The Eckhardt Building
Check out our brochure on
the Eckhardt Building!
Read more about the building...
Ought to be punishable by …. at least something, huh!?
On April 19th, we were blessed with a group of students from UB’s Nutrition and Environment Class which came and helped us clean out some of last year’s growth in the hoophouse. They also helped me plant some basil and tomato seeds in little ¾” blocks.
I know it seems like spring is dragging its heels, but it is definitely time to be working in the garden. I am grateful for the rain filling up all our rain barrels and our new big tank (only have one of them hooked up currently); however, the cold and sogginess have made it very difficult to get my seeds planted. Hopefully, we will get some cooperative weather soon and we can get the backlog of outdoor work done!
I do have lots of plants started in the house, waiting for warmer weather. There will be some new experiments this year such as lemon grass, stevia, kohlrabi, shallots and brussel sprouts. I’m planning on expanding the herb garden we began last year, or maybe I should say planting it, since it was simply prepared and laid out last year and not really planted at all. Keturah is trying her hand at flowers.
Janice Stevens of the Wilson Street Urban Farm was kind enough to answer some questions I sent her way.
The farm is entering it’s third year and I wanted to get an update for you as to where the farm is at.
BFA: In heading into the third year of the Wilson Street Urban Farm, are you still amazed it became a reality?
JS: I think the amazement has worn off and we are now just into the work and the lifestyle. Successful farming is, most of all, a lifestyle that you either commit to or it eats you up. We like it. The greatest pleasure from last year was being back into the groove of growing food and eating like kings! Making that food available to others is just gravy.
BFA: What new things can we expect to see this year on the farm?
JS: This year we will continue to incorporate more of the farm into growing food. We will be adding potatoes and dry beans, although there probably won’t be enough for sale at the stand this year. We were able to attend the NOFA (Northeast Organic Farming Association) Conference this winter where we learned some new techniques for growing in the hoop house that should result in increased harvests. We hope to fill our new herb area and begin to grow flowers to sell.
BFA: Tell us more about your Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) initiative? Have you received a lot support and how will it impact the farm?
JS: Last year we had four CSA members who graciously allowed us to experiment on them. We really like the CSA model because all the produce picked for share members goes directly to them with no waste, and because it helps create community. This year we made an appeal for a core group of CSA members who would commit to not only buying a CSA share, but also to meeting regularly to brainstorm ways in which to move forward the vision of the farm. We are having our first meeting with the core group on Thursday and are excited about getting input from others with diverse talents.
BFA: What type of obstacles do you still face?
JS: Our toughest obstacle continues to be obtaining large quantities of compost to restore the soil for a reasonable outlay of money. Trucking is expensive. Our greatest challenge is to provide farm produce to our lower-income neighbors at a price they can afford while still keeping the farm economically sustainable. Our unexpected challenge is to know when to say yes and when to politely decline the many invitations for publicity. Exposure is good but could lead to burnout.
BFA: If people are interested in getting involved with the Wilson Street farm, how can they do it?
JS: People interested in getting involved with the farm can keep track of our blog (http://wilsonstreeturbanfarm.wordpress.com/) and/or announcements on Facebook. We will again this year have one volunteer day a month.
Thank you to Janice and Mark Stevens…they truly help keep the neighborhood ALIVE!!!
(By Janice Stevens) Yes, the time has come to begin planting. There is still snow and no apparent lasting thaw in sight, but I have the pleasure of working in a 70° hoophouse. Yesterday, Titus planted peas and radishes, I planted lettuce and weeded lettuce, mustard, and mesclun planted last fall, and Mark weeded and watered (shoveling snow into the hoophouse). Nora lay in the sunny hoophouse doorway watching the world go by, trying to recover from a devastating disease that nearly took her life around Valentine’s day.
Hello from my fireside! After a busy season, I’ve had a lovely break from all things gardening – ok, most things gardening – and am gearing up for a new season. I noticed that I had promised a post about my herb collection months ago, but never came through. Don’t you hate it when folks don’t do what they say they will?! So, here is my post about herbs!
Most of the herbs in my current collection are culinary. I have always tried to grow as much of my menu as possible right down to the seasonings. Last year my collection included rosemary, two different kinds of oregano, lemon thyme, winter thyme, garlic chives, regular chives, fennel, dill, lovage, lemon verbena, mountain mint, apple mint, chocolate mint, peppermint, spearmint, summer savory, marjoram, sage, flat parsley, curly parsley, many different kinds of basil, cilantro, and some scented geraniums. Each year I like to experiment with new herbs.
Just received word that someone tried to burn down the Wilson Street Urban Farm’s hoophouse…
Read this post from their website to find out more—>
Crazy…
The latest news from the Wilson Street Urban Farm:
This Saturday, October 9, from 9 – 12 is the next volunteer day at the farm.
Come on down and help with some end-of-the-year clean-up and some compost pile maintenance.
Wilson Street Urban Farm is located on Wilson Street between Broadway and Sycamore.
(image courtesy of Wilson Street Urban Farm)
The good folks down at the Wilson Street Urban Farm have posted a couple updates and some pictures on their website.
Latest from the Buffalo News
