Farmer Friends

There are so many great things happening in Arkansas when it comes to the sustainable, local ag movement. We are grateful for those who share wisdom, successes, failures, seeds, and so on. Thanks y'all!



Before the rains came today, we headed over to a garden plot which will be part of the Summer of Solutions youth garden project in Little Rock.  We weeded a few of the beds and gleaned beautiful radishes and heaps of delicious kale. (Kale Soup Recipe)


LRSoS is a youth-led environmental justice project operating primarily out of a garden plot a few blocks from our home. The 8-week program will dive into a number of issues including urban gardening, energy efficiency, the Fourche Creek watershed and generating social change (just to name a few). With excellent leadership, we are excited to see how the summer of solutions takes shape this year. 


February 18, 2013
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Farm eggs are the best. My boss happens to be married to one of the the Farm Girl farmers, so I get to enjoy days with a dozen beautiful eggs on my desk. (Yes, I leave the carton open so that I can gaze at them. No, I do not rush them to the fridge right away.)

Farm Girl also produces duck eggs and a variety of delicious meats - chicken, pork and beef.
Visit their website!


February 7th, 2013


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THE DUNBAR GARDEN PROJECT
Years ago, when I was just starting to promote "The Root Cafe" idea in Little Rock, one of the cafe's supporters asked me to create signage for a local garden. Years later, Dunbar Garden continues to thrive, The Root is open and I am headed down a new path.


Mike recently connected with one of the Dunbar staff members. This morning we stopped by to volunteer our time for a few hours in the greenhouse. 

We planted seeds and explored the place. Their potting mix is made of peat, vermiculite, pearlite and sifted compost. They set the newly planted trays in a worm tea tray before watering as usual. This helps with water retention of the dry mix and adds nutrients. They use a fish tank aerator in keep the barrel of worm tea moving. 

We admired their enormous pineapple plants - which are second generation plants saved from the tops of last year's pineapples. Make sure to twist the top off - not cut it, so that there is no fruit left to rot once planted. Before we left we pulled up a few suckers off of their fig trees. They have several already in the greenhouse looking very healthy. Leaves will come up on the top of the sucker, but sometimes it's best to stunt that growth in order for the plant to put its energy into its roots. 

Notice the pineapple plants in front center and the banana tree way in the back.

January 30th, 2013, Little Rock

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FELDER FARM
Cashing in on an offer for two 55 gallon drums (rocket stove materials), we happened to arrive at the new location for Felder Farm on the day they broke ground. It's a city plot with great soil, great neighbors and great farmers. We are looking forward to its progress this season!


January 27th, 2013, Little Rock
Photos courtesy of Felder Farm. 



Admiring the new tiller attachment. The soil is rocky but cushy and black.
Mike and the guys returning from loading the 55 gallon drums into the back of our truck.
We love having a farm truck! 

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