AK Root Cellar

This blog is for those of you who would like to add more local foods to your diet, meet local farmers, learn new recipes based on seasonal eating and preserving the summer harvest. Food is political too, so here you can learn about and influence local and national agriculture issues, and participate in helping to rebuild the Alaska food system. May each of you chew happily and wisely.


Ellen Vande Visse

Ellen Vande Visse, MS, was an organic market gardener from 1986-2006. She instructs and consults about sustainable agriculture, compost, compost tea, and eco-gardening through her own Good Earth Garden School and for UAA. She is a published author about Alaska gardening. For more info, please see goodearthgardenschool.com.

NEWSLETTER

Sustainable Agriculture for Alaska

This July-Sept., 2008 Cooperative Extension newsletter includes a story by Matt Shaul of Cranberry Ridge Farm on how his Wasilla farm got started in goat cheese production.

EATING LOCAL

High grocery bills spur CSA interest

Read this June 9, 2008 Fairbanks News Miner story on three Fairbanks-area CSAs and growing demand for their local produce.

DNR's new farm, food, etc. directory

This Excel spreadsheet includes 16 categories from farms to farmers markets, herbs to aquaculture. Provided by the Div. of Agriculture, Department of Natural Resources

Local Farms and CSAs

Find local produce, eggs, fowl and meat nearby.

WEB RESOURCES

Slow Food USA

Envisions a future food system based on principles of high quality and taste, environmental sustainability, and social justice.

Local Harvest

Helpful website to find farmers' markets, family farms, and other sources of sustainably grown food. Local producers also register on this site.

Sustainable Agriculture

Dedicated to educating the public on a sustainable food and agriculture system that is economically viable, environmentally sound, socially just, and humane.

American Farmlands Trust

The nation's leading advocate for farm and ranch land conservation.

Community Food Security Coalition

Dedicated to building strong, sustainable, local and regional food systems that ensure access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food.

Weston Price Foundation

Dedicated to restoring nutrient-dense foods to the human diet through education, research and activism.

Bioneers Conference Focus on Healthy Local Foods - 10/14/2009 11:10 am

The Alaska Local Food Film Festival - Mark Your Calendars! - 9/12/2009 12:58 pm

Share the Bounty and Feel Rich - 9/9/2009 9:57 pm

Great Film about Local Food - 8/19/2009 10:33 am

Corporate Trickery Tests our Discernment - 7/21/2009 1:42 am

Utilizing Wild Plants - 6/28/2009 11:51 pm

Finding Quality Food: - 6/28/2009 11:30 pm

Food, Inc. is Released—Can You Help Bring It Here? - 6/27/2009 7:57 am

Lawns in Rows? - 6/17/2009 9:10 pm

Come Join the Discussion - 6/16/2009 11:46 am

Upcoming Local Ag Edu Events sponsored by the Anchorage Cooperative Extension - 4/20/2009 2:42 pm

Upcoming Agriculture Marketing Conference has info for Everyone - 4/7/2009 12:03 pm

Mushrooms & Permaculture Spring Events - 4/1/2009 11:42 am

More of the Valley's prime farmland is on the chopping block - 3/7/2009 8:46 am

George DeVault, of The Seed Savers Exchange is coming to AK - 2/2/2009 2:35 pm

Local Agriculture Events & Opportunities - 1/19/2009 1:43 pm

Alaska Food and Farm Directory Survey - 12/11/2008 6:24 pm

EATING ALASKA COMES TO ANCHORAGE - 12/1/2008 3:26 pm

Alaska Division of Agriculture Seeks Community Comments on 2009 Strategic Plan - 11/24/2008 4:51 pm

Community voices needed to support Ak's food system - 11/12/2008 11:07 am

About root cellars - 10/24/2008 5:10 pm

Stocking up for winter offers comfort and security - 10/16/2008 9:55 pm

Share the Bounty and Feel Rich

Comments (0) |

Plant a row
Harvest a row
Eat a row
Give a row away

Ah, ‘tis the season to feel rich and to share the bounty of your garden.

Even if you did not deliberately “Plant a Row for the Hungry or PAR,” you can merrily accomplish the same thing now by donating your extra green produce.

I admit that this is my first year to learn how to finally do something about PAR. I’ve been spurred because I have helped start two new community organic gardens in the Palmer area through Mat-Su College. Now we are rich with overflowing vegetables.

I learned how simple it is to donate. First, find the nearest Food Bank, Senior Center, or soup kitchen. Second, call and find out what days and times they receive fresh food drop offs. Third, time your harvest accordingly. Easy! So, why not load up your extra garden bounty today and run it over today, while it is fresh and prime?

Ah, the joy of helping others eat the kingly way we do from our gardens!

It is also time for you to put aside some of your veggies for winter. Buy in bulk or harvest your own, but put some in storage now. I urge you to make some time to blanch and freeze the broccoli, collards, and kale. Try drying some herbs, berries, and leafy greens. For carrots and potatoes, find a cool space to serve as a root cellar. Learn canning with an experienced friend. You’re going to love these treasures later, and the price is right for local food you can trust.

Let's go make merry in the kitchen!


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