Thursday, April 30, 2009

May Day at the Bloomington, IN Farmers Market!


The Bloomington Quarry Morris Dancers will be at the Bloomington Farmers Market at noon—ITS MAY and they will perform their annual dances! Image is from their website at http://www.bloomington.in.us/~morris/

From 10 a.m.- noon enjoy the 2009 Asian Fest at the Bloomington Farmers' Market takes place in the Showers atrium and outdoor stage area, in conjunction with the farmers' market.

Enjoy the diversity within Asian cultures through a children's art and poster exhibition, cooking demonstrations, cultural performances, art crafts and games. There will be a free henna and calligraphy demonstration, face painting, caricature art and a raffle drawing.

Cooking demonstrations will feature Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Vietnamese and Filipino dishes. Games include making masks from Asia, learning Korean folk games, Go game, Asian roulette and the Skittles Chopstick Challenge.
Entertainment includes Bollywood dances, sword dances, folk songs, music on the Japanese shakuhachi and "Kokdugakshi" (a form of marionette).

Among the performers: - a selection of Japanese folk and ensemble traditions to contemporary compositions, played on Japanese shakuhachi, by Tyler Fry and flute by Minori Inada;

- folk songs, Bhajans, and classical dance from India, Parts 1 and 2 by Rama Cousik, Jyotsna Sundaresan, Paresh Mishra, with percussion by Hari Shankar and Shiva Shankar and dance by Dhanalakshmi;

- Mongolian folk song by Delgerbat and Ochmaa Escue Dasheveg;
- Indian Dance to Desh Rangeela by Bindi-ana South Asian Girls' Club.
Dance choreographed by Ruchi Shah and Preya Dave;

- Indian Bollywood Dance by Ruchi Shah, who will perform a style of Indian dance frequently featured in Bollywood films;

"Bayad" by Solongo Tseveen;
- Taiji Sword Dance by Xiuyu Cai, Kiuyomi Macy, Sue Kim and Jiangmei Wu;
- "Dadas" by Erin Wilson - a traditional healing dance (adapted for the
stage) from the island of Borneo in Indonesia;

- "Kokdugakshi" (a form of marionette) by Korean School of Bloomington;

- and Indian dance to a medley of popular Bollywood songs by Nishi Patel, Nikhita Bhateja, Anisha Kumar, and Priyanka Dube.

For more information, e-mail acc@indiana.edu or call 856-5361.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Bloomington Kitchen Incubator

About the Bloomington Kitchen Incubator

The Bloomington Kitchen Incubator is a non- profit organization supporting farmers and entrepreneurs as they develop new successful food businesses that strengthen and expand the regional food economy. Members can take advantage of a variety of services that include business planning and development, access to a licensed kitchen, food product development, identifying
market opportunities, compliance with legal and health code regulations, office services, appropriate storage and warehousing options. This work is done in a cooperative atmosphere, which allows members to share in best practices, negotiate for bulk discounts and other benefits.

To learn more about the BKI, please contact Bobbi Boos at 812-272-3656 or
bobbiboos@gmail.com, or check out our developing website:
http:www.bloomingtonkitchenincubator.org

Our previous posting was about the Test Pilot Incubator Businesses!

BLOOMINGTON KITCHEN INCUBATOR 2 0 0 9 P i l o t C l i e n t s

I participated in the Luna Festival Sunday in the Showers building and to my delight the BLOOMINGTON KITCHEN INCUBATOR 2 0 0 9 P i l o t C l i e n t s were there giving out samples of their delicious products! They are all a delicious addition to local food products available in Bloomington, Indiana. I will share what information comes my way.

Katherine (Kat) Forgacs founded Kat’s Kitchen to provide South Central Indiana with “Good Food, Gluten-Free.” Kat’s Kitchen will source the best available
organic and/or local ingredients to create gluten-free, dairy-free prepared meals and baked goods at an affordable price. No more frustration over a gluten-free lifestyle! All of Kat’s products will clearly identify the presence of the most common allergens, including soy, nuts, corn, rice, and potato. No gluten or dairy ingredients will be used, and cross-contamination will be diligently avoided.

Kat’s Kitchen evolved out of a need for more freshly-made, gluten-free and dairy-free food choices in Central Indiana. Kat strives to create interesting, unique, and healthy alternatives to allergen-laden foods. Consumers will benefit by increasing their take-home meal options, by avoiding shipping fees and higher prices of non-local gluten-free bakers, and by knowing that they are supporting their local farmers and food producers.

For more information on products or special orders, contact Kat at kforgacs@gmail.com, or visit http://katskitchenglutenfree.blogspot.com for recipes, tips, and more information on life after gluten.

Alex Kroh says, “Bread Spreads was started
to celebrate the special relationship between the grain and legume. Bread Spreads is taking locally grown edamame and fava beans to create two delicious recipes, Edamame
Hummus and Fava Bean Salad.

“What is so special about these two foods, you ask? Just about everything, depending on who wants to know. Want a healthy snack? Both grains and beans are non-processed/
whole foods packed with nutrients that help to lower your cholesterol while being
virtually fat free. Don’t eat meat? The grain and legume combo is important because
complimentary amino acids allow your body to synthesize protein, which can be scarce in a meat free diet. In a recession? Since grains and legumes are widely grown throughout the world in large amounts, they come together to create inexpensive food for people who are on a budget. Enjoy unique, delicious food? Almost every culture has their own version of a grain/legume combination so the pantry of humanity is full of authentically tasty recipes waiting to be enjoyed.” Find out more at http://breadspreads.blogspot.com.

Joy Shayne Laughter, Founder and President
of Spreadable GOOD and a Bloomington
native, developed Mo’ Buttah! as a healthier
peanut butter alternative. Mo’ Buttah! blends whole-food sources of calcium, iron, and minerals with peanut butter and sunflower butter to make spreads
with a lighter texture than other nut butters, perfect for spreading, dipping, and mixing into your own recipes. Peanut and Sunflower offer their ingredients’ familiar robust flavors, while Peanut Spice and Sunflower Spice are exciting taste alternatives for adventurous palates. Sunflower flavors are made without soy products. All Mo’ Buttah! is dairy-free and vegan-friendly. Healthy and delicious
has got to be Mo’ Buttah!

Spreadable GOOD was founded to develop healthful snacks for low-income children
and teens who rely on non-profit programs for regular meals. Profits from sales of Mo’ Buttah! support production of Mo’ Buttah! for this mission.

HOPE’S HOMEMADES by Hope Lukens
will be coming soon to Bloomington. Hope’s products will include homemade cheesecakes, custom desserts, and baked goods including unique cookies, brownies
and “down-home” style cakes and breads - “Baked goods like you would if you could.”
All products will be highest quality, contain no added preservatives and will feature whole and locally-produced ingredients as much as possible. Hope says, “I am a Bloomington resident of 24 years, a graduate of Indiana University with a diverse past and work history including retail, banking, domestic work as a nanny and customer service and sales. I have worked for the past fifteen years to establish a
consistent and secure home for my children.

About the Bloomington Kitchen Incubator

The Bloomington Kitchen Incubator is a non- profit organization supporting farmers and entrepreneurs as they develop new successful food businesses that strengthen and expand the regional food economy. Members can take advantage of a variety of services that include business planning and development, access to a licensed kitchen, food product development, identifying
market opportunities, compliance with legal and health code regulations, office services, appropriate storage and warehousing options. This work is done in a cooperative atmosphere, which allows members to share in best practices, negotiate for bulk discounts and other benefits.

To learn more about the BKI, please contact Bobbi Boos at 812-272-3656 or
bobbiboos@gmail.com, or check out our developing website:
http:www.bloomingtonkitchenincubator.org

Free Discussion on Organic Gardening with Daniel Atlas

Free Discussion on Organic Gardening with IU Alumni Daniel Atlas

On Monday, April 27, 2009, Daniel Atlas will be discussing the importance of organic gardening and local agriculture. The format is a meet and greet and will be at Finch's Brasserie, 514 E Kirkwood Ave, 5:30pm-8pm. The discussion will include the release of his debut book titled Gardening with SPROUTS: A How-To Guide to Organic Gardening and Design. The book is an 83 page, full-color instructional guide detailing information ranging from setting up a garden and planting seeds to harvesting crops, to treating and preventing common garden pests and diseases. The book is essentially gardening through the eyes of SPROUTS (Students PRoducing organics Under The Sun), a student organization and organic garden at the corner of 8th Street and Fess Ave on the Indiana University campus.

Daniel is a 2008 IU alumni who received degrees in an IMP titled "Sustainability, Awareness, and Community Development," and a second major in Religious Studies. He is a cofounder of the SPROUTS garden which was established in 2005.

Come celebrate this joyous occasion with Daniel and learn how to start your own garden too! There will be food, drinks, a raffle drawing, and a gift for those who purchase a book.
#####

For more information, please contact sprouts@indiana.edu. SPROUTS (Students Producing Organics Under The Sun) is a student organization and student garden at Indiana University. Their mission is to promote sustainably and locally grown produce and food literacy. *SPROUTS is looking for volunteers for the summer too.

If interested please email the contact above or come to one of our workdays which are every Saturday 11am-3pm.* Come learn how to garden with us!!
#####

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Bale Out the Gardeners!

Yes, it would be quite fine if bale out monies would be given to communities instead of banks and car companies to establish community gardens and educational programs!

Open Polinated Seeds Only, Please!

I have often been asked, "When did you decide to garden organically and why do you prefer open pollinated seeds"? It was in the late 70's while living in Arizona. I knew that I wanted to pursue a simple lifestyle that included gardening. I was reading some Ruth Stout, Scott and Helen Nearing and Communities Magazines. One Tucson spring, I signed up for a class presented by "Meals for Millions"; a group working to develop a traditional approach to local gardening. I fell in love with the entire process of growing my own food, consuming it and saving seeds for the next season. I poured over Farmstead Magazine and Organic Garden and became very interested in saving seed, which led me to the Seed Savers Exchange, Gardens for All, biodynamics and alleopathy.

By the time I arrived in Bloomington, I was very interested in seed saving and establishing an heirloom garden. It was in searching for info on setting up my seed storehouse, that I found the Graham Center. I think that was in 1982 or 83. Some information in the publication sent ( I still have it in my garden files) shocked me. There was information about the poor state of our USDA Seed Banks and a statement (this is not verbatim) that of all the food resources that the USDA had cataloged at the turn of the century, less than three percent were left according to the current catalog and that the majority of the seeds maintained were mostly in tomatoes! I was horrified at the staggering losses and have never gotten over the shock of those numbers. The thousands of years of human work in creating a stable food source, and its loss in a short time, because of lack of attention and appreciation. I was already for open-pollinated seeds, and now knew that I would have trouble purchasing any other type.

Even then, it was clear that there were patterns at work to take control of food away from people. I learned that a number of countries had seed laws, that other countries were fighting to keep them off of their seeds. That there were places where it was illegal for farmers to save, and in some cases to sell, saved seeds.
That there are seed list and that there were a few companies beginning to buy up seeds. I saw companies pushing hybrid seeds out left and right, and people gobbling them up along with the fertilizers. I had never been fond of fertilizers. Even as a kid, I had decided that they were connected to my allergies.

Something in me said that the greedy folks were going to make things worse for everyone. I became further committed to open-pollinated seeds and in 1983 I hosted my first seed exchange in Brown County. I shared seeds I had gotten from gardeners all over the country. I shared seed I had gotten on my search in the community. I contacted old farmers and got seeds or starts. One year, I had a small seed business, Clear Sky. I saw the blooming of people interested in sustainability and community on my local level.

Now I leap into the present, and the nightmare of seed loss has increased. The seed companies have been reduced in numbers, of course the varieties available for use have been reduced, farmers are being sued. Some companies are working hard to make laws to take control of our food (and water), modify them and couple the seeds ability to grow with varieties of chemicals, many petroleum based.

Genetically modified seeds and chemical weed killers, are poison and toxic to the life on this planet.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Rawluck Raw Food Pot Luck and Raw Food Day!

Next Rawluck April 19 Sun 6 PM!!
Location: Steph's House, 1032 East Maxwell Lane (near Bryan Park)
PLEASE BRING LAWN CHAIRS if you want to sit :-)
Parking: On Sunday it is legal to park on Maxwell without permit,
please do not park at Steph's as we may need carport to eat under if
it is raining.
For recipe ideas, see http://www.living-foods.com/recipes/
If new to Living and Raw Foods, bring a pineapple, salad, bowl of raw nuts, etc.
We prefer all foods to be organic, please bring dish for 6-8 people.
If you bring enough to share leftovers we exchange foods when
finished.
contact Andy at windriveracupuncture@gmail.com with any questions.

UPCOMING
CONSCIOUSLY ALIVE! RAW FOOD DAY CONFERENCE
IN INDY JUNE 6,
see attached poster for details!!


Last Rawluck Mar 28 was HUGE success!!! We had nine people bring some
awesome savory dishes, including pizza, gazpacho, amazing cookies,
salads, living quinoa tabouleh, raw hummus, pineapple, walnuts, et al

--
The Center for Sustainable Living
323 South Walnut St.
Bloomington, IN 47401
(812) 332-8796
www.simplycsl.org

Thursday, April 09, 2009

Smaller Food

May this note find you well fed. Just a quick one to mention Smaller Food Indiana, a ning (social network). A virtual (sometimes actual) group for discussing local food sources and restaurants and the impact both economically and environmentally of sourcing local and organic food sources. It has a variety of voices from different parts of Indiana. Most of it stems from Indianapolis. Worth connecting with to expand and strengthen our state - local foods communities.

Friday, April 03, 2009

As We Approach Earth Day 2009!

In this note:

-A Rant
-Bloomington Farmers Market Opens
-A Few Garden Reminders from the Organic Gardening Association
- Every Garden A Kitchen Garden - OGA
- Want to Be A Farmer? Start Here - Video and information resource link
- Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
- EPA Halts Mountaintop Removal Mining Permits
- Fair Trade News - About Cadbury
- Urban Foraging - a Rising, Sustainable Fad
- World Fair Trade Day
- E-Waste Recycle Days - free re-cycling of home appliances and computer equipment!

May you be among a supportive family, friends, and community.

--------------------------------------------------
Of course most people now understand that EVERY DAY IS EARTH DAY! It is our home and needs lots of TLC. I know we have great abilities among us, and now is our time to begin where we are, working with the tools we have, along side our neighbors. We must hold close to our hearts that which we have left to work with. Let no one tell us that our rich land based heritage is lost. DO NOT let any business take control of that which we all need to live sustainability. Communities must hold together, and have (or work towards) the rights to clean water, clean air, food (open pollinated seeds, health care and good affordable housing for all citizens. When I think of bale outs, I think, what would it be like if the people who are supporting the mega corps were to be baled out? Ummm, what if the students were to be baled out? What if bale out money went to providing essential care to our citizens? It seems luney to me to provide millions to billions of dollars to failed businesses when the burden, the huge cost is placed on the backs of those who are struggling to hold on to their small businesses, homes, and in some cases feed their children.

Bloomington Farmers Market Opens Saturday, April 4th, 2009 stop by for fresh greens and lots of starter plants! Also, some CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) slots are still available!


Prune Fruit Trees - Prune fruit trees before buds swell. Sterilize pruning tools with a 10 percent solution of bleach before each cut, and dispose of branches properly. Prune out sucker growth, water sprouts and any diseased or dead branches. Remove branches that grow toward the center in order to open the crown.
Spray Dormant Oil

-Get ready to spray fruit trees with dormant oil. This will help control aphids, scales, mites and other insects. Make sure temperatures are above forty degrees with no chance of frost or rain for 24 hours. Don't spray if the day is windy.

Looking for more resources? Check out Gardening Resources at http://www.indianaholistichealth.net/gardeningresources.htm

Isn't Every Garden a Kitchen Garden?
We hear a lot these days about saving money by growing our own vegetables. This is a great thing to become involved in, and the best part is that you needn't plant five acres to have a garden. Kitchen gardens are rising in popularity and don't take... Read more »

Want to Be a New Farmer? Start Here

Small farming is on the rise. The USDA estimates there are more than 300,000 new farms in the U.S since 2002, with many being run by younger people. All those new farmers are looking for information on how to get started. Unlike academic or professional manuals, here’s a new, on-line resource book written by first time farmers on ways to be successful in farming.
The Greenhorns Guide to Beginning Farmers is written by a small, grass-roots, non-profit organization in Hudson, NY. Instead of a how-to guide for growing crop or raising animals, this book has sources of information and contact organizations that will help a beginning farmer get the knowledge they need to be successful. It includes information and resources on apprenticeships and internships, grants, loans, and innovative programs for obtaining land, pest management strategies, tools, and machinery. It includes sections on urban agriculture and even community activism.
Check out this informative resource guide free at: Greenhorns. http://thegreenhorns.net/resources/greeacres.pdf
Check out the video at - www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH7o3fxw6oE


Reduce your Carbon Footprint by Mowing Less

Many people are interested in reducing their carbon footprint in an effort to save energy and limit global warming. While driving less is one of the most obvious ways to do this, mowing your lawn less can also help.

Researchers at the Agricultural Institute of Canada in Ottawa calculated the amount of carbon emissions saved by mowing the average lawn less frequently. Researchers mowed plots of cool season grass lawns only 3 times a year and compared the carbon emissions with mowing similar plots every week. They measured the emissions from mowing a lawn at 0.4 pounds of carbon dioxide per square foot of lawn. To put this number into perspective, if you have a 2000 square foot lawn, mowing only 3 times a season will cut the carbon dioxide emissions by 600 pounds. That’s the equivalent of cutting back driving a car that gets 20 miles per gallon by 600 miles.
For a bigger picture perspective, when multiplied by the 50 million acres of lawn in the U.S., we could potentially reduce carbon emissions by more than 600 trillion pounds just by mowing less.
For more information, go to: Hort Ideas. http://users.mikrotec.com/~gwill/hi-art.htm#Article%204

EPA Halts Mountaintop Removal Mining Permits
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced last week that it is halting new permits for mountaintop removal coal mining until water quality impacts from the practice can be fully assessed.
Go to all articles - Go to this article
http://www.emagazine.com/view/?4625


Fair Trade News!
Cadbury Dairy Milk – the leading chocolate bar in the UK – has announced plans to begin using Fair Trade cocoa this summer. This is great news for cocoa farmers, which will boost Fair Trade Certified™ chocolate up to a full 15 percent of the chocolate market in England.

Please join us in celebrating this victory for Fair Trade, and at the same time, help us use this moment as an opportunity to persuade Cadbury to do better in the US.

Tell Cadbury thanks for taking this step in the UK – and ask them to expand Fair Trade in the US »


Urban Foraging - a Rising, Sustainable Fad
http://culturechange.org/go.html?374

Urban gardening will soon become as obvious a need as job generation, as
we put into perspective what it takes to survive.

In addition to creating gardens and orchards, foraging is already and will
always be vital. Foraging is part of hunter-gathering, the way we evolved
for millions of years. Following is a new report from a Portland, Oregon
weekly newspaper with handy tips and a healthy attitude for our times:

Man vs. Wild: From foraging to fermentation, how to hone your natural
instinct on a budget.
By Adrienne So, Willamette Week

You can take the man out of the wild, but you can’t take the wild out of
the man. Or, better said: you shouldn’t. The sun is coming out, the rains
are receding, and nature calls. Who cares if you don’t have the gas money
to motor out to Eagle Creek to go hiking?
...

To read the complete article, visit: http://culturechange.org/go.html?374


Be a Part of the World's Largest Coffee Break on May 9, 2009: World Fair Trade Day
May 9 - Green America is a proud sponsor of World Fair Trade Day, an international celebration of Fair Trade. The theme of this year’s World Fair Trade Day, Everything Is Better When It’s Fair, reminds us that Fair Trade is more than coffee, chocolate and handcrafts. Please join us to break last year’s record of the world’s largest Fair Trade coffee break.
http://www.fairtraderesource.org/wftd/wftd-09/fair-trade-break-action-guide/


E-Waste Recycle Days - If you are a member of the general public or an IU student, staff, or faculty member
Bloomington
Apr 30th - May 2nd, 9:00am - 2:00pm
Indiana University - Bloomington
N Dunn St & E 17th St (get directions)
Bloomington, Monroe, IN 47408

Indianapolis
Apr 30th - May 2nd, 9:00am - 2:00pm
Indiana State Fairgrounds
E 38th St & Coliseum Ave (get directions)
Indianapolis, IN 46205
http://indiana.poweron.com/p/default