Steady State College – Abbreviated March 3 Edition

The March 3 Steady State College edition will be postponed to March 10 – I’ve just been too busy with other tasks to get to the editing. In the meantime…

Friends & Farmers Co-op Update

The Friends & Farmers Member Campaign Kickoff this past Sunday at the UUFCC was amazing. Several hundred community members – including lots of kids – stopped by to eat great food, listen to great music and find out more about the co-op. And 76 of them became founding member-owners of the store, investing more than $17,000 in start-up capital. More than a dozen local businesses have joined as Local Loyalty Program members, offering discounts and specials to Friends & Farmers co-op members.

The capital raised from the membership drive will be spent on final business planning steps and on securing and renovating the store. Growing the membership demonstrates community support for Friends & Farmers, enabling the cooperative to leverage external funds like grants and eventually loans. This is an exciting time for central PA – become a member and own a piece of the revolution!

If you’re interested in joining, more information is online: you can print out an application form and mail your check to Friends & Farmers Cooperative, PO Box 491, State College PA, 16804-0491. (The co-op benefits most when you pay with cash or check to avoid credit fees.)

March 4 – Farminar Today – Building a Children’s Garden

(From Ann Stone)

Tuesday, March 4 – Noon – 1:00 p.m. Presented by Shelley Hedlund, PA-WAgN 2014 Urban Agriculture, Nutrition & Food Access Specialty Mentor. Visit the farminar website and log in as a guest to join the discussion group and learn how Weaver’s Way Community Programs engages local urban youth in Philadelphia in creative and exciting ways to bring them to a better understanding of how their food is produced.  Shelley Hedlund will guide us on a virtual tour through the children’s garden and discuss some of the projects they use to educate, engage and excite children about food.

March 4 – PSU Community Garden – 36 Plots Open for Registration Tonight at 8 p.m.

(From Scott Salesky)

The registration period for plots at the Penn State Community Garden will begin today at 8 p.m. We have about 36 plots that will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis to Penn State students, faculty & staff, and community members. The garden is organic, and is a great way to learn about sustainable growing practices. Please visit the website  for more information

Started Yesterday – 5-Day Growing Food Growing Summit – Free Online Course

(From Jackie Bonomo)

• Planting Community Resilience – Conversations with Vandana Shiva, Will Allen and many more.

Starting Thursday, March 6 – Getting to Sustainability – Six Week Discussion Group

(From Brian Burger)

A look at our world, our community, ourselves. Casual, local, substantive dialogue enlightened by documentary and anecdotal presentations exploring food, farms, health and the environment with a smattering of economics, politics and social issues.

All welcome; attend any or all sessions. Thursday evenings starting at 7 p.m. March 6 through April 24 at Green Drake Gallery, Millheim. Snacks and BYOB welcome. Email Brian for more info.

Upcoming Workshops:

• March 8 – Seed Exchange and Milk Jug Mini-Greenhouse Workshop. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at State College Friends Meeting House, 611 E. Prospect Ave. Instructors: Matt Sullenberger and Justin Wheeler. Seed swap is free. $12 per person suggested donation for workshop; proceeds go to instructor. Register by phone (237-0996) or email.
• March 9 – Hands on Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop with Jackie Bonomo of Healing Ground Permaculture. 1 to 5 p.m. (daylight savings begins so watch your timing!). Bad weather backup date: Saturday, March 15, 1 – 5 p.m. Place: 185 Tussey Sink Road, Centre Hall, PA 16828  (Colyer Lake area). Jackie will email more information to participants who sign up with her via email. Some tools available, but if you have them, please bring gloves, pruners, loppers and pruning saws. 40 trees on site, including cherry, apricot, plum, pear, apple, peach, nectarine, almond, pecan, and persimmon.
• March 15 – Bread Baking Workshop – 1 to 4 p.m. at 156 West Hamilton Ave. Instructor: Nellie Bhattarai. $12 per person suggested donation; proceeds go to instructor. Register by phone (237-0996) or email.
• March 15 – Homesteaders’ Potluck. 6 p.m. at 156 West Hamilton Ave. FREE. Max. 20 guests. RSVP by phone to Spring Creek Homesteading at 237-0996. Children and elders welcome.
• April 5 – Growing Tomatoes in Your Garden – Workshop – 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 156 West Hamilton Ave. Instructor: Matt Sullenberger. $12 per person suggested donation; proceeds go to instructor. Register by phone (237-0996) or email.