All Entries in the "Farm & Garden" Category
EarthDance graduates growing 8 new projects
Jody Vogler, an apprentice in EarthDance Farms' 2011 training program, is one of eight "sophomore farmies" launching independent projects this year.
If you’re a gardener, chances are you’re spending these winter months planning and dreaming. The colorful new seed catalogs have started to arrive, and those barren patches in your yard are just waiting for the new possibilities of spring.
Here in Ferguson, even Missouri’s oldest organic farm is still sleeping, but that doesn’t mean the good folks of EarthDance Farms haven’t been busy. In fact, these nonprofit stewards have educated dozens of St. Louisans in the ways of organic farming and small farm management, and now eight of their 2011 apprentices are returning the favor.
During 2012, these “sophomore farmies” will continue to work in the fields at Mueller Farm and sell their produce at local farmers markets, but they will also pursue independent projects of their own. I don’t know about you, but it makes me very happy knowing that so many neat people are converging and creating just a few blocks away. Here’s what they’ll be up to in the coming months…
- Judy Vogler plans to cultivate a traditional Native American “Three Sisters” garden, featuring heirloom corn, squash, and beans.
- Early riser Ann Owens will continue to make early morning trips to the greenhouse. As Greenhouse Coordinator, she will create a guide to greenhouse pest management to be utilized by future classes of first-year farmies.
- Laura Vetter will explore natural crafting with plants and other found items on the farm.
- Katrina Gillespie will develop displays to inform visitors about Mueller Farm’s rich history.
- Faith Labeaume will study herbs as medicine.
- Anna Gall will help train new marketeers at the Ferguson Farmers Market.
- Engineering student Maria Stoica will investigate permaculture design at the farm.
- And Tim McHale will help keep EarthDance blooming as he supervises flower production this year.
Pretty cool, huh? For more info on EarthDance and how you too can get involved in the fun, visit the EarthDance Farms website or call the office at (314) 521-1006.
The Gardens of NoCo: Barclay & Kelly Compton
Florissant resident Barclay Compton, owner of the landscape design firm Landworks, Inc., is an expert at designing & building unique water gardens.
The trees may be bare and the temperatures plummeting, but at the Florissant home of Barclay and Kelly Compton, water features create a delightful atmosphere even in the winter months. NOCO contributor Jo Batzer visited there in the fall and now takes us on a tour of this unique North County garden…
It’s a garden you hear before you see…the sound of water cascading over large rocks, water bubbling out of stones, water flowing and winding through boulders and under trees. Approaching the front of this home, you find yourself stepping over a flowing stream bridged by a large stone to reach the front door. Water is everywhere here, from the ponds and waterfalls all around the home to the Missouri River in the distance. This water garden paradise in northwest Florissant is home to Barclay and Kelly Compton, who run their landscape and water garden business, Landworks, Inc., from their home.
Growing up in NoCo, both Compton and Kelly wanted a large piece of property to run the business from. In 1997, they found 20 acres that overlooks the Missouri River and built the first water garden just outside the front door in 1999. The 3000 gallon front water feature uses an 8000 gallons per hour pump to keep things moving.
Around the side of the house and again crossing a stream, you reach a large patio with a seating area, bar and hot tub surrounding an impressive freestanding, stone fireplace. Cedar log piers support the hearth above the stream that flows underneath as it winds along the length of the patio, leading to the main water feature in back.
This amazing large 6000 gallon pond has two 10,000 gph pumps that allow water to cascade down the rocky bluff into a large pond full of koi and goldfish. Among the large boulders are spruce, and assorted native trees creating a perfect, natural backdrop. “Water art” here and there give an unique look. The Comptons like to add tropical plants including banana trees (Musa sp.) and elephant ears (Colocasia sp.) in the warm seasons. In the fall, the changing colors along the bluff highlight the bright colors of the koi and goldfish down below.
It would be hard for anyone’s inner child to miss the 60-foot slide coming down the side of the bluff and ending in the swimming pool. Another 100-foot slide takes you down from the pool area to the field below. The Compton kids, Kyle (10) and Courtney (8) are also lucky enough to have a creative playground built by dad just beyond the pool area. For the adults, a tiki bar and outdoor grilling and dining area offer all the comforts of inside, but with an unequaled view of the waterfalls and the river under the stars or sunny skies.
Despite having all the large water features, maintenance is only 15 minutes per pond per week according to Barclay. Water gardening like regular gardening, does have its own unique challenges and problems. Like many other metro area water gardeners are finding, minks are becoming a problem and can help themselves to fish as has happened with a few of the Compton’s unfortunate koi last year. Herons and egrets can also feast on fish if precautions aren’t taken.
Still, water gardening is a great way to enjoy nature and can be very low maintenance. For anyone considering a water feature, Barclay recommends visiting local pond stores for knowledgeable staff to answer questions (such as Chalily on Manchester, where Barclay installed the front landscape displays).
Another great resource in the area is the St. Louis Water Garden Society. The SLWGS host an amazing Pond-O-Rama pond tour every summer. The Comptons are regulars on the tour which can be very rewarding, but also stressful. According to Barclay, one year the front ponds were scheduled to be on the tour. A month before, they decided to add the backyard pond which wasn’t complete yet.
“Working day and night while still running the business during the day was a huge challenge for us. The last rock was placed at 10:00 pm the night before the tour and the pond finished filling up just hours before the tour started. Talk about cutting it too close!”
Running a business from home can be difficult at times, but it can also save time to have office and home all in one place according to the Comptons. (Even the entrance to the office has its own ‘Bubbler’ water feature just outside the door!) Living among all the creative inspiration at home has no doubt helped this family owned business create unique outdoor living spaces for clients for more than 20 years.
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Jo Batzer has lived in North County most of her life and is excited to be a part of the NOCO team. She has worked in the horticulture and florist industries for over 25 years and is the garden leader at Twillman House Community Garden. Jo lives and gardens in the Spanish Lake area with her husband, two sons and two dogs. She is also available for private garden consultations through her new company, JB Design.
The Vine Market returns on November 19
Will you be serving locally grown food this Thanksgiving? 'Early Wonder' beets are just one variety of autumn veggies that you'll find at the Vine Market.
There are many, many reasons to be proud of my Ferguson community, but perhaps nothing gets me more excited than our awesome farmers market. Like a lot of locals, I usually get market withdrawal this time of year, since the outdoor venue wrapped up a few weeks ago. But thanks to the good folks at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, we’ll all be able to enjoy fresh local food even during the winter!
For the second year, St. Stephen’s is hosting The Vine Market, an indoor farmers market where you can find a nice array of locally grown vegetables and locally produced meat, cheese and baked goods. It’s not quite as large as the outdoor market, and it only takes place every third Saturday through April, but hey, who’s complaining?!
The Vine Market kicks off this Saturday, November 19, and Ferguson’s own EarthDance Farms will be there with a fabulous selection of organic autumn veggies. Look for ‘Watermelon’ and ‘White Icicle’ radishes, ‘Bolero’ carrots, ‘Gonzalez’ cabbage, ‘Red Sails’ lettuce, ‘Tyee’ spinach, ‘Purple Top’ turnips, ‘Toscana Lacinato’ kale, and ‘Bright Lights’ swiss chard, as well as garlic, shallots, acorn squash, scallions, arugula, Asian salad greens, baby pak choi, dill & cilantro, and even green tomatoes.
Need some recipe ideas? Check out A Veggie Venture from my fellow St. Louis blogger Alanna Kellogg.
The Vine Market is open Saturday from 9 to 11:30am and takes place inside St. Stephen’s beautiful gathering hall at 33 N. Clay, 63135. You can enter through the center door by the parking lot.
Pesto Festo returns Saturday with a fresh twist
Do you make delicious pesto? If so, you could win a cash prize at the Ferguson Farmers Market on July 16.
Just like the gardener always looking for new ways to boost his green thumb, the Ferguson nonprofit EarthDance Farms is forever cultivating fun, fresh ideas for spreading the word about organic farming. For three years, founder Molly Rockamann hosted Pesto Festo – her organization’s main fundraiser – as an indoor shindig here in Ferguson, drawing hundreds of green-minded revelers. But for 2011, she and her “freshman farmies” (a group of 30+ apprentices who work the soil at Ferguson’s Mueller Farm) will be taking their festival outdoors…
It’s this Saturday, July 16, at the Ferguson Farmers Market, and the lineup looks to be super fun. You’ll find yoga classes, live music, informational booths and, of course, a pesto contest. That’s along with all of the usual goodies at the market.
I happen to be one of the judges for the pesto contest, so if you decide that you’d rather not use cilantro in your recipe, just know that my feelings will not be hurt. Hint, hint…
In any case, here are the full details on Pesto Festo. Hope to see you there!
On Saturday, July 16th, EarthDance will be hosting Pesto Festo at the Ferguson Farmers Market. This community celebration of local FARMS—Food, Art, Relationships, Music…Sustainably!—invites all attendants of the farmers market to revel in the basil season and engage in a variety of family-friendly activities that promote both their health and the health of the environment. Highlights of the day’s festival will include a pesto cooking contest, a yoga class, a raw-foods cooking demonstration, and a musical performance from the Folk School. The City of Ferguson has generously agreed to close off Spot Drive for special vendors and educational, interactive booths promoting environmental stewardship and community building.
The Day’s Events
8:00 a.m. Market opens
8:15-9:00 Yoga Class
9:30 Pesto must be registered at the contest booth
10:00-11:00 Pesto Judging
10:00-10:30 Raw-foods cooking demonstration from Operation Food Search
10:30-11:00 STL Hoop Performance
11:00 Pesto Cook-Off winners will be announced
11:05 The Lulu’s from the Folk School will perform
12:00 p.m. Market closes
Pesto Cooking Contest Guidelines
This contest is for pesto sauces, but that will, by no means, limit your creativity! Think kale pesto, cilantro pesto, marjoram pesto, creamy pesto…
- Your pesto sauce and accompanying crudités must be registered at the contest booth by 9:30AM
- Three judges, including Shannon Howard of nocostl.com, will be critiquing your pesto sauce based on presentation, originality, and taste.
- Judges will announce the top three winners at 11:00AM
- The winners will receive $50 (first place), $25 (second place), and $10 (third place) Ferguson Farmers Market bucks, and, the top recipe will be featured at EarthDance’s Farmers Formal on November 5th!
For more information, visit the EarthDance website or contact rachel@earthdancefarms.org.
Are you getting ready for the big day? NOCO is a proud sponsor of the 3rd annual Live Well Ferguson 5K