By Mary Magdalena

Redstone Review

“I rejoice to live in such a splendidly disturbing time. If we squander all our attention on what is wrong, we will miss the prize. In the chaos engulfing the world, a hopeful future resides because the past is disintegrating before us.”

Helen Keller/Paul Hawken

HYGIENE – The prize, as I see it, is in the community with its history in agriculture and in what is being created in sustainable agriculture here today. We are blessed with deep rich soil, good water, a good climate in which to grow, and industrious people. With the disturbing financial crisis that is affecting us all, we here in Hygiene are focusing on a healthy sustainable future. Let me share with you a sampling of what is currently happening in Hygiene.

Aspen Moon Farm, owned and run by Jason Griffith at 8020 Hygiene Rd., has made a more obvious display of his dedication to growing organic produce with the installation

of his very large new greenhouse visible from the road. Last summer he sold produce in a roadside stand and at the Longmont Farmer’s Market. Jason and his wife Erin Dreistadt have started a CSA, Community Supported Agriculture, where local families become members and share in the harvest from June to October. Their goal is to become year round producers of vegetables. Check out their web site at www.aspenmoonfarm.com; they have a wealth of expertise and 160 varieties of vegetables, fruits and flowers to offer our community.

“At Aspen Moon Farm we are growing good food for a good healthy community,” said Griffith.  “Utilizing biodynamic and organic methods, our vegetables, flowers, fruits, berries, and herbs are grown minimizing our energy needs.  We rely on the soil, the sun and our hard work to raise the products that our customers value and our family treasures for good health and spiritual well-being.  With the help of our loyal customers, we are growing and renewing our local food systems.”

Another producer of organic produce and flowers is Sol-y-Sombra Farm, 11971 75^th St., owned and run by Allison Edwards and Jason Kinyon.  Their house was one of the original farmhouses, built around 1900. They have been working the land for seven years now and are selling at a farm stand in their front yard as well as the Longmont Farmer’s Market. Their daughter Sofia enjoys selling at the market and is particularly fond of the roses that bloom in their gardens. The 30 kinds of tomatoes, strawberries, blueberries and raspberries add to the variety of produce offered at their CSA. If you are interested please call Allison at 303-618-3510 or e-mail Solysombra.alli@gmail.com.

Willow Farm, directed by Susan Nemcek, 11898 N. 75^th St., is focusing on growing herbs to use for medicine and teaching. Peter Rousseau who has grown food all over the world will be teaching three classes starting March 17 to inspire you to create beautiful, functional and abundantly productive gardens. Lorenzo will be working with Susan in mentoring students in growing herbs and making medicine. She will have a community garden for seven families. Please take a look at her web site www.willowfarmcolorado.info for opportunities to participate.

Another new and exciting thing is happening in Hygiene. You will now be able to buy locally grown food products in Clark’s Food Store. Sam Clark has owned and operated the store for the past 42 years and is now ready to hand over the grocery part of the business on May 1, leasing the store to me (Mary Magdalena) and Tim Combs.  We are both local residents of Hygiene. The mission of the Boulder County General Store is to bring an old-fashioned grocery store/general store to our community, where in a comfortable and welcoming environment locally grown food and local products are emphasized. Saving the best of the past and bringing in the best of the new, this will be a place for old timers and the new residents to come together and share in our wonderful community.

Sam Clark will still be on the premises selling his locally grown hay; his propane and storage business will now be run from the back of the property. The market has been owned by the Clark family since 1943 and before that time a grocery store has been on the same piece of ground for over a hundred years.

Food that is grown and produce in Boulder County will be showcased: vegetables and fruits, honey, milk, chocolate, potato chips, beer, herbs and tinctures and art. The Boulder County General Store will offer fresh baked breads and homemade cookies, deli sandwiches and salads, perfect for a picnic on the lawn under the shade of the trees, inside on stools at the counter, or picnics to-go so that you can enjoy Pella Crossing Ponds. Sam Clark has offered to cut meat so that you can still buy your favorite cuts. In the tradition of a general store you can buy some nails, envelopes, bubble bath, gardening gloves, greeting cards, flowers, septic enzymes, books or a special gift.

The Elders from the Hopi Nation, Orabi, Ariz., have given the world a message for 2010: “Where are you living? What are you doing? What are your relationships? Are you in right relations? Where is your water? Know your garden. Create your community. Be good to each other. And do not look outside yourself for the leader. Gather yourselves. We are the ones we have been waiting for.”

We in Hygiene have a great opportunity to come together and create an even more expanded community. Let us support our local growers, while getting the benefit of healthy local food, right relations and the opportunity to demonstrate our goodness and care for one another. Hard times don’t necessarily mean bad times: it depends upon your own awareness of ways that you can give to and receive from the community in which you live.

We are intending to have a farmer’s market for the summer months. If you have locally grown produce or locally made products that you wish to sell, please contact Mary Magdalena at 303-652-4004.

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