Farm Fresh News - May 2017
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A scene from nearby Amish land as I was out buying stawberries.
We'll visit some Amish Farms as one of the activities during the Organic Gardening Intensive.
Hi Friends,
May is always a busy time. Next week I host a tour for 50 high schoolers from a nearby town interested in gardening and growing food. The following day a group of college students and their professor from Ohio arrive for a Farm Experience. Right around the corner on Memorial Day Weekend will be the Conference on Community and Sustainability. People are coming in from Indiana, the Carolinas, Virginia, Missouri, Florida, Texas, Colorado, New Mexico, Canada, and more.
May is always a busy time. Next week I host a tour for 50 high schoolers from a nearby town interested in gardening and growing food. The following day a group of college students and their professor from Ohio arrive for a Farm Experience. Right around the corner on Memorial Day Weekend will be the Conference on Community and Sustainability. People are coming in from Indiana, the Carolinas, Virginia, Missouri, Florida, Texas, Colorado, New Mexico, Canada, and more.
During the week before, the governing body of the Fellowship of Intentional Communities will be here for their annual meeting, and several of them are staying over for the conference. Saturday evening we'll come together in celebration of their 30th anniversary as an organization.
Never a dull moment!
Peace,
Douglas
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Saturday night will feature a performance by Luke Richardson and Friends.
Luke is a winner of the National Old Time Banjo Championship, an excellent fiddle player, and he sings pretty good too!
Luke is a winner of the National Old Time Banjo Championship, an excellent fiddle player, and he sings pretty good too!
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Purple Martins!
Most Amish homes in our area use this natural method of insect control, Purple Martins, which are said to be especially good for keeping down the mosquito population. These birds like to live in groups and will readily occupy the apartment style bird houses as in the upper right corner. It is traditional for the Amish to grow and use these large gourds as bird houses, but in recent years we've seen the gourds replaced by plastic ones in the same shape. Ahhh, even the Amish are susceptible to "progress."
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June 8-11 Organic Gardening Intensive
If you want to see how you can grow most of the food your family needs, learn the nuances of growing organic, go inside my bee hives, and see for yourself the many different approaches to producing food in the course of a single extended weekend, register now for this unique experience.
A trip to Amish land is included in our schedule!
Register Now!
If you want to see how you can grow most of the food your family needs, learn the nuances of growing organic, go inside my bee hives, and see for yourself the many different approaches to producing food in the course of a single extended weekend, register now for this unique experience.
A trip to Amish land is included in our schedule!
Register Now!
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Tamales are a staple in Latin America, but when we lived in Guatemala back in the 70's, we learned there are different recipes that vary the texture and flavor. In Guatemala, the Mayan people still make their masa from dried corn that is soaked overnight in lime. The slaked lime loosens the kernels and softens the corn. The next morning the lime is rinsed out, followed by the daily ritual of carrying the soaked corn down to the mill (el molino) to have it ground into masa, producing something similar to the consistency of a thick dough.
The masa can be patted into tortillas or wrapped in corn shucks and steamed. In Guatemala, the recipe called for diluting the masa with water, creating a tamale with a more delicate texture, almost like a very solid pudding.
Years later when we visited a rural area of Mexico, we were surprised to see that even in small rural towns, people used instant masa, the same as what you can purchase at your local grocery store.
What my wife and I call "Mexican" tamales combines a ratio of 1 cup of water to 1 cup of masa flour.
Our Guatemalan recipe uses 3 cups of water to 1 cup of masa. I uually triple the recipe so I can have enough tamales around to last for for several days.
Use a whisk to help mix the water and masa, and a spoon to reach down into the edges along the sides of your pot to eliminate any dry pockets of masa flour.
Add 1/4 cup of oil and 1/2 to 1 tsp of salt per cup of masa.
Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly to avoid sticking and burning on the bottom of the pot.
As it begins to get thick, a drink called "Atole" can be made by adding a little milk, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon. It is quite popular in countries that consume a lot of masa, and one of the safer foods that can be purchased from venders on the street.
When the cooked masa begins to bubble and get somewhat stiff to stir, you're done. It will continue to thicken as it cools, and if left overnight, will turn solid. The masa can then be sliced and fried as Polenta.
While you wait for the masa to cool, prepare your tamale sauce and other ingredients.
Tamale Sauce
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Ingredients:
Optional Items:
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You can purchase corn shucks for tamales at any Mexican grocery. In Guatemala, the big green leaves of the Canna flower are used for wrapping the tamale. Banana leaves are used as well. We grow cannas in our garden to use for tamales and the flowers are beautiful too!
Soak your corn shucks in water for a few minutes to make them more flexible. Your tamales will be different sizes depending on the size of the shuck and the amount you can fold and wrap without leaking. It can take some practice before you get it down.
Spoon the appropriate amount of masa, add your optional ingredients, and then the tomato sauce.
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 Canna growing in my garden |
Fold and place in the steamer. The first time or two, you may want to use some string to help keep your folded shucks together. Place them in a steamer basket to hold them above the water. I prefer to use just 2 cups of water to start out so my bottom tamales don't get too soggy, adding more water as needed. Steam for one hour.
You'll find that after the tamales cool overnight, the masa will get solid as described earlier, holding their shape.
Steam them again to warm they back up or Nuc in a microwave. They are delicious!
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The Farm Experience Weekend Dates for 2017 – Register Now!
October 20-22
A big thanks to everyone who has become a patron of Farm Fresh!
When you become a subscriber, your contribution helps spread the word about the work at Standing Rock and other important projects and causes. Take this one small step to be part of the solution!
Click here to make a one time donation.
When you become a subscriber, your contribution helps spread the word about the work at Standing Rock and other important projects and causes. Take this one small step to be part of the solution!
Click here to make a one time donation.
You can help keep Farm Fresh going by pledging $2, $5, or $10 a month, or by making a one time contribution.
Click here to take the survey. I look forward to hearing from you.
I hope you'll make the effort to take a firsthand look at The Farm during one of my GreenLife Retreat Weekends, and that it will inspire you to pursue your dreams and find your chosen path!
Speaking Engagements
At the same time, I recognize that I can reach a lot more people if I go outside the community. One of my goals for 2017 is to speak around the country, especially at colleges and universities where I can speak to young people about Right Livelihood, Service, and Finding Sanity in an Insane World. This is a time when people need to hear an uplifting message of hope.
At the same time, I recognize that I can reach a lot more people if I go outside the community. One of my goals for 2017 is to speak around the country, especially at colleges and universities where I can speak to young people about Right Livelihood, Service, and Finding Sanity in an Insane World. This is a time when people need to hear an uplifting message of hope.
If you are part of an organization, event, or school (or you just want to learn more about my life's work), I invite you to visit my web site www.douglasstevenson.com, where you'll find information on my lecture topics and how to bring me to speak in your area.
"With our love, we can change the world!"
Douglas
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March 24-26 Farm Experience Weekend
Inspiration is a key element of personal transformation. Farm Experience Weekends open you up to new possibilities and give you the courage to take the next step in living your life to the fullest! This weekend gives you the best overview of life in community, exploring green building and solar technology, organic gardening, midwifery, alternative education, starting a small business, and so much more. Learn how community can leverage your ability to live true to your ideals and make a difference in the world. Watch the video. / Farm Experience in Photos
Inspiration is a key element of personal transformation. Farm Experience Weekends open you up to new possibilities and give you the courage to take the next step in living your life to the fullest! This weekend gives you the best overview of life in community, exploring green building and solar technology, organic gardening, midwifery, alternative education, starting a small business, and so much more. Learn how community can leverage your ability to live true to your ideals and make a difference in the world. Watch the video. / Farm Experience in Photos
Surviving a Trump Presidency: The Conference on Community and Sustainability May 26-28
Co-sponsored by the Fellowship of Intentional Communities (FIC), this weekend is an immersion in all things community and achieving a lifestyle in line with the values of sustainability. This is one of our most popular events that promises this year to be even greater !
I like to give each conference a theme or point of focus, and as I had to personally come to terms with how a Trump presidency would affect our future, I found inspiration in the many voices of resistance coming from all corners of our country.
It was important for me to acknowledge with a definite sense of gratitude that those of us living in community are in many ways better prepared and able to maintain a buffer of sanity inside our bubble. The Farm was born during Nixon, survived Reaganomics, and endured through Bush 1 and Bush 2. We will keep on keepin' on and remain true to our path and recognize that our ability to maintain a sense of joy in the midst of turmoil is because of our life together in community.
Folks here and there started saying to me, "You should call your Community and Sustainability: Surviving the Trump Presidency.
It made sense to me. This May 26-28 we will plot a strategy for the years ahead.
It made sense to me. This May 26-28 we will plot a strategy for the years ahead.
In a bit of astounding synchronicity, I am in contact with a group of students and faculty from a class called "Sustainability and the Apocalypse" who are making plans to come the week before.
Let's work together to make this a truly dynamic event! I hope to see you here!
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An Incredible NEW BOOK!
Following 7 years of research, Farm Community member Thomas Hupp uncovers the subtle forces that presently affect Politics, Economics and Your Health.
Only $15 plus $5 for shipping!
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June 8-11 The Organic Gardening Intensive
4 Days of hands-on gardening and immersion in Permaculture, as well as garden tours on and off-The Farm to visit Permaculture Homesteads, a bamboo nursery, the nearby Amish community, and more.
4 Days of hands-on gardening and immersion in Permaculture, as well as garden tours on and off-The Farm to visit Permaculture Homesteads, a bamboo nursery, the nearby Amish community, and more.
Oct 20-22 Farm Experience Weekend
Fall Colors and a Fire Circle: Always a jam packed weekend. A time of reflection and introspection.
Fall Colors and a Fire Circle: Always a jam packed weekend. A time of reflection and introspection.
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www.awakeningbirth.org - the Web Site
www.awakening birth.net - The Podcast
Our new birth resource web site is up. The Awakening Birth podcast is now available on iTunes.
Please spread the word to anyone in your circle who is thinking of having a baby, expecting, your favorite midwife, or care provider.
Please spread the word to anyone in your circle who is thinking of having a baby, expecting, your favorite midwife, or care provider.
Please like us and give us a good review on iTunes. It helps!
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Permaculture Apprenticeships: Learn straw, cob, earthbag, turf roofs, bamboo, thatch, clay plaster, adobe, alis, and food self-reliance at The Farm Community.
Spiral Ridge Permaculture - Workshops and Classes at a Permaculture Homestead down the road
Green Life Retreats
A division of Village Media Services
PO Box 259Summertown, TN 38483
931-964-2590 - office 931-626-4035 cell
Douglas@villagemedia.com
www.villagemedia.com
www.greenliferetreats.com
www.douglasstevenson.com
Douglas@thefarmcommunity.com
A division of Village Media Services
PO Box 259Summertown, TN 38483
931-964-2590 - office 931-626-4035 cell
Douglas@villagemedia.com
www.villagemedia.com
www.greenliferetreats.com
www.douglasstevenson.com
Douglas@thefarmcommunity.com
