As recent events have shown, our community's farmers' markets are vulnerable to unexpected regulatory action. Thankfully it looks like things are working out this go around, but I'm more worried about the next surprise. The rapid growth of farmers' markets has moved out ahead of…
Awhile back I invited folks to submit some pictures of their gardens as the summer progresses. I plan on posting some of the pictures with an ongoing "View From Your Garden" segment on the blog. The pictures are starting to trickle in and thought I…
I went on a wildflower hunting trip up to Sandpoint today. Stopped by the Farmers' Market and I am jealous of there nice central location. It's obvious that the city has really embraced the market. With all the news this week about the challenge of…
Here's the latest installment in the Public Relations wars around our sick food systems. First there was the book, "Fast Food Nation", then Michael Pollan's series of books culminating in "Ominvore's Dilemma", and now the two authors of those books, among others, join forces on…
The Spokesman is running an article in today's paper on the situation with churches and property taxes that I've recently highlighted on the blog. I scanned the the comments on the article and this one jumped out to me; "Why are churches tax exempt anyway?"…
I previously reported that the actions of the Department of Revenue may disrupt several Spokane Farmers' Markets by removing the tax exempts status of the church parking lots used to host the markets. Of the three markets effected, both the Millwood Farmers' Market and the…
One experience from our Year of Plenty has been that sometimes when you decide to do something unlikely and audacious, you actually do it and it's wonderfully fruitful. It wasn't just the decision to consume local for a year. It was all of the smaller…
Wendell Berry's observations from the book of essays, "What Are People For";Many times, after I have finished a lecture on the decline of American farming and rural life, someone in the audience has asked, "What can city people do?" "Eat responsibly," I have usually answered.…
It's not often that I can say I have an exclusive news story but that is the case today because I'm right in the middle of it. The Department of Revenue of the State of Washington is taking action against churches that are holding Farmers'…
Andrew Sullivan, the uber-blogger has a series on his site called "The View From Your Window" where he invites readers of the blog to send in pictures of their view from a window. It has become a staple of his blog and provides a fascinating…
The Six Rivers Market in Sandpoint, ID is trying out an innovative new model of marketing locally grown foods. It's a cross between a CSA, Amazon.com, and a Farmers Market. You order your items online and then pick them up a few days later at…
Here' another one from my outing yesterday. There were just a few of these gorgeous yellow flowers down in a little valley. They stood out like glistening gems. I'm thinking Coreopsis or Rudbeckia type flower. Anyone know what this is?
I was exploring not too far from the Spokane River this afternoon and came across this strange looking wild plant. It looks like bamboo but it has a seed head like a mushroom. A big webby hug to the first person to name it.
A friend dropped off a can of vacuum packed seeds called the Clyde Robin "Survival Garden". The can said it was tested in 1980. I'm not sure if that means it was packed in 1980 or it was tested for its seal in 1980. Regardless,…
I was coming home from the Farmers' Market last night and saw the sun's last rays of the day dancing on the fields of what I think is Canola surrounding Hutton Settlement. I did a U-turn on Argonne and sped over to snap a few…
The chicken coop is done and the sign is in place. "Chichen Paradise" is the name the kids chose. Nancy wanted to correct the spelling but in my mind that is the best part. There is something wonderful about the world seen through children's eyes.…
The Year of Plenty blog was created by Craig Goodwin in the winter of 2008 to chronicle the experiences of his family as they sought to consume everything local, used, homegrown or homemade. That journey was a wonderful introduction to people and movements in the Spokane area who are seeking the welfare of the community through local foods, farmers markets, community gardens, sustainable transportation, and more fulfilling and just patterns of consumption. In 2009 and beyond the blog will continue to report on these relationships and practices, all through the eyes of a family with young children. Craig manages the Millwood Farmers' Market, is a Master Food Preserver and Pastor at Millwood Presbyterian Church. Craig can be reached at goody2230@gmail.com
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