Garden Gallup 5k Race Course

There is so much going on at the farm these days, I can hardly contain myself.   First, this weekend, we welcome the amazing Kate Payne, author of the Hip Girls Guide to Homemaking and the Hip Girls Guide to the Kitchen, back to JBG.   She is teaching a class on the basics of canning, pickling, and fermenting.  She'll also be doing a demo on how to preserve Asian inspired pickled carrots and scallions.   That sounds amazing, and believe me, Kate knows her stuff - I learn something new from her every time.  My thanks to Kate for sharing her knowledge with us - for more info and to reserve your spot (we only have a few left!), just click here.  And don't worry about the cold - we will be in our greenhouse with the radiant heated floor!



As an added benefit, all participants in Kate Payne's workshop will get to see our beautiful fields out at River Road (4008 River Road, Cedar Creek, TX - just 10 miles East of ABIA).  You won't believe how great it looks out there!  Sometimes, I can't even believe it myself, considering how small my garden was when I got started.  It wasn't that long ago that I was using every inch of my backyard (and front and side yards) over on Holly Street.  I guess you could say that my love of growing took over my life!  Check out this image of me from not so long ago in my backyard:

Working in original backyard on Holly Street

JBG's Certified Organic Transplant Sale Begins Saturday!

My hope is that these images will inspire some of you to start your own backyard gardens.  Who knows, maybe you'll get hooked like me!  But really, there is nothing like the experience of growing your own food - I can't recommend it enough.  Plus, if you have kids, tending a garden is a great way to connect them with the food they're eating.  They will carry this knowledge with them for life.  It is amazing to watch a transplant grow and produce food - clearly, I can't get enough of it!

For those of you inspired to start your own garden (as well as those of you who are seasoned gardeners), our Certified Organic Transplant Sale is about to begin!  We will have transplants available for those who attend Kate Payne's pickling class on this Saturday the 28th.  Then, on the next three Saturdays, March 7th, 14th, and 21st, our transplant sale will be in full swing from 9am to 2pm out at our farm at 4008 River Road, Cedar Creek, TX.  This way, when you pick out your transplants, you can have a look at our new greenhouses!  Click here for more info on our Certified Organic Transplant Sale.

Spring Hoedown & Garden Gallop on April 4th!

Finally, from the lead picture on this post, you may have guessed what I am most excited about - our Spring Hoedown on April 4th!  This year, for the first time ever, it will be out at River Road (this is just 10 miles east of ABIA - click here for a map).  Plus, it will include the Garden Gallop, a 5k race and fun run, AND a barn dance!  The race part is like a dream come true to me.   I love to run - I frequently come up with my most creative ideas while running.  In fact, I often carry a small tape recorder with me when running so I can record all of these ideas right as they come to me.  Later, at my desk, I try to transcribe my out of breath musings and connect to the creative energy that running brought forth.

Another reason I like running so much is that I see things from a new perspective.  That is why I am so excited about this Garden Gallop - my hope is that all of you who participate in either the 5K or the 1 mile fun run get to see the farm in a whole new light.  For me, it is the perfect way to take a tour of our fields.    The course will go through our 200 acre farm and the Farmshare Austin teaching farm right next door.  And, part of the proceeds from this year's Spring Hoedown will also benefit Farmshare Austin, the nonprofit that trains beginning farmers and increases access to fresh produce in our community.  So, I hope you will lace up your running shoes and join me on the Garden Gallop.  Who knows?  I might even run in costume!  To register to run, just click here.

Who is that masked man?

And, there's more!  The Garden Gallop is just the start of the fun.  If you're not a runner, I hope you will join us for the second half of the day.  I am super excited about the musical line-up: La Tampiquena & Mr. Will, Out of the Blue, Show & Tellers, and Gumbo Ce Soir!  I am so excited that this week I have been building a stage!  My thanks to architect Matthew Leach for designing it - below, you will see his drawing of the stage followed by pictures of it being built.  In addition to the live music, we will have farm-to-table BBQ and veggie plates from Iron Wood Ice House.  The dessert will be potluck, so bring your best sweet dish along to share.  One more thing: we're also sprucing up the old barn so we can all dance in there.  Truly, this is going to be one amazing Spring Hoedown - click here for more info and to get your tickets.

New stage as designed by Matthew Leach

Building of the new stage begins! See if you can match this piece with Matt's drawing.  Photo by Scott David Gordon