Can you believe we're halfway through the 2022 fall semester already? While we've all certainly been busy with midterms and classwork, the microfarm has also been having some exciting moments. We're so proud of and grateful for all of our amazing volunteers, team members and collaborators who have been helping out at the farm this season!
This past weekend we were able to harvest 35 pounds of produce to donate to the UT outpost, hosted our first ever field day, filled with nostalgic childhood games, popsicles, and loads of fun, and began planting fall crops like kale, turnips, broccoli, and tons of other greens! Check out the fun in our workday and field day vlogs and tik toks!
As we progress further into the semester and colder weather approaches, be sure to keep up with our social media to get the latest info on the Microfarm! We're so excited for all the fun upcoming events we have planned and we can't wait to share them with you!
Love from the farm,
Nikki and Alicia
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Some exciting things are happening around the farm! Come check them out! Last weekend a Male Valley Carpenter Bee, Xylocopa sonorina, was found on a passionflower. For iNaturalist, this would be the 3rd observation of this pollinator in Austin and the only one from this year!
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You can volunteer on the farm every Sunday this semester from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm! Feel free to bring your friends! Don't forget to wear closed-toed shoes and bring your student ID + lots of water!
For more info on workday protocol, including how to get to the farm and where to park, check here.
While group workdays are fully booked for the fall, you can sign up for Spring 2023 now! Check availability on our website, and then shoot us an email @ microfarm@utenvironment.org to reserve a day for your org.
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Learn Your Locals: Chile Pequins
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Getting to know your local flora is a great way to feel more connected to nature. Here's one iconic Texas native that really brings the heat during our season transition from Summer to Fall!
More fiery than the jalapeño, those who try eating a chile pequin, or chilipiquin, are in to experience a wild, eye-watering, nose-running ride. These chiles are the only ones that grow wild and natively in Texas and are easily found on demand especially in the South. They can be ground to make salsas, pickled for pepper vinegar, and even stewed with meat or beans. So next time you're out in nature, keep an eye out for them!
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Befriend a Farmer: Arthur
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Basics: Junior Arts and Entertainment Technologies Major
Pronouns: He/Any
Favorite Veggie: The simple, humble, little bean
Favorite Microfarm Memory: "Last fall, we were working on pulling out old tarps. They were really deep in the ground. it was rainy, and everything was mud so the job seemed near impossible. Squid game had just released so I had the idea to mimic what they did in the tug of war scene. We all split into two sides and started pulling together on the count of three. It was messy and hard but also a kind of deep way for us all to bond!"
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It's fall, y'all! Here are some of the things that helped the Microfarm team members get through the last few days of the summer heat and get ready for some cooler temperatures!
- Texas beating OU, 49-0! Hook 'em!
- Harry Styles' Love on Tour and his movie Don't Worry Darling.
- Fall baking and Trader Joe's brown sugar oat milk creamer. A fall themed three course dinner party.
- The Percy Jackson show trailer. Visiting family in Edinburgh
- The natural garden and buying seeds for edible flowers!
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We want to hear from you! Reach out to us: microfarm@utenvironment.org
By the way, the Microfarm is one of 5 projects under the Campus Environmental Center. Our fellow CEC friends do some really cool work that's worth checking out here!
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That's all for now! See you next month! If you liked this newsletter, be sure to share it and tell your friends to subscribe!
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