Will work for food?

[Guest guest]

Looking for farm-fresh organic produce in the Twin Cities area,

strapped for cash, and willing to help grow it? No problem! Read on!

Many have recently written about the cost of wholesome food and the

challenges of securing nutrient dense foods during these hard

economic times, for many, at all times, especially for families with

children. My wife and I were blessed with 13 kids, most home birthed

- for health, spiritual and for economic reasons - so we've learned a

few things in our lifetime. For one thing, we've always grown and

preserved much of our own berries, fruits. vegetables and herbs -

sometimes in our back yards and decks, but most often on rented acres

and for the last quarter century on our own (well, almost).

I chose my parents carefully (!!!) and so was born in the hinterlands

of southern Brazil where there were no conveniences, such as

electricity, phones, running water, radios, indoor bathrooms or even

food stores. Everybody grew their own food and preserved it, or

swamped with neighbors or on rare occasions actually bought from

them. (Money was very hard to come by.) We were too ignorant or

fortunate to know that we were " poor. " We also were not aware how far

ahead of our times we were by eating 100% local, in season, and 100%

organic. There were no junk foods, fast foods, convenience stores or

any food store within 3 hours - slightly inconvenient!!

When starvation is the only alternative - there were no governmental

social welfare systems - you automatically learned to live frugally

and to grow, prepare and preserve your own food, and be helpful to

all neighbors. Your life depended upon it. Though 70 now, I have

never forgotten the friendly symbiotic relationship of practically

everyone one we knew within an hour's walking distance. That was our

" world. " Sharing and extreme hospitality were a way of life.

For over a quarter century I have been involved in developing and

managing a berry-fruit-vegetable-herb farm here in the NE sector of

the Minneapolis-St. metro area. We are certified by Food

Alliance Midwest. We've also made considerable effort to make it easy

for non-land owners to share in our food growing opportunities as

well as the harvest. Honesty, integrity, trustworthiness and

willingness to learn and pitch in are the only prerequisites. Skills

can be learned.

So whether from an economic necessity, or a desire to learn how to

grow, use and preserve a wide variety of local organic produce, or to

enjoy the pleasure of participating in the healing activity of

gardening, I invite you to contact me (off line) to see how we can

fit you into our JOY OF FARMING program. We firmly believe that

" Health comes from the farm, not the pharmacy! "

We FARM FOR HEALTH and are open to include you in this healthy

pursuit of growing nutrient dense, healing produce.

M. Otten

www.NaturaFarms.com

[Guest guest]

Just wanted to say to Otten that I'm so glad to have him

contributing to the list. Although we have never met, I have been a

customer of his for years and enjoyed several phone conversations with

him.

The trip up to Natura Farms is a pleasure as you wind your way up

Manning Ave. You get to feast your eyes on the rolling hills of

Land and Cattle, apparently from the signs you can buy honey and

blue-green algae on the way, and then practically across the street

from his farm is Poplar Hill Dairy Goat Farm where you can get fresh

goat milk!

Can't wait till the growing season!

Kathy