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South Florida Tropical Urban Gardening News
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U-FARMER: Bi-Weekly Newsletter

A Voice for S. Florida Organic Urban Farmers

Sept 25-Oct 11th


September is here. It is time to start prepping the garden for the Fall Growing Season. First step: sign up for a garden class and learn the BASICS!

What BASICS do you need to set up the garden for the Fall Growing Season? Here are some examples:
  1. Weeding
  2. Solarization
  3. Pruning the overgrowth
  4. Enriching the soil with Organic Matter
  5. Fixing /building/adding raised bed-fence-irrigation system/rain barrels/compost bin.

UPCOMING CLASSES

 




Join us October 11th for an Intro to Backyard Organic Gardening Class!


 

Click to Here to RSVP

Read the Class Introduction


I have facilitated classes on Organic Urban Farming at Palm Beach State College, Green Expo , Cities,Churches,Wellness Centers, Firefighters group, Boy Scouts, Homeowners associations, Libraries and more. Need more details on ongoing gardening classes?

Our classes are FUN and EASY like 123 :1-Learn at the Garden 2-Play at the Garden 3 - Eat from the garden! How about that? SEATS ARE LIMITED for 10 (children included) PLEASE RSVP EARLY to guarantee a seat.
 
Oct. 11 We will be serving TROPICAL CALLALOO SPINACH SOUP and TROPICAL TABBOULEH. RSVP REQUIRED. DRESS CODE:GARDEN GEAR - no shorts, tank tops or flip flops. Hydrate. NO CONSUMING  INTOXICATING SUBSTANCES before you attend.
 

Please visit localharvest.org/farms/M20618  or

www.tropical-urban-farmer.com
 

Click to Here to RSVP

Tips on Being Prepared to take a Gardening Class at the Outdoor Garden

by Farmer Tone


Most of us are used to taking classes indoors. The outdoor garden classes necessitate certain preparations:

1-Do not consume any intoxicating drugs prior to class, this includes alcohol, illegal drugs etc..You need your head and brain and BODY functioning NORMALLY to be able to learn and apply the hands on. Ask your Dr.if you are able to do physical gardening work outdoors before you sign up for a class. I have seen situations with ant bites triggering severe allergies. Be Safe!!

2-Put on GARDEN GEAR.Do not wear shorts,tank tops or flip flops. Wear sunglasses, drink plenty of water, eat lunch and breakfast and use the restroom before you attend the class. It matters that you FEEL COMFORTABLE and PREPARED NOT NAUSEOUS and DISORIENTED!

3-Read the class prerequisites & follow protocols. Bring a note pad and a pen. Ask questions during and after the class not when you are at home and after you leave the class.

4-BE PATIENT.Gardening is a PROCESS. It takes time, effort and a budget. Start small and KNOW BEFORE YOU GROW!

Please SUPPORT our SPONSORS:
www.aroundwellington.net - Online Magazine
www.grassrootconsult.com - Website Design
Uncle BIM'S Garden Center

Farmer Tone Teaching at the Palm Beach Zoo

By Joshua Lamothe


On September 12th I jumped at an opportunity to support Farmer Tone as he led a day of Organic Gardening classes for families attending the Palm Beach Zoo. When I was young one of my dreams was to be a zoologist and be around exotic animals. As an adult, my dream is to become an organic gardener, so this was an opportunity not to be missed.

Farmer Tone had organized for local TV Channel 18 to film him as he delivered his unique mix of education and showmanship and it didn't take long for him to begin drawing a small crowd. Our plan was to make this day all about teaching children and I stood by with my own childish grin as he asked the kids questions like "where do tomatoes come from?" and got very self assured answers like "Publix!"  The kids ages ranged from two years old to about fourteen and Tone spoke to each one at their own level, asking questions, describing different local plants and herbs, showing them soil and even letting them hold some friendly worms, what kid wouldn't love that!
 

Read More...




Watch the Video from Farmer Tone at the Zoo.
FARMER TONE 2
Farmer Tone at the Palm Beach Zoo with Children via channel 18

Intro to Organic Backyard Gardening with Farmer Tone

By Krista Martinelli

Recently I was able to attend an introduction gardening class with Farmer Tone, the Tropical Urban Farmer.  I really enjoyed the class and his enthusiasm for keeping everything organic.  Farmer Tone is willing to work in any small space that you have to grow a few plants, even if it’s not a large garden plot.

For me, I realized the key to successful gardening is the base of everything – good, rich soil.  Farmer Tone showed us how to work with some typical (and difficult) Florida soil, full of fertilizer pellets to begin with.  He explained why store-bought, chemical fertilizer is not good for the soil.  And he showed us how to neutralize the soil.  Together we layered the soil with good layers to build up a raised bed garden – from scratch. We looked at how to create our own compost from vegetable scraps on a small scale.

Read More...

Growing: What I learned from Farmer Tony

By Nicole Laing

So this past weekend I attended an Intro to Backyard Organic Gardening Class, taught by “Farmer Tone” of Tropical Urban Farmer. It was a 2-hour introductory course which taught me about reconnecting with the earth, some gardening theory and then hands on practice. http://www.tropical-urban-farmer.com/

Farmer Tone was an energetic ball of information throughout the 2 hour class. He’s well educated, having studied botany, massage theory and master gardening. He also knows 5 different languages! He’s set up multiple community gardens, studied farming with the Lakota tribe and works with the homeless to provide nutritional meals.

I really feel that his course should be longer, maybe even over a few days considering the amount of information he had to share. He taught me so much in the 2 hours, but to be honest I left the class with my brain feeling mushy and not retaining a lot. One thing I did hold on to is the idea of Lasagna gardening and living soil. Good thing too since the UN has designated this year as the “Year of the Soil”. http://www.fao.org/soils-2015/about/en/

 

Read More...

My Dream of an “Agrihood”

by Suzanne Woodie

Do you feel cut off from the wonders of nature, from your neighbors, from your own well being? Are you craving a calmer, gentler, more gracious life? Do you miss that sense of community? I think I might have a solution.

I would love to see agriculture and residential come together here in Palm Beach County. A sustainable community focused around an organic farm instead of a golf course. This type of neighborhood is referred to as an “Agrihood.” Agrihoods fulfill a need for people who want open space and fresh air, lush fields, fruit trees, and organic crops, where animals and honey bees are raised. Located near an urban center with a town square that includes a Bed & Breakfast where retreats will be held, a Farm to Table restaurant and a learning and wellness center. Encouraging a mindfulness lifestyle that offers meditation, yoga and self awareness and gardening classes, lectures and more.

This a place where every decision has been made with the environment in mind. Every home is equipped with solar panels, water collection barrels and composting containers. This a community that would be built in accord with nature rather than at its expense. The residents would save money on their electric bill and know where their food is coming from. A community where your neighbors become your extended family.

Read More...

CALLALOO SOUP RECIPE
from our backyard Garden!


A-INGREDIENTS PREP: Meal for 7-10  family  members

1-CHOP/THAW /CLEAN :Half LB of CALLALOO WHOLE BUNCH LEAF and STALKS.Source: Locally grown at Our backyard garden.

2-Chop : A bunch of backyard grown  Tropical HERBS:Cuban Oregano leaves  - Kamasutra mentha MINT leaves-Thai and other assorted basil-Terragon leaves-cillantro leaves.

3-Chop:Two Red onions -Chop and thaw:Six  Celery stalks-Chop[ : Three Green-Red-Yellow Bell Peppers.Chop three gloves of garlic.Marinate with lime-Coconut oil-pinch of salt and black pepper.

B-Cook:Boil six cups of water add :TWO CUPS of Organic  Garbanzo beans/Pinto Beans/Black beans-Drain.

C-SAUTE:In a Hot preheated Pan add THREE TABLE SPOONS or TROPICAL COCONUT OIL.
Heat for 2 minutes then ADD: ONION then all other chopped ingredients after onion turns light brown.Saute for 3 minutes all the rest of vegetables.
 
ADD all ABC ingredients and simmer at medium temp for 15 minutes.SERVE and enjoy. Bon appetite.
 
Tabbouleh recipe..TO BE ANNOUNCED at the CLASS!!!!
 
SEE YOU at our ongoing Garden classes soon..
Farmer Tone has established and contributed work at more than eight community gardens. He has consulted, educated and assisted over 600 home owners and garden enthusiasts. He facilities workshops and classes to individuals, groups and institutions such as schools, colleges, local governments, Churches, Public Libraries, Community Gardens, Health Food Stores and many more.
Tony Dagher - Urban Gardener

NEWS



Farmer Tone recently attended a Workshop at the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners on the subject of preserving the Agricultural Reserve for farming.

The Ag-Reserve has opportunities for farmers to grow food on land officially earmarked for farmers but now officials are trying to change what the tax payers approved..

Watch the hearing and see Farmer Tone advocating on behalf of the community:

http://www.tropical-urban-farmer.com/farmer-tone-pbc-tv/



The next BCC workshop on Ag-Reserve adoption hearing is on October 26, 2015 at 9:30am.

Contact Kevin Andrews: 561233.5338
Government Center - Board of County Commissioners
301 N Olive Avenue
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
6th Fl

Are you planning to attend? See what the BCC has approved and will officially adopt on October 26, 2015 as a change to the existing Ag Reserve comprehensive plan.

Watch Public input from opponents, including a 13 year old boy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sosg7pcwXKs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQj3fC4mSnM



I was on Hippocretes Health Institute Magazine cover entitled "Healing Our World".
My article on the Year of the Soil-2015 was a double feature.Thank you H.O.W!

http://www.tropical-urban-farmer.com/hippocrates-health-institute-healing-our-world-peak-soil-featuring-farmer-tone
 


Swinton Community Garden- Delray Beach was established in 2008.Currently the SCG is adding  a Permaculture team .I was among the ORIGINAL members who laid the SCG foundation among who three are left as current members.
 
Prior to that , I was a community Garden Coordinator -volunteer at  Carver Community Garden -Delray Beach from 2001-2009.That garden was erased and ceased to exist since 2009.

I have established and contributed horticultural  work and workshops at more than 10 community gardens.
 

WATCH A VIDEO ON SCG >>

 



I was interviewed by the Sun-sentinel back in 2008 and spoke up for Gardening as THERAPY!! People who grow their own food have access to fresh food which supports nutritional health, decreases susceptibility to illnesses, reduces the burden on the health care system, enhances one's immune system while reducing STRESS.

http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2008-04-10/news/0804100053_1_community-gardens-soup-kitchen-two-plots
 



September 12 ,2015 was a new adventure at the ZOO! Families joined to learn more on growing food and children immersed their tiny hands in the soil .Where does our food come from? Labeling food not people, using alternatives to chemical fertilizers and pesticides, home made pizza made from fresh garden ingredients was served, potted plants, seeds and seedlings were given away to new junior gardeners enthusiasts to learn the garden process both in Theory and Hands On!

The event was covered by WPB TV-Channel 18 and sponsored by "aroundwellington.net" Online magazine along with Uncle Bims-WPB garden center in addition to the Palm Beach Zoo.

Watch the event live at TC Channel 18 link: https://vimeo.com/channels/781142



 
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Be a Guest Contributor. Contact Us!
October is GMO LABELLING month. Watch this video from Jeffrey Smith, an activist who teaches about the dangers of GMO.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FS72J9bDvPM

OPPORTUNITIES WANTED:

  • Exhibiting
  • Teaching,Consulting
  • Building Edible Gardens
  • Instructing at Schools, Colleges, Wellness Centers, Treatment Centers, Hospitals, Churches
  • Event Volunteers
  • Fenced Backyards, Vacant Land
  • Truck Rental
  • Co-housing
  • Storage
Buy Locally Grown Produce at a Local Green Market Near You. Just like I do!
 

Here are some samples of popular local Green/Farmer Markets:


Palm Beach Gardens Green Market
4301 Burns Rd, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410

West Palm Beach Green Market
101 S Flagler Dr, West Palm Beach, FL 33401

Royal Palm Beach Green Market and Bazaar
900 Royal Palm Beach Blvd, Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411

Lake Worth Ocean Front GREEN MARKET
A1A and Lake Ave. Located at the old L W bridge..
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