Posts Tagged ‘EarthDance Farms’
Join NOCO for films, discussion forums & a 5K
Come to the Jamestown Bluffs library next Wednesday for one of three upcoming events co-sponsored by NOCO.
Join me and other North County residents for a lively discussion on current events and local news, the second Wednesday of every month at the Jamestown Bluffs library. “Neighborhood Newshounds” is a new adult program created by the library staff, and all are invited to participate in this free, informal gathering, which kicks off next Wednesday, January 13, from 2-3pm.
Pre-registration is preferred but not absolutely necessary. Ages 18 and older, please. To sign up or for more information, visit St. Louis County Library’s event calendar. Jamestown Bluffs is located at 4153 N. Lindbergh, 63031.
In the coming months, NOCO is also helping to sponsor two other fun events: the Live Well Ferguson Twilight 5K and a film series hosted by EarthDance Farms. I can’t share many details about the film series yet, except to say that it will feature thought-provoking movies on the subjects of food and farming, but I can tell you more about the 5K.
Hosted by Live Well Ferguson, an organization whose mission is to encourage local residents to lead healthier, more active lives, the event is an extension of Ferguson’s popular Sunday Parkways program and is being spearheaded by Ferguson city councilman Dwayne James. Scheduled for May 15, 2010, it promises to be a full evening of exciting activities, and everyone – regardless of their fitness level – is encouraged to come on down.
At 5pm, there will be a one-mile fun run/walk, open to families, kids, stroller joggers and even dogs. Then at 6pm, both runners and walkers are challenged to participate in the inaugural Twilight 5K, which features professional timing by Big River Running and a USATF-certified course through Ferguson’s beautiful historic neighborhoods. We’ll have a photographer stationed at the finish line so your moment of sweaty glory can be preserved forever. But fear not – there’s also free beer!
Following the 5K, everyone (even those who don’t race) can enjoy a live concert at the newly built “Plaza at 501″ on S. Florissant Road, as well as beer tastings courtesy of Ray Hill’s. All race participants will also get a prize and a snazzy t-shirt (designed by moi), while first-place 5K finishers will win a pair of new running shoes and a trophy.
Sponsors are still needed for this great community event, which will hopefully showcase Ferguson’s unique beauty and reinforce the awesome mission of Live Well Ferguson. And of course, we need racers! Lots of them.
If I can drag my out-of-shape writer’s bum 3.2 miles, so can you! So please, check out the Twilight 5K website and sign up today! Early registration is just $5-15, depending on your age and which race you participate in. There’s even a discount for families.
EarthDance seeks 2010 organic farming apprentices
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
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Good green fun at Pesto Festo
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.
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Dwayne James: Making Ferguson Proud
Two of my favorite neighbors: Ferguson city councilman Dwayne James and the wonderful Auggie. Credit: Wiley Price - St. Louis American
Dwayne James is one of those people who everyone likes and every city needs. Since I first knocked on his door six years ago, asking him to please join our new Old Ferguson West neighborhood association, he has not only served as president of that association and been a key figure in its success, but he has also initiated a number of progressive, green-minded programs citywide as a Ferguson councilman.
It was Dwayne who strongly supported Ferguson’s Live Well initiative with Trailnet, encouraging residents to live healthier. And now, he’s spearheading the city’s first stand-alone 5K race, to be run as a twilight event on May 15, 2010.
For all his good work, Dwayne is finally getting some much deserved attention. Don’t miss this great write-up about him (with video!) in the St. Louis American.
Green Goodness: EarthDance at Mueller Farm
Another bountiful day at Mueller Organic Farm in Ferguson
Like North County itself, Mueller Organic Farm is a place that many people assumed was dead. Located on 14 lush acres at the border of Ferguson and Kinloch, this historic farm was founded in 1883 and was worked by members of the Mueller family up until the mid-1990s.
After Al Mueller died in 1999, his wife Caroline (who had farmed side by side with him for 50 years) rented out the plots to other farmers, but she worried that after she was gone, the farm would eventually be lost to redevelopment or simply neglected and forgotten.
John Wilkerson, an early pioneer in preserving Mueller Farm
Thankfully, people like John Wilkerson and Molly Rockamann recognized the farm’s value, both as an organic oasis and a community landmark, and vowed to work with Mrs. Mueller to preserve the property.
Wilkerson, president of the Missouri Organic Association, has maintained a plot at Mueller Farm for ten years now. Rockamann joined the cause in 2008, when she founded EarthDance, a nonprofit whose mission is to not only preserve Mueller Farm but also to foster a new generation of organic farmers.
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