Getting a Rise Out of Fresh Bread

I finally got my copy of Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day from Amazon.

I'm eager to try out the recipe for Olive Bread in the Peasant Loaves section.

And I know the family will like it if I test out the Pecan Caramel Rolls.

I have a good idea of what I will be doing this weekend.

Connecticut Embraces Raw Milk

For the raw milk enthusiasts, there was Making Their Case for Raw Milk, in Sunday's New York Times.

The article notes that continuing and unwavering warnings from the FDA, its popularity continues to grow.

Connecticut is one of only a handful of states that leads the pack in raw milk sales, making it possible for anyone who sells pasteurized milk to also sell raw milk. And some 15 Connecticut dairies support the sale.

So have there been any reported illnesses or outbreaks? No. Interesting. But I'm still not convinced enough to start buying it for my family.

This blog, CurdNerds, makes an apt point...I'd like to see more coverage of raw milk as it relates to cheese. I'm definitely seeing more and more raw milk cheeses on the store shelves, including my chain grocers.

Flickr photo by Matt Browne.

Pigs or Clean Water? Neighbors Pick Pigs

This article in the Chicago Tribune -- Farmer Bob turns water into swine -- wins the prize for the most captivating story featuring agriculture v. urban sprawl.

Here's the gist. Farmer Bob, aka Bob Wargaski, is fighting a proposed water tower that city planners hope to erect near his Island Lake area property. At a cost of $5 million, the water tower's new neighbors are expected to take the property value hit and foot the bill.

So it may be no surprise that neighbors have rallied around Bob's race to establish a pig farm on his property. Under state law, water towers can't be erected within 400 feet of a swine operation because of water contamination concerns. Usually those concerns prompt neighbors to oppose pig operations, which are smelly and...um...create water contamination issues.

But, for possibly the first time ever, neighbors are siding with the pigs over a clean water tower, that is not only expensive, but would presumably deliver enough water to the area to spur even further development.

This may turn into a battle of the permits. The water tower team already has theirs. But Bob filed for his in Springfield this week.

And, he's erected a sign: Future site of Bob's Pig Farm.

Stay tuned to see who wins.

A Farmers Market to Tide Me Over Until Spring

I'm hoping to be around next weekend so we can attend the Winter Farmers Market in Austin, which is one of the westernmost and among the most troubled neighborhoods in Chicago.

Apparently we'll be able to buy organic lettuce, herbs, meat, cheese, syrup and soaps...in the dead of Winter!

I was feeling like it's too good to be true, but the bulletin listing I saw had a link to the sponsor: Churches' Center for Land & People.

The ecumenical group (with support from Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist, Catholic, Episcopal, United Church of Christ, Quaker and Unitarian churches) organizes similar markets in Iowa and Wisconsin too.

And who could pass up an opportunity to taste test the wares. At the March 1 event in Austin, brunch will be served.

CCLP donates 10 percent of its receipts to the Harvest of Hope Fund to aid small farmers in crisis. I'm not sure if that's related to the Harvest of Hope Foundation.

Forget the Beemer Dad, Buy Me a John Deere

Love this story in the Chronicle-Telegram about Oberlin, Ohio high school students who trek to school once a year aboard their farm machinery.

How cool is that? The coolest car anyone drove at my high school was an old hearse painted green. But I digress.

About 20 students drive tractors to Firelands High School during the annual Future Farmers of America Tractor Day. The high school has celebrated agriculture and ag education for more than 50 years. In addition to the tractor commute, the school sponsors Barnyard Olympics...including pedal tractor races, a tug-of-war and a straw bale toss.

National FFA Week was Feb. 16-23.

There's a great photo of Farmgirls Samantha Miller and Jodie Crawford, seniors who drove their tractors this week.

Both plan to continue living on farms after college!

Reel Farming, Reel Food

Missoula, MT, has the right idea with a film festival featuring three farm-to-table friendly films.

The festival, "Real to Real Food Film Festival," will screen three movies.

I've blogged about at least one:

The Real Dirt on Farmer John, about the exploits of a Northern Illinois farmer.

But also showing is...

Eat at Bill’s, a documentary about the Monterey Farmers’ Market

And, even more interesting to me...

Two Angry Moms, which talks about the link between child health and school food.

Remembering a Farmgirl Hero, Trailblazing Journalist

Today I learned there was a true farmgirl in my city midst, for years, and I had no idea. I also had no idea she was ill or suffering from Alzheimer's. Apparently that's the way she wanted it.

Her passing came as a surprise to many.

So here's what I found out today at her memorial service:

Farmgirl Hero Mary A. Myers was born in 1936 on a dairy farm in Waukesha, Wisc. She was educated in a one-room schoolhouse and graduated first in her class (being the only one in her class).

She was indeed first in her class. Not very many women would have the mettle to go from that small farming town to earn a journalism degree from Northwestern, then after the sudden death of her husband, raise two children and accomplish a successful career as a financial journalist at the Chicago Daily News, Chicago Sun-Times and Washington Post. She also managed the images of Chicago-area companies as an executive at Hill and Knowlton and Burson-Marsteller.

But I know her heart was in journalism. When she retired several years ago, she asked that I refer to her as a retired journalist, not a retired public relations specialist.

Mary was a mentor and a woman devoted to her family and to a profession that, when she joined it, still shunned women. The pastor told a story that one of her j-school profs berated her for taking the place of a man.

I also learned that she continued to balance a life in the city with her desire to be in the country...a true Farmgirl Hero.

Her full news obituary, ironically, is in the Chicago Tribune today: Sun-Times editor helped change role for women, Business journalist gained respect as 'path-breaker.'

Updated on Saturday with a link to Mary's obituary.

Comfort Food Waiting After a Long Day

Thanks to some prep work last night, I came home from a long day to a full meal...Carolina Barbecued Pork. It's frankly the best pulled pork I've had since I left the South.

I'm only slightly embarrassed to say that this vinegar-based recipe comes from my old Rival crock-pot book.

I don't have that crock pot anymore. It broke after more than nine years of heavy use. But my newer Rival does a great job.

Thanks to Michelle, aka MomAtLarge, the recipe is on About.com. Of course in our house, the slaw is not optional. Also not optional, a shot of hot sauce atop the coleslaw.

We didn't have buns, so we served ours up delectably open-faced.

Yum. Great comfort food on this bitter cold night.

BTW...in addition to being below freezing, it's crystal clear outside, perfect for viewing tonight's lunar eclipse. Thankfully, our front porch has a great view. We tried to watch from outside. But this city girl didn't last long. The iFarmer tried to get some iPhotos. But they're pretty, as Randy would say, "pitchy."

Photo from a tasty food blog, My Epicurean Debauchery.

American Lounge Music

All I can say about tonight's American Idol is that I have a suggested new title: American Elevator Musician. Seriously, as the iFarmer says, do these guys have ANY taste in music?

Best of the pack, Michael Johns, who took on The Doors.

As for American Idol partnering with iTunes so fans can buy the music...Well I was on iTunes tonight, but there was no way I was buying any of that.

I opted for some John Mayer (with Ben Harper)...Waiting on the World to Change (YouTube).

Ice Cream Co. Gets Behind Bee-Awareness Initiative

I got word today from friends out working in California near San Luis Obispo. Besides the "neat, green little farms," our friends have noticed scores of bee hives.

That drew this memory: "When I was a kid, my father's drug store used to be the main resource for bee supplies in Shelby County. It was fun to sell the hives and great smelling wax hexagon cell sheets to the local farmers."

The note also alerted me to a new Haagen-Dazs initiative to draw attention to the mystery of the disappearing bees, a/k/a, Colony Collapse Disorder.

The gourmet ice cream company has launched a "Haagen-Dazs loves Honey Bees" campaign to fund sustainable pollination and CCD research at Penn. State and the UofC, Davis.

The company notes that without these busy pollinators, sources for popular flavors including almonds and strawberries would be hard to come by.

Here's the press release at Forbes.com.

Flipping Through the Pages of History

After watching the King Corn DVD again this weekend at The Farm, the interview with the controversial Ag secretary Earl Butz had new meaning.

Butz died Feb. 2. While we were enjoying the documentary, the iFarmer looked up Butz's obit on his iPhone. And when he read out loud that Butz -- in addition to uttering a completely racist and tasteless observation -- was editor of the Purdue Exponent in 1932.

That sent us straight to the '30s Purdue yearbooks...the Debris. We had them on hand because my grandparents were at Purdue in the late '20s and early '30s. And because one of my favorite talismans is my grandfather's press key, I knew he was the Exponent sports editor in 1931. So not only was Butz a contemporary of my grandfather's, but the two surely worked together.

Sure enough we found photos of the two corn-fed Hoosiers on the Exponent pages. But I don't recall hearing about their paths crossing anywhere else. They were in different activities, sports and fraternities. And while Butz pursued the agricultural sciences, my grandfather became a pharmacist, though he clearly had an interest in farming.

My grandfather actually first landed a job in Chicago working for Eli Lilly. But he didn't keep the job long. He was fired after missing three days of work. His reason? He was suffering from pneumonia. Ironic that a pharmaceutical company fired a worker for being sick.

Butz is a fascinating figure...he took this country from a subsidized system that paid farmers not to produce, to a system that paid farmers to overproduce. The result? More money for farmers and surpluses of corn that fed the high fructose corn syrup industry and, now, the biofuel experiment.

In the first photo, Butz is on the left and my grandfather is on the right. In the second, grandpa is upper right and Butz is lower left. BTW...there is little doubt that Alto Farmgirl is related to the gentleman farmer in this picture...the lips, the eyes, that sly look. No doubt.

Travel Mission: Improve My Mood (and Get Fresh Eggs)

When I've had bad days or weeks or months, there are a few physical locations on this earth that can right me in an instant...

The Mountains of New Mexico between Truchas and Taos.

The Lowlands of South Carolina, especially surrounding the great city of Charleston.

The spectacular cities and ruins of ancient Greece and Turkey, especially Ephesus where you can walk in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul.

And, of course, The Farm, where the tree-lined lane leads you on a rejuvenating walk (or cross country ski) to the river.

Since I've got to be back at work next week and the kids have school, we're opting for The Farm to give me back the spring in my step.

Photo by Bobak Ha'Eri.

What County Would You Nominate for Rural Best Of List?

Another February is passing without Grant County, Ind., (Where Cool Was Born) being named to Progressive Farmer's list of Best Places to Live in Rural America. [I promise, Grant County is beautiful, despite the rotten photo they chose for the website.]

Also not on the list, but a should-be contender? Rio Arriba County, New Mexico.

Anyway, this year's Progressive Farmer honoree is Kent County, Maryland. Only two hours from D.C., Kent County was named in part for being a, "rare holdout in the sprawl and development in this country that clearly is out of control."

"Kent County maintains a culture of farming, wildlife, and small towns and villages that are relatively untouched."

The county also has engaged in pretty aggressive farmland preservation.

Others in the top 10 this year:

2. Ellis County, Kan.
3. Livingston County, Mo.
4. Obion County, Tenn.
5. Columbia County, Penn.
6. Wexford County, Mich.
7. Fayette County, Texas
8. Coffee County, Ala.
9. Gilchrist County, Fla.
10. La Plata County, Colo.

Which county would you name?

Happy V-Day!

Lots of activity today...

You would not believe the preparation for Valentine's Day activities at the Future Farmkids' schools.

Last night we wrapped up by signing and addressing more than 85 Valentines. Eighty five...for two kids.

Of course, Future Farmgirl insisted on signing and decorating all of her own. Should be interesting. Her name is all over those Dora and Elmo Valentines. Future Farmboy did a few on his own (Diego and Disney), but let me take over and agreed to do the stuffing and stickering to seal the envelopes.

We also packed up loads of "healthy" snacks to pass around for the three parties they're having today.

We were asked to send enough snacks and Vals...if we wanted...to ALL the kids in FFG's school and we had to do the AM program and PM program at FFB's school.

That's a lot of love.

I expect they will have loads of fun today. Me too.

The iFarmer is taking me to the restaurant where we had our first date 11 years ago. Very romantic.

Pancakes for Supper

I have just been sick of our menu options lately. So tonight, I knocked chili out of the lineup and we had breakfast instead.

The Future Farmkids thought that was a fantastic idea. I haven't seen them so excited about a meal in a long time.

We had blueberry (imported from Chile) pancakes for Future Farmboy. And for FFG, who, no surprise, doesn't like blueberries, we had banana pancakes.

[I used a basic Fannie Farmer griddlecakes recipe and added the fruit at the end. I left the bananas lumpy this time...good call!]

FFG did almost all the mixing. And everybody cleaned their plates.

Best Idol Yet

Awesome to hear some good rock on American Idol this season. Fills a bit of the void left by the first season of Rock Star INXS.

It's only too bad the pop/loungish piano backup sucks.

That's why it's a good thing some of our favorites also can play...like the one vying for my vote...the super cute Josiah Leming, the kid who lives in his car and, though from Tennessee, has a distinct British accent when he sings.

I also like the biker nurse, Amanda Overmyer, from the Hoosier state. More on Hoosiers in the contest in this Muncie Star Press article.

Do they have what it takes to win this competition? I certainly hope not. None of the winners have been all that interesting to me. But I am already waiting for iTunes to pick up some of Leming's original songs.

Metal-Free Baking

I've been looking to get the aluminum and other preservatives out of my baking.

So I was very pleased to learn today, while reading my Bon Appetit, that it's fairly easy to make your own baking powder.

How cool is that? All it takes is 2 parts cream of tartar and one part baking soda. According to my mag and this quickie recipe on Epicurious, just sift the two together and store in a cool, dark place for us to six weeks.

Say goodbye to those metallic undertones.

Blast From the Past

Here's one from the archives...It's Future Farmboy's first introduction to a house goat, I mean a young Nubian visiting Omi's house during the holidays.

What's Old is New Again

My gift to the iFarmer today is sort of a re-gift. He's getting the use of his fancy, but old, Huntsman Plus Swiss Army knife back.

We thought it was a lost cause and abandoned it in a misc. box a couple moves ago. But I just dug it up and found this great Knife Cleaning 101 advice online.

Hot water and vegetable oil did the trick. Now we'll have our cheese cutter/wine bottle opener/saw (it really works)/scissors/bottle opener/can opener/hole punch (we've actually used this too)/tweezers/and toothpick (eew) on the road anytime we need them.

A Valentine From Mother Nature

Farmgirl Fare has posted a sweet Valentine. Check out her collection of heart-shaped rocks.

Here's a screen shot of her page, but there are more photos from her collection on her site.

Storm Winds Blow Lid Off Bottle Collection

There's a cute story in Onalaska Community Life about Farmgirl Esther Pertzsch, who after a storm blew the roof off of her barn, discovered a remarkable milk bottle collection from her family's farm.

She's added to it ever since, and in the process has a history of milk production on display.

Esther told the paper she only collects bottles from independent farms in the region -- from Prairie du Chien to Madison.

For Wisconsin locals, the collection will be on display at the Onalaska Historical Society Feb. 12.

Tip: When Looking for Light, Bedtime Reading, Don't Pick Up a Book on Genocide

Between the books I get for review and the iFarmer's collection, one would think I would be able to find some satisfying evening reading. But no. Nothing on my shelf is particularly inviting.

I tried to read Martha Minow's "Between Vengeance and Forgiveness: Facing History after Genocide and Mass Violence," but that's pretty much as down as it the title suggests.

And since Jen Lancaster hasn't come up with anything since Bright Lights Big Ass...[Jen, do I really have to wait until May for your next book?], I'm at a loss.

So tonight, I'll be continuing my wine-ucation with Alpana Singh's "Alpana Pours."

A $15 Billion Hobby

Considering how crucial bees are to our food chain, isn't it completely surprising that so many beekeepers are hobbyists?

The Dothan Eagle in Alabama had that same question.

The article notes that the USDA estimates there are 2.5 managed bee hive colonies...half of the number in existence in the 1940s. But pollination demands have hardly dropped.

That means bees are being shipped farther and farther afield.

Farmgirl Roslyn Horton has been keeping bees for five year and, in addition to honey, her Horton Honey Farm produces bee glue (propolis) and Fire Ant First Aid cream to treat insect bites.

[Photo by Hoosier Outsider]

A Welcoming Mid-Day Retreat

I had forgotten how absolutely beautiful the Chicago Temple is, inside and out.

Founded in 1831 by Methodist circuit riders, it's considered the oldest church in the city. More history here.

After slushing my way to noon-time Ash Wednesday services, I got there early enough to take in the intricate wood work and stone walls, warmed by the light from leaded glass windows.

I still can't believe I've never visited the Sky Chapel, which is 400 feet above street level, tucked below the church's spire.

Not that the church is hidden, but it is sort of nondescript at street level, easy to pass by. But it's worth ducking in for a peak or for worship.

Phenomenal Farmgirls

I just tripped across this farm near Santa Cruz, Dirty Girl Produce. Love the name and the history of Farmgirl founders Ali Edwards and Jane Freedman.

There's a story in the 1997 MetroActive about the farm when it was beginning to break even.

"There is a phenomenal group of powerful women active in [this field] in the state of California," Bob Scowcroft of the Organic Farm Research Foundation was quoted saying.

The article then asks: Why are so many women entering the field of organic farming?

Possibly the newness of organics.

"There are no institutional barriers. It's still an open field," Scowcroft said. "Anyone with a strong back, land, a little money and vision can go into it."

Family Farm Finds Raw Milk Market With Immigrants

At the Schlittlers' 105-year-old farm in Pennsylvania, the customers are raw milk enthusiasts. Some are recent converts, a part of a growing raw milk subculture.

But many others are immigrants from Russia, Egypt and Central America. They pay $5 a gallon for the unpasteurized, non homogenized, sweet milk, the Center Daily Times reports.

The farm, run by fourth generations Schlittlers, including Farmgirl Liz Shenko, is home to 26 milking cows that aren't fed growth hormones or antibiotics. The family is also switching out their diet from one heavy on grains to one primarily grass-based.

Eventually, the family would like to be producing and selling cheeses and grass-fed meats.

"We really want to keep the tradition of the family farm alive," says Liz.

Manning Brothers: Lords of the (Super Bowl) Rings

I thought we'd end the evening sad, but we're celebrating a Manning Dynasty.

This, by far, was the best Super Bowl I've ever seen. That's saying a lot since the Indy Colts were last year's champs.

An American Girl

Tom Petty rocked the half-time show, even leading off with one of VFG's favorite songs.

The iFarmer picked that song for me a looong time ago, way before we were a couple.

Does it fit?
[You can hear American Girl along with a bunch of my other favorites on my finetune widget.]

Farmers Market Boom in Michigan

Great story in the Battle Creek Enquirer about the growth of farmers markets, CSAs and interest in knowing the source of your food in Michigan.

The number of farmers markets in Mich. has increased from 90 to 160 in three years.

Farmgirl Pam Bosserd, of Bosserd Family Farm Market in Marshall Township, tells the paper she's gone from selling sweet corn out of the back of her flat-bed to opening a daily market that sells flowers, grass-fed beef and fruits and veggies.

"It's definitely become a trend, and I don't think it's a trend that's going away," she says.

We can only hope Bosserd is right.

Go Giants!

I have a house divided, in that FFB is a Patriots fan and the rest of us are for the Giants. Well, I'm not sure about FFG. I think she's a Giants fan. When I asked, she said she was for the flashlights.

Anyway, go Eli.

Oh, and worst commercial so far? The Audi commercial with the horse head reference to the Godfather.

Best so far? Um. None.

Snow Day

I have something cooking in the kitchen that kept me from taking the kiddies to the big sledding hill. So I made one for them in the backyard.

It's not built for speed, but Future Farmboy enjoyed setting some distance records while Future Farmgirl did her best to reign over the hill.

Pix below...

My Snow Angels:

Swingin' in the Snow:

Digging out the sled:

Backyard sledding:

Snowbathing:

BTW...I had to take the girl in shortly after this photo because, seriously, she took off her boots. Barefoot in the snow. That's my farmgirl.

Cardinal v. House Sparrow

I've got a territory battle being waged in my backyard. Maybe it's the snow or the writers strike, but I was completely consumed this morning watching a pair of young cardinals fighting with a group of house sparrows for the right to sit on my fencepost.

In all fairness, the sparrows have been here longer. Indeed, they have a nest near my balcony, we were able to see them lay eggs, hatch chicks and watch them fly from the nest last spring.

Still...the cardinals are beautiful, especially against a snowy backdrop.

It's surprisingly stimulating to see these flashes of color in the winter.

BTW, I'm betting on the sparrows. What they lack in size, they make up for in aggression and numbers.