Berea Urban Farm

10/31/2024

On the BUF we practice what might generously be referred to as "cold composting" meaning we toss the plant material onto a big pile and assume it will decompose eventually. Well, eventually is here (two years later). With the help of some crack volunteers we moved the top layers of coarse material to a new pile and uncovered some nice compost. After sifting, it looks great. It will contain a lot more w**d seeds than true compost because it never generated high temperatures, but it will still be useful.

10/29/2024

Fresh peas on Halloween? Maybe. The first two pods have been harvested.

10/23/2024

The Berea Urban Farm's ARK (Acts of Restorative Kindness) Project has two spots left in its 2025 group. A household that becomes an ARK devotes half its land to growing organic food and gives half to nature. An ARK is a refuge against food insecurity and the loss of habitat from development and pollution. The BUF provides material and educational support to developing ARKs. See https://www.sustainableberea.org/ark for details and to apply.

10/23/2024

Backyard Fruit Growers Project 2025

Open for Applications

For 10 years, the Backyard Fruit Growers Project has been increasing the food security and beauty of Berea by providing households with free fruit trees and bushes along with training on how to grow them. Applications for our spring 2025 distribution are now being accepted at https://www.sustainableberea.org/backyard-fruit-growers

Funding is limited, and applications will close once the available slots are filled.

To receive free plants, you must attend an educational workshop on growing fruits in Berea on Monday, December 2, 6:30pm, Madison Co. Library – Berea.

Households in Berea and Richmond are eligible.

10/19/2024

ARK Project
Backyard Fruit Growers Project
Seed Growers Community

October 21, 6:30pm
Madison County Library – Berea
319 Chestnut Street, Berea KY

Join us to learn about and be first in line to apply to be part of these important projects. Household ARKs devote half their land (however much or little) to growing organic food and half to nature. Backyard Fruit Growers increase the perennial food production of their households by planting fruit trees and bushes. As a member of the BUF Seed Growers Community, you grow one crop for seed and give half the harvest to the BUF for distribution to the community.

Participants in each program receive material and educational support from the Berea Urban Farm. Learn more at https://www.sustainableberea.org/ark and https://www.sustainableberea.org/backyard-fruit-growers and https://www.sustainableberea.org/seed-saving

10/17/2024

With the weather getting colder, it is comforting to look around the BUF and see much of the soil protected and fed by cover crops. If you still have some bare soil, it is late to plant cover crops. Instead, mulch well with leaves or other organic mulches that will physically protect the soil and add organic matter as it decomposes. But here is the real question: why are canna lilies growing in one of our cover cropped beds? We did not plant them, here or elsewhere on the farm. A mystery.

10/16/2024

10/15/2024

Sustainable Berea Announces New Executive Director

The Berea Urban Farm is a program of Sustainable Berea, so it is with great pleasure that we announce – by action of the Board of Directors – the hiring of Betina Gardner as Executive Director of Sustainable Berea. Betina recently retired from Eastern Kentucky University where she served as Vice President for Development and Alumni Engagement. A native of West Liberty KY, she graduated from Berea College and lives in Berea.

As Executive Director, Betina will oversee operations, finances including fund-raising, and non-farm programs and staff. We are thrilled to have her guidance in advancing the organization’s mission to increase local food security and community health through urban agriculture.

10/14/2024

We have had a blast this season at all of our workshops and events on the farm. Thank you so much for all of your support!!! Here are some photos of our last few workshops!

10/13/2024

Beatles on the BUF was live music and food to thank the volunteers, board members, staff and others who made the year to date such a success. The Quantum Leapers (John and Laura Allnutt and band) played a set of Beatles songs that had people dancing. The food included tomatoes, peppers and che berries from the BUF. The weather was perfect.

10/12/2024

A double workshop day on the BUF! We began at 10am with how to make sauerkraut, and then at 1pm moved on to kombucha. If you missed them, we will probably include them in our 2025 offerings.

10/10/2024

Join the Berea Urban Farm Seed Growers Community.

A sustainable local food system must grow its own seeds. As a member of the BUF Seed Growers Community, you grow one crop for seed, and give half the harvest to the BUF for distribution to the community. In return you get free “starter” seeds, technical advice, a small stipend, satisfaction, and the fun of interacting with other seed growers. For more information and to apply, see https://www.sustainableberea.org/seed-saving

10/10/2024

ARK Project
Backyard Fruit Growers Project

October 21, 6:30pm
Madison County Library – Berea
319 Chestnut Street, Berea KY

Join us to learn about and have an initial opportunity to apply to be part of these important projects. Household ARKs devote half their land (however much or little) to growing organic food and half to nature. Backyard Fruit Growers increase the perennial food production of their households by planting fruit trees and bushes. Participants in either program receive material and educational support from the Berea Urban Farm. Learn more at https://www.sustainableberea.org/ark and https://www.sustainableberea.org/backyard-fruit-growers

10/10/2024

We still have a few spots open for our final installment of our fermentation series workshops coming up on Saturday. The Sauerkraut Workshop starts at 10AM and the Kombucha Workshop starts at 1PM. If you haven't signed up yet, make sure you do while there are still spots available!!

The cost is $20, to sign up please visit: https://www.sustainableberea.org/fermentation-workshop-series

10/09/2024

Join us Saturday at 10AM for a Sauerkraut Workshop . In this workshop participants will learn the basics of vegetable fermentation and help to make a fresh sauerkraut. Each participant will take home a jar of kraut to finish the fermentation process at home. Cost is $20 and pre-registration is required.

Following that, at 1PM we have the final installment in our fermentation series, a Kombucha Workshop where participants will learn how to make fresh kombucha in your own kitchen. Participants will take home a plain kombucha to finish fermenting at home and a flavored kombucha. Cost is $20 and pre-registration is required.

To purchase tickets please visit the link below:

Learn how to make sourdough bread by participating in making and baking a loaf, homemade Sauerkraut, and Kombucha! Cost is $20 and pre-registration is required.

10/08/2024

If you missed out on our sourdough workshop we still have 2 more this Saturday in our fermentation series! Sauerkraut Workshop at 10 and
Kombucha Workshop at 1. Each workshop is $20 and has limited space so register now while there are still available spots! To register and purchase tickets, please visit the link below:

Learn how to make sourdough bread by participating in making and baking a loaf, homemade Sauerkraut, and Kombucha! Cost is $20 and pre-registration is required.

10/07/2024

What's happening this week 💙Oct. 7-13💙 in Berea!
Want to submit an upcoming event?
https://visitberea.com/submit-an-event/
Check out the pages below for more details on these fun events!
Berea Arts Council
Berea College
Berea College Forestry Outreach Center
Berea College Planetarium & Digital Theater
Berea Farmers Market
Berea Parks & Recreation
Berea Urban Farm
Get Outside KY
Historic Boone Tavern Hotel & Restaurant of Berea College
Madison County Public Library
Rebel Rebel Studio & Lounge
The New Developments
The Taleless Dog Booksellers