Urbana Farmstead

Fall Gardening Seminar – It's Not Just a Spring Thing!

Saturday, October 3, in Austin, Arkansas, for a morning packed with practical gardening tips from four outstanding speakers. Learn about fall and winter garden interest, what you can plant now, winter sowing, and the essential tools every gardener should have.

🎟️ Advance tickets are $25 (or $30 at the door)
📍 Old Austin Baptist Church, Austin, AR
☕ Light breakfast, snacks, and door prizes included!

Scan the QR code on the flyer to register—space is limited to 75 participants!

Living Well While Waiting
Sometimes life reminds us that even those who spend their days nurturing gardens need time to be cared for, too.

Last week I spent several days undergoing medical testing, which meant pressing pause on a few things here at the farm. During that time, several classes had to be postponed. If you were registered, thank you so much for your patience and understanding.

I'm now working through the calendar and rescheduling each class. If you haven't heard from me yet, please reach out at [email protected] so we can make sure you're on the updated schedule.

While I was waiting for answers, I found myself thinking about something much bigger than test results—how we continue to live fully even when life feels uncertain.

I shared those reflections in my newest blog.

👉 Read my latest blog: Living Well While Waiting
https://www.urbanafarmstead.net/soil-to-soil-blog?p=living-well-while-waiting

I hope it encourages anyone who may be walking through a season of uncertainty, whether it's health, family, work, or simply waiting for the next chapter to unfold.

Fall Gardening Starts Now
Prepare Your Soil. Plan Your Garden. Grow a Better Fall Harvest.

Saturday, August 15
10:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Urbana Farmstead
2400 Kerrie Drive
Little Rock, AR 72206

Fall gardening in Arkansas begins long before the temperatures cool.
Join me as we prepare our gardens for one of the most productive growing seasons of the year. We'll cover soil preparation, crop selection, succession planting, and simple techniques that lead to healthier plants and bigger harvests.

Whether you're growing in raised beds, containers, or a backyard garden, you'll leave with practical knowledge you can use immediately. Reserve your seat today!
Fall Gardening Starts Now: Prepare Your Soil.
Fall Gardening Starts Now: Prepare Your Soil. $29.00

High Tea on the Farm
Slow down, gather around the table, and celebrate the flavors of summer.
Enjoy a beautifully prepared afternoon featuring:
• Multi-course seasonal tea menu
• Savory tea sandwiches and seasonal favorites
• Homemade sweets and traditional English scones with clotted cream and preserves
• Premium loose-leaf teas

Whether you're celebrating with friends, treating someone special, or simply taking time for yourself, we'd love to welcome you. Space is intentionally limited to create a relaxed, intimate experience. Reserve your seat early.
www.urbanafarmstead.net


A Small Favor for Our Pollinators
Did You Know?
You Should Add Marbles to Your Bee Watering Station!
During these hot Arkansas summer days, bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial pollinators need fresh water just as much as they need flowers.

Instead of placing out a deep bowl of water, fill a shallow dish and add marbles, small stones, or pebbles. They create safe landing spots so pollinators can drink without the risk of drowning. Refresh the water every day, especially during periods of extreme heat. It's one of the easiest ways to support the tiny creatures that pollinate our gardens, orchards, and farms.

A few marbles. Fresh water. A big difference.

This is our last Preserving Arkansas canning class of the season, so reserve your place early.
Preserving Arkansas Canning Class: Tomatoes

Preserving Arkansas: Tomatoes
Our Final Preservation Class of the Season
www.urbanafarmstead.net
Friday, August 14
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Tomato season is the perfect time to learn one of the most useful skills in the kitchen: safely preserving the harvest.

In this hands-on class, you’ll learn how to can both diced and whole tomatoes using tested, reliable preservation methods. We’ll walk through preparing the tomatoes, filling the jars, proper processing, and safe storage so you can enjoy the flavor of summer long after the season ends.

This is our last Preserving Arkansas canning class of the season, so reserve your place early.

Questions or registration assistance:
(501) 366-9817
[email protected]

From the Soil to Soul: What's Happening at Urbana Farmstead

New on the blog: The Silent Guardians of Our Stories

Today is the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, and I'm sharing something close to my heart — how my nonno, nonna, and bisnonna shaped everything I do at Urbana Farmstead today. From plucking chicken feathers and picking fava beans, to the sacred ritual of Raimondo wine passed from my nonno's hands to my uncle's and then to mine — this is a love letter to the people who taught me that food is memory, and land is something you tend, not just own.

I also share a story from a young waiter in Porto who left our New Year's Eve dinner early to be with his grandparents, and the way a friend's sons honored their grandfather's memory through Razorback football Saturdays.

If your grandparents or elders are still here — ask them the questions. Don't wait.

📖 Read the full story: https://www.urbanafarmstead.net/soil-to-soil-blog?p=the-silent-guardians-of-our-stories

From Soil to Soil Blog | Urbana Farmstead

The Silent Guardians of Our Stories
On the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, I reflect on the grandparents and great-grandmother who shaped her life at the farm table, in the garden, and in the tradition of Raimondo wine.
Read about my inheritance, memories, and the questions we should all ask our elders while we still can.
Read it here: Click (https://www.urbanafarmstead.net/soil-to-soil-blog?p=the-silent-guardians-of-our-stories)

Our Farm Dinner Sold Out!

Exciting news (with a little bittersweetness): our August Around the Harvest Table dinner is officially SOLD OUT! If you missed your seat this time, don't worry — we're already planning another intimate farm dinner for October, and these evenings tend to sell out fast (like, weeks-fast).
Email [email protected] to preregister and be first in line when registration opens!

Take a Class—or Two!

There's always something delicious happening at Urbana Farmstead! Ever wondered what to do with sourdough discard besides toss it?

On July 29, we're turning it into crackers, chocolate cake, and crispy waffles — yes, all three!

And don't miss our hands-on tomato canning class on August 14, where you'll capture the taste of summer to enjoy all year long. Come learn new skills, savor great food, and leave inspired to create magic in your own kitchen!

The Art of Pizza: Mastering the B**a

Build Flavor.
Ferment with Purpose. Bake Authentic Pizza.

What is a b**a — and why is it such a big deal?

B**a is the secret weapon of traditional Italian pizza-making: a pre-ferment that unlocks deeper flavor, an irresistibly light and airy texture, and that beautifully crisp, chewy crust you dream about. In this hands-on class, you'll learn to prepare, ferment, and wield b**a like a pro to create authentic Italian-style pizza right at home.

Discover how a little time, real technique, and just a few simple ingredients can turn ordinary dough into something truly extraordinary.

What to Plant Now for a Fall Harvest

Late July means it's go-time for your Arkansas fall garden! Get southern peas, winter squash, and potatoes in the ground now. Start broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, bok choy, and kale from seed so they're transplant-ready as temps cool.

Come August, direct-sow carrots, bush beans, turnips, mustard greens, beets, lettuce, spinach, and radishes. Keep those newly planted seeds shaded, consistently moist, and well-mulched — the soil's still plenty hot!

A little planting now means a table overflowing with fresh vegetables all fall long.

From the Soil to Soul: What's Happening at Urbana Farmstead

I see my nonno, nonna, bisnonna, my parents, and my uncle in so much of what I do today—at the farm, in the kitchen, in my writing, and in my determination to keep our Sicilian traditions alive.

Inheritance is not only what we receive. It is what we choose to remember, protect, practice, and pass forward.

Today, let us celebrate the grandparents and elders who have served as the silent guardians of our stories. Let us remind them, while we still can, that their knowledge matters, their presence matters, and they are still deeply needed.
Read the full story:
https://www.urbanafarmstead.net/soil-to-soil-blog?p=the-silent-guardians-of-our-stories
And if they are still here, do not wait. Ask more questions.

From Soil to Soil Blog | Urbana Farmstead

Preserving Arkansas: One Jar at a Time

There's something special about hearing the pop of a sealed jar and knowing you've captured the very best of an Arkansas harvest. Food preservation isn't just a practical skill; it's a tradition that connects us to generations of gardeners, farmers, and home cooks who believed that good food should never go to waste.

Whether you're preserving vegetables from your own garden, shopping at your local farmers market, or simply wanting to learn a timeless kitchen skill, these classes are designed to give you the confidence to preserve fresh food safely and deliciously.

Up Next: Pickles
Friday, July 17 | 5:30–7:30 PM

Learn how to make crisp, flavorful pickles while mastering the fundamentals of safe water-bath canning. You'll prepare, pack, and process your own jar of pickles, experiment with herbs and spices, and take home recipes, resources, and the confidence to preserve your own harvest.

Coming in August: Tomatoes
Friday, August 14 | 5:30–7:30 PM

Nothing tastes like summer quite as much as a vine-ripened Arkansas tomato. In this class, you'll learn how to safely can both diced and whole tomatoes using USDA-approved methods. We'll cover proper acidity, preparation, processing, and storage so you can enjoy the flavor of summer all year long.

Every class includes hands-on instruction, all supplies, your finished jar to take home, and plenty of opportunities to ask questions and share stories around the table.

Join us as we celebrate Arkansas's harvest—one jar at a time.
Register today at: urbanafarmstead.com (http://www.urbanafarmstead.com)

End of Summer High Tea
Celebrating the Flavors of the Garden

A Summer Tea at the Farmstead
Saturday, Aug 1 | 2:00–4:30 PM

First Course
Zucchini Ricotta Frittata
Tender zucchini, creamy ricotta, fresh basil, and Parmigiano-Reggiano, served warm with garden herbs.

Soup Course
Farmhouse Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
Made with ripe Arkansas tomatoes and fresh basil, topped with buttery herb cheese croutons.

Savory Tea Sandwiches
Cucumber, Dill & Herbed Cream Cheese on soft white bread
Chicken Salad with Grapes, Pecans & Tarragon on buttery croissants
Roasted Tomato, Fresh Mozzarella & Basil with basil pesto on focaccia
Smoked Turkey, Pesto, and Brie on whole-grain bread
Warm Parmesan & Rosemary Scone

Sweets
Lemon and Fig Pudding
Assorted tea Cookies
Chocolate Almond Cluster

New on the Blog:
Building an Anti-Inflammatory Pantry

What if better health didn't begin with a diet?
In this month's Soil to Soul blog, I explore the simple ingredients that form the foundation of an anti-inflammatory kitchen. From extra-virgin olive oil, herbs, spices, beans, and whole grains to nuts, seeds, and seasonal produce, you'll learn how stocking your pantry with nourishing foods makes healthy cooking both easier and more delicious. It's not about perfection or eliminating everything you love. It's about building a kitchen that naturally supports vibrant health.

Read the full article and start creating a pantry that nourishes your body from the inside out. Read more: Building an Anti-Inflammatory Pantry (https://www.urbanafarmstead.net/soil-to-soil-blog?p=building-an-anti-inflammatory-pantry)

Ancient Comfort in Every Cup

For thousands of years, people around the world have turned to tea not only for its flavor but also for its remarkable wellness benefits. From the herbal infusions of ancient Egypt and Greece to the medicinal teas of China and the comforting blends enjoyed throughout Europe, tea has long been valued as one of nature's simplest forms of nourishment.

At Urbana Farmstead, we've created a new collection of handcrafted wellness teas using thoughtfully selected herbs, spices, flowers, and botanicals. Whether you're looking to support your immune system, encourage healthy lymphatic flow, soothe seasonal congestion, or simply enjoy a peaceful moment, there's a blend designed with wellness in mind.

New Wellness Blends
Immune & Detox Tea – A nourishing blend crafted to support the body's natural defenses and gentle detoxification.

Advanced Lymphatic Drainage & Swelling Relief – Formulated with herbs traditionally used to promote healthy circulation and lymphatic wellness.

DeCongest Tea – A comforting blend of herbs that helps support clear breathing and seasonal respiratory wellness.

Artisan Favorites
Mandarin Chai Tea – Warm chai spices meet bright citrus for a cozy, uplifting cup.

Earl Grey with Lavender – Classic bergamot paired with fragrant lavender for an elegant, calming tea experience.

Tea is naturally rich in plant compounds called polyphenols, which help protect cells from oxidative stress and support overall health. Many herbal teas have also been traditionally enjoyed to promote relaxation, aid digestion, support the immune system, and encourage everyday wellness. Best of all, taking time for a cup of tea offers something modern life often lacks, a quiet moment to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect.

From Soil to Soul: Summertime Fun on the Farm

What are you doing with your freshly grown tomatoes?

Chris tending the hives at Urbana Farmstead — the quiet work behind every jar of honey (and every happy pollinator in the garden).

July's cooking should be as unfussy as its produce. Check out my recipe column in AY Magazine. Tuscan Panzanella: that simple, day-old sourdough, heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, capers, shaved Parmesan, and good olive oil.
Recipe here - https://aymag.com/recipe-tuscan-bread-salad/

Recipe: Tuscan Bread Salad July does not ease into anything. It arrives all at once, heat rising off the pavement before 8 in the morning, cicadas already

Fresh pasta. Summer vegetables. Shared stories.

From shaping handmade cavatelli to enjoying Pasta alla Norma around the table, every class is about more than cooking—it's about slowing down, learning something new, and connecting through food.

Thank you for another memorable evening at Urbana Farmstead.
From Soil to Soul.