GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — It looks like Monopoly money, but the colorful currency created by collaborators in the western Massachusetts town of Great Barrington is helping pump real dollars into the local economy.
The creative cash is called "BerkShares," a play on words, referring to the mountainous region called the Berkshires, where businesses and citizens have come together to support each other in these tough economic times.
rest of the story:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,513877,00.html
That's cool!
I'd be afraid of counterfieters though; and remember how resistant to the new colored $5 bills some folks were at first... I still think it's a good idea, but can see it would have a few obstacles to get past.
Kind of like Chamber bucks, on a broader scale
At one time Elk County printed its own money called scrip. It was good only in Elk County.
Greenwood County did also.
The old time coal miners would hate it. The scrip could only be used at the company store, owned by the coal mine owner. Prices were kept very high so the families could never save anything and were usually in debt.They were stuck in that hand to mouth lifestyle.They lived in rental houses also owned by the mine. So the " money" didn't help the community , it was just more profit for the mine owner.
Yeah i know thats how that worked back in kentucky. Back in dahlonega where i lived before though we had dahlonega bucks that were issued. We kept business between folks in the communities. It worked and no counterfeiting was done.
I think this is a good idea. You could do this with gift certificates instead of actually printing money... sell gift certificates at a portion of the actual of redeemable value... i.e. $100 gift certificate could be purchased for $90. Like in malls, these gift certificates could be used at any of the local stores listed on the back. This is actually quite common in some other small towns through local chamber of commerce, especially around the holidays. These gift certificates are also given as prizes during local festivals, drawings during the Christmas opening, etc.
Here's another idea... how about having an old fashioned Christmas opening this year? Have all the stores open/stay open late one Friday or Saturday night with special deals, hot cider, cookies. Santa Land could be open, horse and carriage rides around town to view christmas lights, the entire community coming together for an evening of local support. Local clubs could have bake sales, offer carry-out services. Local churches could each take a street corner for caroling. Some of the abandoned buildings could be cleaned and opened for hobby merchants to have a warm place to set up shop for the night.
I have another question. Why doesn't howard have a local farmers market. Everyone that has extra produce or other things they might have for sale could utilize on weekends.
QuoteHere's another idea... how about having an old fashioned Christmas opening this year? Have all the stores open/stay open late one Friday or Saturday night with special deals, hot cider, cookies. Santa Land could be open, horse and carriage rides around town to view christmas lights, the entire community coming together for an evening of local support. Local clubs could have bake sales, offer carry-out services. Local churches could each take a street corner for caroling. Some of the abandoned buildings could be cleaned and opened for hobby merchants to have a warm place to set up shop for the night.
Neosho has what they call Dickens on the Square every year before Christmas, the shops on the square are open, they dress up like Dickens time, there are carriage rides, vendors, crafts and it all ends up with the Christmas parade in the dark. It's pretty cool.
There has been a Farmer's Market on the courthouse lawn. Not too long ago, either. You have to get permission from the county commissioners to do it We used to get some very good produce from the local gardeners there.
Quote from: Wilma on April 10, 2009, 11:05:03 AM
There has been a Farmer's Market on the courthouse lawn. Not too long ago, either. You have to get permission from the county commissioners to do it We used to get some very good produce from the local gardeners there.
Hmm I know that the town i came from had one setup off the square, down one of the streets near the city park. They let us park along the side of the park and setup tables and sell out of our vehicles. We paid 8 dollars a month for a permit to vend there, and we got to setup thurs - sat every week.
Might be a opportunity folks could setup as a weekly event.
Here's what I know.
You can set up on the courthouse lawn for a farmer's market on Saturdays. Most folks who do choose the NW corner where it's well shaded. Some set up tables and others sell off their pickup tailgates. The Chamber asks the county commissioners for permission and they have never refused. There is no charge to sell. I do think it needs a little more marketing (advertisement); what I've heard is that the previous several years folks' produce just has not been as plentiful as before so participation has tapered off.
Tobina! Are you at all interested in being part of Chamber of Commerce? We've been discussing improvement of our Christmas celebration and it sounds like you have some really great ideas & energy to put toward it. Let me know, seriously. Even if you don't want to be a member but are still willing to help organize something ~ I'll go out on a limb and say we'll be happy to take what ever help you would offer... (though we'd be thrilled to have your membership too!)
Quote from: Joanna on April 10, 2009, 06:29:39 PM
Here's what I know.
You can set up on the courthouse lawn for a farmer's market on Saturdays. Most folks who do choose the NW corner where it's well shaded. Some set up tables and others sell off their pickup tailgates. The Chamber asks the county commissioners for permission and they have never refused. There is no charge to sell. I do think it needs a little more marketing (advertisement); what I've heard is that the previous several years folks' produce just has not been as plentiful as before so participation has tapered off.
Tobina! Are you at all interested in being part of Chamber of Commerce? We've been discussing improvement of our Christmas celebration and it sounds like you have some really great ideas & energy to put toward it. Let me know, seriously. Even if you don't want to be a member but are still willing to help organize something ~ I'll go out on a limb and say we'll be happy to take what ever help you would offer... (though we'd be thrilled to have your membership too!)
Hi Joanna hows marty?
Heres another idea. There appears to be quite a few local artisans here. Why not hold a festival. It would accomplish a couple things. folks could market their wares and it would draw tourists in and inject some cash into the economy. Kinda like a big flea market. Cordon off main street and setup where folks could walk down through there and shop in the vendors tables. Main businesses would also benefit from it too.
Pick a theme for the festival. Dahlonega GA has one every year called Gold rush. It celebrates dahlonega being the first Gold Rush in America back in 1830's. I think the last count they had over 300,000 visitors over the two days of gold rush.
Dahlonega used to be a dead town so to speak, the only thing keeping it alive was the military college there. Then they started this festival and it grew and grew big!
We could have a brick street festival because Howard was one of the first towns to have pave roads from the train depot to downtown.
We could extend the yellow brick road from Sedan to Elk County at $50 a brick. They use the money to better the school systems.
Name a light pole, fence post, or street sign with a brass plaque for something else to steal and recycle. It would be a very green effort.
Sell corporate sponsorships for the side of the easter eggs. You are the owners you might as well have a GM chocolate bunny.
I have a novel idea to generate locate sales.
How about just buy something locally.
Happy Easter.
Happy Easter to you, Patrick...Keep up the good work. ;)
Quote from: pepelect on April 12, 2009, 11:27:31 AM
We could have a brick street festival because Howard was one of the first towns to have pave roads from the train depot to downtown.
We could extend the yellow brick road from Sedan to Elk County at $50 a brick. They use the money to better the school systems.
Might consider doing that if fed govt doesn't have control of the local school. Can't save the school as long as its part of the Dept of ED
QuoteI have a novel idea to generate locate sales.
How about just buy something locally.
Happy Easter.
Doesn't draw in the folks from other counties. You can only do so much with local sales.
[/quote]
Steve; we already have a local festival where you can "peddle your wares", for free! It's call the Elk River Festival and is in September. All you have to do it let Joanna know you want a space on the courthouse lawn, and then get there early to stake your location out. I have set up shop 3 years now, and it is fun. The most popular booth is the lady who brings canned veggies, fresh baked breads, and other homemade items. We had some discussion on here last fall about how to make the traffic to the booths easier and better. Advertisement (paper, on Hwy 99, and on Hwy 400) were the best ideas.
I would agree about having a farmer's market, even just once a month. Again, biggest hurdle is advertisement! Get the word out! We not only need to support the local businesses, but we need to figure out a way to DRAW people in from outside the county!
Oh, BTW, all the other towns have festivals, too... Elk Falls Outhouse Festival (set up a booth in the community building), Longton has Blues concert (I think, but not sure about selling items at booths), Grenola also has an Octoberfest that I think you can set up booths, and even Severy has the Labor Day festival (again, not sure about booths), and Moline has Crazy Days in June. I imagine you could at least park your truck somewhere in town and get a lot of traffic during each of these festivals, even if there isn't an arranged craft/artist fair going on.
Joanna; thanks for the invite to Chamber... I think I'll have my hands full this fall, though. I'm always good for random ideas, though.
Tobina... ;D "random" seems to be a new buzz-word and... it's a good thing! Ha!
Chamber has talked about a lot of the things brought up here; sometimes things get pushed to the back burner or forgotten and other times there are just no volunteers to organize things. Many times the folks who are 'Doers' are 'doing' all they can or have been 'doing' it for so long they are burned out of energy and ideas ~ and others are wary of jumping in the same boat
:P go ahead, groan at my mixed metaphores :P
Good news though; I feel like we are in a place in the 'circle of life' that is an upswing in participation and community spirit! More people are active in events besides school and church (though those are certainly worthy of time & attention too). My point is, life is really good here in South East Kansas and I hope we're all making the best of it.
I will try to do more to improve the Howard Chamber's information and PR for the Farmer's Market. I think it is a great thing and if my garden goes well I'll check into selling (I always participate as a buyer ~ can't resist!). Probably will need to quiz some of you on tips for that, but your input is part of what I use the Forum for...
I'll also make more of an effort to promote the Elk River Festival (last Saturday in September) so more people will know about the availability of booth space. There are a lot of different activities going on that day and we do try to promote them all, but it is inevitable that some get overshoadowed.
Joanna, I thought the River Festival was later in September. The first Saturday would be close to Labor Day or is that the intention?
You're right Wilma, I meant the last Saturday. I modified my post so that it wouldn't come back to bite me later ;D
OK, another random idea, but it does go with this thread topic...
So not sure how many of you travel North on Hwy 99 up through Olpe, but they have a sign that is sponsored by the Lion's club (that's the shield that's on the base of the sign) where they announce ALL community activities on it. And you can't miss it driving through town, either. It's a rock base with one of those signs that have the light behind it and you put letters on it (like the one at Toots without the flashing arrow on top). The annoucements I've seen range from school activities to church pancake feeds, and other town events.
So, I think the perfect place for one of these in Howard is the lot between P&J's and the car wash. I also think this would be a good location for a business directory, too. Point people towards downtown from the highway and advertise what businesses are there! DRAW people in! People filling up at P&J's might just take some time to look at the sign and then drive downtown.
Yes, I know we have the "welcome to Howard" sign coming from the North, and I know some people went to a lot of work on it, but it's NOT eye catching at all. And no where is there a place to advertise what's going on. From the South, there's a sign "somewhere" about the Elk River festival, but again, not eye catching and in a random place.
I also think this would be a good idea for the school. They already have a sign that says West Elk High school, but I rarely see events posted on it. Plus, it's too far from the road to see very well, and it's not at a good angle to read as you drive by.
WEll the perfect place for a farmers market would be on the highway. But then you don't get the shade trees and such.
When I say this, I'm not being a smart alec, honest. Where are the people who you want to draw in? From other local counties, on the way to and from somewhere farther? Do you want Howard to be a destination or a casual drop by? You really do need more advertising out there. You have so few people that you are competing with every little town for the people who pass by. Maybe some day you can have your wind farm, balloon and kite festival.
Quote from: Diane Amberg on April 14, 2009, 10:29:03 AM
When I say this, I'm not being a smart alec, honest. Where are the people who you want to draw in? From other local counties, on the way to and from somewhere farther? Do you want Howard to be a destination or a casual drop by? You really do need more advertising out there. You have so few people that you are competing with every little town for the people who pass by. Maybe some day you can have your wind farm, balloon and kite festival.
Well i can say this much. If a festival were unique to the county, then you would draw in everyone. The town i mentioned dahlonega had their gold rush festival every year, the week or two before Helen Ga had the octoberfest since it is a german village. North of that town is blairsville which has the sorgham festival every spring and fall, west of that town is ellijay georgia which has the apple harvest festival every november the week after dahlonegas gold rush.
These towns are packed full of people during these festivals, to the tune of 300,000 people plus and these counties their in have less than 15,000 people in the county.
Festivals draw folks from the larger towns.
So the key is for each town to come up with different themes.
OK. Severy has a Labor Day celebration that lasts 3 days. Howard has the River Festival and a fair and the city-wide garage sales twice a year. Moline has their Crazy Days festival and the 4th of July rodeo. Grenola has something that I don't remember what it is called and Longton has a fair and several other celebrations during the year. Elk Falls is becoming very well known for it's Outhouse Festival. Beaumont has something to do about the historic railroad water tower that is still there.
What we need is more advertising so more people from further away would be aware that there is something interesting going on. But they would still have lots of miles to travel to get to any of them. Our little towns are too far apart and too far from populated areas to depend on crowds from the big cities.
You're right Steve. We do have a very "unique" festival that brings in bus-loads of people from Tulsa and Wichita and carloads of people from everywhere else... the Outhouse Festival in Elk Falls! I've been a couple years ago and it was amazing how many people came to that festival to look at "shit houses"! (Excuse my language!) :angel: I didn't go last year, so it may have changed, but the craft fair part was in the old community building, and I didn't stay for long... the musty-ness of the gym was almost unbearable. But quite a few people set up outside the building as well as downtown along the streets. Again, I don't think it costs anything to have a booth there, and you would get a lot of exposure!
As for Howard's Elk River Fest, it's getting much better. I think that signs and ads in other newspapers around the area (and in Wichita) will really help the event. Especially this year when people are going to be looking for more "homemade" items, I think. Many people drive miles to go to craft fairs (my hand in the air), and if they go and determine it's a good one, the news spreads fast. Fact is (from my experience), not many local people buy stuff at a local craft fair. So that's why it's important (almost more important) to advertise OUTSIDE the county to bring in more people.
As for a "draw" to the Elk River Fest... when Patrick gets his chicken butt out of the grocery coolers and tries out our "tanking" idea down the river... we might have a real fun event! :P
chicken butt????? Really.....I build you a redneck hot tub and you don't even use then you call me chicken butt. I bet I have been in that river more in the last forty years than you have been in the tank.
I consistantly wear the "TANK" attire winter and summer just to promote your redneck event but you don't even care
Speaking of grocery coolers..... How about a freeze out. We used to do it in the ice cold spring waters at Rock Springs Ranch at 4-H camp. The water temp was about 45 but we were young and stupid. The object was to have two teams usually boys tent against a girls tent sit in the icey water and the last to get up wins. We could do the same thing but in the walkin freezer. Take a dip in the red neck hot tub first to get drenched then in to the freezer. First to come out is a chicken butt. Last to come out gets a free vacation provide by our own Zimmerman Funeral Home.
What every happened to the skid loader olympics? I was looking forward to that one.
Off the subject but have you got any good prairie fire pictures?
Wahoo! I knew that'd get a good rise out of you! I was worried that I'd get hi-jacked in the grocery store, but made it in and out with no incident this afternoon.
Yes, we know about your "TANK" attire. It's a good thing... (zip lips, not getting into that hairy discussion)... :-X
Well, if you wanted to test the tanking this time of year, I'm sure you'd have a freeze out, for sure. I still wonder how they do it in Nebraska; it's quite popular.
Hey, skid loader olympics is still an option. We could have a timed event of "dilapidated house tear-down". Think the city would give us a reprieve on the dump charges?
Still... need the ads...
No, no fire picts. I was out of town the day they "tried" burning the big hill. Not very successful this year. Lots of fires out there today... grab your tank (both kinds) and camera!
I need to burn my yard....Bring your "TANK" to put out the house siding.
Next year the ranch should offer fire tours when they burn off the flint hills. It should start out way south/north depending on the direction of the wind and ends up 12-15 hours later in the next county. Pack a trail lunch/dinner/breakfast/lunch for the second day and you are off. It is a great way to experience the flinthills. You would never say Kansas is flat after such an event. We could give out gunny sacks and 5 gallon buckets with maps of the area on the side. The hotter the bucket gets the harder it is to read. You could almost make a snipe hunt out of it.
I'll bet free lodging could be arranged for anyone bringing in a singed Crotalus flintauquaes ;)
??? And Joanna called MY ideas random? ??? (Actually, I did; she just agreed.) :P
A link for those interested in promoting the farmer's market better:
http://www.cfra.org/newsletter/2009/03/farm-bill-programs-you-your-community-direct-farmer-consumer-marketing (http://www.cfra.org/newsletter/2009/03/farm-bill-programs-you-your-community-direct-farmer-consumer-marketing)
It speaks to a grant program from USDA to help link local grown food with local consumers. Probably too late to get an app in this year, but something to look into. This site explains the program a little and links to the actual grant site. The grants aren't to individuals, but a coop of local farmers, a local government, or a local not-for-profit (i.e. Chamber, Foundation, etc.) can apply for funds.
No promises, but I could be convinced to help write an application, although it would be from afar.
Charles
Quote from: Flintauqua on April 15, 2009, 05:43:33 PM
A link for those interested in promoting the farmer's market better:
http://www.cfra.org/newsletter/2009/03/farm-bill-programs-you-your-community-direct-farmer-consumer-marketing (http://www.cfra.org/newsletter/2009/03/farm-bill-programs-you-your-community-direct-farmer-consumer-marketing)
It speaks to a grant program from USDA to help link local grown food with local consumers. Probably too late to get an app in this year, but something to look into. This site explains the program a little and links to the actual grant site. The grants aren't to individuals, but a coop of local farmers, a local government, or a local not-for-profit (i.e. Chamber, Foundation, etc.) can apply for funds.
No promises, but I could be convinced to help write an application, although it would be from afar.
Charles
Sigh you know something, it sounds nice, but theres a price to pay for borrowing from the devil. :(
I am afraid if you accept grant money then your subject to whatever federal rules they wish to impose. I am very hesitant about subjecting myself and what i do to federal regulations just to get a buck.
Why would you need grant money for a farmers' market? I'm scratching my head here, trying to figure out how grant money could be used at a farmers' market? A small fee to sell should be enough to pay for any advertiseing, and I suspect that even that would not be needed since that is a service for the people of the county. Most local papers are more than happy to post those events free of charge. ??? ???
I GIVE UP
GOODBYE!
Quitter...... This doesn't sound like a ad in the newspaper.....this process seems very undaunting the things they want on the grant are:
1. Development of new electronic benefit transfer (EBT) programs to use for federal nutrition programs at farmers markets.
2. Training and educational programs for new direct farm marketers on the benefits, challenges, and logistics of agricultural direct marketing in a given region. Topics could include small business development, marketing techniques, identifying market opportunities, or mentoring programs for women, minorities, immigrant, transitioning, and new farmers. Remember to focus on recruitment and retention of new farmers to participate at farmers markets and other direct-to-consumer farm marketing outlets.
3. Development of professional expertise for farmers market managers, farmers/vendors, boards, and organizations to effectively manage and/or operate farmers markets and other direct marketing enterprises.
4. Eligible applicants include farmer-owned cooperatives, nonprofits, agricultural cooperatives, local governments, economic development corporations, regional farmers market authorities, public benefit corporations and Tribal Governments.
The minimum award per grant is $2,500, and the maximum is $100,000. An applicant is limited to no more than one grant in a grant-funding year. Applications must be postmarked no later than April 27, 2009.
This sounds like fun.
Thanks Patrick, but I think I will pass. ;)
I thought some of you might find this article of interest, it is on a bigger scale than what you might be looking for but the idea is a lot the same. Bartlesville has a Farmer's Market every Saturday in a park downtown, starting in May or June and running into the fall.
We like to drive down to it almost every Saturday to see what they have. It appears to be pretty sucessful. I think Howard could make it a successful venture if you can add some entertainment or other drawing card and get the word out to people from Wichita and surrounding areas. I think you would be surprised how many people like to do a Saturday drive to someplace of interest. This weekend is the Sand Springs Oklahoma Herb Festival and it will draw a huge crowd, in fact I think we will drive down just to see what they have.
Farmers bring goods to market
Broken Arrow's new Farmers Market is set in a Vision 2025-funded plaza-pavilion.
A Broken Arrow Parks Department crew works Wednesday to get the city's new farmers market plaza ready for its Thursday debut. TIM STANLEY/ Tulsa World
By TIM STANLEY World Staff Writer
Published: 4/16/2009 2:27 AM
Last Modified: 4/16/2009 3:58 AM
BROKEN ARROW — With several years for interest to take root, the time could not be more ripe, officials say, for unveiling an attraction they hope will bring in a new crop of visitors to downtown.
The city's long-anticipated Farmers Market on Main is set to debut Thursday in the Vision 2025-funded plaza-pavilion that was built especially to accommodate it.
The city-run market — 418 S. Main St. in downtown Broken Arrow — will be open for four hours each Thursday and Saturday through Oct. 17, said David Blue, city special events coordinator.
"This has pretty much consumed my life the last three months," said Blue, who will manage the market.
"There's a lot of interest. It's been one of the biggest buzzes in Broken Arrow for a long time."
Construction on the $1.7 million market plaza was completed in 2008 with funding from the city's Vision 2025 allotment. The city received $3.9 million for downtown improvements from the countywide sales tax, which was passed in 2003.
The market was originally scheduled to open last spring, but delays, including acquisition of an adjacent railroad right-of-way, forced officials to push it back.
Blue said the city is not depending on the market to generate revenue. The goal, rather, is to draw more people to Broken Arrow, specifically the city's often overlooked downtown area.
"Surveys have shown that there are a lot of our own residents that don't know we have a downtown," Blue said. "We hope they will come down for this and see that there's also retail here and places to dine."
Downtown merchants are optimistic about the prospects.
"Anything that's good for the city is going to be good for us," said Kay Vaughn, owner of Fashion Floors & More. "We've had people asking about this for a long time."
It's still early for many growers, so Blue expects the market to start slowly and gain momentum.
He has already booked all 26 spaces available under the two pavilions, but many are for summer growers.
Visitors Thursday and this weekend can expect to find herbs, flower baskets, starter plants for new gardeners, jams and jellies, salsas, bread, and possibly some types of vegetables, Blue said.
As an "Oklahoma Grown" market, no produce grown outside of Oklahoma will be offered, he said, and all products must have an Oklahoma connection.
The market will offer live music on Thursday evenings June through September, Blue said.
The market is next to the city's new historical museum. A grand opening for the museum is scheduled for June 6.
BA Farmers Market on Main
Address: 418 S. Main St.
i don't know how many of y all hvae been to New orleans, but years ago i went there several times hauling freight down to the docks. New Orleans has one street dedicated for fresh food and produce. Its called market street. They have a covered pole barn like setup with tables under it the length of the street. its pretty kool to see that and how busy it is along with the traffic flowing down the road.
you can pretty much get anything you want on that street.
And all this just because a few gardeners want to share their surplus with the community while getting a few pennies for their efforts.
The times that we were able to buy anything at Howard's farmer's market were rare as they were usually sold out before we got there.
It would be different if someone had a truck garden and was using the farmer's market to make their garden profitable.
Personally, I would like to have some fresh, really fresh, sweet corn, vine ripened tomatoes, a watermelon that wasn't picked too soon.
Wilma, I think there is a good possibility that if Howard had a Farmer's Market, more people would get involved and plan, plant and harvest to participate in it. They would get involved for more than just the money, I think they would get involved for the fun, involvement and to show off their abilitity to produce better and more produce. I have talked to people at Farmer's markets and a lot of them say they do it for a hobby, for the fun of meeting people and to grow more and better than their neighbors.
The last farmer's market I remember was when Elwood Miller and Vince and Mildred Nelson were bringing their produce in. It was a time to visit with old friends and neighbors. It wasn't heavily attended but the farmers usually sold out. I wonder if any of our local gardeners would be interested in planting enough to make a Farmer's Market more of a business than just a way to dispose of surplus.
You can add to beets, green beans and turnips to my list of wants.
Wilma, I think there could be more involvement, giving the current economic times. Some Farmers Markets invite arts and crafts as well, people that have made Bird houses, Bird feeders, furniture, and other crafts,plus flowers, plants etc. I think the big thing is to avoid or restrict the selling of junk, garage sale items etc.
We are planning on planting a garden beside the daycare. Roland has tilled it once, and it needs it again before we can even start. WE are a little late on planting, but if you have seen the size that he tilled I think we will have plenty. We had a wonderful canteloupe and watermelon patch last year. And just gave away or traded to others around town. My only concern is that I am not a real good gardener. I can wait to plant things and have fresh produce for the daycare. That is my main goal, but if by chance I have extra stuff, I have no problem bringing them to a farmers market. I remember Elwood was well know for wonderful Sweet potatoes. When I worked at Toot's years ago, he would always bring them out and share with all.
Wilma, by any chance do you have a pickled beet recipe? My cousin called and wanted to know if I had my grandma Knights recipe. She canned the most wonderful ones!! I loved them. I don't have it, but someone on here might be able to help. DeeGee by chance would your wonderful wife have one. It might be close. I am also going to call my Aunt to see, but any help would be appreciated!!
Angie, I don't think I ever used a recipe for pickled beets. My mother and grandmother just used vinegar, sugar and pickling spices to taste and that is the way I always did it. I am sure someone can come up with a good one.
Another thing that I would not like to see at a Farmer's market is shipped in produce. I wouldn't be comfortable with the thought that something might be contaminated. I don't feel that way about locally grown. It is bad enough with what I buy at stores. I feel that it needs to be washed with soap and water, then boiled to be sure it isn't contaminated. Actually, I can no longer eat much raw fruits or vegetables, so the cooking decontaminates them.
Maybe we could have a book stall for the bestseller's that I don't feel I can sell at a garage sale for what they are worth.
Flintaqua; PM me; I have some questions about grants.
Thanks,
Tobina
Our son sent this link, it's a different twist on community garden. It would take a large facility, but it's good seed for thought.
http://ksu.craigslist.org/for/1144905202.html
http://ksu.craigslist.org/for/1144905202.html ...guess you'll have to cut & paste, it won't turn blue for me ???
Oh, it worked after I posted. Guess I'm just a little impatient.