Local & Seasonal in the Winter

{My local foods morning//musings on winter seasonal eating}

Chicken broth in the canner, nettle infusion steeping, pig liver/tongue/heart in the dehydrator, farm dogs chewing on marrow bones, smoked hock prepped for dinner tonight.

Organs dehydrating, stock canning, nettle infusing.

Winter is the time when I prepare our chicken bone broth and shredded chicken for the seasons ahead. This is an important part of our “seasonal eating.” Bone broth nourishes us and the pups as food and medicine. At the same time as we make broth we get shredded chicken to can and sometimes we throw in hocks that give us an easy meal--these ended up in hock-o salad (lol, taco salad). The dogs enjoy the marrow of the bones.

Nettle is one of the native, wild herbs I forage for food and medicine. One ounce steeped in a quart of water for 4 hours, or overnight, provides nourishment and a healthy (tasty!) beverage. The high levels of vitamins and minerals and very bioavailable (easy for our bodies to use).

The organ meats get dehydrated for dog treats. Let nothing go to waste!

Winter is a great time for these projects and also a great time to learn new skills to prepare you for the seasons of bounty ahead! How are you eating seasonally this winter? What new skills are you learning/wanting to learn?

Fruit Tree Pruning Class

Learn to Properly Prune Your Fruit Trees!

This half-day workshop will cover the basic principles of pruning your fruit trees, fruit tree anatomy, timing of pruning events, pruning for consistent fruit production and different tree shaping techniques.

Pruning in the apple orchard.

Join and share the facebook event!

We will begin the workshop with classroom style instruction and then we will be going outdoors to practice pruning. You are invited to bring your own pruning tools if you have them, otherwise we will have tools available for you to try. Please be dressed appropriately for the outdoor session of this class (second half). 

***Please bring your own lunch to the workshop.

What: Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop
When: March 3, 2018
Time: 9:00am-1:00pm
Where: New Ulm Public Library, 17 North Broadway, New Ulm, MN
Cost: $25/ Participant
Other: The cost of the workshop must be paid in advance. Call 507-439-6541 or email info@alternativerootsfarm.com to reserve your spot. Please send check to Alternative Roots Farm, 11197 130th St., Madelia, MN 56062. Registrations must be paid by February 23, 2018