Project WET

Another environmental program announcement from our friends at Kathleen Clay Edwards Family Branch Library:

Project WET

Friday, August 12, 2005
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. with 4 hr. homework assignment

Water Education Program. This workshop teaches hands-on activities related to water conservation, water pollution, water management, wetlands, and the water cyle that are helpful for teaching adults and children. This program is great for scout troop leaders, homeschool parents, youth leaders, and community group leaders. Also earn credit towards the NC Environmental Education Certification, http://www.ee.enr.state.nc.us/certification/certificationmain.htm . Participants read a Project WET book filled with activities. Must register to attend, 373-2923 or Melanie.buckingham@greensboro-nc.gov.

Kathleen Clay Edwards Family Branch Library
1420 Price Park Dr.
Greensboro, NC 27410

Greensboro Day School Permaculture Gardens

Greensboro Day School is a wonderful place to get additional Permaculture related design ideas. The school is host to a large garden area, created by Charlie Headington and others, and is representative of an Edible Schoolyard.

The garden is beautiful and home to many birds and flowers as well as much to eat. Right now peaches hang from trees, beans and squash are maturing, and the ponds are full of interesting plants.

The photo album at the following link does not require log in. Simply click the link and you'll be redirected to a picture of the cover of the photo album. Click on the photo to begin the slide show. Directions to the garden are included with the pictures.

Greensboro Day School Permaculture Gardens


This is a great spot to take a child and explore the wonders of a tightly knit community of plants, insects and birds. Lots to see and touch.

Montessori Schoolyard Garden photo album

Mary Ellen Smith shares her photos of the Montessori Schoolyard Gardens, taken during the tour after the permaculture presentation June 18. (Please note that you don't have to make an account to view the photos.)

Beyond Sustainability ~ David Holmgren Lecture

North Carolina Botanical Garden
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
15/501 & Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC
Phone 919.962.0522 Fax 919.962.0522 email visitncbg@unc.edu web www.ncbg.unc.edu

For Immediate Release

Beyond Sustainability

Chapel Hill, NC—David Holmgren, the Australian co-originator of the concept and practice of “Permaculture,” will give a free public lecture at the North Carolina Botanical Garden’s Totten Center in Chapel Hill on Thursday, July 21st, starting at 7 pm. A short reception featuring locally produced foods will follow. Space is limited; participants are asked to call in advance to reserve a seat for the lecture: 919-962-0522.

In the early 1970s, David Holmgren wrote a sophomore term thesis that, when turned into a book, launched the advent of Permaculture, a sustainable living methodology. He has been teaching, writing about, and living this philosophy ever since. He is currently on a four-month, around-the-world teaching tour. His lecture will answer the question, “What is permaculture?” He will link this with potential solutions to pressing concerns about our current high-energy lifestyles, which are dependent on a continuing supply of cheap petroleum—something that many believe is a rapidly disappearing reality.

While visiting the area, Holmgren will also be touring some of Orange and Chatham Counties’ farms and developments that are working with permaculture principles.

For more about David Holmgren’s work, visit his website: http://www.holmgren.com.au

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Contacts:

Information about lecture or the N.C. Botanical Garden: Andrew Bell, 919-962-0522

Information about Holmgren’s visit to North Carolina: Will Hooker, 919- 515-1194

Biofuels, Nature Walks, and Project Food, Land, and People

July 2005 Nature/Environmental Programs
Kathleen Clay Edwards Family Branch
1420 Price Park Dr.
Greensboro, NC 27410
www.greensborolibrary.org

To receive a regular e-mail for nature/environmental programs:
www.greensborolibrary.org/forms/email_melanie.htm

Biofuels, Another Option for Your Transportation Needs
July 9th, 10 a.m. – 11:00

Find out about biodiesel and how your car can run using vegetable oil. Mary Joan Pugh of the NC Zoo will explain how the zoo has used biofuel options to meet the zoo’s transportation needs. Andrew McMahan, a car owner who uses biofuels will share his experiences and share information about biofuel options in NC.

Senior Strollers
July 14th, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.

Learn about the plants and animals in the wetlands area and lakes at Price Park. Then join us for a short stroll along the library trails.

Audubon Takes an Evening Stroll
July 14th, 7 p.m.

Join us for an evening stroll where we can spot or hear the birds of the evening and listen to the frogs. Several members will share their knowledge about the wetlands, frogs and birds. Bring binoculars if you have a pair.

Project Food, Land and People
Friday, July 22nd, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Learn hands-on activities to teach adults and children about the interrelationships between agriculture, the environment and people. Great program for parents, teachers, scout leaders, youth leaders, and community group leaders. Receive a Project Food, Land and People notebook filled with hands-on activities. There will be a fee for the Project FLP book - $17.50. Workshop are approved for Criteria I of the NC EE Certification Program. CEU renewal credits are also available. To register, e-mail Melanie.buckingham@greensboro-nc.gov or call the Kathleen Clay Edwards Library at 336-373-2923.

Permaculture presentation

We had a full room of people for Charlie's presentation of Permaculture at the library this past Saturday. He showed slides of his work, explained the key aspects of Permaculture design, and passed out material and catalogs. 30 people accompanied him to the Montessori Gardens. I think everyone had a good time. Many expressed an interest in a full day workshop that would look more deeply at how to do it, how to set up a Permaculture garden in one's own yard. I think Charlie will do one in the future.

Convenience Cooking and Slow Food

People assume that I am an active cook because I'm so enthusiastic about Slow Food. It is true that I get on cooking jags sometimes. My favorite foods to cook are soup and bread. But I'm into convenience most of the time. Many nights I just eat cheese and crackers or salad or cereal, especially during hot weather. I've had some people tell me that they're interested in Slow Food issues, but they're not cooks. You don't necessarily have to be a cook to contribute to the Slow Food Movement - you can support slow food artisans and restaurants. It casts a wide net.

I used to bake bread the old-fashioned way, but a case of chronic tendinitis in both hands led me to stop kneading and buy a bread machine. I don't like the texture of the crust of baked bread machine bread, but, it is excellent way to mix and knead the dough, and take it through the first rising. I load my ingredients, put it on the dough setting, then do other things for a hour and a half. Then I remove the dough, punch down and let it rise again, then shape it into rolls or small loaves, let it rise again, and bake. This is a great rainy day activity, and it makes the house smell so wonderful! You can freeze some of the bread for later, and it tastes just as good.

Here's a recipe for a one-pot pantry dish I made last night from leftovers and canned and frozen ingredients. It's good for cleaning out little quantities from the refrigerator, and you could try other kinds of canned or cooked beans. Except for the cumin and the canned oranges, these ingredients are local, organic, or both. It serves about three, two if one person is my husband.


Lazy Black Beans and Chicken

1/2 green pepper, chopped
1/2 small onion, chopped
2 small carrots, chopped
1 clove garlic, pressed or minced (more if you love garlic)
1/2 cup frozen corn
1 T olive oil
1 cooked chicken breast half, chopped (mine was baked marinated chicken, from another convenient meal!)
1 cup cooked rice
1 can black beans
1 small can mandarin oranges
Cumin, to taste (this can be an acquired taste, so go easy if you've never tried it)
Salt and pepper

Saute the first five ingredients in the olive oil until the carrots are just tender. Add the other ingredients and cook until heated through.

Saturday at the Greensboro Farmers' Curb Market

This morning, I did my grocery shopping at the Greensboro Farmers' Curb Market. Here's what I bought:

Black Peppered Chevre Medallion from Goat Lady Dairy

Amish Raw Sharp Cheddar and Extra Sharp Cheddar from the Molners

Chipotle Pimento Cheese from REAL Catering

(Um, do you get the feeling that I like cheese?)

Old Mill yellow old-fashioned Southern style grits from Donna Myers at Carolina Coffee (gotta have something to serve the cheese on)

A whole chicken breast from W & C Peterson Family Farms

A half-gallon of low-fat milk from Homeland Creamery

Zephyr squash from Dark Hollow Farm to hopefully last me until my plants start producing (which I bought from them too!)

Oatmeal and honey soap from Mimi's Soaps to wash up with.

I could have bought lots of veggies, but I already have salad greens, carrots, beets, chard and broccoli growing in my garden. Normally I shop for veggies from Handance Farms, Weatherhand, Snow Creek, Peterson, and Dark Hollow. Oh, and that garlic lady next to the Goat Lady table, can't remember her name! (UPDATE per Donna's comment below: it's Natalie at Cornerstone Farm.)

If I had wanted to, I could have bought bread, eggs, honey, jams, savory tarts, desserts, coffee, gifts, jewelry, cut flowers,and Mediterranean foods. So if I don't feel like cooking, well, I can STILL go grocery shopping at the farmers' market for great chow. Not to mention the conversation.

This is an excellent way to begin a weekend. I highly recommend it.

Fava Beans

Fava Beans! The food of the Mediterranean, can it make its way to the east coast?

Why not? You may plant it in the fall and it overwinters, or in the early spring along with the peas. Do both and you will have an early and late June harvest. I just went outside and grabbed a few pods, opened them and ate the fresh, green beans. Delicious!

They need an open space with air since crowded, humid conditions carry fungi. Buy the beans, the silver dollar size, at Jerusalem Market, plant them a good 2 inches in the ground, and step back! They are legumes so they also fix nitrogen in the soil for the next crop in that space.

Charlie H

Eat Beat article on Niman pork

Hello Everyone,
I had a wonderful dinner at Green Valley Grill last night with my wife Debby and Ann Matthews. I ordered pork chops and was astounded by their texture and taste. They were from the Niman ranches and thus organic, free-range meat. That makes a big difference.

Ann sent me this article and I pass it onto you. It shows what can be done and what people are demanding.

http://indyweek.com/durham/2005-06-15/eatbeat.html

There also are vendors of free-range meat at our local farmer's market; I know this is true of Greensboro's curb market and the Triad Market. You can buy chicken and pork, and possibly beef and lamb.

When Slow Food published a Local Food Guide this Fall, 2005, you will have a better directory of sources for good food. Until then, please share on this list-serve, your favorite sources of good meat.

Charlie Headington

Permaculture Presentation Correction

Please note that the permaculture presentation will last for two hours, not one hour. The tour of the Montessori School gardens will begin at noon, immediately after the presentation.

Laurie

Events in June and July

Two events are coming up in June and July.

This Saturday, June 18, 10 am- noon, at the Kathleen Clay Edwards Library, Charlie Headington will present slides on Permaculture design, that is, ecological design that imitates and intensifies natural systems while producing four seasons of food. All organic and low-maintenance. Charlie's work has been featured on cable TV. After the hour presentation we will go 2 miles to the Montessori gardens on Horsepen Creek Road to see how to apply the ideas.
The library is at 1420 Price Park Drive, off of New Garden Road, at the new elementary school. Follow the winding road down and then up a hill. 373-2923. It's FREE.

(There is no Slow Food cherry picking event. Just go on your own to Levering Orchard.www.leveringorchard.com.)

June 27th, Monday at 5:30pm and 8:00pm,Carolina Theatre, http://www.carolinatheatre.com/, presents two showings of MONDOVINO, a prize winning documentary of the impact of globalization on the international wine industry. The issues are complex, but the authors are clear about their values and the future of wine. $7 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. Box Office is 336-333-2605 for reservations.

AND, in between the two showings, 7:30-8:30 pm there will be A WINE TASTING sponsored by Zeto, Debby and Charlie's favorite wine store.

Remember, July 10, Potluck and Cheese-Making Demo at the Goat Lady Dairy. Demo at 2pm. Potluck at 3pm, followed by a discussion about Slow Food. Please bring your friends. If you haven't seen the dairy, you'll be so impressed by the beauty and efficiency of a well run family farm and business. $5 donation.

Also, the Food Symposium, October 1, brochures are out. Look for them at the Farmer's Market and various stores and sign up. Or email slowfood@qwrh.com.

See you at one or all of these events.