Tom Philpott strikes again.....

The first entry, "Food is Trendy" is pretty funny.
http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2008/12/22/141131/01 I had to look up wonk......
From what I can see, the backlash against local is fairly evident close to places like Boulder. However, good, clean, chem-free food cannot be called a trend. It's here to stay.

The 2nd entry isn't as funny. http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2008/12/22/15421/430
Good ol' USDA. Implications for the Colorado community are big granted that Horizon Dairy was founded in Boulder.

Happy Holidays~

Homage to a good tool.

The fall 'o8 Small Farmer's Journal (http://www.smallfarmersjournal.com/) has a good article about cultivation of onions which includes a disscussion on wheel hoes. There are a couple of good pics that wouldn't scan very well, but I happened to find some other interesting ones. The one of H.I.M. is a treat form our friend Christi in Durango. The other one is a throwback to the early days....... check the little dude in the back, choked up on the scuffle hoe.

I-niting around food and local culture

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/08/dining/08verm.html?pagewanted=1&sq=local,%20organic&st=nyt&scp=15

must come with the positive stories......

Economy affecting organic food sales?

http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_11177422

While at the same time...
http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_11224949

Happy Holidays~

Thoughts for holiday gifts... Support Your Local Ital Farmer

Strain on the Colorado river

Keywords being "the current usage is not sustainable......"

http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Colorado-River-basin-Glen-Canyon-Dam/photo//081205/480/2ddbf8e9455540a691634d008eeb144c//s:/ap/20081205/ap_on_sc/colorado_river

We must still press on to find solutions........... and pray for snow.

more on the Food Chain- NY Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/21/business/21farm.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&sq=foodchain&st=cse&scp=2

The Brand Underground- NY Times

This is an older, but very relevant article.


http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/30/magazine/30brand.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=underground%20brands&st=cse&oref=slogin



I think that InI have witnessed very similar runnins in the 'organic' movement as well. I mean that in the sense that the organic and local movement have been pimped a bit. Although the 'hipster' connotations are hard to escape with the local movement as well.......... at least to some.



Well it's up to some to keep it real. I am seeing a tremendous opportunity STILL (it's been ten years already for R.A.S.) to provide a service and do InI part to save the world. After all, one can see it coming. http://archive.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=earth&article_path=/earth/earth031218.htm . I am thinking that one of the next trends will be authenticity...

Action Photos

Big thanks to Ti and Christine @ I Culture Trading for the pics off the new cam.

If you dis Selassie I.......

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/10/arts/design/10rast.html

I really wish I had the means to sight this exhibition in person. I would only hope that there might exist a way for this to go to other museums worldwide. In reading some of the critique of the exhibit, one might think the author is making some good points about content..........but be sure to sight up the slide show that accompanies this article. Check the picture of the curator.

Selassie I rules and reigns~

Viable small business.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/07/business/smallbusiness/07hunt.html?_r=1&scp=10&sq=farming&st=cse&oref=slogin

Food Is Gold....... NY Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/05/business/05farm.html

Consolidation of the global food supply. Indeed, everyone has to eat. InI might have to crank up the efforts locally to produce more food, jobs, community, security......

Vandana Shiva rocks the house

http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2008/10/25/904/94558



I still remember when she came to Durango. I didn't feel like people were grasping the enormity of what she was conveying. Stuff is starting to hit the fan.....





Eat potatoes.........

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/26/world/26spuds.html



homeboy is straight chillin on the sacks of potatoes!! Is that a health code violation??????.........

REGIONAL AGRICULTURE SUPPLY 10 SEASON INNIVERSARY

spread the word.......

Boulder Impressions

Made it into a book. Sorry..... the scan doesn't do the picture any justice. It is a nice book though. There is a whole section on the Boulder Farmers Market. Check it out.

Interesting BBC radio program on Rastafari

Asks some hard questions..........excellent interview excerpts from Anthony B, Junior Kelly, Bob Andy, and Queen Omega.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/1xtra/realmedia/documentaries/bobodreads.ram

Good press for members of the Colorado Sustainable Agriculture Community

http://www.voanews.com/english/AmericanLife/2008-10-06-voa44.cfm

Kipp's been really gettin' the word out.

http://www.timescall.com/news_story.asp?ID=11768

Rich and Abbondanza are setting the pace...........

A shout out to Simon Richard and Bi-Rite SF, CA

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/07/FDEJ13AAGV.DTL

These guys are killing it....... check this article as well. http://ediblesanfrancisco.com/index.php/October/November-2008/Issue-14/The-Bi-Rite-Stuff.html

The movement of young farmers that was coming out of La Plata County, Colorado in the mid to late nineties is still growing strong. New ones have started up, and the fire is still burning. Simon was part of the Hesperus Herb Farm crew that became Earthen Revival. InI were all getting the feet wet while helping the Durango Farmers Market become established.

Colorado Biz magazine- Organics vs. Local

http://www.cobizmag.com/articles.asp?id=2311

There are a few points that make for an interesting read.

1. The ongoing Aurora Organics milk debacle. The author does do a good job of looking/ examing both sides of the issue.

2. Colorado ranks second to California in acerage devoted to organics. ( and that's probabaly based off of known certified organic farms)

3. Kay James of James Ranch outside of Durango saying that the USDA Organic label is "meaningless". I know Kay and reading that made InI at RAS Farms feel that the torch must be held high. The same government that created the banking bailout shitstem, controls the trading of commodities in the first place, and gives you an organic law.......... fire burn. The masses need to wake up.

Baylon System was always going to fall.......

http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20080921/pl_politico/13689

New shipment of R.A.S. Farms gear available.

Just got a box from the printer of new RAS Farms gear. INI have printed this batch on hemp/ organic cotton t's and hoodies from Highgrade Distribution. Big up to Eric, the Satori Movement Rocky Mountain rep for keeping the link.

http://www.highgradedistribution.com/

InI also have the first ever run of the hemp shopping bag in black. These bags have a nice feature in that there is a set of large and small handles. The natural color is still available as well.

Eastern Colorado left high, dry and devastated

http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_10481935

JAHMEKYAH

Check out http://www.jahmekyah.com/

InI give thanks to Nicodemus for hooking InI up with a crucial package of organic cotton gear. I love this pic that is on the site of H.I.M. and Empress Menen. The lion in the background is bowing.........

Be sure to watch the intro on the website. HEARTBEAT!!!!

The key political, economic, and cultural needs of young farmers

http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2008/9/15/93926/2169

http://www.thegreenhorns.net/

The movement keeps growing..........

Today's 'New Farmer'

http://www.rodaleinstitute.org/20080502/nf6

Check out our man Farmer D

http://www.ajc.com/search/content/living/homeandgarden/stories/2008/09/04/Daron_FarmerD_Joffe.html

.....and check out D's website for more info. http://www.farmerd.com/

Some starting to feel that the Slow Food movment needs a reality check

http://www.grist.org/comments/food/2008/09/05/index.html

http://www.peoplesgrocery.org/ - make sure you check this website. I really like then 'grub box' as a modified CSA type of vibe. I wonder how many sponsors they have to keep the food affordable?

If SF is getting slammed as elitist, then Boulder isn't too far behind.............. One and ones should know that RAS Farms is always taking care of people. Come reason at the markets and don't be dismayed at the rest of the stands' high prices. At the RAS North stand InI will have kale, collards, and chard for $2.00/ bunch and Alizah will be running a 3 bunch for $5.00 deal.

Also, check out the National Geographic magazine this month for the feature entitiled 'Where Food Begins'. It's gets pretty cutting edge when they get into terra preta soils. For more info on these types of soils, and their implications to agriculture ( read ALL OF US) check out this link..
http://www.acresusa.com/toolbox/reprints/Feb07_TerraPreta.pdf

R.A.S. Farms- putting the culture back in agriculture

Harvest Time

InI are getting into the last farmers markets of the season. Both the Boulder and Durango R.A.S. Farms stands will be featuring plenty of fresh produce straight through the fall. It's not too early to search out the best deals and start stocking up for the winter. One can find books on 'how to' and equipment for processing and storage at www.lehmans.com .

Oneness~

The passing of a father of sustainable agriculture......

Selassie I bless the I. Masanobu Fukuoka has inspired plenty of people.

http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2008/8/25/211438/300

Read the comments. It gets really interesting.

Kind of on the vibes with last nights' post as well............ Some are leaves, some are branches...... InI farmers are the root!!!

Grumpy farmer ramblings...............

http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2008/8/24/133720/582

Agriculture, A Sacred Task

Heart and Soil showing in Boulder this Saturday evening

See the trailer on you tube> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvC2YeRMhwo

Then come support the film...... Tom, Sara, and the boys feature in the fullness, as well as many of the folks who make up the Durango and Four Corners farm scene.

Showing Saturday August 30, 2008 starting at 6:00PM. Shambala Center, 1345 Spruce Street, Boulder, Colorado.

http://www.heartandsoilfilm.com/index.php

Amish population nearly doubles in 16 years

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080820/ap_on_re_us/thriving_amish

Maybe they're onto something.......

Same old sh@t, different day

From Yahoo......... McCain opposes farm policies popular in the Midwest

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080806/ap_on_el_pr/candidates_farm_policy


I guess one can't expect Obama to try to reform too much before he gets a shot at office, but this is the same old American political machine. Politricksters........ Could the guy not even ride the 'go local' bandwagon a little bit. It seems to me that any kind of 'buy local' rhetoric would go a long way with most.

Haile Selassie I rules and reigns for Ivermore~

Grist Magazine-> Urban farming gets its day in the sun

http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2008/8/4/14581/54730

There is alot of info in this article about actual, working urban farms. Good examples and enough reading for an evening.

Family market pic

Photo from the Boulder County Farmers Market Newsletter.

Food rise has Bolivia's coca farmers planting rice

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080720/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/bolivia_coca_to_rice

For thought......

Authentic Food
AUTHENTIC FOOD - AUTHENTIC FARMING
By Eliot Coleman, printed in Mother Earth News

The label "organic" has lost the fluidity it used to hold for the growers more concerned with quality than the bottom line, and consumers more concerned with nutrition than a static set of standards for labeling. "Authentic" is meant to be the flexible term "organic" once was. It identifies fresh foods produced by local growers who want to focus on what they are doing, instead of what they aren't doing. (The word authentic derives from the Greek authentes: one who does things for him or herself.) The standards for a term like this shouldn't be set in stone, but here are the ones I like to focus on: All foods are produced by the growers who sell them. Fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, eggs and meat products are produced within a 50-mile radius of their place of their final sale. The seed and storage crops (grains, beans, nuts, potatoes, etc.) are produced within a 300-mile radius of their final sale. Only traditional processed foods such as cheese, wine, bread and lactofermented products may claim, "Made with Authentic ingredients." The growers' fields, barns and greenhouses are open for inspection at any time, so customers, themselves, can be the certifiers of their food. All agricultural practices used on farms selling under the "Authentic" label are chosen to produce foods of the highest nutritional quality. Soils are nourished, as in the natural world, with farm-derived organic matter and mineral particles from ground rock. Green manures and cover crops are included within broadly based crop rotations to maintain biological diversity. A "plant positive" rather than "pest negative" philosophy is followed focusing on correcting the caused of problems rather than treating symptoms. Livestock are raised outdoors on grass-based pasture systems to the fullest extent possible. The goal is vigorous, healthy crops and livestock endowed with their inherent powers of vitality and resistance.
"Authentic" growers are committed to supplying food that is fresh, ripe, clean, safe and nourishing. "Authentic" farms are genetically modified organism-free zones. I encourage all small growers with local markets who believe in exceptional food to use the word "Authentic" to mean "Beyond Organic." With a definition that stresses local, seller-grown and fresh, there is little likelihood that large-scale marketers can steal this concept.
"'Authentic' growers are committed to supplying food that is fresh, ripe, clean, safe and nourishing. "Authentic" farms are genetically modified organism-free zones...With a definition that stresses local, seller-grown and fresh, there is little likelihood that large-scale marketers can steal this concept."-Eliot Coleman

Copyright © Four Season Farm, Inc, All Rights ReservedPhotographs © Barbara Damrosch (unless noted)

Check the R.A.S. Farms & I CULTURE stand at the SouL Rebel Music Festival

Saturday July 12, 2008 At Guercio Field on Barker Reservoir in Nederland, Colorado.

Noon till Dusk

Sister Carol, President Brown
The Yellow Wall Dub Squad, Itawe, Ms Banks
Stevie Culture, Canon & The Lion of Judah
Roots & Fire, Jubal & The Rude Boy's, Blood Preshah
More TBA

Come by the R.A.S. Farms & I CULTURE stand ......................

http://members.interfold.com/ujama/SoulRebelFestival.html

While in Durango................

dig.......... www.durangotelegraph.com

Seeeeeds..........

Wisemind from the man Jah Tiller

http://www.durangotelegraph.com/telegraph.php?inc=/08-07-10/localnews.htm

Nice to see someone writing an intelligent article for a change. It doesn't gloss over the hard core reality that farmers have their backs up against the wall.

InI bredren Livity Farms on Albuquerque news

Check out InI bredren Chris of Livity Farms getting a spot on KOAT news in Albuquerque, NM.

http://www.koat.com/video/16609885/index.html

It'a gettin dread out there

http://www.boulderweekly.com/?site_id=619&page_id=25019&id_sub=25019



Followed by a possibility.......


http://www.boulderweekly.com/20080703/cuisinepieoneers.html

Market Pic

Seth Zion holdin down the Boulder R.A.S. Farms stand.

Not Just For White People Anymore

........How the organic movement can regain it's relevance

By Tom Philpott
http://www.grist.org/comments/food/2008/06/27/index.html

Dole Plantation, Oahu

On a off day for the soccer team we went to the North Shore. On the way we took a little side trip to the Dole Plantation. The Dole Brand is probably one of the biggest brands in the world today. No secret how InI feel about corporate agriculture, but it was interesting to go. There is a gift shop on site with the Dole logo on just about everything one could imagine. For me, the best part was by far the gardens. They have built a beautiful pineapple variety garden. There is Cacao (choclate) growing as well. It was worth the trip as a farmer.

Poetree Movement

While in Honozoolu, I had the great pleasure of linking up with Jef Hartsel aka Manifest of Poetree Movement and Cameron I of the Lomsbread crew. Good bredren doing the works and holdin a good meditation. Check out and support these the bredren based on Oahu. InI give thanks for all of the support from the Hawaii Massive.

www.myspace.com/lomsbreadcrew

www.poetreemovement.com

www.myspace.com/poetreemovement

Oahu, Hawaii adventures

Just got back from a trip to Honolulu, Hawaii. I was traveling as the Assistant Coach for my soccer club's under 18 boys team. We won the Colorado State Cup which qualified us to represent at the Region IV championships. For those interested in the soccer, follow this link for stories and pics........ http://www.westminsterafc.com/

While in Oahu, InI made several trips to check out the local ital scene, gardens, and also made some nice linkups.

On Saturday June 14th ( InI first morning there) I took a bunch of the boys to the premier Farmers' Market on Oahu at Kapiolani Community College. Several of the pictures will show a bustling scene. I have to admit that the organics/ ital was hard to find. After digging in and reasoning with a few farmers, I was hooked up with the goods. Big up to Manny and Dan at MA'O Organic Farm for the good vibes, food, and the t-shirt. http://www.maoorganicfarms.org/

Stay tuned for a bit more........

A more sustainable agriculture will lead the way

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080610/wl_nm/food_fertilizer_shortage_dc

Check out my man Kip Nash

http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2008/mar/19/no-headline---19froo/

My man.....old school.........Durango........ R.A.S. WORKS soccer team.......Doing the damn thing. 5 years ago they were laughing at InI, calling InI ' hobby farmer', now them saying 'next big thing'.

"Rasta they say your God is dead..............."

Haile Selassie I rule and reign.

Bordeaux Farmers Rastafari Agriculture and Cultural Food Fair

Shout out to InI bredren and sistren, the Ital Farmers in the V.I.

http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/index.pl/article_home?id=17619608

The plight of the farm

http://www.grist.org/comments/food/2008/04/18/

Interesting to look at the graphic showing the percentage of off-farm and on farm income levels.

Reports from the Durango Movements.........

http://www.durangotelegraph.com/telegraph.php?inc=/08-05-08/day.htm

http://www.durangotelegraph.com/telegraph.php?inc=/08-05-08/coverstory.htm

http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/08/news080511_2.htm

Ones laughed at us many years ago. Now it's the foundation.

Durango Market Opening Day

The Durango Market opens up this morning at 8:00AM. Produce will sell out quickly. Don't sleep in.

Grow Food

http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB120882472974233235-lMyQjAxMDI4MDI4MjgyMjI0Wj.html

World Food Crisis

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080424/ts_nm/food_dc

Selassie I Rules and Reigns

A hungry mob is a angry mob

http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_8967258

Another thoughtful piece. Is organic food available to everyone?

http://www.grist.org/comments/food/2008/04/04/index.html

Boulder County Agriculture vid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw5gtZfb2HI

Season # 10

RAS North will be kicking off season #10 tomorrow with the opening of the Boulder Farmers Market. The market takes place at 13th and Canyon, in Downtown Boulder, CO. Hours are 8 AM to 2 PM. The stand will have salad mix, arugula, and a full selection of Lions Gate Hemp Soaps.

Daily Camera article

http://dailycamera.com/news/2008/apr/01/no-headline---02ffarw/?printer=1/

A couple of days away........

High food prices hit home

http://www.grist.org/comments/food/2008/03/21/

Boulder Farmers Market opening day is Saturday April, 5th.

Springtime slipmat sale

For a limited time InI are offering a pair of slipmats for $20.00, including shipping. This is a $5.00 savings from the website price. E.mail rasagriculture@yahoo.com for more information. Paypal and credit card payments accepted. Help fund the frontline........

coldframes held 5" from last night

Coldframes held firm with 5" of fresh snow last night. The coldframes at both of InI Colorado outposts are planted with the first greens for the 2008 season.

Even Babylon is scared to lose the seeds.

http://green.yahoo.com/news/afp/20080224/sc_afp/norwayarcticenvironmentwarmingcrops.html

Biofuels debate

Another from www.grist.org . A Victual Reality.

http://www.grist.org/comments/food/2008/02/21/index.html

Big up all farmer man

Check this vid with clips of Jah Mason pon his farm.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikVs7NAKWvI

Boulder Market vid

A little promo vid.

http://www.youtube.com/user/BoulderFarmersMarket

Farmers and the Land

" The fundamental obstacle to the realisation of the full measure of Ethiopia's agricultural potential has been, simply stated, lack of security in the land. The fruits of the farmer's labor must be enjoyed by him whose toil produced the crop. The essence of land reform is, while fully respecting the principle of private ownership , that landless people must have the opportunity to possess their own land, that the position of tennant farmers must be improved, and that the system of taxation applying to land holdings must be the same for all. It is Our aim that every Ethiopian own his own land, and in implementation of this principle, We have Ourself set the example by ordering that certain lands in Arussi Province heretofore administered by Our Ministry of the Imperial Court be distributed to the tenants working on them, against payment by each man only of the nominal fees charged for the transfer and the registration of this property in his own name. This has been the basic objective of virtually every modern programme of land reform; this is the ultimate goal of the study now being undertaken by the Committee on Land Reform. "

H.I.M. Haile Selassie Nov. 2, 1961

Another from Tom Philpott

http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2008/1/27/16282/3669

I think that he makes some interesting points.

Seeds Are Life!!

Here is an interesting new article from Tom Philpott (http://www.grist.org/) about what Monsanto is up too. Makes you feel like a rebel just for saving seeds.

http://www.grist.org/comments/food/2008/01/17/

R.A.S. FARMS FOR LIVITY
1998 - 2008 CELEBRATING 10 years of Ital food in Colorado.

RAS in AMISH country

As part of the travels, the crew made a stop at the new and improved Lehman's store in Kidron, Ohio. It's always a favorite day trip while in Ohio. The Amish still come to town with their horses and wagons. Check out their website http://www.lehmans.com/ for a great selection of quality tools and supplies.

Heart and Soil

Just forward from traveling, including a quick stop in Durango. I was able to see the new documentary 'Heart and Soil' . The film features appearances by Tom, Sara, and the boys, along with many of the foundation organic farmers in the Four Corners area. It's nice to see someone documenting this crucial part of the greater movement. Read an article about the film.........
http://durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=food&article_path=/food/food070822_1.htm

www.heartandsoilfilm.com