See Jane Do Everyday Women Doing Extraordinary Things
See Jane Do has interviewed numerous women who are getting back to the basics in order to enhance the planet, improve their quality of life and save money. Following are three economical ways they have gone local with their food.
Subscribe to a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture)
We met Cindy Pawlowski at Riverhill Farm (co-owner is extraordinary woman, Jo McProud). Cindy subscribes to a CSA and picks up her box of fresh, locally grown food once a week during the summer. Cindy pays about $25 per box a week. Each box includes anywhere from twelve to fifteen different fruits and vegetables. Some families even split the costs and share a subscription.
Check out Local Harvest to find a CSA in your community.
Click here to listen to Cindy share with us her favorite part about joining a CSA.
Raise Chickens in Your Backyard!
Yes, I really have friends who are raising chickens. These are moms who probably wouldn’t even classify themselves as farmers. They just enjoy getting fresh local eggs directly from the source. My friend Kim convinced me that raising chickens isn’t too difficult and it’s quite inexpensive.
Jeanne Heida gives a breakdown of the costs and claims that she saves $150 per year by raising chickens. This person built a coop for $40 but you can also buy pre-made coops. With a small investment to purchase the chicks, a ready to made coop, and feed, Kim had homegrown, fresh eggs within a couple of months. She says that six chickens should be plenty.
Kim isn’t the only one who is getting back to the basics, Sunset Magazine featured several folks who are raising chickens in the April 2009 edition.
My family is strongly considering raising chickens in our back-yard and Leta’s mom is already doing it.
Click here to listen to Leta’s son witness a chicken actually laying an egg.
Shop at a Farmer’s Market
Everyday extraordinary woman, Reinette Senum started a Saturday farmer’s market in Nevada City, CA last year. The market is a volunteer-based operation and includes music, animals, face painting, and of course delicious, organic and local food. During the off-season, farmers in our community initiated a weekly soup night and community gathering. What a great idea.
Our small community has at least five farmer’s markets that take place within the summer and fall. One of our favorite family traditions is to walk to the market every Saturday morning to buy a fresh baked chocolate croissant before they run out. I’ve saved money by purchasing my veggies directly from the farmers and it’s a wonderful way to connect with folks from my town as well.
What are women doing in your community to get back to the basics with food?
We’d love to share their stories.
