Farm Fresh News - June 2017
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And now we wait...Green tomatoes on the vine
There's lot's more to see and learn during the Organic Gardening Intensive.
There's lot's more to see and learn during the Organic Gardening Intensive.
Hi Friends,
I want to thank everyone for all of your encouragment, support and appreciation. It makes all the difference. It is something we all need now as much as any time I can remember. Please pass it on and I will do the same.
Peace,
Douglas
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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! Saturday afternoon: HONEY HARVEST!
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! Saturday afternoon: HONEY HARVEST!
Register Now!
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June 17 Market Day Welcomes The Tennessee Valley Strummers!
The Strummers are a group of dulcimer players who perform throughout our region, including a monthly performance at the Visitor Center in Florence, Alabama.
The dulcimer is a musical instrument from Appalachia, which rests on the player’s lap, with 3-4 strings that are used to create beautiful melodies.
The hammer dulcimer has a lot more strings. The player are picks out notes individually, using “hammers” or carved pieces of wood to strike the strings, producing a sound reminiscent of a harpsichord, very angelic.
It should be a delightful addition to what is always a wonderful gathering.
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LAND FOR SALE IN TENNESSEE, A FEW MILES FROM THE FARM COMMUNITY Perfect for an intentional community, country estate home or ? Beautiful, secluded, but easily accessible. A 7+ acre meadow surrounded by forests and gullies, with access from private, gated Wind Ridge Road but with frontage on county-maintained Walker Road and very near paved Mt. Joy Rd. 60 miles southwest of Nashville, 35 miles from Franklin, 20 miles from Columbia/Spring Hill with several small towns within 5-10 miles.
Option on around 100 adjoining acres accessed from Wind Ridge Road. Electricity available just outside the property. No building codes or permits, so this is a perfect location for alternative construction. The land was a forming community known as Mt. Joy Ecovillage and the plan was to construct a cohousing community of earthbag dome homes. $35,000 negotiable. Contact Steve at stevestarland@yahoo.com
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Succession Planting
One of the most important techniques you can use to grow food for your family and friends is to utilize "succession planting."
This is especially true for organic gardening. What this means is that throughout the growing season, you continue to plant and replant certain crops to ensure a continuous harvest. One of the best examples can be found with summer squash and zucchini.
Summer squash and zuchini are very susceptible to pests. Squash beetles are quick to attack, not just munching on leaves, but laying eggs, multiplying their numbers 10-fold. You can try to slow them down by killing the beetles by hand (squish), and removing their eggs. I go out each morning looking for eggs and bugs on both the top surface and the underside of leaves. When I find eggs, I will tear off a section or remove the whole leaf.
Another insect of concern, the squash or vine borer. These are a little harder to spot and to deal with. A wasp-like creature drills a hole and lays an egg in a leaf stem. The larvae hatches and begins munching away from the inside. When enough damage is done, the plant dies. You will go out one day and a plant that was perfectly healthy the day before will be dead. In the end, the bugs will win.
The best solution is prevention. When we set out new plants, we cover them with insect barrier cloth held up off the plants by metal hoops. The squash plants grow under cover for 2-3 weeks, until they begin to flower. The squash flowers require pollination by bees or other insects, so when blossoms appear, we uncover the plants, giving us 2-3 weeks of harvest before we know that plants will likely die.
Because want to eat squash all summer, every few weeks we begin again, planting seeds directly in the ground or purchasing plants from a local nursery. We will do this up to 4 times over the summer in order to keep the summer squash and zucchini coming in from May to October.
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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!" George Harrison
Douglas
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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.
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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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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
