FREE
Volume No. 6
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SPRING Grower/Craft Maker
Issue No. 2
FREE
April 2011
Spring at El Morro Valley Ranch • ☺SEED FOR NEED - Information on seed performance from the Seed for Need program
Pot Luck Brunch & Seed Exchange
• Next seed exchanges will be at the EMAAC May Day Celebration at the Old School Gallery on April 30, and the Ramah Farmers Market Memorial Day Weekend Plant Sale
at the Old School Gallery All Community Members Invited
Ramah Farmers Market Grows Up
Early this year the co-managers decided to go forward with incorporation of the Ramah Farmers Market as a non-profit. After consultation with the New Mexico Farmers Marketing Association, other market managers, and legal advisors, bylaws were written, and paperwork submitted to the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission. The name of the new corporation is the Ramah Farmers Market Association. Incorporation as a non-profit was undertaken because the Ramah Farmers Market had evolved into a community based organization. This organization, besides maintaining and growing the market, also provides outreach to local gardeners and farmers through programs such as Seed for Need, the Vendor Support Program and the newsletter, the Farmers Beet. The market also supports other non profits in many co-produced events such as the Pioneer Day Parade, the El Morro Area Arts Council’s Summer Youth Program, Annual Garden Tour, and Movie Night. The Market also co-coordinated with the El Morro Valley Co-op last fall with the Local Producers Market. Voting membership is extended automatically to produce, baked goods and craft vendors who have participated in at least four markets in one year. Non-voting membership is extended to anyone who wishes to participate and support the Association. Three members make up the newly formed board - Kate Wilson, Denis Black and Jackie Rossignol. The first meeting of the Ramah Farmers Market Association will be on Saturday, April 30 at 11:30 at the Ramah Farmers Market Potluck & Seed Exchange. All market vendors need to be at this meeting, as well as anyone considering becoming a vendor. All community members are also invited to attend.
Located on Route 53, 11 miles east of Ramah next to El Morro Feed & Seed, across from the Ancient Way Café/Inscription Rock Trading
SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 2011
POTLUCK, SEED EXCHANGE AND ASSOCIATION MEETING 11:30am – 1:30pm • ☺All Community members invited. Bring a dish for the Potluck! • ☺All Ramah Farmers Market Vendors (Produce, Baked Goods & Craft) need to be present for the first Ramah Farmers Market Association meeting. All market volunteers, please come! • ☺ SEED EXCHANGE! ☺ Come check out all the seeds we brought back from the Pueblos Y Semillas Gathering Seed Exchange! Wide variety of locally grown and locally adapted seeds from Espanola, NM. We have chile seeds available grown in the heart of NM chile country – non GMO. Seeds will also be available from the local Ramah area (some of them collected locally as part of our local food sustainability initiative), and (still good) seed from last years exchange. Bring your vegetable, seeds! – especially those saved in your own garden. If you do not have any seeds to exchange, come anyway and we will try to give you enough to get you started in gardening locally.
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MARKET NEWS
needed to inventory seeds in the Ramah seed store, as well as man the tables at the series of seed exchanges starting in April.
Natural Topbar Beekeeping
with Les Crowder Weekend Workshop in Gallup, NM
ÓwîngehTá
Pueblos Y Semillas
Saturday and Sunday, June 11 & 12, 10am - 5pm
Learn to keep bees in your backyard! This in-depth workshop will cover all aspects of topbar beekeeping, from honeybee biology to raising queens and harvesting honey. Students will have an opportunity to work with active topbar hives to learn various techniques of spring, summer and fall hive maintenance. All levels of students are welcome to attend. The cost of the workshop is $130. To register, please contact Kate Wilson call 505-783-4704 by email akwilson@wildblue.net ...Seeds are Sacred
Ramah Farmers’ Market MOVIE NIGHT
“Genetic Chile”
Winner of the New Mexico Filmmakers Showcase “BEST DOCUMENTARY” FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2011, 7:00pm, FREE at the OLD SCHOOL GALLERY
Celebrating our Communities, Our Seeds
The 6th Annual Pueblos Y Semillas Gathering and Seed Exchange Saturday, March 26, 2011 8:30 Am to 4:00 PM Northern New Mexico College 921 Paseo Oñate, Española, New Mexico
Located one mile east of El Morro National Monument
This very timely one hour film directed by New Mexican director Chris Dudley describes how corporate development of genetically modified organisms is changing our traditional foods here in New Mexico. The film covers the “inside story” of how, with the help of biotech lobbyists, GMO technology threatens small, traditional farming, unleashes unpredictable effects on the natural environment and introduces significant food safety issues. Come see this local, award winning documentary! For more information check out the Chris Dudley’s website genetic-chile/ action.com and bullhornjournal.com. You can also check out savenmseeds. com, and ramahfarmersmarket.org.
Ceremony, Seeds, Food, Workshops, Celebration, Family For more information, please contact Pilar Trujillo at (505) 995-9644 or e-mail pilar@lasacequias.org In lieu of admission, please bring seeds to share. Everyone is welcome. Sponsored by the New Mexico Food and Seed Sovereignty Alliance (NM Acequia Association, Traditional Native American Farmers Association, Honor our Pueblo Existence, Tewa Women United), Northern New Mexico College, Rio Arriba County
Looking for Market Volunteers
Many of our long term volunteers are preparing to move on to other things so there are many openings for interested volunteers. We could use help with the following: Community Table – this is an important part of the actual produce selling that takes place at the market. We need people interested in learning how to market (sell) produce. We need people to weigh in produce and then pay out at the end of the market, and fill out paperwork. The table requires a crew of people, so bring a friend to help out. Information Table – We need people to engage with market customers and make them aware of all the market projects. It means setting up and then passing out information as well as selling aprons, baskets, sponsorships, Surround and Nolo-Bait. Great way to meet people and promote the market. Bring a friend as the info able can always use a team of two. Market Set-up – We need volunteers to set up (heavy) signs, tables, chairs and to assist community table, information table volunteers and vendors. We need on site people to help with traffic, dogs etc. and just be present to help out. Market Clean-up – Volunteers are needed to do pre-opening clean-up of the market site, raking, mowing, tree trimming, etc, usually in late May or early June. Vendors are welcome to help out here. Beet Delivery – Six times a year the 1500 or so Beets need to be delivered. There is reimbursement for fuel. Beet Production – The Beet is always looking for writers, editors and help with publication. If you are interested in helping out –really, its fun – contact the comanagers at 505-783-4440 or ramahfarmersmkt@yahoo.com.
Growing in a Different Direction
NO DIXON SEED EXCHANGE IN 2011 The Dixon Community Seed Exchange is taking a break this spring, says Adam Mackie, the Exchange’s convener. There will be no Seed Exchange this year. Next year, the Dixon Community Seed Exchange will return – and return to its original purpose of sharing homegrown seed of non-commercial varieties and promoting their culture and preservation. A small meeting of local growers swapping their homegrown seed in 2003 grew into the eighth Annual Dixon Community Seed Exchange in 2010 that attracted 500 participants to distribute seed donated by Seeds of Change and others, and to trade their own heirloom and homegrown seeds. Last summer, Seeds of Change closed its New Mexico farm and moved its seed processing to California. The company contributed hundreds of pounds of seed to the Dixon seed swap over six years, which allowed the Seed Exchange to offer free seed to all comers. Alas, there is no more free seed. However, we will be back in 2012 as a forum for the exchange and promotion of locally adapted homegrown seed, traditional varieties, rare seed, and local breeding and selection work. Growers will offer their own seed in a more intimate setting, and we can share the story behind the varieties and the reasons we have chosen to grow and preserve them. The Exchange, as always, will be open to all. But there will be no handfuls of free seed. In fact, most of the seed will be offered in tiny amounts,
enough to grow for breeding purposes, not to plant an entire garden.
The new Exchange will likely be held early next year – watch for announcements. Plan to grow and save some seed this year and take part as a donor. Seed donors will get first choice of varieties in short supply. Suggestions and comments about the new Exchange are welcome. Catch Adam this summer at Dixon Farmers’ Market or e-mail him at papaloquelites@yahoo.com .
Seed For Need Program Seeking Volunteers
The Ramah Farmers Market Outreach program “Seed for Need” is looking for volunteers to attend a seed exchange in Espanola. The Pueblos Y Semillas Gathering and Seed Exchange takes place on Saturday, March 26, 2011 from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM at Northern New Mexico College, 921 Paseo Oñate, Española, New Mexico. Volunteers are needed to go to the seed exchange, deposit Ramah seeds from our own seed store, and then pick up seeds offered at the seed exchange. Volunteers would be reimbursed for fuel. Volunteers are also
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Bingo Fundraiser a Success
On Friday evening, February 4 the Ramah Farmers’ Market
MARKET NEWS
On February 13th the temperature was in the 50’s, with a night temperature down to -13, and the night before was -11, really cold nights. The difference in day and night temperature is going to damage some of the fruit trees. February 21st and 22nd we got about a half an inch of moisture. If we continue with these every so often rainstorms and snowstorms we should be able to gain sufficient water to make it through the spring, and even have a very good spring. On February 20, some areas of the orchard - and in some places of the garden - the ground is completely thawed, while other places are still frozen. It is somewhat hard to work in the garden at this time. But it is an indicator that around the second week of March a lot of the pre-plant treatments and layout for the garden should be able to take place. As of right now the weather reports indicate that there is possibility that we could have a storm system of the type that would give us some moisture about once a week. Hopefully the weathermen have it right and we will have the moisture we need. The cherry trees are starting to show signs that the warm weather has affected the timing of their blooming and a close eye on the temperature will help in maintaining some fruit for this year. This could mean wrapping the blooming trees here shortly to keep the buds from freezing. As of March 14 the ground is warming, and if the trend continues, the soil temperature will be in the 40s. The trees will need to be watered.
volunteers held its first bingo fundraiser at the Ramah Senior Center. The Ramah Farmers Market Groundhog Day Benefit Bingo was supported by over 35 local community members, market vendors and business owners who donated prizes for the bingo games and between game drawings. Forty-one eager bingo players showed up to play despite a very rough week of cold slippery conditions and broken water pipes. The Bingo event was to raise money for the Ramah Farmers Market Association Vendor Support Program. Over $400.00 was raised on Friday Night. The Vendor support program is to help growers, baked goods vendors and value added vendors develop their small businesses, as well as deal with the problems that arise during development. Funds are also used to send vendors to conferences, and to promote addiitional fundraising. The Ramah Senior Center graciously lent their hall to host the games, and Ramah Elementary School loaned its bingo equipment. Bingo caller Denis Black was assisted by Jackie Rossignol and Deer Humenay during the games. Pete, Susan and Rose Mayne handled the door, selling cards and tickets for the drawings. Rose also ran cards up to the front. Sandra Rossler and Kate Wilson handled the sales of the donated baked goods as well as the set up and break down of the event. The Board of the Ramah Farmers Market Association would like to thank the numerous community contributors for their support of this new program.
Ramah Farmers’ Market Website
Yarrow
The Ramah Farmers Market website continues to evolve at ramahfarmersmarket.org. The new website provides a wide variety of information and links related to the market, marketing of local crops and produce, sustainable agriculture, organic farming and gardening, home based processing, homesteading, traditional crafts and much more!
Ramah Farmers Market Now on Facebook
Check us out on Facebook where we can keep you posted on events in between publications of the Beet. Feel free to send your garden and livestock photos and keep us posted on how things are going at your homestead.
“Surround” Orchard Spray Available
One of the things we learned at the Tooley’s Trees workshop last October was how useful “Surround” tree crop protectant could be for protecting young fruit trees from sun scald and insect damage. The Ramah Farmers Market purchased 50 lbs of Surround at a bulk price and is offering it to local orchard growers for $4.00 a pound, about half price. If you would like to purchase Surround call 783-4440 or e-mail ramahfarmersmkt @ yahoo.com and we can arrange for pick-up or drop-off locally. “Surround” forms a mineral-based particle barrier film, which acts as a broad spectrum crop protectant against sunburn and heat stress, and as a protectant for controlling damage from various insects, mites and disease pests. Surround also serves as a growth enhancer. Surround can also be used on crops, and plants in greenhouses, home landscapes and gardens.
Cindy Blea
In attempting to have a yard that was both beautiful as well as useful, I began looking at herbs as an addition to my landscape. I felt that local, wild growing herbs would give me an idea of what would grow the best in our climate and soil. So with a picture book of native plants in hand, I headed to the hills. It didn’t take me long to realize I couldn’t recognize any of the plants from the pencil sketches in my book. I desired the addition of herbs that I could use both for culinary as well as medicinal purposes. I was worried that my lack of knowledge could be dangerous if I was mistaken. So I put my book away and began asking local friends about the native herbs growing around Ramah. I went with some friends on an herb harvesting outing. It proved to be invaluable as I learned first hand what the plants looked like, as well as harvesting techniques and practices. Yarrow easily identified and with an abundance of uses, was the first addition. I dug three small plants and transplanted them in the yard. Yarrow reseeds itself easily, and within a couple of years I had several healthy plants throughout the yard. (Continued next page)
Locally Manufactured by Milan Portables Rent to Own Option
Looking for Writers, Poets & Photographers
Ever thought about writing for the Beet? Help us out! We are always on the look out for stories about the Ramah area, Ramah history, gardening, research based articles on sustainable and organic agriculture, poetry, food, book reviews, maybe even (agricultural) fiction. Contact the editors at 505-783-4440, ramahfarmersmkt@yahoo,com. HIGH ELEVATION GARDENING
Farm Speaking Out Loud
As dry as January was, the amount of moisture we got was only another .30 inches, so trees are showing some signs of stress. Some are also showing signs of responding to the warm temperatures and the moisture. There may be problems for the rest of the agriculture; the areas without some moisture could be limited to dry land crops. Poor run off from a dry winter will probably keep the lake low enough to where the water temperature will allow for an algae bloom - enough to where there will be another oxygen deprivation problem. It is likely the lake will roll over (where the bottom is warmer then the surface) and kill all the fish. Right now the lake temperature is still somewhat freezing, although the lake has defrosted around the edges and the number of the snow patches are getting small and shallow.
El Morro Feed & Seed New hours! Thurs 11:30-5:30 Sat 9:30 – 3:30
Call 783-4420
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All I have is my planting stick and my corn. If you are willing to live as I do you may live here with meHopi
Shopping Tip: Read the ingredients label when shopping for pet food! Don’t be fooled by pretty packaging or advertising hype! Sad Reality: Many pet foods are created equal. Don’t be fooled.
El Morro Feed and Seed proudly offers
Enhance Dog Food Organic Planet Dog & Cat Food Nutri-Source: Adult/Senior/Puppy and Grain-
free
HIGH ELEVATION GARDENING (Continued from p.2, “Yarrow”)
Yarrow is easily cultivated and will survive in poor soil. It prefers well-drained soil in a sunny spot. A very good companion plant, it improves the health of plants growing nearby. Yarrow enhances their essential oil content, thus making them more resistant to insect predations. Yarrow also improves the soil fertility. Of particular importance for me was its use as a medicinal plant for colds and flu. There is a long history of yarrow use on this continent. The Flathead Indians of Montana rubbed the flower heads in their armpits as a deodorant. The Okanagon people placed the leaves on hot coals to make a smudge for repelling mosquitoes. The Thompson natives boiled roots and leaves and used the roots for bathing arthritic limbs. The roots were pounded and used as a poultice on the skin for sciatica. Root infusions were used to treat colds. The mashed root was placed over a tooth for toothache. The whole plant including roots is boiled and the decoction drunk as a tonic or remedy for slight indisposition or general out-of-sorts feeling. This decoction was used as eyewash for sore eyes, and used on chapped or cracked hands, pimples, skin rashes, and insect and snake bites (Turner 1990). It is said that drinking 1-2 quarts of very strong yarrow-steeped infusion at the onset of flu symptoms will usually halt all further symptom progression. I’ve read that a fresh yarrow spit poultice is extremely effective in relieving the pain and swelling which usually follows bee, wasp, and hornet stings. Typically I forget about this in the moment of the pain and as of yet have not tried this personally. Many herb practitioners use dried yarrow leaves for first aid treatment of open wounds and popped blisters, and shallow shaving wounds. This medicine keeps well in airtight, dark containers for at least five years with no apparent loss of healing efficacy. While I dislike the taste, young yarrow leaves can be used as a fresh green in small amounts. Before using any herb for medicinal purposes you should read and study and have a good understanding of its healing properties as well as its possible side effects and exercise caution and prudence. Yarrow has a beautiful white flowering head and feathery leaves. The addition of herbs in my landscape is rewarding for many reasons, including the natural beauty it brings into my yard.
Preparing for the Seed Exchange
and harder to find seed specific to our local growing conditions in the large seed company catalogs. One organization that helps put small scale seed growers in touch with one another is the Seed Savers Exchange, founded in 1975 to help preserve genetic diversity of North America by conserving heirloom seed. For an annual fee, members receive a 533 page national catalog of small scale growers and the seed they offer. If you contribute seed you have grown, the cost for purchasing seed is reduced. The Seed Savers Exchange has a website, www.seedsavers.org, or can be reached at 563-382-5990. The Seed Savers Exchange is great fun; you get to try very rare varieties (some from Europe and Russia) and meet some interesting people. I like to grow Umpqua broccoli, which I could only find now at Fedco. I met a grower in Oregon who was crossing three strains of Umpqua, and it was the earliest of the open pollinated varieties I grow. The Seed for Need program will continue to accept commercial seed packets from participants, but will be putting increasing emphasis on the promotion of locally produced seed. This year Ramah volunteers will (hopefully) be attending the Pueblos Y Semillas Gathering and Seed Exchange taking place on Saturday, March 26, 2011 (see page 2). If you would like to volunteer for the Seed for Need program and assist at seed exchanges and seed saving workshops call 783-4440. Every year at our seed exchange , more and more growers bring their own collected seed. This year it will be especially important because Dixon, one of our chief sources of local seed, will not be having a seed exchange this year (see p. 2). This throws us back onto our own resources. Like Dixon, Ramah will have to scale back the “giveaway” portion of the exchange. Labeling Your Seed for the Seed Exchange Collected Seed
Please put the following information on the seed container(s): 1. Seed name, e.g. “Lettuce”. If a flower, include color, e.g. “Zinnia, yellow”
J.Y. Rossignol
This year’s Ramah Farmer’s Market Potluck and Seed Exchange will be held on Saturday, April 23 at 11:00 at the Old School Gallery (see p. 1). The idea behind the seed exchange, and the Seed for Need program, is for local gardeners and farmers to collect and exchange their own locally adapted seed. This becomes increasingly important as it is becoming harder
Get your share of fresh, local produce now! Boxed and available for you weekly Expect a full share to feed a family of four, and a half share to satisfy the vegetable needs of the average couple.
Su m m e r Se a so n , J u n e 1 1 – J u l y 30 Early Price (by Mar 19) $240 Full, $144 Half Regular Price (by April 30) $267 Full, $160 Half
F a l l Se a s o n , A u g u st 6 – Se p t 2 4 Early Price (by May 14) $240 Full, $144 Half Regular Price (by Jun 25) $267 Full, $160 Half E a t L o c a l . Kno w Y o ur F a r m e r . G e t a S h a r e . C h e ck s m a de pa y ab l e to Wo rk i n B e a u ty C S A m a i l e d to 1 13 E . Lo g a n A ve G a l l u p , N M 8 7 3 01 o r p ay o n l i n e a t w w w. g a l l u pg ro w e rs. co m Q u e sti o n s? P l e a se ca l l ( 5 05 ) 8 6 3 -3 1 97
El Morro Valley Ranch Organically Raised Natural and Healthy Range-fed Beef
The Professional Tax Shoppe, LLC Martha Briggs
is now available at
Tax Preparation and Consultation
El Morro Feed and Seed.
300 West Hill St. Gallup NM 87301
or you may order by calling
(505)713-2980
783-4521 or emailing elmorrovalleyranch@gmail.com.
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COMMUNITY HOMESTEADING
2. Variety name, e.g. “Arugula – Sputnik”, or “Tomato - Beefsteak “. 3. Year collected, “Collected 2009” 4. Note if there is a possibility that parent plant crossed with another variety, e.g. “Arugula, Sputnik, maybe crossed with Territorial variety”; or “Broccoli, Umpqua, maybe crossed with deCicco” 5. If you are bringing Squash seed, please indicate all other possible crosses! 6. Your name (In case gardener, or Seed for Need volunteers, have questions). 7. Location, e.g. “Ramah, NM” 8. Germination test, if any. This is a good idea if there’s any doubt as to seed viability. 9. Additional Comments e.g. “Best growing tomato”, or, “best in green house”
Gallup Community Supported Agriculture Movement Is Gaining Ground
Linda Thornton
Labeling: Labeling is very important. There is no point in carefully
observing your plants all summer, collecting the seed, and then mixing them up with other similar seed. Mark each batch of seeds with its name, variety name, and date collected. If you are bringing them to a seed exchange it is helpful to note if the seed was not collected under ideal conditions, whether, if old, if they have been germination tested, and whether if it had potentially been hybridized. Some seeds are more at risk of being hybridized than others. Please note if the seed is hybrid or open pollinated
RFM’s neighbor to the north is getting it together, garden wise. A burgeoning Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) garden appears to be giving the Gallup Farmers’ Market a boost and in turn, has organizers asking how they can work with Ramah and El Morro and other local growers/ markets in the region to improve the availability of fresh produce and other agricultural goods in this area. Ella Simone Scott, a coordinator who works (Continued next page)
Seed Forms
Please fill out the seed form the volunteer gives you so we can keep track of all our locally grown seed. We will also be goving you seed report forms to fill out. Package Seed
1. If you are bringing packaged seed (from a seed company) to the seed exchange, please write the year on the package. 2. If tested for germination, write results on package, “tested for germination”, and then percent germination.
Plaza del Sol 4324 Bond Street
Located in Ramah next door to Savoia Trading Pottery, Rugs, Furniture, Jewelry, Antiques and much more
Volunteers Welcome If you are interested in seed saving (or just helping out) please volunteer to help out with the Seed for Need program. If you are interested in plant breeding, let us know.
OPEN Monday - Saturday 3 goats for sale -2 nannys w/ kids, 1 billy
Ramah Senior Center In the town of Ramah
3287 HYW 53 located just West of Ramah
Inscription Rock Trading & Coffee Co.
Eligible Seniors 60+ Evening Activities & Day Trips Lunch served 12-1 PM MondayFriday $1.50 for seniors, donations accepted
Come in and Register – 505-783-4696
Native American Art & Jewelry Books & Gifts
Fine Organic, Fair Trade, Coffees Espresso, Iced Coffee Drinks Bagels & Cream Cheese Fresh Fruit Smoothie One mile east of El Morro National Monument Visit our Facebook for “Music Beneath the Mesa” Concert Dates and Store Specials:
March Special Irish Cream Latte, with Ice Cream
OPEN
Wed.-Sat. 9-5, Sun 10-5 One mile east of El Morro National Monument “Our Coffee is Monumental” (505)783-4706 www.inscriptionrocktrading.com
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COMMUNITY HOMESTEADING
Summer (June 11-July 30). Early bird discount (deadline March 19; full, $240; half, $144; regular price (deadline April 30); full, $267; half $160.
for Gallup’s Connections, has been helping put the coalition together. A Massachusetts native who has been with Connections for two years, she detailed the growth of the CSA, and its impact on the Farmer’s Market. “The first year, they had a small grant [written by Gallup teacher Steve Heil] to do a community herb garden, but the land got sold before the grant was up. So they took the soil that we had been building and started the first CSA garden at the Work in Beauty house, 113 E. Logan,” Scott said. This garden soon became a demo and hub community garden, where CSA meetings were held, and other groups such as Gallup Solar began to hold meetings. The organizers, which included Heil and Amy Halliday, started small, selling only ten shares in the back of artist Be Sargent’s yard that first year at 113 E. Logan. The next year, other people donated backyard space, so the group was able to offer 15 shares. Deliveries of the produce were initially held at the community garden, but Scott said this seemed to be duplicating the work of the Gallup Farmer’s Market. She and Carol Palmer, coordinator of the Farmer’s Market, began to work together, and it was decided to deliver the produce to the buyers during the market. They also came up with ideas to improve the Farmer’s Market by offering music, recruiting vendors and holding a harvest festival. The CSA garden and the Farmer’s Market began to grow together. Last year, 28 shares were available from six backyard gardens, and the coalition was able to start buying from other local sellers, including the Youth Conservation Corps gardens at locations around Gallup and surrounding area. While most of the shares are sold to families or groups of four, some are donated to the local soup kitchen, Care 66. And while the CSA started by selling shares for $400 for a family of four, two share sizes are available as of this year – the family or group size of four, and a half share for two. Also starting this year, patrons are able to buy produce for three seasons. While in former years, patrons had to come up with $400 for a 12- week season, this year, the CSA began dividing the deliveries into eight-week seasons. This has helped patrons stagger the amount of money they need to pay upfront. The following schedule is in place for the coming year:
(Continued from p.5 “Gallup”)
Fall (August 6-Sept.24). Early bird discount (deadline May 14); full, $240; half $144; regular price (deadline June 25). Full, $267; half $160. The vegetables are boxed and are distributed at the Gallup Farmer’s Market. Scott said this mode of delivery was confusing for patrons of the Farmer’s Market at first, but now the volunteers have worked out a procedure whereby the boxes are prepaid and any excess produce is sold, with prices listed on a bulletin board. As the above schedule suggests, extending the season to 24 weeks requires a lot more work. Fortunately, the CSA obtained a McCune Grant last year and was able to get more youths involved; the money also allowed the CSA to pay three interns to help with the gardening and the Farmer’s Market. They have applied for another McCune and hope to engage interns again for the coming season. And while the CSA is making huge inroads into connecting Gallup produce lovers with Gallup gardeners, they are also looking for ways to increase traffic between regional gardeners and producers of meat, poultry and baked goods, including those in Ramah, El Morro and Zuni. Already, folks from Ramah, El Morro and Zuni have bought shares of produce from CSA, making arrangements among themselves for one of them to go every week to Gallup and pick up the produce for the others. Possibly, growers, bakers and other producers of agricultural products might consider the Gallup Farmer’s Market or the CSA program as an additional market. The details remain to be worked out, but stand by – the CSA appears to be relentless in its efforts to make connections, and make them work as a way of providing more locally grown agricultural products for the region’s population. For more information contact Ella Simone Scott, ellasimo@gmail. com or 505.863.3197.
Community Homesteading with the Traditional Crafters
Sari Clark
This is a new column especially for members of the Traditional Crafters to share thoughts and tips about their particular crafts. Sari Clark has volunteered to write and edit this new column for the Farmers Beet. Sari’s future articles will focus on the fiber arts, especially spinning and
Spring (April 16-June 4) Early bird 10 percent discount (deadline Jan.
22), for $180 for a full share and $108 for half; regular price (deadline march 5), $200 full and $120 half.
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knitting. Other fiber crafters will be featured as time goes on. She will also coordinate and edit future columns featuring other crafts. Anyone who wants to contribute should call Sari at 783-4438 or write to her at HC 61 box 5030 Ramah NM 87321.
Join me in May for this 3 part class, over these three months we will create a Reversible Quilt utilizing the “Quilt as You Go” technique. We will meet once a month for the next three months to put this amazing quilt together. On our first class (May 21st) we will be making our blocks and quilting each block. You will not be able to complete all 35 blocks during the class so there will be homework to get ready for the second class in June. In the second class (June 25th) we will start putting the blocks together using the “Quilt as You Go” technique and the third class (July TBA) we will add the borders on your quilt. There will be homework each month to get ready for the next class. Class cost $45 includes the pattern. Space is limited so you will need to pay before the class to receive your supply list and you will need to start cutting your fabric out before the first class begins. Skills: Quilting/sewing experience. You will need to bring your sewing machine to class and be able to sew an accurate ¼ inch seam and rotary cutting experience. Most quilters have an attachment that allows accurate ¼ inch seams. Register at the Old School Gallery and receive your directions and supply list. Call me with any questions.
The El Morro Traditional Crafters began with a loose organization of mostly fiber artists and those who aspired to be such. We were mostly aspiring spinners, weavers, knitters and crochet-ers, so classes were organized around these subjects. As time went by people began expressing interest in a greater variety of traditional creative arts and crafts. Information was requested on quilting, pine needle baskets, woven willow baskets, and even primitive living skills including the tanning of hides. Lately, a series of classes are being held on the amazing process and many uses of felting. Many of the learners also raise the animals from which the raw materials are derived. Local farmers have an amazing variety of animals. Sheep, llamas, alpacas, Angora goats (mohair), and even lovely Angora rabbits (angora) are all raised in our area. These producers are also interested in learning how to process their products for sale and also use them for themselves and to make value added products for sale. Our classes utilize local teachers and also bring in special instructors from outside. We hold planning meetings periodically to organize classes as requested. Because of the multiplicity of interests and the shortage of time in all our lives, serious planning is necessary. Please help us meet these needs by attending.
Knitted Sock Workshop
June 5, 12, 26, Sundays, 1:00PM-4:00PM, at the Old School Gallery, Cost: $5.00/class which will be donated to the Gallery. Join experienced sock knitters, Susan Haygood and Judy Malys, as they teach this much anticipated sock workshop. You must have strong skills in knit & purl stitches. Children must be at least 13 yrs. old and accompanied by an adult. You will need to purchase supplies before the class starts. Supplies: 2 skeins of Cascade Fixation yarn of the same dye lot. (Susan & Judy agree this yarn will be the easiest to learn sock knitting as well as the most forgiving due to its elasticity). Cost range $4.60 (solid), $5.50 (variegated). Wooden double pointed needles, size #2, 6 inches in length, set of 5 needles, (Wooden needles are less slippery than metal needles and therefore, will be easier for learning sock knitting. (eknittingneedles.com has them starting at $3.99.) Yarn Sources: Village Wool in Albuquerque (www.villagewools. com) www.yarnbarn-ks.com; www.paradisefibers.net; www.yarnmarket. com Please sign up at Old School Gallery (783-4710). Questions: email: Susan Haygood bysusanhay@yahoo.com or Judy Malys, heyjude4804@ gmail.com.
El Morro Traditional Crafters
2nd Quarter 2011 The Old School Gallery is located on HWY 53, one mile east of El Morro National Monument Knitted Sampler in the Round – Continued / Finishing
April 10, Sun., 1:30-4:00 PM, at the Old School Gallery, Free Join us for a finishing class in fun. This class is for anyone wanting to work on personal ongoing projects of any kind as well as those individuals who started Sari Clark’s Sampler in the Round. Under Sari’s guidance we will continue our sampler from wherever we left off. Felting Workshop
April 17, Sun., 1:30-4:00 PM, at the Old School Gallery, $25.00 The felting journey goes on. This quarter we will continue to build on our skills and techniques by creating a flat braided scarf which we will then felt. Time permitting I will have a smaller project lined up as well. Previous classes are not necessary, but are helpful. Materials will be provided. If you have felting equipment and materials from a previous class, please bring along. Children who have sincere interest must be 10 years old and accompanied by an adult. Call the Old School Gallery (783-4710) to sign up. Questions call: Kate Wilson :783-4704 (please leave message) or email: akwilson@wildblue.net.
El Morro Area Arts Council
May Festival
Saturday, April 30, 1:00 pm - 6:00pm At the Old School Gallery
Craft Booths Seed Exchange Plant Sale Costume Parade Dancers Children’s Theater Children’ Games and Activities Maypole Dance Benefit Dinner 5:00 pm ($5.00)
Finishing Get-Together / Planning Meeting
May 1, Sun., 1:30-4:00 PM, at the Old School Gallery, Free Bring an unfinished project to work on while we plan for the next quarter. It’s a great time to get help if you’re stuck or just need a little nudge to keep going. It is so inspiring and encouraging to watch others finish their projects and such a thrill to finish one of your own. While your hands are busy we can be discussing what we want to do next quarter. If you are unable to attend the planning meeting but would like to request a new class, please call Kate Wilson: 783-4704 (please leave message) or email: akwilson@wildblue.net.
Wear a costume! Call 783-4710 to reserve space for your craft booth ($5.00) For more info or to participate or volunteer call Candace 775-3773, Jackie 783-4440 or Gen 783-4710
Spinning Get-Together
May 15, Sun., 11:00AM-3:00PM, at the residence of Jackie Rossignol & Denis Black, Free / $5.00. Beginners are welcome at this informal spinning get-together. If you have not attended our previous spinning classes, instruction will cost $5.00. You can learn to spin on a drop spindle or spinning wheel. Some materials are available for free as well as wool for purchase. You are welcome to bring some other fiber project you want to work on instead of spinning such as knitting, quilting, or other. Enjoy the camaraderie. We will have a potluck lunch so please bring a dish to share. For questions and directions call Jackie Rossignol (783-4440).
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE Food for Thought
bodhiarts
If I went to the bank and went in debt for three times my net worth, I would default on the loan. The bank would take everything from me, and I would still owe the bank. The government put us in debt $45,000 for every man, woman and child in the U.S. Why have we let them take the U.S. into debt for three times the net worth of the U.S.? This is a way to lower the worth of the dollar. If you look at what the dollar was in 1970 you would find that today it is worth about 1 cent. So if you bought a car in 1970, you paid, in today’s dollars, about $155,000. Is this a back door way of lowering the dollar standard?(Continued on p. 10)
Reversible Quilt
May 21, Saturday, 9:00AM-12:00PM, at Old School Gallery June 25, Saturday, 9:00AM-12:00PM, at Old School Gallery. with Susan Ackerman, 783-4475
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on the first day of kindergarten. I was sorry that Gordon Tooley was presenting at the same time as I would have loved to participate in his session on fruit trees. I was delighted to have Jackie Rossignol as a supportive friend in the audience. Our presentation began with - why have we chosen to certify organic? Why is organic certification important to us in our beef production, and in the food that we eat? It comes down to this: Our modern food system now consists primarily of feedlot produced meat. Cattle are given growth hormones, and because living conditions are so poor and overcrowded they are routinely given antibiotics. Cattle are often fed a diet of out-of-date, high processed food products such as potato chips and chocolate and the cartons are ground and fed along with the food. This meat is high in fat and often inexpensive. From our perspective this process is neither healthy nor sustainable. Mega farming is another food issue. Many farms are now using genetically engineered seeds to produce food. Because of high corn production (often GMO), corn sweetener is in just about every product on the market. There is a direct link between high sugar consumption and diabetes. Then there is the issue of the transportation of food for thousands of miles. Most consumers have no relationship to the producer of the food they consume as it comes from huge companies. Most of us can live our lives without knowing anything about who is producing our food and where it really comes from. This is having a negative impact on our planet and our health. Diabetes is rampant and predicted to rise to over 30% of the population within the next 5 years.
El Morro Valley Ranch
Establishing an Organic Beef Operation
Rebecca Allina Local, certified organic ranchers Charlie Mallery and Rebecca Allina presented a workshop at this spring’s New Mexico Organic Farming Conference, held in Albuquerque on February 18th and 19th. Their presentation, “One Year Later: Establishing an Organic Beef Operation – Lessons Learned” featured their ranch, located right here in the El Morro valley.
We are displacing carbon into the atmosphere and our soil is being depleted of minerals at an alarming rate. We are now producing fruits and vegetables that often have very little vitamin content. They look great but taste like nothing. I recall a number of years ago when I first started to grow and purchase organic food my mother looked at a head of lettuce that I had bought that had some insect damage on it with disbelief and asked me, “How can you eat that?” My answer to her was that I was happy to know that it had not been sprayed and I would just take off the damaged parts, and besides, I don’t mind sharing a little.
It was not only that we were going to present at the 2011 New Mexico Organic Farming Conference that got me excited; the conference always gets me going. This year the conference had a preregistration of 400, and always there are many more that show up at the door. The venue was the same as last year, the Marriott Pyramid in Albuquerque. We arrived with our presentation safely loaded onto a flash drive on Thursday evening; the conference was to begin on Friday and end on Saturday. We eagerly looked forward to seeing old and new friends and to the workshops each day.
We have chosen to certify and follow organic guidelines for our beef production because organically produced beef is healthy for people. We are producing clean, quality protein that is lower in fat and calories, higher in Omega 3 fatty acids essential for enhancing heart health, reducing the risk of arthritis, obesity, Insulin resistance, allergies and autoimmune diseases. It is higher in beta carotene which is helpful in reducing risk of cancer and cardio vascular disease. It is higher in conjugated linoleic acid (CLA’s) which reduces risk of cancer and obesity. It also allows consumers to know their food producers. Our production practices (our cattle are free range and humanely handled) are healthy for the animals by reducing overall use of antibiotics, negative chemicals and supporting biological diversity. Good land management provides water, feed and habitat for wild-life. We advocate sustainable grazing practices vs. high input agriculture because managed grazing builds strong photosynthetic cover, sequesters carbon in soil where it belongs. Carbon in the soil facilitates nutrient uptake by plants. Dr Christine Jones, a soils ecologist from Australia, has written extensively about this.
Joanie Quinn Opens Conference
The next morning the atrium of the hotel was abuzz with people from all over the state as well as vendors from as far away as Vermont, South Dakota and California. The conference is organized by the New Mexico Organic Commodities Commission (NMOCC), Farm to Table, the New Mexico Department of Agriculture and New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service. I caught up with Joanie Quinn of the NMOCC in the hall who told me that there were over 600 there. She was excited to see so many younger participants this year as well as the “old timers”. Things got off to a great start in the Pyramid Ballroom and then the breakout sessions began. The difficulty, as usual, was choosing which session to attend. Charlie and I started with a session about cattle health and vaccines which was given by John Wenzel, DMV of NMSU extension who is from Las Cruces. He spoke about general cattle health, stress as a major cattle health issue (a subject Charlie and I address often) and a vaccine program that is supported within the organic program. I took copious notes and we will implement many of aspects of his program. It was a very helpful session for us and we appreciated his expertise and knowledge. Charlie Mallery and I were to present in the last session on Friday. We skipped the session right after lunch to review our presentation titled “Lessons Learned One Year after Organic Certification”. It went well, but we were as nervous as five-year-olds
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Being Certified Organic sets a higher bar for food production. We believe that this country needs a Food Revolution. That requires a radical stand for educating the public. Organic is a lighthouse in the storm of new food information. We also believe that because of the unsustainablity of our current way of producing food, the day of cheap food may be over. We made the decision to become certified and really did not have to change anything that we did not want to change. We discovered that the mineral that we were feeding our cattle had a molasses binder which was not even listed on the label so we found a company in Utah (Redmond) that produces mineral that has no additives and is much healthier. We use diatomaceous earth, both as a mineral supplement, and for pest control and that is working well. It requires more expense in supplemental feed but we think that is worth it. A great thing about the Organic conference is the networking that
we can do. After our talk we met with other organic beef producers: Sweet Grass beef co-op members near Taos, Sage and Shane Faulkner of Soaring Eagle Ranch, Alan Lackey of River Canyon Ranch and Rick Kingsberry from Panorama Meats were all there. We spoke at length about the bottleneck that confronts us all: Organic certified slaughter facilities. We have very limited options. We have to haul our cows much further than we would like in order to meet the USDA and Organic requirements. This is a major issue for all of us and we are trying to find a solution. If we can figure this out we can greatly increase the number of cattle organically produced in the state of NM.
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S All counties grow alfalfa except Los Alamos. Counties with GE Alfalfa (USDA Aphis 2007) S Counties growing Alfalfa Seed (NASS 2007) � Counties mainly commercial chile (NASS 2007) Ch Counties primarily local chile production
Save NM Seeds Coalition 2010
HB 46 Killed on the House Floor
Charlie and Rebecca
Saturday at the conference was again lively and interesting. I really found another workshop on garden pests very helpful. It was given by Dr. Tess Graswitzs, NMSU Los Lunas Agricultural Science Center. She talked about squash bugs, apple maggots and pests that have newly arrived from parts abroad. Last summer we had a pest on our tomatoes that I have never seen before. There it was in living color on her power point presentation, a brown marmoted stink bug recently hitchhiking from Asia. She has asked for samples when they show up to be sent to her so they can track their whereabouts. I have my eyes peeled. In our area there are many people that follow good meat production and farming practices. That is one of the ways that we who live here have been gifted especially with our wonderful summer farmer’s market. I believe that following organic guidelines is important and that organic certification opens many doors for marketing and is a great reassurance for the consumer. It is a very vital part of the food revolution. An organically produced lunch was served that was delicious. Beef enchiladas made with local organic beef were out of this world and the salad was fresh and crisp from greens grown near Albuquerque. The meal was finished with organic ice cream topped with pecans. Who could beat that? Jane Sooby from Organic Farming Research Foundation spoke after lunch. Her organization has been at the forefront of supporting research in organic growing. She shared some of the research that organic farmers have been doing and the results of those research grants. She has a deep understanding and clear vision of where the problems of conventional growing practices have taken us and why that direction is not sustainable. She spoke about the difficulties of funding for organic production. She shares the same fears for the future of the food production in the world if the movement toward more GMO seeds continue. As the weekend wound down it was with a great sense of reassurance that I looked around the room and saw those 600 faces of people young and old, farmers and ranchers and researchers and scientists all there with a clear understanding that they want to make a difference in the way that food is produced in our state and in the nation. These are the people on the ground with their hands in the dirt treating the dirt with respect and reverence. I was proud to be among them.
NM Farmers Left Vulnerable to Biotech Predation
Want to learn more about genetically modified chile in New Mexico? Come see the award winning film “GE Chile” being shown on Friday, April 8 at the Old School Gallery – see p.2
What is House Bill 46? This bill was designed to protect any farmer from being sued for possession of a genetically engineered (GE) product, if it is not intended by the farmer. New Mexico needs a bill that protects those who grow our food by establishing a basic right of due process. For the third year, the Save NM Seeds Coalition had worked with bipartisan sponsors to pass legislation that would provide protection for farmers. Sponsors are Rep. Paul Bandy (HB 46) and Senator Stephen Fischmann (SB51). The Bill was voted on twice. The first vote was evenly split 35 to 35. Unfortunately, after aggressive and deceptive lobbying on the part of both the biotech lobbyist and the New Mexico Chile Association, the Bill was killed on the House floor during the 2nd vote, with the Yeas, 27 and the Nays, 42. Many of the Representatives from the southern part of the state that had voted yes before, voted no. The delay in rehearing the bill allowed Monsanto (the biotech lobbyist) and New Mexico Chile Association lobby time to spread more misinformation and change votes. One of the problems that surfaced during the voting session was the difficulty our legislators (and the New Mexico Chile Association) had in understanding the basic facts surrounding genetic modification of both alfalfa and, eventually, chile, and its probable impact on New Mexico Farmers. The legislation was designed to address the risk to farmers from predatory Biotech companies. During the session biotech lobbyists kept pointing out to confused legislators that “no farmer in New Mexico had ever been sued”. Well, not yet. Since 2005, 8 counties have grown GM alfalfa, until it was banned after a court ruling. The non GM alfalfa growing neighbors of those farmers who chose to grow the GM crop are extremely vulnerable to contamination from GM alfalfa pollen and seed. Farmers whose fields are unintentionally contaminated can (and will) be sued for patent infringement by biotech companies. HB 46 would have protected them from this threat. (See above “ Chile Map Update”) During the hearings, constituents phoned in to their legislators to point out that it is inevitable that farmers in New Mexico will be sued, especially for alfalfa, with its wind blown pollen. Suing hapless farmers is how biotech companies make their money. Many representatives changed their vote to support the act after constituents called in to explain the facts. Our representative Elicio Alcon, was one of those representatives who ultimately changed his vote to help New Mexico farmers. The facts are these: “More than 100 lawsuits have been filed in 27 states against farmers for patent infringement. Hundreds of farmers are investigated each year for illegally saving seed. As of 2006, the largest seed company, the Monsanto Company, had instituted an estimated 2,000 – 4,000 “seed piracy matters” against farmers in 19 states. Farmers have paid an estimated $85,653,601.00 to $160,594,230.00 (Continued on p.12)
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SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE (Continued from p. 7 “Food for Thought”)
Is it a way to make money? I remember buying a truck in 1978 and in 3 years it was worth twice what I paid. This also happened with land, homes and almost everything - but with no real increase in worth. Then the reality hit, and you could not get anything for your investments - the speculator did (today’s carpetbaggers). How can this be? Well, now we have more people losing everything, and the anger is boiling over and it looks like it is only going get worse. The projections for the future are that government is going to become more oppressive, where everybody has to show their papers even when crossing state lines, and it won't matter what color your skin is. I've heard some say that the only way this is going to change is with a rebellion. We need to have an educational rebellion and educate the populace in understanding what the Constitution is, what the laws are, and how it works. When I hear senators using the words “what the public understands”, I quiver. They are saying this knowing we are uniformed about the Constitution, your rights, government, and how the system is supposed to work. Well there's a thing called a recall election; it is easy to set up. It’s easy to get petitions and it works very well. So maybe it's time for the public to stand up and say whose interests do you serve? For whose benefit? Why do we not have health care? When the scientific facts say we are at a toxic point in the atmosphere, and if this continues, what is life as we know it? When the nuclear industry says there is a need for reactors, and then say they are safe from natural disasters, and then poison everything, where is the outcry? If you own a business that poisons anything, you would lose in the court system. Then why do “we the people” allow this anyway? There is a debate on the atmosphere being poisoned, and destabilized. It seems that the truth is known, so why the smoke and mirrors? Who owns the patent on the atmospheric “suit” we will need to live on earth? What is the driving force in the disbelief of what the earth is saying? If the system water cycle changes by .03%, places like Phoenix AZ will be part of the US largest desert. The migration into the cities affects water. Will the outer areas lose their water rights? (Salt River Project, Rio Grande?) .
New Mexico Farmers Marketing Association
The New Mexico Farmers Marketing Association (NMFMA) held its annual two day conference in Santa Fe on Friday, February 11 and Saturday, February 12. The Conference provides an opportunity for farmers’ market managers to meet and exchange ideas and information for improving their markets. The Association also provides presentations and discussion sessions on market improvement, state and federal programs available to markets and updates on legislative changes that affect farmers markets and direct sale farmers. One of the most interesting developments at both the NMFMA meetings and the Organic Farming Conference was the attention paid to community interaction with local agriculture. One of the issues facing farmers market is how many markets are out of reach for lower income members of the community. High quality produce is more expensive than the lower quality, “filler” based foods offered at supermarkets and fast food franchises. One of the challenges of the local food movement is to make accessible high quality produce meats and dairy to all members of the local community. One approach being taken by local community groups is to introduce and encourage gardening and farming through community gardens and other innovative programs, which serve to provide high quality produce at the lowest price to program participants.
WIC, FMNP, SNAP, and EBT
There are two types of state benefit check available to low income Ramah residents that can be redeemed at the Ramah Farmers Market. One is the $4.00 Farmers Market Women, Infant and Children’s Program (WIC) check, and the other is the $4.00 Farmers Market (Seniors) Nutrition Program check. Recipients of the senior’s checks can pick them up when they receive their commodities boxes from the state. Last season $246,487 was spent state wide at farmers markets through the Seniors program. $164, 548 was spent at farmers’ markets through the WIC program . Eight growers are currently signed up at the Ramah Farmers Market to receive Seniors and WIC checks. EBT and Debit Card Machines at the Market
Some markets have gone forward with setting up to accept Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards. These work like debit cards but are funded through the food stamp program or ”SNAP” (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). The EBT cards are very popular with both customers and vendors. Customers can go to the EBT table with their cards, and, after the card is slid through an EBT machine, receive tokens which they can then use to buy produce or baked goods. The machine requires a market person who is prepared to be at the market every weekend of the season to both redeem cards and to reconcile the accounts afterward. Another advantage to having an EBT machine at the market is that it can also be used for regular debit cards. Market customers would be able to use their debit cards to receive tokens which would then be used to buy any product offered at the market. If you have ever visited the Santa Fe Market Farmers this is the system they use. EBT/Debit card machines are very successful way to increase sales at farmers markets. However, its not clear whether the Ramah market at its current location can get the cell phone signal to run the machine. The Community Action Food Project
Last year the New Mexico Farmers’ Marketing Association (NMFMA) received a USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) Community Food Project planning grant. The project was called “Growing New Mexico‘s Food System by Empowering Low-Income Eaters”. Four individuals from Santa Fe and Rio Arriba counties were hired to do qualitative research on both urban and rural communities on the food access needs of low-to-moderate income residents in both urban and rural settings in New Mexico. The information derived from the study revealed patterns common to all of New Mexico, and across all the different ethnic groups, and therefor useful for understanding this problem in Ramah. Rural Communities
The general conclusion of the study was that people in rural communities had a better understanding of nutrition than city residents. Norma Navarro in her survey of the area north of Espanola uncovered the following: “Rural people just knew more about…and the advantages of, local food...although they recognized the superiority of [locally grown produce], they were “struggling with [the high] price”. In the rural areas diabetes is a huge concern – young parents are forced to make decisions that aren’t in the best interest of family health, and during winter it’s harder to get fresh produce. Single mothers were quick to take advantage of “SNAP” (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and use their EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) cards. These same parents indicated that it was important to introduce fresh fruit and vegetables early to children and establish early eating habits. If you wait too long, healthy foods are hard to introduce. Parents also indicated the importance of including children in the food process, whether it be growing, shopping or cooking. Satellite Markets As a follow up to her project Norma brought 60 people - many One of the most interesting discussions revolved around from the pueblos - who had never been to a farmers market, on a tour recruitment of new produce vendors for the market. Market managers of the Espanola Farmers Market. Norma also engaged in conversations with successful recruitment programs agreed that community tables and with younger mothers at the market. She discovered that immigrants gardening workshops offered to customers were effective in bringing in knew how to cook, and were very interested in how they could new vendors. One very interesting presentation was the Socorro Farmers locate good fresh produce. She also helped new market customers Market Satellite Market program. The Socorro Market sent out volunteers understand the term “organic”. She also noted that younger, newer to both Magdalena and Alamo Navajo Reservation, where they set up businesses were more supportive of utilizing farmers markets. “satellite” markets which served to involve local producers and customers Isabel Trujillo reflected on the changes that have taken in that area. This year the Ramah Farmers Market is involved in a similar place in rural communities since her childhood. There was a time outreach to the Ramah Navajo Chapter in Pine Hill. Navajo volunteers when a child’s daily activity was integrated with local agriculture: “We will be bringing Navajo grown produce to their own community table to be never got bored and never got depressed; you got up early to hoe, set up at the Ramah Farmers Market. 10
and the in the afternoon you got to swim in the ditch”. Today Isabel noticed that in today’s world, “ the dollar is a way to make a living [not subsistence farming]. For today’s children there is lot they are not learning, [especially when it comes to agriculture). The big emphasis is on school, not learning how to farm. This is reflected in the diet; “Buying, growing and eating locally are where the enzymes are”. 4-H and FFA (Future Farmers of America) programs help, as do educational programs on storing and canning, but there is a shortage of facilities for doing large scale processing. “There’s a lot of fruit lying on the ground under the trees”. Isabel also noted that younger people were afraid to buy certain items at the market. They would take it home and it would spoil. As to drying or freezing, “they had no clue”. Virgil Trujillo also reflected on the changes in local life. Virgil related that as a kid he didn’t really care about ranch life because of the Georgia O’Keefe community center providing other opportunities for entertainment. As he grew up, he began to understand more about the value of a ranching lifestyle; Virgil maintains that ranching is a “real solid foundation” for life. Today residents say that commuting takes up so much time that there is “no time to go to the market”. Virgil observed that time is put into other things like entertainment. He noted ruefully that “kid’s don’t care about stories of the land”. Virgil recalls that during his childhood that food storage meant drying; a lot of food was dried rather than canned or frozen. Mothers and grandmothers doing the cooking knew how to bring food back from the dried state and make it into delicious meals. Family cooks also had a talent for creating new meals from leftovers. Unfortunately, today, kids no longer see farmland as having intrinsic value; many hope to just sell it as real estate and live off of the money for the rest of their lives. Many seniors are returning to the area after living elsewhere wanting to reconnect. In the end every little bit counts and encourages a return to farming. Urban Communites
Carol Clark interviewed residents in the Santa Fe area. Unlike their rural counterparts, urban seniors didn’t seem to know or care about the quality or nutrition of the food they purchased, it was all good; “anything they put in their mouths was fine”. Farmers markets were not popular because they were not convenient. They had to be driven to, parking cost money, and packages had to be carried a fair distance. It’s just easier to go to Albertsons any day of the week. The SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - (food stamps), with its EBT card, was appreciated. Younger urban parents also had issues with patronizing farmers markets. It’s not convenient to go to the market with kids below the age of five or six. Mothers are very busy – afternoons are not a good time for attending a market. Single mothers with three kids and a full time job simply did not have the time to check out the market. In many families, the father is sent to shop for food at the grocery store, and the market isn’t even on the radar. When it came to fruit and vegetables, mothers in urban areas preferred the more “perfect” looking produce of the supermarkets. If produce at the market looked different than the supermarket’s produce, the kids wouldn’t eat it – and then of course market produce was more expensive. In the end, price, convenience and time trumped the market experience. Based on these results some ideas were initiated: Heidi Luedke talked about buying up end of the market produce at a reduced price and then offering it a HeadStart program at the lower price. Arranging for senior’s vans to transport older customers to market helped out. Heidi also pointed out that many people didn’t know when the Market was open, and emphasized the need for “big posters”. Here are some conclusions from the final report “Community Action Food Project: Growing New Mexico’s Food System by Empowering Low-Income Eaters”. On the one hand: “I think local food is magic! I just love it. It’s so good. It’s all different sizes and diverse and it reminds me of a reflection of the people. I like that everything doesn’t all look the same and isn’t genetically modified and all the same size. I think it tastes better and is probably more nutritious and it’s better for the environment because it didn’t have to travel far. I like to feel like I’m supporting a local business, too. I’d rather give my money to these people, even if I have to pay a little bit more. It’s worth it.” –rural Native American Female, Rio Arriba County. On the other hand: Though farmers’ markets are great community resources that provide an important food access opportunity, they simply don’t work for many low-income working families and seniors in northern New Mexico. For the younger working families in
Santa Fe, the farmers’ market is not a practical way to get groceries. Limited days and times, distant locations, and high prices make the farmers’ market something that doesn’t fit into their busy lives. Convenience is extremely important for urban families. For urban seniors, time may not be as much of a barrier to shopping at the market, but price, transportation, parking, and carrying heavy bundles of produce are huge obstacles. Many urban seniors also felt that the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market caters to wealthy people and that it has become far more commercial in its new space than it used to be. These were some of the conclusions pf this well designed study. The recommendations will be covered in a later article. You can read the entire 22 page report on the website ramahfarmersmarket. org. Food Safety Modernization Act
John Garlisch, New Mexico State University (NMSU) Cooperative Extension, and Steve Warshawer of Beneficial Farms and La Montanita Co-op, provided a most excellent overview of the complicated and confusing S 510 Food Safety Modernization Act which was passed by Congress back in January. Garlisch and Warshawer focused on the Act’s possible affects on both markets and direct market farmers. The good news is that the Act was passed with the attached Testor Amendment. Sen. John Testor is a freshman senator who championed small farmers and small markets. Over the protests of large corporate food companies, the Testor amendment exempted farms grossing less than $500,000 a year on the argument that the smaller farms are not the problem with food safety. By and large S 510 enhanced laws and regulations directed at large processing facilities already on the books. U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman’s office went to the trouble to list out the things that S510 will NOT do in a release distributed to all the market managers present. So here is the good news: • S510 will NOT outlaw home gardens and family farms. • S510 will NOT criminalize seed saving. • S510 will NOT outlaw traditional organic growing methods. • S510 will NOT bring everyone who grows any food under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security • S510 will NOT include new record keeping requirements for farms • S510 will NOT charge farms and small businesses new registration fees. • S510 will NOT imprison people who sell raw milk. • S 510 will NOT require American food producers or farmers to be subject to WHO rules, UN food safety standards, or Codex Alimentarius. • S510 will NOT require farms and facilities to register with the FDA • S510 will NOT give the FDA new authority to inspect farms. The bill explicitly states that the produce standards “shall not apply to produce that is produced by an individual for personal consumption.” In addition, the bill also contains an exemption from regulations for small facilities and small farms, which was purposely included to protect America’s family farms. This [exemption] includes food sold through farmers’ markets, bake sales, road side stands, public events, community supported agriculture, and organizational fundraisers. (For a more information see “The Government in your Garden”. on the ramahfarmersmarket.org website) .
The Southwest Marketing Network Conference
Diné Region “Food, Farming, & Caring for Mother Earth…Lifeway” March 30 & 31, Gallup, NM Howard Johnson’s Gallup Inn The Southwest Marketing Network Conference will feature many of the grassroots projects and enterprises that have been “homegrown” by Navajo, Hopi, and neighboring enterprises, communities, and their intercultural allies over the past 10 years. Presentation topics will range from dryland, traditional, and organic farming to livestock and wool cooperatives; from Farm to School programs to traditional foods at health clinics. Topics will also explore farm & business planning, community food project development and policy interventions. (Continued on p. 12)
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(Continued from p. 11 “Network” ) The Conference has traditionally
(Cont from p. 9 “Killed”) in settlements of these seed piracy matters. The number of settlements is 20 to 40 times the number of lawsuits in public court records. “ (from savenmseeds.com) The settlements these farmers must pay averages about $50,000. Unfortunately, many representatives withdrew their support when both the biotech lobbyist and the NM Chile Association claimed that the New Mexico chile industry “would collapse” if they didn’t get access to GM chile. These were growers primarily from Luna, Hidalgo , and Doña Ana Counties, who use standard mono-cropping techniques and are struggling with diseases typical of mono-cropping systems. (see page 9 “ Chile Map Update”). Since these farmers are failing because they are using non-sustainable methods, switching to an herbicide resistant GM chile isn’t going to help them. Commercial chile growers argue that they want to use “scientific methods”, and thus support the development of a genetically modified chile. Unfortunately these farmers’ handling of their soils is profoundly unscientific, as all the (scientific) research shows that chemical fertilizer, pesticides, herbicides and GM plants are devastating to soil. Eleven other counties in New Mexico grow local traditional chiles, and are thriving, because they are using sustainable methods. Unfortunately, the actual truth of the situation was lost on many of our legislators. To learn more about this issue go to savenmseeds.org, or ramahfarmersmarket.org. Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-New-MexicoSeeds/187194457966445?v=wall
attracted participants from the four-corners’ area, producers and community groups from sovereign nations and from rural New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and Utah. Registration: * Early Registration, payment must be received prior to March 21, 2011 $65 General Registration after March 21, 2011 $85 ** Limited number of Partial Scholarships available. If awarded a scholarship, you will need to pay the reduced fee of … $30 Make your Check or Money Order payable to Farm to Table To be considered for: *Early Registration Fee, please submit Registration Form & $65 payment **Partial Scholarships, please submit the Registration Form along with a completed Scholarship Application Form. Contact Tawnya Laveta at Farm to Table: tlaveta@gmail.com 505-473-1004x13 for email version of: --Registration Form --Partial Scholarship Application Form --Schedule of Events and Updates
New Products: Green household products Gluten-Free Tamari Miso, Bragg’s Amino Acids, Nutritional Yeast Organic sugar/ popcorn/ green chili/ butter The Amazing Ginger Chews!
NATURAL TOPBAR BEEKEEPING with Les Crowder
Weekend Workshop in Gallup, NM Saturday and Sunday, June 11 & 12, 10am - 5pm Learn to keep bees in your backyard! This in-depth workshop will cover all aspects of topbar beekeeping, from honeybee biology to raising queens and harvesting honey. Students will have an opportunity to work with active topbar hives to learn various techniques of spring, summer and fall hive maintenance. All levels of students are welcome to attend. The cost of the workshop is $130. To register, please contact Kate Wilson by email: akwilson@wildblue.net
El Morro Feed & Seed
New Hours, New Products!
For more information about classes and the instructor, please visit www.fortheloveofbees.com
William G. Stripp Attorney at Law
P.O. Box 159 Ramah New Mexico 87321 Telephone: 505-783-4138 Facsimile: 505-783-4139 Mobile: 505-870-2993
Email: stripp@wildblue.net We support The Ramah Farmers’ Market 12
Open Thursdays 11:30-5:30 Open Saturdays 9:30-3:30
1724 South Second Gallup, NM 505-863-4475 800-559-4475 Quotes & bids call or e-mail; glsbids@cnetco.com mailing list: gladv@cnetco.com
Stocking Organic Vegetable Seeds
Stocking Vegetable & Flower Seeds
Breakfast Served All Day
5 99
We Serve the Best Green & Red Chile in Gallup
Wild Bird Seed 20 lb. (81995)
Mon-Sat
Open
7am to 5 pm Established 1982
Register* to
WIN
Child’s Scooter *with purchase, drawing 4/16/11
69 99
J.R.L. Enterprises inc
Garden Dump Cart
600 lb. capacity Durable plastic bed. (7226665)
16 Ashcroft Ave. Ramah, NM Phone: 505-783-4797 Fax: 505-783 4021 (1 ½ block north of the Post Office)
Prices good till 4/31/11 Summer; Mon.-Fri.-7:30 am-6 pm, Sat. 7:30 am-5 pm
Mechanical Repair & Engine Diagnosis, Tire & Auto Body Repair, Paint jobs
Diamond G Home Center
225 El Morro Rd., Grants, New Mexico
Gravel, Dirt work, Septic system
Call for your free estimates Today
Phone (505)287-8861 or fax (505) 287-5367
Residential, Commercial and Industrial
Old School Gallery
Home of El Morro Area Arts Council Supporting Art & Community and the Ramah Farmers Market
Plumbing, and septic needs Call Us First for fast and complete help Plumbing, Cooling, and Heating service complete septic system Portable Toilet rental RV tanks
OPEN
Thursday - Monday 11 am - 5 pm NM 53 One mile east of El Morro Monument 505-783-4710
www.oldschoolgallery.org
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Let our Sponsors know you saw their advertisement in the Beet Thank You Gallup Independent Company For your generous sponsorship of the Ramah Farmers Market
“Dedicated employee-owners committed to being the best supplier of building materials and related services to the professional builder.”
New Saturday Hours 8am – 2pm Come see us and the new improvements! 104 North Second Across the tracks from Historic Downtown Gallup, NM (505)-722-6681
ANCIENT WAY CAFÉ EL MORRO RV PARK & CABINS Open
Every Day - 9 am. To 5 pm Friday & Saturday Evenings 5-8p.m. Closed Wednesdays Homemade Food and Desserts Made with Love
Holiday Nursery
“We are proud to serve local produce”.
El Morro RV Park, Cabins & Ancient Way Café
elmorro-nm.com elmorrorv@yahoo.com 505-783-4612 Near mile marker 46 on Hwy 53, one mile east of El Morro National Monument Entrance
Landscape & Irrigation Contractors John Killgore
Please email or call us with your question Or concerns dealing with your yard or landscape appearance ask our landscape designers
Email – holidaynursery@yahoo.com or Call-(505) 863-5791 or fax (505)722-9305 1214 East Aztec, Gallup N.M.
Chaffins Ranch & Rope Supply Feed, hay, clothing, work boots, etc;
OPEN
Mon.-Fri. 8:30am-5:00pm Sat.9:00am-3:00pm Closed Sunday (505)285-6608 1700 Juniper Milan N.M. I-40exit 79 behind Love’s
Don’t Miss the Stage!
Come & Eat Lots of Good Food & Pie
Open
Monday-Saturday 7:00am to 9:00pm 783-4288 Bond Street, Ramah, NM
Serving All Your Livestock
Lianas, Poultry, Cattle, horses, Sheep, Goats, Rabbits, Dogs, Cats, and Wild bird seed
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CONTENTS
Market News ( PP. 1- 3) Potluck & Seed Xchange, RFM Grows Up, Topbar Wkshop---------------------------------pp.1-2 Movie Night, Volunteer call, Seed Xchanges, Website, FaceBook, Surround, -------------p. 3 High Elevation Gardening (PP. 3-5) Farm Speaking Out Loud, Yarrow, Prepare for Seed Xchange------------------------------pp.3-5 Community Homesteading (PP. 5-7) Gallup CSA, Trad Crafter Column, Schedule, May Fest -------------------------------------pp. 5-7 Center Pages (PP. 8-9) El Morro Valley Ranch, HB 46 Killed -------------------------------------------------------------pp... 8-9 Sustainable Agriculture (PP. 10-14) Food for Thought, NMFMA Meeting, SWMN Meeting ------------------------------------pp. 10 - 11 RFM Community Outreach; Sponsors (P. 15) Editors, Writers, Poets & Photographers, Researchers: Rebecca Allina, Cindy Blea, Bodhiarts, Sari Clark, J.Y. Rossignol, Linda Thornton, Kate Wilson. Thanks Everyone. Contact the Co-managers: Denis Black & Jackie Rossignol, HC 61 Box 816, Ramah, NM 87321 505-783-4440 ramahfarmersmkt@yahoo.com Business Owners: If you would like to advertise with the Ramah Farmers’ Beet as a Business Sponsor contact the co-managers at 505-783-4440 or e-mail ramahfarmersmkt@ yahoo.com so we can set up an appointment.
RFM Sponsorship Program
The Ramah Farmers’ Market is rapidly expanding with more growers, more customers, a community table, a longer market season, and a Harvest Festival. The Market also has expanded its outreach with a newspaper - The Ramah Farmers’ Beet - spring and fall potlucks and seed exchanges, workshops, and garden visits. The Ramah Farmers’ Beet is a free community resource for disseminating information on the Ramah Farmers Market, high elevation gardening, organic gardening, homesteading skills, local, state and national developments in Sustainable Agriculture, the Slow Food movement, local food security and safety, and other issues of community concern. In 2007 we converted the free newsletter to newspaper tabloid format, accepting local business sponsorships, and increasing circulation to 1000. We envision The Farmers’ Beet as a free community newspaper to be mailed and distributed. In order to improve our links with the community we hope to initiate a web site, and have already contributed funds to the installation and support of a satellite dish to assist in on-line research necessary for accurate and informative newspaper articles. We also plan to reimburse newspaper writers, poets, editors and researchers. The increase in circulation will also increase fuel costs for newspaper delivery – we reimburse newspaper delivery volunteers for their fuel cost. We increased publication to six issues a year. All of these activities require money, time, and volunteers. We invite you to help support the Ramah Farmers’ Market Community Outreach Program by becoming an RFM Community Outreach Sponsor. All donation amounts will be accepted, but a donation of 15.00 or more gives you a year’s mailed subscription (6 issues) of The Farmers’ Beet. A donation of 50.00 or more gives you 10% off of all promotional items (aprons, baskets, etc) for the Market year. Thank you, Community Outreach contributors; We couldn’t do it without you…
BENEFACTOR Anonymous Ramah, New Mexico Bob & Mary Barry Ramah, New Mexico Frank & Vicky Giannangelo Ramah, New Mexico Mike & Shirl Henderson Ramah, New Mexico Frank & Barbara Lambert Ramah, New Mexico Harry Hutton & Harriet Lawrence Ramah, New Mexico Dana Letts Ramah, New Mexico Whooville Ramah, New Mexico SILVER PATRON Anonymous Ramah, New Mexico Jill Acheson Ramah, New Mexico C. Marlow Gallup, New Mexico Paula Tripodi Ramah, New Mexico BRONZE PATRON Steven Albert Ramah, New Mexico Reed & Fran Anderson Ramah, New Mexico Anonymous Ramah, New Mexico Anonymous Vanderwagon, New Mexico Jerry Ginsburg Albuquerque, New Mexico Stanley & Shirley Giser Grants, New Mexico Terence M. Gurley Gallup, New Mexico Lee & Susan Haygood Ramah, New Mexico
Rosalie Bianchi & Paul Juncker Zuni & Ramah, New Mexico Tom & Kate Manrodt Ramah, New Mexico Paul & Flora Merrill Ramah, New Mexico Katherine Rossignol New Milford, Connecticut Martha & Joe Rossignol Devonshire, Bermuda Vinnie Rossignol Crested Butte, Colorado SPONSOR Anonymous Zuni, New Mexico Anonymous Ramah, New Mexico Howard & Karin Brunner Ramah, New Mexico Allen & Pat Burnam Hayden, Arizona & Ramah, New Mexico Bob & Hannah Crooks Ramah, New Mexico T. M. Dolan Pie Town, New Mexico Jerry Jorgensen Ramah, New Mexico Susan McNabb Ramah, New Mexico Patricia Olsen Milan, New Mexico Kim Score & Chris Moeller Grants, New Mexico Beverly Moody Ramah, New Mexico BUSINESS SUPPORTERS Alpine Lumber Ancient Way Café Back Woods Pizza Battered Families Services, Inc. Butlers Davis Ranch Donald Sharp El Morro Area Arts Council El Morro Feed & Seed El Morro Valley Ranch Gallup Lumber Gallup Pumping Service Holiday Nursery Inscription Rock Trading JRL Enterprises Justin’s Earthworks La Montanita Co-op Law Office of William Stripp Loeffler Gun Shop Maria’s Restaurant Mr. Shed Mustang Storage Stage Coach Café Star Cloud Farm The Trading Post Walk in Beauty Weather King IN KIND DONATIONS El Morro Area Arts Council El Morro Feed & Seed Gallup Independent Ramah Lake Realty Add my support to the Community Outreach Program Fund: □ □ $1.00 - $14.00 Friend □ $15.00 – $24.00 Sponsor (Farmers’ Beet Subscription) □ $ 25.00 – $49.00 Bronze Patron □ $ 50.00 - $74.00 Silver Patron (10% off promo items) □ $ 75.00 - $99.00 Gold Patron □ $100.00 + Benefactor Amount of gift _________________ □ Please check here if you do not want your gift acknowledged in The Farmers’ Beet. Name_______________________________________ Address______________________________________ City_________________________________________ State/Zip_____________________________________ Phone _________________________E-mail________________________ Make Checks Payable to Ramah Farmers’ Market. Mail to: RFM, HC 61 Box 816, Ramah, NM, 87321 The Ramah Farmers Market Association is a Non-Profit in the State of New Mexico and is not a tax exempt organization.
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Volunteer ☺ Sell Produce ☺ Get on the e-mail list ☺ Start Gardening ☺ Write Contact the co-managers: Jackie Rossignol & Denis Black, HC 61 Box 816, Ramah, NM 87321,
HC 61 Box 816 Ramah, NM 87321
783-4440, ramahfarmersmkt@yahoo.com or web www.ramahfarmersmarket.org
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