The film “FRESH,” will be screened this Friday, May 18 at the New City Fellowship in Chattanooga. FRESH celebrates the farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are re-inventing our food system. Each has witnessed the rapid transformation of our agriculture into an industrial model, and confronted the consequences: food contamination, environmental pollution, depletion of natural resources, and morbid obesity. Forging healthier, sustainable alternatives, they offer a practical vision for a future of our food and our planet.

Among several main characters, FRESH features urban farmer and activist, Will Allen, the recipient of MacArthur’s 2008 Genius Award; sustainable farmer and entrepreneur, Joel Salatin, made famous by Michael Pollan’s book, The Omnivore’s Dilemma; and supermarket owner, David Ball, challenging our Wal-Mart dominated economy.

Details:

When: Meal at 6:30 and Movie at 7:00
Where: New City Fellowship Church- 2424 E. 3rd St. Chattanooga
Cost: Suggested (and much appreciated) donation at the door- $10
RSVP to Fair Share’s Facebook event page: FAIR SHARE Meal & A Movie presents: “FRESH”

Farm Manager Jennie Bartoletti tells me that an unseasonably warm winter and spring have led to a lot of things coming in faster and more furiously than usual, including pests!

The basket of cucumbers at Bartoletti’s feet look delicious, but across the farm are rows of mustard greens eaten up by beetles. So don’t be surprised if you find a little more insect damage on your produce this spring and summer than you expect, but rest assured that the tradeoff is worth it.

When you don’t use harsh chemicals, sometimes you get more bugs, but you also get healthier food!

The year was 1876, and the world was  celebrating 100 years of the United States with the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. For the party, the Japanese government constructed a garden which Included a large-leafed vine sporting sweet-smelling blooms that captured the imagination of American gardeners.  The United States turned 100, and it’s birthday present was kudzu–the gift that kept on giving!

But as obnoxious and tenacious as this fast-growing vine is, there is another vine that was gifted across the ocean two hundred years earlier that is getting more and more press these days, and for good–albeit unpleasant–reason.

Here in the South we all know at least part of that kudzu story, but very few of us know the story of the vine we sent abroad.Believe it or not, exported from the Americas to Europe as an ornamental for its pretty berries and beautiful fall color, was… poison ivy.

Click here to learn more!

Examples of fresh-picked veggies available:

• Swiss Chard
• Kale
• Radishes
• Collards
• Leeks
• Lettuce

Examples of plant-starts available:

• Chocolate Cherry Tomatoes
• Cherokee Purple Tomatoes
• San Marzano Paste Tomatoes
• Marigolds
• Red Rubin Basil
• Emperor of India Nasturtium
  
• Jewel Nasturtium
• Spanish Eyes Lavender

Availability changes regularly. Please call 423-493-9155, x14 for a listing of what is available daily.

Bring your kids to the urban farm for a workshop exploring what’s in garden dirt, and how composts can be used to fertilize soil.  Kids will learn about the components of soil, vermicomposting, home composting, chicken manure as compost.  Kids will have the chance to meet chickens, feed worms and take home a plant in healthy soil to grow at home!

Limited to 20

Cost: $15/Aquarium Member; $20/Non-Aquarium Member

To register, please RSVP to Betty Miles:  ebm@tnaqua.org, (423) 785-3008

Join the experts at this urban farm for a workshop on organic gardening methods that will make your home gardening easier and chemical-free.  You will learn about good soil cultivation, wise planting choices, seasonal growing practices, pruning, pest control and the use of natural fertilizers.  Transplant an heirloom tomato plant to grow in your own backyard.

Limited to 30 adults

$25/Aquarium Member; $30/Non-Aquarium Member

To register, please RSVP to Betty Miles:  ebm@tnaqua.org, (423) 785-3008

Master Gardeners can get one hour of CEU credit for attending this workshop.

Thank you for your interest in attending
The 100 Dinner at Crabtree Farms!

To purchase tickets securely through PayPal now, please select the number of tickets you would like to purchased for the event from the drop-down menu below, then click the “Buy Now” button.

Number of Tickets

1 Ticket $100.00 USD 2 Tickets $200.00 USD 3 Tickets $300.00 USD 4 Tickets $400.00 USD 5 Tickets $500.00 USD 6 Tickets $600.00 USD

Tickets may also be purchased over the phone by calling 423-493-9155, x13 or emailing ajaeger@crabtreefarms.org. Crabtree accepts cash, credit cards and checks.

Event Details:

• When: Saturday, June 16 at 6pm
• Where: Crabtree Farms: 1000 East 30th Street, Chattanooga TN 37407
• What: A unique dining experience featuring food from within 100 miles of Chattanooga, served to 100 people at one long table in the fields of Crabtree Farms. Proceeds benefit education and outreach programs at Crabtree Farms.
  
• Cost: $100 per person
• Questions? Call 423-493-9155 x 10 or email info@crabtreefarms.org

Thank you for supporting Crabtree Farms!

Learn from Crabtree’s Joel Houser how to grow fall veggies, like beets, carrots, kohlrabi, lettuce, greens and berry bushes for spring!

Details:

• When: August 11, 10-12
• Where: Crabtree Farms- 1000 E. 30th Street, Chattanooga TN. Directions
• Cost: FREE for Crabtree Farms members, $10 for non-members

For registration information, call 423-493-9155, x13 or email ajaeger@crabtreefarms.org

Master Gardeners can get one hour of CEU credit for attending this workshop.

Crabtree’s Melanie Mayo was invited to the Chef Night at East Lake Academy to help the students connect with their food. She taught students about potatoes, including how they grow, how to cook them, and even how to make them into stamps!

Chef Night is organized by the Hamilton Country Department of Education, Coordinated School Health, Chef Charlie Loomis of Greenlife, and is supported by Gaining Ground.