Category: Reading & Materials

Search for Seed Quality and “Seed Test Weight”

I’ve been on a quest for the highest quality vegetable garden seeds that I can find among the seed companies I have patronized over the years. As recommended by David Forster at the first BFA meeting I attended in January 2015, and Nigel Palmer at our September 2015 BFA meeting, and also Dan Kittredge, BFA Founder, on multiple occasions, I have been contacting numerous seed companies to inquire about their “seed test weights”. I have had email and phone conversations with the following: Baker Read more [...]

Using a Refractometer & Sap Press

At Thursday's Chapter meeting at Flamig Farm, Dan Kittredge gave us a brief lesson on using a sap press and refractometer to measure food quality. It was towards the end of the meeting and was past daylight so a little difficult to see the numbers in the refractometer. I thought a review plus some links were in order. I would also like to encourage you to get your children and grandchildren involved in food quality testing. On Friday I had my 8- and almost 3-year old grandkids over and Read more [...]

So about getting more of those minerals….

I was doing some research this morning on weeds, a.k.a. "cover crops" and "companion plants". I found this interesting post by Susun S. Weed on making Mineral-Rich Medicinal Vinegars. She says that vinegar draws minerals out of plants, and in the case of cooked greens it magnifies the minerals available to our bodies. It stands to reason that the same would be true for our gardens and making mineral rich herbal- (or weed-infused) apple cider vinegars would make high quality minerals more available Read more [...]

Mineral Depot Open for Business!

We have a Fedco Organic Growers Supply (http://www.fedcoseeds.com/ogs/) depot set up for delivery to Simsbury, CT at George Hall Farm, 180 Old Farms Road, they are a BFA member farm. See details on ordering below. The depot order deadline is the 1st of every month. The group's order is placed then and is delivered within the week. You will be notified via email about the delivery day. This is a great way to save on shipping costs for many hard-to-find farming and gardening supplies. Please Read more [...]

Inspiration

Notwithstanding the slug visitation in my bed of salad greens and the pests making 'paper-lace' designs on my bean and squash leaves, I have been feeling particularly inspired lately by my garden and also from watching the farms around me as their fields fill in with lush growth. I am super excited about the upcoming talks by Dan Kittredge for our group. This will be my first time hearing Dan speak to a group like this and I have heard such good things from other people who have been to his workshops Read more [...]

High Bionutrient Crop Production Workshop!

2 Day Workshop on High Bionutrient Crop Production Saturday, November 7, 2015 is Day 1 of the 2 part workshop and Saturday, January 23, 2016 will be Day 2 of the 2 part workshop. Dan Kittredge will lead this class to increase the bionutrient level of your soil and crops for greater yields, healthier produce and better marketability for the professional growers. Participation-based with questions and answers, the workshop series is designed for farmers, growers, and gardeners of any type Read more [...]

BFA Resource List

As discussed at our last meeting, here are some of the resources we've mentioned with links for you to look them up. http://bionutrient.org/ Started by Dan Kittredge as the Real Food Campaign in 2008, was renamed the Bionutrient Food Association (BFA) and has since become a nationally recognized nonprofit organization. Website has sections for growers, consumers, events, local and nationwide chapter listings, resources and research projects as well as membership information. http://bionutrient.org/soil-test Where Read more [...]