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March 29, 2008
NEXT FARM WORK DAY IS SATURDAY, APRIL 5 AT 9 AM
We got lots of moisture in March which is great for recharging our soils, but
it delayed early plantings. We'll need lots of help this weekend, getting in the early crops like lettuce, broccoli, onions, leeks, and maybe even strawberries. Meet at the farm Saturday at 9 AM. for a nice morning
of getting crops into the fields. All ages welcome. Dress appropriate for the weather and bring water. Rain or wet conditions will cancel. Call the farm at 618-467-2104 for updates and information (the outgoing
message at the farm will let you know if the work has been canceled). See you there!
SHARES STILL AVAILABLE
We are over 2/3 full for our maximum amount of shareholders and would like to sell out by May 1st. If you would kindly invite a friend, family member or
co-worker to join the garden for this year that would be wonderful. Have them check out our website at www.lavistacsa.org.
OPEN HOUSE
On Sunday, April 13th, the Garden will host an Open Green House from 2:00 - 4:00 PM. This will be a great time to check out our lovely greenhouse chock full of Spring Greens and field seedlings! Farmer Kris will be
on hand to talk with those taking tours. The fields will be open, so please encourage your neighbors, fellow church members, whomever----to come check out the Community Supported Garden at La Vista.
SHAREHOLDER GATHERING
Following the Open House, there will be an important Shareholder Gathering from 4:00 - 6:00 PM on Sunday, April 13th. Farmer Kris will let us know what's
new in the Garden, and we'll be inaugurating our new irrigation system! We'll also be distributing Shareholder Handbooks and explaining how the Garden works. Let's kick off our 2008 season with a strong showing to
welcome new-comers and old-timers alike!
FARM WISH LIST
Many thanks to everyone who donated items this past month! The farm benefits greatly from your generosity. Below is the current wish list for items we could use
that may be in your basement, garage, or where you work.
Grocery sacks
Quart-sized containers, especially yogurt containers
Yard or patio umbrellas
Cork/bulletin boards
Electric fans
Cat litter buckets WITH lids and handles
DIET FOR HEALTH
Morning Lecture and Afternoon Cooking Class with Dinner - just for Shareholders - Saturday, April 19th, 10:00 - 11:00 AM
Dr. John Dinkelmann, wholistic chiropractic practitioner located in Wood River, IL, will join us and share his wisdom on eating for health. During the break we'll enjoy a healthful
snack. Donation: $5.00
In the afternoon during a special cooking class, we'll put into practice what we learned in the morning as we create a delicious and nutritious dinner. At 6:00 pm we'll enjoy the fruits
of our labors as we dine with the Novitiate Community. Sign up and be nourished in mind, body, and spirit! Cooking class and dinner are limited to ten participants. Cooking Class and dinner: $20.00. Call Sr. Maxine
to register at 618-466-5004.
OUTDOOR EARTH DAY CONCERT in the "BOWL"
FEATURING JAN NOVOTKA
Tuesday, April 22nd, 6:30 pm
Save this date for our first-time-ever
concert/sing-along in the bowl at La Vista! Jan Novotka, eco-spirituality singer and songwriter, will entertain us with her lovely original songs. Jan sings of the sacredness and oneness of all, care for Earth, and
the Still Silent Presence within. Donation: $5.00 Please bring a blanket or a chair.
REDUCING PLASTIC BAGS
For those who would like to drastically reduce the use of plastic bags in transporting and storing your fresh vegetables, check out the reusable produce
bags for sale at the following websites:
www.reusablebags.com
www.ecobags.com
www.pristineplanet.com (search for "produce bags")
Also, reusable "tupperware" containers are great for keeping greens and other vegetables fresh. Of course, if you have plastic grocery sacks at home, bring them to the farm so that they at least get
re-used.
March 9, 2008
POTATO PLANTING RE-SCHEDULED FOR
SATURDAY, MARCH 22
Join us at the farm for our annual potato planting Saturday morning,
March 22, at 9 a.m. Planting potatoes is one of our most fun and satisfying Spring plantings and is best with lots of help. All ages are welcome! Dress appropriate for the weather and bring water. Bring a hat if the
sun is out. This event was originally scheduled for March 15, but we need to let our soil dry more after the early March snow. Call the farm at 618-467-2104 for updates and more information. See you there!
PLAN NOW FOR SUMMER HARVESTS
It's not too soon to start compiling recipes and putting together ideas for using the produce of the season. A diet of whole, fresh foods,
especially vegetables you may not be familiar with, is resplendent with opportunities for discovery, rewarded with time in the kitchen, at home, with family and friends. Summer is a very busy time for many of us,
though. When the big harvests come in, be prepared with family heirloom recipes, new ideas, and wild experiments of fancy. Be ready to try new crops. Make the most of your farm and have a fun time. If you have any
questions or new ideas about the produce to come, feel free to e-mail Farmer Kris at kris@lavistacsa.org. Also, check out the newsletter archive on our website, www.lavistacsa.org where there are lots of good recipes. Good luck!
KRIS SAYS THANKS!
Thank you to everyone who participated in our first two volunteer work day events. We had record turnout for making soil mix and made enough batches to get
us through the entire spring! This is great! Thank You!
SPRING EQUINOX
All of us at La Vista Ecological Learning Center invite you join us as we celebrate the beginning of
Spring on Saturday, March 29th at 4:30. Bring your kids and come join the fun with poetry, procession and potato planting!! Bring a spring-themed dish to share as we conclude with potluck supper in the historic
"lodge" overlooking the Mississippi. Call Sr. Maxine to register at 466-5004. Free-will offering.
A TRIO OF EARTH DAY EVENTS from La Vista Ecological Learning Center (Watch our web site at www.lavistaELC.org for more information)
Spiritual Compass for a Green Journey
Friday, April 18th, 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Join us at the Religious Center, located on the campus of Southern Illinois University in
Edwardsville, to hear Satish Kumar, Earth pilgrim and sage of the deep ecology movement. Satish returns to our area from England to lead us in pondering the spiritual qualities we need to persevere in greening our
lives. During the evening he will also guide us in a special meditation and a lovely tea and bread ritual. Free and open to the public. No registration necessary.
Diet for Health: Morning Lecture and Afternoon Cooking Class and Dinner - just for Shareholders!
Saturday, April 19th, 10:00 - 11:00 am
Dr. John Dinkelmann, homeopathic
practitioner located in Wood River, IL, will join us and share his wisdom on eating for health. During the break we'll enjoy a healthful snack. In the afternoon during a special cooking class, we'll put into
practice what we learned in the morning as we create a delicious and nutritious dinner. At 6:00 pm we'll enjoy the fruits of our labors as we dine with the Novitiate Community. Sign up and be nourished in mind,
body, and spirit! Cooking class and dinner are limited to ten participants. Fees: Morning presentation: $5.00. Cooking Class and dinner: $20.00. Call Sr. Maxine to register at 618-466-5004.
Earth Day Concert in the "Bowl" featuring Jan Novotka
Tuesday, April 22
Save this date for our first-time-ever concert in the bowl at La Vista! Jan Novotka,
eco-spirituality songwriter, will entertain us with her lovely original songs. Jan sings of the sacredness and oneness of all, care for Earth, and the Still Silent Presence within. Watch for details in the near
future!
February 23, 2008
FARM WORK DAY on Saturday, March 1
Join us at the farm for our second soil mix day! On Saturday, March 1, at 9 a.m., come out to the barn and help make
our homemade soil mix. This is a fun way to lose the winter blues while helping your farm get going with the season. You will learn about how our plants grow while catching up with your farmer and fellow farm
members. This event is under shelter but please come dressed for the elements and bring water. Call the farm at 618-467-2104 for updates and more information.
SCHEDULE OF UPCOMING WORK DAYS
Activities are weather-dependent and subject to change. Call the farm at 618-467-2104 for updates and more information.
March 15 - potato planting
April 5 - big planting day
April 19 - strawberry planting plus weeding
WISH LIST
The farm needs a variety of miscellaneous items. Do you have any of these around work or home that you'd like to donate to the farm? If so, please call Kris at the
farm at 618-467-2104.
Electric fans
Folding chairs
Cork boards
Lumber (for general needs)
5-gallon buckets
Laundry baskets
Bread trays
Plastic grocery sacks (for share-room use)
Kitchen scraps (for compost)
GARDEN MEMBERSHIP
We are over half-full of garden members for this coming season and our goal is to sell out by May 1st. You as a shareholder are our best
"recruiters"! Can't you just taste the goodness of the food grown here on the farm?! Wouldn't you want your friends and family to know about this? If everyone would just invite a couple of folks to join,
we would fill up very easily. You can refer folks to our website www.lavistacsa.org. You can also give them an attractive Garden flyer, just call either Fr. Maurice
(618-466-5004) or Farmer Kris (618-467-2104) if you'd like some flyers to give out. We are both available to answer any questions. Please call Fr. Maurice if you'd like to arrange a tour here for your friends.
APPRECIATION PARTY A SUCCESS
Saturday afternoon into evening, February 2nd, saw a wonderful Appreciation Party for those shareholders who had already signed up for the 2008
season. The nearby Nature Institute's Mississippi Sanctuary provided such a lovely setting with a gorgeous view of the sunset over the ice-chocked river. Many new shareholders were in attendance as well as score of
our old faithful. Good food and drink were had by all and Fr. Jim Brobst, OMI provided music on the baby-grand piano. It was a perfect sunny afternoon, after the previous day's 10 inch snow. Everyone left very happy
and excited about the upcoming season!
February 1, 2008
GARDEN NEWS
Ten inches of snow on the ground and it's time to start thinking about spring! Though it may be hard to imagine right now, fresh vegetables are not far off...and
those who signed up for Spring Greens will be enjoying gourmet salad mix even sooner!
MAKE SOIL MIX
Join us at the farm for our first volunteer work event of the year! On Saturday, February 9, at 1 p.m., come out to the barn and help make
our homemade soil mix in time for spring sowing. This is a fun and lively activity that shakes out the winter blues, and is best with lots of help. You will learn all about what makes our plants grow while getting a
head start on spring and catching up with your farmer and fellow farm members. This event is under shelter but please come dressed for the elements and bring water. Call the farm at 618-467-2104 for updates and more
information.
FIELD WORK
Starting in March, work days at the farm will be the first and third Saturday mornings of the month. Mark your calendar and be prepared to get your hands dirty!
GARDEN APPRENTICESHIP
Do you know anyone who would like to apprentice on our farm this 2008 season? We have put together a brand new apprenticeship program with two slots for
individuals interested and able to jump full time into working on our farm. Apprentices receive a monthly stipend, which includes a stipend for food and local housing, plus weekly discussions, field trips, and full
training in the skills and practices of small-scale vegetable farming. In return our apprentices will work five days a week in a variety of tasks in order to gain real-time, hands-on experience. For more
information, check out the job description on our website, www.lavistacsa.org. We have full and part-season positions available.
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