Hello Mama!
As farmers, we're deeply connected to the seasons. We plant in spring, tend and harvest through summer and fall, and eventually prepare for the quieter rhythms of winter. Working with the land teaches us that nature has its own timing — there's a season for growth, a season for gathering, and a season for turning inward.
Of course, life doesn't always allow us to slow down when the seasons change. Between work, family, responsibilities, and everything else competing for our attention, taking a long afternoon to rest isn't always an option. But that doesn't mean we can't find little ways to work with nature rather than against it.
Maybe it's making a pot of soup instead of rushing through dinner, taking a few extra minutes to enjoy the changing leaves on a walk, opening the windows to let in the crisp autumn air, or finding a little time to make something with our hands. These small moments can help us reconnect with the world around us and bring a little more intention into our everyday routines.
This month, let's embrace cozy season — a time to nourish ourselves and our families, appreciate the beauty around us, and find simple ways to turn inward, even in the middle of a busy life.
A little reminder: You don't need a perfect home, fancy supplies, or a big budget to make a season feel special. Sometimes a walk, a warm meal, a little creativity, and time together are more than enough.
Here's to finding a little more cozy and a little less hurry this season! Happy cozy season! 🍂
Food justice for all,
The FarmerHer to Mama Team
Anne, Jen, Virginia, Becca, & Sarah
P.S. Get up to date information on events , resources, recipes, newsletters, etc at the FarmHer to Mama Facebook page!
November Goodies
Arugula, spinach, pumpkins from De Jong Farm (Merrillville, IN)
Cranberries from Mick Klug Farms (St. Joseph, MI)
Sausage from Tanglewood Acres (Mill Creek, IN)
Apples from Garwood Orchards (LaPorte, IN)
Eggs from Avodah Farms (Crown Point, IN)
Sweet Potatoes from Five Hands Farm (Lowell, IN)
Sourdough Bread from Publican Quality Bread (Chicago, IL)
White Cheddar from Great American Cheese Collection (Chicago, IL)
Foodie Corner
Where Do Cranberries Come From?
Whenever a commercial for cranberry juice comes on, it shows bodies of water filled with red berries and people in waterproof overalls skimming the water with nets. Does this berry actually grow in water? As a former farmer, I needed to know!
Most berries grow on a bush, but I’d never seen or heard of a cranberry bush. After a few internet searches, it turns out cranberries grow on low, trailing “vines”… sort of similar to strawberries!
When it comes time to harvest, there are two techniques, depending on what the berries will be used for. If it’s a large commercial operation producing frozen or canned products, the fields are flooded and the cranberries float to the surface. Hence the term “cranberry bogs”!
However, if the berries are being harvested for fresh distribution, farmers use a machine that looks like a giant “comb.” They run it over the low-lying vines to release the fruit.
And that, friends, is where cranberries come from!
A Little More Cozy, a Little Less Hurry: Honoring the Season, Inside and Out
This Month's Family Activity: Make a Nature Wreath!
You don't need to buy a single thing to bring a little fall into your home. Head outside with your little ones and see what you can find on the ground: colorful leaves, small fallen twigs, pinecones, or dried grasses.
Gather a handful of treasures and arrange them into a circle. Weave flexible twigs together to make a wreath, then tuck in your leaves and other finds.
There is no right or wrong way to make it. Let the kids choose the colors, arrange the pieces, and make it their own. Hang your creation on the door, display it on the table, or simply enjoy the fun of making something together.
A Few Ways to Tune In to the Season:
Eat with the season. Enjoy what's growing right now - squash, apples, cranberries, and hearty greens.
Get outside. Even a short walk to notice the changing colors, collect fallen leaves, or breathe in the cool air can be refreshing.
Make home a little cozier. Pull out your favorite blanket, make a warm drink, light a candle, or put on some music.
Find a moment to slow down. Put your phone away, watch the sunset, or simply enjoy a meal together without rushing.
A Little Foraging Reminder
Stick to materials that have naturally fallen to the ground, and check local rules before collecting in parks or public spaces. Avoid unfamiliar plants, berries, and anything that could be harmful to little hands or curious mouths.
Join our FarmHer to Mama Facebook Group for support, recipes, tips, & community.
Questions or feedback about the program? We’d love to hear from you! Reach out to:
Anne at info@nwifoodcouncil.org / 219-313-8828
Becca at becca@nwifoodcouncil.org / 219-928-3225
Sarahat sarah@nwifoodcouncil.org / 503-964-7813
