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Hello Friends of the Gainesville Organic Blueberry Farm,
Just a reminder to come out to the farm this Sunday at 2 and get some sun while workin’ in the rows. And how about the next weekend as well, Saturday the 13th sounds like a great day for a chainsaw oak massacre, like the one we had last year, we’ll meet at 10am. If you are planning on doing shiitakes this year, you can come out to the farm and get ‘em there while getting work credit at the same time. Many helpers will be needed so c’mon out even if you dont have a chainsaw, what could be more romantic? And while we’re getting crazy planning ahead, why not put Feb 21st on your calendar as well, 2pm with the ‘Friends’.
I will be by the barn for 1/2 hour after meeting times, then we’ll head out to the 2 bridges patch to give the berry bushes some TLC! I’ll have plenty of tools, you bring plenty of water and long sleeves and gloves, (and chainsaws on the 13th). Kids are welcome but please leave pet friends at home. Please try to arrive within 1/2 hour after start times, especially if you have never been out to the 2 bridges patch. I think we’re gonna have some fun out there this month! And if you bring a shovel and a plastic bag you can dig blueberry suckers out between the rows where they will get mowed – start you own berry patch!
And finally Calling ALL FARMERS!! check out the exciting training programs for farmers who want to be able to accept Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) coupons at area markets. Training is required if you want to be able to accept these at markets, so read below and mark your calendar for Tues and Weds of NEXT WEEK! This is the first I’ve heard of this program but it sounds really exciting!
If you have any questions please email me at maureenreschly@hotmail.com and I’ll try to get back to you in a timely manner.
Please pass this on to any groups or individuals who may be interested – sharing is COOL!
Hope to see you down on the farm!
maureen
www.GvilleBlueberryFarmFriends.org
Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 16:20:46 -0500
From: msexton@alachuacounty.us
To: maureenreschly@hotmail.com
Subject: Press Release: Training Session for Area Farmers
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Communications Office – Press Release
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CONTACT: Mark Sexton, Communications Coordinator
PHONE: (352) 374-5204; CELL (352) 283-2317
EMAIL: msexton@alachuacounty.us
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| Training Session for Area Farmers |
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February 5, 2010
4:15 p.m.
ALACHUA COUNTY, FL – The Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (FDACS), Bureau of State Markets, will be conducting training sessions for the Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) at the Alachua County Extension Office (2800 NE 39th Ave., Gainesville), on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. and again on Wednesday, February 10, 2010 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
This program has increased sales for growers selling at the farmers’ markets and is required before you can accept FMNP coupons. All farmers who are interested in selling their produce at retail markets are encouraged to attend. There is no fee or program cost for this training.
For more information, call FDACS at 800-357-4273.
The Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) provides participants with coupons that can be used to purchase locally grown, fresh Florida fruits and vegetables. This produce can be purchased at authorized community farmers’ markets from April 1 through July 31, 2010.
Under guidelines applicable to both programs, only fresh fruits and vegetables grown in Florida or within 50 miles of the farmers’ market may be purchased with the coupons. Coupons may be used to purchase a wide variety of approved commodities.
This program benefits farmers by expanding the base of consumers who shop at community farmers’ markets. It also benefits consumers who can easily purchase locally grown fresh produce using their program coupons. Fresh fruits and vegetables are important to good health, and these programs enable participants to conveniently purchase nutritious products that enhance their diet.
All Extension Programs and Services are open to all without regard to race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin or handicap. For persons requiring special accommodations, please contact the Extension office at (352) 955-2402 (voice) or TDD/TYY (352) 955-2406 or at the Alachua County Extension Service, 2800 NE 39th Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32609. Please contact the Extension Office at least five working days prior to the program so that proper consideration may be given to the request.
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Alachua County Communications Office | 12 SE 1st Street | Gainesville
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Hello Friends of the Gainesville Organic Blueberry Farm,
Hope you are staying warm and enjoying the winter – and if your beginning to think about fresh tomatoes, then its time to start some of your favorite seeds to plant out after the last frost. If you dont save your own seed and would like some to start check out this website mentioned on the Craigslist garden blog http://wintersown.org/wseo1/YourChoiceTomatoSASE.html. They say if you send a self addressed stamped envelope you can get 6 different varieties (pick from gazillions) of open pollinated tomatoe seeds. TOMMMMMATOES!
And the berry bushes are waiting for you to come and liberate them from vines and weedy trees, so come out to the farm on Sunday at 2 and I will be by the Barnyard gardens with plenty of tools. You bring gloves and long sleeves and plenty of water. Kids are very welcome but please leave pet friends at home. It will be a beautiful day to get those hours in – the season is rapidly approaching and you dont want to be without your pickin card come June. So far it looks like a great year – the bushes are full of fattening flower buds wisely keeping covered hopefully until the last frost. If we have a year like the one before last, everyone will want to be picking and freezers will be full to bursting – So c’mon down to the farm and get some sun and excercise with fun folks in the rows, come summertime you’ll be glad you did!
And finally I want to thank everyone who has made this group what it is, and done the farm a favor by putting in your time - you ROCK!
Hope to see you down on the farm!
maureen
www.GvilleBlueberryFarmFriends.org
Hello Friends of the Gainesville Organic Blueberry Farm,
THANK YOU WONDERFUL FRIENDS! Last Sunday’s Big Barnyard Benefit Sale for Haiti was a success because of all the great stuff, and delicious food that you donated for the sale, and all of you who stopped by to shop. We made $503.25 and thanks to some wonderful folks who work at CH2MHill, they will match it 100%, for a total of $1,000 going to the Red Cross Haiti relief fund as a result! This could not have happened without every one of you who gave your time, stuff and cash to the effort – SO THANK YOU, THANK YOU & YEAH, WE DID IT!
Now back to the berry bushes! I will be in the barnyard gardens at 3 on Saturday with plenty of tools and the will to work! You bring gloves, long sleeves and plenty of water, and snacks if you bring kids. Kids are very welcome, but please leave pet friends at home. We will be going out to the 2 bridges patch to cut vines and weedy trees. It is also still the perfect time to dig blueberry suckers (the ones that sprout between the rows from underground runners) so if you want some free bushes of your own bring a plastic bag to keep the roots moist and a shovel to dig them.
And all you fabulous mowers – what would you think about participating in a big MOWER RACE, PARADE AND PAGEANT! That’s right! Show off that mowing monster while helping the farm by mowing the roads and rows. We could have prizes for best costume, and best decorated mower as well as ugliest and cleanest exhaust and races and maybe a pulling contest. This idea was dreamed up by Mary and Christian and I think it is a great one! We will be working on this concept and welcome any other ideas – different contests for different sized mowers, etc., so start oiling up those yard machines and tractors and get ready to show them off! Let me know if you are interested in doing this, so I can know if it is feasible.
Finally, check out the forwarded community bulletin below for details about free raised bed gardening classes, and other classes coming up!
Hope to see you Saturday down on the farm!
maureen
www.GvilleBlueberryFarmFriends.org
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2010 10:15:39 -0500
From: msexton@alachuacounty.us
To: maureenreschly@hotmail.com
Subject: Press Release: Free Raised Bed Vegetable Gardening Class
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Communications Office – Press Release
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CONTACT: Mark Sexton, Communications Coordinator
PHONE: (352) 374-5204; CELL (352) 283-2317
EMAIL: msexton@alachuacounty.us
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| Free Raised Bed Vegetable Gardening Class |
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January 27, 2010
10:15 a.m.
The Alachua County Extension Office is pleased to offer the following free Gardening Program. This class will be presented by Wendy Wilber, Environmental Horticulture Agent, at the Alachua County Extension Office (2800 NE 39th Ave., in Gainesville).
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Raised Bed Vegetable Gardening – February 3rd, 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Learn about an innovative way to grow vegetables. You will learn how to grow your own produce within limited space. A demonstration garden is located on site. The class will cover vegetable gardening basics and teach how to use raised beds for increased efficiency.
Pre-register by leaving voicemail at 352-337-6209.
For information on upcoming gardening programs, click here.
For more information contact Wendy Wilber, Environmental Horticulture Agent, at 352-955-2402 or wlw@alachuacounty.us.
For persons requiring special accommodations, please contact Wendy Wilber at 352-955-2402 (voice) or TDD/TYY 352-955-2406. Please contact the Extension Office at least five working days prior to the program so that proper consideration may be given to the request.
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Hello Friends of the Gainesville Organic Blueberry Farm,
Well we have had a great response and lots of great donations came in yesterday, but many have requested to drop off donations today so I will be by the Blueberry Farm Barn again today from 4 – 6 to accept donations for the big sale tomorrow.
Also I was thinking that an open acoustic jam would be really nice and I know there are lots of you out there with some great musical talent – so if you bring your instrument and play a little (or preferably alot!)you will get a free raffle ticket. The raffle basket will include a quart jar of chemical free wildflower honey from my bees, a bunch of organic citrus and sunchokes, a bag of fresh organic shiitake mushrooms, a certificate for a free massage by the fabulous Suzanne-Michelle, and whatever else people want to throw in. So pick up that music maker and c’mon down to the farm tomorrow morning and tickle our ears with your tunes.
Also Oliver the Avocado King from Abundant Edible Landscapes www.EdibleLandscapers.com said he would donate some of his avocado trees. (If you know Oliver then you know he is the Go-To guy for Avocadoe trees adapted to this area!) And Michael from the Edible Plant Project www.edibleplantproject.org (which also resides at the farm) will be donating some plants as well.
Finally if you havent done so already, check out our website at www.GvilleBlueberryFarmFriends.org to learn more about us, and the Big Barnyard Sale To Benefit Haiti, happening tomorrow from 8am to 12noon.
And if you would like to be added to our email list to receive notices of work parties or events at the farm please send me an email at maureenreschly@hotmail.com
I think we’re gonna have a successful fundraiser for the RED CROSS HAITI RELIEF FUND, and alot of fun too!
maureen
Hello Friends of the Gainesville Organic Blueberry Farm!
Have you been feeling powerless to help Haiti, like I have, because money is tight? Time to do that early Spring cleaning and bring all your clean, gently used clothes and goods to donate for the Big Barnyard Benefit Sale. Donations may be dropped off at the blueberry farm barn this coming Friday between 4 and 6pm. The proceeds will go toward the Red Cross Haiti Fund. Baked goods and fresh fruits and vegetables will also be accepted for donation – its probably best if you bring these yourself but if you are unable, then dropping them off at the barn on Friday is fine too. And I will be putting together a raffle basket with a little blueberry wildflower honey, some sunchokes, some citrus, and hopefully some shiitakes if we get a flush before then. Michael said that the edible plant project could donate a couple of plants for the raffle basket too. So tell all your friends and come out this sunday morning to see what bargains may be had, and get together with great folks to help those in need in Haiti. So to reiterate:
Donation Drop Off Friday 4-6pm at the Gainesville Organic Blueberry Farm barn.(1621 se 15th st – the gate by the barn will be open). Please make sure everything is clean and usable and in a bag or other container that is easy to carry. Everything will be accepted – books, housewares, bikes, furniture, seeds, produce, and baked goods or prepared foods – whatever you think might sell. If utensils or plates or bowls are needed – please bring enough for all the food to be sold.
If you are bringing prepared foods or baked goods please write the ingredients on a card so people know what they are buying.
If anyone would like to play some music or provide any entertainment for this event – please do – musicians or entertainers will get a free raffle ticket! Please send me an email at maureenreschly@hotmail.com if you can help us out this way. There is electricity to the barn but no running water. We flush the toilet, and wash hands with rainwater.
Please forward this to anyone or any group you think would like to participate.
Lets see how much we can raise to benefit our Island Neighbors in Haiti!
Gainesvillians are GREAT!
maureen
Hello Friends of the Gainesville Organic Blueberry Farm!
Yes, the blueberry flower buds are still safely wrapped in their coats, and so hopefully no worse for the ridiculously cold weather we’ve had for the last few days And now is the perfect time to dig up blueberry sucker plants (some with flower buds already) from in between the rows where they will be mowed. So who is brave enough to join me at the farm at 3pm tomorrow and friday, to get back to work in the rows? At least there wont be any mosquitoes and we probably wont sweat as much as we would during warmer weather 
So c’mon out and get some sunshine and join me at the barnyard tomorrow and Friday at 3pm. I will have plenty of hand tools, you bring gloves and plenty of drinking water. We will be working in the 2 bridges patch. If you would like to dig up suckers to transplant, bring a shovel and a plastic garbage bag to keep the roots from drying out! Remember all hours worked or pledged toward last years picking rights will be transferred to this years season, since the late freeze wiped out the crop last year as it did to many other berry farms in the area. As always, kids are welcome but please leave pet friends at home.
If anyone has any questions please email me at maureenreschly@hotmail.com and I will try to answer in time.
Also read on to the forwarded letter below about some great folks teaching what they know for next to nothing – starting this weekend with a new kind of beekeeping technique!
Hope to see you out on the farm!
maureen
PS=>read on for urban homesteading class details!
Subject: Urban Homesteading Series Presents: Intro to Bee Keeping and Backyard Hives
Date: Mon, 4 Jan 2010 15:12:22 -0500
please forward to anyone you think might be interested…
URBAN HOMESTEADING SERIES PRESENTS:
Intro to Bee Keeping and Backyard Hives
01/16/10 , 10:00 am – $30 – Participants will leave this class with an introductory understanding of bee keeping and a hive they have constructed themselves. We will explore the human/bee relationship both historically and in a modern context. Focusing on climate appropriate methods and holistic techniques, will go over the information necessary to the starting beekeeper, such as bee lifecycles, pollination, and hive placement within and urban setting. Then we will collectively construct top-bar bee hives, a simpler and more natural style bee hive than conventional box hives.
This class will have plenty of time and space for discussion and questions. The empty hives will be ready to be filled with a new bee colony this coming spring.
This class will be held outdoors in downtown Gainesville. Rain date will be the following Saturday, 01/23/10
Beginning Homebrewing 101, 02/13/10
Intro to Fiber Craft, 03/20/10
Please contact Neil at 352-246-6736 to register or for more information.
To receive notices of upcoming events, email urbanhomesteading@riseup.net
The Gainesville Urban Homesteading Project organizes hands on, accessible workshops designed to share our skills and resources for creative self-reliance and a more sustainable urban community.
All classes are taught by volunteers. Prices listed include cost of materials only.
Pre-registration is required as class size is limited
 Finally its raining and Its shiitake time! (see pictures at end of letter or attached) Those of you who participated in our shiitake inocculation parties last year should be looking for some lovely mushroom caps on your logs – depending on the variety you chose they may have already fruited, or may wait until December. If you have seen no swelling of the waxed areas on the logs you can soak them by putting them in buckets and flipping them after a few hours.This is called forcing them and should bring out the caps. Dont soak more than 24 hours per end.
If you missed the parties last year and are interested in the process of inoculating shiitake logs you can attend a free workshop this Saturday from 11 to 12:30 at the county extension building. Go to www.alachua.ifas.ufl.edu/calendar.shtml for more info (they are offering container gardening on the 18th and best management practices for sustainable green industries (nurseries, landscaping etc.) on the 23rd.
Also on Saturday from 9 to 1 is the Sustainable Gardening open house at the ethnobotany gardens on UF campus near the bat house. Read forwarded message below for details.
And check out Abundant Edible Landscapers website www.ediblelandscapers.com for details of their upcoming 2 week permaculture design course where you can become a certified permaculture designer!
 Exciting things are happing with the Friends of the Gainesville Organic Blueberry Farm! We have been chosen by a fabulous grad student to help us file papers for nonprofit status, we have turned on the electricity at the barn and hope to have a barnyard sale/ bake sale benefit soon where you can bring your gently used items to donate to the cause, and buy that perfect post consumer gift for the holidays, or eat pumkin pie while enjoying the farm with friends. Details coming soon.
For now I know many are ready to get out in the rows again since the weather has cooled down so lets get out there and show those berry bushes some love! I will be by the barnyard gardens this coming Friday and Saturday at 4 pm and Sunday at 10am with plenty of tools. Please show up within 1/2 hour of start times or you may miss us. As usual kids are welcome but please leave pet friends at home. Bring plenty of water and gloves and long sleeves (and snacks if you bring kids).
Open house at the Ethnoecology Garden on Saturday, November 14th from 9AM-1PM. The focus is on discussing a number of activities in the garden related to a number of topics including:
-Composting
-Biodiversity
-Raised bed
-Biomass management
-Overwintering plants
There will be some me light refreshments provided by the Society. Feel free to bring along any caloric contributions. There is water at the garden, so bring a vessel for your beverages. This activity is open anyone who is interested in gaining and sharing knowledge or just enjoying the garden for the morning.
Meet at the garden, which is adjacent to the Student Agricultural plots, just behind the UF Bathouse, near Lake Alice and Museum Road (see link below for the location in Google Maps). For additional information, see the attached flier or email your questions to ethnoecology@gmail.com. If inspired to to do so, feel free to distribute the attached flier.
Link: <http://maps.google.com/maps?q=ethnoecology+garden&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&hl=en&hq=ethnoecology+garden&hnear=Gainesville,+FL&ll=29.64543,-82.36285&spn=0.010332,0.017681&z=16&iwloc=A&cid=10758193711849218362>.
Hope to see you there,
The Ethnoecolgy Society
Hello Friends of the Gainesville Organic Blueberry Farm,
Thanks to everyone who came out to our last pruning parties – we really gave those rows a lovely haircut, and they are looking sharp!
Pruning Time! I will be by the barn this Thursday and Friday at 6pm and Saturday at 9am, with tools. You bring plenty of drinking water and long sleeves and gloves. We will be working in the covered cart patch and possibly the beehive patch to give the berry bushes some TLC so they will stay healthy and productive. As always kids are welcome but please leave pet friends at home.
So c’mon out and burn some calories and sweat out some toxins while helping the farm stay a farm. You will be proud to see how you have helped save the blueberry bushes and in providing healthy fresh food for our community in the years to come. Work as long (or as short) as you like, in the outdoors and see whats growing down on the farm.
Hope to see you out there!
maureen
PS Saturday is national honeybee awareness day -BZZZZ!
Hello Friends of the Gainesville Organic Blueberry Farm!
Thank you all who worked so hard before the season this year and all year last year to keep the blueberry bushes happy and healthy and productive, and in so doing help keep the farm a farm! The barnyard gardens were more productive overall this summer than they have been since the last farmer (Jeff) left, and hopefully they will keep getting better! Hi Jeff – we miss you! But unfortunately due to a mid April freeze most of the berries were frozen while still small, making it a very lean crop this year. Many people were able to find productive patches of ripe blue beauty, sometimes in thickets, reminding us that with a farm that big there will always be something to pick, and how much work there still is to do there. (Send me a reply with how many pounds you picked, and where – Im dying to know!)
For inspiration it is good to look at the 2 bridges patch to see what is possible – I have high hopes for a great crop there next year. And dont worry if people call you crazy for working so hard in the berry rows – it is a very sane way to take your power in this crazy world – to work for something you wish to happen instead of against something you dont want to happen. I think of it as perspiration therapy with peer counseling, aerobic workout, social networking with the creme de la creme, and bonus organic blueberry work trade with heavy bragging rights when the berries come in – and I sleep so sweetly and soundly after work parties! Wouldn’t you like to be able to tell younger generations that you did your best to insure our community’s sustainability and high quality of life, by taking a leap of faith and being the change you wish to see in the world. If you want to have a farm in your neighborhood – go help out on your neighborhood farm – while you have the chance!
So c’mon out to the farm this Saturday! I will be by the barnyard gardens with plenty of tools and the desire to perspire! You bring lots of drinking water, long pants and sleeves, gloves and a hat. As always kids are welcome but please leave pet friends at home. Please try to arrive within a half hour because the gate is tricky to open and close. Lets give those berry bushes some elbow grease and TLC – we’ll be glad we did when the berries ripen next year!
Hope to see you down on the farm!
maureen
PS bring a bag or 2 if you want to collect some passionfruit, elderberries or lotus seeds which are all ripening now, and try rooting some of the cuttings we prune and let me know how it works – this is how blueberries are usually propagated!
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