Get the Buzz on the Obamas' Garden, Give Mom a Gift with Local Flavor, Blogging on the Farmosphere and More

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Welcome to the May edition of Farm Fresh News. Get in on the BUZZ about the Obamas' newest addition to their garden; send your mother the only gift that perfectly blends her love of food and farms; be the first to know about our secret summer campaign; bake your own honey bee skep bread and more! The White House Buzz We’d be remiss if we didn’t give Farm Fresh News readers a “plot” update on First Lady Michelle Obama’s White House vegetable garden. Recently, Secret Service Agents were caught off guard by the delivery of a beehive, obtained to help with pollination. While the garden and honey production are successfully underway, there may be a new intruder in the form of first dog Bo, since the Portuguese Water breed apparently hankers for tomatoes! “Michelle’s garden is in trouble,” quipped the President.   The Perfect Gift for Moms Order a copy of Local Flavors: Cooking and Eating from America’s Farmers Markets, signed by author Deborah Madison, and give your mom a year of helping to save farmland! “In Local Flavors, best-selling author Deborah Madison takes readers along as she explores farmers markets across the country, sharing stories, recipes, and dozens of market inspired menus.” Order an autographed copy of Madison’s beautifully illustrated book for your mom today and we’ll include one year of free membership to American Farmland Trust!  Shhh... Secret Campaign Coming Soon! We have big plans this summer to raise awareness about farmland loss and the importance of using our food dollars wisely by supporting farmers in our regions! We thought that our Farm Fresh News readers ought to be the first to know that we are hosting the first ever America's Favorite Farmers Market contest. You will be able to vote for your community farmers market and tell us how you are going to make your voice heard in support of healthy farms, healthy food, and healthy communities! We will be counting on you to help us spread the No Farms No Food message this summer and get out the vote!  Have a blog or a website? Add one of our badges to show your support for farms and food. Blogging on the Farmosphere? Farm blogs of all persuasions have made their way to the blogosphere. From how-to blogs for beginning farmers to blogs offering vignettes of rural life, home-cooked recipes and agriculture policy commentary, the wealth of topics appeals to foodies and farmers alike.  1. Alex Tiller, a farm manager, posts on farm policy and economics.  2. At Wanna Farm watch farming and farm equipment in action. 3. Read about life on a 150-head cattle spread at A Rancher’s Perspective. 4. Join The Beginning Farmer as he fulfills his lifelong dream. 5. Gather stories and recipes from a Missouri farm at Farmgirl Fare. Local Flavor-Filled Recipe Our friends at the National Honey Board conduct research, marketing and promotion programs to expand markets for honey both here and abroad. Information on hives, bees, honey, and more recipes abound on their website! Hollow Honey Beehive Bread 6-2/3 cups all-purpose flour 2 envelopes FLEISCHMANN’S RapidRise Yeast 1-1/2 teaspoons salt 1-1/4 cups water 1/2 cup honey 1/2 cup butter or margarine 2 large eggs Egg Glaze, recipe follows Honey Butter DIRECTIONS In a large bowl, combine 2 cups flour, undissolved yeast, and salt. Heat water, honey, and butter until very warm (120 to 130°F). Gradually add to dry ingredients. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. Add eggs and 1 cup flour; beat 2 minutes at high speed. Stir in enough remaining flour to make a soft dough. Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes. Cover; let rest 10 minutes. Divide dough into 20 equal pieces; roll each piece to 20-inch ropes. Twist 2 ropes together; pinch ends to seal. Repeat with remaining ropes. Invert a 2 1/2-quart ovenproof mixing bowl onto a greased baking sheet. Heavily grease the outside of bowl. Starting at rim of bowl, wrap twists around bowl, pinching ends to join each new twist. Continue wrapping twists until entire bowl is covered. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until puffy, about 30 minutes. Brush dough with Egg Glaze. Bake at 375°F for 25 to 30 minutes or until done. Shield with foil if necessary, to prevent excessive browning. Remove from oven; let cool on bowl for 15 minutes. Crumple a large piece of foil, about 2 to 3 feet, into a loose ball with the same diameter and depth of bowl. Place ball on wire rack. Carefully remove hive from bowl; place over ball to complete cooling. Serve with Honey Butter. Egg Glaze: In a small bowl, combine 1 egg, large and 1 Tablespoon water. Stir until well blended. HONEY BUTTER 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened 2 Tablespoons honey 1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon peel In a bowl, combinebutter or margarine, honey and freshly grated lemon peel. Stir until well blended.

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