WHAT: A BioBlitz is a unique, fun way to document as many species as possible that utilize a particular property.  People of various skill levels and sets (formally trained scientists and the general public)  come together to observe and record what species of plants and animals (i.e. the local biodiversity) are located at the Farm. Although the goal is serious, the atmosphere is relaxed and enjoyable - an excuse to explore a new property and spend the day celebrating nature!

WHERE: George Jones Farm (GJF) is located at 44333 State Route 511, just east of Oberlin, Ohio. Since 2001, GJF has been managed and protected through a collaboration between the New Agrarian Center and Oberlin College.  The site (70 acres in total) has many diverse habitats including: farmland in production, wetlands, ponds, woodlands, vernal ponds and old fields.  Also located on-site are many examples of natural building, greenhouses and even Oberlin College's research ponds!

WHY: Knowing what biodiversity exists at the George Jones Farm provides baseline data that can help track the success of management initiatives in the future. Even more exciting is the chance to document rare species and uncommon habitats! This information can help guide future activities at the Farm, as well as help secure funding for special projects.

WHO: YOU, experts and the general public commit to joining our team for the day (or at least a part of the day). Spread the word far and wide and invite your friends! The more the merrier when it comes to a BioBlitz!

WHEN: April 27, 2013 from sunrise to sunset (and anywhere in between!)

HOW:  You'll pick your favorite field of study and start searching with other folks that are interested in the same thing! Here are the areas we are looking for volunteers to help out with, but if you another interest, just let us know and we can try to accommodate you. Or choose as many as you like!

-Birds
-Reptiles
-Amphibians
-Mammals
-Insects
-Trees
-Shrubs
-Herbaceous vegetation
-Wetland vegetation
-Fungi
-Aquatic macroinvertebrates
-Fish

WHAT TO BRING:  Hiking boots; waterproof boots; appropriate clothes for the weather; sunscreen; bug spray; water bottle; binoculars; field guides; any special equipment you might need to find your target species (i.e. nets for insects or fish); digital camera to record cool stuff

WHAT WE WILL HAVE FOR YOU: A hearty THANK YOU, of course! We will provide groups in each area of study with maps, clipboards, pens and extra field guides to borrow (if available).  There is a composting toilet on-site for potty breaks.  We will have snacks and drinks available to you throughout the day and will build some campfires to warm up next to or to throw some food onto if you desire.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO NEXT: Please RSVP by APRIL 21, 2013 to lara.roket@gmail.com (Lara is a board member of Green Triangle) with your name, institution (if applicable), area of interest (what do you want to search for at the Farm), number of people coming with you, and your estimated time of arrival. we are looking forward to hearing from you soon!

QUESTIONS?: Email Lara at lara.roket@gmail.com


Directions to George Jones Farm can be found at http://gotthenac.org/directions-to-the-farm

The days are certainly getting longer now. Farmers are planting seeds and some early crops are in the ground. While we wait patiently for the bounty of goods in our City Fresh shares, the promise of a new season is in the changing of the air.  And with that, The New Agrarian Center would like to share some of its own exciting changes.

We are pleased to announce Nick Swetye has been appointed as the new Executive Director of the NAC.  After serving as Coordinator of City Fresh Cuyahoga since 2009, Nick moves into this role with renewed vision and energy to continue supporting the NAC’s mission to promote healthy and sustainable local food systems.  With the help and support of all of you who help make City Fresh and George Jones Farm a success, the stage is set for Nick to lead the NAC to new heights.

New Executive Director, Nick Swetye
"Sometimes, I have to remind myself to dance a little."

Nick, what do we have to look forward to this year at City Fresh and George Jones Farm?

City Fresh is always an adventure. When we get that first share order from the farms, and the Fresh Stops come alive, and we see people that we maybe haven’t seen since last October, there is, I always feel, a kind of reaffirmation. Of our community. Of our work. And as the weeks go on, and we get into the mid season shares, it’s the colors. I love the colors. And I love being able to eat raw food and know that the enzymes and the living soil are becoming part of me. I live for that. At the George Jones Farm, we have a new Farm Director in Brad Charles Melzer. Brad is a fantastic teacher with international experience in both organic vegetable and fruit production as well as aquaculture. With Brad at the farm, permaculture takes front and center stage, so we have a series of wetland projects, forest management projects, and polyculture production projects that we will be unveiling as the season unfolds.

What changes or improvements do you hope to make?

City Fresh and GJ Farm are coming off of a difficult year and I don’t think there is shame in admitting that. I know all farmers and everyone working in food is experiencing the same thing. It’s a tough business with very thin margins and a lot of risk. Its doubly thin and extra risky for City Fresh. Our week-to-week ordering system is a bear in terms of accounting. And our limited income share option costs us more than $45,000 a year in lost revenues. Of course, those two things are what makes City Fresh, so there’s no compromising that. We work hard and it’s an honor to make an impact.  For the GJ Farm, in Oberlin, we’re happy to have just completed a new business model and we’re having a lot of success building new bridges in the community and with the college. Seeds are sprouting, and not just metaphorically.

How can we, as volunteers, shareholders or growers help you?

I have found that there is incredible power in invitation.  If you can’t afford to do the simple things, like make a donation to the share fund or pay for the full season up front, then the best way to help is to invite your friends, family, or colleagues into our story. Ask them if they want to come to the Fresh Stop and see what it’s all about. Pass out some fliers. If you have a few hours in the evenings free, consider joining our army of volunteers that manage the Fresh Stops. We are always looking for new, friendly faces.

What excites you the most about working with the NAC?

For more than 10 years, we’ve been pushing the envelope, working to connect the local foods movement to social justice. It’s not just about supporting the local foods revolution, or ensuring that our farmers who grow in ways that are good for the earth are able to make a living. It’s about doing all those things while also giving people the choice to live healthier lives through fresh food regardless of their income or place of residence. Combine that with the education and experimentation we have going on at the George Jones Farm, and… well, to me that’s pretty exciting.

Will we still see you at Fresh Stops?

Yes. For sure. We run a lean operation at City Fresh. There are just two of us full-time to help coordinate 100 volunteers, 20 farmers, and serve 600 families a week. My new role as Executive Director adds some paperwork, but more importantly I think it gives me the ability I need to better engage this passionate network and turn the best ideas and strategies into realities.

Can you share your vision of how you would like to move the NAC, City Fresh and George Jones Farm forward in the coming years?

To me, the vision question is about throwing away limitations for a moment.  So if I’m dreaming, I imagine a future where everyone in northeast Ohio eats locally during the growing season. City Fresh is an entry point for those new to eating locally and continues to be a vital resource in neighborhoods without access to fresh produce.  Every single shareholder uses all of their produce in their share every single week, because they’ve learned three or four simple ways to prepare anything in the kitchen and because they are not afraid to experiment. Rural and urban farmers are looked to as heroes in their communities, and people interested in the profession who are ready to move beyond gardening and into farming turn to the George Jones Farm for their masterclass and land lab. The NAC acts as an incubator for new social justice-related local food projects who need support and access to resources and capital. We are a year ahead of our finances and the whole network knows exactly what and how they can contribute.

Conclusion

Here’s to the coming of spring, fresh changes, new faces and all the savory flavors that local food has to sustain us! 

City Fresh meets the needs of both urban and rural communities by improving access to fresh, locally grown food for urban residents and increasing marketing opportunities in the city for local farmers. We are a movement of volunteers, farmers, youth and community members committed to local food and health in our community. City Fresh delivered over 13,000 shares in 2011, directly contributing more than $150,000 to  local farmers.

The week of October 22 is our last for 2012 Fresh Stops. They are  listed by county (Cuyahoga, Lorain & Erie...See map below for directions)

Family Holiday Shares will be offered this year in Cuyahoga County. The price is $28. Low income shareholders will pay $16 and EBT will be accepted.

HOLIDAY SHARE DATES
Tuesday, November 13th:
Cuyahoga County East Side Location - Coventry Library - 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Cuyahoga County West Side Location - Lakewood Library - 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Tuesday, November 20th
Erie County Location -   Mr. Smith's Coffeehouse, 140 Columbus Ave., Sandusky 4:00-6:00 pm

Tuesday, December 18th:
Cuyahoga County East Side Location - Coventry Library - 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Cuyahoga County West Side Location - Garfield Middle School (between Bunts & @. 117th) - 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Tuesday, December 18th
Erie County Location -   Mr. Smith's Coffeehouse, 140 Columbus Ave., Sandusky 4:00-6:00 pm

The map below shows the locations of the 2012 Fresh Stops.

View Fresh Stops in a larger map

www.neofoodweb.org/videos

NAC/SIFE/LCCC video of and easy recipe for the City Fresh Canning Share  

http://www.youtube.com/embed/rFw5JQ1qm-s

The farm combines production areas for vegetables, fruit and vermi-composting with efforts to restore natural habitat. We approach the farm from an ecosystem perspective, working to restore topsoil, wetlands, forests, and meadows to create a truly sustainable food web that feeds people as well as wild plants and animals.

The Jones Farm includes a variety of natural farming applications including a timber-frame office built with a strawbale and earth plaster wall system, and six experimental wetlands to better understand how farming and restoring biodiversity can be more compatible.

At the Jones Farm we "grow" farmers through Intern-Apprenticeships with Oberlin College students and provide a living laboratory for students in the Lorain Community College Certificate of Sustainable Agriculture Program. Food is grown for City Fresh and Oberlin College. Programs for School Children and three weeks of Summer Discovery Camp provide children with the opportunity to learn how food grows and experience a variety of outdoor activities.

¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/8 teaspoon pepper

2 eggs, slightly beaten

2 cups shredded zucchini (or other thin-skinned summer squash)

Stir together first four ingredients, then add the grated squash.

Melt butter or oil in skillet.  Drop batter like pancakes, flatten a bit,

cook on both sides until done and golden.

Makes about eight 3-4”  size pancakes.