Extra Strength Seed Trays from Bootstrap Farmer!

Learn more about Bootstrap Farmer and check out their products, HERE!

WHAT WE DO

At Bootstrap Farmer, we want to help you get your small farm, garden or business off the ground.  Whether that’s through our equipment line, fertility management services or our blog resources, we are here to help make your project a success.

HOW IT STARTED…

Bootstrap Farmer sprung out of my Farm-to-Table Food Truck Model, Veg2Bowl,  in Eastern North Carolina.  I was growing vegetables & herbs in high tunnel greenhouses which would go right onto the mobile kitchen. Since it’s a certified commercial kitchen, I am able to harvest, prepare and serve it in meals to customers all on the same day with little to no waste.

Some of the foods that I most frequently grow are lettuce, kale, chard, microgreens, tomatoes, peppers, and onions.  And of course, a few chickens for pasture raised eggs. I was doing a local & fresh version of Blue Apron, except everything was already prepared ready to eat or ready to be heated, along with private events & festivals.

AN IDEA…

For better or worse, while I was building the farm for Veg2Bowl, I was noticing tons of things on my little farm that I wish were better or more efficient. After months of research, I had figured out the most efficient way to build a high tunnel greenhouse, because knowing I had to build it myself with savings from living with mom & dad, I was not going to waste a dime.  Then while running the farm, I had the tiny idea of making seed trays so durable, I’d stop breaking them myself.

Maybe it was because I had already quit my previous job and left everything behind, I was feeling adventurous? I still don’t know, but, what I did know is that I could provide value to people. From there, there was no turning back.  The idea to create an ultra durable seed tray & a better high-tunnel greenhouse kit was the germination of Bootstrap Farmer, which has now grown into something I could have never imagined.

THE EVOLUTION…

However… that came at a cost.  I was struggling trying to run 2 completely new businesses.  I was running a food truck, greenhouses and building an e-commerce business – all from scratch & all by myself (did I mention I also had no previous experience in any of it?)  Somehow, by some miracle, both businesses were off to a great start, but it was becoming clear, in order to build either one of them into a long-term business, something had to change.

Check out the rest of their products, HERE!

Jellyfish Barge: The 750 sq ft Floating Agricultural Greenhouse!

“Thinking about having your own greenhouse but not sure about how to be practical, efficient and environmentally friendly? If you want to check the previous 3 points and at the same time use simple materials and low-cost technology in an innovative approach to growing plants, than this following project will be perfect!

The 750 square feet octagonal shape barge is probably the most creative greenhouse in recent times. Jellyfish Barge, as it is known, floats on the water due to recycled plastic barrels but it is also a solar powered greenhouse. Besides the solar and wind sources, which by the way provide with enough energy to power-up the pumps or any fans included in the greenhouse, you even have the water waves giving energy! How cool is that? Grow your garden on this unique system.

Check out the project in further detail to learn all about how it works and to get a better look at the planter ladder system inside. If you were pondering about choosing a greenhouse design before, you surely made up your mind thanks to this genius floating greenhouse!”

See more at: “GoodsHomeDesign.com“

Meet Malawi: Indoor Gardening Just Got Real [INDIEGOGO Campaign]

Just Grow has taken the mess and stress out of bringing nature indoors to nourish your mind, body, and life. Our innovative indoor garden, Malawi is an ecosystem that helps you grow food and connect with nature.

Americans spend 93% of their time indoors and only 7% outdoors. This creates a negative impact on our minds, bodies, and the planet. The problem is, our living spaces weren’t designed to coexist with nature which has been found to reduce stress and anxiety. Just Grow designs cutting-edge indoor gardens that use a small-scale ecosystem to combine sustainable living with modern design.

BACK this project on INDIEGOGOLearn more about Elegant & Sustainable Indoor Gardening, HERE! 

Community Gardens are Spreading Across the USA

“Community gardens are spreading across the USA! The community garden movement started in the early 1900’s. Today there are over 18,000 community gardens in the USA and Canada! From urban cities to small towns, they are helping the grow-your-own-food movement to flourish. Community gardens offer a place to grow food for people who don’t have the space, a place to learn from each other and help each other, a refuge for people and wildlife, and simply a place to grow fresh, healthy fruits and vegetables. Do you have a community garden in your community? Join one or start one today with your friends!

Rob Greenfield is an adventurer, activist, and humanitarian for a sustainable and just world. He donates 100% of his media income to grassroots nonprofits. His YouTube channel is a source for all things sustainable living, off the grid, simple living, zero waste, tiny house, grow your own food, cycling, and green.”

Vertical Gardening – 11 ways to get your vegetables to grow up

TIP 1– Soft, pouch-type containers are best for shallow roots like herbs, onions and succulents. Plants such as strawberries, lettuces and bushy veggies such as peppers like a larger, more rigid container. Tomatoes do best in large pots with some kind of support, like a cage.

TIP 2– Some kits have self-watering systems, but Forster just uses a “cute little watering can” to keep her patio garden hydrated. Don’t let your plants sit too long in standing water — that can suffocate the roots — but do find a way to contain the runoff from your plants so you don’t make a mess or drip on the balcony downstairs. Giving plants a little elevation, by perching it up on bricks or rocks inside a tray, would do the trick.

TIP 3– Use a good quality potting soil so roots can stretch and breath and make the most of their container. “‘Fluffy’ soils are best,” she said, “with stuff like peat moss, perlite and compost.”

Read MORE ways you can GROW VERTICALLY, HERE: “LATimes.com“

Butterfly gardening relieves stress, provides homes for declining species

“Butterfly gardening can be a relaxing and rewarding experience for people across all ages and backgrounds. For students, it may seem like a hassle and unwanted expense to find the right materials and proper equipment for gardening. However, with enough information and many resources to consult on campus, students can still tend to a small garden.

Butterflies are majestic and intricate creatures, especially when provided the chance to look at them up close without worrying about one flying off immediately. They are also pollinators, which are vital to keeping ecosystems running.

One of the most important aspects to keep in mind when butterfly gardening is knowing the environment, as well as the types of plants that will thrive and attract butterflies. Many guides exist on the internet, but do not necessarily pertain to the Davis and Sacramento areas and weather patterns. If space is a problem in a dorm or apartment, getting a window box on a balcony with enough sunlight and the correct plant can still provide a great habitat for butterflies.”

Read the FULL STORY at: “TheAggie.org“

23 Nutritous Recipes to Eat Seasonally and Buy Local This Fall

This post was created in partnership with BCBSAZ but all thoughts are my own.  I was recently invited to be a part of a Sugar Swap promoting Nourishing Arizona with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ).  The goal of the event was to make it easier for the community to get free fresh fruits and vegetables.  People visited the Uptown Farmers Market and swapped any food item with more than seven grams of sugar in exchange for $5 in Homegrown Healthy Bucks, good for fresh produce.  The wrappers from the donated food items became part of a creative art installation made by a local artist.

It was an amazing event and I was pleasantly surprised to see a number of kids exchange their Halloween candy  for something more nutritious.  Getting kids involved in cooking, planning meals, and even shopping for fresh healthy foods can get them excited about eating well.  Teaching kids from a young age the importance of healthy eating is one of the best lessons they can learn.

Eating local – and with the Seasons!

A lesson for all of us to learn is the importance of  how to eat seasonally and locally.  Doing so ensures that you are getting the most nutrient-dense and fresh foods.  Produce starts losing its nutritional value as soon as it is harvested.  Items that travel long distances to make it to your local grocery store lose vitamins and minerals along the way. When you buy locally, you are not only supporting your community, you’re also reaping more health benefits from your food.

Try it out!

I challenge you to start swapping out processed foods and unnatural sugar for some fresh, nutritious fruits and vegetables.  Roasted apple or pears sprinkled with cinnamon can replace sugary treats.  Scrambled eggs with sauteed vegetables can replace that morning bowl of cereal.  Start at home. Spend some time with your kids examining the food labels on some items in your pantry.  Teach your kids about what to look at including looking for a low sugar content and how to spot processed ingredients.  Even create your own type of Homegrown Healthy Bucks at home (use Monopoly money!) to get the kids more involved with grocery shopping.

Starting nutrition education at an early age can set your kids up for a lifetime of good habits.  Getting them involved by shopping at your local farmers market is an educational activity and the kids can speak directly to the farmers about how food is grown.  Then when you stock your fridge with some nutritious fruits and vegetables you can use the recipes below to get started cooking.

Here are some recipes I recommend that call for in-season produce:

Sparkling Apple Pear Cider

Crock Pot Apple Pie Amaranth Porridge

Roasted Beet and Arugula Salad

Arugula and Date Salad

Bacon Wrapped Basil Stuffed Mushrooms

Back to Basics Green Smoothie

Cauliflower and Broccoli Salad

Carrot Pudding

Carrot and Beet Cakes with Avocado Mash

Sweet Potato and Kale Corn Chowder

Corn Fritters with Chipotle Cream

Cucumber Mint Slushy

Healthy Green Bean Casserole

Green Beans and Carrots in Tomato Sauce

Crock Pot Pear Butter

Roasted Potatoes, Green Beans, and Mushrooms

Sesame Sweet Potato Noodles

Fudgy Double Pumpkin Brownies

Kabucha Squash Egg Quiche

Kale and Butternut Squash Breakfast Bowl

Toasted Tomato Vinaigrette

Salmon Dill Zucchini Noodles

Grilled Zucchini with Pea, Mint, and Ginger Pesto

The post 23 Nutritous Recipes to Eat Seasonally and Buy Local This Fall appeared first on The Organic Dietitian.

He gave up a career in software to start urban gardening company My Sunny Balcony

After 10 years as a software professional, Sriram Aravamudan found his calling in beautifying Bengaluru’s balconies with My Sunny Balcony. Read his inspiring #PassionToPaycheck story below.

My Sunny Balcony – the name conjures up images of warm sunshine on cold winter mornings, steaming cups of tea, and gently swaying palms and bright bougainvillea flowers in equally bright planters.

I could go on with the imagery, more so as it is so far from what it really is – it’s rainy in Bengaluru, my balcony is flooded, the swing is wet and my plants have hung their heads in defeat!

Read the full story at: “YourStory.com“

Hydroponic Veggies Are Taking Over Organic, And A Move To Ban Them Fails

“Dave Chapman and dozens of other longtime organic farmers packed a meeting of the National Organic Standards Board in Jacksonville, Fla., this week. It was their last-ditch effort to strip the organic label from a tide of fluid-fed, “hydroponic” greenhouse-grown vegetables that they think represent a betrayal of true organic principles.

“It really goes to the foundation of what organic farming means,” says Chapman, who grows vegetables on his farm in East Thetford, Vt. Abby Youngblood, executive director of the National Organic Coalition, said that “we’re seeing, here in Jacksonville, a lot of support for the founding principles of organic, which are really about soil health, regenerating the soil,” rather than simply feeding plants the nutrients that they need.

Their protests, however, failed to convince a majority of the board, which voted, 8-7, against a ban on hydroponic methods in organic farming.”

Read the REST OF THE STORY, at: “NPR.org“

7 tips to ensure a flourishing indoor herb garden

“If you live in an apartment block or, have a tiny garden and would love to start your own herb garden, we have good news for you:  don’t allow either of these factors to deter you.

You really can create your own herb garden indoors – all you need is a sunny balcony or, an unused space on your naturally-lit kitchen counter. Creating your very own herb garden really is that simple, not to mention incredibly rewarding.

The benefits are innumerable, from enjoying more flavourful food, to lower grocery costs as well as it being a wonderful way to teach your children about nature and caring for a garden.”

Read the rest of the article HERE!

Why you shouldn’t clean up the garden this fall

Question: I’ve heard conflicting information about fall-winter garden clean up. Some advice says clean up and cut back perennials. Other sources say to leave seed heads and leaves, etc., for wildlife habitat. Which advice is better?

Answer: If you love nature, then I say leave the garden with her leaves, berries, pods and seeds for the birds, bees, bugs, snakes and salamanders.

READ the REASONS WHY you shouldn’t clean up your garden this fall, here: “StatesmanJournal.com“

Turns Out Bees Can Be Right- or Left-Handed, Just Like Humans

“Researchers have discovered that bees can have a preference for left or right – influencing their decisions while they navigate obstacles in flight.

Unlike humans, though, bees don’t seem to favour one or the other across the wider population. But any individual bee could either be strongly left- or right-biased in equal proportion, and some have no preference at all.”

Read more about this at: “ScienceAlert.com“

Dairy-Free Loaded Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Sprouts Farmers Market. All opinions are 100% mine.  This time of the year people are starting to plan big get-togethers with family and friends.  Spending time with loved ones is a big reason why I love the holidays.  What is one thing that is always present during these special events?  Lots of good food that you can share with a crowd!  This Dairy-Free Loaded Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese is the perfect entrée.  Pumpkin adds a fun fall twist and omitting the cheese helps ensure that those with dairy intolerances still have a tasty option.

I don’t know about you but whenever I have a lot of people over everyone seems to be following a different diet.  Maybe you have some friends that are vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free, or grain-free.  This dish will satisfy everyone.

I start by using lentil pasta to bump up the protein content for my meat-free friends.  Then I serve some additional toppings on the side to create a fun mac and cheese bar.  Your guests can customize their meal with additions like diced bacon, sliced chicken, sautéed spinach or kale, parmesan cheese, or toasted breadcrumbs. This allows your guests to get creative and make a meal that fits their own needs and tastes.

It doesn’t have to be expensive to create healthy and delicious food for a crowd.  Dairy-Free Loaded Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese is a cost effective way to make a dish that just about everyone can enjoy.  What are your favorite ways to feed a crowd?

Dairy-Free Loaded Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese

 

Print

Prep time

10 mins

Cook time

20 mins

Total time

30 mins

 

Author: Sara

Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 2 Tablespoons Sprouts Brand coconut oil
• 4-6 cups chopped broccoli, cauliflower, and butternut squash (cut into same size pieces as the pasta)
• 1- 15 oz. can Sprouts Brand organic canned pumpkin
• 2 teaspoons Sprouts Brand organic garlic powder
• ½ teaspoons Sprouts Brand organic ground cumin
• 1 teaspoons Sprouts Brand organic onion powder
• salt and pepper to taste
• ½ cup nutritional yeast
• 2 cups unflavored and unsweetened almond milk
• 1 Tablespoon dijon mustard
• 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
• 16 ounces lentil pasta, cooked as directed

Instructions

1. Toss the chopped vegetables in coconut oil and spread into an even layer on a lined baking sheet.
2. Roast the vegetables in the oven until tender, about 15 minutes.
3. In a blender add all of the ingredients for the dairy free pumpkin sauce (from canned pumpkin to apple cider vinegar).
4. Blend until creamy.
5. Toss together the cooked pasta, roasted vegetables, and pumpkin sauce in a large stock pot over medium heat on the stove.
6. Coat the vegetables and pasta in the pumpkin sauce.
7. Cook on the stove until the sauce is heated through, about 5-8 minutes.
8. Transfer to a large serving dish and serve immediately.

3.4.3177

 

The post Dairy-Free Loaded Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese appeared first on The Organic Dietitian.

Smashing pumpkins brings nutrients to Naperville community garden

The pumpkins smashed Saturday morning had nothing to do with vandalism or kids letting off a little steam. If anything, those who participated were doing a good deed.

“This is the first time we’ve done this, although there have been other pumpkin recycling efforts in the area,” said Sue Omanson, the Naperville Park District’s community development manager. “We were talking with the Wheaton-based SCARCE group that does local recycling and composting, and our Green Team from the park district wanted to join in the effort.”

Read the rest of the STORY, here: “ChicagoTribune.com“

Antarctic Farm Could One Day Journey to Mars

“Antarctica is no place for a tomato. But starting in January 2018, researchers at the German Antarctic research station, Neumayer III, will begin growing not only tomatoes but also lettuces, herbs, peppers, cucumbers, swiss chard, radishes and even strawberries inside a climate-controlled shipping container. Although other indoor gardens have existed in Antarctica, the EDEN ISS Mobile Test Facility will be the most advanced indoor farm on the continent — an experiment meant to push the limits of indoor agriculture, so that the technology can hold up for a long mission to Mars.

“Some of my colleagues like to say, ‘It’s no longer your grandmother’s garden anymore,'” says Matthew Bamsey, a research associate at DLR, also known as the German Aerospace Center, and a member of the EDEN ISS team, a multipartner project focused on developing plant cultivation technologies for future use in space.”

Check out the FULL STORY at: “Recipes.HowStuffWorks.com“

Can Food Still Be Organic If It’s Grown Without Soil?

“A crucial battle in a long-brewing conflict over organic farming came to a head Wednesday when an influential government panel met to discuss whether soil is an essential element of organic farming.

On one side: “Dirt first” traditionalists who say that fruits and vegetables must, by definition, be grown in soil to qualify as organic.

On the other: Agri-technophiles who say “controlled environment” methods like hydroponics and aeroponics are just as deserving, dirt or no dirt.”

READ the FULL STORY at: “InsideClimateNews.org”

Phoenix-based entrepreneur promotes aeroponics

“Troy Albright, a Phoenix based pharmacist and farming entrepreneur spoke to students at ASU’s Polytechnic campus on Oct. 25 about the potential of aeroponics.

Aeroponics is a process of growing plants without the use of soil by suspending plants and nourishing them using mist.

Albright was invited as part of the Science and Mathematics Colloquium Series, a series designed to expose students to the work of researchers and practitioners in various fields.”

Read the FULL Article, at “StatePress.com“

How to grow stuff: everything the novice gardener needs to know

“If I were to plot my journey as a gardener, it would start with a basil plant from Tesco. I kept it on the windowsill of my university hall bedroom (it could have easily become an ashtray if left in the kitchen) and, when I came home in those cerulean-hued nights of summer term, its sweet heady scent would hit me like a forgotten essay deadline.

That was 10 years ago and, last summer, when I was writing my first book, How to Grow Stuff, I made sure to include herbs – from seed and supermarket – because my experience would suggest that once you’ve learned how to keep a shop-bought basil plant alive, you’ll wind up wanting to grow your own from seed eventually.”

Read the rest of the story at: “Telegraph.co.uk“

An urban garden produces 17kg of fruits and vegetables per day!

“For more than a decade, Laxmi Nadendla was fond of the vegetables she grew in her own garden in Hyderabad. Being a nutritionist, she knew the importance of consuming home grown healthy food.

In 2013, when Laxmi got to know about a local non-profit, Aranya Agricultural Alternatives (AAA), she enrolled for a permaculture design course and learnt how to apply permaculture practices in urban spaces, such as a home garden (about 280 sq yards). She soon stopped using pesticides and depended heavily on organic compost. Today, her family gets 60-70 per cent of their vegetables from the garden in winters. In fact, last summers, some days the output was about 17 kilos of fruits and vegetables per day.”

View the FULL Article at: “DownToEarth.org.in“

Grow a Fall/Winter Garden! Join the Monthly Seed Club, TODAY!

ORDER BEFORE 11:59 PM PST November 4th to receive a shipment THIS MONTH! http://ift.tt/1Su1g8E

Grow food ALL-YEAR-ROUND with us! Now is the perfect time to start stockpiling seeds for your fall, winter and even early spring gardens!All of our seed club members will be receiving varieties that are perfect for growing during the cooler months. Let us hand-select 5 varieties of heirloom, GMO-free seeds to ship to you EVERY MONTH!

TO LEARN MORE or SIGN UP just visit: http://ift.tt/1Su1g8E

Geodesic dome protects cob house and family of 6 in Arctic Circle

“Inside a glass dome in Northern Norway, lives a family of five. In the inhospitable Arctic climate the Heart Followers have found their unique way of life. In the garden around the little house, they grow their own food all year round. In this nature friendly shelter, they are protected from all kinds of weather, and lives in harmony with the spectacular surroundings, and the elves in the forest.”

Hjertefølgerne / The Heart Followers from Deadline Media on Vimeo. / Images via GoodHomeDesign

How To Make Your Chickens Do The Gardening!

Bruce Morgan is into making his chickens do the work around the house using a series of wire tunnels.