Crop Mob This Saturday at Byrd House!

The second 'Crop Mob' at William Byrd House will take place this Saturday to add rows and plant crops for their 'Farmlet.' The idea of the crop mob is that a large group of people are invited to descend upon a small farm and in short time they have achieved a huge amount of work. It's a kind of party meets hard labor meets education type thing! For more information check out the project site started by two VCU students. Email richmondgroundup@g-mail.com for more information.
Richmond Ground Up at Blogspot
Richmond Ground Up at Facebook
First Byrd House Crop Mob

Asparagus is Back!

Everyone is always asking us when asparagus will be available... Well, it's here! Last week we received an e-mail from a reader who said she had "scored" some at one the renegade markets around town (Blanchard's coffee on Saturday morning, or Byrd House on Tuesday evening?) Last week was also the first week of my mother-in-law's CSA with Olin-Fox Farms, and she had a lovely batch of asparagus for Easter dinner.
This week Elwood Thompsons has asparagus as well. If I remember correctly it was from about 70 miles southeast of Richmond. By the time I came across it yesterday the heads were looking rough as they had become dried out and somewhat fallen apart. Still, I snapped the stalks, using the "no pressure method" of course, blanched them, and then quickly sauteed them with olive oil and garlic. They were delicious, and hopefully I can enjoy naked and nearly raw asparagus this week as the Fall Line Farms Co-op has an abundance of fresh picked asparagus for it's members. When it rains it pours!

New Book: The Town That Food Saved

For those of you who read Barbara Kingsolvers Animal, Vegetable, Miracle you might remember her summer vacation trip that took her to Hardwick, Vermont. This small town was built on the granite industry. When that industry shifted to China the town floundered. Kingsolver introduced readers to a family that built first a diner and then a meat processing plant just to preserve one the remaining sources of income for local residence, farming. Her description of the diner that was started in this small town just to provide an outlet for the goods of local farms was truly inspiring. Filling, fun, locally grown, and prepared hot meals for just ten dollars! Where is the Richmond version of this place?!
Now there is a new book by journalist, and Vermont farmer Ben Hewitt that tells the story of this towns revitalization and the vital role local and artisanal foods played. Check out The Town That Food Saved. I just started reading my copy this morning, and it promises to be a great read on the subject of local food and it's importance to our health as individuals and our communities.

Easter Goodies from deRochonnet's Chocolates

This just in from our friends at deRochonnets Chocolates:

Handcrafted chocolate for Easter!

The Easter Basket is an actual chocolate basket with our products (marshmallows, chocolate eggs, carrot - flavor of a orange dream sickle, floppy ear bunny, chocolate nonpareils, white chocolate lamb) except the jelly beans. All of the chocolate products are made with French & Belgian chocolate. Price $18.00 (Milk or Dark)

The Mad Hatter Bunny reminds you of Alice & Wonderland. The bunny has been painted with colored cocoa butter price $18.00

Pick yours up at their store:

13228 Midlothian Turnpike

Midlothian, VA 23113

or call (804) 794-1551

Dragonfly Farms

We got a lovely note from Bruce Johnson at Dragonfly Farms, and wanted to share some info about their farm with y'all. Bruce says:

My wife, Katherine, and I own and run Dragonfly Farms in Beaverdam, Va. (north west Hanover County) We raise Belted Galloway and Angus cattle for all natural grass fed beef. We produce pastured eggs with a couple of small flocks of chickens. We grow some produce, enough for us and to supplement sales at a few farmers’ markets. We grow perennials and Japanese Maples, and are beginning to be able to offer some greenhouse crops. Katherine is a working horse vet, so with that advantage we also board some special needs horses. We have a beautiful farm and love showing it off. We welcome visitors anytime.

We sell our beef and eggs at the Ashland Farmers’ Market every Saturday. We plan to go to the market in front of Whole Foods the first Thursday of each month, and would like to go to the St. Stephens market and maybe the new one on Monument and Robinson a couple of times this season. We also are a producer in Fall Line Farms.

Check them out at:

www.dragonflyfarmandplants.com

http://www.facebook.com/dragonflyfarms

Carolyn Steel: How food shapes our cities | Video on TED.com

On this rainy day, I am catching up on my Ted Talks- a wonderful online lecture series. Check out this inspiring talk by Carolyn Steel on 'How Food Shapes our Cities'. Enjoy!

Carolyn Steel: How food shapes our cities | Video on TED.com

Lavender Fields For Your Spring Garden Start Up

If your starting your spring garden beds check in with Lavender Fields herb farm. They are currently running specials... by one get one free on 4 packs of veggies, and 50% off cilantro. These sales really help when your talking certified organic prices. Also They are carrying, soils, compost, and organically treat lumber to make your raised beds.
Check out their website here.