Got Local?

Many people are talking about local foods--eating local, buying local and growing local. If you listen to KAXE on Wednesday mornings, you will hear Scott and Maggie and their interviews with local producers.

The City of Bemidji has had a free community garden for anyone's use for several years. It was located behind Northview Manor, a senior apartment building on the north side of town. This year may be the first time for many years that the City will not be providing a garden. The property was sold to a private firm and community members are no longer be able to use it. The City is currently looking for a new site. Unfortunately, one was not found in time to till last fall. Here are some requirements for a new site:

• City owned
• Access to City water
• Easy to get to
• Safe from vandals
• Reasonably good soil

The picture above is of my brother in his community garden spot in Littleton, CO. We both like to garden and come by it naturally from my mom who was a dedicated gardener. At my house, I grow flowers and my husband grows veggies including parsnips, which I love. I am always surprised at the number of people who have never eaten them. At the grocery store I have had the checkout ask me how to cook them. Here is my favorite way to fix them.

Cut 3 or 4 strips of bacon into 1" pieces and sauté until crispy. Pare parsnips, quarter and cut into 3" to 4" sticks. Add parsnips to pan with bacon and cover. Fry/steam until parsnips are tender-stirring occasionally. (Parsnips can be par-boiled first if desired.) You may have to add a bit of water during cooking. You can also add onion wedges for flavor. Enjoy!

If you are interested in local buying and growing, you may want to attend an upcoming one day conference, "Got Local? Farmer/Buyer Networking" on February 9th in Bemidji. The event will be held at BSU Crying Wolf Room from 10-4pm. It is presented by the Renewing the Countryside and you can register on their web site. More information is available from Margaret Schnieders at margaret@rtcinfo.org.