April 2009,Vol. 38, No. 4 Manager’s Corner by Glenn Bergman, General Manager What expansion? I have decided that we do not need to expand, and I had an of- fer to sell the building in Chestnut Hill for more than we paid, so I did that. Who needs all of that work? Just kidding.April Fools! Since announcing the purchase of the Chestnut Hill location and the start of the Member Loan Campaign, many members have asked what they can do to help if they cannot make a loan of over $2,500? If you cannot provide a loan to the Co-op, there are other things you can do to help:

• Bring your member equity up to $400 as soon as you can, either at the register or through the mail, with a note. • If you can give a few hundred more to (continued on page 15) Sundays Super at Weavers Way Ogontz Member Loan by Jason Price, Ogontz Store Manager PHOTO Campaign Enters Sundays are off to

a good start at Weavers BY B Next Phase Way’s Ogontz store. ONNIE by Stu Katz, Loan Committee Chair With so much traffic in H AY Last month, every member of Weavers the West Oak Lane Way was sent a letter from Glenn and me area every Sunday, it requesting that they participate in an seemed like a no-brain- “Equal Share” member loan program, in er to offer our services. which each household would lend the Co- Many people in the op an equal and specific amount. This equal community find it con- share loan program was a legally required venient to shop with us precursor to a targeted loan program. We instead of going to the are neither surprised nor disappointed that larger stores, which be- it was not completed. come a mob scene on Since less than 100 percent of our the weekend. members expressed interest in participating Our efforts to in- in the equal share loan program, we are form people in the area moving on to a more targeted loan pro- of this schedule change gram. This program requests member started with the distri- households to make a loan in the amount bution of flyers to the Weavers Way Environment Committee member Stevik of at least $2,500. Members can choose an neighborhood church- Kretzmann with State Representative Dwight Evans at interest rate from zero to four percent and es.There are several the third Weavers Way Ogontz Recycling Bin Giveaway the loan will be paid back starting between very large congrega- church who participate follow a strict vegan five and ten years. Interest paid will be sim- tions in the immediate vicinity and folks diet and cut out all processed foods for 40 ple, not compounded. come from far and wide to attend. Our days.We were there to let folks know that Our goals in seeking these member contacts were excited to hear that we our store on Ogontz Avenue could meet loans are to: raise a minimum of $670,000 would be open. many of their fasting needs. dollars, and hopefully as much as $2 mil- Stephanie Johnson and I represented Starting with a somewhat soft opening lion; reduce our costs of borrowing by Weavers Way at the annual health and well- on Sunday, March 1, it was clear that the many thousands of dollars each year; in- ness fair held at Enon Tabernacle Baptist community was receptive. We saw many of volve members closely in the financial Church. This event is based around the the folks who attended the Enon event, as (continued on page 4) Daniel Fast for Lent. Members of the (continued on page 17)

Weavers Way Cooperative Association Inside: Presorted Standard 559 Carpenter Lane, , PA 19119 U.S. Farm News 2 www.weaversway.coop POSTAGE PAID Product News 3 Philadelphia, PA Permit No. 2658 Board Ballots 17 Candidate Statements 18 Suggestions 28 And of course... scads more PAGE 2 THE SHUTTLE APRIL 2009

Editor’s Note Future Farmers of Mt.Airy by Jonathan McGoran by Rachel Milenbach, Weavers Way Community Programs Executive Director PHOTOS All around the world, As winter finally comes to an end and businesses are closing and the farming season heads back into high BY R downsizing, agricultural gear, the excitement is growing at the Mt. ACHEL lands are being built over, Airy Family Manor, the site of the M ILENBACH and newspapers of all sizes and varieties newest Weavers Way Community Programs are shrinking, closing, merging, and going (WWCP) farm education program. Located into bankruptcy. Now that Weavers Way on the 1300 block of East Tulpehocken has purchased a new location in Chestnut Street, just below Stenton Avenue, Stenton Hill and expanded our farm programs to Family Manor is a handicap-accessible include Martin Kuther King School, Sten- homeless shelter exclusively for families in ton Family Arms, Saul High School CSA, transition. It was founded over fifteen years and now a lot on East Mt. Airy Ave., we re- ago as a place in which homeless families alized that the only logical next step is to could find shelter, security and the promise expand the Shuttle. Beginning with this is- of a future. The Stenton site sits on the sue, we are trying out an expanded model, other side of the fence from the WWCP with a broader distribution and a greater farm at Martin Luther King High School. A emphasis on community coverage. Our gate allows access between the two plots. partner for this issue is Mt. Airy USA, On February 24, 2009, David Siller, volun- whose newsletter can be found inserted in teer Micah Woodcock, and four youths this issue and whose support and coopera- from Stenton broke ground on the new tion was critical to making this happen. Stenton Family Manor Farm. These moves have been the result of Before we can amend the soil, prepare much thought and sober deliberation, but the beds, and plant seedlings, there is a lot the best reason is that when the rest of the of brush to remove. Once improved, this world is zigging,Weavers Way likes to zag. area can be used for spreading crops such In keeping with our philosophy of buy- as pumpkins, watermelons, winter squash, ing local, Weavers Way is determined as and gourds. Improving this otherwise va- much as possible to borrow local, as well, cant land assists the farm ecosystem of and in addition to working with local banks, both the MLK farm and the Stenton Fami- we have also launched a member loan cam- ly Manor plots. paign. Investing in the Co-op may be a good In 2008, some produce from the MLK alternative for those weary of investing in re- Seeds for Learning farm was donated to bundled mortgage backed securities. Stenton. Throughout the fall, tomatoes, Of course, not all exotic sounding in- peppers, turnips, greens, beans, squash, and vestment vehicles are bad. We are very ex- eggplant were served to the residents. Now, cited that ground has been broken on the in 2009, you will see produce from the Weavers Way/Saul School CSA (Commu- Stenton farm sold on Stenton Avenue, Helping to clear out the site of the farm at Stenton Family Manor, next to nity Supported Agriculture) farm. While alongside MLK produce. Martin Luther King High School, are residents Kahlil Isom (top right) and the first harvest is probably only a few We hope to see you there! Donald Revere (top left) and Shana Isom (above). weeks away, it is still possible to buy shares, or as I like to call them, LGPFs (Locally Grown Produce Futures) or New Faces at Co-op Farm New Crops, UASDs (Urban Agriculture Seed Deriva- by David Siller, Weavers Way Farm Educator New Varieties at tives). These investments are not be bun- Think of the dled, but the dividends often are, usually Weavers Way Farm as a Weavers Way Farm with a rubber band. But they can easily be car (vroom, vroom!) by David Zelov, Weavers Way Farm Manager unbundled when it’s time to eat, and even and consider the direc- rebundled in case you want to put some tion it is heading.The As the greenhouse is now full of plants back in the fridge and save it for later. following is an explo- destined for the farms at Awbury, Martin Luther King High School, and Saul High The Shuttle is published by ration into how within the analogy of the School, I thought I would take this time to Weavers Way Co-op write about some of the new crops and Deadlines for each issue are farm as a car, we are new varieties of the same crops we are the first of the preceding month. evolving! growing this year. e.g. May 1 for the June issue Just like a car there are many pieces all Artichokes: No, not the tuberous Statement of Policy functioning together to Jerusalem artichokes available in late fall. Articles should be under 500 words and make it tick. Just like a This year we will be growing real arti- can be submitted neatly typed, on disk, or e- car, we are only as chokes.They are marginally hardy in our mailed to [email protected]. good as the company climate, and normally don’t produce buds Be sure to include your name, phone num- that makes us, and let it until the second year, but if you trick them ber, and membership number. Drop them off by into thinking it’s their second year of Shuttle be known that Weavers the deadline to the mailbox on the sec- growth by exposing them to warm temper- ond floor of the Co-op. The purpose of the Way is much better off Students from Crefeld School with David Siller atures and then cool temperature, then Shuttle is to provide members with information than General Motors. at the new hoophouse at Weavers Way Farm as well as education about co-ops, health food Just like a car, we move warm again, they will bud up in the first practices, and other matters of interest to the with agility, torque, and season. Silly artichokes. members as consumers and citizens of the have high performance ratings.The hold to the road tightly, through all weath- Arugula: We hope to expand the amount community. Weavers Way website and Shuttle describe er; winter, spring, summer and fall. and availability of this quick-growing green Articles express only the views of the writ- the farm just like a showroom gives you a This winter, we’ve been getting a tune by seeding successionally throughout the ers and not those of the Co-op or the board of up, a major and exciting tune up, and now spring and fall. directors, unless identified as such. Articles, let- little glimpse into the minds and hearts of have the capacity for a larger load and have Asparagus: Probably will not be available ters, comments, criticisms, and suggestions are the folks who are busy at work making welcome and should be directed to the editor. everything move. And the way to get a little hitched onto our current operations the ad- this year but we planted a little bit last year Space limitations require that the editor has the deeper into the workings of the farm, just dition of the CSA at Saul Agricultural High and will be adding another row this coming right to edit all articles. Ad rates are available like a car, is to get in and ride it for yourself School and the Stenton Family Manor spring. Asparagus is a perennial, but you upon request, in the advertising mailbox on the or get under the hood and check out what homeless shelter.This increased load has need to let it grow a couple years before second floor, or at www.weaversway.coop. All is going on, i.e., We welcome volunteers... given us the opportunity to add more harvesting the shoots so that it can build up ads must be submitted electronically, or cam- wheels.You may see these new bright and reserves of energy in its roots. era-ready with prior arrangement, and should extra car parts always needed! shiny wheels around the Co-op one of Beans: Our pole beans did not work out so be submitted with payment. Products or servic- Think of all of us farmers as the wheels es advertised in this paper should not in any of a car. Long ago in 2000, when the farm these days. well last year, and were no less work than way be construed to be endorsed by Weavers was started, the structure of the farm was Our new apprentices (wheels) are the bush varieties, so this year we will re- Way Co-op. built. We started with one wheel and acted Megan Rulli, Lauren Hill, and Danielle turn to the green and purple bush types. like a unicycle, jumped to two wheels very Szepi. Welcome! Beets: We will continue to offer the popu- The Shuttle quickly and moved like a bicycle.Then in In reality this analogy of a car is better lar mixed bunches of red, yellow and chiog- characterized as a 18-wheel truck. You’ll see gia (striped red and white) varieties. is printed on 100% 2008 we jumped up to four wheels and be- came a car. Now moving with all wheels in what I mean with the addition of three recycled paper drive, David, Nina, Nicole and myself all (continued on page 8) (continued on page 6) APRIL 2009 THE SHUTTLE PAGE 3

April Grocery News Hidden Treasures for April by Chris Switky, Grocery Manager In our deli’s specialty cheese section (bottom shelf Howdy, shoppers. What’s new these the planet. We’d rather do business with of the prepared food case), I have designated one days on the Co-op’s grocery shelves? Tree smaller, more local companies, if possible. tray for specialty local cheeses.This section will of Life date sugar, brought in by shoppers’ Lastly, there is the recyclability factor. carry a rotating selection of cheeses. Look for requests, $7.64 for a one pound package. Glass and metal recycling are much more Birchrun Hills Farm cheeses: Fat Cat, Birchrun Date sugar is an unprocessed sugar made energy efficient and environmentally Blue, and Alpine Swiss (I helped make a batch of from dehydrated dates that friendly than plastic “recy- this cheese last March) from Chester Springs, PA; are ground into small bits. cling,” because when glass Three Belle Cheese goat cheeses from Mifflinburg, Date sugar is high in fiber, and metal food containers PA; and, of course, Claudio’s fresh smoked moz- and has a long list of vita- are recycled, they are actual- zarella made in South Philly. Farms and varieties mins and minerals, includ- ly formed back into glass will change with availability and as we discover ing iron. Find it on the bak- and metal food containers. new cheeses.As a reminder, we also sell many ing goods shelf, with the Plastic food containers, local cheeses in the regular cheese case and will Deli Manager Margie Felton continue to do so. Some favorites include; Peque other flours and sugars. even the #1’s and #2’s that (left) with some of the goat cheese, Leraysville Cajun cheddar, Friendly Also newly added: are collected curbside, can- great Birchrun cheese she Farm cheddars and Colby and our top selling sum- Earth’s Best organic infant not legally be used in the recently helped make. mer item, Claudio’s fresh Mozzarella. formula, found on the manufacture of a food- shelves above the jars of grade plastic container.A On sale this month: baby food, $19.41 for a 13 plastic beverage bottle or Havarti & Dill Havarti $5.99/lb ...reg. $6.25 oz. container. It’s soy-based food container that is “re- (dairy and lactose free) and cycled” (quote marks are contains DHA and ARA, nutrients that are mine) becomes part of a plastic park Association for naturally found in breast milk. bench, or tote bag, or toothbrush handle. Sustainable Agriculture Conference Say “goodbye” to the Odwalla drink And then, when that object becomes unus- case, and to Odwalla drinks, at Weavers by Margie Felton, Deli Manager

able, it goes into the waste stream (landfill, PHOTO Way. We have decided to replace the incinerator). This is why I put the term For the past three years, I have at- Odwalla drink case with a display case that “plastic recycling” in quote marks, because tended the yearly conference of the COURTESY we actually own, and can stock with other it is not closed-loop recycling, it’s just Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable brands of drinks. Several factors led us to adding a step in between use of the plastic Agriculture (PASA) at Penn State Univer- OF PASA this decision. as a food container and its ultimate destina- sity.The conference consists of three First, delivery service from the Odwalla tion as unusable and unrecyclable waste. days filled with workshops, speakers, food company has been quite sub-standard and We realize that many Weavers Way tastings, movies, and social events, as well variable, depending on which driver is as- shoppers like the type of protein drink that as great meals produced from local foods signed to our delivery route. Drivers often Odwalla offers, and we will try to bring in a donated by PASA farmers. After attend- showed up with insufficient stock in their comparable beverage. ing a few workshops, eating a few meals, trucks, a situation that seemed unchange- Lastly, I’m pleased to report that verbal and running into people I met at previous able no matter whom we complained to at communication with my friend and super- conferences, I realized that for me, this the Odwalla company. As a result, the visor, Norman Weiss, continues to be a dai- year was about making connections and Odwalla drink case was empty much of the ly challenge that I enjoy immensely. Here’s a finding out what’s going on in our state Farmer and cheesemaker Brian Futhey of Stone Meadow Farm shares samples time, to the great annoyance of Weavers recent example: “Norman, is this computer and specifically in Philadelphia. of his artisan cheeses cheese tasting Way shoppers and staff, including the gro- working?” Norman’s answer: “It works, but The connecting started on the road to cery manager. it doesn’t do what you want it to do.” the conference. I had the opportunity to Maier is visiting farms to find new local Secondly, Odwalla is owned by Coca ~ [email protected] spend time with some of my coworkers products and Chris Hill is doing important Cola, one of the largest corporations on and a Weaver Way board member I don’t board and farm committee activities. I only often see.The farmers and farm interns are ever see this group of coworkers in passing. busy growing food, building hoop houses Now I had three days away from work to The Word from Upstairs and starting CSA’s. Rachael Milenbach is talk with them. Our first stop was the Martha Fuller, Wellness, Personal Care and writing grant proposals and helping stu- (continued on page 8) General Merchandise Manager dents learn how to grow and sell food. Bob New Products Source Naturals Hot of proceeds to environmental and animal Flash Supplement is formulated to help re- welfare organizations. Wellshire Farm & Garrett County duce hot flash frequency. This product con- We hear of headaches happening in the by Dale Kinley, Fresh Foods Manager Spring season. One product that helps mi- PHOTO tains non-GMO Soy concentrate, black co- I remember in hosh root standardized extract, dong quai graine pain is MigreLief.This patented for- 1996, Lou Colameco BY L root extract, licorice root extract, and mula was developed by a neurologist who is EN delivering his antibiotic- B chaste tree berry extract. We have an infor- the Director of the New York Headache YRON free pork and turkey mational flier about this and you can find is Center. It was designed to prevent and re- bacon in his own truck in the Product Library file. Please ask a Sec- duce the severity and frequency of attacks. with a ice chest in the ond Floor staff member if you need to find It is used daily and, according to the litera- back. the flier or product. ture from the company, can take four to six Lou and his dad Archipelago Botanicals has such won- weeks to begin working. started selling hams in derful candles—we know you love them! Discontinued Products Quantum re- New Jersey. Lou was in- There are two new scents: Noir (exotic cently discontinued the production of a fa- terested in creating an musk, vanilla, and cedar wood) and Santori- vorite Weavers Way shopper lotion: Water all natural product line ni (lotus flower, bergamot and lemon leaf). Garden Pycnogonal Skin Lotion. We miss of beef, turkey, and If you have a favorite Archipelago scent it, too! pork products. He and want info about pre-orders, please see a While we are carrying only a few Burt’s sought out small Penn- Second Floor Staff member. Bees products, we can special order their Lou Colameco of Garrett County (l) with Dale Kinley sylvania farms and used Hero Nutritionals makes some of our products. Please ask a Second Floor staff carry are turkey dogs, beef dogs, turkey ba- family-run processing plants in the area. most popular vitamins for children—the member for details if you would like to con, pork bacon, ham steaks, and chorizo Whole Foods was his first customer and Yummy Bear vitamin line.They have re- place an order. sausage. We sell the spiral-cut hams for Weavers Way soon followed. His bacon cently added Vitamin D3 as a member of While we are on the subject of prod- Easter. business,Yorkshire Farms, quickly expand- this valued line. It is gluten- and allergen- ucts we no longer carry, we want you to One of the new items we are introduc- ed into hot dogs, hams and deli meats, and free and is 150 percent of the USRDA. Vit- know how that process works. If a product ing is Lou’s Famous Sausage. This is an all- Yorkshire became Wellshire Farms and amin D3 is among the hottest vitamins on has stopped selling well for us and has fall- natural, antibiotic-free chicken sausage about two years ago, Whole Foods bought our shelves! Vitamin increases calcium ab- en out of favor with our shoppers, we need made by Philadelphia’s own Martin’s exclusive rights to the products. sorption and helps build strong bones and to move it along and bring in another prod- sausage company. They are fully cooked Lou has since created Garrett County, healthy teeth. uct. Some products sell faster than others and have no casings! which is a duplication of the product lines Current Products The Clear Con- and in a store as seriously small as this one, This is really great news for people who Wellshire Farms has grown into a multimil- science multi-purpose solution for soft every cubic inch counts! We do try to keep have been wanting chicken sausage without lion business. He still uses small family contact lenses has been a hit with shoppers. as many items on our shelves as we can. the beef or pork casings. Other new prod- farms and processors. Animal welfare is a This company has been providing a cruelty- Please let us know how we can help you ucts to look for are pork ribs in sauce, Can- prime concern. Antibiotics are never used, free contact lens solution since 1998. The with a pre-order for your favorite products. dian bacon, Irish bacon, and come summer ever.The products contain no nitrates, ni- solution is sterilized by filtration (not irradi- Spring time!! Say it with me, boys and some new dogs. trites or artificial ingredients. ation) and is free of thimerosal and girls: allergies! I recently read in a trade Let me know what you think. Some of the Garrettt County items we chlorhexidine.They also donate 10 percent (continued on page 4) ~ [email protected] PAGE 4 THE SHUTTLE APRIL 2009

Member Loan Program the Co-op’s efforts. (continued from page 1) Glenn and his managers, the architect, health of the Co-op and the project team are all hard at work Over the next few months, we will be coming up with a design and operations holding numerous meetings in Chestnut plan for the store in Chestnut Hill. Fifteen Hill, Wyndmoor, and Mt. Airy to encourage people, most new to any organizational in- membership in Weavers Way and participa- volvement with WW, have formed a mem- tion in the member loan program. If you ber loan committee to help us recruit new are interested in learning more about the members and run the loan campaign. Hope- loan program or in making a loan, please fully there are 200 or so member house- fill out the form that is in this Shuttle or e- holds with the financial ability and interest mail us at [email protected]. to help us achieve our member loan goal. You can also find a great deal of informa- This is an exciting time at Weavers Way. tion about the loan program by clicking Growing a new co-op market in Chestnut “Member Loan” on the Co-op’s website, Hill solidifies our place in Northwest www.weaversway.coop. Philadelphia, serves the needs and im- For those Weavers Way members who proves the community in Chestnut Hill, want to support the Co-op’s expansion ef- and relieves some shopping pressure on the fort but are unable to loan $2,500, please Carpenter Lane store. It is a WIN – WIN – consider increasing your equity payment up WIN. If you have any questions or want to to or beyond the $400 maximum. While eq- host or attend a house meeting about the uity increases do not come with interest, member loan campaign, please e-mail us. they improve our balance sheet, increase Hillary McAndrews or I will be happy to cash flow and demonstrate real support for talk with you. The Word from Upstairs tains the trademarked HistaStop, which is a (continued from page 3) homeopathic histamine and quercetin and is for the temporary relief of hay fever and newsletter that there are an estimated 50 pollen allergic symptoms of sneezing, run- million allergy suffers in the U.S.Approxi- ny nose, itchy and watery eyes, plugged mately 35 million people suffer from sea- ears, sinus congestion, and headaches. sonal allergic rhinitis, commonly known as Aller-Response, from Source Naturals Bio- hay fever, which is triggered by such aller- Aligned formula, supports histamine regu- gens as weed, tree, and grass pollens. Wow. lation, immune response, and the clearing, Let’s talk about a couple of products soothing and tonifying of mucous mem- from the Wellness Department’s allergy branes. It contains powerful herbs includ- section. Both are from Source Naturals. Vi- ing ginger, ginkgo biloba, amla, and andro- tamin Retailer magazine gives the presti- graphis, which have been used traditionally gious Vity Awards each year—in 2008, the for lung, bronchial, and immune health. Vi- Allercetin Allergy & Sinus homeopathic tamins A and C, along with zinc, also pro- tablets was recognized as the bestselling al- vide immune support. lergy/hay fever remedy. This product con- ~ [email protected]

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Backyard Chickens by Anna Herman PHOTO Just down the road from Weavers Way the internet. As my In the summer,I they look fancier and they start to crow—

Co-op’s store in Mt. Airy live one of several network of fellow BY have had to modify all day and night. This is an issue if you A local flocks of urban backyard chickens: chicken lovers has NNA some of my garden hatch your own chicks—it’s almost impos- H

Buff Orpingtons, Rhode Island Reds, grown, I can now of- ERMAN beds with fencing to sible to tell the sex of a chicken until it’s Wynadottes, and Araucans. ten get answers and keep the hens from about 10-15 weeks old. Then you have to It started for me six or seven years ago share resources in line eating all the lettuce figure out something to do with the roost- with four-day-old chicks picked up from at the Co-op. and broccoli. ers and possibly someone to do that for the Souderton Agway. They lived for sever- Chickens require My sister Gail (a you. No you don’t need a rooster for your al weeks in my basement in a straw-lined little more than any nearby suburban hens to lay—but without a rooster the eggs plastic storage container with a wire top household pet. Food, chicken enthusiast) won’t be fertile. and light bulb to keep them warm. Since water, and a place to and I initially took The city regulations related to keeping then I’ve replenished our flock by ordering keep warm, dry, and turns driving to hens have changed since I started this en- fertilized eggs on eBay and hatching them safe from predators. Downingtown every terprise. Several years ago, one needed L&I in collaboration with the Project Learn For housing, I have a few months for or- approval to build a coop, but there were no School’s youngest students. Many chicken great little coop, ganic chicken feed, laws on the books relating to how many owners order a dozen “day-old” chicks, which is sort of a but there are now chickens you could house.The rules now shipped overnight just after hatching, be- modified shed with enough of us that basically give your neighbors a way to for- fore they need to eat or drink; the chicks ar- straw bedding that has fellow Co-op mem- mally complain and get action if there is a rive in a small cardboard box at the post of- places for the chick- Chickens come home to roost bers John and Pat noise or sanitation issue. fice, peeping loudly and huddled together ens to roost and lay, Fiorella buy bulk Our neighbors have been incredibly tol- for warmth. and room for a water dispenser. Imagine a supplies of organic feed to sell, and sup- erant of the accidental rooster (too loud!), Why have chickens? In a word—it’s the dog house with a chicken sized door and plied my last class hatching project with the errant carcass (hawk attack) and the oc- eggs. Our hens lay eggs with shells from ramp. Every morning I let them out of eggs. casional hen pecked lettuce plant, or scat- light blue to brown to green, with rich yel- their little door, put some feed out and they It’s an amazing thing to take a box of tered mulch. They deserve thanks (and way low yolks.They are delicious, nutritious, busy themselves scratching, pecking, and recently laid fertilized eggs out of the re- more eggs than I offer them). and useful for every meal and dessert. laying. I keep my chickens cooped up near frigerator and put them in an incubator at For more information and resources The eggs are lovely, but the hens are my compost area so I can clean the coop 100 degrees. If turned several times a day, than you probably will ever need visit adorable.What’s cuter than a day old chick? directly into the compost pile—and the and kept properly humid, they will almost www.backyardchicken.com, or www.feath- How can one help but smile at a chicken chickens have access to extra snacks from all hatch exactly 21 days later. ersite.com. There are many great articles walking up the steps and peering in the the food scraps and worms in the bin. Four or five months later, the hens will and coop designs. If you are interested in back door? I guess I really raise chickens In the winter I’ve found that the flock start to lay, a bit before that any cockerels learning more, or want to visit this years because they amuse me. huddles together more on cold nights, their (young roosters) will become apparent— hatch (not for another month or two) feel I fancy myself a small time urban feathers fluffed. I insulate with bales of free to email me at [email protected]. homesteader and the chickens scratching straw and the occasional piece of plywood. and pecking about add verisimilitude to my One winter when I was down to only one garden landscape. As a city girl with a coun- hen due to a series of hawk attacks, I re- try bent, I learned about chickens, as I learn sorted to providing my down vest to the about almost everything, from books and shivering hen and she survived to lay again. PAGE 6 THE SHUTTLE APRIL 2009

New Crops at Weavers Way Farm Weavers Way Farm Wish List (continued from page 2) Henry Got Crops! Bok Choy (baby): a perennial (but actually Henry Got Crops is a partnershi