Utterly lacking in morels? Don’t despair — it’s also ramp season. Also called wild leek, wild garlic or even spring onion, a ramp is the best of both onion and garlic worlds combined into one magical plant. However, it’s only in season for a short amount of time in late Spring. Allium tricoccum has edible […]
Did you know that there are three main types of mushrooms? Saprophytic (the kind most commonly grown), parasitic, and mycorrhizal. Saprophytic mushrooms eat dead and decomposing matter, parasitic mushrooms feed on (and kill)l living trees, and mycorrhizal mushrooms live in a symbiotic (mutually beneficial) relationship with living trees. In the Garden: Mushroom cultivation methods vary […]
Amid the COVID-19 crisis, gardening seems more popular than ever before. With all sectors of the country experiencing some troubles related to food, many are taking action in their yards and communities to take control of their own food supply. And that chain does not get any shorter than from your own backyard to plate. […]
It doesn’t get more local than your own backyard, and now, home gardeners can access all the supplies needed to start and maintain a home garden at their local nurseries, farmers markets, and farms. Governor Whitmer’s latest version of the Stay Home Stay Safe Executive Order allows for nurseries to open to the public, as […]
Behold the parsnip! Parsnips, or Pastinaca sativa, are humble root vegetables closely related to carrots and parsley. These pale roots taste just as sweet as carrots with earthier undertones and are quite versatile! Here’s our quick guide to Parsnips: In the Medicine Cabinet: Not only are parsnips delicious, but they’re also good for you! Here’s […]
The National Farmers Union’s 118th Anniversary Convention gathered family farmers, ranchers, and industry professionals at the Hyatt Regency Savannah in Georgia, earlier this March. This is an annual opportunity for family farmers from across the country to come together to learn, collaborate, and grow through discussions, brainstorming, and breakout sessions. While I didn’t have the […]
More than 60% of Michiganders live with one, or more, chronic disease (diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, arthritis, etc.) and 95% of us engage in behaviors that contribute to chronic disease development. While these numbers are daunting, there is a lot we can do individually, and as communities, to change these numbers. One the most impactful […]
The Washtenaw County Conservation District (WCCD) has a long history of working with the residents of Washtenaw County to protect and preserve natural resources. They provide critical services to farmers of every scale that improve farm sustainability and financial stability. These services greatly enhance local farmers’ ability to provide fresh, healthy food to the community […]
Local food focused conferences and summits are a great opportunity for seasoned food systems practitioners and budding local food enthusiasts to learn, connect and get inspired toward positive action. In southeast Michigan, two upcoming Local Food Summits provide unique opportunities for engagement and education: Greater Washtenaw Local Food Summit (LFS) Monday, March 9th 8:00 AM – […]
You have an upcoming event that will have vendors, talent, and of course attendees. You have organized the meeting space, audio/visual, catering, and more…but what about the waste produced from the event? Have you thought about the impact of the amount of waste an event generates? Quick example: the NFL regular season has 256 games […]