come get muddy with us on friday & sunday!

Hello friends! We have our first volunteer opportunity this week. We need help putting in raised beds THIS Friday from 10-4 & Sunday 1-4. We'll be working behind the Shelterbelt Theater on 33rd and California. Come whenever you can. Bring gloves, a shovel, and a lunch if you want to eat with us there.  We hope to see you there!

Friday, March 30th 10:00 - 4:00PM
Sunday, April 1st    1:00 - 4:00PM


Questions call us -- (402)932-7470  or email us -- bigmuddyfarm@gmail.com

thank you y muchas gracias

What else is there to say? As our CSA registration closes this Sunday (March 18th) we have handfuls of people to thank for their support over the last five months. Starting this urban farming project has been a huge community effort. The people below have offered us support and much needed resources to get Big Muddy Urban Farm off the ground (or in the ground, whichever way you look at it).

Big Muddy Urban Farm thanks to...


Tom Lundahl
Lori Tatreau
Lance Brisbois
Adam Sherad
James Lemieux
Chris Foster
Chris Combs
Martin & Rob Janousek
Dan Susman, our friend and Growing Cities filmmaker 
Mary Hodapp
Stephanie Ahlschwede & United Methodist Ministries
Susan Whitfield 
Nancy Williams
Jeff & Gloria Jensen
David & Patrick of Localmotive
Billene Nemec 
The Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society
Mike Hall of Upstream Brewery
Ellen Shurson
Hoo Hallow Collective 
inCOMMON Community Development (where we're hosting our members potluck!)


xoxo,
Big Muddy Urban Farm
Ali, Brent, Caitie, Dan, Tyler, Matt, and Jamie

shares filling up, snaps, and who wants a patch?

Good news everyone! Our CSA shares are really filling up. With all of our prospective candidates right now we will be completely full. So, if you are still interested in a share PLEASE email us soon and then send in your Member Agreement form. We need a deposit from you to save your spot. Once we have received the deposit you are guaranteed in!

Remember... the deadline for CSA registration is March 18th. So soon!

Here are some snaps from the Secret Cafe for those of you who missed it. We had so much fun we are certain to host another one this summer sometime. Also below, Matt Cronin and Michaela's band Mallows of Marsh performing at the Hootenanny. This song featured our friend Otto and Sophia on vocals. Then... a few snaps from our seed party the other day.

Como estas Big Muddy Buddies?

How's it going Big Muddy Buddies?


Life has been busy and exciting over these past few weeks in our neighborhood with many wonderful developments to talk about. All of us at the farm want to send out a big thanks to everyone who made the Secret Cafe dinner such a success. In case you missed it, this past Friday friends of Big Muddy Urban Farm set up a dinner at a home in the Orchard Hill neighborhood where all proceeds went back to the collective. We were blessed to have donations from Upstream Brewing Company and the Tea Smith, as well as others, making the night as a whole that much smoother. A homemade four course meal, good company, good music, and good brew... what more could you ask for? We'll be hosting another dinner in the next few months, so keep your ears open!


Personally, I'm really excited for the Hootenanny happening this Sunday at the Waiting Room. The event in Benson is going to be a fundraiser ($5 cover) for Big Muddy Urban Farm and Sweet Thyme Urban Farms, with music from Southpaw Bluegrass Band, Matt Cox, Gerald Lee Jr., Lincoln Dickison & Kate Williams, as well as myself. I'm going on early with my friends Michaela and Auto, so come early and plan to stay.


Also, the Localmotive food truck, a new company serving a menu that emphasizes seasonal, locally-sourced products will serve at the Hootenanny. This growing season we are partnering with Localmotive by selling them a special kind of potato called Bintje's. We are always looking for new businesses to partner with, so if you or anyone you know is interested in purchasing local produce for your establishment feel free to email us -- bigmuddyfarm@gmail.com or contact me (Matt Cronin) directly 402-515-2471. 


The last thing on my mind is how I'm just itching for spring to come. I don't know about ya'll, but all of these thunderstorms are making me stir crazy to get my hands in the dirt. I've got a feeling though that mother winter isn't going to pack up and leave for another month, but we'll see. Until next time, take care and we hope to see you soon!


love,
Matt  

Secret Cafe a Success!

    The Big Muddy Urban Farm would like to give thanks to everyone who attended the 
Secret Cafe last Friday. With your generous support we surpassed our goal, and the night ran surprisingly smooth with all the kitchen and wait staff ;)  We would also like to give a "Big Muddy" shout out to Upstream Brewery for donating two kegs. The food was oh so yummy too; whole wheat pizzas, delicious salad, and desserts galore. 
My favorite were the carrot cupcakes, but I'm biased since I was the baker. With the 
success of this Cafe, the friends of Big Muddy Urban Farm, have started planning the 
next one, so stayed tuned in. Thank you again for all the support. We will be looking 
forward to seeing all of your beautiful faces at the next Secret Cafe, but just remember 
what Gandolf tells Frodo  "Keep it Secret, Keep it Safe". 


Life's a garden, DIG IT...


                         Farmer Dan

Five simple ways to show us your support

1. Come to the "Secret Cafe" our friends are hosting this Friday. It is to be held between 6pm and 10pm and you will not be disappointed: lots of tasty food and even live music! Suggested donation of $5+. We will also have little take home treats (as supplies last) for anyone attending. Stay tuned for the location!

2. Leave us a happy note on any of our posts-- or even an email! We would LOVE to hear from you :)

3. Mark your calendars for March 4th. Our friend Lori is hosting a Hootenanny at the Waiting Room, here in Omaha! It is $5 to attend and well worth it. There will be a variety of different musicians and tasty foods from local vendors. Bring your friends and family (its kid friendly!).

4. Follow us on Facebook or on Twitter for more updates! We will be posting lots and lots of photos throughout the season, and as we start to get our plants going.

5. Sign up for a share of our CSA! Though there is still a bit of time till our registration ends, March 18th is less than a month away. Email us for more details and the member agreement today! Remember, our email address is: bigmuddyfarm@gmail.com

Thanks for your continued support,
Farmer Ali

secret cafe, partnerships, wic, gap, markets, csa, oh my!

Wow! It's a beautiful day outside. The snow is melting, the ground is thawing...it's about time for the days of the muddy boots. We're still working through a lot of details for this growing season, collecting CSA sign-ups, getting prepped to start our work in the greenhouse, and dreaming of mornings in the sunshine pullin' up weeds.  

Here are some updates from the Big Muddy Urban Farm...

• Friends of the Big Muddy Urban Farm are hosting a "Secret Cafe" on Friday, February 24th starting at 5:00pm. Come have a delicious meal and drinks served to you. On the menu: greens, bean and beer soup, potato leek soup, homemade bread by James, rabbit, and homemade pies and cupcakes for dessert. This is a fundraiser to help us buy materials for our raised beds at the 33rd and California Plot. $5.00-$10.00 suggested donation. Also, the infamous Matt Cronin (and perhaps a few other musical guests) will serenade you while you dine. Location details coming soon... but save the date!

• We had a really great meeting with Omaha Economic Development Corporation this week about a potential partnership that would truly be awesome for the Big Muddy Urban Farm. We will reveal more soon, when we can. In the meantime, check them out, they do some cool work in the neighborhood. 

• We're on our way to becoming certified to accept WIC vouchers! 

• Ali and Brent attended the GAP training, which stands for Good Agricultural Practices. This means Big Muddy Urban Farm is officially trained in GAP practices. From the UNL Extension page "Safe, locally grown produce is a important to the producers as it is to consumers. The purpose of providing Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) training is to reduce the risks of microbial contamination of fruits and vegetables. The overarching aim is to help increase safety or quality of local foods and this starts by developing a farm food safety plan that is achievable."  

• We mentioned this before, but just so everyone knows we currently have plans to sell at the Benson Farmer's Market and Gifford Park Farmer's Market this season. The GP Farmer's Market is pretty new, and we hope we can help get more vendors and customers traveling through this season. Our friends from the Minnelusa House and GP Teen Market folks also sell there. Let the countdown to Farmer's Markets begin! 

• Don't forget to request a CSA Member Agreement today. One by one our spots are getting filled. 31 days until registration for this growing season closes!

xoxo,

Caitie