Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Urban Ag Panel: Sustainability Series at Wynkoop


Tuesday, August 3rd
6:00 - 8:00
Wynkoop Brewery
1634 18th Street in Denver

I'm looking forward to sitting on this discussion panel next to the wonderful Lisa Rogers (of Feed Denver) and Adam Brock (of  The GrowHaus). Join us to talk about how we can integrate agriculture into our urban economic and ecological system.

Lisa and Adam are both incredibly knowledgeable about urban agriculture and the need for sustainable food systems as we move into the future. I know it will be a lively discussion, and I look forward to hearing what they have to say! I hope you can join us.

Click here for more information (turn down the volume on your computer first, because there's music playing through the site): http://www.sustainabilityseries.org/

Friday, July 16, 2010

Chicken Sitting: Economic Opportunities from Backyard FPAs

The economic advantages of Food-Producing Animals are often framed in terms of the amount of money a family could expect to save by raising their own hens and/or dwarf dairy goats. But what about opportunities for sustainable living entrepreneurs?

A couple of friends in Portland have started a business called "Just Us Hens," where they offer chicken-sitting and consulting services. Portland has some of the nation's most progressive FPA laws (three dwarf goats allowed as a use by right!) and it has a large population of backyard chicken owners.

Click here for a great article about this project, and click here to visit the Just Us Hens website.

I'd love something like this in Denver... anyone??

USDA Chicken Survey -- Count Your Chickens!

Saturday, July 17th
9:00 - 2:00
Denver Urban Homesteading Farmers' Market
200 South Sante Fe Drive in Denver

The chicken survey will be anonymous (no names or addresses will be collected). All participants will receive a $10 coupon to the DUH market!

This 2010 study of backyard chicken farmers will occur in four major US cities: Denver , Los Angeles , Miami and New York . Urban chicken owners in these cities will be asked to participate in the study by completing a brief survey about their chickens. Participating will: (a) help poultry experts at area universities and the USDA develop educational information for the benefit of chicken owners, (b) evaluate the potential impacts of diseases that affect chickens and humans, and (c) determine trends in urban chicken ownership. 

Participants must own chickens and live on less than one acre in the greater Denver metro area, bounded roughly by 120th Avenue on the north, 470 on the east and south, and Indiana/Youngfield/Union/Kipling on the west.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Ten Tarragon Tips!

Tarragon is one of our most prolific herbs in the garden, so we're always looking for new ways to use it. Here are some wonderful ideas we've discovered...

Tarragon Mustard Dressing (along with a nice description of tarragon) by John Browning in the Denver Post.

Citrus Tarragon Chicken Salad (also good without the citrus)

Shrimp with Lemon, Tarragon, Green Beans, and Peas

Tarragon Shallot Egg Salad Sandwiches

Chicken with Tarragon Vinegar Sauce

Bulgar and Lentil Salad with Tarragon and Walnuts

Chicken with Tarragon Cream Sauce

Pea and Lettuce Puree with Tarragon

Mushroom Spinach Salad with with Tarragon Egg Dressing

Celery Soup with Sourdough Croutons and Tarragon Swirl

Also, you can always make an Herb-Infused Vinegar for your own use, or to give as a gift. Enjoy!