2017 Bean Swap (idea)

[Tom Murphy]

This idea is a logical extension of the bean buddies trials we have been doing.

I was realizing that I'd love to pass on some of the beans that have been growing well for me, with quixotic logic and hope that it will also grow well for others.

I'd certainly love getting some new beans to try as well.

I've realized I grow beans to eat/savor and for the joy of raising food we eat. I also realize I am awe struct each season that they grow and mesmerized with the variety of shapes and colors that rise of out of a bunch of dirt. I truly understand Jack and the magic of his beans.

If this idea takes hold, then Steve will host it at the mother ship in Napa. I'd love to pick his brain and others on preparing beans for I do not have a lot of variance to the finished product. I'm sure others have successful recipes to talk about as well.

Our open times are May 13 - May 25, May 29-July 22, July 31-Oct 9, Nov 15-Jan 15

Does this interest others?

     ... Tom

[Jen Kobrick]

I would love to participate in this! You're suggesting basically a seed exchange? This is my first year growing RG beans, so I won't have any of those to contribute, but I do have some family heritage beans I could send in for anyone who wants to try them. They are a relative of Florida Butter Beans as best we've been able to ID them, but as far as we know no one outside our family & a few friends are still cultivating this particular variety, which we can trace back at least several hundred years to our ancestors in England. I have a whole document about their history & the research my mom has done about them if anyone wants that as well! 

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[Tom Murphy]

Great suggestion to send in beans for an exchange and then get some sent back in return. It sure seems in the realm of possibilities. You got my curiosity up about the Kobrick Butter Beans.

   …. Tom

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[Tom Murphy]

If Steve is still game to host, I'd think the swap should be open to anyone who would like to get a greater variety of beans to grow. I suspect we will need more participants than me and Jean Kubrick's Butter Beans. I would love to see this swap be an annual thing that works with the Bean Buddies program.

I can bring a cup or so of each of the following beans I grew  in Lafayette, Ca, most in 2016

These are ones that are also available through Rancho Gordo:

• Santa Maria Pinquinto
  
• Rio Zape
  
• Yellow Eye
  
• Yellow Indian Woman
  

These are ones that used to be available from Rancho Gordo

• Cannelloni
  
• Red Nightshade
  

I don't know if the next was ever available from Rancho Gordo.  I was given them in 2014 for Bean Buddies

• Frijole Xculibul (these were from the Rancho Gordo Xoxoc Project, so I was pleasantly surprised to have beans from Mexico flourish in my garden)
  

These are ones I got from Ardenwood Farms and grew in the 1980's. I am trying to regrow them this season, but the ones I currently have to share are from the 1980's, so your mileage will vary:

• Anasazi
  
• Mexican Red, which looks kinda like Rancho Gordo Domingo Rojo
  

[Jen Kobrick]

So are you thinking everyone would mail in beans, then they would be sent out again, or that people need to be able to go in person?

[Tom Murphy]

I think it will best work if we largely meet in person, especially since Steve Sando offered to host, and I suspect he can cook up beans like no other. Also I’d like to meet face to face and talk with other aficionados. I know I will learn more.

I think it makes sense to accommodate remote folk supplying beans that enlarge the available variety. 

But right now you, me, and Steve are the only three interested parties, so we can start the shaping process of this first year of it. We might end up exchanging beans by mail.

I’m still hoping other voices will chime in.

Tom Murphy about.me/wolfmurphy

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[Jen Kobrick]

Well I live in Florida so unless you want to come down here I can't do anything in person though I would love to! 

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[Jana Ulmer]

I would be interested in meeting in Napa and bringing along some of the varieties I've grown in the last few years.  I live in Sonoma County.

Jana 

[Tom Murphy]

The bean swap is a good idea that we are going to postpone till 2018. There were nine of us interested in doing it this year, so there was clearly traction.

I was at Rancho Gordo today and talked a lot with Nancy, and briefly with Steve who is uber swamped with keeping us well supplied with quality beans.

Nancy and Ana are going to be assembling the 2017 Bean Trials tomorrow and are point people for helping plan the bean swap as well.

Our current thinking is to have the bean swap in March 2018, at the early end of bean planting. It is not necessary to bring beans to participate in the day, though that is certainly encouraged. We can combine the beans brought to share with any previously mailed in, possibly also with the 2018 Bean Trials beans. This can result in a more varied number of beans going out to all Bean Buddies, whether at the swap or not.

Maybe swap is the wrong name. I thought of bean pool, but then that sounds like gambling or an organic birthday ball pit.

I'm glad we have the rest of 2017 to refine all this.

     ... Tom 

[D&J Mathews]

Hi Tom ~

I'm not sure if I officially got my name in, but I am definitely interested.  I have been a member of Bean Buddies since the beginning and would love to meet and swap beans and stories. I don't have beans from last years' trial, but do have some from previous years as well as some other RG beans (Cassolet!) and other favorites. I'm excited to see what beans we get to try this year. Hopefully I will have something to exchange.

Looking forward to hearing how the swap plans develop.  I live in Napa so could be available for some of the hands on stuff.

Here's to the Bean Buddy ??Exchange... works for beans and ideas and ....  

Janice Mathews