Honey Recipes

Traditionally and by necessity, in times past African Americans in the Sandhills of North Carolina used the "natural resources from the forests, waters, and fields around them to sustain life and heal themselves" (Jenkins, 2003).  One such resource was honey.  "Honey from the forest could sweeten an herbal tea or kiss a hot biscuit" (Mitchell, 2008).  According to a National Honey Board survey, African Americans are returning to their roots and using more honey in recent years than in the not too distant past.  


In celebration of National Honey Month (September) and the many uses of honey, a few links to some tasty recipes (the honey yeast rolls look amazing) and alternative uses of honey are posted below.  We would love to hear how you use honey in cooking, for health, or as a beauty treatment!


Links
http://www.southernliving.com/food/kitchen-assistant/honey-recipes-00417000068876/
http://www.honey.com/nhb/recipes/
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Natural-Health/1999-02-01/Honey-Benefits.aspx


References
Jenkins, Ammie (2003).  Sandhills Family Legacies Volume One. Healing from the Land.  
Mitchell, Patricia B. (1993).  Soul on Rice.  African Influences on American Cooking.  

National 5-A-Day Month

Ed and Hermilio selling hot peppers at the Sandhills Farmers Market in Spring Lake.  

September is National 5-A-Day Month, Fruit and Vegetable Month, and even Organic Harvest Month! How do you plan to get your 5-a-day?  Here are a few suggestions! 

• Eat seasonally!  Fresh fruits and veges are less expensive and healthier when you buy them in season!
• Follow a recipe.  Have fun with fresh fruits and veges by trying something new!
• Visit a farmers market or farm and get to know your grower!
• Start a garden.  Make fresh foods a family affair and grow a few vegetables. 
• Add fresh or dried fruit to your cereal. 

For more information:

http://www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov/

http://www.ota.com/news/ohmcalendar.html

http://www.ncagr.gov/markets/gottobe/

http://www.ncfarmfresh.com/

http://www.ncagr.gov/htm/educational.htm

Photo by Ammie Jenkins. 

"Fresh Ingredients for Good Food"

Julia Child once said, "You don't have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces - just good food from fresh ingredients".  Even as late summer begins its seasonal transition into early fall, North Carolina farmers markets still have plenty of "fresh ingredients for good food"!  Summer favorites like tomatoes and peppers continue to hold court on market tables well into fall and cool weather favorites like collards, turnips, mustard greens and onions become increasingly abundant. Crisp pears and apples replace sweet peaches and juicy berries.  The old Southern favorite, the muscadine grape, makes a brief appearance in September. Last but not least, the sweet potato begins a long harvest period and will be  available for months to come.  

Want to know what's in season year-round in North Carolina?  Follow this link to see fruit and vegetable availability.     http://www.ncagr.gov/markets/chart.htm 

If you're in the Fayetteville, NC area, the Sandhills Farmers Market of Spring Lake is open Saturdays from 9am until 2pm.  We are located at 230 Chapel Hill Road in the Spring Lake city limits. Call us for more information - 910-436-3406.  Would you like to receive our weekly newsletter "Market News"?  Send us your email to sign up.  Email:  sandhillsfamily1@yahoo.com .  Photo by Starr Oldorff..  

The Value of Trees

SFHA Board Chair Betty McMillan, Jeff Bolton, and
SFHA Executive Director Ammie Jenkins in front
of a Sandhills region pine forest.  

Posted by Starr Oldorff.  Ben Franklin once said "time is money".  In North Carolina, trees are money.  According to the NCFS website, the forest products industry is the largest business in the state, contributing about $30 million annually to North Carolina's economy and providing over 100,000 jobs for North Carolinians.  The NCFS website is full of  related resources and educational information.

The North Carolina Forest Service (NCFS) has asked that SFHA share information about North Carolina's Present-Use Valuation Property Tax Program with farmers, forest owners, members, and anyone who cares about trees and there economic and environmental impact. Follow this links below for more information.



Links:

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/forestry/resources/publications/economics_and_taxes.php

http://ncforestservice.gov/about_ncdfr.htm
http://ncforestservice.gov/links.htm

Hurricane Irene in NC News

As eastern North Carolina awaits the departure of Hurricane Irene so that we can all go out and access the damage, it is appropriate to consider this week's NC agricultural headlines put together by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture.

News Roundup: Aug. 20-26