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  • From: "Lawrence F. London, Jr." <lfl@intrex.net>
  • To: permaculture <permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: [permaculture] [Fwd: [SANET-MG] FW: Looking for an organic farmer....] Job Opening
  • Date: Tue, 22 Aug 2006 11:57:46 -0400

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [SANET-MG] FW: Looking for an organic farmer....
Date: Tue, 22 Aug 2006 09:57:15 -0500
From: Kelly, Debi <KellyD@UMSYSTEM.EDU>
To: SANET-MG@LISTS.IFAS.UFL.EDU

Please pass this article along to anyone who might be interested.
Sandra Zak
Market Manager
Soulard Market

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stcharles/story/515CB2
B501E4F8F6862571CA00163180?OpenDocument

New Town embraces an old idea: Community will have organic farm

By Linda Meyer

SPECIAL TO THE POST-DISPATCH

08/14/2006

New Urbanism, meet Green Acres: Whittaker Homes is adding an organic
farm to its massive New Town development in St. Charles.

A large white barn is currently on the four acres in the north end of
the development set aside for the farm. In addition, two more timber
barns, two greenhouses and formal gardens are planned on the site.
Another feature will be an old-fashioned windmill that will pump water
out of the ground to gravity feed the raised beds.

Whittaker is conducting a national search for a farmer."We are looking
for someone who is dedicated to growing things organically. They have
got to be committed to not using chemicals," said Greg Whittaker,
president of Whittaker Homes.

Thanks to an increasingly health conscious consumer base, organic foods
and ingredients have increased in popularity since the early '90s.
Natural alternatives are used to keep the bugs and blemishes away. To
get the "organic" stickers found on various items at the market, organic
farms must get certified by the state of Missouri and conform to a
variety of regulations.

The organic theme fits with New Town's philosophy. The community, which
expects to have 5,700 homes, is the largest local example of New
Urbanism, which puts houses closer together and de-emphasizes driving by
intertwining homes with parks, stores and businesses. So instead of
having to hop into a car, residents can walk to bookstores, coffee
shops, cafes and even an outdoor amphitheater for summer concerts.

Keeping in the spirit of New Town, the potential operator also will live
on the farm. The goal is to hire someone by September and move that
person into a house on the farm where he or she will begin to grow some
of the plants in the greenhouses over the winter and plan the spring and
summer plantings.

"It will be a hard job," Whittaker said. "It will mean 10- to 12-hour
days, but also rewarding. I would apply myself, if it weren't for this
other job that I have to do."

Whittaker conjures images of Americana. Before Halloween, residents will
be able to walk up to the farm with a wagon to select pumpkins.

The produce is intended to supply a farmers market that will operate at
New Town as well as area restaurants that want to buy organic fruits and
vegetables. The farm also will feature a compost heap where residents
can take their yard waste and clippings.

Whittaker envisions schoolkids of all ages coming out for field trips to
the farm, which will also include cows and chickens.

Whittaker said he also sees portions of the acreage set aside for
residents to rent space to farm for themselves.

"The organic farm is one of our central keys to the community, but we
had to wait for the development to fill in a bit first," Whittaker said.

Today 450 families call New Town home. More than 600 lots have been
sold, which is just under 10 percent of the development's expected
population. The community is expected to be completed around 2020 and
boast around 14,000 residents.

New Town is just north of Highway 370 at the Elm Road-New Town Road
exit.






  • [permaculture] [Fwd: [SANET-MG] FW: Looking for an organic farmer....] Job Opening, Lawrence F. London, Jr., 08/22/2006

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