Raw Milk Opportunity...

There's a lot of interest these days in raw milk.  The health benefits are documented, but so are the issues with pasteurized / homogenized milk.  If you'd like to connect to the raw milk community in north Texas, here's your opportunity!

Grow North Texas is sponsoring a workshop with Pamela Klein Johnson, owner of Rose Creek Farms in Alvord and Wise county Weston A. Price Foundation Chapter Leader.  She will be demonstrating how to make soft cheese, yogurt and butter using raw milk from a farm in Montague County.

If you are interesting in registering, or just want more information, follow the link!  Class is Tuesday, April 16th from 10a - 2p in North Dallas, close to  635 and 35E.  Hope to see you there!

Changing Your Diet Series: First steps

When I became concerned about the quality of the food my family was eating, it seemed like an overwhelming task to revamp our diet, and not just in terms of information overload.  What was the difference in cost?  My family can be picky, and the thought of spending extra money on organic products that they might not eat was troubling.  I had to take small steps.

Spring!

Forsythia

When we moved into our house thirteen years ago I planted a forsythia.  This has always been one of my favorite plants - I think it's underused as a landscape plant.  My reason for loving it is that it's one of the first things to bloom in the spring - and it always surprises me.  One day it's twigs, the next day it's on fire with color!  It rivals sunflowers for me, and it means that it's time to GET PLANTING!

Planting it Forward

We planted onions on Saturday at Wendy Akin's farm in Terrell.  She offered us a few rows to plant donation crops, so we brought some volunteers and headed out there.  Her soil is a sandy loam that will grow just about anything, and we just had to poke our finger in the soil, insert the onion and then push some soil back over the ball to cover it.  Simple.

When these onions mature, we'll harvest them and they'll be donated through our networks to families that need them, so when you look at this picture, don't see a planted field.  See a dinner table.  

Thank you to Wendy Akin, Sonja Gold and her wonderful boys, and Josh and Ashley from Spring Fed Farms CSA for helping us plant it forward.

Moving Forward...Lots to Share!

Some of you may know that the nonprofit I work with (Grow North Texas) is in the process of setting up an Eco-Hub in Northwest Dallas.  Holy Cross Lutheran Church has given us space to garden and teach, and we have an extensive list of classes available in the next few months.  These classes are taught by various instructors, and we're excited to be able to partner with these organizations and offer this information!

Take a look at what we currently have scheduled, and you'll want to check back because we'll be adding classes every day!  We'll be starting a traditional foods series in April with Pam Johnson of Rose Creek Farms, which will begin with Yogurt, Cheese and Butter.  Pam is a Weston A. Price chapter leader and has much to share.

Vertical Gardening (Free Class!) with Donelle Simmons of Garden Inspirations

Sunday, March 2^nd, 1p-230p                FREE!

Vertical Gardening is done in many different ways; come learn about pallet gardens, trellises, using different ways to make things grow UP, as well as our new aeroponic system, which is another way to garden vertically!  Go to www.gardeninspirations-tx.com to register.

Pickling with Trish Percy of GROW North Texas

Tuesday March 5^th, 10a-12p                                $35

Don’t you hate it when you get all those wonderful veggies from your garden but don’t know what to do with them?  This class will teach you to pickle vegetables using a brine and a hot water bath, as well as create a quick refrigerator pickle.  Hands on, you will take home a jar!  Register online at http://www.gleantexas.org/Events.html

Growing in Small Spaces with Trish Percy of GROW North Texas

Thursday March 7^th, 7p-830p                            FREE CLASS!

Growing in an area with limited space is a great way to add some personal greenspace to your apartment, balcony or patio.  We’ll look at scale and proportion, color, and using inexpensive items you already have to add pizzazz to your garden.  Register online 

What to Do in March in Your Vegetable Garden with Donelle Simmons of Garden Inspirations

Monday, March 11th, 7p-830p                          $40

What to do this month to prepare for your vegetable garden! Whether it is seeds to plant or plants to cut back, this is the class to take each month to maintain your vegetable garden year round.  ***MARCH is a HUGE PLANTING month, we will cover the vegetables you need to plant!***  $40.00 for a non-member.  If you are a member, this is included in your membership.   Go to www.gardeninspirations-tx.com to register.

Soaking, Sprouting and Nut Milk with Lisa Staffelbach of 24 Carrot Health

Thursday, March 14^th, 7p-830p                         $40

Soaking, Sprouting, and Nut Milk:  Spring is the perfect time to eat your sprouts. When you know how to sprout you always have access to fresh local food. Come learn about the benefits of soaking your grains and beans before cooking, how you can improve the nutritional profile of your food, and make it more easily digestible. Nut and seed milks, a soaked food, will also be covered. This class will save you a ton of money on nut milk and show you how to customize your own for personalized flavor.  I'll have samples of Mexican Chocolate Milk made with hemp seeds, rejuvelac made from sprouted rye berries, oatgurt a soaked fermented porridge, sprouted bean salad, and sprouted greens!  We'll be make maple pecan milk, coconut milk, cardamom & cream chia pudding, nut cheese spread, and lentil bugur salad.  I'll be pulling back the curtain and removing the mystery from sprouting. You'll see how it's all done, get the information you need to get started, and lots of recipes and ideas for your sprouts.

Class is $40 OR if you are a member of Garden Inspirations, this can be one of your classes.  SPACE IS LIMITED.  Go to www.gardeninspirations-tx.com to register.

All About Growing Tomatoes in North Central Texas with Donelle Simmons of Garden Inspirations

Friday, March 22d,  6p-8p                                  $40

Our tomato workshop is one that you won't forget, come with a few pieces of notebook paper, you'll want to take notes! This is how we plant our tomatoes and we want to teach you! We will have 1 gallon tomatoes available for sale that you can pick up during class. 1 gallon tomatoes are $6.00 each. Heirloom varieties and some hybrids. This class is $40.00 for non-members.  No guests allowed at this class, we must save space for members - this is a very popular class! No refunds on classes.  Class is $40 OR if you are a member of Garden Inspirations, this can be one of your classes.  SPACE IS LIMITED.  Go to www.gardeninspirations-tx.com to register.

All Day Vegetable Gardening with Donelle Simmons of Garden Inspirations

Saturday, March 23d, 10a-5p                            $99

All day Vegetable Gardening Class, learn about the soil, raised beds, container beds, ground gardening, and more. Learn what to plant in North Texas, how to plant, and our organic practices of gardening. This class is from 10am - 5pm, with a half hour lunch break. Lunch IS NOT provided. Bring a pencil, notepad, and hold your questions to the end! The FarmGirls from KAAM 770 AM will teach you how to have a marvelous garden in North Texas!  This is the class that we offered on Living Social.

Class Fees:

$99 for drop ins/non-members.

THIS CLASS DOES NOT APPLY TO MEMBERSHIPS

SPACE IS LIMITED.  Go to www.gardeninspirations-tx.com to register.

Garden Inspirations Guest Speaker TBD 

Monday April 1st, 7p-830p                                  $40

North Central Texas Vegetable Garden Basics Class Part 1 (part hands on weather permitting) with Donelle Simmons

Saturday April 6th, 4p-8p

This class is to learn how to garden in North Central Texas, have you had a hard time with your soil? Have you planted vegetables by seed and they do not grow? Are you concerned about your where your food is coming from? Are you ready to grow your own? Are you interested in homesteading? Teaching your children how to garden or become a community garden member? This is the class for you! Part 1. We cover: Soil, Garden Location and Type of Garden, Soil Amendments, and Root Crops. You''ll want to take Part 2. Look for it on our schedule! This class is $99.00 for Part 1 & Part 2. Or if you have a Groupon for this class it applies.  Go to www.gardeninspirations-tx.com to register.

Composting with Worms with Heather Rinaldi of the Texas Worm Ranch

Sunday April 7^th, 230p-4p                                    $25

Ever thought about how you create compost for your garden and use reduce your kitchen waste at the same time?  You can compost with worms even if you live in an apartment, and your houseplants will love you for it!  Register online at http://www.gleantexas.org/Events.html

Canning Class: Strawberry Vanilla Jam with Trish Percy of GROW North Texas

Tuesday April 9^th, 10a-12p                                   $35

Strawberries are plentiful, and fresh strawberry jam is the best!  Once you’ve made this Strawberry Vanilla Jam, you won’t be able to go back to store-bought.  Hands on, you will take home a jar.  Register online at http://www.gleantexas.org/Events.html

Cooking Class with Lisa Stafflebach of 24 Carrot Health

Thursday April 25th, 7pm -8:30p                     $40

Go to www.gardeninspirations-tx.com to register.

All Day Vegetable Gardening with Donelle Simmons of Garden Inspirations

Tuesday April 30th 1-7pm                                   $99

All day Vegetable Gardening Class, learn about the soil, raised beds, container beds, ground gardening, and more. Learn what to plant in North Texas, how to plant, and our organic practices of gardening. This class is from 10am - 5pm, with a half hour lunch break. Lunch IS NOT provided. Bring a pencil, notepad, and hold your questions to the end! The FarmGirls from KAAM 770 AM will teach you how to have a marvelous garden in North Texas!  This is the class that we offered on Living Social.

Class Fees:  $99 for drop ins/non-members.  THIS CLASS DOES NOT APPLY TO MEMBERSHIPS

SPACE IS LIMITED.  Go to www.gardeninspirations-tx.com to register.

North Central Texas Vegetable Garden Basics Class Part 1 (part hands on weather permitting) with Donelle Simmons

Saturday May 4th, 2p-6p

This class is to learn how to garden in North Central Texas, have you had a hard time with your soil? Have you planted vegetables by seed and they do not grow? Are you concerned about your where your food is coming from? Are you ready to grow your own? Are you interested in homesteading? Teaching your children how to garden or become a community garden member? This is the class for you! Part 1. We cover: Soil, Garden Location and Type of Garden, Soil Amendments, and Root Crops. You''ll want to take Part 2. Look for it on our schedule! This class is $99.00 for Part 1 & Part 2. Or if you have a Groupon for this class it applies.  Go to www.gardeninspirations-tx.com to register.

Cooking Class with Lisa Stafflebach of 24 Carrot Health

Thursday May 6th, 7pm -8:30p                     $40

All Day Vegetable Gardening with Donelle Simmons of Garden Inspirations

Saturday, May 12th, 1p-7p                            $99

All day Vegetable Gardening Class, learn about the soil, raised beds, container beds, ground gardening, and more. Learn what to plant in North Texas, how to plant, and our organic practices of gardening. This class is from 10am - 5pm, with a half hour lunch break. Lunch IS NOT provided. Bring a pencil, notepad, and hold your questions to the end! The FarmGirls from KAAM 770 AM will teach you how to have a marvelous garden in North Texas!  This is the class that we offered on Living Social.

Class Fees: $99 for drop ins/non-members.  THIS CLASS DOES NOT APPLY TO MEMBERSHIPS

SPACE IS LIMITED.  Go to www.gardeninspirations-tx.com to register.

North Central Texas Vegetable Garden Basics Class Part 2 (part hands on weather permitting) with Donelle Simmons

Saturday May 25th, 2p-6p

This class is to learn how to garden in North Central Texas, have you had a hard time with your soil? Have you planted vegetables by seed and they do not grow? Are you concerned about your where your food is coming from? Are you ready to grow your own? Are you interested in homesteading? Teaching your children how to garden or become a community garden member? This is the class for you! Part 1. We cover: Crop Rotation, Vegetables, Sustainable Methods, Compost, Mulch, and more. **MUST TAKE PART 1 before you can take PART 2**  Go to www.gardeninspirations-tx.com to register

Garden Inspirations Guest Speaker TBD 

Monday May 27th, 7p-830p                                  $40

Go to www.gardeninspirations-tx.com to register.