Man in Overalls

Blurring the Lines by Lindsay Popper Owl and Spade (publication of Warren Wilson College ) It's like one of those running jokes that you can drop back into without explanation, except that we're serious about it: as we drive around in Nathan's clunky, faithful truck--the one which only recently acquired turn signals and a hatch that opens--we'll pass wide-open sunny patches of grass and say, simply, there. After just a few months growing food in Tallahassee, I'm beginning to see possible gardens everywhere.              I had grown approximately two things--a cup of grass seed in kingergarten and a kohlrabi in 3rd grade--before I moved down to Florida with just a backpack and a small suitcase to join Nathan Ballentine with his business of "helping people grow their own food and share it."             Within 12 hours of getting off the bus, I'd sown rows of turnip...

First, a few calendar events: "Stories of the Food Movement: where we are and where we want to go" -- 6:30pm, Mon., Feb 28th at the Main Library. Nathan Ballentine, Man in Overalls with Tallahassee Food Gardens will co-present with Mark Tancig from  Damayan & Tallahassee Food Policy Council and TJ Shaffer from Tallahassee Sustainability Group.  Click HERE for more info. Will Allen, MacArthur Genius, Farmer, Founder CEO of Milwaukee's Growing Power will be conducting a workshop, 12-6:30pm, Sun., Mar., 6th at the FAMU Viticulture Center out Mahan Dr.  Click HERE for more info.  He is a nationally and internationally recognized figurehead of the food movement. Now for a report from the Edible Garden Tour to the Man in Overalls' Food Garden: (I'll keep the words few and the pictures plenty-- Thanks to Mike for the images.)  Over forty folks from the Tallahassee Edible Garden Club , Indianhead Acres and beyond came by for a tour.  We started with...

Last spring up visiting Warren Wilson, my Alma Mater I touched base with my buddy, Lindsay Popper, poet extraordinaire, college-mama/grand-ma, admissions guru, plumber and all around amazing person.  I asked, "So, say, Lindsay, where are you going to be come next September?"  She was on the threshold of graduation, and, rather than hem and haw, she quick-responded, "Where do you think I should be?"  "How about," I offered, "you come to Tallahassee and help me out with gardening work?"  She told me she liked that idea.  "Can I make it my 'Plan B'?"  Absolutely. Lindsay planting lettuce.  In three weeks time, this lettuce was ready to harvest.  I just forgot the camera when I went back. Well Plan A didn't end up fitting the schedule of the summer camp she's worked at for four years running--and she wasn't about to give that up-- so she came on down.  Lindsay's been here since the end of September; she's he...

On Wednesday this past week, Hartsfield Elementary's Hawks, one of Hartsfield's after-school groups came for a visit to my garden.  We chatted about everything from legumes fixing nitrogen to pollinators to varieties of corn to seasonally available produce to bees and chickens.  They were especially interested in the methodology of grafting fruit trees.  Meanwhile, we tasted snap beans, fennel, sorrel, horse-radish greens, basil, and smelled rosemary and thyme.  What a great afternoon! The Hawk's visit was part of a larger program they're doing to investigate healthy food options via research on local and organic vs. conventional agricultural practices and by maintaining the Hartsfield school garden.  The culmination of their project will be to plan, prepare and serve a healthy meal to their parents that integrates local and organic produce. They were shepherded by their incredible teachers Mr. Landrum, Ms. Elsaka, and Ms Olivia.  If you know these fol...

John Wood, a recent graduate of Warren Wilson College is in town for the month to "learn how to grow food."  He's volunteering his time and effort in exchange for a place to stay and the chance to put seeds in the ground.  He has questions about soil, business, and rooting oneself in the broader community.  John's real job is working with North Carolina Outward Bound as an Instructor with groups of teenagers.  He recently completed an assignment in the Everglades where he lived with eight thirteen-year-olds on a 12x12ft platform atop five canoes.  At the beginning of April, he reports to the Rio Grande in south Texas for his next expedition.