CSA Pick Up Begins this Week!

Just a reminder for all Inverbrook CSA members. CSA pick up begins this week. If you have forgotten your pick up day--feel free to e-mail me. Chickens will also be available (on wednesday). I will post the first share contents either tonight or tomorrow. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Friday in Philly with Hoots and Hellmouth

The wonderful Kennett Square Farmers Market managers have come up with the idea of gathering each Friday after the Farmers Market to continue the celebration of community that has been fostered by our thriving little market. To see pictures from our kick off celebration "A Decade of Delicious" right here at Inverbrook check out the blog.

This week we are making the trek into the wilds (northern liberities actually) of Philadelphia to take part in the CD release party of former Chester County residents Hoots and Hellmouth. Although we are leaving our Kennett home, the spirit of farming and local food will follow--as both the band and the venue (Johnny Brendas) are big supporters of the Buy Fresh, Buy Local movement. Click here to read a recent interview with Hoots and Hellmouth in the Food issue of Grid Magazine. At some point I will post greens lover and band member Sean Hoots' famous greens recipe,in the mean time check out Johnny Brendas committment to local food and drink. I hope to see you at the Market this Friday 2-6PM and perhaps a few will join the group in Philadelphia.

Sustainable Philadelphia

As I was cleaning out my distribution shed in preparation for the CSA beginning the week of June 1st---listening to radio station WXPN--a piece on urban farming reminded me that there are a couple of events going on in Philly this week that you all might find interesting (I will post about the second event at a later time). The first event is the kick off an exciting new business iniative taking place in Philadelphia (see info below). Speaking of exciting new iniatives make sure you check out Greenworks Philadelphia--the mayors planing to make Philly the greenest city in the United States.

A Special Invitation from the New Voice of Business:
Philadelphia Chapter Kick Off Meeting

Tuesday, May 26, 2009
The Academy of Natural Sciences
1900 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.
Philadelphia PA, 19103

Reception: 6:00 - 6:30 p.m.; Dinosaur Hall
Program: 6:30 - 7:30 pm.; Auditorium

Featuring:

Elliot Hoffman, Founder, New Voice of Business
Hunter Lovins, Founder, Natural Capitalism Solutions
Jeff Westphal, CEO, Vertex, Inc.

With a special appearance by The Honorable Mayor Michael Nutter

We are excited to announce that Mayor Michael Nutter plans to help launch New Voice of Business this coming Tuesday evening at the Academy of Natural Sciences. He will join New Voice founder Elliot Hoffman and recognized environmental expert Hunter Lovins to make the case that a healthy environment supports a healthy business climate.

If you have not registered, I hope this will help you make the decision to do so. If you have registered, please extend an invitation to colleagues, so we can show how much support there is for the mayor’s idea to make Philadelphia the nation’s greenest city.

Help us raise the voices of an under-recognized segment of business people by chiming in. We want to send a message to the region and the nation that there is a major constituency of us who haven't been heard....until now.

You can learn more about the organization and the event at the following link:

We will accept online registrations until 9 AM Tuesday morning. Registrations at the door will be accepted on a first-come first-served basis.

Please join us and make your voice heard!

The Academy of Natural Sciences is pleased to host and promote the kick off of New Voice as part of our ongoing commitment to public dialogue on important environmental issues. We work to engage and encourage a wide range of organizations with missions to protect the environment. As with all such events hosted by the Academy, the opinions expressed are those of the speakers and their organizations, and do not necessarily reflect Academy positions or policies.

Farm Schedule Update

The Kennett Farmers Market celebrated its 10th year with a fantastic opening market and after gathering at Inverbrook Farm. Inverbrook will be back at the market this Friday with some early spring goodies, hope to see you there!
For more information about the Kennett Square Farmers Market, click here.

For those who have joined the CSA--the first pick up is about a week and a half away. Either June 1st or June 3rd depending on your pick up day. If you have any questions feel free to contact me. I still have about 5 spots left for Monday pick up, if you have any friends, neighbors, or family members that might be interest in a CSA share--please get them to contact the farm asap.

Kennett Area Restaurants in the News

I thought you might be interested in the fact the both Talula's Table and Sovana Bistro made Philadelphia Magazine's top 50 restaurants.

Speaking of Sovana's check out the Philly Dish interview and asparagus recipe click here to watch video.

Kennett Farmers Market Opens Friday!

Kick off your weekend and celebrate the opening of the Farmers Market and its
10th anniversary! May 15th, at 2 p.m., all varieties of vendors, some fresh ones in addition to previous years favorites, offer everything from baked goods and fresh meats, to authentic Mexican salsas and handcrafted soaps. Along with cooking demos, there is something for just about everyone!

Interested in starting your own home grown garden? The Farmers Market is offering native plant starts, heirloom vegetable seedlings, organic potting soil, and the answers to any of your backyard gardening questions and needs.

Stroll throughout the afternoon and enjoy live music from local musicians Chris Kasper, Cowmuddy and Griz.

Are we tantilizing your senses? Want to find out more? Go to our blog to keep up with the latest at our blog.

GRID Philly Food Issue

The newest issue of GRID Philly magazine, the greater philadelphia guide to sustainability is all about food. Click here to see an online version of this great publication.

Plant Sales and Farmers Market Openings

Happy May Day everyone--so it starts, the season of farmers markets and plant sales. Its the busy half of spring--time to fill your garden and kitchen with flowers and vegetables. In case you have missed past posts, the Kennett Farmers Market will begin Friday, May 15th from 2-6PM. Stay tuned for details about an after-market gathering for market supporters and CSA members here at Inverbrook Farm.

Below is a listing of plant sales and farmers market openings in the area--both West Chester and Headhouse are opening this weekend--dust off your market baskets and get ready to share in the bounty!

Plant Sales:

Kennett Square Beautification Plant Sale
Saturday, May 2nd 8AM
Same walkway as the Farmers Market
See www.historickennettsquare.com

Oxford's Annual Plant & Garden Sale
First Saturday in May
Plenty of plants, baked goods & children's activities. Corner of Third & Locust Street in downtown Oxford (where their Tuesday's Market Day is located - May to October)

Delaware Nature Society Native Plant Sale
First weekend in May
Over 245 choices, 10,000 plants including rare and favorite plants, Mt. Cuba Center introductions, and drought-tolerant plants.
Coverdale Farm, Greenville, DE
For more information, a pre-ordering form and directions, visit their website.

Wildflower, Native Plant and Seed Sale
Sponsored by the Brandywine Conservancy Garden Volunteers
2nd weekend in May(10 & 11 in 2008) - 9:30 am to 4:30 pm
A wide variety of regional plants and seeds will be available for full sun to deep shade and from wet to dry soil. All plants are carefully nursery-propagated.
Wildflower seed from the Conservancy garden, hand-collected, cleaned and packaged will also be sold. More info, call the Garden Office at 610-388-8327

Annual Plant Sale (May 10, 2008)
Friends Meeting House (610.268.8466)
Rt. 926 at Newark Road, London Grove, PA.
Trees, bedding plants, native plants, hanging plants etc.
Also, baked goods & coffee.
No admission charge, come early, registers open at 7am but you can pick your plants before that!


Farmers Market Openings:

WEST CHESTER: The West Chester Growers' Market opens for the 2009 season on Saturday, May 2nd. The market, located at the corner of Church and Chestnut St. in West Chester, is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year! Special free events are planned for the first Saturdays of June, July, August, and September. The market is open from 9AM to 1PM every Saturday until Thanksgiving, and is the local area's oldest and largest producer-only farmers' market.

HEADHOUSE: The Food Trust kicks of the 2009 farmers’ market season this Sunday, May 3rd, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with Headhouse Farmers’ Market Opening Day. Now in its third year, the Sunday Headhouse Farmers’ Market is the city’s largest and most popular open-air farmers’ market. The Sunday market continues to grow, boasting more than 30 vendors, including foodie favorites such as produce from Blooming Glen Farm, chicken pot pies from Griggstown Quail Farm, handmade sausages and condiments from Talula’s Table and breads and baked goods from Wild Flour Bakery.
In addition to the best of local spring produce, meats, cheeses and other artisanal foods, Headhouse Farmers’ Market Opening Day will feature local music from groups including the Marc Silver Band, Cowmuddy and the Broken Banjo Band, and cookbook signings with local authors including Aliza Green, author of Starting With Ingredients: Baking, and Tara Mataraza Desmond, co-author of Almost Meatless.

Plus: The expanded Saturday Headhouse Farmers’ Market debuts May 9th! This season shop Saturdays too, with The Food Trust’s expanded Saturday Headhouse Farmers’ Market, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Featuring Davidson Exotic Mushrooms, Blackbird Heritage Farm heirloom produce, Henry Fisher’s Lancaster produce, eggs, cheese and yogurt, La Colombe Torrefaction coffee, Spice of Life gluten-free baked goods, Slow Rise Bakery’s artisanal bread, Two Ganders biodynamic produce and honey, Young’s Garden flowers and Glass Jar Gourmet’s spreads! Headhouse Farmers’ Market is located at 2nd and Lombard streets, Philadelphia, PA.

OXFORD VILLAGE: Tuesday, May 5th 2-6PM.

NEW GARDEN: Opening day for the New Garden Growers Market is May 16th. 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. every Saturday through mid-October. 16 full time farmers/vendors this year. On Rt. 41 near Avondale, PA.

PHOENIXVILLE: The Phoenixvile Farmers' Market is celebrating its 2009 opening on Saturday, May 9th, from 9am to 1pm. Come celebrate the opening of the main season as we welcome back our favorite farmers and producers! We will have lots of goodies for spring and Mothers’ Day celebrations, including plants, baked goodies,
handmade soaps and lotions, candles and much much more, not to mention
wonderful locally raised produce, cheese, eggs and meat!

The Dirk Quinn band will entertain us with live music from 10am to 1pm, and we
will have children’s activities including making Mothers’ Day cards.

MILL AT ANSELMA: Wednesday, June 4th 2-7PM.