Jan 23, 2007

Organics and Herbs

There are so many interesting things in this world that I have a desire to learn.  I always end up spreading my resources ( brains, strength, faith) too thin.  Our family is starting a truck garden this spring to help pay for our farm.  It's a bit overwhelming, but I'm not planting two acres the first year.  Maybe 1/2 acre.  There's so much I still need to learn about marketing.  The growing part should be fine, but how do I price, bag, display?  I've been reading some good books on this, but I think finding someone who is doing it would be very valuable.


Now I'm looking for information on Christian Natural Healing.  I have many books on using herbs, but I want something more in depth.  I grow alot of herbs and I really enjoy it, but most go to waste, because I don't use them like I should.  Maybe somehow this could go along with our truck garden enterprise.  Maybe I should sit back and listen to God instead of going in all directions?  Maybe the desires of my heart were put there by God? 


Well, better get back to school.  If anyone has any recommendations for courses or books to study, I would really appreciate it.


From Glory Farm

3 comments:

CatherineAnn said...

www.naturallyhealthy.org


I would love to take her herbalist courses. I found the book Mommy Diagnostics 1/2 off at our local Christian bookstore- yea! Like you, I have too many "good things" that I want to do right now ;) .

OK, back to planning my gardens :) .

HeMarriedMedusa said...

Dear Rhonda,

I wish you a lot of luck with you truck garden. And it's nice to know others out there occaisionally spread themselves 'too thin'. I too sometimes need to trust God more, even if he did give me a brain. Thanks for looking at our photo. I couldn't resist remaining a bit mysterious for at least a little longer....lol. Sincerely, Brenda

MrsBurns said...

Hi there:

Last summer was our first attempt at selling some of what we'd grown at a Saturday farmer's market. I learned a lot and can't wait to get back into it this year.


On the bagging side, we found that pre-bagging green beans in a clear food-safe plastic bag in half-pound sizes made it easier for everyone. Set price for a set quantity. With tomatoes, squash and okra, we let folks pick out which pieces they wanted and then we weighed them. I used a baking scale last yr. but will probably get a "legal for trade" scale this summer.


On display, my customers always seem to like the homespun look. Gingham, baskets, simple wildflower arrangements to brighten (and sell!). People told me we had the best table at the market, and it was not b/c we spent the most! I have gotten a few sturdier baskets for this year but nothing fancier. We also used little chalkboards to list prices and varieties.


We got our bags at a store called Bag-Mart. They have a retail store near us, but I bet they have an online catalog, too. Hope this helps. Good luck!


DeniseB

Jan 23, 2007

Organics and Herbs

There are so many interesting things in this world that I have a desire to learn.  I always end up spreading my resources ( brains, strength, faith) too thin.  Our family is starting a truck garden this spring to help pay for our farm.  It's a bit overwhelming, but I'm not planting two acres the first year.  Maybe 1/2 acre.  There's so much I still need to learn about marketing.  The growing part should be fine, but how do I price, bag, display?  I've been reading some good books on this, but I think finding someone who is doing it would be very valuable.


Now I'm looking for information on Christian Natural Healing.  I have many books on using herbs, but I want something more in depth.  I grow alot of herbs and I really enjoy it, but most go to waste, because I don't use them like I should.  Maybe somehow this could go along with our truck garden enterprise.  Maybe I should sit back and listen to God instead of going in all directions?  Maybe the desires of my heart were put there by God? 


Well, better get back to school.  If anyone has any recommendations for courses or books to study, I would really appreciate it.


From Glory Farm

3 comments:

CatherineAnn said...

www.naturallyhealthy.org


I would love to take her herbalist courses. I found the book Mommy Diagnostics 1/2 off at our local Christian bookstore- yea! Like you, I have too many "good things" that I want to do right now ;) .

OK, back to planning my gardens :) .

HeMarriedMedusa said...

Dear Rhonda,

I wish you a lot of luck with you truck garden. And it's nice to know others out there occaisionally spread themselves 'too thin'. I too sometimes need to trust God more, even if he did give me a brain. Thanks for looking at our photo. I couldn't resist remaining a bit mysterious for at least a little longer....lol. Sincerely, Brenda

MrsBurns said...

Hi there:

Last summer was our first attempt at selling some of what we'd grown at a Saturday farmer's market. I learned a lot and can't wait to get back into it this year.


On the bagging side, we found that pre-bagging green beans in a clear food-safe plastic bag in half-pound sizes made it easier for everyone. Set price for a set quantity. With tomatoes, squash and okra, we let folks pick out which pieces they wanted and then we weighed them. I used a baking scale last yr. but will probably get a "legal for trade" scale this summer.


On display, my customers always seem to like the homespun look. Gingham, baskets, simple wildflower arrangements to brighten (and sell!). People told me we had the best table at the market, and it was not b/c we spent the most! I have gotten a few sturdier baskets for this year but nothing fancier. We also used little chalkboards to list prices and varieties.


We got our bags at a store called Bag-Mart. They have a retail store near us, but I bet they have an online catalog, too. Hope this helps. Good luck!


DeniseB