Beacons: 1/31/26: Free Fresh Aloe; Artists in Residence; Melt the ICE Hat Pattern
On The Farm: We harvested a large aloe plant this week, and there's quite a lot of it. Fresh aloe leaves will be available in the yellow farm stand at 210 Ehler Rd all weekend. They are free. Washed aloe leaves, now available in the Ehler Rd farm stand. Aloe can be consumed or used to make skin care products; it can be frozen and/or dried. For info on how to process and preserve aloe, check out this article.-----Artists in Residence In 2026 we will offer 4 week long opportunities
Beacons 1/23/26: Galentine’s Day at Bayt Jenin, Community Orchards
ON THE FARMWintery weather offers a great opportunity to take stock of the herbal apothecary and plan for the upcoming season. While working, I like to mix and match to make teas that suit my mood and support my health goals. It's flu season, so here's what I'm sipping on this week:Sencha Sprucemint Tea1 tsp sencha or other green tea (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory)1 tsp crushed apple mint (antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antifungal)1 tbsp blue spruce needles (antimicrobial, antiseptic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, vitamins C & A, magnesium & potassium)_____Rod's HouseDried shishitos from the garden
Beacons 1/16/26: Raymond Carver, Advocacy Day, Huckleberry Harvest Survey
ON THE FARMJamruary continues at the Ehler Rd farm stand. There's a cash box for five dollar jams and other items in the yellow stand. Books, seeds, etc. on the right are free to take. _____Rod's HouseThis week we took trays of homemade macaroni and cheese, Nona's dinner rolls with butter and strawberry & chamomile jam, a neighbor donated ham and an array of yummy baked goods from the fantastic folks at Little Bake Shop. We also threw in a few other things including educational materials in English and Spanish,
Beacons 1/8/2026: Seeds, Mulberry Jam, Microschools
ON THE FARMAnd just like that, it's planting time again! We start with slow growing seeds like onions and celery, and perennials that like a cooling period. We're also pulling out seeds that want to be started "as soon as the ground can be worked." This year we're offering seeds in our shop, too--varieties that have consistently done well in our climate. First up are leeks, hulless black barley (pictured above) and a special short season watermelon called Cream of Saskatchewan, introduced to us by Farmer Wren. Jamruary Continues--All Jams
Beacons 1/2/26: Jamruary, Blue Lake Rhino, Free Permaculture Masterclass
ON THE FARMHappy Jam-ruary! We've emptied our shelves of jams over the holidays, and now we start powering through last year's harvest to make room this year's. New varieties include Blueberry & Black Currant and Strawberry & Chamomile.Jams are just $5 each for the first two weeks of this month.Rod's HouseThis week we served up apple and strawberry rhubarb turnovers with Nona's Everything But the Bagel bread and two trays of ham, rice and broccoli casserole. Just 12 weeks of Tuesday deliveries left this season. If you'd like to contribute
Beacons 12/26/25: Stickers, 2026 Calendars, Online Book Club
ON THE FARMIn the shop this week we're spotlighting our new Human Rights stickers. Sport one with pride to show the world who you are, and what you're about. Together WE can be the catalyst for local conversations about human rights.We grew oyster mushrooms this year, and to make them friendlier for folks who "don't like mushrooms," I dried and powdered them. This week they went into all sorts of gravies and sauces, including two big trays of beef stroganoff for Rod's House. Nona made homemade rolls to accompany, and
