Cuatro Caminos Collective ivcaminos@gmail.com 562-448-2619

Self-Watering Planter Box: Grow food anywhere

2012-01-27T12:12:00.000-08:00

These are serially connected self-watering containers we developed last year. Made with off the shelf and scavenged materials and organic potting mix, we experimented growing a variety of greens and nightshades.With these containers, it's possible to grow your own veggies even in the most restricted of environments, inside or out without too much mess. By using a natural, organic growing medium (as opposed to a vitamin solution) we take advantage of the myriad of beneficial microorganisms that promote healthy plants. These boxes are perfect for the kitchen gourmet who needs a handful of basil that's always fresh and well watered with no hassle.

The Center for Food Safety Pushes Back Against Gates Foundation "Feed the World" Propaganda

2012-01-26T15:49:00.001-08:00

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Genetic Engineering News List

NOTE: See also 'Gates Foundation Swimming Against a Tide of Informed Opinion'.
http://www.gmwatch.org/latest-listing/1-news-items/13481
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Genetically Engineered Crops Will Not Feed The World
CFS, January 25 2012
http://truefoodnow.org/2012/01/25/genetically-engineered-crops-will-not-feed-the-world/

*The Center for Food Safety Pushes Back Against Gates Foundation "Feed the
World" Propaganda

The Center for Food Safety (CFS) pushed back today against longtime biotech crop
supporter, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, over its announcement that it
has invested nearly $2 billion in a campaign to fund the development of
genetically engineered (GE) crops in an attempt to address global hunger. The
Gates Foundation has been widely criticized by food security and public interest
groups for promoting GE crops in developing countries rather than investing in
organic and sustainable local models of agriculture.

"The biotech industry has exploited the image of the world's poor and hungry to
advance a form of agriculture that is expensive, input-intensive, and of little
or no relevance to developing country farmers," said Andrew Kimbrell Executive
Director for the Center for Food Safety. "It's long past time that the Gates
Foundation redirect its investments in biotech companies like Monsanto, and its
funding of dead-end GE crop projects, to promote agroecological techniques with
a proven record of increasing food production in developing countries."

Since their introduction in the mid-90s, developers of GE crops have claimed
their crops will reduce agriculture's environmental footprint, provide benefits
to farmers and meet the needs of a hungry planet.   Yet across the board GE crops
have failed to deliver results. GE crops have remained an industrial tool
dependent upon costly inputs, such as patented seeds and synthetic pesticides
and fertilizers, that farmers in the most food insecure regions can ill-afford.
For instance, 5 out of every 6 acres of GE crops worldwide are
herbicide-resistant varieties designed explicitly to increase dependence on
expensive herbicides, and this remains the major R&D focus of the industry.[i]

In contrast, the emerging consensus of international development experts is that
real solutions to addressing global hunger must be inexpensive, low-input and
utilize local/regional resources as much as possible[ii] - all areas where GE
crops fail to deliver. For instance, the UN and World Bank's 2008 International
Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development
(IAASTD), which engaged some 400 experts from multiple disciplines, concluded
that biotech crops have very little potential to alleviate poverty and
hunger.[iii] Instead, IAASTD recommended support for agroecological approaches
and food sovereignty.

In 1998, African scientists at a United Nations conference strongly objected to
Monsanto's promotional GE campaign that used photos of starving African children
under the headline "Let the Harvest Begin." The scientists, who represented many
of the nations affected by poverty and hunger, said gene technologies would
undermine the nations' capacities to feed themselves by destroying established
diversity, local knowledge and sustainable agricultural systems.[iv]

Developing nations also object to seed patents, which give biotech firms the
power to criminalize the age-old practice of seed-saving as "patent
infringement." Thousands of U.S. farmers have been forced to pay Monsanto tens
of millions of dollars in damages for the "crime" of saving seed.[v] Loss of
the right to save seed through the introduction of patented GE crops could prove
disastrous for the 1.4 billion farmers in developing nations who depend on
farm-saved seed.[vi]

It is increasingly understood that poverty, inadequate access to land and food,
and unfair trade policies are the major causes of hunger in the world, rather
than absolute shortage of food. Additional factors contributing to food
insecurity include declining investments in infrastructure (storage facilities,
roads to markets) and increased diversion of food crops for biofuels and animal
feed. The UN World Food Program notes many farmers in developing countries
cannot afford seed or other materials for crop production,[vii] so GE seeds,
which cost twice to over six times the price of conventional seed, are even less
affordable.

# # #

The Center for Food Safety is a national, non-profit, membership organization
founded in 1997 to protect human health and the environment by curbing the use
of harmful food production technologies and by promoting organic and other forms
of sustainable agriculture. More information can be found at
www.centerforfoodsafety.org

[i] CFS-FOE (2008). "Who Benefits from GM Crops: The Rise in Pesticide Use,"
Center for Food Safety and Friends of the Earth International, 2008.
http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/2008/02/13/genetically-modified-gm-crops-increase-pesticide-use-and-fail-to-alleviate-poverty-reveals-new-report/

[ii] United Nations Environment Programme - United Nations Conference on Trade
and Development. 2008. Organic Agriculture and Food Security in Africa.
UNCTAD/DITC/TED/2007/15. ; United Nations and World Bank (2009) The
International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for
Development (ISTAAD). Island Press. Washington, D.C.

[iii] Sullivan, D. (2008). "Groundbreaking report offers holistic remedies for
famine relief and environmental protection in developing countries," The Rodale
Institute, April 18, 2008.   http://www.rodaleinstitute.org/20080418/fp1; for
report and commentaries, see: www.agassessment.org

[iv] "Let Nature's Harvest Continue!" African Counter Statement to Monsanto, at
the 5th Extraordinary Session of the FAQ Commission on Genetic Resources, June
12, 1998.

[v] CFS (2005 & 2007).   "Monsanto vs. U.S. Farmers," Center for Food Safety,
2005; updated 2007. http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/campaign/genetically-engineered-food/crops/other-resources/monsanto-vs-u-s-farmers-report/

[vi] Grain (2007) The End of Farm-saved Seed? Industry's Wish List for the Next
Revision of UPOV, February 2007.   http://www.grain.org/briefings/?id=202

[vii] World Food Programme of the United Nations, Website "What Causes Hunger?"
Accessed March 25, 2010. http://www.wfp.org/hunger/causes

The Genetic Engineering Blog is produced by Thomas Wittman and EcoFarm, and supported by a generous donation from the Newman's Own Foundation. Please pass this vital information on. If you would like to get on this list go to www.eco-farm.org and select Blogs.

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Cuatro Caminos Collective

*Meaningful Work,
*Wholesome Local Food,
*Appropriate Technology,
*Intergenerational/Cross-Cultural Dialogue and
Cooperation

ivcaminos.blogspot.com
562-448-2619

Chimamanda Adichie: The danger of a single story

2012-01-26T14:07:00.001-08:00

FW: USDA scientist reveals hazards of glyphosate

2012-01-26T10:51:00.001-08:00

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Genetic Engineering News List

NOTE: See also 'Dr. Mercola Interviews Dr. Huber about GMO':
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4swW9OFmf8
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Title : USDA Scientist Reveals Hazards of Glyphosate
Date : 20 January 2012

Contents: THIRD WORLD NETWORK BIOSAFETY INFORMATION SERVICE

ISIS Report 09/01/12

USDA Scientist Reveals All

Glyphosate Hazards to Crops, Soils, Animals, and Consumers

Don Huber painted a devastating picture of glyphosate and GM crops at UK
Parliament. By Dr Eva Sirinathsinghji

A fully illustrated and referenced version of this report is posted on the
Institute of Science in Society website (http://www.i-sis.org.uk)

In less than an hour, Don Huber, professor emeritus at Purdue University and
USDA senior scientist (see Box) delivered to the UK Houses of Parliament a
damning indictment of glyphosate agriculture as a most serious threat to the
environment, livestock, and human health [1].

Don Huber

Don Huber, Emeritus Professor at Purdue University and senior scientist on
USDA's National Plant Disease Recovery System, has been a plant physiologist and
pathologist for over 40 years. His academic career began with 8 years as a
cereal pathologist at the University of Idaho, and the next 35 years at Purdue
University where he specialised in soil-borne disease control, physiology of
disease, and microbial ecology. For the past 20 years, he has conducted
extensive research into the effects of glyphosate on crops, in response to the
increase in crop diseases on glyphosate-applied fields.

Since his letter to the US Secretary of State Tom Vilsak was leaked in February
2011, there has been a great deal of controversy over what Huber described as a
pathogen "new to science" and abundant in glyphosate-tolerant GM crops (see [2]
Emergency! Pathogen New to Science Found in Roundup Ready GM Crops?, SiS 50). As
he concluded in the letter:

"We are now seeing an unprecedented trend of increasing plant and animal
diseases and disorders. This pathogen may be instrumental to understanding and
solving this problem".

His talk linked glyphosate to reduced nutrient availability in plants,
increasing plant diseases, the emergence of a new pathogen, animal illness and
possible effects on human health (see [3, 4] Glyphosate Tolerant Crops Bring
Death and Disease, Scientists Reveal Glyphosate Poisons Crops and Soil, SiS 47).

Pathogen new to science

The conversion of US agriculture to monochemical herbicide practice has resulted
in the extensive use of glyphosate herbicides. Coincidentally, farmers have been
witnessing deterioration in the health of corn, soybean, wheat and other crops,
and epidemics of diseases in small grain crops. All are associated with the
extensive use of glyphosate, which has increased further since the introduction
of glyphosate-tolerant, Roundup Ready (RR) crops.

Glyphosate immobilises nutrients required to maintain plant health and
resistance to disease. This weakening of the plants defence could explain the
infestation of GM crops with the new pathogen, which has now been observed in
horse, sheep, pigs, cows, chicken, multiple animal tissues including
reproductive parts (semen, amniotic fluid), manure, soil, eggs, milk, as well as
the common fungal pathogen that is currently infesting RR crops, Fusarium solani
fsp glycines mycelium. All are coming into contact with glyphosate either
through direct exposure or consumption through animal feed. It is also highly
abundant in crops suffering from plant Goss' wilt and sudden death syndrome.

The pathogen can be cultured in the lab, and has been isolated from livestock
foetal tissue, replicated in the lab and re-introduced back into the animals. It
appears to be very common and may well be interacting with the effects of
glyphosate on both plants and animals, exacerbating disease and causing
reproductive failure in livestock (see below). Although great expectations have
been placed on Huber to publish his findings, he insists that before this can be
done, further resources are necessary to be able to characterise the 'entity'
and identify what type of species it is, including sequencing of its genome.
This is a slow process and once complete, it is his intention to publish the
work in a peer-reviewed journal.

Understanding glyphosate's mode of action

Recognising glyphosate's mechanism of action is the key to understanding how it
may exert detrimental effects on the health of crops, animals, and the
environment alike. Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum herbicide that interacts with
a range of physiological processes in the plant and its environment. Although it
is most commonly recognised to work through inhibition of the plant enzyme
5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) involved in the production
of aromatic amino acids in the shikimate pathway, it was actually first patented
as a strong metal-chelator that binds to metals including manganese, magnesium,
iron, nickel, zinc and calcium, many of which are important micronutrients
acting as co-factors for plant enzymes in different physiological processes
including the plants' defence system. Indeed, it is actually through chelation
of manganese that the EPSPS enzyme is inhibited.

Rendering plants more susceptible to disease through glyphosate's pathogenic
activity is actually the way it exerts its herbicidal activity.

This is done not just through immobilising nutrients in the plant but also
impacting the agricultural system as a whole. Consistently, if glyphosate does
not reach the root of a plant or the plant is grown in a sterile soil, the plant
is not killed.

Once in the soil, glyphosate is later immobilised through the chelation of
cations, and is therefore very stable and not easily degraded. However,
phosphorus (including phosphorus fertilisers) can desorb the herbicide, making
it active once again in the soil.

Glyphosate interferes negatively with many components of agriculture Huber
stressed that agriculture is an integrated system of many interacting
components, which together determine crop health and therefore yield. This
concept is undervalued, and the sooner this is recognised, the sooner we will be
able to reap the full genetic potential of our crops.

The three main components of an agricultural system are 1) the biotic
environment including beneficial organisms for example, nitrogen-fixing microbes
and mineralizers; 2) the abiotic environment including nutrients, moisture, pH;
and 3), defence against pathogens that damage crops. The genetic potential of a
plant can be achieved by minimising the stress placed on these components
through improving plant nutrition and physiology and prevention of diseases and
pests.

We have been repeatedly told that to meet the world's needs for food production
we must resort to GM crops and chemical agriculture. However, glyphosate
detrimentally interacts with all the agricultural components, so much so that an
estimated 50 percent of the potential crop yields are currently being lost (see
Figure 1).

As shown in figure 1, glyphosate interacts with a wide range of health
determinants, which intensifies stress and reduces crop yields. Not only does it
accumulate in the plant tissues (shoot and root tips, reproductive structures
and legume nodules), it accumulates in the roots where it then leaks into the
soil and harms beneficial microorganisms in the soil including those that act as
biological controls of pathogens. The obvious consequence is the increased
virulence of soil-borne pathogens that lead to disease.

Glyphosate immobilises nutrients critical for plant defence system and other
functions

One of Huber's important discoveries was the close correlation of all the known
conditions affecting the disease 'take-all' with the availability of manganese
to the plant and its physiological effect on resistance to this pathogen.

Micronutrients are the activators or inhibitors of many critical physiological
functions. Thus, a deficiency or change in availability of these regulatory
elements can greatly affect plant growth and resistance to diseases and pests.
Those metabolic pathways producing secondary anti-microbial compounds,
pathogen-inhibiting amino acids and peptides, hormones involved in cicatrisation
(walling off pathogens), callusing, and disease escape mechanisms can all be
compromised by glyphosate.
Micronutrients are also necessary for other processes in a plant.

Manganese for example is not only involved in co-activating the EPSPS enzyme,
with up to 25 other enzymes known to be affected by manganese chelation. Such
enzymes are necessary for photosynthesis, in assimilating carbon dioxide in the
electron transport chain, along with zinc. It also helps in the synthesis of
chlorophyll and in nitrate assimilation.

Numerous enzymes requiring other mineral co-factors are also affected, among
them enzymes of the shikimate pathway, to which EPSPS belongs, are responsible
for plant responses to stress and the synthesis of defence molecules against
pathogens, such as amino acids, lignins, hormones, phytoalexins, flavenoids and
phenols.

Consistent with what is known about the role of micronutrients and glyphosate,
the levels of key minerals have been measured in transgenic RR soybeans and
found to be lower than those in isogenic non-transgenic varieties. Manganese was
reduced by as much as 45 %, while iron was reduced by 49 % [5]. Similar
deficiencies in mineral content have been found in non-GM varieties, suggesting
that the glyphosate, and not the RR transgene, is responsible for reducing
mineral availability [6].

Glyphosate reduces photosynthesis, water uptake, amino acid production as well
as lignin, a molecule conferring mechanical strength of the plant and crucial
for conducting water through plant stems [7, 8].

As Huber stated, the consequences of these nutrient deficiencies is that "crops
don't look as good, are not as productive or rigorous, and are slower growing"
(see Figure 2). He noted yield drags of 26 % for RR soybeans. Furthermore, with
current concerns for global warming, plants that are up to 50 % less
water-efficient, such as RR crops, are counter-productive and can only
exacerbate problems.

Huber stressed that there is nothing in the glyphosate tolerant crops that
operates on the glyphosate applied to them. Consequently, although they have
enough resistance to prevent them from dying (conferred by the EPSPS transgene),
their overall physiological function is compromised by glyphosate. It therefore
affects GM as well as non-GM crops through residual levels of glyphosate in the
ground.

In addition to chelating nutrients in the plants, glyphosate can lower mineral
content through damaging beneficial soil organisms, including microbes producing
indole-acetic acid (a growth-promoting auxin), earthworms, mycorrhizae
associations, phosphorus & zinc uptake, microbes such as Pseudomonads, Bacillus
that convert insoluble soil oxides to plant-available forms of manganese and
iron, nitrogen-fixing bacteria Bradyrhizobium, Rhizobium, and organisms involved
in the biological control of soil-borne diseases that reduce root uptake of
nutrients.

Figure 2 Effects of long-term glyphosate on crop health; adapted from

Huber's presentation

Glyphosate increases incidence and virulence of soil-borne pathogens Thirty-four
diseases have been reported in the scientific literature to increase in
incidence as a result of glyphosate weed-eradication programmes. They affect a
wide variety of crops from cereals to bananas, tomatoes, soybean, cotton,
canola, melon and grapes [9]. Some of these diseases are considered 'emerging'
or 're-emerging' as they had not caused serious economic losses in the past.
This has worrying implications for the agricultural sector with the US now in
its fourth year of epidemics of Goss' wilt and sudden death syndrome and
eighteenth year of epidemic of Fusarium fungal colonisation resulting in root
rot and Fusarium wilt. Not only does glyphosate affect disease susceptibility,
there is also evidence of increased disease severity. Examples include
'take-all'; Corynespora root rot in soybean; Fusarium spp diseases, including
those caused by Fusarium species that are ordinarily non-pathogenic.
Head-scab caused by Fusarium spp of cereals increases following glyphosate
application, which is also now prevalent in cooler climates when previously it
was limited to warmer climates.

Food and Feed Safety Concerns

Nutrient-deficient, transgenic plants suffering from disease that also harbour
herbicide residues, presents an array of possible safety hazards to animals and
humans. According to Huber, possible harm include direct toxicity of glyphosate
itself, which has been shown to cause endocrine disruption, DNA damage,
reproductive and developmental toxicities, neurotoxicity, cancer, and birth
defects (see [10]Glyphosate Toxic and Roundup Worse,SiS26; [11]Death by Multiple
Poisoning, Glyphosate and Roundup,SiS42; [12]Ban Glyphosate HerbicideNow.SiS43;
[13]Lab Study Establishes Glyphosate Link to Birth Defects,SiS48). Furthermore,
allergies are on the rise, and animals are showing allergy responses, including
inflamed irritated stomachs (Figure 3), discoloration of stomach lining, leakage
of intestines as well as behavioural symptoms of irritability and anti-social
behaviour in cows (abnormal for herd animals). Inflammatory bowel disease in
humans has risen 40 percent since 1992, which may be
related to consumption of GM foods, although this has not yet been proven.

The increase in infestation of crops with fungal pathogens that produce toxins
is an added concern. Mycotoxins, including fusarium toxins as well as aflatoxins
released by Aspergillus fungi are carcinogenic and have forced imports of wheat
into the US due to unsafe levels found in domestic harvests.

Triple whammy of reproductive toxicity caused by glyphosate In 2002, the
Cattlemen's Association gave a statement to US Congress on the serious and
puzzling rises in reproductive problems. It said: "high numbers of foetuses are
aborting for no apparent reason. Other farmers successfully raise what look to
be normal young cattle, only to learn when the animals are butchered that their
carcasses appear old and, therefore, less valuable...The sporadic problem is so
bad both in the United States and abroad that in some herds around 40-50 percent
of pregnancies are being lost.. [and] the viability of this important industry
is threatened."

Glyphosate appears to be able to induce reproductive failures through three
separate mechanisms. The first, mentioned above is the endocrine dysfunction
caused by direct toxicity of glyphosate.

The second is the reduced nutrient content having consequential effects on the
nutritional status of animals. Manganese in animals, as in plants, is an
essential nutrient, and deficiencies have been associated with a variety of
diseases as well as reproductive failures, which are becoming increasingly
common in livestock. One study performed in Australia following two seasons of
high levels of stillbirths in cattle found that all dead calves were manganese
deficient [14]. Furthermore, 63 percent of babies with birth defects were also
deficient. Manganese is known to be important for mobilising calcium into bones,
correlating with abnormal bone formation in these calves.

Third, the unknown pathogenic 'entity' may be associated with inducing
pseudo-pregnancies. As far back as 1998, a suspect agent was found in
reproductive tissue of livestock. It has now been isolated in high
concentrations from semen, amniotic fluid as well as placental tissue. It has
also been found in aborted foetal tissue. Some farms are reporting up to 50
percent fewer conceptions in animals due to increased miscarriages and
pseudo-pregnancies. Although evidence of the widespread presence of this new
pathogen is clear, Don Huber suggested the need for further research to
understand not only what kind of pathogen it is, but importantly, the effects it
is having on the health of plants as well as animals.

To conclude

Over 100 peer reviewed papers have been published by Huber and other scientists
on the detrimental effects of glyphosate. Glyphosate increases disease in plants
(as well as animals), prompting Huber to write to the Secretary of Agriculture.
It may be linked to many health problems in animals and humans, which are an
added cost to all the failed promises of a new agricultural technology that
would feed the world. As Huber concluded, the "public trust has been betrayed."

................................................................
Website: http://www.gmwatch.org

Winter Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop in Pomona, Friday January 20th, 9am to Noon.

2012-01-15T21:23:00.001-08:00

Where:
Tri-City Rehabilitation Orchard and Garden
2008 North Gary Avenue
Pomona, CA 91767

The orchard is located in the lot directly north of Tri-City building. This is a workshop and lecture. Learn by doing. Bring clippers and loppers and be prepared to prune trees. Wear warm cloths and comfortable shoes.

Info: email Tom Spellman or call 909.931.2458

--

"la accion es la madre de la esperanza."

-Pablo Neruda

The Best Time To Plant a Tree was Twenty Years Ago; The Next Best Time is Now: 2012 Edible Landscaping Consultations available for next week December 12-17th

2011-12-10T10:02:00.001-08:00

Call or email to set up an appointment between December 12th and the 17th to meet with you on your property to discuss what we do and how we might be able to work together for the coming year to help you create a productive and healthy space for you, your family, your neighbors, and your friends. We will be taking on a limited number of new sites this year, so respond quickly if you wish to be part of the select few that will be having our gardens installed on your site.

Cuatro Caminos CSA Volunteer Sign Up Form

2011-12-09T21:26:00.000-08:00

Joel Salatin: War Stories from the Local Food Front

2011-12-09T01:06:00.001-08:00

The Broken Food System

A conference held in Australia about the politics of food issues and their impact on small sustainable farms. Joel Salatin talks about the broken food system established shortly after the end of WWII. With the large scale production of NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) went the normal process of creating compost on farms. Ushering in chemical dependent farms and industrial food at artificially low prices.

The rest of the video lives on another site and will open a new window.

Joel Salatin: War Stories from the Local Food Front from Australian Broadcasting Corporation on FORA.tv

Garden Work Day

2011-12-08T01:15:00.001-08:00

Come join us at the Strub Ave garden. Clearing out some out of season plants and adding seedlings. It's at the 8826 Stub Ave Whittier Ca. 9am-2.30pm.

We Need Some Volunteers!

2011-12-02T10:06:00.001-08:00

Come out and help your local CSA grow!

Budding gardeners or experienced veterans! Cuatro Caminos Gardens can use some help in tending or support. A new volunteers schedule will be posted on the blog site for interested parties to help out. Time slots will be through out the week and weekend. For more information please email: ivcaminos@gmail.com I will send out a time sheet and instructions for the garden. Simple stuff, weeding, watering and some planting.

"Face Your Food"

2011-11-15T00:25:00.001-08:00

The Whittier Time Bank with the Hathaway Ranch Museum is having a poultry butchering workshop. Space is limited, so RSVP to reserve a spot. Detail in the flyer.

Slow Food Chapter Starting Up in San Gabriel Valley

2011-11-02T10:25:00.001-07:00

Local Persimmons for Sale.

2011-10-29T09:05:00.001-07:00

Local persimmons now available. call for prices

Seedling Planting Day, Oct 6th 2pm-7pm

2011-10-03T10:19:00.000-07:00

We are planting the rest of the rows at Scott's garden on 6313 Glengarry Ave Whittier. It's a simple and clean row 48"x133", lot's of area to play and design what eat for the fall.

Here's a link to the Facebook event with further information:https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=157710670985777

Verimcomposting at The Growing Home and Learning Center

2011-09-12T10:26:00.000-07:00

If you ever wanted to learn about composting with worms. Saturday, Sept 17 is a verimcomposting workshop in Diamond Bar at The Growing Home and Learning Center, starts at 5pm to 7:30pm. There will be a potluck dinner as well.

About The Growing Home, "The Growing Home is a garden and educational center located in the suburbs of Los Angeles. Formerly just a regular old house in the ‘burbs, since 2008 The Growing Home has expanded to become a garden, orchard, vegetable farm, mushroom grower, and (vermi)compost manufacturer. We are always working on new projects, which currently include rainwater harvesting, vertical gardening, and natural building & architecture. Our goal is to provide a space for building community through sustainable education. We regularly hold classes on things like composting, rainwater harvesting, vegetable growing, and tree pruning."

For more info: www.thegrowinghome.net

Seedling Workshop!! Sept 10th 10am-11am

2011-09-02T12:30:00.000-07:00

Seedling Workshop!! Sept 10th 10am-11am

In this month's resiliency workshop, learn about preparing a healthy growing space for your seedlings. Learn to make a soil mix from perlite, peat moss and compost so your seedlings will grow and thrive. Two techniques will be shown; the soil blocker and seedling pots. Finally, you'll learn about caring for seedlings as you prepare them for a successful transplant. Participants will take home a mature seedling ready to plant. Workshop led by David Kiang of Cuatro Caminos Farm Collective. To RSVP, email ivcaminos@gmail.com.

Latest Harvest for the CSA!

2011-09-02T10:56:00.000-07:00

Harvest for Summer 2011 CSA Box Program

The latest harvest for the Cuatro Caminos CSA Box Program.

Poblano Chile

Jalapenos

Bell Peppers

Yellow Straight Neck Squash

Anaheim Chile

Heirloom Tomatoes

Eggplants, Japanese and Traditional

Cherry Tomatoes

Swiss Chard, White

Basil, Thai and Traditional

Lemongrass

Spagetti Squash

Blue Corn

Wax Beans

For seven weeks CSA members take home a box of mixed produce from our gardens. Pick ups are once a week on Saturadays 10am-2pm.

Summer 2011 Whittier Farm and Harvest

2011-08-21T19:35:00.000-07:00

Some images from the various micro farms serving the Cuatro Caminos CSA.

Whittier CSA

2011-08-21T13:57:00.000-07:00

Community Supported Agriculture Program

“In basic terms, CSA consists of a community of individuals who pledge support to a farm operation so that the farmland becomes, either legally or spiritually, the community’s farm, with the growers and consumers providing mutual support and sharing the risks and benefits of food production. Members or shareholders of the farm or garden pledge in advance to cover costs. In return, they receive shares in the farm’s bounty throughout the growing season, as well as satisfaction gained from reconnecting to the land. Members also share in risks, including poor harvest due to unfavorable weather or pests.”

- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) definition

Microfarms

A Micro farm is an independent farmer who operates on a small acreage. 15% of the worlds food comes from the micro farmer. Cuatro Caminos micro farms are comprised of several volunteer's backyards located in Whittier CA. All managed by the Cuatro Caminos Collective since 2010.

Our CSA

The Cuatro Caminos CSA box program is a partnership between our backyard farms and a community of supporters. CSA members support the farms with their membership fee and agree to contribute a minimum of seven hours of farm or support work during the season, in exchange for a share of the farm's vegetables and fruits. Cuatro Caminos and the Whittier Time Bank will also offer several farm work days throughout the season for large plantings, clean-ups, etc. Time bank members will also receive time dollars for their work.

Cost and Payment Information

Our CSA Box Program for 201 is a 7 week commitment, a full share will cost $175- to be paid all at once. Every week, CSA members are invited to our farm to receive a wide variety of fresh and local, sustainably grown vegetables. Members are asked to bring their own bags or boxes for the pick up.

CSA Frequently Asked Questions

Where and when can I pick up my food?
Shares are available for pickup on Saturdays at one of the Cuatro Caminos mircofarms, located in Whittier CA at the hours 10am-2pm.

**Due to each garden being a private residence, address is given to members only.

When does the CSA begin?
This year we are using a rolling membership schedule. Each subscription is a seven week period, with members being given a start and ending date.

How many people does a share feed?
A share is designed to feed 2-3 vegetarian adults or a family of four with mixed diets.

How many shares are available this season?

We are a small CSA currently offering only 4 shares, on a first come, first-served basis. Sign up now to ensure your space!!

Can I split a share?
We only sells full shares. If you would like to split a share with a friend, you may do so on your own. We would love to add the contact info of your share-ers to our lists, so that they can also receive CSA communications, so please include this information with your registration, if desired.

What do I do if I am on vacation?
Share your share! CSA members can have a guest pick up their food. If no one picks up your share, the produce will be donated to a local Food Pantry.

What do I get each week?
Each season brings a different mixture of produce, keeping the box seasonal. A list of current and specials are listed on the ivcaminos.blogspot.com.

Is the produce organic?
The Cuatro Caminos Community Farm uses 100% organic methods to grow its food; however our land has not been certified as organic. The foundation of a CSA model is a relationship of trust between the growers and the consumers—knowing your land and your farmer is much more important than having a label on your vegetables.

What are CSA members work hours?
CSA members are required to do at least 7 hours of service with the farm during the season (an average of 2 hours per month), but are welcome to volunteer more. Members can help harvest vegetables, berries, herbs, and flowers. Those who have difficulty doing manual labor or who prefer to offer other skills can work out an arrangement to volunteer in other capacities (technical support, mailings, creative work, etc.) Members may work Wednesdays (between 8am-5pm) or Saturdays (between 10am – 2pm). We will also offer several farm work days throughout the season for large plantings, cleanups, etc.

To receive a subscription application or have further questions,please email to Cuatro Caminos at: ivcaminos@gmail.com or call 562.448.2619

CSA Coming Soon

2011-08-15T00:04:00.001-07:00

Stay tuned everyone as the Summer CSA from Cuatro Caminos will be starting. The tomatoes, summer squash, eggplants, herbs and greens are coming in strong. Those interested in visiting the garden sites or helping out as volunteers email: ivcaminos@gmail.com

Thanks!

2011-07-21T11:49:00.001-07:00

Cuatro caminos collective potluck/potlasch next week, saturday the 30th, penn park, whittier @ around 4-20ish

2011-06-03T19:15:00.000-07:00

Work day this sunday in whittier. prepping and planting beds at scotts and veronica

Compost Delivery in Whittier

2011-04-02T22:43:00.000-07:00

Help boost your gardens fertility with some really nice compost. $25 bucks gets you 1/2 cubic yard delivered to your door. (Whittier Area)

Avocados

2011-03-24T17:55:00.000-07:00

Fresh, local Fuerte Avocados. We'll have them at our dinner this Saturday. The small ones 2/$1, the larger ones a dollar each. Cheaper than Trader Joes.

CSA, Week 3, March 9, 2011

2011-03-08T21:31:00.000-08:00

CSA NewsLetter, March 9, 2011

Brassicas Seedlings Available

2011-03-04T23:10:00.000-08:00

We have tons of Brassica Seedlings Available to good homes. We have collards, cabbage, chinese kale, lacinato kale, red russian kale. If you have space for some seedlings, give us a call and get some seedlings. Donations are greatly appreciated as they help us do our work.

TEDTALK with Paul Stamets

2011-03-04T22:30:00.001-08:00

"Swan Song for the Lawn" with Larry Santoyo, Saturday & Sunday Feb 26/27 Altadena

2011-02-24T10:47:00.000-08:00

Learn how to transform a water-guzzlinglawn into a garden paradise.

Join us Sat & Sun, Feb 26/27, 11:00am to 4:00pm
$25 per day ($40 for both days with one payment)

This hands-on workshop you will learn the basics of Food Forestry, garden
design, sustainable landscape construction and more.

Sat (& Sunday continuation)
11:00am check in and overall design and process discussion- Sat, sheet
mulching, raised-bed building w stone and broken concrete.
1:00pm Lunch break
1:30 - 4:00pm continued garden construction, tree planting and vegetable
garden design and installation

RSVP for details and directions
permaculture@earthflow.com
(310) 383-5495 text ONLY

Cuatro Caminos February Dinner and Card Weaving Workshop, Whittier 2/26 5:30pm

2011-02-22T23:41:00.000-08:00

Please RSVP as soon as possible if you plan on attending the dinner and taking part in the card weaving workshop. We would like to get enough supplies gathered for the card weaving workshop so that everyone has enough to complete a project. We'll send out the event location information via email (Eddie and Stephanie's place).
*********************************************************************************
We're pleased to invite you to our first dinner of 2011. Come join us for some hearty dishes showcasing our locally grown produce (from Glendora and Whittier): ayote squash, greens, citrus, herbs.

Suggested donation: $10. (to go towards expanding edible landscapes in the San Gabriel Valley)

After dinner, our friend Alex will be teaching a card weaving workshop. Card weaving is an ancient form of weaving straps for anything from a bracelet to headbands to belts! Come learn how! Some materials will be provided, but if you can, please bring yarn.

http://wiiu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=60%3Aa-
card-weavers-union&catid=3

5:iu-news&Itemid=18.

Hope you can feast with us!

Raised Bed Installation @ Iris's place

2011-02-16T20:09:00.000-08:00

We just finished installing two raised beds at Iris's place. One we made from Redwood purchased at Home Depot, the other from scrap wood salvaged in Whittier.

The Box above is the scrap wood box (Two-2"X12"X8'/ Two-2"12"X4/Four-4"x4"x2'). Each box has two 180 degree microsprinkles and a small shutoff valve. When the summer crops come in, the system can be adapted to drip emitters or drip tape.

In each box we planted a polyculture mix of transplanted beets and brassicas (collards, gai-lan), undersown with lettuce, scallions, and carrots.

Whole Wheat, Home-made Bread Available This Sunday, February 20th, Whittier

2011-02-16T19:16:00.000-08:00

David rolling out the dough

Support local DIY food efforts by purchasing fresh rolls and loaves of bread. Small loaves are $4 dollars, large dinner rolls are 6 for $5. Place your order by email and we'll have your bread order ready for pick-up on Sunday morning. Order a couple extra and freeze some, but you'll probably just end up eating all of it during the week. Its that good.

Cuatro Caminos Collective Dinner and Card Weaving Workshop, February 26th

2011-02-15T22:46:00.000-08:00

We're pleased to invite you to our first dinner of 2011. Come join us for some hearty dishes showcasing our locally grown produce (from Glendora and Whittier): ayote squash, greens, citrus, herbs.

Suggested donation: $10. (to go towards expanding edible landscapes in the San Gabriel Valley)

After dinner, our friend Alex will be teaching a card weaving workshop. Card weaving is an ancient form of weaving straps for anything from a bracelet to headbands to belts! Come learn how! Some materials will be provided, but if you can, please bring yarn.

Hope you can feast with us!
Cuatro Caminos Collective

Saturday, February 26 · 5:30pm - 11:00pm

Whittier (place TBD)

@ Altadena Urban Farmers Market February 20th 1-4pm

2011-02-14T10:20:00.000-08:00

http://www.facebook.com/AltadenaUrbanFarmersMarket

Cuatro Caminos Collective will be offering:

Ayote Stew (featuring our locally grown squash and greens) with Coconut Rice

Fresh Baked Whole Wheat BreadCard Woven Belts (for more info, click link below)
http://www.wiiu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=60:a-card-weavers-union&catid=35:iu-news&Itemid=18

Home-made deodorant and lip balm

hand-made jewelry

Field crates for sale

2011-02-13T16:55:00.005-08:00

These crates are great for harvesting veggies (greens, tomatoes, etc.) They are nesting and stackable, really sturdy, great handles. Typically these crates go for about $12 each, but we're offering them for $8.

--
Field Crates

The Surprising Reason People Do Good Work (Animated Short Video)

2011-02-12T14:10:00.000-08:00

Scott's Yard (One Year Later)

2011-02-03T21:09:00.000-08:00

The Front yard is sprinkled with kale, dormant eggplant, lettuce, and california lilac.

The Back Yard is full of Bok Choy, Tatsoi, Chinese Kale seedlings, beets, and dormant fruit trees ready to be pruned. The plastic sheeting below is a makeshift greenhouse built up against the brick wall to take advantage of the extra heat to germinate tomatoes and peppers for early starts.

Solar Cooking Meeting, February 23, Fresno, California

2011-02-03T20:36:00.000-08:00

We are going to have an evening meeting to discuss plans for the year, show every one a new cooker design and discuss solar cooking adventures since our last meeting.

Place: Woodward Park Library, 944 E Perrin Ave., Fresno 93720

Date: Wednesday 2-23-11

Time: 7 to 8 pm set up at 6:30 pm

Bring: Solar cooked finger food type snacks to share if you can.

Pictures, questions and ideas to discuss.

We plan to have pictures of our pizza in the snow trip last Sat. and of our solar cooked Thanksgiving.

Let us know if you need more information.

Ellen Davies and Carl Peters

solar.man.peters@gmail.com

Ayote Sazón (Central American Winter Squash Available)

2011-01-30T18:48:00.000-08:00

http://www.worldcrops.org/crops/Ayote-Tierno.cfm

We have a couple hundred pounds available. Great for soups, pies, stews, tempura.
Email us or give us a call to place your order

LA COMIDA DEL MAÑANA SI NO CAMBIAMOS EL RUMBO

2011-01-05T21:20:00.001-08:00

La cena es en casa de unos amigos, un tanto lejos, en las afueras de un pueblo todavía poblado, eso sí, más lejos de la ciudad; unos le llaman ranchito pero es una casa de no más de 60 metros cuadrados de construcción; pues, sus paredes, una, la que da a la entrada es de unas hojas de lámina, y la U está hecha de un adobe que por lo que se ve, ya está desgastado por los fuertes vientos y el trasncursos del tiempo, pero trincados a los castillos con rebabas cuyas varillas sobresalen sobre la techumbre de asbesto que se amarra a cintas y morillos. Los compartimientos familiares se forman con el ropero y una colorida pero raída cortina, la estufa de gas y pretil figuraban la cocina, con una mesa de aluminio e imitación de madera al lado, hecha de formaica, cubierta de un tapiz ya desgarrado. Los anillos de alambrón sujetan las láminas de los vientos de febrero o marzo cuyos orificios permiten entrar rayos de sol fortuitamente, que languidecen al paso del día. También ayudan a llevar el tiempo entre esas pesadas paredes. A la consola de discos LP le falta la aguja que hay que buscarla como en un pajar. Una TV de bulbos que hay que golpear para que agarre el canal de las estrellas, el de la familia mexicana. Una construcción rodeada de un terreno para criar animalitos y sembrar unas cuantas milpas, con su respectivo frijol, jitomate y nunca faltan unas cuantas guías de calabaza. Un trío sagrado o ¿será cuadratura? O quíntupla porque el chile nunca falta. Algo así como una granja, de unos mil metros cuadrados, con una letrina en la esquina alejada de la casa, pero cercana a la barranca. Todo rodeado de animales domesticados y se agrega uno que otro de la fauna silvestre. La familia se puede categorizar dentro de los censos en el rango de la autosuficiencia, algo así pero sin excedentes mejor dicho con carencias, porque a veces les falta dinero en efectivo para adquirir la nueva tecnología. No tienen cabezas de ganado, sólo una. No tienen caballerizas porque su raquítico caballo no lo requiere. Tampoco exportan ganado porcino porque de la pareja de marranos que alimentaban con maíz y despojos de comida que les sobraban, a la hembra la mataron para hacerle la fiesta de graduación de la primaria a su hijo. Ahora su hijo andará en sus 20. Con el marrano sacó para los uniformes de la secundaria, y luego que le pedían para deportes, que para música, que para taller, en fin, se le fueron los billetes como el agua de las manos, porque ya Coca Cola puso al mercado la suya, es decir, la que era de ellos, la de los pobladores, pues. Eso sí, gallinas, pollos, guajolotes y perros; de ganado caprino sólo una pareja de chivos, como en el arca son los habitantes del ranchito, o de la granja, como le quiera uno llamar, todos ellos pastan y cacaraquean en el ahora vertedero pestilente que pasa al lado de su tierra. Los alacranes son parte de la cadena alimenticia pero sufren los pisotones, y no de las botas de los caciques sino de los huarachudos pobladores comunes y corrientes, hay veces que hasta de los mismos caciques agricultores políticos; también conviven con los tlacuaches, los alacranes, no los agricultores políticos, que sienten lo que un granadero represor siente, porque le llueven las piedras de tecorral y vía resorteras. Por una lado, las ardillas sienten la “cacería de brujas” pero de los niños no de los de Seguridad Nacional, y no es un alivio. Al igual, las ranas son perseguidas cual activista de la APPO en Oaxaca pero no para que canten sino para que hagan cantar a los vecinos cuando de emborracharse se trata. Es que se las comen cuando se reúnen los hombres. Los conejos y las iguanas siguen resistiendo, al igual que las zorras ante la caballería de Inglaterra, los embates de los perros, que aunque los de aquí son subdesarrollados, los perros no los de caballería de Oaxaca, muerden y no hay quien pague las curaciones; es decir, son perros esqueléticos, éstos, los de la comunidad, no como los que van a buscar a los que simpatizan con la APPO; sin embargo, éstos tienen la suficiente garra para hacer sacar la lengua al mejor corredor de los conejos. Al mismo tiempo, los peces han pasado a ser pieza de museo, son como los activistas de izquierda en la ciudad y desde abajo, muy escasos. Abundan los insectos en las orillas del ahora viscoso manojo de agua que se escurre desde las montañas y cruza la región, son tantos, los mosquitos y zancudos, como agentes federales en Oaxaca y Chiapas; pero el agua corría; ahora, a lo largo de las barrancas, sólo se arrastra, ya no como corriente viril sino como mensos remansos, con hedores y ausencia de flores, donde vejez y decrepites de un sistema de vida ya agotado se reflejan en sus oscuras aguas de tal manera que parecen sinónimos. Ya pasaron a mejor vida dos ahuehuetes, dos cancerberos centenarios de la otrora hermosa corriente, dos células perdidas como líderes asesinados por las fuerzas del Estado. Las aguas siguen regando las huertas de mango pero los frutos ni las frutas llegan al mercado, tampoco los niños se las roban ahora porque se pudren antes de madurar. Los pepinos son importados en estos tiempos, en contraste, se exportan a los descendientes de los otrora productores. La lechuga se llevaba a la Merced, ahora se trae de allá y compite junto con la venta de “mota” y “coca”; los “primos” hacen sentir mejor a uno, mejor dicho, no hacen sentir nada y ayuda a ver pasar la desgracia con indiferencia. Pero todavía hay rábanos, mas no en los campos irrigados, sino en el gobierno municipal. Se dicen de izquierda pero no dicen de quién. Los rubicundos jitomates ahora son genéticamente bien cultivados pero no aquí, se compran en Sam´s o Wall Mart, o La Comer, muestras de la mayor penetración, nada sexual, bueno, esto que lo digan las mujeres, sino cultural y económica de hombres de éxito, los hombres del mañana. Sólo los hongos de cazahuate, se niegan a desaparecer, resisten las embestidas de la construcción; la urbanización crece como una enredadera, por debajo de los escombros de la ciudad que atrae y expulsa a sus sombras, para extenderse a sus orillas; sus tentáculos se estiran, y no es un pulpo salido de la mente enfermiza de un soldado conquistador de la reina Isabel, sino algunas compañías transanacionales surgidas de la desfachatez de los hombres del mañana. Maseca-Minsa, Cemex, Tel Mex y Cervezas Modelo entre otras siguen su curso ascendente a niveles insospechados en la bolsa de valores de Nueva Crook. Los campos cultivables hace unos años, las lomas llenas en otros tiempos de productos silvestres, las barrancas que ayudan a romper los vientos que bajan del Ajusco y los lugares inhóspitos se tornan asentamientos semihumanos adonde van a parar l@s nuevo@ obrer@s y emplead@s por no tener cabida en la cada vez más grande mancha urbana. Porque es una mancha que se escurre de abajo hacia arriba, trepa y sube, de lugares planos a escarpados en donde a los pobres les toca y mucho. Digan lo que digan, desde las peñas, la vista es envidiable hacia el horizonte, donde el cielo se junta con las miles de puntas de varillas que destacan de las azoteas, para cuando el hijo crezca, porque la hija se la lleva el fulano, o sea, se va con él.
Sólo quedan algunas yerbas medicinales que todavía se pueden recoger, ya no tanto en las lomas ni en las barrancas, sino en los propios terrenos. La sábila se usa para los golpes o clavos clavados en los pies, pero no por ser enemigo del imperio romano sino por trabajar en la construcción sin las botas adecuadas; o como jabón en el temascal, también para un jugo con naranja y apio, se licua y ya está; o si no, un nopal comestible, bien asadito, o hervido para ensalada; otras cactáceas dan tunas. Sin olvidar la Manzanilla para un té, no Manzanillo por donde entra el té chino y otra fayuca más. Todavía se puede encontrar árnica para quitar los moretones y no Guernica que cause moretones. Ojo de tigre, pegahueso, tapaculo, anís y escobas para barrer pero no a l@s estudiantes de la UABJO sino a la basura sintética que en muchas casas se trata de quemar, como si fuera orgánica. Muy pronto l@s legisladores mexican@s amenazan con concederles más propiedad genética a MONSANTO y sus hermanas, les dicen en la juerga financiera. Ya lo hicieron con el maíz, con el trigo, el algodón, con cierto frijol, con… Y la cena se hizo con insumos e ingredientes de todo, ya no se sabe bien si es apropiado decir: "buen provecho" porque con tanta comida chatarra...¡qué provechosa va a ser!

ME VOY PA´L NORTE

2011-01-05T21:18:00.000-08:00

Siempre había sido así, mi abuelito, mi ´apá, mis tíos habían Jalado pa´l norte solos. Mi abuelito me cuenta que se fue con un compadre que sabía la movida, ya había andado de bracero en los 40. Era como una cadenita, el viaje estaba seguro, nomás era onda de que uno creciera y…¡orale! ¡Al jale! Yo así me fui, con mi primo y no ´bía que darle na´íta, hasta te pagaban los gastos de ida; claro, ya luego había que pagar la droga de trescientos dólares, pero hasta después de sacar el primer cheque. Agarré el autobús de primera en Cuernavaca hasta Taxqueña en México. De ahí en el metro hasta la estación del Norte, ya hasta el nombrecito de la estación me sonaba, era el umbral del Norte. Ahí había muchos camiones, era una estación inmensa, ahí mismo estaba la del tren. Pues, el tren era el mismísimo que habían usado las tropas villistas para tomar la ciudad de México, así que para remontarnos en la historia 70 años, nos la jugamos y compramos boletos para el tren. Empezamos nuestro viaje de día, serían las 5 de la tarde, caminando entre diversas mercancías agrícolas, pulque y animales hasta alcanzar un duro asiento. Ya pardeando íbamos dejando la ciudad, los barrios a la orilla del tren se iban quedando con sus paredes pintadas de grafiti del RIP, todas descarapeladas, con otras manifestaciones encima; en una de esas a duras penas se veía la suástica nazi, luego el signo de la división aritmética para terminar con P2. El tren iba aumentando la velocidad a medida que cruzaba esas calles polvorientas, donde camionetas destartaladas, coches sin placas, camiones desvencijados esperaban con paciencia el paso del tren. Mientras hacía sonar su trompeta ensordecedora niños parloteaban a lo largo de las vías saludando el estrepitoso ruido que producía esa ya vetusta máquina del tiempo, muestra pionera de la modernidad europea en el siglo XIX. Ese mismo tren que le sirvió a Porfirio Díaz para intensificar el enriquecimiento de su élite y el dominio de extranjeros en el país, cavó su tumba; las tropas villistas se montaron en él para derrocarlo. A nosotros nos estaba sirviendo para llegar a la línea. Entre señoras de faldas largas, con retazos como mandiles, vistiendo blusas desteñidas por el sol quemante y raídas por el uso constante, con jirones de tirantes, muchas de ellas riendo sin disimulos o gritando su mercancía a la venta, mostrando con desparpajo huecos en su dentadura, la locomotora aullaba dejando a su paso una emanación que se mezclaba con el humo de las chozas que cada vez eran menos. De momentos, algunos vendedores, con empellones o escurriéndose lograban ingresar a sus lerdos carros, otros sólo veían el pasar de la modernidad asiéndose de sus viejos asideros, sobre el estribo de hierro forjado; los más ágiles se trepaban en sus ventanillas ofreciendo sus cachivaches, itacates, trebejos, enseres o cacharros. Ya había cruzado repúblicas, guerras civiles, intervenciones extranjeras, un remedo de imperio y una larga dictadura. Había transportado a los criollos que se quedaron con el país, había cargado a los liberales de Juárez, a la casta divina de los científicos, luego a los revolucionarios. De ahí saltó a la otra etapa de la modernidad ayudando a transportar insumos, materias primas, mercancías terminadas, víveres, animales y líquidos que servirían al sostén del gran salto mexicano: la burguesía de Guadalajara, la del DF, la de Monterrey eran los grandes beneficiarios. Nunca hicieron caso del viejo vetusto, lo exprimieron, lo estrujaron, lo cargaron, lo maltrataron pero nunca le dieron nueva vida. ¡Qué ironía!, fue construido por inversionistas extranjeros y termina en manos de la Kansas City Southern. Ahora seguía cargando a los empobrecidos, a los miserables, a los bizcos de estrabismo corregible, a los deshilachados, a los de pantalones parchados, descosidos, a los casi vestidos con piltrafas, a los malolientes, desdentados, prietos, morenos, lampiños, desaliñados, lacios despeinados porque costaba más barato que el autobús. Era el mundo de ejidatarios o comuneros, entre un castellano con acento de idiomas regionales, o daba lo mismo un campesino sin tierra y sin alfabeto, que los peones, los encasillados o menonitas. Su última carga valiosa era los que iban pa´l norte, los mojados; los centroamericanos agarraban camino en él también. 15 horas más tarde llegamos al norte, a Monterrey, desde donde había que tomar un autobús para una ciudad fronteriza mal llamada Nuevo Laredo, del otro lado de la línea se llama Larerou, Tecsas.
Rodeamos la ciudad en un Taxi, le pedimos que nos dejara lo más lejos que se pudiera de los ojos humanos; ahí empezaba nuestra caminata, dos noches caminando entre matorrales, en senderos agrestes; veíamos sombras que se movían agazapadas de montículos, de despeñaderos que burlábamos. Nos imaginábamos figuras caprichosas que se formaban con las sombras de objetos inanimados; ya exánimes y sin bañarnos, con nuestros harapos a cuestas parecíamos ánimas en pena; de día nos podían ubicar, los binoculares estaban al acecho pero nos enterrábamos para dormir. En la tercera noche se atisbaron lucecitas lánguidas entre lomas y cerros; luces que parpadeaban trayendo sospechas, adivinando casas, trabajo, vida. Ya en la carretera, llamamos a nuestro enlace. El periplo de un labriego hacia el Norte era un penar, era una aventura de un cuento del realismo mágico, era duro pero muy seguro; ahora los chacales de la mafia quieren controlar todo paso, todo pase, todo lo que pasa. La mafia hurga los intrincados métodos de cruce y elude el cerco que la supervigilancia del gobierno estadunidense ha impuesto a lo largo de la frontera. Para eludir los tres muros, los helicópteros, las patrullas fronterizas, los vehículos todo terreno, cámaras con luz infrarroja y perros, los migrantes ya no pueden recurrir a los mentados coyotes. Ahora la ficción se queda corta para lo que hacen a los que se atreven a cruzar sin la anuencia de la mafia y su respectivo cobro, ya no de trescientos sino de seis mil dólares por persona. ¡Es lo menos!

David R. Porcayo

Los Sueños de Pedro

2010-12-29T23:40:00.000-08:00

Pedro es hijo de mi amigo Pancho, andará en los 28 años, soltero, sin estudios pero con oficio de electricista; quizá la harìa de medio electricista que encontrando trabajo ganaría unos $1200.00 pesos por semana, si bien le va. Después de todo, ni siquiera cien dólares por semana le quedarían. Se aporrearía hasta 9 horas diarias, pero para empezar tendría que levantarse a las 6 de la mañana y así viajar una hora y media hasta su lugar de trabajo. Gastaría 30 pesos de ida y vuelta en el transporte público, y pasaría tres horas quizás de pie para ir y venir, en un camión destartalado; él mismo se vería estrujado aunque a veces contento porque siempre aprovecha para restregar su cuerpo a la chica agraciada que viaja entre olores de la juventud verraca. Estaría de regreso a su casa a eso de las 7 de la noche donde la TV es su única diversión. Tomarse una ducha de agua fría a jicarazos y cenar entre luz tenue sería su rutina, hasta que el cansancio lo venciera para esperar el día siguiente. Recostado en muebles desvencijados, entre trebejos y baratijas, trapos viejos e hilachos, la TV lo transporta a ilusorios sueños: comprarse un coche, ropa nueva de moda, perfumes caros para conseguirse una novia bien proporcionada como las que salen exhibiendo el coche, luego una casa en Valle Verde, criar hijos y enviarlos al Tec. de Monterrey. Maldita realidad: el coche cuesta $120 mil pesos, los levi´s Strauss están a $1200.00, los perfumes están a $1000.00 pesos un simple frasco, la casita de interés social sale a 500 mil pesos a pagar en 30 años, y la profesión en la universidad cuesta 10 mil pesos por mes. Y la pinche novia es chaparrita, como él, morenita, de ojos negros y habla con acento del náhuatl. Prefiere no hacer cuentas, le da güeva multiplicar y dividir ya que sus $1000 pesos por semana que le restarían, le servirían sólo para mal comer. Pedro sigue soñando pero despierto. Prefiere sumar y restar. Trabaja para la mafia robando autos nuevos, no tiene que laborar 9 horas por día ni pasar 3 horas en los transportes públicos, ni lidia con jefes que lo maltraten. Gana 2 mil pesos por semana y porta un arma, y cuando quiere aumentar su ingreso, pues, prepara un asalto en alguna tienda y huye en su coche robado, se le hace fácil. Recién estuvo en la cárcel por un asalto. La mafia pagó y salió libre…

David Roman Porcayo

La Guerra Contra Los Pueblos en Mexico

2010-12-29T23:36:00.000-08:00

Dicen en los medios de comunicación que hay disputa por el mercado de drogas ilegalizadas, entre bandas mafiosas; yo aseguro que estamos en medio de un proceso de monopolización del mercado con participación de políticos, militares, policìas federales y gente del sector financiero. Es decir, el mismo proceso que hemos visto en los últimos 30 años en la política económica de los gobiernos mexicanos; en el campo de la comercialización de fármacos, que ha sido favorecer al monopolio de Don Simi y, por otro lado, desplazando a familias dueñas de su farmacia. Lo mismo ha ocurrido con los medios de comunicación: Televisa y Televisión Azteca muestran por un lado su control sobre los satélites que pertenecen a la nación; en contraste, radios comunitarias se ven excluidas, son perseguidas, se les dificulta el proceso de legalización de su trabajo y muchas forzadas a cerrar o andar a “salto de mata”, huyendo. O si vemos el caso del maíz mexicano: antes de 1960 México era autosuficiente y ahora, insólitamente, es importador de maíz producido en los EEU, en perjuicio de la economía familiar del campesino indígena, mestizo o criollo indianizado, y aún más, en perjuicio de su propia salud. En la comercialización de esas plantas ilegalizadas se nota que en la monopolización personajes disputan los puestos de alto mando, lo mismo ocurre en el festín político en el que partidos políticos se disputan la voluntad de los ciudadanos para recibir un mayor presupuesto, y así salarios más altos de nuestros dineros. Sin olvidar en el sector económico donde empresas monopólicas nos muestran su poderío de absorción. A la vez, no extraña que un actual general del ejército, (Acosta Chaparro ) se hallaba bajo juicio debido a vínculos con la producción y comercialización de plantas ilegales en la montaña de guerrero en los años 60 y 70. A cambio, éstos que eran tenientes del ejército mexicano en aquel entonces, habían recibido la orden de encontrar a como diera lugar, a los seguidores de los maestros Lucio Cabañas y Genaro Vázquez arrasando pueblos, torturando luchadores sociales, desapareciendo maestros críticos a las condiciones humanas de la región y atemorizando a la población para evitar cualquier apoyo que esos maestros, levantados en armas, pudieran encontrar en la población civil. Todo con la aprobación de los que establecieron “la guerra fría”; era el pánico que despertaba en los gobernantes norteños cualquier acto colectivo que llevara un contenido de justicia social y distribución de riqueza nacional. Todo acto de resistencia a la dominación extranjera debía ser apagado a toda costa y a todo costo por el chaparro de Acosta. Mientras los militares eran premiados con el control de la producción y comercialización de esas dos plantas, a la vez, el libre mercado se aplicaba. Todos los que podían, producían o comercializaban marihuana y amapola, vendían o consumían, y el mercado crecía, y crecía más allá de la frontera norte también. Y así se quedó la costumbrita.

Mario Arturo Acosta Chaparro inició operaciones como asesor del Presidente luego de ser exonerado de los cargos narcotráfico y crímenes de lesa humanidad, proceso por el cual estuvo encarcelado durante siete años, de 2000 a 2007. En abril de 2008, luego de su exoneración y liberación, recibió la condecoración de general en retiro e inició un proceso contra la Sedena y el Ejército por los años que permaneció privado de su libertad. Extracto del reportaje publicado en la edición 1779 de la revista Proceso, ya en circulación.

DRP

Jacinot y Su Bulto: La Cara Desconocida del Narcotrafico en Mexico

2010-12-29T23:31:00.000-08:00

Jacinto había vendido mucha marihuana; él iba a comprarla a la montaña, se hacía tres horas para llegar allá, en un camión desvencijado, todo destartalado. Allá tenía compadres a quienes les llevaba dinero en efectivo. Los compadres lo trataban bien como a todo fuereño, lo agasajaban con unas tortillas hechas a mano, del buen maíz, del criollo como le solían llamar, con una salsa machacada en molcajete. Acompañaban el taco con un queso fresco que la comadre había conseguido con una vecina cuyas vaquitas le daban 6 litros de leche diarios, y su café de olla, bien cargado. Muchas familias sembraban maíz, fríjol, calabaza, tenían matas de chile y jitomate, y ya más allá, dentro de la maleza, había que caminar una hora a lomo de caballo, la montaña se podía tragar a uno si se atrevía a ir sin rumbo fijo. Allá sembraban, y vigilaban desde una cueva que había que alcanzar subiendo por la ladera, por un sendero escondido por la maleza que crece día con día. Era del tamaño de tres canchas de fútbol, todo lleno de matas más altas que yo. Ahí estaba el tesoro “maldito”, estigmatizado por los medios, esperando salir a conocer el mundo…producir era barato, no necesitaba tanto trabajo como el maíz, ni fertilizantes, ni pesticidas, ni semilla disque mejorada ni tanta agua como el arroz. Y se cambiaba por un poco de dinero en efectivo, quizá para que el hijo pagara al coyote el viaje al norte, o a lo mejor se usaba para hacerle la boda al hijo mayor. Su tierra es la montaña, son ejidatarios o comuneros, para el caso es lo mismo: trabajan la tierra para mantenerse ellos mismos, porque el maíz no sale a la venta, lo pagan muy barato los de la CONASUPO, es precio de garantía, le llama el gobierno. Para el maíz no había libre mercado porque el gobierno imponía el precio, ahora como está en manos de empresas agroindustriales, ocurre lo contrario, sube y sube y sube de precio.
Jacinto pagaba 100 pesos por kilo, nomás llevaba para cinco. Y el compadre le regalaba otro, el pilón. Al igual que otros habitantes de ahí mismo, salía de ese pueblo con su carga; llevaban guajes, gallinas, guajolotes, chapulines, cuanto cosa se podía vender en poblaciones más grandes, otros iban a la ciudad a alquilarse en la construcción, y Jacinto llevaba la suya, entre otros bultos, bien envuelta en plástico untado de chile para inhibir el olor fortísimo de la resina de la flor
Y Jacinto era albañil, su compañera era su cómplice, la ama de casa que supervisa que los niños vayan a la escuela bien comidos y bien bañaditos. Los norteños le han pedido que trabaje para ellos; él les jura y perjura que ya no vende, pero le queda la pregunta: ¿cómo saben que es distribuidor si ante todos es albañil?, ¿la federal les pasará la lista? Si lo descubren que todavía abastece a profesionistas, diputados, pequeños comerciantes, estudiantes universitarios y otros albañiles, no vivirá para contarlo. Lo tiene muy claro, los chacales de la mafia se agasajarían con su cuerpo y su familia enterraría sólo despojos de él.

DRP

Leaked Cable: Hike food prices to boost GM crop approval in Europe

2010-12-15T21:08:00.000-08:00

http://foodfreedom.wordpress.com/2010/12/14/leaked-cable-bubble-gmo-eu/

The EPA Fails to protect the Honey Bee-From Grist Magazine

2010-12-12T23:26:00.000-08:00

http://www.grist.org/article/food-2010-12-10-leaked-documents-show-epa-allowed-bee-toxic-pesticide-

This may shed some light on colony collapse disorder.

2010-12-09T16:20:00.000-08:00

A New Generation of Young Farmers on Small Plots

An interesting article about folks like ourselves!

http://chrisy58.wordpress.com/2009/07/14/on-tiny-plots-a-new-generation-of-farmers-emerges/

2010-12-07T22:43:00.000-08:00

5 Things That Will Make you Happier

2010-12-04T13:33:00.000-08:00

Sheet Mulched area consisting of cardboard, compost, mulch, and then more compost

December 3rd Notes
Sheet mulched two huge beds, directed seeded some Collards, Lettuce, Bok Choi, Tatsoi, and then transplanted some beets into same area. We'll see how it comes out. The area sheet mulched last time (in November) did not germinate too well on account of it not being sufficiently wet enough is my guess (the bed was seeded right after a nice rain...and then no more rain). Swiss Chard is bouncing back from transplanting. Spinach looks great, as do the beets. Carrots are 50/50. Need to clear out old, dead squash vines and plant out areas

here's a link for more info on Sheet Mulching

http://www.agroforestry.net/pubs/Sheet_Mulching.html

Young Beet Seedlings that need thining

November 20th Workday

Teo and the blue corn

2010-12-02T06:10:00.000-08:00

Tamale Make and Take, December 19th
We'll be doing a tamale making workshop on the 19th. Learn and teach tamale making techniques. We will be cooking the corn and grinding it ourselves and creating traditional (chile rojo tamales) and not so traditional tamales (Pesto tamales, duck tamales). Put $10 on it so we can buy good stuff for the tamales

Notes From Glendora Garden

2010-11-12T18:22:00.000-08:00

After a group of girl scouts cut down the flowering papalo yesterday evening, we cleared out the area with a grub hoe, spread compost and worked it in, and seeded some fall/winter crops. So far, we haven't had much luck with brasicas, as the harlequin bug has been wreaking havoc on anything we've seeded so far. Directed seeded more tatsoi, bulb onions, and some brussel sprouts and lacinato kale. We're experimenting with interplanting garlic with the tatsoi and we also planted some radishes mixed with the onions. It can be difficult to see the onions coming up, making it somewhat difficult to cultivate the rows; the radishes allow for a visual line to follow (as they tend to germinate very quickly).

Glendora Gardens Workday and Lunch, November 20th 8am-2pm

2010-11-07T09:23:00.000-08:00

The Cuatro Caminos Collective will be coordinating a work day for gardens in Glendora on November 20th. We will be weeding, mulching, spreading compost, transplanting, seeding, and hula hoeing. Anyone interested in getting their hands dirty while learning and sharing horticultural knowledge is encouraged to attend. After our work day is done we'll be partaking in a wonderful garden lunch comprised mainly of garden veggies.

We will meet up and begin working at the Glendora Church of the Brethren site and then head out to the railroad garden down the block.

RSVP by the 17th so that we can get a good count for lunch.

Glendora Gardens Work Day and Lunch
Saturday November 20th, 8am-2pm
150 Glendora Avenue
Glendora, CA

Monthly dinner, July 24, 6pm

2010-07-04T20:44:00.000-07:00

Freshly Made Swiss Chard Pasta, June dinner photo

You don't have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces - just good food from fresh ingredients --Julia Childs

We have Julia backing us up.

We guarantee happy bellies with the freshest, most made-from-scratch vegetarian meals! The food speaks for itself!

Suggested donation: $10-15

We always accept your dishes! If you have a vegetarian dish you would like to share with us, let us know.

Remember:
*you can bring tupperware in case there are leftovers
*musical instruments are welcome.

RSVP so we get a good head count

If you would be interested in hosting a dinner, please get in touch with us.

It ain't my fault (special thanks to sam lewis for sending out the video)

2010-06-21T09:35:00.001-07:00

Cuatro Caminos CSA Week 4

2010-06-11T20:38:00.001-07:00

Cuatro Caminos CSA Week 4

Cuatro Caminos CSA Week 3

2010-06-02T23:17:00.001-07:00

Cuatro Caminos CSA Week 3

Genetically Modified Foods

2010-05-28T22:34:00.001-07:00

Here's a great link from the American Academy of Environmental Medicine outlining what gmo's are and what they do to you. Interestingly enough, they mention a Union of Concerned Scientist paper that call into question this myth about gmo's feeding the world. Follow the money

http://www.aaemonline.org/gmopost.html

Cuatro Caminos Dinner June 19th @ 5:30pm in Glendora (RSVP by June 16th)

2010-05-28T22:06:00.000-07:00

Come at 5pm and eat around 5:30pm If weather permits we will be setting up outside near the garden.

Suggested donation: $10-15

We always accept your dishes! If you have a vegetarian dish you would like to share with us, let us know.

Remember:
*you can bring tupperware in case there are leftovers
*musical instruments are welcome.

after dinner adult beverages will be imbibed at Danae Campbell's pad after supper (not at the church) BYOB

RSVP so we get a good head count

If you would be interested in hosting a dinner, please get in touch with us.

CSA Week 2

2010-05-27T19:00:00.001-07:00

Cuatro Caminos CSA Week 2

Cuatro Caminos CSA, Week 1

2010-05-20T19:44:00.003-07:00

Seedlings Available @ Glendora Community Garden Site

2010-05-12T09:25:00.000-07:00

So, we've got quite a bit of seedlings available for transplant. Here's a list:

Swiss Chard
Beets
Red Russian Kale
Chinese Kale
Turnips
Collards
Papalo

Remember, we're right across the street from the Glendora Public Library. Come on by.

Spring "Superfoods"

2010-05-08T22:16:00.000-07:00

I just read this article on the top ten superfoods for spring. I don't know if they really count as superfoods, but they're definitely good foods, and the article has some nice info on some of the fruits and vegetables that are available now at farmer's markets, as well as recipes for them. Yum yum!

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/top-10-superfoods-for-spring.html?&page=12#

Making Progress at the Glendora Site

2010-04-24T00:37:00.000-07:00

Church of the Brethren
150 South Vermont Avenue

Glendora, CA 91741

Here we are-- a few weeks into working this little plot of land that was begging for cultivation. Bursts of green are now visible even from across the street (a frequented spot of mine nearly every Friday-- the Glendora Public Library).

Arugula is abundant, and so are those red radishes into which Eddie enjoys crunching.

A few more weeks are sure to bring us a grander array of organic goodies.

Check out the seedlings: Diamond Eggplant and Beef Steak Tomatoes.

Which reminds me: I can not believe that I forgot to take pictures of the sweet Fern-leafed Lavender. First of all, I am thrilled that this herb, with which I have never personally had much luck, is coming up. Secondly, if one could ever refer to a seedling as "cute," then this is the one. But, I digress.

One can always find ways to improve. Here, Annette is trying to figure out how to make the drip irrigation system a bit more effective.

We realize that the trip out to Glendora may not be the most convenient for many of you Cuatro Caminos supporters, but we would love to see your faces one of these days. Please come on by.

We are, however, trying to make our presence known locally. We set up a last-minute (very, very last-minute) booth at an Earth Day event in the neighboring city of San Dimas.

The locals have expressed interest in a CSA, and some of the city workers have mentioned available plots of land. Let's keep the fingers crossed as we continue to work toward this vision together.

Thank you for reading.

Isela Pena-Rager, Secretary

Post dinner bliss - April

2010-04-19T22:23:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful, intimate dinner this past Saturday, followed by a fruitful advisory committee meeting on Sunday!

Our dinner was at the Hart House (sp?) in Claremont, a house of amazing Pomona College students, including one of our own (Sam). It was a small group, but we had a lovely time and enjoyed the great food and great people. The menu:
*Arugula &; lettuce salad with avocados, radishes, and cumquats, all freshly harvested from our gardens, or our neighbors' trees
*freshly ground polenta and whole wheat bread with arugula pesto and cashew "ricotta"
*Moroccan style soup with last year's Trombetta squash, zucchini, chick peas, and potatoes
*Chocolate Cumquat Cupcakes

Arugula Pesto - you'll love it!
2 Cups Arugula (or just keep stuffing it into your food proccessor)
3/4 C Olive Oil
2 Tbsp toasted walnuts or pine nuts (or cashews)
1-2 cloves garlic, crushed
lemon juice, salt, and black pepper, to taste

Cashew "Ricotta"
Soak cashews for at least 15 minutes, preferably overnight
put in food processor and add water, lemon juice, and a little sea salt
process until smooth
add olive oil or other fat if desired

Our meeting was long, but useful. We have decided on dates for our next 6 dinners, and are planning some garden and food workshops. We also are planning to start a weekly baking day at the Glendora site, and are gearing up to start our CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) season!!

Look for us at the San Dimas Earth Day Festival on Wednesday, April 21, from 5pm to 9pm.

I'll try to post again later this week with the upcoming dinner dates, garden photos, and more details! (Or I'll pass on the info to our newly established secretary, Isela!)

-Stephanie

Equinoxing

2010-03-25T19:16:00.000-07:00

You had to be there to understand.
We can at least share some recipes.
Make them with a friend or two and they'll turn out better.
Join us April 17th for another delectable dinner!

Flatbread Recipe (Pita)

2 C lukewarm water
1 tbsp yeast
1 tbsp sugar
2C whole wheat flour
2C unbleached white flour (You can use 4C whole wheat)
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp sea salt
1 tbsp egg replacer mixed with 4 tbsp warm water
1 tbsp lemon juice

Mix water with sugar and yeast. Let stand 10 min til bubbly.
Mix flour(s), baking powder, sea salt, then add lemon juice, egg replacer mixture, and yeast mixture
Mix in bowl til dough pulls away from sides.
Dump out and knead 100 times (add flour to board to prevent sticking)
Place dough ball back in bowl, cover with towel and place in fridge for 1 hour or more

Preheat oven to broil
Make sure stones/tiles are inside

*Form dough into balls, roll out to 1/8" - 1/4" thick
Bake in batches
Broil for 3 minutes, flip and broil for another couple minutes
Flatbread will puff up and turn a light golden brown

*It helps to do the last part with someone!

Olive-Artichoke Tapenade

jar of artichoke hearts (I got some from Trader Joes)
2 cans of black olives (regular and kalamata)
1/4 cup of toasted walnuts
4 tbsp ev olive oil
1 tbsp grated orange zest
1 garlic clove
cayenne pepper to liking

(other things you can add: capers, lemon juice, anchovies, herbs)

Put everything in food processor and blend together.

Our 2nd dinner

2010-02-05T13:48:00.000-08:00

Hello Cuatro Caminos supporter,

Time is fast approaching forour second Cuatro Caminos dinner. We are getting ready to serve up somemore specially prepared meat-free and even vegan-friendly food. Won'tyou please join us?

S a t u r d a y   F e b r u a r y   20th

          at 4 : 3 0 pm
         eat at 5 : 0 0 pm

E r i n   and   D a v i d ' s    p l a c e

          12507 Howard St.
          Whittier CA 90601
$ 1 0   m o n e y   i s   f o r   o r g.

R S V P   b y   F e b.   18th
E m a i l (imarialaki@gmail.com) or
c a l l (562-201-0058) I r i s

N o t e s:

A l c o h o l   n o t   s e r v e d
B r i n g   i n s t r u m e n t s   t o   p l a y
B r i n g   y o u r   o w n   t u p p e r w a r e   f o r   l e f t o v e r s

Make it yourself

2010-01-23T14:57:00.000-08:00

Dearest Supporters,
   You really came through for us! We made over $100 at the first dinner and are on the verge of ordering seeds for an upcoming project (more to come on that). We plan on getting seed for flowers (poppies, zinnias, sunflowers, etc), herbs, and veggies (peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, greens, brassicas, corn etc). What do you think? Is there anything you think is a must-have? Tell us what and why.

   It seems like you all enjoyed the food, so we've decided to share some of the recipes..you know, for the weekends when we aren't there to personally feed you.

Cauliflower and Chickpea (aka Garbanzo bean) Curry

The secret to this is making your own curry powder. This means you might have to "invest" in some spices. It also means you should plan on making curries more often.

Curry Powder

2 tbsp coriander seeds
1 tbsp cumin seeds
1 tbsp cardamom seeds (open the pods to extract seeds. Pods can be found at Indian stores)
1 tbsp whole black peppercorns
1 tsp   fennel seeds
1/2 tsp whole cloves
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
2 dried chiles, broken in pieces, take out seeds (didn't put in because I didn't have them)
1 tbsp turmeric (yellow powder to be added directly to pot)

-Throw the whole spices into a pan (coriander, cumin, fennel, cloves, mustard, cardamom, peppercorns) and TOAST over med-low heat. Don't leave them while you finish ironing your pants because they're bound to get burned. It should take a few minutes.
-GRIND in a coffee grinder which doesn't give off the intoxicating aroma of coffee. Aim for a pretty fine powder. (You can make more and store it!)

The Actual Stew

1/4 cup ghee (clarified butter) OR coconut oil (I used coconut oil)
1 onion (finely chopped)
2 tbsp curry powder (that you made!!) I added all the powder I made..didn't measure.
1-inch piece of ginger (peel and cut)
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 head cauliflower (about 1 pound), cut into florets
3 cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed. (I used dried chickpeas which I cooked beforehand)
2 tbsp tomato paste
salt
cilantro leaves (I didn't garnish)

Heat ghee or oil in pot, med heat. Add onion, curry powder, and ginger. Cook for a few minutes (prob 6-8) and stir a few times. The onion should be softened. Add tomatoes until they break down and soften. Mix in cauliflower, chickpeas, tom. paste, and 1 cup of water. Stir. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer until cauliflower is tender (15-20 minutes). Uncover. Finish cooking until there is a thick gravy. Season with salt.
Pairs well with brown rice. Serves 4, maybe more.

Vegan Persimmon-Apple-Walnut Cake
(Steph made this with a baby strapped to her so you really have no excuses for not making this)

3/4 cup sugar (brown or sucanat/raw)
1/2 cup coconut oil (or other oil)
2 cups persimmon puree ( you prob don't have this so use an apple puree instead)
2 cups flour (whole wheat or other)
1.5 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup walnuts
1/2 to 1 cup apple slices

Prep 9 x 13 pan. Preheat oven to 350F.
Cream sugar and oil. Add puree and mix. Combine dry ingredients and then add to wet mix. Stir in raisins, walnuts, and apple. Turn batter in pan and bake for 30-35 minutes.

You're in for a tasty treat!!!!!! Bring me some; you don't need it all!!

A smattering of pictures from the dinner

Well, it's time to sign off. You should expect to hear about our February dinner soon!!

Happy eating,
Cuatro Caminos

First Cuatro Caminos dinner

2010-01-02T18:09:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!!
We'd like to welcome 2010 and celebrate the continued progress of the Cuatro Caminos Collective with a hearty winter dinner.

Please join us on January 10th, 2010 as we feast on the fruits of the season!! The dinner will feature a winter squash stew as well as other goodies. We are committed to using organic, local produce and, as our microfarms develop, produce that we have grown.

When: January 10th, 2010 at 7:00pm
Where: Either in or near Whittier (exact location to be determined)
Price: $10**

** Why the charge? The money from this dinner will be used towards the organization. We are looking to buy seed. A seed catalog will be present at the dinner so that you, the guest, can have a say as to what we purchase/plant.

The dinner will be vegetarian-friendly. Please indicate if you have any allergies.

Please RSVP by January 9th at ivcaminos@gmail.com or contact Eddie/Stephanie/Iris

Persimmons & Macadamia Nuts available

2009-12-17T13:23:00.000-08:00

We have a huge cache o Persimmons and Macadami nuts available.

Persimmons are going for $1.50 per pound

Macadamia Nut are $4 per pound, unshelled.

Give us a call if you're interested. Local delivery available, minimum 20 pound on the persimmons.

Cuatro Caminos Edible Landscaping Service

2009-12-17T12:43:00.000-08:00

Members of the Cuatro Caminos Collective offer contracting services for designing, establishing, and maintaining backyard edible gardens.

Call us or send us an email to arrange a consultation with one of our skilled members.
ivcaminos@gmail.com, 562-448-2619

Climate Summit!!!

2009-12-07T22:59:00.000-08:00

Over the next two weeks, there'll be a climate summit taking place in Copenhagen. Definitely worth following so we can see what our world leaders plan on doing to prevent a serious climate meltdown.

Papalo Seeds Available

2009-11-13T10:38:00.000-08:00

We have a harvest of Papalo seeds available, locally grown. Give us a call if you're interested in growing this amazing herb. Here's some cool links on the herb:

http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/papalo.htm

alright, one cool link as we're heading out to look for apples. do your own research :)

M.E.S. site no.1

2009-11-10T22:58:00.000-08:00

Microfarm Exchange Services site no 1. As you can see, this plot is a lot smaller but has so far shown strong signs of life. Behold!:

We turned the soil, composted, turned again and then planted....or, rather, scattered seed. What should be coming up: broccoli (2 types), kale, red cabbage, snap peas, lettuce.
Sprouts, sprouts, everywhere! And a net to keep the little birdies from eating the goods!

Lettuce sprouts!!!!!!!!!

Upcoming events: Cuatro Caminos meeting on November 22nd at 10am at Scott's house

plus movie and potluck with Dervaes family in Pasadena at 6pm. Cost: $10-15

Scott's Yard

2009-11-09T18:22:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures of Scott's house before we started our project. Here is his front lawn.

This was the back yard...

here are the same spaces underneath a foot of mulch. This past Saturday we were able to cover this up with compost. The idea is to create a rich topsoil and grow stuff immediately without pulling out what's underneath. Maybe transplant some brassicas, direct seed some lettuce and onion. We'll be out at Scott's Tomorrow if anyone is interested in coming out

our first mini-farm projects

2009-11-06T18:43:00.001-08:00

In the last two weeks, we started on our first two mini-farm projects, in two of our member's backyards in Whittier. About two weeks ago, in Iris' backyard, we planted a small garden of winter crops - broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, kale, etc. There are many lovely little sprouts coming up now!!

This past week we have been working in another yard, starting on a bigger project. This time we get to plant out the whole front and backyard!!! Since both areas were covered in grass, we decided to sheet mulch rather than try to dig them up. Eddie had two big loads of mulch delivered from a local tree company early this week, and we spread it over both yards about 8 inches thick. Then today, we picked up a load of compost and added that to the top. The code enforcement officers have already showed up once, following up on a complaint from the neighbors about the smell, and that was before Eddie topped it with compost!! Poor neighbors, I'm sure they're not too happy about the smell now. Hopefully it will quickly smell better and start looking nice. And maybe later on we can take some vegetables to the neighbors to help smooth things over. Now we just need to plan out what we are going to plant where, set up irrigation, and put seeds in the ground!!

What are the "Cuatro Caminos"?

2009-10-31T11:00:00.000-07:00

Los Cuatro Caminos