Book Parties!

A new book is always exciting. Opening the box for the first time and seeing all those hours of researching, writing and revising fitted between colorful covers makes a holiday.  Hearing readers say they like the story is the best kind of music.  And book parties are the best kinds of parties.

This last weekend was a banner weekend--with two book parties for Farmer Will Allen and the Growing Table.

New Bo Books, Cedar Rapids

Saturday story hour at New Bo Books in Cedar Rapids was a great chance to visit with long-time friends and to meet new friends of all ages. Kids could connect Will Allen's farm with their own vegetable gardens. We made vegetable and flower mobiles. And we did have cake.Thanks, New Bo Books!

veggies from Laura's farm

Yesterday Farmer Will Allen and the Growing Table went to Laura's Krouse's Abbe Hills Farm.

Such is the power of Will Allen's vision of good food for all that just sharing his story brings people together with good food, introduces kids to the places where food is grown, and gives them a chance to try that food.

one family learns about Farmer Will

Farmer Laura shares okra

Kids come back from the field

Enough said

And, yes, in addition to the veggies, we did have cake.

It was a party after all.

Inspired by Will Allen--Matthew 25 Urban Farm~Cedar Rapids

Clint Twedt-Ball and his brother Courtney Ball, co-directors of Matthew 25 farm

Good ideas grow like plump seeds dropped in good ground.  Last weekend I had a chance to see that again.

I went to an urban farm in Cedar Rapids--Matthew 25. The farm was inspired by Will Allen and has as its goal the same goal as Will Allen's Growing Power Farm-- to provide tasty, healthy food at reasonable prices to people in the area. The co-directors are Clint Twedt-Ball and his brother Courtney.

Play equipment welcomes neighborhood kids

No fences

Vegetables grow next to train tracks and industrial buildings

Matthew 25 has plans to send one of its farmers to Will Allen's Growing Power Farm this winter, expand its farm next year, grow more vegetables plant more fruit trees. Courtney Ball has worked with others to set up school yard gardens at two schools in Cedar Rapids. 

At a time when there are people in our country who would cut food stamp benefits to those who need them (see Paul Krugman on this), thus depriving children--and adults--of needed food, it is uplifting to meet people who are succeeding at helping others to eat better and are strengthening communities with good food.

Urban Farm Tour

If you are going to be at the ALA in Chicago later this month, I hope you'll join us for one of both of these tours. I am excited about seeing these urban farms.  And, if you are not going to be at the ALA,  check here. I'll report back.

















          6/27 Thursday 4-5:30p.m.                         
          City Farm Chicago                                 
          1487 W. Irving Park Rd. Chicago, IL         
          www.cityfarmchicago.org                       
          Co-hosted by Gillian Engberg                     
          City Farm Board member,                         
          Truck Farm Chicago,                                
          Little Free Library
          Reception following tour.

               6/28 Friday 1-2 p.m.
               Growing Power's Iron Street Farm
               3333 S. Iron St. Chicago, IL 60608
               www.ironstreetfarm.com
               Meet Erica Allen, Growing Power's Chicago project
               manager and Will Allen's Daughter, Truck Farm
               Chicago, Little Free Library

Please RSVP to Philip Lee-- Philip@readerstoeaters.com-- if you'll be able to attend.