New CSAs!

For those who didn't make it into Amy's or the Victory Farms CSA for 2008, there are now two more options in the Richmond area.

The Sprout CSA group is sponsoring Salsa in Small Places, a startup farm on Robius Rd. in the southside. Keep an eye on the Sprout website for information on how to sign up. I have spent some time at this farm and I know there's plenty of spinach, radishes, potatoes, onions and carrots growing, with plenty more to come!

Growing Community, another group dedicated to organic farming (which I am surprised I haven't heard of before now), has signups ongoing for their own CSA, where all produce will be from heirloom seeds and soil amendments are mostly 'veganic' -- using no animal products like bone and bloodmeal. The Growing Community site has a list of the vegetables they plan to grow and more details on the group and the CSA.

This year will be the inaugural season for both CSAs. These farms will allow members to pay monthly, instead of requiring them to invest all their money at the beginning. If you were disappointed that you missed out on the other CSAs, now is your chance to show your support and recieve some great organic produce!

Field Trip! Eden Farms and Grayhaven Winery

Last weekend, Natalie and I went out to Gum Spring to visit our friends at Eden Farms. It was so fun to see a startup farm, with vegetable beds, fruit trees and animals. (Baby chickens? Like I wasn't plotting a way to take some of THOSE home. But, for a lack of preparedness, I did not. Sigh.) The operation, the brainchild of five brothers and sisters, sells everything from handmade soap and lip balm to gorgeous planters made out of granite leftover from kitchen remodels, to handmade rabbit and ferret toys as well as the aforementioned baby animals. Eden Farm is open Saturdays starting at 10am. For more information and directions, contact the Agnews at 556-3377.

Just a hop, skip and a jump away from Eden farms is the cheerful Grayhaven Winery. We spent quite a while at the tasting bar, sampling eight different varietals and some house sangria. Whoo- whee! All of the wines were fantastic, ready to drink with no residual sugar. We bought some Moonlight white and an amish made cheddar that was reported to have been made without the convienience of electricity! Regardless, it was so creamy and wonderful, we tore right into it and plum lost the label, so I can't tell you the brand. The winery offers many locally made products, including Eden farms soap and my favorite goat cheese from Goats 'R us. Visiting Grayhaven is a fun day trip anytime, but we are especially excited about their South African food and wine festival in mid July!


Have some fun exploring in your own backyard!

Heard it on NPR

Check out this story on the environmental impact of food choices- especially the ones that involve animals.

Food can change the world!

Edible Chesapeake comes to Richmond

Not long ago, Edible Chesapeake, the gorgeous quarterly of local food in the Chesapeake Bay area, asked me to write a piece on the local ice cream favorite, Bev's in Carytown. It seems that a Ben and Jerry's had moved in down the block from the local ice cream favorite, which makes for an interesting story. Turns out, Bev's has not batted an eyelash at the interlopers. With flavors like real Bananas Foster and Espresso Oreo, why should they worry?

So pick up your copy of Edible Chesapeake at Ellwood Thompson, and get your ice cream fix down the street at Bev's. You know you want it.

All will be served

Today I spotted the familiar 'Virginia Grown' logo on a sign announcing the much anticipated Lakeside Farmer's Market. As a resident of Northside, I am very excited by the idea of a farmers' market in my neighborhood. But, can Richmond support the four farmers' markets slated to arrive next month?

The 17th Street Market will continue this year, with a growers market on Thursday mornings, a 'mixed' market on Saturday, and a flea market on Sunday. 17th Street will open on April 17th, and will run from 8am- 2:30pm. Check out their schedule and vendor list here.

The Byrd House Market is now a program of the William Byrd Community House in Oregon Hill. This was a really fun market last year, family and worker friendly, open on Tuesdays from 3:30- 7pm. Their blog with info is here.

New this year are the afore mentioned Lakeside Market, open Wednesdays and Saturdays from May through November, and the South of the James Market open Saturdays from 8am-12pm in Forest Hill Park starting May 3. Look out for more information on these burgeoning markets as we find it.

Hopefully, there will be a market close to your neighborhood. It is wonderful to see Richmond taking part in supporting its agricultural resources, (go Hanover tomatoes!) so have fun doing your part in supporting these efforts.

Tricycle Gardens Plant Sale

Just thought I'd pass this along to y'all- Natalie and I have been helping to raise these babies since February, and we hope they will find good homes. For more information about the beauty of community gardening in Richmond, check out the Tricycle Gardens Website.

This info was passed on through a reliable source at Lewis Ginter:

Tricycle Gardens, a local non-profit community gardening group, will be holding a plant sale this Saturday, April 5th. TG has been raising plants to use in their youth gardening programs as well as to sell to raise funds. Plants are available for $3 per six pack of seedlings. Multiple cool season crops will be available, including several types of lettuce, kale, chinese cabbage, swiss chard and broccoli. Please come support TG by purchasing healthy seedlings for your vegetable garden, and tour our Church Hill garden!

Time: Saturday, April 5, 10am - 1pm
Location: 2300 block of Jefferson Ave., at Tricycle Gardens' Church Hill location

04/01 Market Update

I went down to the Byrd House Market after reading Erin's exciting notice about 'renegade' vendors and investigated the rumor that there would be produce for sale this week. Unfortunately, there was no sign of Victory Farms, Amy's, or any other other wonderful farms that provide us with fresh veggies, but the market certainly felt alive -- everyone seems to be in a good mood, gearing up for the market season.


There was a big table of seedlings for sale. From far away I thought these were spring greens, but upon a closer look realized they were potential vegetables. You can tell I'm sick of winter. Anyway, there was a good selection here, and prices were reasonable! There were also crafts vendors in attendance, as well as the regular winter crew (CCL Farms, Faith Farms and the 'bread guy'); two stands sold baked goods and preserves.


Behind the market, community garden plots thrive. We hope to find more vendors at the Byrd House Market every week -- see you there next time!