Boomerang - October 2021

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YOUR PLACE FOR FUN, GAMES & MORE.

ISSUE #14 • OCT 2021

FARM TO TABLE TO YOU

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IN THIS ISSUE 04 EAT LOCAL! It’s good for you & good for your neighborhood

06 GROW IT! No-waste kitchen gardening

10 WHO ARE THE FARMERS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD? Meet the local folks who grow food in Hancock County

14 MOOOOVE OVER Milk’s journey from cow to your refrigerator PLUS: 16 BOOKSHELF TALES FROM THE FARM 17 FALL-INSPIRED ART CREATE YOUR OWN BEAN MOSAIC MASTERPIECE

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Eat Local, Eat Healthy: WHY LOCALLY GROWN FOOD IS GOOD FOR YOU

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HAVE YOU EVER HEARD SOMEONE SAY THE PHRASE “EAT LOCAL”?

What exactly does this mean? Eating local means to purchase and consume produce and products from farmers and producers in your community and surrounding counties. There are many benefits to eating local. Not only is locally grown food healthier for you, but it also supports your community in a variety of great ways. Let’s learn just why eating local is so good for you.

LOCAL FOOD IS FRESH.

Locally grown food is not imported from far away states or countries, like most foods you’d find in a supermarket. Instead, local food comes from farmers and producers right in your community, which means it doesn’t have to travel as far. As a result, local foods are often fresher and taste better than nonlocal foods. Fruits and vegetables from local farmers are often sweeter and juicier. The same thing goes for eggs that come from local chicken farmers. These eggs are usually fresher than those from other states, again because of less travel from farm to store.

Of course, using fresh, local foods is not the only way to make enjoyable meals, but you’ll certainly notice a difference in the quality!

LOCAL FOOD HAS MORE NUTRIENTS.

Foods like fruits and vegetables can lose some of their nutrients during transportation, processing and as they sit on shelves at the grocery store. As we’ve learned, locally grown produce does not have to travel far or sit in storage for too long. This means that local foods hold more of the nutrients our bodies need to stay healthy.

It’s important to note that all types of fruits and vegetables — fresh or frozen, local or nonlocal — provide nutrients for our bodies.

However, if your family has the chance to buy and eat locally grown foods, you’ll get more nutrition for the same (or less) amount of money.

EATING LOCAL TEACHES YOU HOW YOUR FOOD IS MADE.

If your family shops at farmers’ markets or a local food co-op, you’re likely to find new and unique foods that are grown in your area. Discovering these items is a great way to learn more about how food is grown in your community. By shopping local, you make connections with farms and producers, the very people who grow your food! Ask these farmers questions to learn about how your food is grown. These connections will help you develop a deeper appreciation for your food.

LOCAL FOOD HELPS THE ENVIRONMENT.

By supporting local farmers, you benefit the environment. Locally grown food is made available to you using less pollution and a lower carbon footprint. How? Because they’re close by, they require less transportation. This means sourcing local foods produces less pollution and fewer carbon emissions than nonlocal foods that require longer trips to the store.

Another way local foods protect our environment is that they lead to less waste. Local foods are typically sold at market stands without plastic packaging, and shoppers are encouraged to bring their own reusable bags.

As a bonus, local produce does not need to undergo the same processing, which also eliminates plastic use and factory pollution.

Overall, local food helps preserve our environment for generations to come.

BUYING LOCAL FOOD SUPPORTS THE ECONOMY.

When your family buys local food, your money circulates back into your local economy. In fact, some studies suggest that revenue from local food sales contributes to increased employment and income within communities. These are all great benefits to eating locally grown foods!

EATING LOCAL IS EASY.

If you want to eat more locally grown food, you’re in luck! Eating local is an easy thing to do. You can get started by visiting your local farmers’ market, eating at farm-to-table restaurants in your area or browsing the produce section at your grocery store for local products. Some stores add labels to local products. If you’re having a hard time finding some, ask the store’s produce manager to point you in the right direction.

Eating local benefits your health while supporting the farmers within your community. Local foods often taste fresher, offer more nutrients and use less plastic packaging. By eating locally grown foods, you’re also helping the environment and your local economy. Afterall, supporting local food businesses leads to strong community economies. It’s a win-win for everyone! Now, it’s time to get out there and plan your next trip to the farmers’ market. Have fun and eat local!

Finally, by supporting local farmers, you’re maintaining farmland and green space in your area. Local farms that use sustainable practices promote clean air, water and soil, while protecting a wide variety of wildlife necessary to our ecosystems. Go green!

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LET'S TALK

No-Waste Kitchen Gardening

Did you know that you can regrow your kitchen scraps?

• Provide the right growing

conditions, such as proper

sunlight, water and soil.

• Know what to expect. Some plants

regrow entirely, while others

provide only partial growth. Either

It’s true! No-waste kitchen gardening

way, if you tend to your plants with

is when you use leftover fruits,

care, you can regrow them!

vegetables and herbs to grow more, and it can all be done from right inside the comfort of your own home.

Not everything you want to regrow will produce much more than some garnishes; however, the greater purpose in doing this is to have fun with experimental gardening, plus it’s a great way to learn about responsibility and better understand

Learning What You Can Grow Now that you’re equipped with tips for successful no-waste kitchen gardening, let’s chat about the various types of plants you can regrow from leftover fruits, vegetables and seeds. (See Pages 7-9)

how plants grow. Science!

Let’s Get Growing Getting Started Regrowing vegetables can involve seeds, roots, stems or leaves.

These can be grown in water or soil, depending upon what works best for the type of plant you’re using. Here are some tips for successful no-waste

Now that you’ve gained a basic understanding of how to regrow your kitchen scraps, it’s time to get to work. Pick your starting plants and research the best planting methods to use for each. Once you’ve done this, the only thing left to do is plant!

kitchen gardening.

Be sure to pay attention to your

Tips for Success

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plants as they grow. Are they getting enough water and sunlight? The

• Start with healthy vegetables,

process of (re)growing your very own

fruits and herbs. Only regrow

in-home garden will teach you care

what is not already dead or rotten.

and responsibility. Better yet, once

• Avoid anything treated with

your repurposed plants have grown,

growth retardants, which are often

you can finally reuse them for your

used to prevent sprouting in

next meal or epic kitchen creation.

grocery stores. Know which part

Have fun!

of the plant can regrow.

(Don’t worry, we’ll cover this one

more in-depth!)

herbs

from stem cuttings

Here’s a list of herbs you can grow easily indoors from stem cuttings.

BASIL CILANTRO OREGANO PARSLEY THYME

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fruits from seeds

Have any of the following leftover fruit seeds lying around?

REPLANT THEM!

MELONS MANGOS TOMATOES CITRUS FRUITS (LEMON, LIME, TANGERINE) STONE FRUITS (CHERRIES, PEACHES, NECTARINES, PLUMS)

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stems in water

These are vegetables you can regrow using the leftover stem.

The bottom of the vegetable must be intact for this to work!

CABBAGE CELERY GREEN ONIONS LEMONGRASS LETTUCE

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?

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?

Are you curious about what it’s like to be a farmer?

Did you help your parents manage your family garden this year with planting, watering, weeding, pest preventing, fertilizing or harvesting?

Farmers do much of the same things but on a much larger scale and often with the help of technology. They provide their crops and livestock with all the necessary nutrients to grow, while protecting all from outside threats.

Farmers within Hancock County produce primarily food and consumable products. This includes row crops like corn and soybeans, livestock like beef and pork, and other crops like apples and Christmas trees.

Additionally, many of Hancock County’s farms are diversified with multiple styles of farming.

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MEET FOUR LOCAL HANCOCK COUNTY FARMING FAMILIES T U T T L E O R C H A R D | T H E R O NEY FA M I LY

A favorite Indiana apple orchard, Tuttle Orchard is fourth-generation family owned!

They currently grow more than 40 acres of apples, 30 acres of veggies, 20 acres of pumpkins, four high tunnels, plus greenhouse plants in the spring. Tuttle grows 365 days a year! Each year, they host numerous immersive farm tours that allow groups to fully experience local agriculture.

“We are involved in all sorts of horticulture, and we strive to be a farm where people can experience agriculture in an immersive way,” says Ruth Ann Roney, general manager of Tuttle Orchard.

B L U E R I VE R N AT UR A L FO O D S | T H E S M I T H FA M ILY If the name Blue River Natural Foods sounds and looks familiar, chances are you’ve seen them at a local Hancock County farmers’ market, including Fortville, the Greenfield Fairgrounds and New Palestine. They raise 100% grass-fed organic beef. They also carry a wide variety of local cheeses, butter, honey, maple syrup and eggs.

P I NE Y AC R E S FA R M | T H E ZEN O R FA M I LY Piney Acres Farm is a family-owned and -operated Hancock County agritourism destination! They are known for their annual fall festivities featuring pumpkins, a corn maze, hayrides, gem mining and more. Each December, families keep tradition alive and find that perfect Christmas tree on their 73 acres .

H I L L FA R M S | T H E H I L L FA M I LY A multigenerational farm in Greenfield, Hill Farms raises pigs, corn, soybeans and wheat. From feeding pigs twice a day and checking conditions in the barns to managing crops, computer work and record keeping, there’s never a dull moment on the farm.

You may have purchased their pork locally under the “The Pork Shoppe” label!

“Farmers in our community are just like family. Everyone helps everyone else,” says Barb Smith, owner of Blue River Natural Foods. “Quite a few local farmers are at the farmers’ markets weekly, and that is a great place to get to know your farmer neighbors better.”

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FUN TIPS FROM YOUR FARMER NEIGHBORS ON HOW TO LEARN MORE

Stroll your local farms, chat with the farmers and ask questions. A great one to start with: What type of crops do you grow and what kind of livestock do you raise?

Check out websites like Indiana Grown and buy local.

Get involved in 4-H or FFA.

Sign up for a local farm tour (and invite your friends!).

A farm is a great first job for students!

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CHOCOLATE MILK HAS BEEN NAMED THE OFFICIAL BEVERAGE OF HALLOWEEN 2021!

WHY? BECAUSE IT IS NUTRITION IN DISGUISE!

Did you know there are more than 750 dairy farms in Indiana?

The closest dairy farm to Greenfield is Estes Dairy Farm in Fountaintown run by husband-wife team Kerry and Christiana Estes. The Estes are first-generation dairy farmers who began in 2005. Their children, Damon and Laura, also help manage the farm’s calves, making it a true family business.

Most of the milk in your local grocery store or school cafeteria comes from within a 100-mile radius. Typically, milk goes from farm to store within 48 hours. That’s a quick trip to your table!

chocolate

8 oz.

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Farm to table Ready for a sneak peek at getting it from cow to you?

It all begins with dairy farmers taking good care of their cows and ensuring they have the right amount of nutritious food, plenty of fresh, clean water and comfortable bedding and housing.

When it’s time to be milked, the cows enter the milking parlor.

Dairy cows are milked mechanically two to three times a day. The machines help to milk up to 25 cows at a time and mimic a baby calf’s gentle action of sucking on the udder. This innovative milking technology has been in place on most U.S. farms since the 1920s.

The milk is collected at the same temperature as a cow’s body, about 100°F. The collected milk travels to a tank, where it is quickly cooled to 45°F or less to ensure quality and safety.

The fresh milk is then driven in an insulated, sealed tanker truck several times a day from the farm to a local dairy-processing plant. You’ve probably seen such a truck on the highway; it’s like a giant thermos on wheels!

Once the milk is unloaded from the tanker truck, it goes through several steps, including standardization, pasteurization, homogenization and quality testing. Additionally, milk may be fortified with vitamins A and D to boost its nutrition.

At this point, the milk is bottled before heading to your school or local store.

A STANDARD 8-OZ. GLASS OF MILK PROVIDES 13 ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS OUR BODIES NEED, MAKING IT ONE OF THE MOST NUTRIENT-DENSE FOODS.

Winners drink milk Indiana (and the car-racing world) has a very special, long-standing milk tradition in the slogan “Winners Drink Milk.” The tradition started at the Indianapolis 500, when driver Louis Meyer simply requested buttermilk to quench his thirst after his 1936 race. Now, milk is the iconic beverage every Indianapolis 500 winner drinks in the winner’s circle!

Are you ready for a tall, ice-cold glass of milk? The Indy 500 drivers can choose from fat-free, 2%, whole, buttermilk and chocolate.

WHICH WOULD YOU PICK?

8 oz.

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FARM TO TABLE WORD SEARCH COMPOST SOIL SUN HARVEST SEED GERMINATE TRUCK

BOOMERANG BOOKSHELF PLOW TRACTOR BARN FENCE FARMER BALE TILL

FARM LIFE … WE LIVE IT, WE LOVE IT

BY RIANNA AND SHERIDAN CHANEY THE FARM THAT FEEDS US: A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF AN ORGANIC FARM

BY NANCY CASTALDO FARMER WILL ALLEN AND THE GROWING TABLE

BY JACQUELINE BRIGGS MARTIN THE MAGIC OF ME: MY MAGICAL FOODS

BY BECKY CUMMINGS

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ON THE FARM, AT THE MARKET

BY G. BRIAN KARAS

fall-inspired art

Masterpiece COURTESY OF PRETTYLIFEGIRLS.COM As the leaves begin to change color and the air becomes crisp with an invigorating autumn breeze, it’s clear to see that fall has arrived. The changing of the seasons is the perfect time to search for inspiration for new arts and crafts. Bean mosaic art is a fun and easy way to create fall art using simple supplies. Here’s how to create your very own bean mosaic art this fall season.

WHAT YOU NEED •

DRIED BEANS

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LIQUID SCHOOL GLUE

•

MULTISURFACE ACRYLIC PAINT

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PAPER PLATES

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PAINT BRUSHES

•

PEN OR PENCIL

WHAT YOU DO 1. Plan your design.

Using a pen or pencil, draw your design on a paper plate. This

will serve as a guide for creating your art. Use simple shapes

in your design, as they work best!

2. Fill in your design.

Trace the edges of your design with glue and then fill it in.

Working in sections will ensure fewer mess-ups when painting.

3. Glue your beans.

Apply beans to the section you glued until each area is filled

in. Let it dry completely. While you wait, feel free to start on

more designs using other paper plates.

4. Paint your beans.

Once the section is dry, it’s time to paint your beans. Use your

desired colors and apply two coats if needed.

5. Repeat until done.

Repeat steps 2-4 (design, glue, paint) until you’ve completed

your masterpiece.

Great job! You just created your very own bean mosaic art.

Now it’s time to put your new creations on display and enjoy!

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Become the healthiest generation ever!

When you know more about your health and how to take care of it, you can be more, do more and have more fun — starting now!