tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54639111169202795812024-03-13T05:28:28.677-07:00LA Farm WomanUrban farm, agriculture, and garden listings, events, pictures, stories, and musings from a city girl in love with farms and who wants to help preserve them.LA Farm Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12956770444517579168noreply@blogger.comBlogger214125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5463911116920279581.post-47508414855756234672014-04-07T17:54:00.001-07:002014-04-07T20:10:03.259-07:00It's Spring! Let The #CAGrown Flower Love Continue<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w-kLGvAtiWk/U0NEzG6aOnI/AAAAAAAACEs/k2uS3t2u7CA/s1600/FlowerFields8.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w-kLGvAtiWk/U0NEzG6aOnI/AAAAAAAACEs/k2uS3t2u7CA/s1600/FlowerFields8.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a> </div>
After posting about the wonderful open nursery/greenhouse tour I took in <a href="http://lafarmgirl.blogspot.com/2014/04/la-farm-girl-lives-visits-californias.html" target="_blank">Carpinteria</a>, I got to thinking (scary I know); it is April and that means Carlsbad's Flower Fields are in full bloom and a must-see spring outing.<br />
<br />
For those who are uninformed, <a href="http://www.theflowerfields.com/" target="_blank">The Flower Fields</a> at Carlsbad Ranch consist of 50 acres of Giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers, on a hillside the overlooks the Pacific Ocean. Those who know me well, know that my favorite flower is Iris, my next favorite: Gerber daisies and rounding out the top 3: ranunculus.<br />
<br />
What's a ranunculus? As they say on their FAQ page, "The ranunculus flower is native to Asia Minor and is a member of the
buttercup family. This unique blossom also is known as a Persian
Buttercup or Ranunculus Asiatic."<br />
<br />
Standing among these delicate beauties at the Flower Fields is like standing inside of a rainbow. But these fields of color are short-lived and generally are in bloom for about 6-8 weeks from mid-March to mid-May, and this year the last scheduled open day is May 11, so don't miss them!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XqyOK_O2_wY/U0NEXmtIt5I/AAAAAAAACEc/6jcK1mmwXbA/s1600/FlowerFields5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XqyOK_O2_wY/U0NEXmtIt5I/AAAAAAAACEc/6jcK1mmwXbA/s1600/FlowerFields5.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w-kLGvAtiWk/U0NEzG6aOnI/AAAAAAAACEs/k2uS3t2u7CA/s1600/FlowerFields8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Not only can you take in the beauty of the flowers themselves, but there's lots of other activities and events for all ages including antique tractor rides, a sweet pea maze, an organic demonstration garden and of course, ranunculus bulbs available for purchase. When I first visited the fields many years ago, admission was free, but like most things, that's changed. The good news is that you can purchase your <a href="http://www.theflowerfields.com/get-tickets" target="_blank">tickets online </a>ahead of time.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7nsgLaifJkI/U0NEvX6vG5I/AAAAAAAACEo/7sPcQFMgsJI/s1600/FlowerFields2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7nsgLaifJkI/U0NEvX6vG5I/AAAAAAAACEo/7sPcQFMgsJI/s1600/FlowerFields2.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qfBkqEhLFzU/U0NGmbbgeKI/AAAAAAAACE4/lltMxvK4NaQ/s1600/FlowerFields9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />LA Farm Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12956770444517579168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5463911116920279581.post-68018173697841688212014-04-03T16:40:00.000-07:002014-04-03T16:40:46.140-07:00LA Farm Girl Lives & Visits California's Flower Basket <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UR7crlLSkKs/Uz3sX8OUX9I/AAAAAAAACD8/oFfXcalXJiQ/s1600/1920102_10152295151346880_1480557591_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UR7crlLSkKs/Uz3sX8OUX9I/AAAAAAAACD8/oFfXcalXJiQ/s1600/1920102_10152295151346880_1480557591_n.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gerber daisies as far as the eye can see. I did not want to leave Maximum Nursery.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It has been so long since I have posted anything to this blog, that I often get emails from people inquiring about my well-being. I am happy to report that I am fine, alive and kicking, and was simply taking a very long, unplanned break from blogging. Life happens and time passes. So, I am making an effort to start writing here again.<br />
<br />
Easing back into the blog, here are some photos from the 6th Annual Carpinteria Greenhouse and Nursery Tour held on Saturday, March 29. This free event lets visitors tour several flower farms to get an idea of what it takes to grow the beautiful California flowers that Carpinteria is so famous for. Carpinteria is actually known as the flower basket of the United States.<br />
<br />
A self-guided tour, you were able to visit as many (or as few) of the farms and nurseries as you liked. Not surprisingly, with a last name like Gerber, I made sure to visit a Gerbera daisy producer and was not disappointed in the tour offered by Winfred Van Wingerden of Maximum Nursery. I am thinking they need to hire this Gerber to help spread the Gerber daisy love!!!<br />
<br />
As I always do, I want to remind everyone to buy local and support our
California farmers whenever we can. That also extends to flowers, so buy #cagrown and
#caflowers! The good news is that this is easily done. Did you know that there are 120 acres of Gerber daisies grown in the United States and 80% of them are grown in Carpinteria? And, that you don't even have to visit there to get some? If you are a Trader Joe's shopper, you can find fresh bouquets of Maximum Nursery Gerber daisies year round! <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hu6ojHbaX88/UzoAZZpAMyI/AAAAAAAACDQ/5n2qK6dv82I/s1600/1535497_10152295150611880_1043829748_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hu6ojHbaX88/UzoAZZpAMyI/AAAAAAAACDQ/5n2qK6dv82I/s1600/1535497_10152295150611880_1043829748_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Maximum Nursery Gerbera daisies all wrapped and ready for purchase</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYAKEFIj6zY/UzoAZgxhmRI/AAAAAAAACDI/aLxRfnM8sFk/s1600/1656123_10152295150886880_1195890790_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYAKEFIj6zY/UzoAZgxhmRI/AAAAAAAACDI/aLxRfnM8sFk/s1600/1656123_10152295150886880_1195890790_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful two-toned Gerbera daisy from Maximum Nursery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Imh2SW5Y9yU/UzoAacLhUUI/AAAAAAAACDg/z3gyIaqGxuQ/s1600/1920522_10152295151276880_152721381_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Imh2SW5Y9yU/UzoAacLhUUI/AAAAAAAACDg/z3gyIaqGxuQ/s1600/1920522_10152295151276880_152721381_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brilliantly colored Maximum Nursery Gerbera</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fgoP9h-DZvg/Uz3sFhrU_WI/AAAAAAAACDw/NtgOEcCVSyY/s1600/10001492_10152295150811880_272703654_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fgoP9h-DZvg/Uz3sFhrU_WI/AAAAAAAACDw/NtgOEcCVSyY/s1600/10001492_10152295150811880_272703654_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Gerbera love from Maximum Nursery</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />LA Farm Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12956770444517579168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5463911116920279581.post-27090938509373569712013-06-25T15:38:00.003-07:002013-06-30T23:48:39.609-07:00The Reason I am LA Farm Girl <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
It has been so long since I have posted anything on this blog, I don't think people are even reading it anymore. Life seems to get in the way of my own blog, or actually other people's work does; specifically writing for other people does. That, and teaching gardening workshops and classes, and working in the hospital <a href="http://lafarmgirl.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-gift-of-learning-garden.html" target="_blank">learning garden</a>, and of course, there's volunteering.<br />
<br />
I have often been asked: why are you LA Farm Girl? How did that happen? Especially from people who knew me when I was younger, in school, or in a different profession, and recall that I was never a "farmer" or even a gardener. <br />
<br />
And, I always try to give a simple yet complete answer, but like most things in my life, there was no simple path that led me here and really no short way to explain it. As most of my friends and family know, just 21 days before our wedding, my husband broke his hip on his bicycle and I started working part time to help him heal up quicker.<br />
<br />
Considering that I was miserable at my job, but trying very hard to get the most bang for my buck and use that MPA, once I went part-time, I never went back, and soon, it turned into a permanent thing and I eventually quit my "real" job to focus on writing.<br />
<br />
Having no plan, or even a remote idea where or how to make a go as a full time writer, I completely floundred and found myself with no work and no income and went through many very lean years. <br />
<br />
During these lean years, along came the chance for me to not only make some more money, but for me to find my place in the world, only I did not know this at the time. It came in the form of one of the most wonderful women I have ever had the pleasure of meeting, Ms. Mary Lou Weiss, the Market Manager at the Torrance Certified Farmers' Market, who sadly, passed away on Saturday. It is my sadness at losing her that compels me to write this now. <br />
<br />
I had known Mary Lou for a long time. I met her while I was working for the City as an analyst. But, I got to know her better as each Tuesday I started to shop at the farmers' market to save us some money, while I struggled to find a way to make more.<br />
<br />
During this time I did everything from tutoring ESL students to merchandising jobs including sorting out and displaying cards for Hallmark, and seeds for (gasp) Burpee seeds (now I know better). <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OMLzx5CZQxg/UcoNWgL8qJI/AAAAAAAAByQ/iuUT3n__ffI/s1600/MaryLouBundled2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OMLzx5CZQxg/UcoNWgL8qJI/AAAAAAAAByQ/iuUT3n__ffI/s320/MaryLouBundled2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The awesome Mary Lou Weiss</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One day, Mary Lou asked me if I would like to help her out and become her Market Assistant on Saturdays since at the time she didn't have one. I of course jumped at the chance and took the job. Once again, without thinking or planning (do you see a pattern here), I soon found I was in over my head. I am not a 5 a.m. girl; I am not a 6 a.m. girl; I am barely a 7 a.m. girl. But alas, in order to do the job you have to <b>be there every Saturday by 6 a.m.</b> <br />
<br />
Needless to say, I did not last long as the Saturday Assistant, but, I did find a deeper connection to both the market, and our farmers, and that was Mary Lou. I heard their stories first hand, but mostly I heard them from Mary Lou who told me how hard they worked to get themselves to the market and that without farmers' markets our farmers couldn't survive. I saw how when they had personal problems, or needed assistance, she made sure they had it. <br />
<br />
She had such a love for our farmers and for the farmer's market, taking care of them is what kept her going, year after year, in spite of struggle after struggle against over regulation, greed, and a complete lack of concern by those who only saw our market as a cash cow to be exploited, and a general apathy towards our farmers by most of the public. She both advocated for them, and worked to educate the public on how important our family farmers are. She said that it's simple, we can help and support them by shopping from them.<br />
<br />
She never got angry at me for not doing the Assistant job and instead encouraged me to be involved as a volunteer. I told her I wanted to write a newsletter for her and tell the stories of our farmers. I was completely unreliable and sporadic at how often I would do one, but once again, she never got angry and always greeted me with a smile and the familiar: "hey Jude, how's it going?"<br />
<br />
She was one of the few people in my life who never seemed to be mad at me for overcomitting because she was the same way. Like mine, her intentions were always good, and she had a hard time saying no, and sometimes things fell through the cracks, but she always did the important things that needed to be done.<br />
<br />
Her love for both her farmers and her friends was unconditional. That doesn't mean she didn't let you know if you'd done something wrong, or that she was angry about something, but, once she got it out, she moved on and was always there for you, without question. She "rescued" so many other people, gave them jobs helping at the market, and if there was some way to help you, she did it.<br />
<br />
It was her love for our farmers that changed my life. It was infectious. It made me want to do something to help even though I wasn't sure how. So, I did what I am doing now, what I always do when I need to do something, I write about it. Once I started, I couldn't stop writing about them and talking about them. Now, 13 years later, I still am. It was because of her that I found my life's passion and I don't think I ever got the chance to thank her for that.<br />
<br />
Now I feel such sorrow that I can't share this passion with her anymore. When my first book came out about our farm history and our farmers today, she was my biggest cheerleader, letting me have book talks and sales at the market.<br />
<br />
I will miss you more than I can say, I don't think it has even sunk in yet. I will do my best to keep telling the stories that need to be told. But, I know I cannot tell them the way that you did. I will do my best to make sure that the market you fought so hard for and that you made so successful keeps going in the way that you built it to be, with the same integrity and concern for both our farmers and our environment, even if that means I have to step into the political fray again.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vA68agHzMjs/UcoaqbHUldI/AAAAAAAAByg/TWd6aHzPu8Y/s1600/IMG_2782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vA68agHzMjs/UcoaqbHUldI/AAAAAAAAByg/TWd6aHzPu8Y/s320/IMG_2782.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Your beloved market is still going strong. This is from today/Tuesday June 25, 2013</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />LA Farm Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12956770444517579168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5463911116920279581.post-52242578982919401072013-02-25T14:30:00.001-08:002013-02-25T14:31:50.667-08:00Suport LA's Local Breweries: Yes Beer is Agriculture!!!!!This past weekend I was fortunate enough to have gone on a FREE, yes FREE docent led walk through the murals of LA's Art District. This was sponsored by the <a href="http://www.cafam.org/" target="_blank">Craft and Folk Art Museum </a>and led by the<a href="http://www.muralconservancy.org/" target="_blank"> Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles</a>. If you ever get the chance to go on one of these tours---do it!<br />
<br />
Here's a couple of photos of some murals I saw on Saturday:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S_BKjaR_IaA/USvhuTe-2NI/AAAAAAAABvg/vcGlrGh24iU/s1600/ExplodingHeadMural.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S_BKjaR_IaA/USvhuTe-2NI/AAAAAAAABvg/vcGlrGh24iU/s320/ExplodingHeadMural.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZY5ZTbjyAJo/USviA7_R55I/AAAAAAAABvo/A8_pJIlFTR4/s1600/lowridermural.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZY5ZTbjyAJo/USviA7_R55I/AAAAAAAABvo/A8_pJIlFTR4/s320/lowridermural.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
While I was on the tour I noticed so many new and fun places to eat and drink in the Arts District, including my favorite brewery <a href="http://angelcitybrewery.com/verify.php" target="_blank">Angel City Brewery,</a> while it might not be new, it was new to me to see the building they have settled in on Alameda and 2nd, and they had a tour starting so I took the tour and sampled a couple of brews I hadn't tried.<br />
<br />
Here's Angel City's own little mural:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m4Cjmvr4LMU/USvjljS1CsI/AAAAAAAABv0/Idu7GICDUM4/s1600/IMG_2320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m4Cjmvr4LMU/USvjljS1CsI/AAAAAAAABv0/Idu7GICDUM4/s320/IMG_2320.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vigwRTOAtBs/USvjyQiXFEI/AAAAAAAABwA/fdLOAKkUH7k/s1600/IMG_2318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vigwRTOAtBs/USvjyQiXFEI/AAAAAAAABwA/fdLOAKkUH7k/s320/IMG_2318.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And, the address/front of the building is 216 S. Alameda</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e1M0nstCsVY/USvlBHufRyI/AAAAAAAABwM/CSKmnNhtLKY/s1600/angelcitybeer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e1M0nstCsVY/USvlBHufRyI/AAAAAAAABwM/CSKmnNhtLKY/s320/angelcitybeer.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beer!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Now, you might be thinking, it sounds like you had a great day, lots of fun but what does your outing have to do with agriculture? Well, beer is made from barley and hops and craft beer making is not just a new/old home hobby coming back, but craft breweries throughout LA have popped up and they were one of the oldest farm related businesses in Los Angeles.<br />
<br />
So, I wrote my Care2 post this week about local "craft" breweries. Like local produce, local breweries provide the community with many beneifts, read it <a href="http://www.care2.com/greenliving/6-reasons-to-drink-local-beer.html" target="_blank">here.</a><br />
<br />
And, watch this blog for a future post about how Angel City Brewery has come full circle, ending up in the Arts District, near where LA's original breweries were and Wine Country was along the Los Angeles River. <br />
<br />
<span id="goog_1531131461"></span><span id="goog_1531131462"></span><br />LA Farm Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12956770444517579168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5463911116920279581.post-21731390098182998592013-02-11T22:17:00.002-08:002013-02-11T22:17:32.569-08:00Seed Library of LA Meeting This Saturday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ICfkQ4vEoqE/URneVxW7GCI/AAAAAAAABvQ/D5YDIziHvQI/s1600/PB180036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ICfkQ4vEoqE/URneVxW7GCI/AAAAAAAABvQ/D5YDIziHvQI/s320/PB180036.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
Join
the <a href="http://slola.org/" target="_blank">Seed Library of Los Angeles (SLOLA)</a> on Saturday, February 16th, from 2:30-4:00 pm for their monthly meeting, presentation and library hours.<br />
<br />
This month, SLOLA Chair
David King presents "Sex in the City: Lessons from Urban Pollination"<br />
<br />
Description from their site: "All the
published work on seed saving supposes we are saving seeds out in the country
side with miles and miles of horizon. This is not exactly what we deal with and
therefore their conclusions are not necessarily applicable to our work. From
practical experience, David King will explain how most modern research on plant
pollination deviates from our reality and how we can use this data, adapting it
to our specific situation to save seed without making ourselves crazy."<br />
<br />
All SLOLA meetings are free and open anyone. HOWEVER, a lifetime membership costs only $10 and you can check out heirloom and
non-GMO seeds from the library with your membership.<br />
<br />
They just received a huge donation from Baker
Creek this December.<br />
<br />
Meetings are held at: The Learning Garden at
Venice High School (13000 Venice Blvd, enter on Walgrove).<br />
<br />
If you aren't sure what a <a href="http://www.care2.com/greenliving/sowing-future-seeds.html" target="_blank">seed library</a> is, read a bit about them and also about<a href="http://www.care2.com/greenliving/save-seeds-and-money-swap-them.html" target="_blank"> seed swapping</a> in my Healthy and Green Living posts on Care2.LA Farm Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12956770444517579168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5463911116920279581.post-72269645195060896042012-12-09T10:31:00.003-08:002012-12-09T10:31:44.609-08:00Join LA Farm Girl at Foodprint LA Today!<a href="http://www.foodprintproject.com/l" target="_blank">Foodprint LA i</a>s the "fourth in a series of international conversations about food and the city."<br />
<br />
I am very humbled and excited (but nervous) to have been asked to be a panelist at today's event. I will be part of the panel "<strong><strong>Edible Archaeology" (</strong>3:00 to 3:55 p.m.)</strong> <em>How has today’s food culture in Los Angeles been shaped by social
changes, economic fluctuations, and technological innovations throughout
the city’s history?"</em><br />
<br />
There are several other great panels discussing the issue of food from all different perspectives including zoning and planning issues, mapping issues, and the last one of the day about food opportunities and challenges.<em></em><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b1ZqAuLw5So/UMTY51z5DBI/AAAAAAAABnk/XePCAlmFr3w/s1600/foodprint_la_big.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b1ZqAuLw5So/UMTY51z5DBI/AAAAAAAABnk/XePCAlmFr3w/s320/foodprint_la_big.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Date:</b> Sunday, December 9<br />
<b>Time:</b> 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.<br />
<b>Location:</b> <a href="http://www.lacma.org/">LACMA</a>‘s Brown Auditorium (5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90036)<br />
<b>Free and open to the public; seating is limited</b>LA Farm Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12956770444517579168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5463911116920279581.post-35567798552391137292012-10-20T16:00:00.000-07:002012-10-20T16:12:41.897-07:00It is Pumpkin Time: Visit A Real Farm<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0mTRGPUk7zU/SsTR7cMxGBI/AAAAAAAAAkE/fUTPkR7bkZA/s1600-h/FornerisMarket.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387661873354184722" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0mTRGPUk7zU/SsTR7cMxGBI/AAAAAAAAAkE/fUTPkR7bkZA/s320/FornerisMarket.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a>I have been wanting to post on this blog for a long time and between starting up the Torrance Memorial Learning Garden, finishing a book, and my "regular' writing gigs, I seem to just run out of time.<br />
<br />
So, I decided to revamp a post from several years ago because it is pumpkin patch time and my favorite time of the year. <br />
<br />
While I am so sad to face this first fall season without my favorite local farm, the awesome Tom T. <a href="http://lafarmgirl.blogspot.com/2008/09/its-pumpkin-time.html" target="_blank">Ishibashi Farm</a>, I am happy to be able to write about another of my favorite farms, a great family farm where you can pick-your-own pumpkin and support a great local LA farmer.<br />
<div>
</div>
<br />
<div>
Yep, a "real" LA farmer, imagine that!<a href="http://www.fornerisfarms.com/" target="_blank"> Forneris Farms</a><a href="http://www.fornerisfarms.com/"></a>, is one of only two "traditional" farms left in the San Fernando Valley---John Forneris has been farming in Mission Hills for the past 43 years! </div>
<br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387662050191025010" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0mTRGPUk7zU/SsTSFu99I3I/AAAAAAAAAkM/CPfwhxW_F4k/s320/FornerisCornMaze.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" />Not only can you pick-your-own pumpkin, but now during Harvest Festival time there's great activities for the whole family including a corn maze, a tractor-pulled train ride, a "farm frolic" area with kid's games, farm animals, antique tractors and cars, and on weekends there's food and entertainment. And, of course their farm market is always open and features farm fresh produce year-round.<br />
<div>
</div>
<br />
<div>
They are also now on Twitter, <a href="http://twitter.com/fornerisfarms">http://twitter.com/fornerisfarms</a> so follow them!</div>
<br />
<div>
</div>
<div>
Let's show John and Barbara that we support them and appreciate that they are here providing us with locally, grown, farm fresh produce and a great on-farm experience for the whole family! </div>
LA Farm Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12956770444517579168noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5463911116920279581.post-26661914290488679762012-09-21T22:24:00.002-07:002012-09-21T22:24:41.549-07:00The Gift of a Learning Garden <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x6wXD8uzqTY/UF1K9T17SyI/AAAAAAAABk8/zHlS_8_2qbE/s1600/gardensept182012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x6wXD8uzqTY/UF1K9T17SyI/AAAAAAAABk8/zHlS_8_2qbE/s320/gardensept182012.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our garden is thriving in this heat!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For those who have actually kept visiting this blog, you might have wondered where I have been. I haven't written anything here in over a month. There are several reasons for this. Not only am I still working on a book, I have also embarked on a hands-on project that has taken up a great deal of time.<br />
<br />
I have had the privilege of creating a mini, urban farm for my local hospital at a local community garden plot. That has meant that I have not only been planting, maintaining, watering, harvesting this "farm," but have been leading classes and work days for our participants.<br />
<br />
<br />
This is literally a learning garden for all involved, especially me. While I have been teaching classes in various conference rooms at the hospital, to finally be working in the ground and at a garden has meant that I need to change everything. And, while it involves more work, it has been so much fun!<br />
<br />
So, instead of writing about "bigger" issues or the latest in LA urban farming, I am going to post a few photos both from and of our garden. I hope to get back to blogging soon!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H94_lJDNNNo/UF1HVvrf7QI/AAAAAAAABkU/xZ5gy2WmjI4/s1600/eggplantseptember172012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H94_lJDNNNo/UF1HVvrf7QI/AAAAAAAABkU/xZ5gy2WmjI4/s320/eggplantseptember172012.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perfect eggplant </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uvktCVWgW7Y/UF1KpxyI-CI/AAAAAAAABk0/j7Py8zMpzD0/s1600/cosmosept18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uvktCVWgW7Y/UF1KpxyI-CI/AAAAAAAABk0/j7Py8zMpzD0/s320/cosmosept18.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cosmos attracting our beneficial pests</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gabqtVdNhZ0/UF1JCj7zJJI/AAAAAAAABks/uKtuwT93Sds/s1600/HarvestSeptember102012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gabqtVdNhZ0/UF1JCj7zJJI/AAAAAAAABks/uKtuwT93Sds/s320/HarvestSeptember102012.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our harvest from September 10</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />LA Farm Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12956770444517579168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5463911116920279581.post-53599509683609470962012-08-02T16:45:00.004-07:002012-08-02T16:45:57.814-07:00Share Your Summer BountyThe time has been going so fast that I have been so negligent of this blog. So, once again, here's the<a href="http://www.care2.com/greenliving/share-your-summer-bounty.html" target="_blank"> column</a> I wrote this week for Care2.com Healthy Living.<br />
<br />
It is about sharing your excess produce with those in need. I was shocked to find over 20 food pantries within 15 miles of my own zip code. As I wrote in the column,<a href="http://www.ampleharvest.org/gardener-faq.php" target="_blank"> Ample Harvest </a>can help you find where to donate, and give you tips on what and how to donate. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a3Egw98RGWU/UBsQq05-OTI/AAAAAAAABgE/EKw9JTVXbQM/s1600/bountyjuly292012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a3Egw98RGWU/UBsQq05-OTI/AAAAAAAABgE/EKw9JTVXbQM/s400/bountyjuly292012.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From my garden: Sun Sugar and Early Girl tomatoes, kale, leaf lettuces and green beans</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />LA Farm Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12956770444517579168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5463911116920279581.post-2174920138288246932012-07-02T17:02:00.001-07:002012-07-02T17:02:02.551-07:00Go Visit A Farm!Those who actually read this blog, have probably noticed that my posts get less and less frequent. I am working on trying to change that so that I can keep you all up-to-date on what's going on in the LA farm community.<br />
<br />
But, for now, I will just direct you to a<a href="http://www.care2.com/greenliving/3-good-reasons-to-visit-a-farm-this-summer.html" target="_blank"> post</a> I did for my Care2 Healthy Living page. Since it is summer, a great way to relax and have fun, and to support our small farmers is by visiting a farm or farm trails. And, since we live in California, we have plenty to choose from, nearly 30 of them from San Diego all the way north to Gold Country.<br />
<br />
Although I included the link in the post, here it is again for my CA peeps. You can find a farm trail, an individual farm, and other agri-tourism sites at UC Davis’
California <a href="http://calagtour.org/AgTour.ASP" target="_blank">Agricultural Tourism Database.</a><br />
<br />
Get out and support our small farmers! If you aren't going away, why not visit one of my local favorites, <a href="http://www.fornerisfarms.com/" target="_blank"> Forneris Farms</a> in the San Fernando Valley. Their farm stand is now open and they have sweet corn and tomatoes and plenty of other farm fresh produce. <br />
<div style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ClFtvnCsvYo/T_I1-kCeEOI/AAAAAAAABb0/C2GAgJUouMo/s1600/fornerisstuff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="311" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ClFtvnCsvYo/T_I1-kCeEOI/AAAAAAAABb0/C2GAgJUouMo/s400/fornerisstuff.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo courtesy Forneris Farms</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<br />LA Farm Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12956770444517579168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5463911116920279581.post-2691415918075695752012-05-10T09:15:00.004-07:002012-05-10T09:15:51.630-07:00Legalize Beekeeping in Los Angeles!Here's a<a href="http://www.examiner.com/article/legalize-urban-beekeeping-los-angeles?no_cache=1336666292" target="_blank"> little something</a> I wrote for my Los Angeles Urban Agriculture Examiner page about the efforts of <a href="http://honeylove.org/" target="_blank">HoneyLove</a> (and others) to get an ordinance passed in the City of Los Angeles to make beekeeping legal.<br />
<br />
That's right, beekeeping is illegal in residential areas and with the threat from Colony Collapse and the increased interest in beekeeping by urban residents, the time is right for them to change this policy!<br />
<br />
If you agree, sign the Change.org<a href="http://www.change.org/petitions/legalize-urban-beekeeping-in-los-angeles-2" target="_blank"> petition </a>that HoneyLove created to show the City Council how important this issue is to its constituents!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mExtPppZMNY/T6vpDmlYuCI/AAAAAAAABTA/i8FWPf2KK5E/s1600/honeylove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mExtPppZMNY/T6vpDmlYuCI/AAAAAAAABTA/i8FWPf2KK5E/s1600/honeylove.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: HoneyLove</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />LA Farm Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12956770444517579168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5463911116920279581.post-10135015253620326012012-04-26T17:01:00.001-07:002012-04-26T17:07:52.583-07:00New Autry Farmers' Market<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Those who like both Western history and fresh produce are in
luck, a new farmers' market is opening this weekend (Saturday, April 28) at the</span><a href="http://theautry.org/" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" target="_blank"> Autry National Cent</a><a href="http://theautry.org/" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" target="_blank">er </a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">in Griffith Park.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">It will feature both conventional and organic produce
and lots of yummy prepared foods. Some of my favorite growers and foodies will
be selling there including <a href="http://www.underwoodfamilyfarms.com/" target="_blank">Underwood Family Farms</a> from Moorpark, and <a href="http://tuttifruttifarms.com/" target="_blank">Tutti Frutti Farms</a> from
Lompoc. <a href="http://homeboy-industries.org/index.php/business/homeboy-farmers-markets/" target="_blank">Homeboy Bakery</a> and <a href="http://www.heirloomla.com/" target="_blank">Heirloom LA </a>will be selling prepared foods.</span></div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ekw9y6eSlao/T5nfcdnSXkI/AAAAAAAABRU/Lm3edV9ebAk/s1600/Autry+Promo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ekw9y6eSlao/T5nfcdnSXkI/AAAAAAAABRU/Lm3edV9ebAk/s400/Autry+Promo.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(image courtesy of LA City Farm)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;">Here's the Details: </span></b></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<b></b>
<b>Day/Time:</b> Every Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to Noon</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<b>Location:</b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> The Autry in Griffith Park</span><b> </b></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<b>Admission:</b> Free Admission / Autry Members Receive a 10 percent Discount on Purchase</div>LA Farm Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12956770444517579168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5463911116920279581.post-71118441510291683132012-04-21T18:07:00.001-07:002012-04-21T18:07:11.301-07:00Help Pierce College Farm: Go to Farm Walk April 22nd!!!<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]-->
</div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]-->
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Los Angeles Pierce College in Woodland Hills is the
last agriculture college in the City of Los Angeles (actually in the City of
LA) not LA County.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Right in the middle of metropolitan Los Angeles, next
to the San Fernando Valley’s largest business district, lies a 200-acre
teaching farm, part of Los Angeles Pierce College’s agriculture
department. </span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1XO5DUGNsIY/T5NYyuWUXOI/AAAAAAAABQg/Y8j-N1DYfX4/s1600/PierceGoat2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1XO5DUGNsIY/T5NYyuWUXOI/AAAAAAAABQg/Y8j-N1DYfX4/s320/PierceGoat2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A goat resident at Pierce College Farm, from Farm Walk 2003</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Pierce College is one of the nine colleges
of the Los Angeles Community College District, and the only one that still
features an agriculture focus. The preservation and use of the farm’s tillable
area and rangeland represents the last farmland left in this suburban
area. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Its agricultural roots run deep; when the
campus was established in 1947, it was founded as the Clarence W. Pierce School
of Agriculture and its entire faculty was dedicated to teaching production
agriculture. Today, there are less than a dozen teachers in the department.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The college is probably best known for its
two-year Pre-Veterinary Sciences Program and this year, the college nearly lost
all of the large animals at the farm that are critical to this program because
they could not afford to care for and feed them.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">You can help by attending the college's
Annual Farm Walk, a community open house that lets the public see all that the
farm has to offer. The event offers activities for all ages and gives city
residents a chance to see a farm up close. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UmTABpqsOO8/T5NYGDzuWbI/AAAAAAAABQY/VJ16LST77Uo/s1600/Farmwalk2012Op.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UmTABpqsOO8/T5NYGDzuWbI/AAAAAAAABQY/VJ16LST77Uo/s400/Farmwalk2012Op.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Here's Details On The Event:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Location: Pierce College, 6201 Winnetka
Avenue, Woodland Hills, CA </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Sunday, April 22, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Admission: $5, and free for children under
12 </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Activities: Petting zoo, pony rides, face
painting, sheep shearing, cow-milking, and gourmet food trucks will be there to
feed hungry visitors!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">If you can't make it to Farm Walk, you can
still help the farm by donating to its <a href="http://faculty.piercecollege.edu/shapirls/adoptacow.html" target="_self">Adopt
a Cow</a> program or by making donations online to the <a href="http://foundation.piercecollege.edu/" target="_self">Pierce College
Foundation</a>, just designate that you want your donation to go to the Friends
of the Pierce College Farm when prompted to provide more information. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yRLgHrW81v4/T5NZW4dadPI/AAAAAAAABQo/UA9No9Fap_Y/s1600/Pierce+College+Farm2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yRLgHrW81v4/T5NZW4dadPI/AAAAAAAABQo/UA9No9Fap_Y/s400/Pierce+College+Farm2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pierce College Farm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>LA Farm Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12956770444517579168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5463911116920279581.post-57257380328373920122012-04-14T18:14:00.001-07:002012-04-14T18:14:44.785-07:00I Love Farmers' Markets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
There doesn't seem to be as much time as I'd like to write on this blog. I always think about things to write after something has happened, or, after I have gone to some event. And of course, by then it is too late.<br />
<br />
So, I thought if I just posted something, it would get me back in the habit of writing here. I seem to write everywhere else, especially on my personal blog, so let's see if this trick helps.<br />
<br />
I was just thinking about how lucky I am to live in southern California. I know there are many reasons that this is true: the weather, the beach, the arts and culture (yes, we do have lots of culture here) and because most of my family is here.<br />
<br />
But, while those are all true, one of the biggest reasons I feel this way is because living here in LA County, I can go to a different farmers' market every day of the week, choosing from one of at least 100 certified farmers' markets.<br />
<br />
As I have written about before, aside from the fresh, in-season produce, each has something unique to offer, Hollywood is well...Hollywood, you can't describe it, it is like a carnival and a produce market combined. Santa Monica is trendy, and it is big and bold.<br />
<br />
Being a South Bay local and native, I also like to support my South Bay farmers' markets so that I can be really supportive of the local economy while eating as locally as possible. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9eHllSR1eLo/T4oZqoJziuI/AAAAAAAABPM/Npr1P_aaZ0I/s1600/MyFMHaulJan72012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9eHllSR1eLo/T4oZqoJziuI/AAAAAAAABPM/Npr1P_aaZ0I/s400/MyFMHaulJan72012.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A January haul from the Torrance Certified Farmers' Market </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
One of the most beautiful farmers' markets around is the Thursday Morning <a href="http://www.redondo.org/depts/recreation/facilities/farmers_market.asp" target="_blank">Redondo Beach Certified Farmers' Market</a> alongside Veteran's Park/The Pier/The Beach. If you are in the South Bay, check it out. If you are not and are looking for a farmers' market near you, search for one<a href="http://www.cafarmersmarkets.com/index2.html" target="_blank"> here</a>. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-igb3CX2IDpM/T4ofStmgXLI/AAAAAAAABPc/hYbzPdEVQ0Y/s1600/RBFarmersMarket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-igb3CX2IDpM/T4ofStmgXLI/AAAAAAAABPc/hYbzPdEVQ0Y/s400/RBFarmersMarket.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Redondo Beach Certified Farmers' Market </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0ABHfoOhbxI/T4oflPqX8EI/AAAAAAAABPk/HZrOVmU4CiI/s1600/RBFMView.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0ABHfoOhbxI/T4oflPqX8EI/AAAAAAAABPk/HZrOVmU4CiI/s400/RBFMView.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Redondo Beach Certified Farmers' Market </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />LA Farm Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12956770444517579168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5463911116920279581.post-30354057601460947472012-04-06T09:17:00.001-07:002012-04-06T09:17:10.413-07:00Taste of History At Torrance Farmers' Market, Sat. April 7<div class="field field-type-text field-field-location-name">
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
The City of Torrance is celebrating its Centennial this year. And, I am excited to have been invited to come to the Torrance Certified Farmers' Market to share some stories about our farm history and to sign books.</div>
<div class="field-item odd">
</div>
<div class="field-item odd">
<div class="field-item odd">
Family farmers, throughout the early years,
contributed to the City’s economy by raising cattle, pigs, turkeys, sugar beets, alfalfa, beans, hay, oats, barley and flowers.</div>
<div class="field-item odd">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OJ5Od1Nhyas/T38VdoDnP7I/AAAAAAAABMs/TVpU7omG6YU/s1600/westonbeans.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OJ5Od1Nhyas/T38VdoDnP7I/AAAAAAAABMs/TVpU7omG6YU/s400/westonbeans.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Threshing lima beans at Weston Ranch (Photo Courtesy Torrance Historical Society & Museum)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="field-item odd">
</div>
<div class="field-item odd">
Come and hear the stories of our farm history including:</div>
<ul>
<li>
The streets in Torrance named for farmers or ranchers</li>
<li>
The common, every-day nursery product invented by local growers</li>
<li>
The name of one of the world’s biggest seed companies that got its start in Gardena</li>
<li>
Torrance's first post Rancho-era farmer, where he farmed, and what he grew</li>
<li>
The name of the last "traditional" farmer in Torrance, where he farmed, and what he grew</li>
<li>
When the Torrance Certified Farmers' Market opened</li>
<li>
Where people are farming in Torrance today</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="field-item odd">
</div>
<div class="field-item odd">
</div>
<div class="field-item odd">
</div>
<div class="field-item odd">
</div>
<div class="field-item odd">
Here's the details:</div>
<div class="field-item odd">
</div>
<div class="field-item odd">
<b>Where: </b>Torrance Certified Farmers' Market, 2200 Crenshaw Blvd,
Torrance CA </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-location-address">
<div class="field-items">
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-date field-field-date">
<div class="field-item odd">
<div class="field-item odd">
<span class="date-display-single"><b>When:</b> Saturday, April 7, 9 a.m. to Noon </span> </div>
<div class="field-item odd">
</div>
<div class="field-item odd">
The Torrance Certified Farmers' Market is the 3rd largest farmers'
market in LA County and is a great place to get all of your fresh
produce and to meet some of the people who grow your food. </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-event-list-tn">
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<br /> </div>
<div class="field-item odd">
<br /> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div align="center">
<strong><br /></strong></div>LA Farm Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12956770444517579168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5463911116920279581.post-10195050587440443722012-03-27T23:39:00.001-07:002012-03-27T23:39:17.626-07:00TomatoMania ReduxThere is good news for those who might have missed TomatoMania last weekend when it was at Tapia Brothers Farm. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-14vHQE8t81Q/T3KwV6iH8mI/AAAAAAAABLs/gmNBjKAJ86M/s1600/tomatomaniamarch2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-14vHQE8t81Q/T3KwV6iH8mI/AAAAAAAABLs/gmNBjKAJ86M/s400/tomatomaniamarch2012.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The next event is this weekend, Friday, March 30 and Saturday, March 31st at the <br /><a href="http://www.rsabg.org/westwood/707-tomatomania-mar-30-and-31" target="_blank">Grow Native Nursery in Westwood.</a> The Nursery is a division of Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden and is also now at the home of the Veteran's Garden, a 12-acre horticulture therapy garden that helps our veteran's heal and learn valuable new skills in plant propagation, plant care and maintenance and sales. <br />
<br />
Aside from the great selection of tomato seedlings you can buy, there are two great lectures during the weekend:<br />
<br />
The first is on Friday, when Mr. TomatoMania himself, Scott Daigre, tells you how to grow perfect home tomatoes on Friday, March 30 at 1 p.m.<br />
<br />
The second is by the awesome, John Lyons (of the <a href="http://thewovengarden.com/" target="_blank">Woven Garden</a>), who will talk about how to grow a beautiful, native garden on Saturday, March 31st at 11am.<br />
<br />
Here are the details on the event:<br />
<br />
Friday, March 30 & Saturday, March 31 - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days<br />
Location: Grow Native Nursery, Westwood, on the grounds of the Veteran's Administration, (just north of UCLA's Jackie Robinson Stadium) <br />
Constitution Ave & Davis Ave, Los Angeles, CA, United States, 90049<br />
<table><tbody>
<tr><td class="tec-event-meta-desc"></td><td class="tec-event-meta-value"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tec-event-meta-desc"><br /></td>
<td class="tec-event-meta-value"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tec-event-meta-desc"><br /></td><td class="tec-event-meta-value"><br /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tec-event-meta-desc"><br /></td><td class="tec-event-meta-value"><br /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tec-event-meta-desc"><br /></td><td class="tec-event-meta-desc"><br /></td><td class="tec-event-meta-desc"><br /></td><td class="tec-event-meta-desc"><br /></td><td class="tec-event-meta-desc"><br /></td><td class="tec-event-meta-desc"><br /></td><td class="tec-event-meta-desc"><br /></td><td class="tec-event-meta-desc"><br /></td><td class="tec-event-meta-desc"><br /></td><td class="tec-event-meta-value"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>LA Farm Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12956770444517579168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5463911116920279581.post-54749232618172002592012-03-23T22:21:00.003-07:002012-03-23T22:27:05.004-07:00TomatoMania Time!If you are like me, and can't wait each year for tomato planting time, then you need to head over to Tapia Brothers Farm Stand in Encino this weekend because <a href="http://www.tomatomania.com/encino" target="_blank">TomatoMania </a>is back!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uGUtqJ9X0hg/T21SODTDp8I/AAAAAAAABKs/VHBBQA4HDxQ/s1600/tomatomaniamarch2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uGUtqJ9X0hg/T21SODTDp8I/AAAAAAAABKs/VHBBQA4HDxQ/s400/tomatomaniamarch2012.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
With nearly 300 varieties of tomato seedlings available, this is TomatoMania's biggest event. In addition to great heirloom tomatoes, you will also find heavy duty tomato cages, ladders, smart pots, tubs, tomato food, fertilizer, and more.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xcPW73M3qFw/T21TiicYjeI/AAAAAAAABK0/W_CsiBktDsU/s1600/tomatomania4march2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xcPW73M3qFw/T21TiicYjeI/AAAAAAAABK0/W_CsiBktDsU/s400/tomatomania4march2012.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
For LA Farm Girl, this is also my favorite venue because it is held at one of only 2 traditional farms left in the San Fernando Valley. Tapia Brothers Farm is family-owned, and still has an old-school produce stand on the farm. After you buy all of your tomato seedlings, walk over to the counter and buy some of their fresh, in-season strawberries. They even have tomatoes now, since yours aren't ready yet, buy theirs! Support this local farm!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mEiUIe6HybQ/T21W7WISyzI/AAAAAAAABLE/M3NKecU_QKw/s1600/DSCN0989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mEiUIe6HybQ/T21W7WISyzI/AAAAAAAABLE/M3NKecU_QKw/s400/DSCN0989.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iLSAWbXFN4k/T21XaaVjUdI/AAAAAAAABLM/UvWTBf9kpzA/s1600/DSCN0996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iLSAWbXFN4k/T21XaaVjUdI/AAAAAAAABLM/UvWTBf9kpzA/s400/DSCN0996.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Here's the details on the remaining days of this TomatoMania event:<br />
<br />
Saturday, March 24 - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.<br />
Sunday, March 25 - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. <br />
<br />
<br />
Location: Tapia Brothers Farm, 5251 Hayvenhurst, Encino, CALA Farm Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12956770444517579168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5463911116920279581.post-43130259431898745392012-03-12T22:51:00.000-07:002012-03-12T23:11:17.999-07:00Post-Ishibashi Farm Estate SaleI have spent the past two days trying to get over my sadness after Saturday's sale. I haven't checked to see how they did as far as selling equipment etc. but it seemed that they sold quite a bit of it.<br />
<br />
I want to thank those of you who went to support them after reading about it here and to thank Felicia at LA Weekly for blogging about it. Hopefully, it helped in some small way. <br />
<br />
I was able to get some items to give to the Torrance Historic Society and Museum so that we can preserve the Ishibashi farm legacy here in Torrance. I got a strawberry tray, a lug box, a green basket they used for green beans and some strawberry baskets. I am hoping to get a t-shirt as well.<br />
<br />
One of the things I am getting is this sign that they have said I can have to give to the Museum:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kj19J-fvY8Y/T17ab_MrocI/AAAAAAAABIw/yKEZA15loFk/s1600/SoldOutForever.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kj19J-fvY8Y/T17ab_MrocI/AAAAAAAABIw/yKEZA15loFk/s400/SoldOutForever.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So bittersweet, I really cried when I saw this as I walked up to the sale.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CEXhLskB5BI/T17coRVnVAI/AAAAAAAABJI/GeZfUMPSOug/s1600/EstateSaleSign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CEXhLskB5BI/T17coRVnVAI/AAAAAAAABJI/GeZfUMPSOug/s400/EstateSaleSign.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What once was the farm stand is now empty</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ThnCg456UTw/T17a2ZX8cpI/AAAAAAAABI4/IEiLcNwUymY/s1600/EmptyStandArea.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ThnCg456UTw/T17a2ZX8cpI/AAAAAAAABI4/IEiLcNwUymY/s400/EmptyStandArea.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Empty area where the bustling farm stand once stood</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I am also going to give the Museum this memento that I got (they were given to all guests) at Tom's Memorial Service:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sRxr6DW36Ew/T17cD5E5XtI/AAAAAAAABJA/2bBWqxIC4vs/s1600/2011-06-08_12-20-00_120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sRxr6DW36Ew/T17cD5E5XtI/AAAAAAAABJA/2bBWqxIC4vs/s400/2011-06-08_12-20-00_120.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>LA Farm Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12956770444517579168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5463911116920279581.post-10134059460747386852012-03-02T14:29:00.002-08:002012-03-02T14:29:11.323-08:00Ishibashi Farm: "Going Out of Business Sale"As hard as it is for me to even type these words, I promised my friends at the Tom T. Ishibashi Farm that I would publicize their upcoming sale.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PUDhrWmmNyk/T1FGrhmMTnI/AAAAAAAABGw/JUEkONfSS9w/s1600/P1010001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PUDhrWmmNyk/T1FGrhmMTnI/AAAAAAAABGw/JUEkONfSS9w/s400/P1010001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Tom T. Ishibashi’s farm stand and farm is located at Torrance Airport
and is the last farm in Torrance. Those who have followed me and/or know me, know that sadly, Tom passed
away in May of last year.<br />
<br />
He was the last farmer from a Japanese
American family that has farmed in the South Bay since the early 1900s,
mostly on the Palos Verdes Peninsula and in Torrance. The Ishibashi family
have been farming the area at the Torrance Airport for the past 60 years
and sadly, with his death, their farming legacy is gone too and the farmstand, etc. will be gone shortly. <br />
<br />
As I posted back in <a href="http://lafarmgirl.blogspot.com/2011/10/tom-t-ishibashi-farm-miscellaneous.html" target="_blank">October,</a> they have lots of farm equipment and supplies for sale and they have decided to just hold a big "garage type sale" to get rid of these things if possible. I will be there to help them and to document the day. I am a farm writer after all, and as heartbroken as I am, I need to do it.<br />
<br />
So, here's the details:<br />
<br />
When: Saturday, March 10, starting at around 8 a.m. <br />
<br />
Where: Tom T. Ishibashi Farm Stand<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Address: 24955 Crenshaw Boulevard, Torrance, CA<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gYAEj9mpVGE/T1FIIrtafuI/AAAAAAAABHA/liuuzj3PdX8/s1600/P3020033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gYAEj9mpVGE/T1FIIrtafuI/AAAAAAAABHA/liuuzj3PdX8/s400/P3020033.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In March, he would always have Iceland poppies and usually his strawberries were already showing up.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xNw6yNGpjxI/T1FHlMSj5SI/AAAAAAAABG4/Y4w4QxctqP0/s1600/Ishibashi+Berries.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xNw6yNGpjxI/T1FHlMSj5SI/AAAAAAAABG4/Y4w4QxctqP0/s400/Ishibashi+Berries.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />LA Farm Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12956770444517579168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5463911116920279581.post-12440285690337245822012-02-20T17:56:00.000-08:002012-02-20T17:56:39.675-08:00Spring Starts in Exactly 1 Month: Is Your Garden Ready?Okay, I am once again just putting a link to my Care2 Healthy Living post since I am trying to keep up with all of my work.<br />
<br />
Since today is February 20, that means that the Spring Equinox will be here in a month. I not only have visions of completing my book by the April 30 deadline, but also of being able to finally get back out into my garden. I really miss it and am looking forward to growing some more food in my micro-farm so that I can really be LA Farm Girl.<br />
<br />
Here's some tips to get you started in the garden. First thing you need to do is clean up. Read on for what comes next <a href="http://www.care2.com/greenliving/5-simple-ways-to-get-your-garden-ready-for-spring.html" target="_blank">5 Simple Ways Get Your Garden Ready For Spring. </a><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mjUtdLhE89w/T0L5cq4v_0I/AAAAAAAABCw/X8ROa8DP10Y/s1600/IMG_0346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mjUtdLhE89w/T0L5cq4v_0I/AAAAAAAABCw/X8ROa8DP10Y/s320/IMG_0346.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My garden last summer after I had already started the book, even then it was sparse!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />LA Farm Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12956770444517579168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5463911116920279581.post-14965910132631878942012-02-06T13:50:00.000-08:002012-02-06T13:50:36.521-08:00Give Somebody A Gardening Gift for VDAs the deadline for my book draws ever closer, I find that I have been neglecting this blog (along with other places that I normally write).<br />
<br />
So, I am once again, just going to direct my readers (how many of you might actually be left) to my post for Care2 this week. It is all about giving garden related gifts <a href="http://www.care2.com/greenliving/giving-gardens-of-love.html" target="_blank">Giving Gardens of Love</a>. For a change, I reminded people that they can actually give a loved one a garden instead of just giving them something from their garden. And if they really want to give a long-lasting gift, maintain it for someone too!<br />
<br />
Check it out and let me know if you have any other ideas that garden lovers would like.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4eqLSAYWGQs/TzBKrZ3ZLiI/AAAAAAAAA_k/byBoo3di8gA/s1600/GettyGarden1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4eqLSAYWGQs/TzBKrZ3ZLiI/AAAAAAAAA_k/byBoo3di8gA/s320/GettyGarden1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful Getty Center Garden, one of my favorite places in the world!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />LA Farm Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12956770444517579168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5463911116920279581.post-6361628107454806582012-01-12T20:17:00.000-08:002012-01-12T20:17:46.489-08:00Why Should You Grow Your Own Food?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
The New Year always makes me think about my gardening resolutions and what I want to grow. For those who are on the fence about growing some of your own food, check out my Care2 Green Living post "<a href="http://www.care2.com/greenliving/seven-reasons-why-you-should-grow-your-own-food.html" target="_blank">7 Reasons Why You Should Grown Your Own Food</a>. It is an "oldie" but it might give you just the reason you need to start growing your own! <br />
<br />
<br />
Here's some of my lettuce that I still have in my garden due to our very warm and dry winter <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C1s6_ZNHO8E/Tw-uWm7wLnI/AAAAAAAAA3k/I0GYB4ASj4g/s1600/lettucejan82012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C1s6_ZNHO8E/Tw-uWm7wLnI/AAAAAAAAA3k/I0GYB4ASj4g/s320/lettucejan82012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nLv58LqR93s/Tw-vgEddoDI/AAAAAAAAA3s/4rGGQ4zpiEE/s1600/janlettuce1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nLv58LqR93s/Tw-vgEddoDI/AAAAAAAAA3s/4rGGQ4zpiEE/s320/janlettuce1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I also have chamomile coming in huge quantities, it has reseeded itself
and is like a weed but it keeps the cats out of my garden bed and I can
dry it and make some tea.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SosSx4Qt8pk/Tw-vzqVA3dI/AAAAAAAAA30/kXexXMDVxnM/s1600/chamomilejan82012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SosSx4Qt8pk/Tw-vzqVA3dI/AAAAAAAAA30/kXexXMDVxnM/s320/chamomilejan82012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />LA Farm Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12956770444517579168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5463911116920279581.post-17300735945457012312011-12-31T15:12:00.000-08:002011-12-31T15:14:31.360-08:00Food Stories of 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jDjNxxXVTd4/Tv-W1fcsMpI/AAAAAAAAAwM/UWboT0gTF1k/s1600/rsz_zubair_indian_eggplant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jDjNxxXVTd4/Tv-W1fcsMpI/AAAAAAAAAwM/UWboT0gTF1k/s320/rsz_zubair_indian_eggplant.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">As we come to the end of 2011, for my Care2 Healthy Living post this week, I wrote about the big food issue of the year, namely food safety and how it has dominated the news and remains one of the biggest food issues to consumers <a href="http://www.care2.com/greenliving/top-food-stories-of-the-year-2.html" target="_blank">Top Food Stories of the Year</a>.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Here's to hoping that we finally start getting it in 2012 and make a commitment to supporting and encouraging the development of local, sustainable food!</div>LA Farm Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12956770444517579168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5463911116920279581.post-73783526310354227882011-12-05T22:09:00.001-08:002011-12-05T22:13:53.031-08:00Make Your Holidays Sustainable!!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vn_yV1_MlTU/Tt2yYMmtuII/AAAAAAAAAvQ/oURdN7C1dEE/s1600/rsz_santa_paula_christmas_tree_farm_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="192" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vn_yV1_MlTU/Tt2yYMmtuII/AAAAAAAAAvQ/oURdN7C1dEE/s320/rsz_santa_paula_christmas_tree_farm_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santa Paula Christmas Tree Farm </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Here is my Care2 Healthy & Green post for this week. From the tree to the food, yes, you can have a sustainable holiday and here are some tips on how to do that: </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><a href="http://www.care2.com/greenliving/4-easy-ways-for-a-sustainable-holiday-season.html" target="_blank">4 Easy Ways For A Sustainable Holiday Season</a></span>LA Farm Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12956770444517579168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5463911116920279581.post-64976396937025230412011-11-11T09:19:00.001-08:002011-11-11T09:22:17.136-08:00From Fighting To FarmingIn honor of Veteran's Day I updated my <a href="http://www.care2.com/greenliving/from-fighters-to-farmers.html" target="_blank">Fighters to Farmers</a> story I did a couple of years ago about the wonderful work that the Farmer-Veteran Coalition does. They help our veterans heal and also work towards building a healthy and sustainable food system.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-STu0ytNHVl4/Tr1ZkA8CmZI/AAAAAAAAAvE/LLDlAr-eAoo/s1600/rsz_farmerveterancoalition.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" nda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-STu0ytNHVl4/Tr1ZkA8CmZI/AAAAAAAAAvE/LLDlAr-eAoo/s320/rsz_farmerveterancoalition.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>LA Farm Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12956770444517579168noreply@blogger.com