Summer Mocktails (p 20) - Healthful Elements

LOCALLY GROWNMonarch WatchThis year when you plant your local garden,don’t forget your Pollination Station.As the seasons change andthe days grow longer it hascome time once again forthe Monarch butterflies to begintheir migration northward. Monarchbutterflies are not only beautiful theyare also important to our crops andflowers. Good Natured Family Farmsthink we should provide a smallhelping hand for all of the good thatthe Monarch does for us. It is veryimportant for the Monarch’s survivalto have plenty of Milkweed, food,and water available for them to feedand lay their eggs.We have been working handin-handwith Hen House Marketsand MonarchWatch.org to promoteeducation and the establishment ofMonarch Gardens which consist ofMilkweeds, water, and food. One of themost enjoyable things about working onthis project has been the opportunity towork presenting educational programsto school children.In May we had the opportunityto work with children at St. CharlesBorromeo School in Oak View,Missouri. The class was full of spiritand curiosity as would be expected outof sixteen 3 to 5 year olds. We wouldlike to thank Mrs. Peggy Malapontifor inviting us into her classroom.The day began with presentationson healthy eating and proper nutritionby Jennifer Egeland the nutritionistfor Balls Foods Stores. Also, Jeff Adaira bison producer for Good NaturedFamily Farms entertained the childrenwith information about “buffalo.” Allof this and the kids got healthy GoodNatured Family Farms snacks.After the kids returned fromgym class we reconvened outside tobegin on the butterfly garden. Thechildren, so attentive, listened asLou Malaponti director of produceand floral operations for Hen HouseMarkets explained the importance ofthe Monarch Butterfly Garden andhow it would benefit and grow theMonarch population.The festivities began with getting ourhands a little dirty by digging 6 holesto plant our Milkweeds. We set theplants in the fresh holes, back filled,and then it was time to give themtheir first watering. All of the kidswanted to participate! We ended uphaving to let them all to hold on tothe hose so they could all feel like theywere helping. Once we had the flowerswatered we filled our Monarch bath sothat they would have plenty of waterto drink on the trip north. Next weneed to provide some sustenance forour Monarch friends. The childrenbegan peeling Oranges and placed thepieces on a dish in the garden.Once we had all the neededcomponents for a proper Monarchgarden it was time for the ribboncutting ceremony. The childrengathered around the edge of thegarden holding a yellow ribbon. Oneof the teachers was nominated asthe ribbon cutter, and the childrencheered as the garden was officiallyopened for business.This was an incredibly fun day forall who participated. I smile when Ithink that these children just startingout will be able to watch their gardenmature and grow every year whenthey return to school.If you would like to start your ownMonarch Garden please visit yourneighborhood Hen House Marketand also visit MonarchWatch.org onthe web.Diana Endicott, Farm to MarketCoordinator, started Good NaturedFamily Farms with her husband, Gary,in 1995. She began selling tomatoes anddiscovered how difficult it was for smallfamily farms to find markets. As a result,she set out to organize small familyfarmers and market their productsunder the Good Natured Family Farmsbrand. GNFF products can be found atarea Hen House Markets.July, 2008 7