Free Event: Vegetable & Seed Diversity in our area at InFARMation (and Beer!) Tuesday March 9th

March 9th - InFARMation (and Beer!): Exploring vegetable and seed diversity with Anne Berblinger On March 9th, Friends of Family Farmers is happy to welcome long-time supporter and stellar farmer Anne Berblinger of Gales Meadow Farm.  According to Anne, GMF “grows more than 300 varieties of vegetables and herbs at Gales Meadow Farm, and we have probably tried more than 600 varieties in our ten seasons. We have learned a little about how to interpret seed catalogs, how to trial varieties, and how to decide which ones are keepers. We have also learned how fragile and in need of protection our vegetable heritage is.”

The InFARMation (and Beer!) presentation will include:

* How and why a diversity of vegetable varieties developed * Choosing varieties for home and small farm use * Seed saving – why and how to get started * Protecting our vegetable heritage

Anne & Gales Meadow Farm have a history of supporting new and beginning farmers with internships and positions on her farm, and by teaching classes.  See her current farm class series “Hands On Organic Farming” on iFarm here.Additionally, make a point of showing up at 5:30 to get your hands-on seed experience with Grow Portland Seed Club's seed stuffing party.  For the hour before the speakers, Grow Porltand would love your help sorting and "enveloping" seeds to be used by seed club members, schools and non-profits around Portland.  Grow Portland purchased organically grown, open pollinated seeds in bulk and distributes them to local gardeners, with a goal of creating a social and community environment for gardeners to meet and share ideas and wisdom.  More information about their program can be found by emailing David. For additional details about InFARMation (and Beer!), go here.

InFARMation (and Beer!) runs from 5:30-8:30, with the speakers between 6:30 & 8pm, including Q&A.  We can utilize the time before and after for networking and discussions, so come early, stay late.  Admission is always free.  More information and logistics can be found here: http://www.friendsoffamilyfarmers.org/?page_id=601 Please pass the word about InFARMation (and Beer!) to anyone you think might be interested.

Don't forget - next Monday March 8th is the Farmer-Chef Connection in Oregon City - see http://www.portlandcc.org for more info!  Email me if you are a student and/or want to volunteer... Hope to see you there! 

Michele KnausFriends of Family Farmers michele@friendsoffamilyfarmers.org  http://www.friendsoffamilyfarmers.org