GOOD FOOD NEWS
Volume 5 Number 34 August 27, 2013
MLH NEWS:
Two of MLH's producer members will be having an Open House as part of the Farms of Amador/Amador Farmers' Market Farm Tour on Sunday, September 29. Abbondanza, in Shenandoah Valley, and Casa de la Pradera, in Fiddletown, will be open for tours for ticketholders and MLH members from 12 to 4 pm that day. This is a unique opportunity to see the farms and pick the brains of two of our most seasoned farmers on the same day.
What: Amador Farm Tour
Where: Small Family Farms in Amador: 12 pm - 4 pm
Dinner at Helwig Winery: Starts at 5 pm
When: September 29, 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Description: A day in the country touring Amador County's small family farms and local vineyards, followed by a dinner and wine as the sun sets over the Shenandoah Valley. Tickets available at all Amador Farmers Market's. More info: 209-267-5506
Another MLH member, Lucy Spangler-Gore will be catering the dinner for the Farm Tour event, and to tempt you to get your tickets, the menu is listed below:
The farm dinner menu is in:
Upon Arrival . . .Meze tasting . . .
~ Smoked Eggplant Relish
~ Marinated Feta Cheese w/ Amador Olive Oil and fresh herbs
~ Hummus with sauteed Sweet Onion & Garlic
~ Local Grilled Pepper "Salad" with Fresh Herbs
~ Mixed Olives
~ Baskets of Flatbread Crackers
Dinner . . . Buffet-style
~ Sutter Creek Ranch Grass-fed Beef Brochettes, marinated with red wine & herbs, served with a Salsa Verde & Tomato Pickle Sauce (two sauces on each table).
~ Local Pacific Yellowtail Brochettes . . . Lemon-Garlic-Herb Rub
~ Summer Harvest Paella with grilled vegetables, saffron & tomato broth
~ Vegetable Rag-out with a bounty of slow roasted Potatoes, Eggplant, Green Tomatoes, early Winter Squash marinated in Amador Olive Oil & fresh Herbs
~ Greek-style Salad w/ local heirloom Tomatoes, assorted Sweet Onions, Pole Beans, Olives and Feta Cheese . . .
~ Bowls of Greens w/ light Herb Vinaigrette
~ Andrae's breads
Dessert . . . by Ingrid Frasier
~ Fresh Apple-Cardamom Cake w/ Caramelized Apples and Creme Fraiche'
OTHER LOCAL AGRICULTURE NEWS:
LOCAL STUDENTS REAP THE BOUNTY OF THE SUMMER HARVEST
Valley Springs Elementary students learn about the economics of farming by selling their produce at a Friday "Garden Market".
Students are learning about the value of their efforts at Valley Springs Elementary. Each Friday at noon, students are putting on a "garden market" to sell some of the produce that they have helped grow in the school's garden.
Tomatoes, melons, cucumbers, cut flowers, beans, eggplant, squash and other fresh, organic produce is being sold as part of the student led market. "We have had an incredibly abundant harvest this summer and fall thanks to the efforts of our students and many parent and community volunteers", said Autumn Hesser, teacher and garden coordinator at Valley Springs Elementary. "The students have been able to learn about the full cycle of producing, preparing and selling food. This market is teaching them about the monetary value of the food and helping them apply language and math skills in a real world setting."
Students are advertising for the market, harvesting the produce, pricing, weighing, selling, giving change and counting the money. “They are learning about many of the things involved in running a small farm or business as part of the garden market program. It is exciting to see the students empowered and taking pride in all of their hard work.” said Valley Springs Elementary School Principal Dan Klement.
All of the money raised at the market will go directly back into the school's garden program for materials and supplies to maintain and expand the current program. Some of the proceeds will be used to help pay for an outdoor kitchen and shade structure being planned for this fall.
In addition to the market, the garden's produce is being used for classroom snacks, cooking and nutrition lessons, taken home by students and garden volunteers to prepare at home, and donated to the food bank. So far this summer the garden has produced well over 1000 pounds of fruits and vegetables, with much more to come.
The Valley Springs School and Community Garden Project was started in the spring of 2012 to help promote and support healthy and sustainable lifestyles at Valley Springs Elementary and the surrounding community by teaching students, staff and families how to grow and prepare healthy food. It serves as an outdoor learning lab for the school and community members.
The “garden market” will take place in the Valley Springs Elementary Multi-Purpose Room every Friday at noon through September. The Valley Springs School and Community Garden is always looking for volunteers, contributions and materials to help enhance the program to serve as many children and community members as possible. If you are interested in helping on this, and/or other garden projects in the area, please contact Kevin or Autumn at gardenstogrowin@gmail.com.