Celebrating the Light of February

Happy February.  It is a month I always look forward to because it ushers in two important “events” for the farming and sustainable farming community. The first event is all about sunlight.  The days are once again long enough to promote new growth in plants. I have blogged about this fact before, citing winter gardening guru Elliot Coleman—click here to read the 2011 February Johnny Seed blog post full of links to Coleman’s winter gardening advice.

The celebration of light, fire, renewal, and the eventuality of spring are the central themes of Imbolc, St/Goddess Brigit’s Day, and Groundhog Day—all occurring on February 1st or 2nd when the day length crosses the "magic" ten hour threshold. Usually the weather is cold and blustery outside, so the reminder that growth is possible, is a welcome "flame" of hope to get one through the late winter months. I am not quite sure what to think of today’s weather, I will save my rant about global climate change for a future blog posting. I think we can agree that “things” are not quite normal. Click here to read a posting from CSA member Molly Daly for the CBS Local News about the strange recent weather.

The second event is the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture’s Farming For the Future Conference, that coincidentally also occurs at the beginning of February. The conference is always a wellspring of inspiration and timely knowledge. I encourage you to explore the write up (and links) of the two keynote speakers: Shannon Hayes and Brain Halweil on the coconference website.  After a very tough 2011 farming season, the PASA conference is just what I need to renew my sense of excitement about the season to come. See the video below made after last’s years twentieth anniversary conference and you will get a better sense of the fun, community and knowledge that awaits all those who attend.

Happy Imbolc, Happy Groundhog Day—let us celebrate the lengthening day length and the hope of spring to come.

Winter Yoga Retreat at the Farm

This Fall the very talented and spirited yoga instructor Julia Horn held a retreat at the farm--
click here to read a follow up posting.   I am pleased to announce that Julia will be returning to the farm on January 28th to conduct a Winter focused yoga retreat; and this time she is opening up the retreat to the local community.  If you are interested read her letter below that includes details for signing up for this afternoon retreat. 

Happy winter, all.
What a time. I luv this season because I luv every last excuse to cuddle in and well, do just that, cuddle. Into myself, into a book, you name it. Winter is such a beautiful season for bringing that much needed balance to our hectic and busy lives. One of the best ways to truly learn this turning inward is to look to the stunning examples that surround us in the natural world- everything gathering inward so that rebirth and the explosive expansion of life might be possible. And just as nature makes herself sparse and simple in these moments, we too, can relinquish our outward sprawling expressions and instead look inward- towards our little wise bits that lay quietly inside.

I would love to invite you all to another season at Inverbrook farm- next saturday, January 28th. Our harvest retreat was such a wonderful day, that we decided it would be so great, not to mention wise, to learn at every season, the way of the land. And also as it relates to the growth of the food that we eat. Connecting to a wider consciousness of our land and nourishment are some of the most upliftingly grounded practices I know.

Join me for a day of bundling up, romping around the farm to offer aid wherever we can, to be inspired by the dirt, the country air, the trees, the critters and to turn in, for a winter practice. In front of an open fire, we will practice yoga together and stoke our own internal fire, deep in the bones where we may be in need of a little warming. We will then settle into a softer practice of yin and restorative as winter warrants, to gaze into the embers of the heart and bring to consciousness the wisdom that is there, through deep quiet soft silken listening.

Following the practice we will cook together a wintry feast of locally sourced organic foods and enjoy the company of each other (maybe even throw in a round of my all-time fave- charades- yiperz!).

Transportation provided.
Investment- $35-55 sliding scale.
Leaving west philly at noon (Jan 28th) and returning after dindin.
Please feel free to forward on and invite your favorite cuddle buddies!
Email or call to reserve- missjuliahorn@gmail.com
484.535.1251
And if i don't see you on the farm, may you be surrounded in warmth and luv,
Julia
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Three Birds Bouquets-Perfect for Valentine's Day

Over the next couple of weeks I will be featuring some of our wonderful farm partners.  With Valentines day a little less that a month away, I wanted to mention 3 Birds Bouquet--the local flower CSA that delivers to the farm Wednesdays from June to September. 

I cannot think of a more perfect Valentine's Day gift-surprise that special someone in your life with not one, but twelve beautiful bouquets.  For more information about the cut flower CSA read the info below (taken from the 3 Birds website):

2012 Cut Flower CSA

As a member of our CSA…

You will receive an arrangement of fresh cut, seasonal flowers once a week for 12 weeks, dependent on supply of flowers (shares are variable due to weather, etc.) from June to September.

Flowers will be available for pick-up Wednesdays at Inverbrook Farm in West Grove, PA. Delivery to your participating business is also an option (dependent upon geography and number of orders from business).

Our locally grown, organic flowers offer an alternative to imported ones, which means you get fresher blooms, a smaller carbon footprint, and the knowledge that you are supporting community-based agriculture.

Shares are limited (and filling up fast!) We encourage you to sign up now to ensure your share simply by emailing us or giving us a call. One share is $100. Registration is open until February 15, 2012.

Gift certificates are available!

This would make a fantastic, thoughtful, lasting gift for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, anniversaries, or birthdays.
How to Register:
First, email to 3birdsbouquets@gmail.com with your intention.
Next, write a check payable to “Three Birds Bouquets” for $100 and send to:

Three Birds Bouquets
354 Little Elk Creek Road
Lincoln University, PA 19352

Reduction Resolution

Photo by Kelly G

"We learn from our gardens to deal with the most urgent question of the time: How much is enough?" - Wendell Berry

Whereas the Holidays are all about indulgence and excess; the New Year ushers in a time when many seem to focus on reduction. Whether it is cleansing and detoxifying, meditating and exercising or cleaning up our homes and offices—it seems like many are making the all important connection between the health of our bodies, spirits, and environment with the simplification of our lives. Reducing waste related to our eating and cooking habits has been the subject of numerous articles recently and I thought I would share some links of interest. 
Links:
Yes Magazine’s Ten Tips for a Zero Waste Household

Alternet’s Compost Cuisine: Amazing Ways to Make Delicious Food Out of Garbage

Mother Earth Posted this article on their Facebook site recently about how to store fruits and veggies without using plastic

Nourishing the Plant posted this article on reducing food waste

Here at Inverbrook Farm we compost our garden scraps. If you are a member of the CSA we offer to take your food scraps, that way if you do not have a home composting system we can do it for you. If you are interested in signing up for the 2012 CSA Season (a great way to keep you diet resolution) please check out the farm website. We are offering a special $50 discount for those who sign up before the end of January. Best wishes with your New Year Resolutions.

Happy New Year—Trends and Resolutions

Happy 2012. Trends and resolutions seem to be all the rage this time of year, so I thought I would share some of my favorite articles so far. It actually is very exciting to see the popularity of ideas like “farm-to-table” and “artisanal,” or to read that almost all the hot new diets still encourage the increased consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.

In honor of the new year and these encouraging trends, I am going to extend the early bird CSA discount until the end of January.  A 2012 CSA Share will cost $550 as opposed to $600 if you sign up before January, 31st 2012 . Go to the Inverbrook Farm website "news and information" page to download a sign up form. Whether you want to be trendy or stick to your diet resolutions, supporting local agriculture seems to be the way to go. Buy Fresh, Buy Local.

• Huffington Post 2012 Food Trends and from contributor and cookbook author Rose Gold “what we will be eating in 2012”
• From Grist the bad and good food news of 2011
• NPR weekend edition “Artisanal and Authetic the Flavors of the New Year”
• Mark Bittman’s (picture from article) No Meat, No Dairy, No Problem

And finally the Philly Inquirer’s wrap up of food critic Craig LeBan’s year in bells (his rating system) with a nice shout out to our local farm-to-table hero Aimee Olexy of Talula’s Table and Garden.   Cheers to Aimee and the continuation of the local farm-to-table trend!

Aimee Olexy at Talula's Garden

Happy Solstice-Knowing the Dark

 Happy Solstice!  Of all the rituals, events and reasons for celebrating this time of year--the winter solstice is truly the one I love the most.  That one long night marks the start of the days slowly getting longer--a time to embrace the dark with the knowledge that brighter days are just around the corner.  Usually its cold and bleak outside--not warm and balmy like today--so its nice to have a  reminder to celebrate this season of dark.  A time for reflection and planning; with each passing day getting brighter and longer.  Enjoy this poem by Wendell Berry--and enjoy the slow waning of darkness:

To Know the Dark

To go in the dark with a light is to know the light.

To know the dark, go dark.   Go without sight,

and find that the dark, too, blooms and sings,

and is traveled by dark feet and dark wings.

Holiday Sale at Inverbrook this Saturday 1-6PM

If crowded malls and impersonal big box stores are getting you down this holiday shopping season, I am happy to offer the perfect alternative.  This coming Saturday from 1-6PM we are hosting a holiday sale at the big stone house on the farm featuring a variety of talented local artisans.  Orchids, cheese, beeswax candles, temporary tattoos, pottery, seed packets, earrings, fabric bags, aprons, and more....this eclectic mix of vendors will provide a wide array of gift options.

Along with the great local artisans, I will be manning farm table which will include the ability to sign up for our 2012 CSA season, learn about the add on CSA options like the North Star Orchard Fruit share, buy gift certificates from Three Birds Bouquets, as well as the opportunity to purchase Camels Hump Rain Barrels. 

Shop locally and celebrate the holidays this season at Inverbrook Farm's Holiday Sale. A selection of fine handmade crafts and local fare will be available for purchase.

Featuring:
* Bessie -- bags, aprons & accessories
* Chansonette Flowers & Art -- inspired orchids & succulents
* Happy Cat Organics  -- where the slow food revolution begins
* HEIRLOOM: modern classic -- jewelry & accessories
* Lyla Kaplan Pottery -- functional stoneware
* Red Haven Farm -- artisan cheeses
* Matchstick Handmade -- beeswax candles
* Camels Hump Rain Barrels  -- water catchment systems
*Three Birds Bouquets -- flower csa

Bring your friends and enjoy light hors d'oeuvres while ringing in the holiday season and new year 1-6PM Saturday, December 17th!

Bessie's Bags



Matchstick Handmade Beeswax Candles



Happy Cat Seed Packets



Chansonette Orchids and Floral Creations

Lyla Kaplan Pottery bottle



Heirloom: modern classic pendant