Reminder: As of today we have switched to Saturday workdays instead of Sundays. Hope to see you there!

So, the chili for Sunday’s lunch was a hit. I recieved several requests for the recpipe; here it is! The recipe is actually originally vegetarian, so the beef can be ommitted. And don’t forget the key ingredient to any recipe: LOVE!

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2.5 cups onions, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2.5 cups butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1/2” peices
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• one to three 15 ounce cans black beans, depending on how beany you are feeling, rinsed and drained
• 1 pound ground beef, give or take a pound, depening on how beefy you are or aren’t feeling
• 2.5 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 14 ounce can diced tomatoes in juice
• 3 cups packed coarsely diced chard

Preparation:

In a skillet, brown the ground beef over medium high heat; set aside.  In a large, heavy stock pot, heat oil over medium high heat.  Add onions and garlic and saute until tender and golden, about 9 minutes.  Add the squash, cumin and chili; stir for 2 minutes.  Stir in the beans, broth, beef, and tomotoes in juice.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until the squash is tender, about 15 minutes.  Stir in the chard and simmer until the chard is tender but still green.  Serve hot with some corn bread; preferable on a rainy day, but delicious in all weather!

We have 2 major schedule changes this holiday season:

1. All Workdays and Harvests from Dec 22 – Dec 27 are cancelled.
2. Starting Jan 2nd our Sunday Workdays will switch to Saturdays.

This means that this coming Sunday is our very last Sunday workday of the year (and ever)! See our calendar page for a complete list of upcoming workdays and events.

Happy Holidays!

This is just a quick note to let you know that the workday is happening today, even though we will get rained on a little bit. It looks like the rain today will be on and off, and if it gets too heavy for a little while we can huddle in the greenhouse or under our canopy. Otherwise there is lots of important work to get done today, so put on your rain gear and come on out.

And even if you don’t come to the workday, please do still join us in the Meeting Hall for our Volunteer Appreciation Lunch at 12:30! The Meeting Hall is in the front of the park across from the white farm house.

Join us for a showing of The Garden (movie) at Barefoot Coffee on Dec 15th at 7pm. We are taking part in Barefoot’s Terra Madre Week:

“December 10th marks the 20th anniversary of the Slow Food movement, a group of farmers, food artisans, producers and thinkers that work towards agricultural sustainability and the preservation of traditional foodways and forms. In commemoration and in support, Barefoot is celebrating Terra Madre Month, a collection of workshops, film screenings and fundraising, benefiting the CAFF’s Farm to School Program in Santa Clara”

About the Movie

The fourteen-acre community garden at 41st and Alameda in South Central Los Angeles is the largest of its kind in the United States. Started as a form of healing after the devastating L.A. riots in 1992, the South Central Farmers have since created a miracle in one of the country’s most blighted neighborhoods. Growing their own food. Feeding their families. Creating a community.

But now, bulldozers are poised to level their 14-acre oasis.

The Garden follows the plight of the farmers, from the tilled soil of this urban farm to the polished marble of City Hall. Mostly immigrants from Latin America, from countries where they feared for their lives if they were to speak out, we watch them organize, fight back, and demand answers:

Why was the land sold to a wealthy developer for millions less than fair-market value? Why was the transaction done in a closed-door session of the LA City Council? Why has it never been made public?

And the powers-that-be have the same response: “The garden is wonderful, but there is nothing more we can do.”

If everyone told you nothing more could be done, would you give up?

Continue reading Showing The Garden at Barefoot Coffee Dec 15th

A great new video about Veggielution, by  film student Roberto Araujo. We enjoyed Roberto’s visits to the farm, he even brought his family a couple of times. Thanks Roberto!

After our Sunday workday, join us in celebrating all of YOU with a big lunch, music, games, and time to enjoy our Veggielution community. This is a great time to introduce Veggielution to any friends or family, everyone is welcome! We will also be welcoming your input as to how the farm runs, what crops you would like to see planted, and future workshop ideas. Come out for the work day and plan to stay for the party. YOU make Veggielution happen!

Date: Sunday December 13, 2009

Where: Emma Prusch Farm Park Meeting Hall

Time: After our workday 12:30-2:00 pm

Continue reading Growing Thymes: December 2009 Newsletter

Domingo (Sunday), Nov. 1, 2009

Location: Mi Pueblo (King & Story Road) San Jose, CA

The upcoming Dia de los Muertos Ceremony will take place right near the Veggielution farm at King and Story Road near Prusch Park. The event is sponsored by Calpulli Tonalehqueh, the Aztec dance group that participated in our groundbreaking ceremony last June and whose members have been part of the farm all through the summer.

Dia de los Muertos is a very important ceremony for our neighborhood, so we hope that many of you can come out, participate in this event and be a part of the community!

Invitando al publico que abra champurrado y pan de muerto.
Open to the Public, Champurrado & Pan de Muerto provided by Mi Pueblo.

Evento familiar y que es al aire libre por favor traiga su propia silla.
This is a family event & will be outside, please bring your own seat.

4:00 – 6:00 PM: Momoztli (Altar)
6:30 – 7:00 PM: Teatro Familia Aztlan
7:00 – 9:00 PM: Danza Azteca

Mas/More Info: Calpulli Tonalehqueh, 408.510.1377, Voluntarios de la Comunidad 408.203.1696
www.aztecadancers.com and www.myspace.com/calpullitonalehqueh

Sunset’s Blog Fresh Dirt has written a great little piece on Veggielution! Read it here.