en Club
By Clare Winslow
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At the October 11 meeting of the Pine Knoll Shores Garden Club, members
traveled to the Underground Farm & Learning Center in Beaufort, a family-owned
business dedicated to sustainable farming and growing techniques. They were
welcomed by Catherine Elkins who informed members that the Underground
Farm was created in Marshallburg eight years ago. A number of local farms have
joined the effort in growing vegetables and producing local seafood, even Russian
sturgeon.
The Underground Farm became the demonstration garden for the Carteret
Local Food Network by producing safe organic vegetables like radishes and
parsley, using practices that omitted pesticides. Ms. Elkins showed club members
trays of micro greens, designer vegetables, like arugula, kale, lettuce, cabbage
and beets, whose miniature size appeals to local restaurants that purchase
them to use as appetizers and garnishes. Ms. Elkins took the group on a tour
of the Underground Farm where we saw row upon row of sprouting vegetables
like Brussels sprouts and spinach, the newest varieties planted by the Farm.
She emphasized that the purpose of the Underground Farm is to make local,
seasonable food available without the use of chemicals. She noted that collards,
strawberries, sweet potatoes, cabbage and melons are their best sellers.
Underground Farm has contracts with three major organizations to which
they ship their fresh vegetables on a regular basis. For the average citizen, they
offer their Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. For a set price, a
small package of freshly picked greens will be organized every month or so for
the CSA member to enjoy the Farms freshly picked
tasty organic vegetables. Their vegetables can also
be purchased at the Curb Market or the Friendly
. Market in Morehead City.
At the brief business meeting prior to the trip.
President Susan King welcomed back member
Barbara Miner after an absence caused by a serious
illness. Arleen Graczewski invited members to
a wine and cheese party to be held at town hall
following the lighting ceremony for the Blue Star
Memorial on November 9 at 5 p.m., with a rain
date of November 10. Jo Ann Shallcross reminded
attendees that the Garden Club of North Carolina
grated the club two awards last year, and that two
entries will be submitted this year for two different
projects—our Arbor Day program and Litter
Control program. Jean McDanal brought orange
vests to the meeting to be worn by members as a
safety precaution whenever they work in the town
gardens. Gini Stambaugh showed an oyster plant
that she brought to the meeting, whose leaves were
maroon on the outside and bright green on the
inside. She grew it outside, out of the wind and
in partial sun. As a new fundraiser the club will
be selling Atlas Garden Gloves, which are a light
Nylon blend with a Nitrile coating.
Garden Club meetings are held at town hall
every second Wednesday of the month at
9:30 a.m. for refreshments, followed at 10 o’clock
by the program. Visitors and guests are always
welcome to attend our meetings. For additional information, please email
pksgardenclub@gmail.com.
Catherine Elkins (pointing) speaks to Garden Club members who visited the Underground
Farm and Learning Center in Beaufort.—Photo by ciam Winslow
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November 2017 I The Shoreline