0 ITEMS IN CART 
STAFF PICKS: FEBRUARY 2021 EDITION
02/05/21 — Ada Broussard
THE FARM:
>>Word on the street is our friends at Chop Chop might be making a permanent special that includes some JBG produce. If you haven't had this fresh-take on instant ramen, you should try it!
>>Our vegetables have been getting quite the attention lately, being featured in this taco salad recipe on Fox 7 and here also on a Studio 512 unboxing segment. Despite all the celebrity attention, we're happy to report the veggies are staying grounded and remain connected to their roots.
>>Last, but certainly not least, we wanted to share links to two fundraisers happening right now, both put in place to help two farmers in our area pay for unforeseen medical bills. If you've enjoyed the eggs that come along with our CSA, there is a good chance they came from Humble Rooster and were collected by Nathan Hicks, the farm manager. Nathan was recently diagnosed with stage 2b seminoma testicular cancer and is undergoing treatment now. You can help him and his family out with medical bills here.
>>The second campaign is for Marisol, a farmer and farm owner here in Central Texas that was injured last January in a horse-riding accident. Marisol's ability to farm has been seriously hindered by this horse-riding accident, and any support to help squash these medical bills is greatly appreciated.
FAWN:
In this oh-so-interesting of times, my favorite things are also things that keep me chill, help me breathe, and alleviate stress. I've made an extra effort to get in moments of tai chi - breathing and gentle body movements for the win! Evening teas containing reishi, tulsi, lemon balm, skullcap, etc are so lovely.
One of my favorite shows for the past 10 years - RuPaul's Drag Race - has a new season airing right now. And I am reading Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake, as well as finally getting around to reading Dune! Delving into other worlds is a little escapist, yes, but it somewhat scratches an itch to travel.
ADAM:
Little Thailand out in Del Valle slaps! It's a super unassuming spot near the farm off of 71, but they can bring the heat and even do that herby-Northern Thai style. Next time you venture out to this corner of town (upcoming transplant sale, duh :) stop in and try their tod mun plaa and larb.
1 of 2 menu pages from Little Thailand. This spot has been a JBG farm-favorite for a long time! If you like Thai food, you've got to give them a try.
ADA:
Coming up on Feburary 14th, I'm teaching a virtual cooking class through my side-gig, Club Home Made. This class will benefit our friends and farm-neighbors, Farmshare Austin and help support their wonderful food access and farmer-training initiatives. It's been a while since I've put on my cooking-club hat, and I'm pretty excited to see how this Zoom thing goes! Lots of amazing ingredients from sponsors, like JBG :), that will come together to form an amazing menu. Tickets for this funnnnraiser here.
We'll be Zoomin from our kitchen! Here's a preview of what you can expect! Join us, why don't ya!
Speaking of online cooking classes, I recently watched a video where chef Adrien Lipscome (A Texas-native) showed us how to cure bacon at home. The bacon lesson was awesome, but really I want to shine a light project Adrien started called 40 Acres and a Mule. This project's goal is to raise capital to buy farmland for Black farmers. Access to land is one of the biggest impediments for Black farmers, with so much farmland under production, today originated from inheritance. Learn more, and donate if you can, here.
A:
One of my favorite spots is Austin Animal Center. Where I just got my dog Ghost! They are currently waiving all adoption fees and are completely contactless. (It was weird at first but it works!)
I also want to recommend my newest tattoo artist Merrin! She's the shop manager at Love Shop Tattoo and she's great. Mer specializes in contemporary tattoos and does dope line work. I got myself a lil switchblade, with my 2 best friends.
COURTNEY:
As the pandemic hit and work with the public became unsure, I saw an ad for delivery driving for JBG. I couldn’t imagine how much I’d love the job till I was called back to my career (welding) and missed the days on the road, smelling veggies in the car all day, and those sunrises! These days I’m only on call for farmers markets so I don’t see the trucks, the office staff, or the packagers as much anymore (those are some hard-working folks) Regardless I have a deep love and gratitude for JBG helping me get a good headspace back and revitalizing my love for life through being on the road and getting people their amazing veggies! Thank y’all and miss y’all
Also collard green pesto I made by mistake and couldn’t be happier~
TAWNY:
I volunteer with an organization called Inside Books Project. It’s a fully volunteer-run organization that provides books and other reading materials to prisoners incarcerated in Texas. The U.S has the largest prison population in the world and Texas ranks in the top 10 highest incarceration rates in the U.S. With prison sentences disproportionately affecting people of color, it’s no surprise that all of the top 10 ranking states are in the south. Inside Books strives to alleviate some of the social inequality found in our prison system by providing books, both for entertainment and educational purposes, to prisoners.
From the organization's website: "Inside Books believes that every prisoner has the right to quality reading and educational materials, and that reading, learning, and self-expression are invaluable opportunities that are too often denied to Texas inmates. Cuts to prison education programs and libraries continue to highlight the emphasis on punishment over rehabilitation. The benefits of literacy in inmates’ post-incarceration lives are well-documented, and evidence points to a beneficial relationship between additional reading and increased literacy.”
It’s truly incredible the resources we’ve been able to provide people in prison. From trade manuals to facilitate post-incarceration plans, to addiction and mental health resources and legal resources to novels simply for entertainment. I like to think of it as putting together little literary care packages.
Unfortunately, due to Covid, volunteer nights are limited to established volunteers right now but people can learn more about our mission, donate funds and donate books!
ANDREW:
Nikki and I got engaged finally. Also dropping a new album on February 12th. Oh, and I'm getting a new puppy. I've wanted this dog to have puppies forever too Haha.
SCOTT:
I recently restarted my podcast called Austin Art Talk after an 8 month Covid hiatus and will be sharing in-depth interviews with Austin’s creative community. Find it wherever you listen to podcasts or at austinarttalk.com. I have also started a habit of posting more of my photography, writing thoughts and ideas, and talking about all the books that I read and listen to, on my website scottdavidgordon.com. All part of a daily creative practice I started three months ago. Have a listen and take a look!
HEYDON:
Unveiling my dog's breed lineage via Embark. I highly recommend people to use this service if they are curious about their pup's bloodlines. I've even connected with my dog Baby's real-life relatives!
KI
My favorite thing to do after a long, hard day's work on the farm is to jump on the trampoline we have here and make myself even more tired!
Farmer Tracy enjoying the farm trampoline back in March of 2019.
ISABEL
GIANNA
I've been loving walking the trails around Lady Bird Lake. (What's not to love?!)
Photo courtesy of Austin Community Impact.
