Out Behind the Compost Pile
Adirondack Gothic:
The Proprietors
This will be a continuing glimpse of gardening activites here at Just Fine Farm, a
not-for-profit family farm in northern New York State. Though this may
not seem related to genealogy, many of our ancestors in New England and New York
were farmers and so perhaps these traits are making their 'late-in-life' appearance.
Preparations are underway here at the Farm for another gardening season. Seeds orders are in,
our small greenhouse is organized and we have vowed to keep more or less on schedule this year
and not let genealogy take over completely. We are trying a new source for some of our seeds,
Fedco Seeds in Waterville, Maine. This is their 18th year of supplying garden seed and, though
they are small compared to some of the giant companies in this business, they appear to be
dedicated to their customers and are one of the few seed companies in the United States that
operates as a cooperative with consumers and workers sharing in the profits. They have a network
of regional growers who provide seed crops specially adapted to the northeast climate but
purchase the bulk of their seeds from suppliers around the world.
Only a small proportion of their seed is organically grown but all are untreated. They offer an
excellent selection of heirloom varieties as well as hybrids, their prices are reasonable and a
wide range of package sizes are available to fit the needs of small family gardeners as well as
large commercial growers. They encourage orders by cooperative groups which makes their prices
even more attractive.
We would like to share some of Fedco's concerns with you. Reading their catalog certainly
opened our eyes to what is going on in the seed business. We did not get their permission to quote
from the catalog but are sure that it would have been granted. A two-page article titled "Do You
Know Where Your Seed Comes From?" is a continuation of Part I that appeared in last year's
catalog. The gist of the article is that a smaller and smaller number of multinational corporations
are gaining control of the worldwide seed industry. High on their agenda is the application of
biotechnology techniques to alter the characteristics of our crops to the satisfaction of the large
commercial growers who place uniformity of size, resistance to insects, viruses, blight, etc., and
the ability to withstand long-distance shipment to markets, over taste and wholesomeness. With
this motivation, we may be approaching a time when most plant varieties are genetically altered
and fewer and fewer heirloom varieties are available. Without mentioning names, some of the
familiar small seed companies that we have depended on to meet the needs of the small gardener
have already been taken over by larger companies in a first step to ultimate control by the
international conglomerates that continue to gain control. The various 'seedsaver' organizations
that are attempting to save the traditional seed varieties may be in peril. Do you know that "in
some European countries, a system of national listings regulates what varieties can or cannot be
sold? If it isn't on the list, it is illegal to sell". Fedco has given us something to think about!
An article in the Wall Street Journal of March 15, 1996 was introduced on the front page as follows:
"Genetic engineering may inadvertently introduce allergy-causing proteins into food plants, an
experiment described in today's the New England Journal of Medicine showed. The report, coupled
with a recent setback involving rape plants (ed., source of seed for canola oil), provides more
ammunition to critics of the biotechnology industry". More food for thought; pun intended!
We'll try a few more open-pollinated varieties this year but will stick with some of the varieties that
have proven hearty here in the northeast. Let's hope for a bit more rain in the early season. The
only advantage of a dry season last year was a reduction in the Japanese beetle population.
If you are a Cucumber Lover, link here!
If you would like to view Serendipity: Motif I, with a brief
commentary, link here.
Until we can show some new-season crops, we'll keep the 'salsa sequence' on the page for a few more weeks.
Happy Growing!
Seed sources: Johnny's Selected Seeds, Fedco Seeds, Seeds of Change, Shepherd's
Garden Seeds, and Nichols Garden Nursery.
Salsa Recipe: [proportions not critical]
2 - 2 1/2 gallons of tomatillos
6 or 7 onions
8-10 chiles, depending in the 'heat' desired
garlic clove (if you like it)
Remove husks from tomatillos and rinse with water. Peel and slice onions. Remove seeds
and veins from chiles and cut into pieces. Mince onions and peppers (& garlic) coarsely in a food processor.
Place tomatillos in a large pan, cover with water, bring to a boil , and let simmer about 5
minutes without letting them get 'mushy'. Strain and place in a blender and blend well. Return to
pan and add onions and chiles. Simmer another 5 minutes.
Sterilize pint canning jars, lids, and bands. Fill to within 1/4 inch of top, attach tops and process
about 10 minutes in steadily boiling water completely covering the upright jars.
Label them "from XYZ Farm"
References:
The Art of Mexican Cooking, Diana Kennedy, Bantam Books
The Pepper Garden, Dave DeWitt and Paul W. Bosland, Ten Speed Press
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