|
| |
The following are some links to sites we like and/or have found very
informative.
Click the logo or title to link:
Jill maintains a regular blog highlighting a few of the various
we things we see and experience at Blue Gate Farm as well as what we may be up
to.
Certified
Naturally Grown - CNG
CNG was created to provide farmers with an inspection-based,
nationally recognized label that is endorsed by National Environmental Groups,
Health Organizations, Agriculture Groups, Farmer's Markets and Universities and
well publicized in the National and Local Media. CNG farmers are required to adhere to the same strict Organic
Agricultural Practices and materials list published by the USDA National Organic
Program but is not affiliated with the USDA National Organic Program. Blue
Gate Farm is certified by CNG and we participate in inspections of other CNG
farms.
Des
Moines Downtown Farmers Market
The DM Downtown Farmers Market
is
held every Saturday morning typically from Mother's Day weekend to Halloween. The
market is located on Court Ave between 1st (at the DM River)
and 5th (at the Courthouse). Visit
their site for information on other vendors, activities, special events, and
directions. Blue Gate Farm has been a vendor of this market since
2005.
 Local
Harvest
Local
Harvest was founded in 1998, and is now the number one informational resource
for the Buy Local movement and the top place on the Internet where people find
information on direct marketing family farms. Local Harvest maintains a
definitive and reliable "living" public nationwide directory of small
farms, farmers markets, and other local food resources which help people find
local sources of sustainably grown food. Blue Gate Farm is listed on this
site.
Practical
Farmers of Iowa - PFI
Practical
Farmers of Iowa (PFI) is a non-profit, educational organization that began in
1985 and now has over 700 members in Iowa and neighboring states. Their
mission is to research, develop and promote profitable, ecologically sound and
community-enhancing approaches to agriculture. PFI carries out diverse
programs to assist farmers with both production and marketing needs, to raise
public awareness of where food comes from and how it is grown, and to educate
youth about agriculture and the environment.
Blue Gate Farm is a PFI member and has participated in PFI
sponsored field trails.
 Iowa Network for Community Agriculture - INCA
INCA is
a non-profit organization that began in 1995 to promote relationships among
people who are developing sustainable local food sources that are safe and
healthy for people, the land and all creatures. INCA strives to
strengthen and expand the connection between Growers and Eaters!
Blue Gate Farm is a INCA member.
 Buy Fresh Buy Local
Greater Des Moines Buy Fresh Buy Local is a network of
local farms, food businesses, and consumers committed to increasing the
production and sales of fresh, local foods in the eight-county region
surrounding Des Moines. Farms and business participate in the campaign by
becoming members and are listed in the annual directory. Consumers
participate by taking the pledge to purchase local foods. Together,
farmers, business owners, and consumers are growing the local food movement in
Greater Des Moines. This chapter, hosted by Drake University, is part of a
nationwide organization. Blue Gate Farm is a BFBL member.
 Leopold
Center for Sustainable Agriculture
Iowa
State University (ISU) hosts the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture
which seeks to identify and reduce adverse socioeconomic and environmental
impacts of farming practices, develop profitable farming systems that conserve
natural resources, and create educational programs with the ISU Extension
Service. The center was founded by the 1987 Iowa Groundwater Protection
Act.
 Acres U.S.A.
Acres
U.S.A. is a national magazine that offers a comprehensive guide to sustainable
agriculture. Drawing on knowledge accumulated in more than 30 years of continuous
publishing, Acres U.S.A. brings readers the latest techniques for growing
bountiful, nutritious crops and healthy, vibrant livestock.
Farm Crawl
Annual event in SW Marion and North Lucas Counties of joint open houses
at each of the eight participating
independent family farms, including Blue Gate
Farm.
Rodale Institute
The Rodale Institute, a global leader in regenerative agriculture, is devoted to
innovative agriculture research, outreach and training. The Institute works with people worldwide to achieve a regenerative
food system that renews and improves environmental and human health, working
with the philosophy that: "Healthy Soil = Healthy Food = Healthy
People."
Seed
Savers Exchange
Seed
Savers Exchange is a nonprofit organization that saves and shares the heirloom
seeds of our garden heritage, forming a living legacy that can be passed down
through generations. When people grow and save seeds, they join an ancient
tradition as stewards, nurturing our diverse, fragile, genetic and cultural
heritage.
Natural
Living Des Moines
"Living
close to the earth. Parenting close to the heart."
A website gateway to everything natural in Des Moines. Whether it's attachment parenting, organic eating, low-impact living, or green
products, you can find it on these pages.
|
