Liz On Food

From Backyard Garden to Community Supported Agriculture

Here's how NOT to position a vegetable garden: In the furthest corner away from the house, distant from a water source, snug to the fence on two sides, with the neighbors very healthy crabapple trees providing shade most of the day. That's what I inherited from the previous owners of our house. For four growning seasons, I've made the best of it with varying results. At some point, we'll move the garden bed. But this year, Farmer Liz is taking a break. It's just too much work for substandard results. I'm covering the plot with plastic and much, save for... Read more →

Soil and Fruit Quality Differs in Organic versus Conventional Strawberry Growing Systems

Studying different agricultural growing systems to learn the impact of various methods on the harvested food as well as the soil and other aspects of biodiversity is at best difficult. When looking at the end product (the fruit, vegetable, grain, meat, etc, intended for consumption) attributes that have been studied include nutrient content (vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals), pesticide residues, microbial pathogens and sensory properties, such as flavor, texture and appearance. Other research explores environmental impact at the farm and beyond. No wonder it's hard to sift through the news reports to make informed choices about whether or when it matters... Read more →

Backyard Garden Early Season

This year, I purchased Abbondanza's locally cultivated seeds for my backyard garden. You can find the dirt (pardon the pun) on the whys and wherefores of this investment in this post: Can I Make My Back Yard Garden More Local? I am excited to see what my locally purchased seeds will do in my garden compared to longer-distance seed sources in years' past. I will be updating my blog throughout the growing season so you'll have a chance to check out the progress as well. While early June may seem like mid-season in those in more temperate climates, it's early... Read more →

2010 Colorado Farm Fresh Directory

If you live in Colorado or if you're thinking about visiting, you might find Colorado Farm Fresh Directory useful. Published annually by the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA), the directory includes statewide listings of farmers' markets, food, wine and ag festivals, farm and ranch vacation destinations, a crop calendar, and more. The 2010 Farm Fresh Directory was just published. To entice you with Colorado's offerings, I'm interspersing this post with photos I took at the Boulder County Farmers' Market, Longmont, a couple seasons ago. Historically to present, agriculture has made significant contributions to the Colorado economy generating $20 billion annually... Read more →

E coli in organic, natural and conventional cattle

Sipping a brown ale, I stared at my pink burger while dining at a Boulder. Yes, the burger that was supposed to be cooked to medium doneness. I was surprised that the waiter asked how I wanted my burger cooked. I had hoped by now that rare and medium-rare burgers were off limits in dining establishments. I gingerly picked around the rare parts, considering whether I should ask for a new burger, cooked crispy charred. But we were running late for my stepson's high school play. No time for trepidation, be brave, I told myself. Nonetheless, sitting in downtown Boulder,... Read more →