Cabarrus Couny - Leading the Way

I agree with my good friend Aaron... I'm witnessing the movement towards a more sustainable county first hand.  I'm a part of it as a food producer, as well as a food consumer.   We as a family have made great strides towards living and eating more sustainably - Encouraging our friends and neighbors to do the same.   Our children are growing up knowing where there food comes from (they're aware - not saying we're perfect, but they know when they've got a local carrot in their hands... they also look forward to our own harvest each week).   Great article, great book, great leader in the local food movement - thanks, Aaron!
http://www.cabarrusedc.com/index.php?cid=51433&src=news&refno=493&category=Government&curlid=5690

Light at the end of the tunnel...

Breaking Ground:   Started this weekend with heavy equipment, clearing a driveway, chopping cedars to be used for fencing, and clearing enough area for our greenhouse.   Punching a hole in the overgrown brush and dead trees makes room for ample sunlight to help our microgreens thrive in their new home!   

Greenhouse clearing at the end of a very long driveway

 
Some of these vines were 8" wide, wrapping around otherwise healthy oak trees.  We'll continue widening the driveway, and moving fallen trees around this week, then leveling the greenhouse pad - bringing in gravel and whatnot.   Then the greenhouse will be delivered - any takers on assistance with raising it???

This land was suffocating itself with overgrowth and vines

 

Almost see the  excavator at the far end, making it's way to the greenhouse pad

Also in our discoveries on this property - we've found that part of it was orchard (peaches and cherries)... we've managed to salvage a few, clear some room for them to flourish, and hopefully keep them around for future pickin's!    The peaches aren't very big (golf ball size) but I think we'll have a small crop this year... the cherries have been donated to the many birds though.   

And Away We Go!

Breaking ground on the expansion project next week!   We're moving our operation to the "farm" - a 5 acre micro farm in Cabarrus County.   Phase 1 - greenhouse construction... this can't happen soon enough - we've been growing at capacity for some time now, putting new customers on a sort of 'waiting list' until we have more space to grow for them.    Taking out fallen trees, low cedars and brush, and clearing a driveway and a construction pad for the 2500 square foot hot-house. 

 
Phase 2 - perenial crop production, mushrooms, and cold crops in the fall (low tunnels, baby lettuces mainly).   Phase 3 - laying hens (though I'm not nuts about dealing with animals, this will have to be Marc's project), and Honey Bees.  We're working with Cultivatis for planning and design...and all of this is being supported by RAFI-USA - we were awarded a grant to assist with preliminary construction costs.   More details as they come!

Lucky Mix : Because You're Lucky To Eat It!

This sums up our Lucky Mix Microgreens.  Our Lucky Mix is our flagship mix - it's what we hit the streets with, it's what we sell the most of today.  We sell to 30 restaurants/hotels/grocers in the Charlotte area and almost every one of them orders Lucky Mix every week (amongst the other 40 microgreens we offer).    Microgreens, when done correctly, are delicious, and more nutritious than any other vegetable combo out there.   It's estimated that one ounce of our Lucky Mix is the nutrition equivelant to 3 CUPS of cooked broccoli.   Yes, 3 Cups!   More details here:
http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/livinghomefamily/916195-224/microgreens-can-pack-even-more-nutrition.html
 

Our Visit with Johnson & Wales University

Lucky Leaf Gardens was invited to JWU-Charlotte to teach the students about microgreens.   We held two sessions, both were filled with the inquiring minds of J&W's future culinary geniuses - I could see their minds working as we talked about the different flavors, colors and textures that microgreens have to offer.   These students are now equipped with the information needed to make good choices in regards to purchasing, storing and using microgreens (basically I told them that Lucky Leaf is the best so don't look any further).  

2nd session - Johnson & Wales University... popcorn shoot fans

 

 

Show-Kitchen

In between classes, I was connected with a sophomore who is also named Kate - she was kind enough to guide me through J&W's impressive campus.   Each room had it's purpose and each class was full of students who are truly passionate about their studies.   My favorite room was the "Show Kitchen" - felt like I was on the set of a Food Network show...complete with a hide-a-wall that opens up to a viewing room (the left wall).    Very cool.

 

Campus Garden, and future home of their Greenhouse

 Luckily, the weather was fantastic, so Kate led me to the campus garden, which by far - deserves much more press than it's getting.   There's a group that manages the garden, in hopes to provide the campus with a variety of produce and seasonal greatness.   This completely urban, eco-sustainable garden is equipped with many (many) rain barrels and a automated irrigation system... they've even got their own bees (Cloister manages this, I believe, nice local guy)... look closely - the small white box in the far back/right - there were swarms buzzing around outside during our visit.   There's not much growing yet, but just wait.  In the works, a campus greenhouse - now we're talking!   Lucky Leaf was invited to help the University get started with a small run of microgreens to use in the exercises and small events.   Being asked to assist with this program by such a prestigious culinary institute is truly and honor.  Where's the dirt?  Let's get started!

  

Microgreens on Live TV

Thanks Chef Labarre - Galway Hooker in Huntersville!   I love it when chefs realize that our microgreens are so much more than just a garnish! 
http://www.wcnc.com/charlotte-today/Party-on-St-Patricks-Day-118173784.html

Charlotte area microgreens making the font page!

Great article in the Cabarrus News.   Even Jack and Molly made the story this time!
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/03/16/2131550/tiny-plants-help-business-to-grow.html