Let’s Gather And Eat At The Farm
The air is sultry, the fields are full, it’s time to celebrate life,
Spanish Style and come to our Farm To Fork Dinner,
“La Vida Es Buena!”
Join Chefs Donna Garrison, Erik Peterson and Cassidy Wear for a tasty meal under the cooling, ancient walnut trees on GRUB’s farm. Check out the menu on our website. It includes foods inspired by the tastes of Spain. You can choose either a meat or a vegan paella and also get salads, desserts and other tasty treats. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to bask in the delights of community and great food.
Dinner is on July 24, doors open at 5. All food comes from a variety of our farmers within 30 miles. We are SO blessed.
Please note: There are three options to pay for your tickets. If you click on “Debit or credit card” it will take up to 15 seconds to load so don’t think there is anything wrong. The internets are tricksy at times.
We are so excited about this project! Jarrett James is one of our Board members and garden experts. He’s been hatching this project for awhile now: a Q&A series where you get to ask him questions and he produces short videos to share with the community so anyone who has that question can have a handy resource. Watch as he grows this project!
This Sunday, July 18 , he will be at Vecino Victory Garden launching the project and answering your questions about gardening. Come chat with Jarrett from 9am to 11am (garden hours start at 8 to avoid the heat). Bring your questions, your challenges, your joys and share them with one of our gardening experts. Vecino is at 1535 Laburnum Ave in Chico. We hope to see you there!
Other events
-July 17 Visit and play at BEC’s Oak Way Community Garden for a morning of working in the garden and learning about compost. Work day starts at 7am to avoid the heat, workshop starts at 9am. Find out more here. The Garden is at the corner of Oak Ave. and Nord.
– Fridays, join Ali Meders-Knight from 10am to at Verbena Fields to tend the land and learn about Traditional Ecological Knowledge. They also have their monthly walk on Tuesday, July 29 from 4-6 pm. Vebena Fields is at 1550 E. 1 st Ave in Chico. Find out more here .
Fall BLITZ 2021 has to be postponed
Wood prices are over the top expensive. We have been quoted prices ranging from twice to FOUR times what we paid in Spring. Seriously. Ridiculous.
We even tried to see if we could partner with From the Ground Up Farms and see if we could get the wood milled from Burn Scar logs…but it was too much to organize for our two very small, but mighty organizations to manage at this time (still want that to happen, though…anyone have the inspiration to work with us on that for Spring?).
Ultimately, and sadly, due to the prices AND (we have to admit) the threat of fire, we have decided to magically tranform the Fall 2021 BLITZ into the Spring 2022 BLITZ. For those of you who applied, your application will be held until then. We’ll be sending an email.
Homesteader tips of the month:
What do to if you don’t have air conditioning and want to can?
Check out this fun video and learn how we used to stay cool before AC and can all that abundance without heating up your house. BTW…we love this blogger and encourage you to join her email list for timely help on growing things and all things living independently.
Recipe From The Farmers Market
It’s melon time and Pamm (our Chief Rabble Rouser) wants to share her favorite salad for this time of year…and maybe all times.
There’s nothing better than waiting until watermelons are at our market. We have a few vendors that sell them in Chico and highly encourage you to partake while they are around. This salad is over the top refreshing.
The first time she had a version of this salad was in New Orleans at Commander’s Palace . It was THE most memorable brunch she has ever experienced: Dixieland Jazz band floating around the restaurant; watching fun, spicy local characters celebrate the morning. When she closes her eyes she, is transported back and can feel both the joy AND the discovery of this flavor combo like she is there…even though it’s been at least 15 years.
Enjoy!!
(ps…Pamm never cooks according to recipes so does not share portions, just ingredients. )
Watermelon and Feta And Other Delights Salad:
Arugula and/or other spicy salad mix
Fennel
Cucumber
Sprouts- Sunflower and/or spicy microgreen mix
Red Onion, thinly sliced
Feta Cheese crumbled
Olive Oil
Balsamic Vinegar
Mint and/or Basil
Pepitas or walnuts
For extra spicy goodness if you like it- hot peppers or hot pepper sauce added to the dressing
Shrimp (for the meat eaters- grill or fry for a very short time, just until pink, after marinating in olive oil, salt and garlic. Pamm recommends the Selva Prawns from S&S. Best. Shrimp. Ever.)
Just put your favorite proportions minus the nuts and shrimp in a bowl. Douse with olive oil and balsamic. Toss until it’s all coated then top with nuts and shrimp.
Truly the BEST salad on the block. I’m sure there are some outliers on the planet who won’t like it but, man…we surely cannot figure out how that could be.
Well, that’s all for this session of what’s going on with local food. Please join us on the Farm and eat tasty food cooked by one of our local gems of the Chef world- Donna Garrison. You won’t be disappointed. Oh..and the sangria should be tasty, too.
Much fun your way and stay cool!
Pamm, Donna, Toni, Ali, Amy, Jarrett and the gang at Butte County Local Food Network