Ithaca's Food Web

Groundswell’s Sustainable Farming Certificate Program now accepting applications

2012-01-27T18:06:00.001-05:00

Press release from Groundswell:

Groundswell’s Sustainable Farming Certificate Program now accepting applications
New Farmers: Apply online for the 100-hour, April-November program
Ithaca, NY – This spring, the Groundswell Center for Local Food & Farming will again offer its full-season training program for aspiring and beginning farmers and market gardeners. Running April 18 to November 14, the Sustainable Farming Certificate Program provides 124 hours of classroom training, hands-on workshops, farm visits, and supervised work experience on sustainable farms.
Trainees can choose to concentrate their studies on the management of vegetables and fruits, livestock and poultry, or pursue a diversified curriculum. Each trainee will have an individualized Learning Contract, and will be evaluated on the basis of that contract before being awarded Groundswell's Sustainable Farming Certificate. Instruction will be provided by experienced farmer mentors, as well as subject matter experts from our partner institutions such as Cornell University, USDA, and Cornell Cooperative Extension. Trainees who complete 100 hours of training or more are eligible to receive Groundswell's Sustainable Farming Certificate.
Groundswell is committed to the vision of a regionally self-reliant food system that provides good food and economic opportunities for everyone. The Sustainable Farming Certificate Program, like each of Groundswell's New Farmer Training Programs, seeks to engage trainees from diverse cultural, racial, and economic backgrounds to participate in a supportive, trainee-driven learning environment. People of color, new immigrant and limited resource trainees are especially encouraged to apply. Tuition for the Sustainable Farming Certificate Program is on a sliding scale and ranges from $125 to $800, with substantial support offered to people of color, new immigrant and limited-resource trainees.
Applications for the Sustainable Farming Certificate Program are now online. Visit www.groundswellcenter.org to learn more and apply today.
The Groundswell Center for Local Food & Farming is an initiative of the EcoVillage Center for Sustainability Education/Center for Transformative Action. Support for Groundswell comes from individuals and businesses who believe in the importance of strong local food systems, and from the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program of the National Institute for Food and Agriculture-USDA, Grant #2010-49400-21799. For more information, visit www.groundswellcenter.org.

Food and Farming Events at the Ovid Library

2012-01-25T16:57:00.001-05:00

Announcement:

Upcoming Food and Farming Events from the Ovid Library, 7169 North Main Street Ovid, NY (some events at different locations):

Apple Tree Pruning - Saturday, March 14th 10:00am-1:00pm. Meet at Daring Drake Farm 3046 County Road 138, Ovid and learn how to start and train new trees and how to rejuvenate older apple trees. Registration required.

Tree Grafting - Saturday, March 2th 10:00am-noon. Learn the history, lore, and mechanics of tree grafting with John Reynolds of Daring Drake Farm. Students will have hands on practice with grafting and leave class with two fruit trees to plant. $3/person class fee. Held at the Ovid Library. Registration required.

Shiitake Mushroom Workshop - Saturday, April 28th 10:00am-1:00pm - Join Steve Sierigk for this hands-on workshop that will cover the basics of growing Shiitake mushrooms on hardwood log. Participants will drill and fill provided logs with Shiitake mycelium and each participant will take

home a log to grow. $15/person class fee. Held at the Ovid Library. Registration required.

3rd Annual Plant Sale at the Ovid Library on Saturday, May 12th beginning at 9am. Along with the usual annuals, perennials, herbs, hanging baskets and vegetables, we also offer fruit plants and trees and unusual herbs. All plants are grown by local farms, many organic, and all proceeds go directly to the library.

To register for library programs, contact The Edith B. Ford Memorial Library, Ovid: 607.869.3031 or ovidlib@rochester.rr.com

News from Tree Gate Farm

2012-01-18T11:27:00.001-05:00

Sharon from Tree Gate Farm sent me this update last week and announced the launch of her farm blog, with recent posts on farming in winter and chicken news.

From Tree Gate Farm:
"After another week of unseasonably mild temperatures that lured us outdoors to finish the many chores outstanding from the end of the 2011 growing season, it's been a delight to see big, fat, white flakes falling from the sky and turn our attention inward. Like the broody hens on their nest, we farmers have hunkered down to hatch a few new ventures. In late December, we ordered seven varieties of spuds in anticipation of another Technicolor harvest and in early January, placed the first of four seed orders, including a few quirky new root veggies and surprising shades of familiar fruits. Earlier this week, the farmer up the road who supplies our piglets confirmed that the sows have been bred and the farmer fabricating our hoophouse frame in Penn Yan scheduled a delivery date. Spring may be months away, but it's hard to tamp down a growing excitement about all that the 2012 season has in store!"

Town of Ithaca releases Ag & Farmland Protection Plan

2012-01-18T11:15:00.001-05:00

From TC Local, a group of area citizens committed to researching various aspects of energy descent in Tompkins County and writing up a preliminary plan for each aspect based on purely local challenges and resources:

"There was some good news on the local food security front this fall. One recent critical success was the election of antifracking candidates in several Tompkins County towns, which for the moment at least has challenged the claimed right of area landowners to extract short-term profits at the expense of the long-term health and agricultural productivity of local farmland. The other development was the November 2011 approval of the Town of Ithaca Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan (AFPP) by the Ithaca Town Board and the preparation of similar plans for the Towns of Lansing and Ulysses."

Read the whole article, including the AFPP, here.

Master Composter Training

2012-01-13T16:22:00.002-05:00

Announcement:

Become a MASTER COMPOSTER! Ten in-depth classes paired with hands-on internship hours train Master Composters, an enthusiastic and fun group of community volunteers committed to promoting responsible composting.

Classes are Wednesday evenings from February 22nd – May 2nd. Application deadline is Wednesday, February 1st. For more information or to request an application, call the Rotline (272-2292), contact Mila Fournier atymf5@cornell.edu or stop by the Cooperative Extension at 615 Willow Avenue in Ithaca. More info and applications also available online: http://ccetompkins.org/garden/composting/become-master-composter

Announcement: 2012 Summer Fruit CSA

2012-01-13T14:32:00.002-05:00

Announcement:

Daring Drake Farm is offering shares in their 2012 Fruit CSA. Receive a diverse array of Daring Drake organic fruit for 20 weeks beginning mid-late June for $280. Weekly pick-ups Friday in Ovid as well as Tuesday at DeWitt Park and Saturday at the Ithaca Farmer’s Market. This is a fruit CSA for the adventurous culinary types! Visit our website for more information on our CSA and farm: http://daringdrake.com/csa/

Plus:

In the 2012 season look for the Daring Drake Farm Stand on County Road 138 in Ovid. Enjoy the best organic fruit, vegetables, and cut flowers seven days a week in Southern Seneca County from Daring Drake and Three Stone Farm. Look for us to open May with fruit trees and bushes and some unique annuals.

Farm Sanctuary Celebrates 25 years (Ithaca Times)

2012-01-13T09:00:00.002-05:00

From the Ithaca Times:

Farm Sanctuary celebrates 25 years of helping animals

"There's a 175-acre farm set amidst the rolling green hills between Seneca and Keuka Lakes where animals come to live, rather than die. Farm Sanctuary, the safe haven for farmed animals that has been heaven to thousands provides rehabilitative care and lifelong shelter for rescued farm animals in Watkins Glen celebrates its 25th Anniversary this year, and at a time where its influence is more important than ever."
Read the rest at the Ithaca Times.

Class: 2012 Raising Livestock Series

2012-01-13T08:58:00.002-05:00

Announcement:

2012 Raising Livestock Series Starts 2/7

Looking for something to do with your land? New York's Southern Tier is well suited for pasture-based livestock production. If you want to have animals and/or sell pasture-raised meats, this series of classes is for you. Learn from the experiences of successful farmers, and from Cornell Cooperative Extension educators.

This first series of classes will be held at CCE-Tioga County, 56 Main Street in Owego on Tuesday evenings, 6:00-8:00 pm, February 7, 21, March 6, 20, and April 3. These sessions will cover how to assess your land and choose livestock, review infrastructure requirements, and get tips on pasture/hay management.

The second part of the series will be hosted by Tioga County livestock farmers. Learn how they raise hogs (April 18), beef (May 15), sheep and goats (June 19), poultry (July 17), and horses (August 21). At the final class, September 17, you will learn how to navigate NYS regulations and sell your local meat products.

Cost per class is $10 per farm ($75 for the whole series) and includes light snacks and hand-outs. To register and for class details, call (607) 687-4020, or email meh39@cornell.edu

Students taste-test "Cool School Food"

2012-01-10T15:22:00.002-05:00

Students in Ithaca City Schools are tasting new recipes as part of Cool School Food, a program to improve student health. Top rated recipes might even make it onto the regular school menu. Here's what organizer Amie Hamlin has to say about the latest round of tastings:

Cool School Food

Cool beans are good for the environment and for student health! And cool beans are the focus of Cool School Food, the signature program of New York Coalition for Healthy School Food, in partnership with the Ithaca City School District Child Nutrition Program, Moosewood Restaurant, and Cayuga Pure Organics. Beans from Cayuga Pure Organics are used whenever available. Beans are a great source of protein – with no cholesterol, no saturated fat, and lots of fiber and phytonutrients. They are also great for the environment, using many less resources, causing much less pollution, and contributing much less to global warming than animal agriculture. Cool School Food is a program that develops and introduces plant and bean-based recipes, and then conducts tastings in all nine Ithaca elementary schools. The recipes are also served at the two middle schools. Feedback from the tastings is used to modify the recipe if necessary, and determine if the recipe should be added to the menu on an ongoing basis.

The tastings consist of serving samples of the recipe (the most recent is Pasta Fazool) and having children vote and receive stickers for trying the recipe. In addition, all the raw ingredients are displayed so children can see what is in the food. We make it festive by having balloons and music when possible (some schools have music lessons on the stage during lunch, so we can’t always play music).

Volunteers are welcome. If you’d like to volunteer, please contact Amie Hamlin at amie@healthyschoolfood.org.

According to their website, "The New York Coalition for Healthy School Food (NYCHSF) is a statewide nonprofit that works to improve the health and well-being of New York's students by advocating for healthy plant-based foods, including local and organic where possible, farm to school programs, school gardens, the elimination of unhealthy competitive foods in all areas of the school (not just the cafeteria), comprehensive nutrition policy, and education to create food- and health-literate students."

During the experience, students see raw ingredients, taste foods, receive stickers for tasting, and vote on their favorites:

Classes: Home Fruit Production

2012-01-04T10:47:00.002-05:00

Announcement from Cornell Cooperative Extension - Tompkins County

Home Fruit Production Series

This 2-part workshop series will cover tree and berry fruits, and how to get started growing them at home! Participants may take one or both workshops. These classes are geared for the serious home gardener or beginning farmer exploring fruit growing options. Tree fruit will be covered on Tuesday, 2/28 and berries will be discussed on 3/14. Both classes will be taught by Molly Shaw, Cooperative Extension Fruit & Vegetable Specialist. Details below.

Beginning Tree Fruit
Tuesday, February 28, 2012, 6:00-8:00 pm
at 4-H Acres, 418 Lower Creek Road, Ithaca, New York 14850
Learn how to evaluate your land for fruit production, and how to prepare the soil before planting. Learn how to choose tree fruit varieties for winter hardiness, disease resistance and adequate pollination. We'll go over a yearly calendar of tasks like fertilizing and pruning, as well as potential difficulties you can encounter. Bring a sample of your soil to get pH-tested at the end of the class. Fee: $5/person or $8/couple for 1 class; $10/person or $15/couple for both classes. Please call Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County at (607) 272-2292 to sign up!

Beginning Berries
Wednesday, March 14, 2012, 6:00-8:00 pm
at 4-H Acres, 418 Lower Creek Road, Ithaca, New York 14850
In this class you will learn how to choose, plant, and maintain berries. We will review criteria for a good fruit production site and before-planting soil preparations. We will discuss variety choices, planting guidelines, and maintenance of the berry planting. Bring a sample of your soil to get pH-tested at the end of the class. Fee:$5/person or $8/couple for 1 class; $10/person or $15/couple for both classes. Please call Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County at (607) 272-2292 to sign up!

Comments on hydrofracking due to DEC by January 11, 2012

2012-01-03T20:16:00.002-05:00

Information about the latest DEC document regarding hydrofracking regulations can be found here:

http://www.dec.ny.gov/energy/47554.html

And comments can be submitted here, until January 11, 2012

http://www.dec.ny.gov/energy/76838.html

Memorable Moments in Food and Farming 2011

2012-01-02T14:52:00.000-05:00

In Ithaca and the Finger Lakes, 2011 was marked with highsand lows in food and farming. Here’s a recap:

As winter 2011 ended, farmers experienced heavy rains,delaying planting. Some farmers had to postpone their CSA start dates due tolack of produce. Farmers were hit hard again late in the season with heavyrainstorms following Hurricane Irene, which flooded many upstate farms.

The local food community mourned the loss of Gary Redmond,founder of Regional Access, a local distributor.

And many were also shocked and saddened by the death of Debra Whiting, chef and owner of Red Newt Bistro, in June. Before her death,she had competed on the Food Network show Chopped.

Another Finger Lakes chef, Sam Izzo from Simply Red Bistro, appeared on a different episode of the same show – a sign that the region is gainingnational recognition for culinary talent.

This year, Ithaca’s Ludgate Farm and Market changed hands, then closed entirely due to dwindling sales.

But in more hopeful news, many, many new food and farming enterprises andinitiatives were recognized by this year’s Signs of Sustainability, awarded by Sustainable Tompkins.

This year also marked Ithaca’s first Food Justice Summit,which highlighted problems and solutions to food security, access, and obesity.Detroit’s Malik Yakini spoke at the event, and kids joined with chefs to showoff their culinary skills in a Junior Iron Chef competition.

The future of farming and hydraulic fracturing is still under debate. The Tompkins County Council of Governments held a public hearing on the latest DEC document on hydraulic fracturing. Many, many farmersspoke out against hydrofracking, citing concerns over industrial impacts onfarming, food production, and the rural character of our region.

As always, the food and farming scene continues to grow and change here in Ithaca, Tompkins County, and the Finger Lakes. Have something to add to the Memorable Moments in Food and Farming 2011? Comment below or email ithacasfoodweb@gmail.com

Maple Syrup CSA Shares Available

2012-01-02T12:41:00.004-05:00

Announcement from Sapsquatch:

Happy New Year from Sapsquatch Pure Maple Syrup!
Buy your 2012 shares and memberships today! www.sapsquatchsyrup.wordpress.com

Sapsquatch Pure Maple Syrup celebrates 5 years of sugarmaking in 2012!
Sign up for your CSA shares before Feb. 4th and show your support for
sustainable local agriculture. Signing up for a share now guarantees
your 2012 gallon, while also helping Sapsquatch with this seasons
upfront expenses such as maple tubing and syrup containers. You may
also put your name on a waiting list for gallons, quarts and pints.

Sapsquatch CSA Shares:

Single - $80 specify 1 gallon or 4 quarts, add $20 for shipping
Family - $120 1 gallon, 4 pints, 2 250 ml maple glass, 4 50 ml maple
glass stocking stuffers, add $40 for shipping

Send checks to Sapsquatch, 438 N. Geneva St., Ithaca, NY 14850 or
email sapsquatch7@gmail.com for further details

Sapsquatch is a family-run small business. We work hard to supply our
community with high quality sustainably produced maple syrup. Syrup
production is hard on the body and the spirit, demanding many
sleepless nights during the boiling season and many months of syrup
sales in order to break even. Small-scale producers have an extremely
difficult time competing with “the big boys”, semi-automated
commercial operations with 4000 taps or more and hundreds of thousands
invested in infrastructure and equipment.
We at Sapsquatch have a vision of staying on the smaller scale, using
traditional methods of production, nurturing a small family business
while offering an educational and tourism destination to the public.

Please consider becoming a member this year and help us meet our goals
for the next 5 years:
Finish the sugarshack with walls, tanks storage and wood storage.
Increase production to 150 gallons per year by purchasing a
new evaporator, more tanks, lines, 4x4 pick up truck with tank, second
sap pump
Build a working kitchen and bunks at the sugarshack
Offer yearly apprentice position, educational classes and tours

Any contribution above $50 will earn you member status, syrup
discounts, free admission to all of our special events, subscription
to our newsletter and a personalized guided tour for you and your
family along with some tasty local food. Working memberships are also
available. For inquiries contact Josh at sapsquatch7@gmail.com

Memberships:

$ 50 Bucket Carrier – bucket carriers help us with basic necessities
like taps, buckets, sap lines and fittings, syrup containers and
kitchen staples. 1 year 10% discount.
$100 Wood Chopper – Woodchoppers help us with axes, mauls,
construction and landscaping tools, hardware and wood. 1 year 15%
discount.
$250 Sugarmaker – sugarmakers can help us buy new sap storage tanks,
new syrup labels, footers for our new kitchen and storage areas, buy
new mainline and mainline hardware, and help us maintain our existing
infrastructure. 2 year 20% discount.
$1000 and Up - Sapsquatch Champion – Campion members can help us
purchase high price tag items like our new evaporator, new chainsaw
and Alaskan sawmill, 2nd sap pump, kitchen stove, siding for the shack
and kitchen, roofing material, kitchen equipment, a 4x4 farm truck and
help us with farm development projects like solar/ wind arrays, road
and trail development, water management and a new parking area.
Sapsquatch Champions also enable us to provide affordably priced maple
syrup in Ithaca’s low-income communities. 5 year 25% discount.

Send checks to Sapsquatch, 438 N. Geneva St., Ithaca, NY 14850 or
email sapsquatch7@gmail.com for further details

2012 Events

Sapsquatch Fundraiser – Feb 4. 6 pm- 12am Location TBA. Come enjoy
music, friends and food. Sign up for your share of the 2012 syrup
harvest and learn about the volunteering for the sugarbush experience
The Sugarbush Experience – volunteer at Sapsquatch on Weekends and
weekdays (by appointment only) Feb. 25 – April 1. Learn to make maple
syrup the old way over a wood fire. Hone your woodswoman and woodsman
skills; chop wood, carry sap buckets, tap trees and hang sap lines,
boil and bottle maple syrup, cook on cast iron and teach a class to
visitors! Sapsquatch is located down in the woods at 2247 Mecklenburg
Rd., Enfield, NY
Sapsquatch Maple Weekends – March 17-18, March 24-25; celebrate the
harvest, pick up your shares! Tours, sledding, pancakes and sugaring
all weekend. Stop by on Saturday night for a late night sugaring
celebration. Sapsquatch is located down in the woods at 2247
Mecklenburg Rd., Enfield, NY

Free Food Pantries in Ithaca and Tompkins County (Updated 12-30-11)

2011-12-30T21:15:00.001-05:00

Announcement:

FRIENDSHIP DONATIONS NETWORK (FDN)

Food rescue and distribution program; www.friendshipdonations.org

LIST OF FREE fresh FOOD PANTRIES and PROGRAMS

Revised 12-30-11

FDN provides produce, breads, desserts, dairy, deli, and groceries (if available) to the programs listed below.

Monday to Friday:

· Free daily meals at Loaves and Fishes. No income guidelines. All are welcome. Location: St. John’s Church, 210 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at noon; Tuesday, Thursday at 5:30 pm

· Excess is shared with Freedom Village USA: Rehab center – 160 troubled teens plus staff on Mondays

Tuesdays:

· Immaculate Conception Church Food Pantry. Seneca near Geneva St., Ithaca 1:00 to 1:45 p.m.

Wednesdays:

· Bread of life Food Pantry, Rt. 96, (temporary location) ambulance building next to Post Office, Candor, NY, 3:00-6:00p.m.

Thursdays:

· Halsey Valley Pantry, GAR building, Hamilton Rd, Halsey Valley, NY, 4-4:45 p.m. NO HALSEY VALLEY PANTRY ON THIRD THURSDAY

· Snacks for TC Probation Department and youth programs

· Ithaca Youth Bureau

3rd Thursday (Jan. 19): Danby Food Pantry, for residents only,

Danby Federated Church, Rt. 96B. 3 to 7 p.m.

Fridays:

· Interlaken Reformed Church Pantry, Rt. 96 – 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.

· Food is shared with four non-profit programs:

o Cayuga Addiction and Recovery Services; Northern Lights Learning Center Families; outreach to low-wage work sites, youth groups, senior housing and families in trailer parks.

Saturdays and Sundays:

· Free hot meal served at Salvation army, 150 N. Albany St, Ithaca, NY -Saturday -noon; Sunday – 3 pm (not an FDN program)

· 1st Saturday: Catlin First Methodist Church Pantry. 2:00-4:00pm

· 2nd Saturday: Grace Lee Wesleyan Church Pantry, Beaver Dams, NY, 2pm

· 3rd Saturday: Pantry #1 Worker’s Center – Linderman Creek Pantry, Community Room 12-12:30

· 3rd Saturday: Pantry #2 Sovereign Grace Baptist Church Pantry, Addison, Stuben county, 11:45

· 4th Saturday: United Church of Christ, McLean Church: Pantry 1:30-2:15

· 5th Saturday: Outreach to rural trailer parks

Sundays (Alternating Weeks):

· West Village Apartments Food Pantry (1/1/12, 1/15, 1/29)

in apartment parking lot in front of Apt #637, 12:30-1:30

· Overlook Apartments, (1/1/12, 1/15, 1/29)

Community Room, noon – 12:30

· Reach Out For Christ Church Pantry, (1/8/12, 1/22)

318 Johnson Road, Freeville, NY at noon

Eligibility:

Limit: 1 pantry per week.

Suggested Monthly Income: 1 person -$1,500; 2 people – $1,800; 3 people – up to $2,000; 4 people – to $2,300

Please contact Friendship Donations Network with any questions:

607-216-9522 or info@friendshipdonations.org.

Video: Farmers participate in Occupy Wall Street

2011-12-28T18:55:00.004-05:00

Here's a video describing the December 4, 2011 march by farmers and activists who joined the Occupy Wall Street Farmers March for "a celebration of community power to regain control over the most basic element to human well-being: food."

The video was produced by Food Democracy Now! Directed by Anthony Lappé, INVISIBLE HAND. In association with No Umbrella Films and Supreme Films, with music by Libby Kirkpatrick with Daron Murphy. InvisibleHandMedia.net

Comments regarding hydrofracking due to DEC by January 11, 2012

2011-12-21T15:52:00.001-05:00

Natural gas drilling in upstate New York has farmers divided. Some are eager for drilling to begin, hoping that development will help struggling farmers. Others fear that excessive water withdrawals; noise and truck traffic; toxic spills, radioactive waste and other wastewater treatment problems; drinking water contamination; earthquakes; and social strains brought on by transient workers could disrupt life as we know it in the Finger Lakes.

Information about the latest DEC document regarding hydrofracking regulations can be found here:
http://www.dec.ny.gov/energy/47554.html

And comments can be submitted here, until January 11, 2012
http://www.dec.ny.gov/energy/76838.html

New York is #1 in Winter Farmers Markets

2011-12-21T15:42:00.001-05:00

According to the USDA, New York has the most winter farmers markets in the United States. 180 markets operate here throughout the winter. California comes in second, with 153. Pennsylvania is 3rd, with 78.

Since 2010, the number of winter markets in the US has increased 38%, from 886 to 1,225. The USDA suggests that the "adoption of hoop house technology, which has enabled many smaller growers to extend their production seasons at low cost, has been a contributing factor to the growth of winter farmers markets."

2011 Rutabaga Curl Photos

2011-12-19T15:28:00.001-05:00

For a ton of amazing photos from Ithaca's Rutabaga Curl, check out Jerry Feist's Flickr album:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerryfeist/sets/72157628479202581/

Ithaca's Food Web is on Facebook!

2011-12-18T16:36:00.000-05:00

Check out Ithaca's Food Web on Facebook -- just another way to stay up to date on local news about local food!

Indoor Ithaca Farmers Market will open Jan 7, 2012

2011-12-17T14:50:00.000-05:00

Ithaca's indoor winter farmers market will open on January 7, 2012 at a new location: 700 West Buffalo Street, which is known as "The Space" owned by GreenStar and right next door. More than 35 vendors will offer diverse foods in the 5,000 square-foot space. Every Saturday in January and February 2012, the market will be open from 11am until 2pm.

Class at the Dryden Community Center Cafe: Seed Selection

2011-12-17T12:10:00.002-05:00

Announcement from the Dryden Community Cafe:

The Dryden Community Center Cafe will be hosting classes on gardening presented by the co-founder of the Dryden Community Garden:

Join us for the first of a new series of free classes at Dryden Community Center Cafe: Grow Your Own. A fresh topic on the third Tuesday of every month 5:30 - 6:30. Intended to be both a class and a discussion group, led by Kerra Quinn (Dryden Community Garden co-founder and Garden Question Answerer At-large), all levels of know-how are asked to attend; meaning - don't just come to learn, if you have garden knowledge please come to share.Bring your favorite seed catalogs.

January's topic:

Seed Selection or Will I actually eat a rutabaga if I grow them? or How to not produce more zucchini than anyone really needs.

* Choose your vegetables!

* Deciding that you want to grow your own food and need to have a garden is easy.

* Deciding what to grow and how much seed you'll need to buy and when and where and how to start planting can be daunting.

* A gardener's all time favorite January event - seed catalog perusal.

There will be nice pots of herbal teas from locally harvested plants and homegrown mint. Children are welcome. Be prepared to take notes.

Class: Pig Butchering Demo & Sustainable Agriculture Overview

2011-12-17T12:02:00.003-05:00

Announcement from The Piggery:
http://www.thepiggery.net/classes

Winter 2012 Classes at The Piggery
Pig Butchering Demo & Sustainable Agriculture Overview

Looking for the perfect holiday gift or maybe something fun to do during the long winter months in Ithaca???

The Piggery is bringing it’s popular Pig Butchering Demo & Sustainable Agriculture Overview to Ithaca. After several years of doing this in-depth demonstration in NYC, we finally have a space to hold our demo in our hometown and we’re sooooo excited!!!

Curious about where the pork chop comes from? Wonder what the difference is between sirloin, rib and center cut chops?? How to cook a rib tip or pork jowl????

We’ll start the evening with a detailed history of the pig, sustainable pastured farming techniques and finish with an in-depth demonstration of how a half of pig is broken down into the cuts you see in your butcher’s meat case. To get a glimpse of what you’re in for, check out this video of a recent butchering demo we did: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYVpNz7Iyvo

2012 Classes are scheduled for: Jan. 9th, Jan 23rd, Feb. 6, Feb. 20. Classes start at 6pm and will typically run about 2.5 hours. Each class is $49. Class size is limited to 20.

Signup here:
Jan 9th
January 23rd
February 6th
February 20th

Dairy Farmer challenges Town of Middlefield Gas Drilling Ban

2011-12-17T11:59:00.003-05:00

From WAMC: NY Communities Challenge Gas Drilling (2011-12-16)

Dairy farmer Jennifer Huntington has challenged the Town of Middlefield's gas drilling ban in Madison County Court. According to WAMC, "Huntington says the Middlefield ban is so comprehensive that it will not allow any drilling - even a conventional vertical well with no hydrofracking involved. She says drilling would not interrupt or inconvenience normal dairy farming activities."

For the full news article, see the WAMC website.

2011 Rutabaga Curl, the 14th annual, will be held at the Ithaca Farmers' Market on Saturday, Dec 17, 2011

2011-12-16T11:54:00.001-05:00

The 2011 Rutabaga Curl, the 14th annual, will be held at the Ithaca Farmers' Market on Saturday, December 17, 2011. Our registration table will open at 10:30 and will close at 11:45. Games will open with the 4th annual Turnip Toss for younger contestants: we are able to register up to 30 youngsters for this event. The Curl itself follows immediately after this event where we expect over 100 athletes to be registered. Read more...

Gleaning programs, food security discussed at Nov. NYS Food Policy Council

2011-12-16T11:51:00.000-05:00

Gleaning programs and food security were among the topics discussed at the November 2011 NYS Food Policy Council Meeting.

A couple highlights from the meeting minutes:

*Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Associate Dean Michael Hoffman presented the results of a study conducted on gleaning. Concerns about farmer liability and need for ‘match-making’ from cooperative extension need attention to improve current efforts, according to the report, which included seven current gleaning programs. The full report can be found online.

*Diane Albrecht, of the Food and Health Network of South Central New York gave a presentation on that organization’s 2011 Regional Food System Assessment, available at www.foodandhealthnetwork.org

*Jim Manning, of the Oneida Cornell Cooperative Extension, presented the Mohawk Valley Food Policy Action Network, which aims to develop a higher level of food security in the region, more info available at www.mvfoodaction.com

*New York State Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Darrel Aubertine spoke on the Federal Farm Bill. He noted that the Department of Agriculture and Markets is a actively engaged with other states on the Federal Farm Bill. Believes that the Northeast Association of State Departments of Agriculture have achieved a 85-95% consensus on agriculture policy. A letter on this agreement was sent to Washington.

Announcement: Annual Holiday Pottery Sale to benefit Healthy Food For All

2011-12-16T11:33:00.001-05:00

Announcement: Saturday (12/17/11) will be the Annual Holiday Pottery Sale to benefit Healthy Food For All.

Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to purchase a gift or add beautiful handmade pottery to your own collection.

New pieces, seconds and closeouts will be put out throughout the sale so you'll find stunningly beautiful pieces at ridiculously low prices (30-70% off!) whenever you go.

10% of the proceeds will benefit Healthy Food For All, a farmer driven initiative in partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County to make fresh seasonal produce accessible to families with limited income.

What: 5th Annual Renata Wadsworth Pottery Holiday Studio Sale

When: Wednesday December 14th from 5-8pm & Saturday December 17th from 11-2pm

Where: The Studio at 379 Gunderman Road, Danby NY

More info: www.nataspots.com / renata@nataspots.com / 607-227-4272

Announcement: NOFA NY Winter Conference

2011-12-16T11:30:00.001-05:00

Announcement from NOFA-NY:

The United Nations has declared 2012 as the International Year of Cooperatives. Building on this momentum, NOFA-NY has chosen The Cooperative Economy for the theme of our 2012 Winter Conference, set for January 20 through 22 in Saratoga Springs. The conference is nothing if not a team effort; from the technical workshops to the meals, it is the product of all of us working together. Our presenters donate their time and knowledge to help others learn new techniques and perfect old ones. This years keynote speakers include: John Ikerd, a Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Economics at the University of Missouri, Kathlyn Terry, executive director of Appalachian Sustainable Development (ASD), and the 2012 NOFA-NY Farmers of the Year Paul and Maureen Knapp.

For general questions about the Winter Conference, including sponsorship and tradeshow opportunities, please contact Matt Robinson, Education and Outreach Coordinator: (585) 271-1979 ext. 503 or matt@nofany.org.

To register online and for pricing information click here. For a step by step instruction on how to register online clickhere. For any questions on registration or to register over the phone contact Katie Nagle-Caraluzzo, Membership and Registration Coordinator at (585) 271-1979 ext. 512 or register@nofany.org.

Groundswell Center highlights successes, asks for support

2011-12-16T11:28:00.000-05:00

The Groundswell Center for Local Food and Farming highlights successes and asks for support.

This year, Groundswell:

-launched a New Farmer Training Project with support from USDA’s Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program

-developed a 100-hour, farm-based Sustainable Farming Certificate program that served 24 trainees, including socially and economically-disadvantaged people here

-worked with 46 other new farmer trainees through the Finger Lakes CRAFT (Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training), providing them with important farm organization and management insights from our Mentor Farmers.

-offered twelve students a Summer Practicum in Sustainable Farming and Local Food Systems

In 2012, Groundswell will:

-offer a winter Farm Business Planning course

-design the site plan and identify potential participants for the 2013 launch of our Farm Enterprise Incubator at EcoVillage

-continue to partner with organizations like Gardens 4 Humanity, Building Bridges, Food Justice Summit, Get Your GreenBack Tompkins, and Slow Money CNY.

For more information, see the Groundswell Center for Local Food and Farming December newsletter.

Residents explore co-op possibility for Ludgate Farm and Market

2011-12-13T09:19:00.001-05:00

In today's Ithaca Journal:

Ithaca-area residents seek to keep Ludgate Farms going

Owners liquidating Hanshaw Road market

The Farm and Fork announces December menu

2011-12-13T09:13:00.002-05:00

Sunchoke soup, beet chips, and duck pot pie?

Apple fritters and cornmeal waffles?

Yum. The Farm & Fork announces its December menu.

Plus, the Sim Redmond Band will play for the Saturday night dinner.

Purchase or reserve tickets today by calling (607) 273-2145 orwww.ithacaevents.com.
Dinner will be held on Saturday 17th from 6:30-9:30 beginning with live music by Sim Redmond Trio and appetizers.
Brunch is on Sunday 18th from 11:00-1:30 with live music by Merkley & Morgan http://i39.tinypic.com/a3lboj.jpg

Cornell Gourmet Club releases magazine

2011-12-08T10:48:00.001-05:00

The Cornell Gourmet Club releases the Creme de la Cornell Fall 2011 issue.

Ithaca College students build extreme gingerbread houses

2011-12-08T10:46:00.001-05:00

Ithaca College students created gingerbread houses to raise money for Habitat for Humanity:

Announcement: Meeting to Save Ludgates on 12/9/11

2011-12-08T09:28:00.001-05:00

Announcement:

MEETING TO SAVE LUDGATE FARMS

Friday, December 9, 7:30-9:00pm
Ludgate Farms, 1552 Hanshaw Road, Ithaca, NY

Feel free to bring a drink or snack to share!

Join the Save Ludgate Farms Google group:
http://groups.google.com/group/save-ludgate-farms

RSVP on Swidjit:
http://swidjit.com/ithaca/events/meeting-to-save-ludgate-farms

RSVP on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/events/174549005974847

More about Ludgate's:
http://www.ludgatefarms.com

See

Ithaca Farmers Market celebrates last selling day of the year with Rutabaga Curl

2011-12-07T09:12:00.001-05:00

Press Release from the Ithaca Farmers Market:

14TH ANNUAL RUTABAGA CURL CONTINUES THE ITHACA FARMERS MARKET'S COMMITMENT TO TOSSING LOCAL VEGETABLES ON THE FLOOR

ITHACA -The Ithaca Farmers Market will be celebrating its roots once again this year by tossing them about as athletes from all over the globe vie in epic fashion for the gold medal, silver, or bronze. The competition will be stiff. Nate Nicholson, last year's Gold medal winner, has just returned to Ithaca from his goodwill world tour. Even though nobody has ever successfully defended their title, Nate has vowed to give it his best shot.

The 2011 14th annual International Rutabaga Curling World Championship will be held at the Ithaca Farmers' Market last selling day on Saturday, Dec 17. Registration for athletes will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. A $5 registration fee for the event includes your market grown rutabaga which we encourage you all to take home and thoroughly enjoy in a post games warm bowl of soup! Robin Ostfeld from Blue Heron Farm in Lodi, site of our official breeding program to produce genetically superior curling rutabagas tells us that this year they expect the biggest crop of official Curl rutabagas ever, especially grown with love and daily massage treatments for rounder profiles.

The Games open at high noon upon the arrival of the rutabaga torch borne by a toga-clad Dennis Hartley of Littletree Farms who will run the final leg of the torch run on its journey from "Mt. Cruciferous." Christi Sobel,The Rutabaga Goddess leads the assembled throng in a moving "Parade of the Athletes."

This year’s ceremonial opening rutabaga toss will feature Doug Derraugh, coach of the Cornell Women’s Hockey Team. The games are closely monitored by our referees, and our esteemed announcer will be Peter McDonald of McDonald Farms. Don’t miss the Vociferous Cruciferous Chorus in their rousing rendition of George Frederic Handel’s “The Rutabaga Chorus.”

First event up will be the Turnip Toss for athletes 8 years old and younger who find the heft of the rutabaga a bit too much to handle. After this event we have 3 rounds of Rutabaga Curling with the top 5 finishers from each round advancing to the nail biting Final Round.

For more information, visit http://www.ithacamarket.com/ifm-events/rutabaga-curl/ or on our Facebook page at facebook.com/ithacamarket.

The Rutabaga Curl has been featured on the pages of many illustrious internet publications, as well as in National Geographic, and is such an ensconced, Ithaca tradition that it even has its own protesters, who annually demand justice for the cruelly treated vegetables.

History of the Rutabaga Curl: The sport of Rutabaga Curling was born on a cold December 1996 Market day, the last market day of the season. The few vendors present (perhaps 25 or so this time of year and point in our history) huddled together for warmth and camaraderie waiting for an occasional customer. Talk at some point in the day turned to unusual winter sports. Curling of course came up in conversation. None of us knew the rules; but before we knew it vendors' wares were being "hurled" or "curled" down the market's wooden floor. Potatoes, cinnamon rolls, cabbages, loaves of bread, and even frozen chickens were fair game in this impromptu outburst. There were no particular rules this day; we were going for style, distance, and laughs. But Steve Sierigk, one of the vendors present that fateful day and currently the self-proclaimed "Most Esteemed Grand Commissioner of the International Rutabaga Curl", saw potential in the innocent play. The next market season Commissioner Steve codified rules and designed a court of play using market's wooden floor. In 1997 an early form of our sport was born which allowed contestants to throw most any projectile available at market, although rutabagas were supplied. Commissioner Steve astutely recognized the inequities of this first year of organized sport; to level the playing field the Commissioner declared "any projectile besides a rutabaga illegal". Hence the first official Rutabaga Curl was held in 1998.

Free food pantries and programs in Ithaca and Tompkins County

2011-12-03T14:55:00.001-05:00

An announcement from:

FRIENDSHIP DONATIONS NETWORK (FDN)

Food rescue and distribution program; www.friendshipdonations.org

LIST OF FREE fresh FOOD PANTRIES and PROGRAMS

Revised 12-1-11

FDN provides produce, breads, desserts, dairy, deli, and groceries (if available) to the programs listed below. Always double check the www.friendshipdonations.org website for the most up-to-date listings and for information about how to donate.

Monday to Friday:

· Excess is shared with Freedom Village USA: Rehab center – 160 troubled teens plus staff on Mondays

Tuesdays:

· Immaculate Conception Church Food Pantry. Seneca near Geneva St., Ithaca 1:00 to 1:45 p.m.

Wednesdays:

· Bread of life Food Pantry, Rt. 96, (temporary location) ambulance building next to Post Office, Candor, NY, 3:00-6:00p.m.

Thursdays:

· Halsey Valley Pantry, GAR building, Hamilton Rd, Halsey Valley, NY, 4-4:45 p.m. NO HALSEY VALLEY PANTRY ON THIRD THURSDAY

· Snacks for TC Probation Department and youth programs

· Ithaca Youth Bureau

3rd Thursday (Dec. 15th): Danby Food Pantry, for residents only,

Danby Federated Church, Rt. 96B. 3 to 7 p.m.

Fridays:

· Interlaken Reformed Church Pantry, Rt. 96 – 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.

· Food is shared with four non-profit programs:

o Cayuga Addiction and Recovery Services; Northern Lights Learning Center Families; outreach to low-wage work sites, youth groups, senior housing and families in trailer parks.

Saturdays and Sundays:

· Free hot meal served at Salvation army, 150 N. Albany St, Ithaca, NY -Saturday -noon; Sunday – 3 pm (not an FDN program)

· 1st Saturday: Catlin First Methodist Church Pantry. 2:00-4:00pm

· 2nd Saturday: Grace Lee Wesleyan Church Pantry, Beaver Dams, NY, 2pm

· 3rd Saturday: Pantry #1 Worker’s Center – Linderman Creek Pantry, Community Room 12-12:30

· 3rd Saturday: Pantry #2 Sovereign Grace Baptist Church Pantry, Addison, Stuben county, 11:45

· 4th Saturday: United Church of Christ, McLean Church: Pantry 1:30-2:15

· 5th Saturday: Outreach to rural trailer parks

Sundays (Alternating Weeks):

· West Village Apartments Food Pantry (12/4/2011, 12/18. etc.)

in apartment parking lot in front of Apt #637, 12:30-1:30

· Overlook Apartments, (12/4/2011, 12/18. etc.)

Community Room, noon – 12:30

· Reach Out For Christ Church Pantry, (12/11/2011, etc.)

318 Johnson Road, Freeville, NY at noon

Eligibility:

Limit: 1 pantry per week.

Suggested Monthly Income: 1 person -$1,500; 2 people – $1,800; 3 people – up to $2,000; 4 people – to $2,300

NY Farm Bureau president supports natural gas drilling

2011-12-01T09:03:00.001-05:00

In yesterday's Ithaca Journal, the NY Farm Bureau president, Dean Norton, wrote a guest viewpoint in favor of natural gas drilling.

In part, he wrote:

"For farms, development of the Marcellus and Utica shale formations means the ability to reinvest in equipment and infrastructure. Farmers can build new barns, add cows to allow the next generation to stay on the farm or purchase a new tractor. These on-farm investments will then multiply through the local economy and grow local businesses and create jobs across many sectors."

"....It is likely that a member of a farm family may seek employment with the natural gas community to secure a well-paying, stable job with benefits."

"While I am an advocate for natural gas development and believe it can be done safely, New York Farm Bureau has always advocated for strong oversight to ensure that our natural resources are secure. As a farmer, my first priority always will be protecting our land and water, because that will always be how farmers make their living."

NYC chefs unite to speak out against fracking

2011-11-29T20:17:00.001-05:00

On November 30th, the NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will host a public hearing in NYC about the latest guidelines for hydraulic fracturing,

The group Chefs for the Marcellus says that the hearing offers "opportunities for food professionals and advocates to speak out against this looming threat." They are urging chefs to attend in their chef’s whites.

According to their website, "Chefs for the Marcellus is a group of chefs, restaurateurs, and other food professionals who have come together to protect our regional foodshed from the dangers of hydraulic fracturing for natural gas (fracking). This highly industrialized form of drilling is already in widespread use in 34 states, including Pennsylvania, where it is wreaking havoc with farms and the water supply. Unless we say no right now, Governor Cuomo is poised to allow fracking in vast areas of the Marcellus Shale, a geologic formation that covers a large area of the mid-Atlantic region, including much of New York’s southern tier — an area of pristine waters; produce, dairy and livestock farms; and breweries and wineries. Implementation may be approved as early as the end of 2011. We are asking chefs, restaurateurs and other food professionals to get involved by writing to Governor Cuomo and asking him to ban fracking in New York State."

New life for Ludgate's Farm and Market?

2011-11-29T20:09:00.001-05:00

A group of community members has created a google group for people interested in saving ludgate's and maybe turning it into a worker-owned coop:

http://groups.google.com/group/save-ludgate-farms
Anyone can join the group and participate in the discussion. Just hours after the group was formed, more than 30 people had joined.

Ludgate's Farm and Market closes

2011-11-29T09:12:00.001-05:00

Ludgate Farm and Market is closing. According to the announcement, the liquidation sale will run from Nov 29th through Dec 15th between noon - 7pm, bulk orders will be accepted online, and locally produced Christmas trees, poinsettias and wreaths are available.

Movie Screening: The Greenhorns

2011-11-17T10:27:00.001-05:00

Event announcement from NWEAG:

Greenhorns Film Free Screening, Discussion, and Community Conversation

6:30 pm, Nov. 17, Mann Library

Love local food? Sometimes, love isn’t enough. To support and grow local foods movements communities need not only dedicated and passionate consumers, they also primarily need to support a new class of young and beginning farmers.

This will most effectively be done through a cascading and inter-dependent food system where local and regional policies, organizations, and businesses can shift the economic paradigm so that local agriculture and the communities they serve are supported hand in hand.

On November 17th, as part of the Mann Library 3rd Annual Local Food, Fiber, and Energy Fairjoin together your community for a very special film screening, panel discussion and community conversation.

Act 1 – 6:30pm – Free screening: The Greenhorns

Attendees will sit down for a viewing of The Greenhorns, a new documentary that explores America’s new young farmer movement. The film is part of a larger grass-roots not-for-profit campaign for agricultural reform. Local foods will accompany the screening including freshly popped popcorn from Cayuga Pure Organics, fresh vegetables from Dilmun Hill Student Organic Farm, and apple cider from the Cornell Orchards.

Act 2 – 7:15pm – Panel discussion

Following the screening is a panel discussion featuring a cross-section of local agriculture initiatives that are working to build a support network to foster a rapidly growing interest in local food and farming. Our panelists include:

Violet Stone, Program Coordinator at Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Small Farm Program. In addition, Ms Stone co-teaches the “Exploring the Small Farm Dream” course offered at Cornell University and is currently working on a project to improve farm energy use. You can also find her at the Ithaca Farmer’s Market selling her cut flowers http://www.smallfarms.cornell.edu/

Dan Flerlage, Localvores Committee Coordinator at Lehman Alternative Community School and staff at the Ithaca Youth Farm Project. Mr. Flerlage will also be featuring some of the youth who have been active in the Youth Farm Projecthttp://youthfarmproject.weebly.com/about.html

Devon Van Noble, Incubator Development Coordinator at the Groundswell Center for Local Food and Farming. He is leading the effort to develop Groundswell’s Farm Enterprise Incubator, which aims to offer low-risk farming and business training for people with limited access to land and other resources.
http://www.groundswellcenter.org/

Melissa Madden and Garret Miller, Young and beginning farmers from the Good Life Farm in Interlaken, NY. In addition to operating their own Permculture-based farm, both Melissa and Garret have participated as farm-educators and mentors in Groundswell’s New Farmer Training Program and the Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training.http://thegoodlifefarm.org/

Act 3 – 7:45pm – Community Conversation

Upon listening to the insights offered by our panelists, join us and take part in a wider conversation about what we – as individuals, members of organizations, business owners, voters, and community members – can do weave a stronger web for our local food system. All perspectives are welcome!

This event is hosted by:
The New World Agriculture and Ecology Group at Cornell
The Groundswell Center for Local Food and Farming
and the Albert R. Mann Library of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Co-sponsors:
Dilmun Hill Student Farm
The Cornell Gourmet Club
Cornell Orchards
Department of Development Sociology
Department of Cit and Regional Planning

This event is funded in part by the GPSAFC and is free and open to the public

Video: Food Justice Activist speaks at Cornell

2011-11-17T10:25:00.001-05:00

Thanks to Allison Jack for posting this video on YouTube:

Malik Kenyatta Yakini was invited to Ithaca, NY to share his experiences in Detroit's urban agriculture development with our growing food justice movement. This community conversation took place in Cornell University's Anabel Taylor Hall café after a weekend of food justice events in Ithaca. Yakini is a founder and the Interim Executive Director of the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network, which operates a four acre farm in Detroit and spearheaded efforts to establish the Detroit Food Policy Council, which he chairs. He is an activist and educator dedicated to working to identify and alleviate the impact of racism and white privilege in the food system. He views the "good food revolution" as part of the larger movement for freedom, justice and equality. He currently serves as a Food and Community Fellow of the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy.

Event cosponsored by: Groundswell Center for Local Food & Farming, New World Agriculture and Ecology Group at Cornell, Albert R. Mann Library, Cornell Department of Development Sociology, Dorothy Cotton Institute, Gardens 4 Humanity, Whole Community Project, Cornell Garden-Based Learning Program, Moosewood Restaurant

Videography: Insights International http://www.electronranch.com/

Event: LOCAL MEATS EDUCATION & TASTING FAIR

2011-11-17T10:16:00.001-05:00

An announcement from CCE-TC:

LOCAL MEATS EDUCATION & TASTING FAIR

Saturday December 10, 2011: 02:00 PM - 05:00 PM at the NYS Grange, 100 Grange Place, Cortland, New York 13045

Consumers can meet livestock producers from across the Finger Lakes, learn about their farms and products, and taste samples. There will be presentations on how consumers can process a whole chicken into smaller cuts, recipes for unfamiliar cuts, and other information on buying local meats. Producers of beef (grass-fed and natural grain/grass fed), pork, lamb, goat, chicken, rabbit, turkey and duck will be present, and some meats will be available for sale.

Admission is $5/person or $15/family. Tickets will be available at the door but please register in advance by calling Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County at (607) 272-2292 so that our caterer can prepare an appropriate amount of samples. For additional information, contact Matt LeRoux at mnl28@cornell.edu or (607) 272-2292.

Photos: Junior Iron Chefs chop their way to greatness at Ithaca's Food Justice Summit

2011-11-17T10:06:00.001-05:00

Thanks to New Roots for sharing photos of the 2011 Iron Chef competition.

At Ithaca’s first Iron Chef, Jr. Competition on Saturday 10/22, Sam Holzbaur, 10th grade student at New Roots Charter School, works with a younger teammate. The event was a featured part of Ithaca’s Food Justice Summit event, organized by Greenstar Community Projects.

Guest chef Ralph of Ralph’s Ribs instructs Eli Gelber, 10th grade student at New Roots Charter School, and teammates how to prepare a dish.

Recipe: Honey Mustard Chicken with Thyme

2011-11-17T09:59:00.001-05:00

Check out Eggs on Sunday's latest recipe: Honey Mustard Chicken with Thyme.

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork, from Savvy Eats

2011-11-17T09:55:00.001-05:00

Julie, from Savvy Eats, won tickets to the Pride of New York Harvest Festival from the recent Ithaca's Food Web contest (thanks to the Festival organizers for offering the tix). She picked up a bottle of BBQ sauce -- check our her pulled pork recipe here.

Ithaca Bakery owner plans Pine Tree Road restaurant

2011-11-17T09:54:00.001-05:00

Ithaca Bakery owner plans Pine Tree Road restaurant.

LOCAL FOOD, FIBER & ENERGY FAIR (11/17/11)

2011-11-16T08:08:00.001-05:00

Announcement:

LOCAL FOOD, FIBER & ENERGY FAIR

Mann Library at Cornell University, in collaboration with CCE-Tompkins and the Small Farms Program, will host the 3rd Annual Local Food, Fiber & Energy Fair on Thursday, November 17 from 02:00 PM - 08:30 PM. A series of lively and informative events are planned, all FREE and open to the public. This year's Fair includes the addition of a local energy theme, highlighting solutions-based efforts to strengthen community and regional capacities in sustainably meeting energy needs. More details about the Fair, including directions and parking info are available here http://localfair.mannlib.cornell.edu/.

2:00-5:00pm Market in Mann Lobby. A rich sampling of local food, fiber and energy products will be offered, as well as several innovative efforts to support individual, family and community health and resilience.

6:30pm FREE public screening of the movie The Greenhorns in Mann Room 160, hosted by NWAEG and Groundswell. Panel presentations and community discussions will follow, exploring some of the issues and opportunities faced by new farmers in our area, and identifying areas to work on. More details to come on the NWAEG events page.
7:15pm - Panel discussion with Violet Stone, Program Coordinator at Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Small Farm Program; Dan Flerlage, Localvores Committee Coordinator at Lehman Alternative Community School and staff at the Ithaca Youth Farm Project; Devon Van Noble, Incubator Development Coordinator at the Groundswell Center for Local Food and Farming; andMelissa Madden & Garret Miller,beginning farmers from the Good Life Farm in Interlaken, NY.
7:45pm - Community Conversation

Event: “Cultivating the Country’s Best Crop: Developing Youth Through 4-H in the 20th Century”

2011-11-10T10:57:00.001-05:00

Announcement:

“Cultivating the Country’s Best Crop: Developing Youth Through 4-H in the 20th Century”

Amrys Williams, 2011 Fellow in the History of Home Economics

Monday, 14 November 2011

at 4pm in Cornell University's Mann Library, Room 102

In a Nov. 14^th lecture at Mann Library, Amrys Williams, PhD candidate in the History of Science at the University of Wisconsin and the 2011 Fellow in the History of Economics at the College of Human Ecology, will present a look at the history of 4-H clubs and their relationship to development of rural American society and culture in the 20^th century.

4-H clubs—the youth phase of agricultural and home economics extension work—were central to the USDA’s program for rural modernization in the early decades of the 20th century. By giving farm boys and girls the opportunity to socialize, learn new skills through hands-on activities, and contribute financially to their families’ livings, club work aimed to spread better farm and home practices while keeping rural youth on the farm. But cultivating “the country’s best crop,” as these young people were often described, was a matter of culture as well as agriculture, and 4-H club work sought to revitalize rural society alongside rural livelihoods. Envisioning the concurrent development of children’s heads, hearts, hands, and health, 4-H was emblematic of the Country Life Movement’s attempts to articulate a distinctly rural vision of modern living, one that would embrace scientific methods in ways adapted to rural needs and values. The biological metaphor of development—of crops, children, communities, and civilization—was central to these efforts. 4-H’s work with rural youth in rural places illuminates a strand of thinking about development that relied on growth, guidance, and nurture to cultivate modernity on rural terms.

A reception will follow the talk. Free and open to the public. For more information, please visit www.mannlib.cornell.edu or call 255-5406.

Event sponsored by the College of Human Ecology and Albert R. Mann Library

Eveline Ferretti

Public Programs Administrator

Albert R. Mann Library

Cornell University

EF15@cornell.edu

Tel: (607) 254-4993

Local farm, deli, and butcher shop get press

2011-11-02T12:14:00.002-04:00

Recenlty, The Piggery, a deli and butcher shop right here in Ithaca, has gotten press in the Boston Globe and a New York Times blog.

Iron Chef Jr. Competition Steals the Show at Ithaca’s Food Justice Summit

2011-10-27T17:30:00.003-04:00

A press release from New Roots:

Iron Chef Jr. Competition Steals the Show at Ithaca’s Food Justice Summit

Ithaca, New York – October 27, 2011 Sponsored by Greenstar Community Projects, Ithaca celebrated its first Food Justice Summit this past weekend. Saturday’s event included an Iron Chef Jr. competition, live music, and a speech from Malik Yakini, an activist and educator from Detroit who spoke about food security in impoverished areas and racism in the food system. Mr. Yakini also spoke at Cornell University and New Roots Charter School on Monday 10/25.

The Iron Chef Jr. competition was held on October 22, 2011 at the Neighborhood Pride Grocery Store on Hancock Street in downtown Ithaca. Student representatives, ranging in age and cooking experience, from New Roots Charter School, Beverly J. Martin School, and the Southside Community Center were in attendance. Students were broken into groups and were led by local Ithaca chefs. “It was an awesome experience. I appreciate the executive chefs and what I learned from them,” exclaimed Aidan Hodges, a competitor on the Ralph's Ribs winning team and 11th grader at New Roots. The teams created a delicious four-course meal using local, fresh produce provided by local farmers.

Event organizer, Joshua Dolan of Cornell Cooperative Extension said, “the event raised awareness in the community about what our kids can do and how easy it is to get it done.” Community members enjoyed the fresh food, the competition, and the talent that the students displayed.

“It was the best event I have been to all year,” comments Allyn Rosenbaum, head chef at New Roots Charter School, coordinator of New Roots’ Farm to School program, and Iron Chef Jr. judge. Rosenbaum continues, “It was great being an active member of the community here today, as well as to watch our students in action and taste their delicious food.”

A great sense of community involvement was displayed this weekend. With the success of the Iron Chef Jr. competition, Dolan plans on continuing the competition next year with more student and community collaborations.

Shiitake Cultivation & Mushroom Foraging Workshop

2011-10-27T09:15:00.002-04:00

Announcement:

Shiitake Cultivation & Mushroom Foraging Workshop

Saturday, Oct. 29 - 9am-1pm

Brooktondale, NY (~15 min outside of Ithaca)

$45, including a tasty snack and an inoculated log

Led by Ari Rockland-Miller, co-founder of The Mushroom Forager (www.themushroomforager.com)

Have you been looking for an entry point into the endlessly fascinating world of mushroom cultivation and foraging? Learn how to cultivate log-grown shiitake mushrooms in this hands-on workshop, and take home an inoculated log to get you started! We will also learn methods for outdoor cultivation of oyster, lion’s mane, king stropharia, shaggy mane, and elm oyster mushrooms. Though the wild mushroom season is winding down, we will also go on a short guided foray and will learn about the safest and most delicious local species.

For more information and the workshop schedule, click here. Or check out our Facebook Event page here.

Tompkins County Library collects recipes for cookbook

2011-10-26T13:25:00.000-04:00

Announcement:

What's cooking at Tompkins County Public Library?
A cookbook, of course! Submit your favorite recipe!

Share the ingredients and directions for making your favorite foods to create the first TCPL cookbook and help the Library serve you!

Recipes may be submitted several ways:
Through our website's typensave link www.typensave.com/. Login using the information below:
User name: tcplcookbook
Password: 8m5ws
Paper copies are available at the reference desk
Email your recipe to: cookbook@tcpl.org

We would like to encourage people to include additional information regarding the history of the recipe. This may be added in the “Notes” section of the "typensave" form or included in your email.

We are asking for recipes from patrons from all Tompkins County Public Libraries.

Recipes can be entered through November 30, 2011.

Questions? Contact Debbie Collier, dcollier@tcpl.org or 272-4557 ext. 249.

Contest: Free tickets to the Pride of New York Harvest Fest

2011-10-26T10:06:00.000-04:00

Want to attend the 2011 Pride of New York Harvest Fest in Syracuse (Nov 5&6)?

Ithaca's Food Web has two tickets to give away to a lucky reader (a $50 value), thanks to the organizers of the event.

Here's how it works: all you need to do is leave a comment on this post and write your favorite local food and your name. Entries will be accepted until 5pm on Wednesday, November 2, 2011. At that time, entrants will be determined using the list randomizer on http://www.random.org/lists/. The name at the top of the list will win the tickets. The winner will need to provide name and address to Ithaca's Food Web, and the tickets will be left at the Will Call office. Photo ID is required to pick up the tickets.

And, if you want to be entered twice to increase your chances of winning, post this to Facebook or Tweet it, and send the link to ithacasfoodweb@gmail.com.

Thanks for playing!

Fracking in the Foodshed

2011-10-26T09:43:00.001-04:00

What happens when an agricultural landscape becomes industrialized by fracking? Martha Goodsell from Fallow Hollow Deer Farm explains:

Farmageddon, Ithaca film premiere with panel discussion

2011-10-25T20:47:00.001-04:00

Announcement from NWAEG at Cornell:

Farmageddon, Ithaca film premiere with panel

Wed Nov 2 • 7:00pm
Willard Straight Theatre
directed by Kristin Canty

Panel:

Steve & Barb Smith of Meadowsweet Farms in Lodi, NY

A. Fay Benson of Small Dairy Support, CU Extension

A wake up call for anyone who eats food: this nervy documentary promotes a healthy paranoia about the USDA and FDA's "war" on the small farmers of the local foods movement. The farmers and consumers interviewed in the film make the persuasive argument that federal and state agencies focus their monitoring on small scale producers when food-related illnesses are historically traceable to genetically modified foods, factory farming, and large-scale livestock facilities. Surveillance footage of raids on Mennonite farms and food co-ops, interviews with FDA officials, and agricultural experts round out this articulate argument for promoting access to local, healthful foods. Cosponsored with GreenStar Cooperative Market

For more about the film, see the Farmageddon website.

**
Farmageddon features a farm from Lodi, Meadowsweet, that sells raw milk to members of its LLC. DEtails about an ongoing legal battle between the farm and the NYS Ag and Markets can be found on the Farm to Consumer website.

Announcement: Pride of NY Harvest Fest 2011

2011-10-25T19:44:00.001-04:00

Here's a press release from the folks at the Pride of New York Harvest Fest. And, by the way, Ithaca's Food Web might just have a couple of tickets to giveaway to a lucky reader... stay tuned for more details.

***

Pride of New York Harvest Fest to feature wine, food and beer tastings in Syracuse: Sampling event to showcase New York State products

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The third annual Pride of New York Harvest Fest will be held this fall in Syracuse to celebrate New York State wine, food and beer. Approximately 100 growers and producers from across the State will offer the public the opportunity to taste and purchase award-winning wines and beers as well as sauces and marinades, meats, cheese, ice cream, baked goods, honey and maple products, organic offerings and more.

The Syracuse event will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5 and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 6 at the New York State Fairgrounds in the Horticulture Building. This year’s event will also feature live entertainment.

“The Pride of New York Harvest Fest features the best quality products grown and produced right here in New York State and reminds consumers to buy local and support area businesses,” said New York State Agriculture Commissioner Darrel J. Aubertine. “The event in Syracuse has received an overwhelmingly positive response and has attracted thousands of attendees the past two years. We look forward to continuing to highlight outstanding New York State products again this year.”

Event tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Admission includes a complimentary wine or beer glass, tasting samples and an opportunity to win the “Pride of New York Basket of Bounty.” Advance sale tickets may be purchased Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the New York State Fair administration building (enter gate 2), by calling 315-487-7711 or by faxing an order form, available at www.nysfair.org, to 315-487-9260. Sales in person are cash or credit card (Visa or Mastercard). Tickets ordered by phone or fax are credit card only (Visa or Mastercard) and may be picked up during the event at the door. Event parking is free.

During the event, one attendee will win a “Pride of New York Basket of Bounty” featuring a large collection of New York State wine, beer, marinades, honey, maple products, baked goods and more. The products will be provided by exhibitors from across the state. Once attendees enter the Pride of New York Harvest Fest, there is no purchase necessary to enter to win, but entrants must be 21 years old to be eligible. A winner will be randomly selected on Nov. 6 at approximately 5 p.m. The winner does not have to be present to win.

“We have really enjoyed participating in Harvest Fest in the past and can’t wait to come back this year! The event is such a great opportunity for New York State to show off the high-quality foods and beverages we produce,” said Fred Matt, president and chief operating officer of F.X. Matt Brewing Company, which exhibited at the Syracuse event in 2009 and 2010 and is returning in 2011. “It is awesome to see how excited attendees are to both celebrate local businesses and educate themselves about buying local products.”

The Pride of New York Harvest Fest is organized by the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets, the Pride of New York program, the Great New York State Fair, Uncork New York! (the New York Wine & Grape Foundation) and the New York State Brewers Association.

The Pride of New York Harvest Fest will also be held in Saratoga Springs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12 and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 13 at the Saratoga Springs City Center.

For more information about the Pride of New York Harvest Fest, visit www.prideofnyharvestfest.com or www.facebook.com/harvestfestny.

About the Pride of New York

The Pride of New York is the State’s branding program for the promotion of New York State food and agricultural products. In addition to helping consumers find New York food, the Pride of New York Program assists farmers and food processors in promoting their products by using the Pride of New York emblem, and encourages retailers and restaurants to highlight the New York State products they use and sell by displaying the emblem. To find out more about the Pride of New York Program, call 800-554-4501 or visit www.prideofny.com.

Join me at Ithaca's Food Justice Summit!

2011-10-21T10:48:00.000-04:00

Greenstar Community Projects is sponsoring Ithaca's first Food Justice Summit from 12-6pm on October 21, 2011 at the Neighborhood Pride Grocery Store (210 Hancock Street in Ithaca). The goal is to "mobilize locally for food sovereignty and raise funds to support food justice projects, specifically Ithaca Community Harvest and the work of GreenStar to create a system of regional food sustainability that promotes health, equity, and community control of essential resources." The summit follows a walk-a-thon starting at 9am.

Ithaca's Food Web will be there to chat and explain what we're all about. Plus, at our table, you'll have a chance to put yourself on a map of our local food system.

I'll also be judging the Junior Iron Chef competition, where local teens paired with professional chefs will show off their culinary prowess. I can't wait to experience the tasty treats. Of course, a zillion other great organizations will also be there, so check it out.

Here's a press release about the event from Groundswell:

Sustainability, Social Justice and Local Food Systems Detroit activist Malik Yakini visits Ithaca this week for series of “Food Justice” events

What are the connections between sustainability and social justice? How has racism helped to shape our food system, our diet and our health as a nation? And how can we work to undo the deadly effects of racism in our local food system?

As part of a series of Food Justice events this week, Mr. Malik Yakini will be visiting Ithaca to share experiences and insights from Detroit. Mr. Yakini is founder and Interim Executive Director of the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network, which operates a four acre urban farm and has gained national attention for its path breaking urban agriculture and food security efforts.

Yakini views the “good food revolution” as part of the larger movement for freedom, justice and equality, and he is committed to the development of an international food sovereignty movement that embraces Black farmers in the Americas, the Caribbean and Africa.

Mr. Yakini s a widely-respected activist and educator dedicated to undoing the impacts of racism and white privilege in the food system. In 2009 he spearheaded the launch of the Detroit Food Policy Council, which he now chairs. He also currently serves as a Food and Community Fellow of the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy.

On Thursday, Oct 20, 6:30-8pm there will be a free screening of the documentary Urban Roots in Mann Library Room 160 on the Cornell Campus. Urban Roots follows the work of Malik Yakini and the urban farming phenomenon in Detroit and is a timely, moving and inspiring film that speaks to a nation grappling with collapsed industrial towns and the need to forge a sustainable and prosperous future. The screening is co-sponsored by New World Agriculture Group at Cornell and the Albert R. Mann Library. For more information visit:
www.rso.cornell.edu/nwaeg/events.html

On Saturday Oct. 22, Mr. Yakini will give the keynote address at the Inaugural Food Justice Summit at 2 pm at the new Neighborhood Pride Grocery store on Hancock Street in downtown Ithaca. The Food Justice Summit includes a Walkathon for Wellness and community celebration with live music, a local organic BBQ, Gardens 4 Humanity’s Iron Chef
Junior competition, youth performances and activities. It is organized by GreenStar Community Projects to mobilize for food sovereignty and raise funds for local food justice projects, including Ithaca Community Harvest. The walk begins at 10am from The Space at GreenStar Cooperative Market, and ends at Neighborhood Pride where the Summit
will begin at 12 pm. For more information on the Summit and the Walkathon visit: www.greenstarcommunityprojects.org/FJS/

Finally, on Monday, Oct. 24, the public is invited to participate in “Undoing Racism in the Food System: A Conversation with Malik Yakini,” from 6 – 7:30 pm at the Anabel Taylor Hall Café on the Cornell Campus. Light refreshments will be served. The gathering is cosponsored by
the Groundswell Center for Local Food & Farming, New World Agriculture and Ecology Group at Cornell, Albert R. Mann Library, Cornell Department of Development Sociology, Dorothy Cotton Institute, Gardens 4 Humanity, Whole Community Project, Cornell Garden-Based Learning Program, and Moosewood Restaurant. More information is available at
www.rso.cornell.edu/nwaeg/events.html.

These events are part of the national effort: Food Day (October 24th) www.foodday.org and are designed to raise awareness about unequal access to healthy foods and support regional organizational efforts around this issue.

###

Groundswell is an initiative of the not-for-profit Center for Transformative Action, Tax ID: 16-0990318

Silver Queen Farm Grows New Experiences

2011-10-20T10:30:00.000-04:00

Last month, I had the pleasure of eating brunch with the owner of Silver Queen Farm, Gordy Gallup. "I just like putting plants in the ground and watching them grow," Gordy told me with an easy smile.

I dined in Gordy's barn along with a few dozen others, all enjoying the farm's new Farm & Fork collaboration with Serendipity Catering*. It's a new type of eatery, with monthly Saturday dinners and Sunday brunches featuring almost exclusively local ingredients.

Gordy and his wife Liz have grown more than peaches, tomatoes, and countless other veggies and fruits on their 97 acre farm in Trumansburg over the past decade or so. They've grown loyal customers and new marketing strategies.

Gordy was previously a custom home builder, and after digging foundations all over the region, he knew the land here was ideal, with well-drained soil and an underlying aquifer. Soon, he returned to his farming roots and planted raspberries and began building a barn.

But not just any barn. The barn is cathedral-like in its height, and dressed up with a white billowing sash over the huge door during Farm & Fork events, it is unlike any barn in the region. Gordy plans to use the central space for an expanded farm store, with one side devoted to events and the other for storage.

The food at the September brunch was just as impressive as the barn itself: sausage gravy and biscuits, fresh fruit, coffee cakes, peach sangria, and more.

This model for farm-fresh dining has drawn a few dozen people out for each meal, and word is spreading. In October, visitors enjoyed a masquerade ball and pumpkin carving. Others have asked about hosting weddings on the property. Future events are planned through December. Gordy and Liz have clearly planted the seeds for something special here.

Check out Farm & Fork's future events at their Facebook page.

*Full disclosure: I was invited to experience the meal at a discount.

Event: Sample Seneca - a chance to try some of the best products from local Seneca County farms

2011-10-13T09:12:00.000-04:00

Announcement:

On Saturday, October 29th from 4-6pm the Ovid Library will host Sample Seneca - a chance to try some of the best products from local Seneca County farms. Daring Drake Farm will offer a taste test of 20+ modern and antique apple varieties, Six Circles Farm will have their Scape-a-Moli line to sample, Autumn's Harvest will provide meat tastings, Sabol's Farm will serve up their collection of potatoes, Lively Run Goat Dairy will offer cheese tastings, and Three Stone Farm will provide a tasting of their products. We ask for a donation for the library to enjoy the tastings.

This also coincides with The Ovid Library Fall Festival and tons of free kid's activities - corn husk doll making, pumpkin painting, old-fashion games, and a costume parade around the village at 5:30pm. There is also a ghost tour of The Three Bears at 8pm located behind the library.

For more information, contact Shannon at 607.869.3031 or ovidlib@rochester.rr.com
www.ovidlibrary.org

Ithaca Crop Mob (10/23/11) and pledge drive to support Ithaca Community Harvest

2011-10-12T09:25:00.000-04:00

Crop Mob Announcement:

Hello Mobbers! Fall is here, and it's time to dig roots! All summer long beet and carrot plants have been channeling nutrients down their leaves, sending tiny roots into the soil, and collecting energy in their orange and red sweet and crisp roots. Come help Lucy and Chaw of Stick and Stone Farm dig and pull the roots which will be stored and dolled out over the winter to CSA members, local restaurants and grocery stores. You might even toss one in your cart at Greenstar later this year ;-).

Special Note: this mob is an opportunity for you to help raise money to support low-income families in our area in getting healthy farm-fresh food. You can get pledges for each pound of root veg. you harvest at Stick and Stone and the money goes straight to Ithaca Community Harvest, which, among other things, funds the BJM Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program. Here's some info:

Challenge yourself to be a farmer for an hour or afternoon and join a growing movement of farmers and community members working cooperatively to grow healthy farms and families!

Spend a beautiful autumn day harvesting food on a local farm. The fruits of your labor will provide youth with fresh snacks at school and enable low-income families to cook healthy meals. Invite family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues to join you in harvesting, or ask them to join you by making a monetary pledge in support of your challenge.

The money you raise will help Ithaca Community Harvest provide farm fresh food to schools, community centers, and homes in Ithaca who do not have access to healthy, organic produce.

Getting started is easy and fun. Sign-up here to take the harvest challenge: http://ithacacommunityharvest.peaksoverpoverty.org/

Pledges or not, we're looking forward to seeing you!

Where: Stick and Stone Farm, 1605 Trumansburg Rd., Ithaca (also known as Buffalo St., Cliff St., Rt. 96n) - 4.5 miles from downtown Ithaca
When: Sunday October 23nd, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by lunch
Who: you, your friends and family, your kids, but not your dog
What to bring: place setting: plate, bowl, spoon/fork; dress for the weather, and for mud; full water bottle.

Please RSVP so we know how much lunch to make at: ithacacropmob@gmail.com

2011 Chef's Night Out Raises Money for CCE's Cooking Matters Program

2011-10-12T09:22:00.001-04:00

Announcement:

Chef's Night Out

The Ithaca Taste of the Nation Committee is pleased to announce the 4th Annual Chef's Night Out!

Fabulous Dinners hosted at elegant locations:

Tue. Oct. 25, 5:30-9pm - La Tourelle Resort and Spa
Tue. Nov. 8, 5:30-9pm - Celebrations

Each meal (beginning with a cash bar cocktail hour from 5:30-6:30) will be a 5-course delight created by a team of 5 local chefs - each preparing one of the courses. The chef teams will be different at each location and the menus promise to be very special.

The money raised from ticket sales supports Cornell Cooperative Extension's Cooking Matters program (formerly Operation Frontline), which has been operating in our area for 11 years in partnership with Share Our Strength, one of the county's leading national organizations helping to ï¬ght childhood hunger.

Cooking Matters utilizes the talents of local restaurant chefs and nutrition educators from Cornell Cooperative Extension to teach food preparation and nutrition to low-income families. Each six-week class series teaches the skills necessary to prepare and eat healthier meals on a limited budget. Every class ends with a hands-on experience, preparing the meal highlighted in that day's session, and participants leave with ingredients and encouragement to try their own variation at home.

For more info contact Jerry Dietz; 6072776961 or jerry@cspmanagement.com

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: 2012 Taste of the Nation is Tuesday June 19th!!

Street Food Throwdown

2011-10-12T09:19:00.003-04:00

Street Food Throwdown at the Sciencenter Spring 2011

No Kid Hungry- Street Food Throwdown from Good Eye Video on Vimeo.

Upcoming Food, Farming, and Cooking Events in Ithaca, Tompkins County, and the Finger Lakes (Fall 2011)

2011-09-24T17:18:00.004-04:00

Upcoming Food, Farming, and Cooking Events in Ithaca, Tompkins County, and the Finger Lakes (Fall 2011) Have something to add? Email ithacasfoodweb@gmail.com

Ongoing Markets (Check out this map for locations of farmers markets)

Tuesdays:

Ithaca Farmers Market at Dewitt Park in Ithaca, from 9am-2pm

Wednesdays:

Trumansburg Farmers Market at the Village Park at Rte 96 and 227, from 4pm-7pm

Fridays:

Congo Square Market at 305 South Plain Street, in Ithaca, 4:00-8:00pm

Saturdays:

Ithaca Farmers Market at Steamboat Landing in Ithaca, from 9am-3pm

Caroline Farmers Market at the Brooktondale Community Center on Saturdays from 10am to 2pm

Sundays:

Ithaca Farmers Market at Steamboat Landing in Ithaca, from 10am-2pm

Sept 22

Strategic Marketing for Livestock Producers

Thursday September 22, 6:30 PM -8:30 PM at multiple locations. The demand for locally raised meats and livestock products continues to grow. Strategic and specific marketing efforts can help you take full advantage of the local foods market. If you want to sharpen and focus your marketing skills or just don't know where to begin developing a marketing plan, Cornell Cooperative Extension can help!

http://ccetompkins.org/calendar/11/06/09/strategic-marketing-livestock-producers

Sept 24

Farmer's Ball

Saturday September 24, 5:00 PM -10:00 PM

The 7th Annual Farmer's Ball will be held on September 24th from 5:30-10pm at the Ithaca Farmers' Market at Steamboat Landing. Attendees are invited to dress the theme in 1920's garb and to partake in a dish-to-pass dinner, and an old-fashioned auction featuring vegetables, livestock, gift certificates, wine and more. Enjoy music from the Evil City String Band with dances called out by Nancy Spero.

http://ccetompkins.org/calendar/11/09/20/farmers-ball

Sept 24

COMPOST WITH CONFIDENCE

Local composting experts provide information and give hands-on demonstrations to help you set up and manage a compost system in any setting! Each class of this FREE series (offered the last Saturday of the month, 10:00 to 11:00 am) covers composting basics, and special topics are added each month from July through October (see below) will help you address any compost issue you may encounter! Take one or all classes! Bring your composting questions! To sign up in advance, email Adam Michaelids, acm1@cornell.edu or call (607) 272-2292.

September 24 - "Stealth Composting" - How to maintain an indoor bin using a double bin system.

October 29 - "Winter Composting" - How to extend the composting season well into the cold months and the preparations necessary to ensure successful composting over the winter.

Sept 25

2ND ANNUAL POTLUCK ACROSS NY SCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25TH

This September, the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York

(NOFA-NY) launched its 2nd Annual NY Locavore Challenge and on Sunday,

September 25th will host its 2nd Annual Potluck Across NY State. Find a public potluck near you at :

http://www.nofany.org/events/regional-events/potluck-across-ny

or host a potluck for your friends and family. Email Lea@nofany.org to sign on!

calling the NOFA-NY office at (585) 271-1979 ext. 512.

Sept 26

Cheese Club At Cornell Tasting

Monday, September 26 at 5:30pm to 6:30pm

$5 at Statler Hotel, Join the CCC as we guide you through a delicious tasting of cheese from Murray's. If you love cheese and want to learn more about the production of different styles, this is your calling. From fresh to blue and sheep to goat, we will guide you through a tasting of 6 scrumptious cheeses.

http://events.cornell.edu/event/cheese_club_at_cornell_tasting

Sept 28

Cornell University Fall Harvest Dinner on Wednesday 9-28 at 4 pm Robert Purcell Community Center (second floor) Michael Welch publisher Edible Finger Lakes http://www.ediblefingerlakes.com/ and Barton Seaver, National Geographic Fellow, chef & author http://www.bartonseaver.org/ . Then at 5 pm in the Robert Purcell Eatery (price is around $12 for an all you can eat meal) enjoy the 6th Annual Fall Harvest Dinner. For details, see the PDF here.

Sept 30

Sept 29

Rasa Spa's Cooking Italian with the Wegmans Chefs at Island Health and Fitness, from 6-9pm.

Sept 29

Do you have ideas to ensure the sustainability of our regional economy? Come to the Community Input Forum of the Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council on Thursday, Sept 29th from 6pm - 8pm at the Women’s Community Building (Corner of Seneca St. and Cayuga St. in Downtown Ithaca). Register here http://nyworks.ny.gov/souther-tier-form-08252011?width=700&height=500&iframe=true The current vision statement of the council is “Southern Tier has a robust and sustainable economy that capitalizes on its unique assets and rich history of innovation and technology. Through an effective collaborative regional approach, the region continues to build on the strong foundation of existing businesses and uses its nationally and globally competitive advantages to attract talent and investment for the development of key industry clusters, while increasing the prosperity of its workforce and businesses, ensuring healthy communities and a vibrant quality of life, and protecting the natural beauty and resources of the region.”

Sept 30 – Oct 2 Apple Harvest Festival

http://www.downtownithaca.com/events/view/27th-annual-downtown-ithaca-apple-harvest-festival.html

Oct 1

PERMACULTURE WORKSHOP. Heard of permaculture and want to learn more about it? Never heard of it, and want to learn about the interface between ecology and design? Come to Dilmun Hill Student Organic Farm for a PERMACULTURE WORKSHOP on Saturday, Oct. 1 from 11am-2pm at Dilmun Hill, Rt. 366 (Just west of Cornell Orchards) to participate in a discussion of permaculture principles, strategies, and techniques with Steve Gabriel of the Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute. FREE ADMISSION (Potluck lunch - please bring something to share) Please wear closed-toed shoes

Oct 1

Become a Garden Educator! The Gardens4Humanity Garden Educators Training Starts October 1st!

Gardens 4 Humanity (G4H) is recruiting parents, teachers, students and all interested community members to become Gardens 4 Humanity educators. As a G4H educator, you will receive a free

20-hour garden based learning training in exchange for 20-hours of volunteer teaching time. Training will be held Saturday October 1, 10:00am - 3:00pm and Thursdays evenings October 6-November 10, 6:00 - 8:30pm.* The Saturday training will be outside and almost completely hands-on. Location: Greater Ithaca Activity Center (GIAC) 301 Albany Street (unless noted otherwise) *Registration Required: online atccetompkins.org/g4htraining or may be picked up at the CCE office, 615 Willow Avenue, or at GIAC. More info: Liz Falk 607 793 3383, efalk@cornell.edu

Oct 1&2

Agricultural Fair: featuring Magic, Mystery and Mayhem on Saturday & Sunday, October 1-2 in Mumford, NY.

Oct 2

Forest Farming Open House at the MacDaniels Nut Grove , 10/2/11

During this open house, you can learn about and practice inoculating a shiitake log, harvesting nuts from tall trees, container production of ornamentals, and more. The event will start at 1:00 PM and run until 4:00. Come anytime, but there will be tours at 1:30 and 3:30 and a hands-on mushroom inoculation activity in between

http://www.cornellplantations.org/node/2389

Oct 2

Harvest Dinner at Stick & Stone Farm

Sunday October 2, 5:00 PM -9:00 PM

Executive Chef Brud Holland of Red Newt Bistro will prepare a gourmet dinner, sourced and served at Stick & Stone Farm, paired with award winning wines from Red Newt Wine Cellars. Enjoy a wine and hors d'oeuvres reception in the fields with live music from the Maplewood Jazz Team followed by a 5-course dinner featuring food harvested just steps away.

http://ccetompkins.org/calendar/10/08/17/harvest-dinner-stick-stone-farm

Oct 4

Lacto-Fermenation: Pickles, Sauerkraut & More

Tuesday October 4, 3:00 PM -4:30 PM

This FREE workshop will start with a discussion of what lacto-fermentation is, why ferment foods, and consider safety issues. We'll taste test sauerkraut, sour pickles, and kombucha. We will have a chance to make sauerkraut and observe the production of sour pickles and kombucha; taste the final products; take home recipes and a kombucha starter. Please bring a wide-mouthed jar with lid if you would like to bring home a kombucha starter.

http://ccetompkins.org/calendar/11/09/15/lacto-fermenation-pickles-sauerkraut-more

Oct 4

Science Cabaret-The Pickle Project

Tuesday October 4, 7:00 PM -8:30 PM

CCE-Tompkins will co-host this installment of The Science Cabaret, featuring Linda Norris of the Pickle Project talking about traditions of food preservation in the Ukraine, and Dr. Randy Worobo, Cornell Dept of Food Science speaking on the science behind pickling. (The Pickle Project: In Ukraine. women pickle, preserve and dry the bounty of gardens, orchards and woodlands. These traditions have been passed down from generations of cooks working both seasonably and sustainably.

http://ccetompkins.org/calendar/11/09/15/science-cabaret-pickle-project

http://www.ithacaevents.com/event/2881-lacto-fermenation-pickles-sauerkraut-and-more.html

Oct 5

Secrets to Successful Canning and Freezing

Wednesday October 5, 7:00 PM -8:30 PM

Learn about home canning and freezing -- the difference between boiling water bath and pressure canning, how to preserve foods safely, how to get the best results when you freeze food, etc. Presented by Carole Fisher, CCE Educator and Master Food Preserver. For more information, call Groton Public Library at (607) 898-5055..

http://ccetompkins.org/calendar/10/05/17/secrets-successful-canning-freezing

Oct 7

Hunter-Gatherer School Break Days: Primitive Pursuits

Friday October 7, 9:00 AM -3:30 PM

Join Primitive Pursuits for one or two fun-filled days of real time nature connection. With our cookfires burning and our hands busy with the crafts of our ancestors, we will rejoin our circles and welcome the changing season. Fall is the season of the harvest and the season of the hunter, so come live it! Eat your vegetables the old fashioned way - gathered from the wild! Learn how to process harvested foods. Practice your stealth while playing games of the predators that walk our landscape.

http://ccetompkins.org/calendar/11/09/19/hunter-gatherer-school-break-days-primitive-pursuits

Oct 8

Finger Lakes Cheese Trail

Saturday October 8, 10:00 AM -5:00 PM

Learn about the wonderful variety of cheeses produced here in the Finger Lakes by visiting our local cheese producers and sampling their products. The Finger Lakes Cheese Trail is an organization of 13 cheese producers from throughout the Finger Lakes who make artisan cheeses from milk produced at their family farms. Great cheeses are being made, ranging from English style raw milk cheddars, cheese curd, gouda and swiss types from dairy

Saturday October 08, 2011: 10:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Sunday October 09, 2011: 12:00 PM - 04:00 PM

Saturday November 19, 2011: 10:00 AM - 05:00 PM

http://ccetompkins.org/calendar/10/05/19/finger-lakes-cheese-trail

Oct 9

Finger Lakes Cheese Trail

Saturday October 9, Noon -4:00 PM

Sunday October 09, 2011: 12:00 PM - 04:00 PM

Saturday November 19, 2011: 10:00 AM - 05:00 PM

http://ccetompkins.org/calendar/10/05/19/finger-lakes-cheese-trail

Oct 10

Fall Harvest Festival for Kids

Monday October 10, 1:30 PM -4:00 PM

Spend the school holiday celebrating the Fall harvest. Children of all ages are invited to enjoy hands-on, harvest-themed activities such as pumpkin painting and more! See harvest foods being prepared and sample the results! FREE to the public. Call (607) 272-2292 for information. http://ccetompkins.org/calendar/10/08/24/fall-harvest-festival-kids

Oct 15

Farm & Fork Masquerade Ball at Silver Queen Farm in Trumansburg, from 6:30-9:30.

Oct 15

Scarecrow Jubliee & Pumpkin Jam

Saturday October 15, 2:00 PM -6:00 PM

Celebrate everything autumn at the Children's Garden. Scarecrow-making, pumpkin carving, live music, hands-on activities and harvest fun. Great for all ages. For more information, contact Leigh MacDonald-Rizzo, 272-2292 x186 or LAM26@cornell.edu.

http://ccetompkins.org/calendar/10/08/31/scarecrow-jubliee-pumpkin-jam

Oct 16

Farm & Fork Brunch at Silver Queen Farm in Trumansburg, from 11:30am-1:30pm.

Oct 19

LECTURE: Tea’s Flavors: A Celebration of Humans Working with Nature

Audrey O’Connor Lecture, Date: 10/19/2011 - 7:30pm

Location: Statler Hall Auditorium

Speaker: Michael Harney 1977, master tea blender and author

http://www.cornellplantations.org/learning/lectures/2011series/HARNEY

Oct 19

Learn About Root Cellaring

Wednesday October 19, 7:00 PM -8:30 PM

Learn about food storage and root cellaring at this FREE workshop taught by CCE's Monika Roth. For more information, call Groton Public Library at (607) 898-5055.

http://ccetompkins.org/calendar/10/09/20/learn-about-root-cellaring

Oct 22

Greenstar Community Projects presents FOOD JUSTICE SUMMIT & WALKATON on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 9AM-12PM-Walkathon, 12pm-6pm Block party

http://www.greenstarcommunityprojects.org/FJS/WebHome.html Food Sovereignty is the right of peoples to healthy and culturally appropriate food produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods, and their right to define their own food and agriculture systems. It puts the aspirations, needs and livelihoods of those who produce, distribute and consume food at the heart of food systems and policies rather than the demands of markets and corporations. It defends the interests and inclusion of the next generation. It offers a strategy to resist and dismantle the current corporate trade and food regime, and directions for food, farming, pastoral and fisheries systems determined by local producers.

Oct 29

COMPOST WITH CONFIDENCE

October 29 - "Winter Composting" - How to extend the composting season well into the cold months and the preparations necessary to ensure successful composting over the winter.

11/2

LECTURE: Grow the Good Life

Date: 11/02/2011 - 7:30pm

Location: Statler Hall Auditorium

Speaker: Michele Owens, author

In her talk, Owens guides us on a cultural tour of the backyard vegetable garden. She considers why most Americans gave up growing food after World War II, and why, in this economic, political, environmental, and epidemiological moment, it makes infinite sense for us to grow food in the backyard again today.

http://www.cornellplantations.org/learning/lectures/2011series/OWENS

Nov 5

Fall Worm Composting Class

Saturday November 5, 10:00 AM -12:00 PM

Vote for worms! at this election day "vermicomposting" workshop! Learn all you need to know to set up and maintain a worm composting bin. Everyone leaves with a starter bin and worms. Children are welcome with an accompanying adult. Fee: $10/family (sliding scale). Register early at 272-2292. Space is limited!

http://ccetompkins.org/calendar/10/08/24/fall-worm-composting-class

Nov 8

ServSafe Food Manager Certification Course

Tuesday November 8, 8:30 AM -5:30 PM

This 2-day course provides nationally-recognized certification in food safety and fulfills the new NYS mandatory food handler certification requirement. The ServSafe curriculum uses the most recent FDA Food Code updates/standards. The class continues on Tuesday, November 15th (8:30-5:30). Call to register by October 24, 2011. http://ccetompkins.org/calendar/10/03/24/servsafe-food-manager-certification-course

Nov 13

Harvest Dinner at West Haven Farm

Sunday November 13, 4:30 PM -9:00 PM

Chefs Jen Irwin and Stan Walton from Just a Taste Wine & Tapas Bar will prepare a gourmet dinner, sourced and served at West Haven Farm in Ithaca. Specialty brews from Ithaca Beer Company will accompany the meal. Proceeds benefit the http://ccetompkins.org/calendar/10/08/17/harvest-dinner-west-haven-farm

Nov 16

Ciifad Seminar Series

Wednesday, November 16 at 12:20pm to 1:10pm

Emerson Hall, 135

Exploring a Green Economy Approach to Climate-Smart Agriculture

Sara Scherr, EgoAgriculture Partners http://events.cornell.edu/event/ciif_ad_seminar_series

Nov 17

Local Food, Fiber and Energy Fair

Thursday, November 17 at 2:00pm to 5:00pm

3rd annual fair featuring products by local vendors and information on Cornell programs that support sustainable regional agricultural systems. Co-sponsored by Mann Library, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County, and the Cornell Small Farms Program. http://events.cornell.edu/event/local_food_fiber_and_energy_fair

Nov 19

Finger Lakes Cheese Trail

Saturday November 19, 2011: 10:00 AM - 05:00 PM

http://ccetompkins.org/calendar/10/05/19/finger-lakes-cheese-trail

TC Local: Producing local sweeteners

2011-09-17T07:57:00.000-04:00

The latest TC Local article examines Tompkins County's capability to make local sweeteners. Read the article here.

Farms still underwater after recent rains

2011-09-16T14:46:00.000-04:00

Marlo, the owner of Garden Gate Delivery, brings local food from farms to households in Ithaca and neighboring towns. The nature of her job means that she learns firsthand how farmers are faring.

This week, she has tough news to share. Here's an excerpt from her weekly newsletter:

(photo from Marlo's newsletter)

It makes me want to cry every time I look at that picture. That's Lisa Engelbert's farm store and she said that picture was taken AFTER the water receded by four feet (the sign was under water). Lisa and her family own an organic dairy in Nichols, NY where Garden Gate gets organic meat and cheese. Engelbert's losses will be huge and include their produce and organic grains- a devastating loss for a family farm whose livelihood is built on feeding animals organic grains at an affordable price. Lisa said the electric was ruined in the milking parlor and will need to be redone plus the grain silo is cracking under pressure from corn that absorbed water.
For the first time I'm not thrilled to say one of our farms was in the newspaper today, but here's the Ithaca Journal article that talks about the flooding that affected the Engelbert Family Farm.
And here's a very good article that tells the flooding backstory from another farm's perspective. The line that tells the clearest story is this one from commissioner Darrel Aubertine of NYS Agriculture and Markets:
"I’ve been involved in agriculture my entire life, and there have been times when the weather has wreaked havoc on livestock and farms, but I don’t think I have ever seen anything on this scale here in New York.”
Ithaca-area local foods distributor Regional Access sent out a note to customers this week stating that some downstate processors will have NO PRODUCT left this year- processing is impossible. For Garden Gate customers this will be products like canola oil (I just got our last batch in yesterday) and Whole-in-the-Wall pesto. Both businesses were wiped out by the floods and it is likely that they will need to move their facilities or perhaps shut down their businesses forever.
I received or came across many suggestions for where to send money to help local farms affected by the flooding, but the best suggestion I received was from Monika Roth at the Tompkins Cooperative Extension who said to send donations to the local Red Cross. I called the Southern Tier Chapter of the American Red Cross and got this confirmed address:
Red Cross of the Southern Tier
620 East Main Street
Endicott, NY 13760
and be sure to write "disaster relief for farms" in the memo line. Monika visited Engelberts and some other farms in Tioga County yesterday and finished her note to me simply by saying "It is heartbreaking to drive thru Owego."
Please keep Engelberts and other flood-affected downstate farms in your thoughts this week.

Event: Urban Permaculture Design Tour (9/11/11)

2011-09-09T19:46:00.000-04:00

Announcement:

OPEN GARDEN DAY II

URBAN PERMACULTURE DESIGN SITE

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 11, 2011 10am to 3pm

110 DELAWARE AVENUE ITHACA NEW YORK (Next to College Town) @ Irving Place

Permaculture is a design science by which we pattern our surroundings to harmonize with nature rather than to subdue nature. The end result is a farm or garden that is a low-input, self-organizing, mature polyculture ecosystem.

110 Delaware: This working urban homestead and edible landscape marries style and function, and an aesthetically pleasing arrangement of shapes, patterns and colors.

Stop by, Rain or Shine, No Charge 10am to 3pm
Complete rain water catchment system for irrigation
Integrated pond system and fish farm
4 season greenhouse with an enclosed Aquaponic System
Terraced gardens with stone and rock garden microclimates
Solar PV panels and hot water vacuum tubes
Companion plantings, guilds and niches
Timberframe Pergola with mounted solar panels
Alternative clover "lawn"

Special Guests:

Karryn Olson-Ramanujan is a co-founder and lead teacher for the Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute. She'll be here from 12-2 pm to give a brief explanation of permaculture and answer your questions. Karryn emphasizes that permaculture is not "a new way to garden," but aims to teach people the skills to design for a regenerative future for all. She also offers consulting services in Strategic Sustainability Planning.

Heavy rains affect many Upstate NY farms

2011-09-09T11:47:00.001-04:00

Heavy rains have affected many upstate farms, even after the devastating impact from Irene. The NY Farm Bureau has offered a list of resources available to farmers dealing with flood damage.

Here are a few articles about the issue:
Schoharie County was hit especially hard, according to NYS Ag and Markets
Farm vendors at NYS's GreenMarket comment on damage
Dine Out Irene is a fundraiser for NYC-area farms devastated by flooding

Yesterday, Governor Cuomo requested federal assistance to aid flood-ravaged areas. Here are excerpts from a press release:

"Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today directed state emergency resources to the Southern Tier and surrounding counties and requested emergency and major disaster declarations from the federal government, in response to the severe flash flooding and major flood conditions that have developed in portions of the Southern Tier, Southern Finger Lakes, Hudson Valley, Capital Region, Central New York and Southwestern Regions of the State, and many areas previously affected by Hurricane Irene.

'With the recent heavy rains and severe flash flooding, we are on the verge of a crisis and federal assistance is urgently needed to help protect New Yorkers,' Governor Cuomo said. 'I have directed state resources to areas that are currently experiencing widespread flooding to assist with emergency procedures.'

In the last 24 hours, New York has experienced another round of severe weather that rivals – and may even exceed – the devastation seen in previous flooding events, including the floods of 2006. Communities in eastern and central New York, from the southern Adirondacks to the Pennsylvania border, who were struggling to clean up and rebuild after Irene, are facing another onslaught of devastation. Since yesterday, Tropical Storm Lee has produced in excess of ten inches of rain in some places. This, on top of the rains dumped on New York State last week from Hurricane Irene, is causing major havoc in many places across the State today. To make matters worse, additional heavy rainfall is likely in some of these same locations today.

Many areas across the State, from the Finger Lakes to the Hudson Valley, have experienced significant flooding, declared States of Emergency, and have implemented mandatory evacuations. Broome County has experienced some of the worst impacts, prompting mandatory evacuations in the Village of Johnson City, the Town of West Corners, the Town of Vestal, Town of Union and the Town of Conklin. The City of Binghamton has ordered the mandatory evacuation of approximately 20,000 people. Evacuations have also taken place in the Village of Margaretville in Delaware County and the Village of Middleburgh in Schoharie County.

Major flooding is occurring and will continue for many locations late into this evening. The Susquehanna River at Binghamton reached major flood stage on Wednesday morning and surpassed its record flood stage of 25 feet on Thursday morning. The river is now at 25.3 feet and expected to crest at 26.2 feet by Thursday evening. At Owego, the Susquehanna River’s record flood stage was 32 feet – it is already at 38 feet and expected to crest at near 40 feet later this evening. Also of major concern at this time are the Chenango River, the Unadilla River, and the Oneida Creek, as well as many other areas where major flooding is also forecasted." read more

To frack or not to frack

2011-09-09T11:32:00.000-04:00

Recently, the NY Farm Bureau posted a link on their Facebook page to a CNN Money article about creating jobs by drilling for more gas and oil. NY Farm Bureau member Judi Whittaker is mentioned in the article, saying that she supports more drilling on her 500-cow Broome County dairy farm, as long as regulations are in place. The oil and gas industry says that "burdensome" regulations would hamper job creation, according to the article.

On the other side of the issue, a group known as Farmers Against Fracking protested natural gas drilling by hydrofracturing at the NYS Fair on opening day to get their message across to Governor Cuomo.

News network YNN reported on the protest and videos below express farmers' concerns.

A 1-minute video from frackaction:

A 6 minute video by frackaction:

Editorial: The Ins and Outs of The NYS Fair

2011-09-09T11:31:00.001-04:00

At the NYS Fair on Sunday*, I stood outside the Youth Arena in the blistering heat. I squinted to peek inside the dark barn. Cages of rabbits were plopped in the middle, and nervous teens in white coats stood at tables. These kids had brought their rabbits in for judging, according to a man who could clearly tell that I didn't know what was going on inside. "It's all about knowledge," he said.

I rode the ferris wheel, I ate fried dough, I wandered past roosters, ducks, turkeys, rabbits, and cows. The Fair offers a great opportunity for city folks like me (even from small cities like Ithaca) to see a bit of NYS agricultural pride up close. Families sat in barns next to their livestock, in stalls adorned with ribbons and medals from all kinds of competitions, kids rode horses in the arena, and poultry with dyed feathers pecked at their cages (yes, I saw fluorescent feathers). I saw the butter sculpture (kids checking out at a grocery store) and ate NYS-made ice cream. I would have liked to spend more time learning about agriculture, but the pull of the kiddie rides was too much for my preschooler.

"It's all about knowledge," said the man outside the youth arena. And I stood outside, looking in, trying to figure out what's going on. The same could be said of me trying to figure out farming and food here in the microcosm of Ithaca and Tompkins County. I drive past farms, I eat food, and I try to connect the two. It's an ongoing process.

*Thanks to the generous promotions people at the NYS Fair, I enjoyed free entrance tickets to the Fair, which were offered to bloggers in exchange for posting about the event.

New grocery store to open in Lansing, NY

2011-09-08T10:46:00.000-04:00

A new grocery store is set to open in Lansing, NY later this month (Sept 2011). Called the Lansing Market, it is an independent store and a member of the Associated Wholesalers Cooperative (based in PA). According to their website, they're committed to supplying local products.

Read more in the Lansing Star.

Late blight disease found in Tompkins County

2011-09-03T18:45:00.000-04:00

Late blight has been found in Tompkins County as of 9/3/11, according to Cornell University. Read more here.

Event: Crop Mob Sept 2, 2011

2011-09-02T11:30:00.003-04:00

Announcement from Ithaca Crop Mob:

Hello Crop Mobbers!

Calling hands to help with Remembrance Farms onion harvest THIS SATURDAY!

Remembrance Farm is an organic and biodynamic vegetable farm that specializes in baby salad greens and root crops. They also raise laying hens.

It's last minute, we know, but the onions are ready to pull!

If you haven't Crop Mobbed, before this is a good one to start on. We'll pull onions for the Full Plate summer and winter shares, and then eat lunch together and get a tour of Remembrances gorgeous farm.

When: Sat. Sept. 3rd, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., followed by lunch
Where: Remembrance Farm - Searsburg Rd., T-burg
Who: everyone! Kids welcome, parents are responsible for supervision.
What to wear/bring: Bring a full water bottle, wear closed toed shoes and be prepared to get dirty. Please bring a place setting for lunch.

Please rsvp to ithacacropmob@gmail.com - we need at least 8 mobbers in order to get the harvest in.

Directions:
Take rt. 96n to T-burg, go through T-burg and then turn left onto 227. Take a right onto Searsburg Rd. (less than 1/2 mile on 227). Go about a mile on Searsburg Rd. and the farm is on your left, just past the intersection w. Mount Rd. About 15-20 min. drive from downtown Ithaca.

Job post: Outreach Coordinator, Compost Education

2011-09-02T11:28:00.000-04:00

Announcement:

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County is now accepting applications for the following position:

Outreach Coordinator, Compost Education

Application deadline: September 12, 2011.

Coordinate compost outreach efforts for Tompkins County residents, groups and at public events and festivals. Maintain compost demonstration sites. Train, mentor and lead Master Composter volunteers. This work will result in an increase in positive attitudes, beliefs and actions regarding composting in Tompkins County.

Read the Position Announcement <http://ccetompkins.org/sites/all/files/8/Compost-Outreach-Announcmnt.pdf>(297K pdf).

To Apply: Email <tompkins@cornell.edu>or mail (615 Willow Ave, Ithaca) cover letter, resume and completed application.

Download an Application Form<http://ccetompkins.org/sites/all/files/29/application.pdf> (147K pdf)
and the full job description*<http://ccetompkins.org/sites/all/files/8/Compost-Outreach-Coordinator.pdf>(31K pdf) or pick them up at our Education Center during business hours.

Event: Ithaca CROP WALK for HUNGER, Sunday, 10/2/11, 2 - 4 pm, CASS PARK PAVILION

2011-09-02T11:25:00.000-04:00

Announcement:

Ithaca CROP WALK for HUNGER, Sunday, 10/2/11, 2 - 4 pm, CASS PARK PAVILION

"Step up. We need you!"

Please help Area Congregations Together (ACT) prepare for the 2011 CROP HUNGER WALK which will be held on Sunday, October 2, 2-4 pm, at the CASS PARK PAVILION. This is a change in venue for ACT's annual CROP WALK. We walk to support those around the world who walk to get their food and water or to take their produce to market.

Numerous local agencies who fight hunger will also be with us at the CASS PARK Pavilion on October 2, 2-4 pm. They will have plenty of educational materials and answer any questions you have about their work. Vitamin L will provide great music prior to the start of the CROP WALK.

Registrations and contributions are handled through Church World Service at their website http://www.cropwalkonline.org/ithacany.

Teams and individuals can make a big difference in fighting hunger here in Ithaca and around the world by joining the walk and getting sponsors for their efforts. Would you get involved in the next 4 weeks? I will be available to talk with you at any time. All support and walkers will be very much appreciated and will help end hunger, one step at a time.

Farmers market opens at Cornell's Ho Plaza

2011-09-02T11:20:00.000-04:00

Cornell students have organized a farmers market to take place Thursdays on Ho Plaza. Read more at the Cornell Daily Sun.

Event: Greenstar Co-op celebrates 40th birthday

2011-09-02T11:19:00.000-04:00

Greenstar Co-op celebrates 40th birthday today on the Ithaca Commons. Read more at 14850 Dining.

Editorial: Vineyards, fracking cannot co-exist

2011-09-02T11:17:00.000-04:00

An editorial in the Ithaca Journal expresses why vineyards and hydrofracturing for natural gas cannot coexist.

Read the opinion here:
http://www.theithacajournal.com/article/20110902/VIEWPOINTS03/109020302/Vineyards-fracking-cannot-co-exist

Event: Central New York Tomatofest

2011-08-31T09:38:00.000-04:00

Announcement:

TomatoFest
September 10-11, 2011 • Emerson Park on Owasco Lake, Auburn, NY 11am-6pm daily

TomatoFest is back for its 26th year of great food, fresh local produce, terrific entertainment, activities for children of all ages, creative crafts, and valuable information from not-for-profit organizations. Best of all, proceeds from TomatoFest benefit local food pantries. A grand total of $13,000 was donated last year to area food pantries. With your support of TomatoFest 2011, it may be possible to give even more this year.

To be a part of this fun-filled weekend, bring your friends and family to Emerson Park on Saturday, September 10th and Sunday, September 11th, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For a carefree day, park at Auburn High School on Lake Avenue and ride the free shuttle bus, courtesy of Centro, right to the main gate. Admission to TomatoFest will stay the same as last year: $3 for adults and $1 for children. Children under 12 years of age are admitted free with the donation of a canned good.

New mushroom blog sprouts in CNY

2011-08-31T09:35:00.000-04:00

Here's a note from local permaculture expert, Steve Gabriel:

"I'm announcing a new blog covering my interest and exploration into small woodlot, mushroom cultivation, and agroforestry topics.

In a time of increased ecological awareness and understanding, I am encouraged by the signs of activity all around, from bustling farm CSAs to alternative energy development to the surge in home gardening and food preservation.

An area that needs considerable attention in our region are the mosaic of forested lands that provide so many important functions. Most management decisions are in the interests of either timber or conservation, which limits both the potential for forest health and land-based livelihood.

I will be posting once a week in an effort to encourage discussion, document my activities, and as a way to motivate me to keep moving forward! There's nothing like a deadline to keep ones pursuits active.

You can find posts at www.WorkWithNatureDesign.com. I encourage you to visit periodically, or sign up with your email address, which will deliver posts once a week to your inbox. You can sign up on the left column of the page.

Comments, questions, and criticism welcome. Response appropriate for the public can be posted on site, or you can contact me at steve@workwithnaturedesign.com"

Steve Gabriel
Work With Nature - Ecological Design Solutions
www.WorkWithNatureDesign.com
Steve@WorkWithNatureDesign.com

Construction continues on BJ's Wholesale Club

2011-08-31T09:32:00.001-04:00

A new BJ's Wholesale Club is taking shape in Lansing, NY, near the location of the Target and YMCA. The construction began last spring after months of negotiations with the town of Lansing. The Cornell Daily Sun has the backstory.

This makes Ithaca's Food Web wonder when the food and grocery market here in Tompkins County and Ithaca will experience a glut. Just off the top of my head, we have:

Wegmans
Tops
P&C Fresh
Aldi's
MaineSource
Greenstar Co-op
Ludgate's
Ithaca Farmers Market, plus other farm markets
Farm stands, including Early Bird Farm, BB Farm, Eddydale, and many others.
And, the future Neighborhood Pride store in Fall Creek

And, the Walmart Superstore and Target grocery section. (thanks mhaithaca!)

... all to service a county of 100,000.

New app allows users to search, browse, locate 100’s of independent food producers in Central New York and the Finger Lakes

2011-08-31T09:18:00.000-04:00

Press release:

Search, browse, locate 100’s of independent food producers in Central New York and the Finger Lakes

Buying local does a world of good. That's why we developed Farmshed 2.0, a searchable, browsable directory of 1,200+ local farms, farmers markets, CSAs and locally-owned businesses. Supporting local farmers and food producers does more than provide us with fresh, healthy food: it helps our friends and neighbors, strengthens our communities, and keeps consumer dollars circulating in the local economy.

Farmshed 2.0 was recently named the official mobile app of the 2011 NY Locavore Challenge. It’s official. The Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York, better known as NOFA-NY, has endorsed Farmshed 2.0 as its official mobile application for the 2011 NY Locavore Challenge, which begins September 1st.

Farmshed 2.0 is a newly released mobile app that works on iPhones, Droids, BlackBerrys and other smartphones. Developed by Farmshed CNY, a local food technology startup, Farmshed 2.0 provides detailed information on 1200+ family farms, farmers markets and local food producers in Central New and the Finger Lakes.

To celebrate the partnership with NOFA-NY, Farmshed 2.0 has been updated to include all the NOFA-NY Certified Organic and Farmers Pledge Farms in Central New York and the Finger Lakes. In coming months, all the farms and businesses listed in NOFA-NY’s 2011 Organic Food Guide will be added to Farmshed 2.0, allowing consumers to learn about and locate over 700 organic farms and businesses in New York State.

Farmshed 2.0 is available as a FREE mobile download at: www.farmshedcny.com.

For a “how-to guide” on using Farmshed 2.0 during the 2011 NY Locavore Challenge, see the article “Locavore Challenged: Finding and Buying Locally Grown, Organic Food in Central NY and the Finger Lakes,” on the Farmshed Nation blog, http://www.farmshedcny.com/farmshednation/?p=1147

The Backstory:

Farmshed CNY, developer of the Farmshed 2.0 mobile app, is a food technology startup located in New Woodstock, NY, that built and maintains the Farmshed directory of 1,200+ family farms, farmers markets, food producers, wineries, restaurants and more in Central New York and the Finger Lakes. Founded in 2010, Farmshed CNY also publishes the Farmshed Nation blog, which produces features on family farms and food producers located throughout upstate New York.

The 2011 NY Locavore Challenge is a month-long campaign aimed at engaging consumers across the state to eat locally grown, organic foods. The goal of this year’s Locavore Challenge is to educate consumers to make healthy and ethical food choices, cook with in-season, local organic foods, and support local sustainable farms and food businesses.

NOFA-NY, Inc is an organization of consumers, gardeners, and farmers working together to create a sustainable regional food system that is ecologically sound and economically viable. Through demonstration and educational opportunities, NOFA-NY promotes land stewardship, organic food production, and local marketing. NOFA-NY brings consumers and farmers closer together to make high quality food available to all people.

Free tickets to the NYS Fair (8/25/11 - 9/5/11)

2011-08-28T19:45:00.002-04:00

Wow. The New York State Fair is so huge I don't know where to begin. At the beginning? At the first NYS Fair, held in Syracuse in 1841, about 12,000 people saw animal exhibits, a plowing contest, and sampled products for farm and home.

This past Saturday, August 27, 2011, more than 100,000 people attended fair events, ranging from a rooster crowing competition to a cheese sculpture demonstration. The events continue through Labor Day, and there are just too many food and agriculture events to detail each one.

***
Here are a few highlights from the NYS Fair brochure:

*"Each year the Fair receives approximately 40,000 entries for agriculture-related contests, including competitions that feature 11,000 of New York’s best cattle, goats, pigs, llamas, sheep, fowl and rabbits. You can tour the barns and talk to the families who bring their award-winning animals to the Fair for competitions. You can also check out the thousands of other impressive agriculture-related entries, such as flowers, fruit, honey, wines and Christmas trees, that are submitted by people throughout New York State and highlighted in the 4-H Youth and FFA buildings."

You can find local food at the Fairgrounds...

*"Pride of New York Marketplace: Located just inside of the main gate, this New York-only market offers something for everyone, from homemade salsas to one-of-a-kind BBQ sauces to any kind of sauce, pasta or syrup you could ever dream of."

*"The Fair Farmers’ Market: This old-time Farmers’ Market, located near the main gate, will allow you to stock up on fresh sweet corn, carrots, peppers, plums and apples before you leave the Fair."

*"New York Maple Center: Come enjoy the sweet tastes of maple syrup, maple cotton candy and other maple treats while learning about the fascinating, age-old process that is used to make maple syrup. The Maple Center is located in the Horticulture Building.

*"Dairy Products Building: You can check out the world-famous butter sculpture made from 800 pounds of creamy New York butter, have a 25-cent glass of cold chocolate milk, sample delicious cheeses or have a yummy-in-your-tummy milkshake."

*"Demonstrations: You’ll have the opportunity to go home with a new recipe and cooking ideas after watching one of the many cooking demonstrations that take place in the Wegmans Demonstration Kitchen in the Art & Home Center."

***

Oh wait, did I say something about free tickets? The good folks at the NYS Fair are offering a lucky reader of Ithaca's Food Web general admission tickets to the Fair. Be the first to comment on this post and we'll hook you up!

Local food preserving group gets national recognition in book on canning

2011-08-27T09:04:00.000-04:00

An announcement from IthaCan:

IthaCan has a wonderful write up in Sarah Hood's new book: We Sure Can!

The book features a collection of international canning advocates. Techniques, tips, recipes and a fine discussion of "how jams and pickles are reviving the lure and lore of local food" fill its pages.

Hood begins the book with a Grimm's fairytale, which turns on the importance of eating to the season. She takes on some hot discussions as well, such as BPA in canning lids and the energy savings of local food.

To celebrate the publication and IthaCan's presence in the book, Ludgate Farm & Market is offering a special 10% discount on the book and on canning supplies now through Labor Day for IthaCan members. Be sure to mention you're an IthaCan member and you'll receive the discount.

Will Hurricane Irene affect local farmers?

2011-08-27T08:58:00.002-04:00

At least one local farm is bracing for the worst as Hurricane Irene travels up the east coast. The folks at Laughing Goat Fiber Farm are rushing to move hay bales inside to keep them dry for long term storage over the winter. They've put out a call to our local Ithaca Crop Mob to help their efforts.

Here's a message from Rachel Firak, Ithaca Crop Mob organizer and Groundswell Program Assistant:

Hi crop mobbers,

As all of you have probably heard, Hurricane Irene is coming up the coast this weekend. Though we are farther inland, we still may see some damage, and our farmers are preparing for the worst. It's pretty insane that Central NY has seen an earthquake, severe thunderstorm, tornado, and hurricane all in one week. In this time of flux and instability, our farmers need our support as much as ever.

Lisa from Laughing Goat Fiber Farm needs some emergency mobbers to help her bring in the hay bales for her goats, sheep and alpacas tomorrow before the rains come. If the bales get soaked, they will not store over the winter. We need to mobilize some help to bring in 400 bales tomorrow (Saturday 8/27) around 12 noon. If the rains threaten earlier, we will need to meet in the morning and move quickly. Laughing Goat is located at 1485 Mecklenburg Rd. Ithaca, NY.

We know this is short notice and we welcome any time you can spare. If you can make it, please email us at ithacacropmob@gmail.com and let us know that you will be there.

Let's join together in sending thoughts of strength and solidarity this weekend to all who may be in the path of the storm.

Rachel

Farm & Fork events at Silver Queen Farm feature local food, field-side

2011-08-23T20:12:00.002-04:00

Check out these great photos from the Farm and Fork folks.
For more information, visit the Farm and Fork website.

Grant opportunity promotes local foods through beds and breakfasts

2011-08-23T19:54:00.000-04:00

Press release from NYS Ag & Markets:

Federal matching grant promotes local foods through beds and breakfasts

A federal matching grant will boost local food producers and tourism by encouraging bed and breakfast operators to feature locally produced food and agricultural products. New York State Agriculture Commissioner Darrel J. Aubertine announced the $73,824 grant awarded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP). New York is one of 19 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to receive 25 grants.

The Department will receive the grant in cooperation with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Madison County, which will lead the two-year project, NOFA-NY, the Empire State B&B Association, Central New York Bounty, the New York Small Scale Food Processors Association and the University of Illinois Extension.

“This continues our efforts to boost locally produced food products in New York and to encourage agri-tourism,” said Commissioner Aubertine. “This is another market channel for our local producers that will help them build their business.”

"FSMIP provides our state partners with matching funds to explore new and innovative approaches to marketing U.S. food and agricultural products," said Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan. "USDA supports state and local projects ranging from research to retail to ensure that quality American products are marketed efficiently and effectively."

Steve Miller of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Madison County said, “This is a great opportunity for New York producers to have visitors from outside the State, as well as New Yorkers, to be able to taste the high quality foods we have to offer and to be able to bring some of these back home with them. The project stands to benefit both the tourism and agriculture industries.”

The program will encourage B&B operators to feature locally produced food and agricultural products in meals served to their guests, carry shelf stable local products such as jams, maple syrup and sauces, and to measure the economic impact on producers of sales made through this specialized marketing channel.

All producer organizations and B&B owners are encouraged to participate in the project which will begin this Fall. For more information on how to participate: contact Steve Miller at sgm6@cornell.edu 315 684-3001 x127 or Jonathan Thomson at jonathan.thomson@agmkt.state.ny.us.

Event: Autumn's Harvest Farm Dinner (9/17/11)

2011-08-23T19:49:00.001-04:00

Announcement:

Autumn's Harvest Farm Dinner

Saturday, September 17th, 2011

At: Autumn's Harvest Farm in Romulus, NY
Food by: Samantha Izzo, Simply Red Bistro at Sheldrake Point Vineyards and La Tourelle Resort and Spa
Wine by: Hosmer Winery
See Autumn's Harvest page, A Carnivores Delight for more information.

COST: $75-$150 per ticket (all inclusive)*
*The meal is made possible through generous donations from the farmers, chef and winery so when purchasing your tickets please consider making a donation to Healthy Food For All too!

For more information about Harvest Dinners and Healthy Food for All, see the website.

Menu: A Carnivores Delight

First Course
Classic English Pork Pie
Bacon, pork shoulder, ground pork, sage, and thyme
with fruit chutney, house-made mustard and baby greens

Second course
Garlic Soup
Olive oil, chorizo, garlic, smoked paprika, chicken stock, soft-boiled egg, with grilled bread

Third Course
Braised Rabbit
with roasted cauliflower, saffron, pine nuts and raisins

Fourth Course
Finger Lakes Strip Steak
with roasted eggplant salad, brown butter roasted red pepper,
yogurt, lemon and olive oil

Fifth Course
Caramelized apple, bacon and cheddar pie

*No vegetarian substitutes

Event: Urban Permaculture Design Site Tour (8/28/11)

2011-08-23T18:30:00.001-04:00

Event announcement:

OPEN GARDEN DAY: URBAN PERMACULTURE DESIGN SITE
SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011 10am to 3pm
110 DELAWARE AVENUE ITHACA NEW YORK (Next to College Town) @ Irving Place

Permaculture is a design science by which we pattern our surroundings
to harmonize with nature rather than to subdue nature. The end result
is a farm or garden that is a low-input, self-organizing, mature
polyculture ecosystem.

110 Delaware: This working urban homestead and edible landscape
marries style and function, and an aesthetically pleasing arrangement
of shapes, patterns and colors.

Stop by, Rain or Shine, No Charge 10am to 3pm

• Complete rain water catchment system for irrigation
• Integrated pond system and fish farm
• 4 season greenhouse with an enclosed Aquaponic System
• Terraced gardens with stone and rock garden microclimates
• Solar PV panels and hot water vacuum tubes
• Companion plantings, guilds and niches
• Timberframe Pergola with mounted solar panels
• Alternative clover "lawn"
Special Guests:

Karryn Olson-Ramanujan is a co-founder and lead teacher for the Finger
Lakes Permaculture Institute (http://FingerLakesPermaculture.org)

She'll be here from 12-2 pm to give a brief explanation of
permaculture and answer your questions. Karryn emphasizes that
permaculture is not "a new way to garden," but aims to teach people
the skills to design a regenerative future for all.

Silver Queen Farm and Serendipity Catering open a new eatery

2011-08-17T19:29:00.002-04:00

Press release from Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce:

Serendipity Catering in collaboration with Silver Queen Farm debuts The Farm & Fork

Serendipity Catering in collaboration with Silver Queen Farm is proud to debut a new local eatery, The Farm & Fork. At its heart, The Farm & Fork is a celebration of the Finger Lakes Region and the connection between the farm, kitchen and plate.

All are invited to join The Farm & Fork and Serendipity Catering on the 3rd weekend of every month for Saturday dinners 6:30-9:30 and Sunday brunches 11:00-1:30 made with ingredients sourced directly from the fields of Silver Queen surrounding farms, and regional products.

Serendipity Catering, contact: Stephanie Holzbaur at (607) 279-1093

Silver Queen Farm is located at 5286 Stillwell Road, in Trumansburg, NY 14886, (607) 273-2145.

Crop Mob August 21, 2011

2011-08-17T19:21:00.000-04:00

Announcement:

Ithaca Crop Mob at Solana Farm in Danby, NY
Sunday, August 21 · 10:00am - 2:00pm

For more information, see the Ithaca Crop Mob Facebook Page.