Welcome to our summer issue! This season we are excited to bring you the story of olive farming in Texas. Jim Henry of Texas Olive Ranch has been growing olive trees and harvesting their luxurious oils for a few years now. Nancy Krabill tells us how this happens and recommends making a plan to see the harvest for yourself this fall. No need to spend your money traveling to Italy!
Two Hands Urban Farm & Garden Program, a non-profit educational venture spearheaded by Elizabeth Samudio of Elizabeth Anna’s Old World Garden in Fort Worth has made it their mission to “build, strengthen and educate urbanites to a healthier, more productive, and community conscience way of living.” Pretty important in the dialogue we’re having about food these days, and the planet for that matter. I hope you are inspired by this story, to plant a garden in your own front yard.
Kim Pierce works her writing magic for us this issue with an enchanting story about Purple Ranch Lavender Farm, in Royse City and how Mother Nature allows the exuding scent of lavender to calm and soothe us.
In this issue we introduce our all-new Eat Local Guide. This is in answer to reader’s frequent requests about restaurants that source locally. While our guide is a paid for listing, we only allow those establishments that support the local farmers, ranchers and artisans to be a part. In turn, we feel confident in recommending these restaurants to you and to readers across the country that use our magazine as a guide and resource for local eating.
We will be discontinuing our Spanish translations this issue, but only as the independent document we’ve been doing. With the introduction of our virtual version of edible Dallas & Fort Worth, you now have the ability to read it in many different languages. And, speaking of virtual eDFW, check it out on our website, www.edibledfw.com. Yet another easy, low carbon foot print way for you to enjoy our magazine.
Caring for our planet is a pretty important issue surrounding all of us right now; no planet and we don’t have to worry about our food. So like the lunar landing on that summer day in 1969, our mission is to be responsible not just for our food, but for our planet, one step at a time. What was it Neil Armstrong said? “One small step for man; one giant leap for mankind.”
PUBLISHER/DIRECTOR OF MARKETING
Nanci Taylor
NANCI TAYLOR is a third generation Texan whose family came to the state in the 1800’s to pursue cattle ranching and Texas has remained her home. She was born in San Antonio, but ended up in North Texas where she nurtured her Texas roots while attending college and raising two sons in Dallas. Proudly following in her parent's footsteps, Nanci plants and harvests the bounty of her own backyard garden in Old East Dallas. She keeps a busy calendar attending local food and ecology events, and on weekends she spends her time visiting with growers and food artisans at farms, shops and farmers markets around North Texas.