Archive for the ‘Farm & Garden’ Category

If you’ve driven along Elizabeth Avenue in Ferguson, chances are you’ve seen the picturesque garden of Jeanne Garofalo. Started 25 years ago as a buffer between the busy roadway and Jeanne’s charming 110-year-old home, this colorful space proves that you can achieve big impact even in a small yard.

The style of the garden is definitely “cottage,” marked by casual drifts of heirloom flowers and a rambling, informal layout. But there’s also a strategic plan at work…more garden beds mean less lawn to mow!

Jeanne, a retired teacher and master gardener, has reserved one little fenced area for her dogs, but otherwise nearly every inch of her property offers some kind of blooming delight. What’s incredible is that she not only built the entire garden by herself, but she managed to do so while also raising three children and staying very active in the community.

She taught in the Ferguson-Florissant School District for 27 years, then went on to serve on the school board for another ten. Now she’s just enjoying the fruits of her labor, eagerly awaiting another growing season!

I took these photos of her garden in June 2004, so some things have changed since then. But I promise, come summer, this little jewel on the corner of Robert Avenue will still offer a beautiful bounty of both sun- and shade-loving plants. Be sure to keep an eye out for it!

I’m not quite to my winter breaking point, where I’m stir-crazy and ready to go anywhere with heat and sunshine. That usually comes in February. But I am counting the days until spring.

To help tide myself over, I like to look through my old garden photos. And while I was doing that today, I realized, holy cow, I’m sitting on a huge stack of amazing North County images!

As a field editor for around a dozen Better Homes & Gardens magazines, I’ve had the privilege over the years to scout some really beautiful locations, including a number of residences in North County. One of my favorites was the home of my friend Linda Mosley and her husband, Kim, where I discovered a sprawling woodland garden adorned with found treasures and Linda’s own captivating sculptures. Truly a magical place.

Before retiring to Austin in 2008, the Mosleys, both lifelong artists and educators, had lived in NoCo for many years, working at St. Louis Community College and contributing greatly to the local art community. These images, which I’m using to kick off my new Gardens of NoCo series, feature their gorgeous garden in June 2005. All of the pottery sculptures, including the innovative “lace” bodices, were hand made by Linda, in a studio not far from her herb garden. Enjoy!

Click any image and navigate with the arrows beneath it. To see more of Linda’s work, visit the NAC Gallery in Ferguson, which Linda had a big hand in opening.

If you're going to learn about organic farming, why not do it at the oldest organic farm in Missouri? EarthDance Farms is seeking new apprentices.

If you’ve ever dreamed of getting your hands dirty in the rich soil of an organic farm, head on down to the Ferguson Library this Tuesday for an informative session on EarthDance Farms‘ organic farming apprentice program. Launched in 2008, this hands-on “school” allows Freshman Farmies to maintain their own organic plots at Mueller Farm in Ferguson, while also learning about organic vegetable and flower production from seasoned pros.

Freshman Farmies are required to commit at least 10 hours per week working at the farm and selling produce at area farmers markets. In return, they enjoy a weekly share of the harvest (nine months worth!) and the opportunity to join a lively community of progressive, green-minded people.

For more details about EarthDance, which is actively seeking a diverse group of 25 new apprentices, stop by one of two info sessions being held this week:

Tuesday, December 8 @ 7pm: Ferguson Library, 35 N. Florissant, 63135

Wednesday, December 9 @ 7pm: Schlafly Bottleworks, 7260 Southwest Ave, 63143

The new and improved J. Goeke Produce, celebrating five decades in NoCo

For more than 140 years, farming and produce have been the lifeblood of the Goeke family. In 1867, German immigrant Joseph Goeke began selling vegetables at St. Louis’ Union Market, a Soulard-like market that once operated at Sixth and Broadway. That same year, his brother John also entered the agricultural field, managing what the 1924 History of the Archdiocese of St. Louis called a “splendid truck garden.”

As time went on, many descendants of Joseph, John and their brother Bernard went on to work as farmers or produce vendors, including Tom Goeke, who ran the popular Herman’s Farm Orchard on Shackelford Rd, and John J. Goeke, the founder of J. Goeke Produce Outlet in Old Town Florissant.

Goeke Produce sells Randy's Famous Salsa and a growing selection of other local products.

Like his father and grandfather before him, John J. Goeke started his career as a truck farmer, selling produce out of the back of his pickup. Eventually he entered the wholesale market, serving local restaurants, and then in March 1960, he opened a retail location.

“I guess dad thought that since he had daughters, not sons, a retail store would be the best idea,” says one of Goeke’s four daughters, Karen Ormsby, who now runs the business with her sister Lynne Combest. Her father died in 2002, but his original hunch was spot on. Nearly 50 years later, the produce company that he founded is still going strong.

Just this week, Goeke’s retail store relocated a block up the road – to a much larger location at 449 St. Ferdinand in Old Town. Adding to its already impressive selection of local and non-local produce, nuts, eggs, honey, spices and baked goods, the store also plans to offer fresh, locally-produced meat from the historic Wenneman Meat Market in St. Libory, Illinois (open since 1927).

Produce & nicknacks in one convenient location

“We’re also selling Amish apple butter and local salad dressing, and we’re hoping to get meat from Swiss Sausage in Hermann,” Ormsby says. “Have you heard of it? It’s delicious!”

With its newly expanded retail space, Goeke’s can now peddle even more than just food. It can also sell you the plate to eat it on! Spearheaded by another of John Goeke’s daughters, one-third of the store has been converted into a mini antique shop, where customers can peruse charming vintage housewares and kitchen items, as well as heirloom furniture.

“We’re just trying to create a fun, unique atmosphere,” Ormsby says, noting the store’s cheery yellow walls and old-timey decor. “We also still have the wholesale business, so we sell produce to a number of North County restaurants, just like my dad used to.”

In fact, J. Goeke Produce is more successful than ever – a NoCo gem! – and I’m betting that its roomy new storefront and increasing focus on local foods will lure in even more happy customers. Maybe even you?

Goeke’s Produce: 449 rue St. Ferdinand, Florissant MO 63031; (314) 831-3140. Open Mon-Sat 8-7, Sun 9-6.

Shelves are still being stocked at Goeke's new location, which just opened on November 5th, but many gourmet goods are already on display.

As if the glorious weather wasn’t enough to celebrate this weekend, last night’s Pesto Festo event in Ferguson made North County the place to be. Hosted by EarthDance Farms, the annual fundraiser drew more than 300 progressive, green-minded guests from all over St. Louis, and featured delicious local food, gorgeous artwork, and swingin’ performances by the Rum Drum Ramblers and Miss Jubilee & the Humdingers.

EarthDance Farms also gave out four Mission Awards at the zero-waste event, honoring folk musician Colleen Heine, community activist Dwayne James, organic farmer John Wilkerson, and artist Autumn Wiggins for their work in creating vibrant, sustainable communities.

Pesto Festo 2009

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EarthDance Farms founder Molly Rockamann (far left) recognizes the 2009 Freshman Farmies, organic farming apprentices who worked the growing season at Mueller Farm in Ferguson.

Take a hayride through the woods, passing one of NoCo's oldest cemeteries.

Larry Hammer’s picturesque farm at 15310 Old Halls Ferry Rd is one of the few places in St. Louis where you can purchase organic, grass-fed beef, by the side or a whole steer at a time. I’m sorry to report that the deadline for fall orders has already past, but you’ll still have a chance come spring. Just order early, because the supply is limited.

In the mean time, why not enjoy the farm’s other unique product: private hayrides. Groups of up to 25 can fit on a single wagon, which takes riders through the woods, past a lovely horse pasture, and right next to Coldwater Cemetery. Coldwater Cemetery dates from the early 1800s and may be the oldest remaining burial ground of American settlers west of the Mississippi. It’s a haunting, isolated place in the daytime. I can’t even imagine what it’s like at night!

After your 50-minute hayride, you’ll reach your very own blazing campfire, where you can cook food, drink your preferred beverage, and warm your toes for the next two hours before riding back to the barn. Hayrides are available Friday through Sunday at a cost of $200-230, depending which night you choose. During October, a select number of weeknights are also open, at a cost of $180.

If you’d like to make a reservation, call (314) 838-5848 or visit Hammer’s Farm online. And hurry! The last hayride of the year is November 22.