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GROW

Avoid the Garden Pest Blues

There is nothing more frustrating than putting love, sweat, and tears into your vegetable garden… only to watch your plants be gobbled up by pesky pests. Many fall bugs like to chomp on broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, or collards leaves this time of the year, and some gardens are visited by squirrels, deer, or other larger pests that feast on vegetable plants. While this can discourage new and seasoned gardeners alike, don’t let pesky pests get you this fall season--follow a few of these tips on how to keep them in check.

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Lasting Legacy: Q&A with Ricardo Cruz from El Cruz Ranch

Ricardo Cruz has been raising food his whole life. After the birth of his son, he's more convinced than ever of the imperative to do it right. His growing practices are a legacy for his family, but, like all wise growers, he knows it's about more than himself. At El Cruz Ranch, he raises a variety of vegetables and specialty crops (try the hoja santa, a licorice-y flavored leaf that can be used to wrap meat in for grilling) as well as heritage breed goats and poultry. Future plans include a dairy and cheese-making operation and a commercial kitchen for value-added products. His turkeys will be gracing many tables this holiday season--for the care he puts into humane treatment of animals and stewardship of the land, we are immensely thankful.

Read on to hear why Rick feels the hard work of farming is the most important work he can do. If you're interested in ordering a Thanksgiving turkey, email rick@elcruzranch.com

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Tips for Holiday Baking

Only a lucky few of us grew up baking alongside our mothers, aunties and grandmothers, inheriting a treasure trove of reliable family recipes and techniques. But where do the rest of us turn when the baking bug bites? There are hundreds of baking books to turn to, and the internet is awash with recipes, some good, some bad. You could clear your weekends and bake your way through them until you find the ones you like, but the investment of time, money and heart that baking requires is not for the easily discouraged. So, how do you tell by looking at it if a recipe is any good? If a recipe doesn’t work out, is it you or is it the recipe? Or suppose you want to modify a recipe to have less sugar or more whole grains, how do you do that? And how many times will you have to test it before Thanksgiving?

Read More & Get Our Tips for Successful Holiday Baking »»

SFC AND COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS

UT Elementary at the SFC Farmers' Market
Students from the UT Elementary School join the SFC Farmers’ Market Downtown this week, selling herbs they’ve grown themselves-come out and say hi and buy a bunch or two from these budding agricultural entrepreneurs!


"Stop the Pounding Heart" film screening
Join the Austin Film Society on Wednesday, November 13th for a screening of “Stop the Pounding Heart,” a film featuring the Carlson family from Swede Farm. Click here for more info »


SFC Chef Series: Autumn Harvest
On Sunday, Nov 16, Austin's most exciting chefs will come together at Sway for Sustainable Food Center Chef Series: Autumn Harvest. The evening's multi-course tasting menu & drink pairings will feature meats & produce from SFC's Farmers Market, as well as from local area farms and proceeds benefit SFC. Click here for more info and tickets »


Film Screening
Join Food and water Watch for a free screening of “Resistance”, a documentary on the problem of antibiotic resistance, followed by a panel. More info and RSVP here »


Farm to Table Brunch
The Texas Farm to Table Caucus is hosting a brunch at Springdale Farm on November 16th and you’re invited! Get more info and reserve here »