From Bean2Blog to You - Edamame Seeds

Because I grew up on a dairy farm in Northeast Arkansas I have thought myself to be knowledgeable about agriculture, but the older I get, it seems the more I discover that is new to me. This week at P. Allen Smith's amazing Moss Mountain Farm I met up with other bloggers for a day of fun and education on soybeans, or the "miracle bean" as they have come to be called.

The Garden Home at Moss Mountain Farm

Bean2Blog included tours, speakers, activities, forums, food, and entertainment. Our day was full, and there is much interesting information I would like to share in future posts, including how soybeans benefit all of us in so many different ways.

Part of our learning experience included viewing this bed of edamame soybeans that had been planted two weeks prior to our visit. Soybeans germinate and grow quickly, and each mature plant will produce 30 to 40 pods. 

The bloggers and guests were given the full experience by being allowed to plant our own plot of edamame soybeans in the garden.

These four tiny soybean seeds that I personally planted will be expected to produce between 120 - 160 edamame pods at maturity.

Some of the most exciting agricultural news for consumers is the opening of an edamame processing plant in Mulberry, Arkansas. This is the only facility of its kind in the United States. Previously, edamame was an imported product from China and other Asian countries. Some farmers in Arkansas have started growing this edamame variety of soybean for marketing production at the Mulberry plant.

Edamame soybeans can also be grown in home gardens or in container gardens, but since the seeds are not readily available everywhere, some home gardeners may not get the opportunity to try growing this delicious protein-packed vegetable.

I'm one of the lucky ones who has some edamame seed to try in my garden this year, thanks to the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board and P. Allen Smith, and I'd like to share my seeds with my readers. These seeds are the special variety that have been developed for the edamame that will be processed in the new plant in Mulberry. If you are are a gardener and would like to try growing some edamame at home, I have three packets of these seeds to give away.

Leave me a comment to let me know you would like to have the edamame seed and you will be automatically entered. Three winners will be randomly selected on June 1, 2013.

Because I grew up on a dairy farm in Northeast Arkansas I have thought myself to be knowledgeable about agriculture, but the older I get, it seems the more I discover that is new to me. This week at P. Allen Smith's amazing Moss Mountain Farm I met up with other bloggers for a day of fun and education on soybeans, or the "miracle bean" as they have come to be called.

The Garden Home at Moss Mountain Farm

Bean2Blog included tours, speakers, activities, forums, food, and entertainment. Our day was full, and there is much interesting information I would like to share in future posts, including how soybeans benefit all of us in so many different ways.

Part of our learning experience included viewing this bed of edamame soybeans that had been planted two weeks prior to our visit. Soybeans germinate and grow quickly, and each mature plant will produce 30 to 40 pods. 

The bloggers and guests were given the full experience by being allowed to plant our own plot of edamame soybeans in the garden.

These four tiny soybean seeds that I personally planted will be expected to produce between 120 - 160 edamame pods at maturity.

Some of the most exciting agricultural news for consumers is the opening of an edamame processing plant in Mulberry, Arkansas. This is the only facility of its kind in the United States. Previously, edamame was an imported product from China and other Asian countries. Some farmers in Arkansas have started growing this edamame variety of soybean for marketing production at the Mulberry plant.

Edamame soybeans can also be grown in home gardens or in container gardens, but since the seeds are not readily available everywhere, some home gardeners may not get the opportunity to try growing this delicious protein-packed vegetable.

I'm one of the lucky ones who has some edamame seed to try in my garden this year, thanks to the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board and P. Allen Smith, and I'd like to share my seeds with my readers. These seeds are the special variety that have been developed for the edamame that will be processed in the new plant in Mulberry. If you are are a gardener and would like to try growing some edamame at home, I have three packets of these seeds to give away.

Leave me a comment to let me know you would like to have the edamame seed and you will be automatically entered. Three winners will be randomly selected on June 1, 2013.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Something for the Bucket List - Touring P. Allen Smith's home

I have never actually made myself a "bucket list" but if I did, visiting Moss Mountain Farm would definitely be an item on my list, and I could now check it off as done! I had the most wonderful and educational day when I was invited with a group of bloggers to visit P. Allen Smith's Garden Home at Moss Mountain Farm for the inaugural Bean2Blog event. The purpose of the event was to learn about soybean farming, the impact it has on the state economy, and the multiple uses of soy, but the added perk of the event was a personal home and garden tour by P. Allen Smith himself. In this post I want to share some of my home tour pictures with you. I am an amateur photographer, so my pictures do not do justice to the loveliness that I saw.

The house is only about four years old, but it looks like it has
belonged to this farm for a much longer time. The farm itself
dates back to the 1840's and is more than 500 acres. 

The house was built in the Greek revival style
with some contemporary touches in the decor.
A massive post oak tree
that is more than 300 years old
 adorns the front yard,
and the Arkansas River graces the view in the back.

This is one of the urns by the front door with geraniums
that perfectly matched the color of the furniture  on the porch. 

This welcoming entry invited us to come inside and make ourselves at home.

A sunny kitchen window and fresh eggs. We later saw the chickens!

I wouldn't mind doing the dishes with this lovely view over the kitchen sink.

The kitchen countertops and island were a pristine white and gray granite,
and the cabinets were white. I believe I could have stepped into that kitchen,
found everything I needed,
and felt right at home cooking there.

The large island made a beautiful centerpiece for the kitchen.
Some of the other bloggers, like me, were quite drawn to the kitchen.

A beautiful area in the entryway near the staircase.

Another entryway shot.

Painting of an Osage Indian Chief named Black Dog who represented
his people in treaties with the U.S. government.
History records that he was over 7 feet tall and weighed around 300 pounds.
Allen shared that he had this image done from a postcard
that he had kept since he was a boy.

Prints of Indian chiefs hung in the stairwell. These chiefs were all
treaty representatives to Washington.

Allen does a great informal history lesson while conducting the house tour!

The bedrooms were all beautifully and comfortably furnished.
This is a shot of a guest room. 

There was an entire floor devoted to children's rooms,
with accommodations from a crib to furnishings for older children.
Allen is prepared for guests of any age!

The porches on the back were spacious and comfortable. 

This one had several comfortable areas for entertaining friends.

The uppermost porch was a "sleeping porch." It would be a wonderful place 

to read or nap or spend a dreamy summer night.

A comfortable sitting area on the sleeping porch.

This is the view from one of the upper porches on the back of the house. 

The Arkansas River can be seen in the distance.
Not seen in this picture is the separate summer kitchen 

off to the right and the studio to the left, and the gardens surrounding.

Much of the filming for the PBS series P. Allen Smith Garden Home 

and Garden to Table is done here at Moss Mountain Farm.
There is information regarding group tours on the P. Allen Smith website.

Allen has taken the natural beauty of this farm and
added his own special touches
to create a unique place that seems to have everything
a person could want or need right here on one spot.

In a later post I'll highlight those remarkable gardens.
There is just too much from the tour to include it all in one post!

I have never actually made myself a "bucket list" but if I did, visiting Moss Mountain Farm would definitely be an item on my list, and I could now check it off as done! I had the most wonderful and educational day when I was invited with a group of bloggers to visit P. Allen Smith's Garden Home at Moss Mountain Farm for the inaugural Bean2Blog event. The purpose of the event was to learn about soybean farming, the impact it has on the state economy, and the multiple uses of soy, but the added perk of the event was a personal home and garden tour by P. Allen Smith himself. In this post I want to share some of my home tour pictures with you. I am an amateur photographer, so my pictures do not do justice to the loveliness that I saw.

The house is only about four years old, but it looks like it has
belonged to this farm for a much longer time. The farm itself
dates back to the 1840's and is more than 500 acres. 

The house was built in the Greek revival style
with some contemporary touches in the decor.
A massive post oak tree
that is more than 300 years old
 adorns the front yard,
and the Arkansas River graces the view in the back.

This is one of the urns by the front door with geraniums
that perfectly matched the color of the furniture  on the porch. 

This welcoming entry invited us to come inside and make ourselves at home.

A sunny kitchen window and fresh eggs. We later saw the chickens!

I wouldn't mind doing the dishes with this lovely view over the kitchen sink.

The kitchen countertops and island were a pristine white and gray granite,
and the cabinets were white. I believe I could have stepped into that kitchen,
found everything I needed,
and felt right at home cooking there.

The large island made a beautiful centerpiece for the kitchen.
Some of the other bloggers, like me, were quite drawn to the kitchen.

A beautiful area in the entryway near the staircase.

Another entryway shot.

Painting of an Osage Indian Chief named Black Dog who represented
his people in treaties with the U.S. government.
History records that he was over 7 feet tall and weighed around 300 pounds.
Allen shared that he had this image done from a postcard
that he had kept since he was a boy.

Prints of Indian chiefs hung in the stairwell. These chiefs were all
treaty representatives to Washington.

Allen does a great informal history lesson while conducting the house tour!

The bedrooms were all beautifully and comfortably furnished.
This is a shot of a guest room. 

There was an entire floor devoted to children's rooms,
with accommodations from a crib to furnishings for older children.
Allen is prepared for guests of any age!

The porches on the back were spacious and comfortable. 

This one had several comfortable areas for entertaining friends.

The uppermost porch was a "sleeping porch." It would be a wonderful place 

to read or nap or spend a dreamy summer night.

A comfortable sitting area on the sleeping porch.

This is the view from one of the upper porches on the back of the house. 

The Arkansas River can be seen in the distance.
Not seen in this picture is the separate summer kitchen 

off to the right and the studio to the left, and the gardens surrounding.

Much of the filming for the PBS series P. Allen Smith Garden Home 

and Garden to Table is done here at Moss Mountain Farm.
There is information regarding group tours on the P. Allen Smith website.

Allen has taken the natural beauty of this farm and
added his own special touches
to create a unique place that seems to have everything
a person could want or need right here on one spot.

In a later post I'll highlight those remarkable gardens.
There is just too much from the tour to include it all in one post!

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Bean2Blog 2012

Yesterday was an an exciting and educational day for me! I was one of 20 exceptionally lucky bloggers to be invited to the Inaugural Bean2Blog. This event was held at the Garden Home and Moss Mountain Farm of P. Allen Smith near Little Rock. The Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board and P. Allen Smith teamed up to show us the wonders of "The Miracle Bean."

The day started early with coffee, fruit, muffins, and lots of introductions. Bloggers do love to make new friends! The lovely breakfast was spread on a table under a massive 300 year-old oak tree in the front yard of the Garden Home.

Our gracious host welcomed us to his home, and I'm still pinching myself to be sure I was really there!

We were given a tour of the entire home, not by a tour guide, but by P. Allen Smith himself, and he lovingly talked about building the house four years ago and the history involved in the choices he made in the construction. As anyone would imagine, the home is tastefully furnished and decorated with an eclectic mix of antiques and newer comfort pieces. We were also given complete tours of the flower garden, vegetable garden, and the newest addition, the rose garden. I'd love to share some of those photos in later posts; I took over 200 photos, I just couldn't stop my snapper finger!

We also heard from several speakers throughout the day, such as Todd Allen, Chairman of the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board. Todd told us how the potential uses for soybeans have continued to grow from candles to insulation to biofuel. Last year in Arkansas our farmers produced 122 million bushels of soybeans valued at $1 billion. 

We were also privileged to hear from Jim Carroll, a 4th generation farmer from Brinkley and a member of the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board and the United Soybean Board. His life story was inspirational because of his dedication to farming and to the history of his family. Jim is growing soybeans on the same land that his great grandfather farmed before him. He reminded us that likely all of us had farming in our family history, either in the recent or distant past. I grew up on a farm, and I have a great respect for farmers like Jim!

Allen and Jim spoke to the group about planting and growing soybeans. The small plants in the container are soybean seedlings. We learned that you don't have to be a farmer with an acreage to get a taste of soybeans.

With a few seeds, you could grow edamame in your own garden!

In fact, the Bean2Bloggers planted a row of soybeans in the vegetable garden at Moss Mountain Farm!

One interesting fact I learned was from Jim Carroll's wife, Rhonda. She demonstrated how anyone can make their own soy milk right at home, and it was amazing how few beans it took to make a whole quart of milk.

The Bean2Bloggers got a taste of what the speakers had been talking to us about when we were served this colorful and tasty lunch.

Soy was used in several ways to prepare lunch, from the edamame in the succotash to the pork braised in soybean oil to the tofu and sour cream topping on the baked potato. Yum!

This was an afternoon treat prepared for us by P. Allen Smith - Garlic Parmesan Edamame. I always love Edamame as an appetizer in a restaurant, but I had never had it prepared in this delicious way! Now I know I can make it at home too!

This is just a condensed version of a few highlights of the day, but there is so much more to tell! I'll be posting recipes and more photos from the Bean2Blog 2012 soon.

Yesterday was an an exciting and educational day for me! I was one of 20 exceptionally lucky bloggers to be invited to the Inaugural Bean2Blog. This event was held at the Garden Home and Moss Mountain Farm of P. Allen Smith near Little Rock. The Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board and P. Allen Smith teamed up to show us the wonders of "The Miracle Bean."

The day started early with coffee, fruit, muffins, and lots of introductions. Bloggers do love to make new friends! The lovely breakfast was spread on a table under a massive 300 year-old oak tree in the front yard of the Garden Home.

Our gracious host welcomed us to his home, and I'm still pinching myself to be sure I was really there!

We were given a tour of the entire home, not by a tour guide, but by P. Allen Smith himself, and he lovingly talked about building the house four years ago and the history involved in the choices he made in the construction. As anyone would imagine, the home is tastefully furnished and decorated with an eclectic mix of antiques and newer comfort pieces. We were also given complete tours of the flower garden, vegetable garden, and the newest addition, the rose garden. I'd love to share some of those photos in later posts; I took over 200 photos, I just couldn't stop my snapper finger!

We also heard from several speakers throughout the day, such as Todd Allen, Chairman of the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board. Todd told us how the potential uses for soybeans have continued to grow from candles to insulation to biofuel. Last year in Arkansas our farmers produced 122 million bushels of soybeans valued at $1 billion. 

We were also privileged to hear from Jim Carroll, a 4th generation farmer from Brinkley and a member of the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board and the United Soybean Board. His life story was inspirational because of his dedication to farming and to the history of his family. Jim is growing soybeans on the same land that his great grandfather farmed before him. He reminded us that likely all of us had farming in our family history, either in the recent or distant past. I grew up on a farm, and I have a great respect for farmers like Jim!

Allen and Jim spoke to the group about planting and growing soybeans. The small plants in the container are soybean seedlings. We learned that you don't have to be a farmer with an acreage to get a taste of soybeans.

With a few seeds, you could grow edamame in your own garden!

In fact, the Bean2Bloggers planted a row of soybeans in the vegetable garden at Moss Mountain Farm!

One interesting fact I learned was from Jim Carroll's wife, Rhonda. She demonstrated how anyone can make their own soy milk right at home, and it was amazing how few beans it took to make a whole quart of milk.

The Bean2Bloggers got a taste of what the speakers had been talking to us about when we were served this colorful and tasty lunch.

Soy was used in several ways to prepare lunch, from the edamame in the succotash to the pork braised in soybean oil to the tofu and sour cream topping on the baked potato. Yum!

This was an afternoon treat prepared for us by P. Allen Smith - Garlic Parmesan Edamame. I always love Edamame as an appetizer in a restaurant, but I had never had it prepared in this delicious way! Now I know I can make it at home too!

This is just a condensed version of a few highlights of the day, but there is so much more to tell! I'll be posting recipes and more photos from the Bean2Blog 2012 soon.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad