THANKS

Thank you to Lois Fournier for hosting the winter pot luck, It was a very special gathering. 

MAY PLANT SALE 

The May Plant Sale is our only fund raising project. Please support this enterprise by starting additional seedlings to bring, along with perennials, herbs, etc. Also sign up to help. The date for the May sale at the Kelly Farm Stand on Rt. 6 A in Cummaquid will be announced in the next newsletter

CCOG NEWSLETTER ONLINE 

Save a tree! To get the newsletter online via email instead of paper mail, email polotka@cape.com with your email address. You can add comments, suggestions and links at the CCOG website. 

GREEN TIPS 

“Animal, Vegetable, Miracle” a must read book by Barbara Kingsolver Steven Hopp and Camille Kingsolver describes a family’s year of eating well using only locally grown food. The slow food movement aims to reduce our dependence on produce and processed food that comes from far off places. Americans consume about 400 gallons of oil a year per citizen for agriculture. The lion’s share of that (4/5) is consumed during the trip from the farm to the table. If every person ate just one meal a week composed of locally and organically raised meats and produce, we would reduce out country’s oil consumption by over 1.1 million barrels of oil every week. It is possible to eat well without tasteless blueberries and asparagus or mealy peaches from south America in January. We need to return to eating only seasonal foods  The authors present a strong case against processed foods and the return to the family kitchen. Ideas for cheese making are included as well as recipes for using seasonal foods. They discuss ways to eat well all winter using only local foods At our April 17th meeting, Jack Kittredge (from NOFA) will talk about “Relocalization of Food”. “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle” would be a great preface to his talk. . See their website www.AnimalVegetableMiracle.com.

MEMBER NOTES

From Sarah Burke: “Our 49 girls (chickens) have started laying eggs.  Anyone interested in Fresh Organic Free Range Eggs we have them for sale at our farm in West Barnstable.  Directions to Seaflash Farm – Heading north towards route 6A on Route 149 (Meetinghouse Way) 1/4 mile pass the West Barnstable Fire Station across from Lombard field.  Look for the Fresh Eggs sign out front. ”

From Sandy Nichols: “Free rabbits producing poop like they do for fertilization of the garden.  I will be moving soon so I am looking for new homes for them.  Chip and Dale are brothers and of a certain breed which I forget right now.  They are regular size.  They live together and get along well in their cage. The other 2 live in separate cages.  They are also males.  Smokey is dark grey and Velvet is white with black spots.  These 2 are the smaller velveteen rabbit type. All the rabbits come with cage and are free for the taking. 508-258-0121.”

NEW MEMBERS

Welcome to new members Marja Watson of Centerville, Susan Carr of Brewster, Mary Price of Chatham.

CALENDAR

March 1 Saturday at 2 PM: GOT TOXINS?: Dennis Public Library 5 Hall Street and Edwards Avenue, off Route 28 in Dennisport. Speaker, Kathleen Attfield: Silent Spring Institute Researcher will demonstrate the newly developed web-based mapping tool known as MassHEIS -Massachusetts Health and Environment Information System. Steve Seymour: GreenCAPE will introduce methods / products and pending legislation on Safer Alternatives that will help reduce personal exposure to toxins resulting in a lower “body burden” of chemicals.   Guest Exhibitors: Cape Cod Organic Gardeners, Hyannis Country Garden, Donna Eaton-Cedar Spring Herb Farm/Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow.

March 11 Tuesday at 7 PM: CCOG Meeting at the Wheldon Library. Rt 149 W. Barnstable. (NOTE the One time change to TUESDAY)

Speaker David Simser, Entomologist for Barnstable County Extension, will speak on organic approaches to control the Winter Moth and many other insects attacking our veggies.

March  15 Saturday 3-5 pm:  Pick up Bulk Order at the Kelly Barn 66 Marstons Ln. Cummaquid, Please call Jean if you are unable to came. 508 362 8136. There will be an extra charge for gas for the pickup truck based on the weight of your order.

March 22 Saturday  9:30-12:30 pm: Seed Starting Workshop and information on garden preparation for the planting season. Especially helpful to new gardeners At the Kelly Barn 66 Marstons Ln. Cummaquid, Please call to register.  508 362 8136

April 17 Thursday at 7:00 PM: CCOG Meeting at the Wheldon Library. Rt 149 W. Barn. Speaker Jack Kittredge, editor of NOFA/Mass Natural Farmer and Public Policy Coordinator for NOFA as well as Co-Coordinator of NOFA’s Summer Conference. Jack will speak on Relocalization of Food, Energy, Housing and more.

Let us have good attendance for the March and April Speakers!