Geneva Green Market: Geneva, Illinois – A Local Food Green Farmers Market

Community Supported Agriculture consists of a community of individuals who pledge support to a farm operation so that the farmland becomes, either legally or spiritually, the community’s farm, with the growers and consumers providing mutual support and sharing the risks and benefits of food production.

Typically, members or “share-holders” of the farm or garden pledge in advance to cover the anticipated costs of the farm operation and farmer’s salary. In return, they receive shares in the farm’s bounty throughout the growing season, as well as satisfaction gained from reconnecting to the land and participating directly in food production. Members also share in the risks of farming, including poor harvests due to unfavorable weather or pests. By direct sales to community members, who have provided the farmer with working capital in advance, growers receive better prices for their crops, gain some financial security, and are relieved of much of the burden of marketing. Read more

Micheal Pollan was recently a featured gust on on point with Tom Ashbrook, discussing his latest work –  Food Rules.

Pollan says that inspiration for his latest work came from a doctor-actually, a couple of them. ”They had read my last book, ‘In Defense of Food’, which ended with a handful of tips for eating well: simple ways to navigate the treacherous landscape of modern food and the often-confusing science of nutrition. “What I would love is a pamphlet I could hand to my patients with some rules for eating wisely,” they would say. “I don’t have time for the big nutrition lecture and, anyway, they really don’t need to know what an antioxidant is in order to eat wisely.” Pollan listened.

Listen to the complete interview On Point with Tom Ashbrook: Michael Pollen on food rules for a better life. Pollan’s previous works include “In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto”, “The Omnivore’s Dilemma”. “Second Nature” and “A Place of My Own” and is a regular contributer to the New York Times Magazine.

Brine recipe: http://www.moveablefeastgeneva.com/menus/TurkeyBrine.pdf

For more information go to Moveable Feast.

Who: Terra Brockman, Author
What: Book Signing
When: Saturday, December 19th 2009
Where: Community Winter Market at Inglenook Pantry, 11 N 5th St Geneva IL 60134

Terra Brockman was raised in central Illinois, where four generations of her family have farmed. Terra’s younger brother, Henry, grows 650 varieties of vegetables on about 12 acres (between Peoria and Bloomington). There, he and his family with apprentices have bucked the traditional agribusiness conventional wisdom by farming in a way that’s sensible, sustainable and focused on producing healthy, nutritious food that doesn’t damage the land.

Terra Brockman tells the story of her family and their life on the farm in the form of a year-long memoir that takes the reader through each season of life on the farm.

For more information about Terra Brockman or her book, please visit her website at www.terrabrockman.com

Community Winter Market at Inglenook Pantry
11 N 5th St
Geneva IL 60134
630-377-0373
http://www.genevagreenmarket.org/directions

Who: OnPath Financial, LLC

When: Thursday, November 19, 6:00pm – 9:30pm

Where: Heritage Prairie Farm, 2N308 Brundige Road, Elburn Illinois 60119 (map)

OnPath Finanical, LLC welcomes you to a night of “Responsible Living” Thursdsay, November 19th at 6:00 p.m. at Heritage Prairie Farm. Enjoy live music, a locally-grown dinner, and tour of the farm. Sit with friends at a community table or the warm campfire while the sun sets over the fields as you discover ways to promote a responsible society from the way you eat to the way you invest.

Cost: $15 per person and can be paid the night of the dinner.

RSVP: Please RSVP by November 9th to Bob Leoni at 630-584-8100 or bleoni [at] onpathfinancial [dot] com.

On Saturday, September 19, 2009, the Geneva Green Market will hosting a free outdoor presentation of the documentary “Fresh” for the Fox River Valley: Elgin, South Elgin, St Charles, Geneva, Batavia and Aurora, IL at RiverPark in Geneva. The GGM invites the public to come at 7:00 p.m. to get settled in with blankets. Desserts will be available for purchase by the Inglenook Pantry. Proceeds from the dessert sales will go to the Geneva Green Market, NFP.

The event is part of our on-going commitment to food education, it’s free and open the public – this film focus’ on the importance of eating healthier, locally grown food. Those in attendance will learn about the importance of local food and how they can incorporate this into their daily lives and participate locally in their communities – from backyard gardening, family farms to farmers markets. It will be a lively and fun evening for all!

• Who:      Geneva Green Market
• What:     Fresh, a documentary film
• When:    September 19, 2009, seating starts 6:30, screening at 7:30 p.m.
• Where:   RiverPark, 75 North River Lane, Geneva IL, 60134
• Cost:      Free

Join in The GGM membership! Your contributions support educational programs, lectures and the commitment to the health-giving nature of locally grown food, sustainability and conservation of resources. Your contribution also helps support the free Kids corner and Chef demos at the market and your individual membership includes a range of benefits that are feature below.

• Seed Membership ($25 or more donation) – you will receive a coffee mug/GGM discount card – honored at concurring businesses/events.  Membership Specials.
• Planting Membership ($50 or more donation) – the above membership and  $10 off the each lecture/workshop/class you choice during the 2009 season.
• Sprouting Membership ($100 or more donation) – the above membership and a lunch for two at the Geneva Green Market.
• Growing Membership ($250 or more donation) – the above membership and (20% off home cooking demonstration by Jennifer Downing, Nourish) Learn useful cooking techniques with locally grown food.
• Harvest Membership ($500 or more donation) – the above membership and a basket filled the freshest products from the Geneva Green Market
• Geneva Green Market Benefactor ($1000 or more donation)  – the above membership and will receive a dinner for two at Niche Restaurant in Geneva. (Excludes alcohol and gratuity)

Mission Statement
Geneva Green Market, a non-for profit distributional and educational association which:

• Promotes the sale of locally produced products from local family farms and local food producers who provide freshness, biodiversity, the highest quality organic/sustainable food and the basis of regional cuisine.
• Provides an educational forum for consumers to learn the uses and benefits of quality, locally grown or prepared food products. To establish an appreciation of nutritional value of produce and to provide more flavor, freshness and variety of locally grown product.
• Preserves the environment for future generations while improving the quality of food.
• Supports a partnership between local chefs, farmers, producers and merchants to mutually enhance, develop, and promote the local food economy.
• Promotes the green community, and become the town crier of the events of the Fox River Valley.
• Creates partnerships with other non-for profits organizations that promote green living, preservation of our natural resources, gardening information, and other aligned interests.

Thus far the Geneva Green Market, NFP is entirely run by volunteers. Unlike other farmers’ markets, we only charge our vendors a minimal donation fee that goes towards necessary expenses. This helps our vendors remain economically viable. In time we hope to build up membership enough to support a salaried market manager position to help the Geneva Green Market run smoothly for years to come. Serving on the board of directors for the Geneva Green Market, NFP are Karen Start, president, Connie Weaver, co-founder, Georgine Bosak, treasurer, Diana Morin, secretary, Trisha Margulies, member, Ted Richter, farmer, Beth Propst, farmer, Jennifer Downing, chef, Jennifer Echert, member. This not-for-profit group of volunteers seeks to educate and support the community in their efforts to eat locally.

To join the GGM,NFP membership click here to email or send email to info [at] genevagreenmarket [dot] org or call 630-208-9321

Join a Kane County Master Gardener to learn the secrets of the compost pile. After this one-hour presentation you’ll be ready start your own compost bin.

Brought to you by the Geneva Green Market, NFP membership

• Who:    Phil Woolley of the Kane County Extension
• Where:    Inglenook Pantry, 11 North Fifth Street, Geneva IL
• When:    Thursday, May 28, 2009
• Time:    6:45 pm to 8:15 pm
• Cost:    Free to Member, Non-Member $10 per person

Sign up by emailing genevagreenmarket [at] gmail [dot] com – class title/date, give your name, email and phone number. Membership information can be found at www.genevagreenmarket.org/about-us

In this informative discussion, learn what herbs can be grown in the home garden and used to keep you healthy.  Learn medicinal actions and ways to prepare herbs for use.

Herbs will be available for purchase by Erehwon Farms. Brought to you by the Geneva Green Market, NFP membership.

• Who:    Dr. Jennifer Echert, ND of Berkanaway
• Where:    Inglenook Panty, 11 North Fifth Street, Geneva IL
• When:    Tuesday, May 26, 2009
• Time:    6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
• Cost:    Member $10 per person, Non-Member $20 per person

A drawing will be held for an herb plant that will help you with your health all summer long.

Heritage Prairie Farm Camp for Kids – don’t miss out on the opportunity to enroll your child in hands on experiences that give children the knowledge to begin his or her journey into understanding food and farming, tolerance and self-respect, community and responsibility. Children will have fun while experiencing productive and worthwhile work, in turn feeling a sense of accomplishment. Our peaceful and engaging environment is a great place for new friends and experiences with our knowledgeable and friendly staff. Sign up today!

Camps for ages 7 – 12: Camps run for 2 weeks, Monday thru Thursday 9:00 a.m. – Noon

Garden Explorers: (July 21 – 24 & July 28 – 31) *Sign up by this Friday!*

In this fun outdoor camp children will experience planning, preparing, and planting a garden. We will get our hands into soil testing and bug exploration, as well as the life cycle of plants; from a seed to seedling to a full grown plant. The campers will experiment planting with seeds, transplants, fruits, and trees. Enroll your child now and lay down the roots of life with the hands on, fun, and educational experience of Heritage Prairie’s Garden Explorers Camp.

Fun With Food: (August  4 – 7 & August 11 – 14)

Campers will harvest ingredients from the ground and then engage all five senses with the art of cooking. Campers will be evolved in the processes of cooking from helping select ingredients to measuring, mixing, cooking, and then of course sampling. Also, your child will become a certified food detective and learn how to make healthy food selections while shopping in the grocery store. We want to connect children to their food and to their community by introducing food system maps, which cover important social, economical and environmental concepts. Where does my food come from? How does it get here? Who am I really paying? How do my choices effect others and the environment? As a grand finale, we will take a field trip to the Geneva Green City Farmers Market and experience local farmers and local buyers.

Camps for ages 4 – 6: Camps run for 1 week, Monday thru Thursday 9:00 a.m. – Noon

Farm Critters: (July 21 – 24) *Sign up by this Friday!*

Campers will experience and explore the animal life on the farm. Come and join in the fun of the feeding, care, and responsibilities involving the animals on our farm.

Nature Crafts: (July 28 – 31)

Using nature as our inspiration and palette, campers will enjoy making creative functional items as well as original works of art. Campers will learn about famous artists as well as discovering the artist within.

Budding Farmers: (August 4-7)

Children will enjoy the outdoors while learning responsibility and sensitivity to the natural world. Activities will include animal care, picking vegetables and flowers, stories, games and crafts.

Garden Explorers: (August 11-14)

This camp is all about getting your hands dirty and having fun! Campers will join in with peers and counselors planting, weeding, and harvesting gardens throughout the farm. Learn about the bugs in and around the farm, and dig into composting.

See attached for registration forms, pricing, and detailed descriptions.
Download a registration form here
For a printable brochure of camp programs, click here.

Heritage Prairie Market
hpmfarm.com
630-443-8253