April 7, 2023
Member Meeting and Potluck
Join us next month at Ponderosa Plains Farm for a member meeting and potluck, April 23rd at 2:00 p.m. Bring a dish and mingle from 2:00-3:00 p.m. then join in the conversation as guests from Elbert County and beyond join us online to Ask a Farmer. Socializing resumes at 4:00 p.m. Their may be trivia too! Not a member? Come over and find out why you should join. Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/member-meeting-and-ask-a-farmer-event-tickets-431907335467
This Week’s Trivia Question
What senses do mother goats use to recognize their kids?
Sustainable Landscaping
With spring upon us you may want to consider your flower beds and landscaping. The CSU Extension has a guide to native herbaceous perennials that will look great and be easy to care for. Check out their website at: https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/native-herbaceous-perennials-for-colorado-landscapes-7-242/.
Tomato Bounty
If you are tomato challenged and would like to increase your harvest here is a good guide to how to care for tomato plants: https://www.tomatobible.com/get-more-tomatoes/. And don’t forget to water them too!
Weed Care for Your Compost
It’s almost time when the weeds begin sprouting and you may be tempted to spray them with weed killer, which happen to be toxic to the pollinating insects that we need. Pulling may not be your favorite chore but deep rooted weeds that grow in poor soil, like thistle, are actually Mother Nature’s way of drawing nutrients to the surface and improving soil conditions over time. You can fast track Mother Nature by adding weeds to your compost, but it takes some extra effort to do it safely. Check out this article on creating seed free compost from your weeds: https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-compost-weeds-2539614.
Share Your Skills
Do you have a homesteading skill you love to share? Would you be willing to teach an ECAA sponsored class or provide a demonstration at an ECAA event? Contact your board of directors at BOD@elbertcountyagalliance.org with your idea. We’d love to help you share your passion.
Making a Big Impact with Microbusinesses
This year the Elbert County Agricultural Alliance has provided educational and marketing opportunities to our members and our community. We’ve created events and educational programs that build up the community in our county and open the door to business partnerships. If you support these efforts we hope you will consider volunteering. ECAA is truly one of those organizations where you get out what you put in. Now is a great time to get involved in the supportive ag family that is ECAA. You can help with upcoming programs, teach a class, join the board, update the website, contribute to the Roundup, or join the the Homestead Fair Committee. Your volunteer time can be short and sweet or an ongoing project. Contact sheila.zuschek@elbertcountyagalliance.org to talk about your interests.
More Events Coming Up
- Sunday, April 23, 2:00 PM – ECAA Member Meeting, Potluck and Ask a Farmer Panel at Ponderosa Plains Farm. Register on Eventbrite. (Online Ask a Farmer event begins at 3:00 PM).
- Saturday, June 3 — Meet ECAA at Elizabash on Main Street in Elizabeth. Dues paid members who volunteer may hand out promotional literature for their own business in addition to providing information about ECAA and its programs.
- Friday, June 23-Saturday, June 24 — Meet ECAA at Cowboy Up in Kiowa. Dues paid members who volunteer may hand out promotional literature for their own business in addition to providing information about ECAA and its programs.
- Saturday, July 8 — Meet ECAA at Elbert Day. Dues paid members who volunteer may hand out promotional literature for their own business in addition to providing information about ECAA and its programs.
- Friday, August 4 – Sunday, August 6 — Meet ECAA at the Elbert County Fair. Dues paid members who volunteer may hand out promotional literature for their own business in addition to providing information about ECAA and its programs.
- Saturday, August 19 — Fourth Annual ECAA Homestead Fair. Details to come!
- Saturday, December 2 — Join ECAA in supporting the community by baking and serving free cookies at the Elizabeth Mayor’s Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
If you have announcements or classifieds that should be included in the next Roundup? Send them to news@elbertcountyagalliance.org.
Trivia Answer: Each kid has a unique call and scent. Mother goats recognize their kids by sound and smell, not by sight.