:002009-09-08T15:04:56.425-07:00Discovering the Sweet Green Ball<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ken-jennings.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/watermelon.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 304px; height: 320px;" src="http://ken-jennings.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/watermelon.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />The Luiseño diet is the one closest to me, physically. The Pauma Band of Luiseño Indians owns the property where I live and work. They have inhabited Pauma Valley and the surrounding areas forever. Of the three cultural groups that I am studying, co-evolution should be most prominent within their diet. Just a few miles from the farm are two other Luiseño reservations, Pala and Rincon. The annual Rincon Fiesta was held recently and I visited to see what types of food were being offered. In many cultures, festivals and holidays elicit traditional foods being prepared en masse that may have lost their place in the every day diet. At the Fiesta I found chicken, popcorn, watermelon and Mexican food; tamales, tacos, burritos. Nowhere did I see wiiwish, the sweetened acorn mash that had been a staple for California Indians nor wood rat that had been considered a delicacy.<br /><br />Many of the reservations in the area are home to Mexican immigrants, so the introduction of Mexican food into the Luiseño diet is not unexpected. The Luiseño are an agricultural people, maintaining large swaths of citrus and avocado orchards to this day. Maize was one of the earliest South and Central American foods that spread north into present-day USA. Native peoples were the original bio-technicians, of course, cultivating teosinte and selecting to produce something far more reminiscent of today’s maize. In just 2,000 years, teosinte the size of a fingernail evolved into present-day maize. For that reason, popcorn does not strike me as being an odd food either.<br /><br /><br />Whites introduced watermelon when they settled in California. The story of acceptance into the Luiseño diet asserts that an old Indian woman with a keen sense of smell had went out in search of an unfamiliar sweet scent that floated in on a breeze. She returned with a large green ball and volunteered to eat it first. If it was poisonous and she was to die, it would not matter because of her old age. She broke it open with a nearby stone and scooped the soft pink flesh into her mouth. She fell to ground, shaking and the others assumed she had died. But she opened her eyes and exclaimed it to be delicious and they all ate. The Indians saved the seeds and began to cultivate their own watermelons in Southern CA. The original “green ball” was believed to have grown from a seed that floated downstream from a field that a white man had planted.<br /><br />Popcorn and watermelon are not foods that I think about in reference to traditional Indian diets, but they are part of the Luiseño past and Mexican food is prominently part of their present, as it is for most Southern Californians. These three foods were all introduced in distinct ways; popcorn through domestication of a wild plant and subsequent trade, watermelon, literally by chance, floated in on a stream and Mexican food was introduced through mass migration. Of these, watermelon represents the only food that was introduced by a single event.<br /><br />Perhaps, time was the only limiting factor before whites, in need of supplemental protein, traded watermelon for wood rat. I will never know, but I do know that watermelon has persevered where wood rat has not. And likely, time remains the only barrier before watermelon is phased out in favor of another exotic food that thrives in the sandy soil of Pauma Valley. Evolution is a traditional aspect of all diets, be it through domestication (teosinte into maize), introduction (tamales and tacos) or chance (watermelon). The day will come when people long for the past when watermelon was the stereotypical summer food, before turning their attention back to whatever has taken its place.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3480768204090061134.post-3633559389489821192009-09-07T09:25:00.000-07:002009-09-07T09:26:42.278-07:00No More Maize and Tomatoes!As I approached this study, I expected to learn about co-evolution between plants and people and why specific diets have become prominent in certain areas. Maize is consumed nearly globally, but an entire diet, it does not make. If maize is not supplemented with other crops, the health of the consumer will quickly deteriorate. Rice and beans, peanut butter and jelly on wheat, these simple foods provide all the essential amino acids needed for a human to thrive. I wanted to learn what the Jewish and Somali Bantu versions of PB&J were.<br /><br />I retain that co-evolution is important. It tells a story, but maybe it’s no longer the most significant aspect of traditional diets. The tradition itself, the tying of the present to the past is the most significant aspect. Our past has shaped who we are. Globalization has encouraged us to expand our dietary repertoire. Food, knowledge and people rapidly move around the globe, affecting all that they come in contact with. While I know not what the equivalent of a Somali PB&J is, I will continue to look until I achieve the satisfaction of tasting it. <br /><br />In regards to promoting re-adoption of ones traditional diet, doing so may be irrelevant. A diet fit the needs of a specific set of circumstances, be it availability of goods or trade partners. The tomato was not widely accepted into Southern Italian cuisine until the 19th century. What would become of their traditional diet if I advocated for a reversion to pre-tomato days? That would surely be seen as a loss of tradition. The changing of diets is not evil; it is natural, not just among cultures but individuals as well. I retain concern when the change is so rapid that the physiology of a people is not able to evolve with the prominent foodstuffs in their diet. This is when diet-related diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and obesity run rampant. We must look to the past as we move forward, in life and in our food choices to avoid exposing ourselves to unintentional consequences that certain food choices elicit.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3480768204090061134.post-53688234471275521102009-08-02T21:02:00.000-07:002009-10-07T08:32:34.744-07:00Insight into the Luiseno Diet<p>The property on which Tierra Miguel farms is owned by the Pauma Band of Luiseño Indians, one of seven bands of the Luiseno Indians. We, here at the farm, strive to connect to the cultural past of Pauma Valley and its native inhabitants, and in so doing continue to learn about the Pauma Indians and their traditional diet. Before the times when cheap food could be quickly shipped around the world, people of all cultures had to depend upon locally available foodstuffs to make up most of their diet.<br /><br />Below are some traditional foods that the Luiseno have enjoyed since time immemorial.From the Pauma Band website<br />( http://www.pauma-nsn.gov/pauma-tribal-culture.html ):<br /><br /><p><img src="http://www.pauma-nsn.gov/images/pauma/basket_precontact_01.jpg" align="left" border="0" height="139" hspace="10" vspace="4" width="172" />The Luiseño people enjoyed life in a land rich with diverse plants and animals. Our people have been described as hunters and gatherers. The men hunted deer, antelope, rabbits, wood rats, ducks, quail, seafood and various insects. Hunters used bows and arrows, spear throwers, rabbit sticks, traps, nets, clubs and slings to catch game. Fishermen and traders used dugout canoes in the ocean and tule reed boats or rafts in the rivers and lakes. Family groups had specific hunting and gathering areas in the mountains and along the coast. Individuals from outside these groups only crossed the boundaries of these areas upon permission.<br /><br /><p><img src="http://www.pauma-nsn.gov/images/pauma/culture7.jpg" align="right" border="0" height="134" hspace="10" vspace="4" width="200" />Women gathered seeds, roots, wild berries, acorns, wild grapes, strawberries, wild onions and prickly pear in finely woven baskets. The Pauma and other Luiseño peoples are world renown for their expertise in coiled baskets made from the flora of the region. <br /><br /><p>At the heart of our traditional foods is wìiwish, a tasty ground acorn mush and healthy food staple rich in protein. Evidence of acorn and seed processing and shellfish use dominates ancient sites throughout the Luiseño territory. The most visible evidence is the bedrock milling stone mortars used for processing seeds like acorns. These bedrock mortars sites are located throughout our region.<br /><br /><p>The traditional territory of the Luiseño people extends along the coast, from the north near San Juan Capistrano, south to the Encinitas/Carlsbad area and east to the valleys of the coastal mountains and Mt. Palomar. Today this area is in northern San Diego, Riverside and Orange counties.<br /><br /><p>Tierra Miguel is growing domesticated versions of the following traditional Luiseno foods; roots, wild berries, wild grapes, strawberries, and wild onions. Currently growing at the farm are carrots, beets, radishes, potatoes, grapes, raspberries, strawberries and onions among many other items.<br /><br /><p>Wiiwish is the Luiseno dood that I would most like to taste. My understanding is that it was a staple of their diet. Stay tuned to read how wiiwish and other traditional foods continue to be part of the Luiseno diet.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3480768204090061134.post-57133922811936453552009-07-22T09:26:00.000-07:002009-07-22T09:34:14.548-07:00Student GardenThe experimental/educational/student garden at the farm is growing by leaps and bounds. The hops and grapes are being trained to grow into living walls of the ramienda and create a cool place to relax. Yesterday the raspberries were sheet mulched to help them survive the blazing summer heat. New trees are being added as well, including pomegranates, apricots and chinese mulberries. The pecan trees are recovering nicely as well, after being chewed back to twigs by the squirrels last year. <br /><br />As I learn new techniques through my permaculture course, they will be implemented in the garden. It's a big experiment and so far things are going well. Stay tuned for additional updates as new things are always happening.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3480768204090061134.post-47747663346552330672009-07-14T22:23:00.000-07:002009-07-14T22:26:30.582-07:00Are Traditional Diets Important?Traditional diets connect people to their cultural history, but more significantly than that, peoples have co-evolved with food. The co-evolution of peoples with their place-specific diets has allowed the consumers to efficiently assimilate into themselves the necessary nutrients from regionally available foodstuffs. Changes in diet have consistently occurred over time, though on a gradual basis, in tune with the migration of people. New food items are introduced into diets by traders and travelers and if accepted have been cultivated when possible. Subsequent generations of the introduced crop become adapted to the region as well as to the people who inhabit it. <br /><br />For those groups whose diets evolved more rapidly than the consumers, re-establishing a connection to the diet that they evolved with would contribute to the reduction in diet-related disease. Additionally a reconnection could act as a vector through which an increased connection to ones cultural history could be achieved. America has become so proficient at exporting its diet to the world, it has become desired globally. Now the foodstuffs alone do not suffice, the ideology is desired and has begun to permeate the belief systems of other regions as well. The efficiency of globalism in making the foodstuffs themselves and the ideology behind their production widely available has allowed for their adoption more rapidly than the novel consumers can evolve to efficiently utilize thus leading to disease in the forms of diabetes, heart disease and obesity.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0