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 Little Flower Farm and Eden Farm
Gowen, MI
What happens when two men with Philosophy and Biblical Theology backgrounds get their hands in the dirt? The answer is two families that work in harmony to create food for themselves and other families interested in knowing where their food comes from. Also, they have some really deep conversations in the greenhouse.
Little Flower Farm and Eden Farm in Gowen (just north of Grand Rapids) are a joint Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) venture. They offer seasonal vegetable shares, meat shares, free-range eggs, goat’s milk, u-pick strawberries and more. With two drop sites in Grand Rapids and farm pick-ups available, these farmers make it easy to get your daily requirement of greens.
“You need a lot of help to run two farms," says Chiara Dowell of Little Flower Farm. “Currently our natural fertilization team is comprised of a flock of Icelandic sheep, four dairy goats, two jersey cows, two rabbits, one donkey, five ducks, a few guinea hens and many pampered laying hens."
Motivated by a desire for a life shared between them and work they could share with their children, Shane and Chiara Dowell overcame being raised in the city to form a stronger connection to the land. Their first CSA in Minnesota surprised them with the beauty of the CSA relationship.
“We saw that members become a real part of the farm, they are vested in it, and they share the same joys and disappointments that the farmer goes through. This goes far beyond the conventional consumer-producer relationship...and one of the most exciting things about a CSA farm is that it really unites city dwellers with folks in the country. For a small family farm, having a committed group of members makes it possible to continue with responsible agriculture," said Chiara.
Direct marketing allows farmers to earn a just wage, while ensuring safety, quality and freshness for the member, who receives freshly picked produce. Member supported meat shares allow the farming family and the members to eat meat that has been raised with an eye to the animals' and the land's well being.
Partnering with Nathan and Wendy Schmiedicke (and Nathan’s Dad) from Eden Farm this year has allowed all farmers to pool their efforts. The families work alongside each other with amazing efficiency. Having all hands on deck makes seeding dozens of plants in the greenhouse or planting out hundreds of tomatoes in the field much easier.
“Signing up for a farm share is about hope. Hope for a better future: one with less air pollution caused by trucking veggies thousands of miles from farms to stores...one without chemically fertilized plants, with ethically raised meat, hope for true stewardship of the land, a future for farming families, and small beautiful green holdings in our neighborhoods, and not just urban sprawl. Most importantly, it is delightful and delicious," says Chiara.
The farms are eager to let everybody know: you do have better and more beautiful choices for where you get your food from. Don't settle for that carton of California strawberries, or those Chilean tomatoes. Choose to invest in food that nourishes both the body and soul, builds up your surrounding community, and has you singing in the kitchen as you prepare your farm's latest bounty!
For application and info: email: littleflowerfarmcsa@gmail.com
On the web at www.littleflowerfarmcsa.blogspot.com
 Fiber Arts & Animals Festival
Our Farm Partner Queso Cabeza Farm hosts this great event each year. Show organizer Rick Boesen said, “We are as much about sharing as we are about shopping.”
Saturday, June 11, 2011
10 am to 5 pm , rain or shine
On the grounds of Side Track Ice Cream
403 South Kalamazoo Ave
(about 2 blocks south of the fountain)
In Marshall, Michigan
Contact info: info@fiberartfest.com
Phone: 269.749.9404
Website: http://www.FiberArtFest.com
Find us on Facebook and Twitter
Some of the fiber arts being demonstrated
- Spinning wool into yarn (on a spinning wheel)
- Knitting
- Hackling
- Peg loom knitting
- Triangle loom weaving
- Drop spindle spinning
- Felting
Growing from one booth and two llamas in 2005, this family-friendly event features fiber artistry and fiber producing animals, including llamas, sheep and rabbits. There is no charge for parking, admission or demonstrations at this barrier-free event. Exhibitors will have a fiber-related educational products and displays to share, as well as fiber art for sale. Come out and enjoy the fun.
Use link to FB page and tractor logo for full list of farmers markets promo
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