If you're looking for something fun to do this weekend, check out the Washington County Cheese Tour. Visit first-hand some of the farmers who are making and selling local artisan cheese. Check out the Cheese Tour website for more info. Most of the farms are within 20 minutes from one another.
Five farms will be open for tour. Come learn the process of cheesemaking, check out their farms and animals, and of course - try the cheese. Farms include: Argyle Cheese Farm, Homestead Artisans, 3-Corner Field Farm, Consider Bardwell Farm and Sweet Spring Farm. Click here for a google map of the farms and tour.
I'm looking forward to checking out some of these farms and seeing firsthand how all their delicious cheeses are made. I'm most looking forward to meeting Liza Porter's goats! Liza and Dave Porter own Homestead Artisans. Earlier in the year I wrote a short profile piece on their farm. At the time of the interview, Liza was literally on the phone while feeding a baby goat. I could hear the goats 'bahhing' in the background! They sounded so adorable. The care these farmers give to their animals, I think, is what makes their cheese and products just that much more special.
So - take a drive out to Washington county and check out the Cheese!
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Help Saratoga Farmer's Market become America's Favorite - Vote by Aug 31st
American Farmland Trust is sponsoring a campaign to vote in America's Favorite Farmer's Market. Right now, Saratoga Farmer's Market is in 3rd place (in the 'medium' category). We have until August 31st to move up to the top. Please pass the word and take a moment to vote. If we win, we benefit from some great marketing and promotional support.
The process is simple. To vote for Saratoga Farmer's Market, all you have to do is:
1.) Go to www.farmland.org/vote
2.) Type in 'Saratoga Farmers Market'; and,
3.) Click “Vote” (make sure it's the Saratoga Springs, NY market)
(Saratoga Farmer's Market is under the 'medium' sized market)
You only have one vote to cast per market (though you can vote for multiple markets, but that would defeat the purpose.)
The America’s Favorite Farmers Markets™ contest is a project of the American Farmland Trust. The contest is designed to raise national awareness about the importance of supporting fresh food from local farms and farmers.
At the end of the contest, one small, medium, large, and a new category, boutique, farmers market will win the title of “America’s Favorite Farmers Market” for 2010.
The reward for the winning market in each category will be a shipment of No Farms No Food® tote bags, along with other prizes including free printing services from igreenprint and free graphic design services from Virginia based design firm, SQN Communications.
In addition, I hear that the winning markets get an appearance by a nationally-known chef who will cook up some fantastic fare using product from the market. These events typically draw a large crowd, helping to increase awareness of the local market.
The categories are based on the number of vendors the farmers market has. The four categories are Boutique - 15 or fewer vendors, Small 16 - 30 vendors, Medium, 31 - 55 vendors, and Large, more than 56 vendors.
So don’t forget to vote for Saratoga Farmer's Market at www.farmland.org/vote and spread the word!
Big thanks to everyone who has already voted!
The process is simple. To vote for Saratoga Farmer's Market, all you have to do is:
1.) Go to www.farmland.org/vote
2.) Type in 'Saratoga Farmers Market'; and,
3.) Click “Vote” (make sure it's the Saratoga Springs, NY market)
(Saratoga Farmer's Market is under the 'medium' sized market)
You only have one vote to cast per market (though you can vote for multiple markets, but that would defeat the purpose.)
The America’s Favorite Farmers Markets™ contest is a project of the American Farmland Trust. The contest is designed to raise national awareness about the importance of supporting fresh food from local farms and farmers.
At the end of the contest, one small, medium, large, and a new category, boutique, farmers market will win the title of “America’s Favorite Farmers Market” for 2010.
The reward for the winning market in each category will be a shipment of No Farms No Food® tote bags, along with other prizes including free printing services from igreenprint and free graphic design services from Virginia based design firm, SQN Communications.
In addition, I hear that the winning markets get an appearance by a nationally-known chef who will cook up some fantastic fare using product from the market. These events typically draw a large crowd, helping to increase awareness of the local market.
The categories are based on the number of vendors the farmers market has. The four categories are Boutique - 15 or fewer vendors, Small 16 - 30 vendors, Medium, 31 - 55 vendors, and Large, more than 56 vendors.
So don’t forget to vote for Saratoga Farmer's Market at www.farmland.org/vote and spread the word!
Big thanks to everyone who has already voted!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Adventures from the road!
Since I'm renting my house this summer, I'm staying with various family and friends in the northeast. I've been in so many places thus far, I've lost track of where I've been and when. Maine - Saratoga - Schroon Lake - Ticonderoga - Racquette Lk - Lake Placid - Saranac - Saratoga - Gloversville. One thing is for sure - it pays to have family and friends in great places. I am also fortunate I have the kind of work that allows me the flexibility to work from a distance - as long as I have wireless access.I must say I'm having a great time on my "gypsy travels". I do feel a bit wasteful doing so much driving. But when I get somewhere I am trying to follow these few tenants: 1) bike if you can; 2) eat and buy local; 3) recycle (I'm even carrying my recycling with me when in places where there is no recycling); 4) have fun.
Well, I'm not sure if having fun is going to save the planet - but I do know that swimming in Mirror Lake three days in a row did a lot more for my body and soul than any "green" thing I've done in a while. So maybe that's the current lesson - as I get ready to ride my bike into town to pick up my car from the mechanic.
When we take care of ourselves, we're better able to then contribute and take care of others - in whatever fashion that means for your life and work. It's also coincidentally one of the first tenants in Permaculture.
In Permaculture "talk", it's called Zone 00 (zero zero) - our inner and outer selves. The idea being we must first start with nurturing and balancing ourselves. When our inner and outer lives are balanced and in harmony - the rest of our lives, home, landscape, will more easily come into alignment. So, I'm off to get my daily exercise and bike - part of my own way of staying balanced.
More later on the inspiring talk I attended last week at Paul Smith's College by Bill McKibben - author, journalist, Climate Change activist and founder of 350.org.
(Above is a photo of the glass dining area at Camp Huntington, located on an island in Racquette Lake. Camp Huntington, originally built by William Durant, is owned by SUNY Cortland, used for outdoor educatin and the site of Empire State College's Adirondack Residency (which I'll be teaching in the fall).)
Friday, July 30, 2010
Gone Green on the Road
I'm renting my house out this summer for the track season - so the past two weeks I was consumed with cleaning, packing and prepping to be out of my house for six weeks. This also means I'm posting from the road this summer, so to speak. Fortunately, I have some great friends and family who are opening up their homes and providing me a place to rest my head. Currently I'm up in Maine visiting my permaculture friends, Lisa and Dave. As often is the case, my visits to Maine usually combine some work and play. For the past 6-7 years Lisa and Dave have consciously been converting their suburban homesite to gardens. Visiting them is like going to permaculture school.
For years they've been growing garlic. This morning I helped Dave harvest the garlic tops - which form seed heads with individual bulbs that can be replantd.
I then harvested string beans while Dave pulled the garlic, prepped and hung it in the garage to dry.
Growing garlic or any garden is a lot of work. However, besides providing delicious nutritious food, there's a deep satisfaction that comes with growing a garden, and the ability to feed yourself with food grown right in your own back yard.
Fear not though. Besides work in the garden, and my own work writing and teaching - I am also having some fun and rest.
Next - hang the laundry on the line (so great when your friends share some of the same philosophy of living), then on my bike for a ride to the beach. Write again soon.
For years they've been growing garlic. This morning I helped Dave harvest the garlic tops - which form seed heads with individual bulbs that can be replantd.
I then harvested string beans while Dave pulled the garlic, prepped and hung it in the garage to dry.
Growing garlic or any garden is a lot of work. However, besides providing delicious nutritious food, there's a deep satisfaction that comes with growing a garden, and the ability to feed yourself with food grown right in your own back yard.
Fear not though. Besides work in the garden, and my own work writing and teaching - I am also having some fun and rest.
Next - hang the laundry on the line (so great when your friends share some of the same philosophy of living), then on my bike for a ride to the beach. Write again soon.
Monday, July 19, 2010
White House Blog on Energy Bipartisan Meeting
A few weeks ago I read somewhere that President Obama was holding a bi-partisan "summit" with legislators to talk about the BP oil spill and a new energy bill.
Our tech-savvy Presidential Administration has posted a video blog response to summarize some of the Administration's view points on this. (as a side not - wow- even Jimmy Carter wasn't this advanced technologically.)
So, I wanted to share this video. I think it's important for readers/citizens to be aware of what's being planned in the current administration with regards to energy.
Click here to go to the Obama Administration's video with open questions on energy and climate legislation.
I'd be curious to hear folks comments. While many of us are gearing up for track season or headed into vacation mode (myself included), these are important issues to continue to think about.
Our tech-savvy Presidential Administration has posted a video blog response to summarize some of the Administration's view points on this. (as a side not - wow- even Jimmy Carter wasn't this advanced technologically.)
So, I wanted to share this video. I think it's important for readers/citizens to be aware of what's being planned in the current administration with regards to energy.
Click here to go to the Obama Administration's video with open questions on energy and climate legislation.
I'd be curious to hear folks comments. While many of us are gearing up for track season or headed into vacation mode (myself included), these are important issues to continue to think about.
Friday, July 9, 2010
How to start your own Compost - 1hr Intro workshop
Here's a 1-hour intro on how to start your own compost hosted by Green Conscience Home & Garden in Saratoga Springs. Call 306-5196 for details.
COMPOSTING - How to start your own Compost
Join us to discuss the various ways you can compost and find out what composting system will be best for you.
FREE Presentation with Karen Totino
SATURDAY July 10th - 10 am to 11 am
at GREEN CONSCIENCE Home & Garden - 33 Church st - Saratoga Springs, NY, tel: 518-306-5196. Check out their website: www.green-conscience.com
And for some background on composting - here's a link to an article I wrote last year on Composting for the Saratogian's Scene
COMPOSTING - How to start your own Compost
Join us to discuss the various ways you can compost and find out what composting system will be best for you.
FREE Presentation with Karen Totino
SATURDAY July 10th - 10 am to 11 am
at GREEN CONSCIENCE Home & Garden - 33 Church st - Saratoga Springs, NY, tel: 518-306-5196. Check out their website: www.green-conscience.com
And for some background on composting - here's a link to an article I wrote last year on Composting for the Saratogian's Scene
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Permaculture and Peak Oil: Part I
I just came back from a long weekend up in Maine at the Northeast Permculture Convergence. Yes, you could say it was a bunch of old and young hippies figuring out how to beat out Peak Oil. But it wasn't. It was an amazing gathering of over 300 people with diverse backgrounds, who are working in their communities, on their own land, with other land owners, to figure out how to really live in a harmonious, regenerative, restorative manner with the earth.
Sounds hoky, I know. But it's not. These are folks who are living in urban areas with greenhouses in their backyards, building neighborhood gardens with disadvantaged youth, raising chickens in the city, and yes, your small "eco-village" in the middle of nowhere Maine. But they're folks who care enough about their communities and future generations to look at how they can be part of the solution to our global energy crisis.
I'm going to post more on this later - what is permaculture, etc etc. But really, it's what I and many others are trying to do - living with less. Knowing when enough is enough. Using the resources and inputs available on your land, and growing and nurturing and designing your home, your garden, your farm, your neighborhood, in a way that is more sustainable and "closes the loop" on energy useage and waste.
Permaculture provides an alternative to the way we are living now, our consumerist model disconnected from our communities, the land and our natural resources. Granted, most of us would find it difficult to entirely disconnect from the "grid". But alternative energy is becoming more and more available. And, if we never run out of oil or fossil fuel and we don't boil the planet along the way, so be it. Implementing behavior changes like growing your own food, installing solar hot water, reducing your electricity useage, these are all still things that are good for the planet and save dollars. And, generally good for the soul too.
Below are a few videos on permaculture. The first a great permaculture 101, and the second is the video slideshow from the Convergence this past weekend. I'll post a 3rd video later by one of the founders of permaculture, on the role of permaculture in the post peak-oil world. I hope others will be inspired to learn more about this solutions-oriented approach. Enjoy.
Sounds hoky, I know. But it's not. These are folks who are living in urban areas with greenhouses in their backyards, building neighborhood gardens with disadvantaged youth, raising chickens in the city, and yes, your small "eco-village" in the middle of nowhere Maine. But they're folks who care enough about their communities and future generations to look at how they can be part of the solution to our global energy crisis.
I'm going to post more on this later - what is permaculture, etc etc. But really, it's what I and many others are trying to do - living with less. Knowing when enough is enough. Using the resources and inputs available on your land, and growing and nurturing and designing your home, your garden, your farm, your neighborhood, in a way that is more sustainable and "closes the loop" on energy useage and waste.
Permaculture provides an alternative to the way we are living now, our consumerist model disconnected from our communities, the land and our natural resources. Granted, most of us would find it difficult to entirely disconnect from the "grid". But alternative energy is becoming more and more available. And, if we never run out of oil or fossil fuel and we don't boil the planet along the way, so be it. Implementing behavior changes like growing your own food, installing solar hot water, reducing your electricity useage, these are all still things that are good for the planet and save dollars. And, generally good for the soul too.
Below are a few videos on permaculture. The first a great permaculture 101, and the second is the video slideshow from the Convergence this past weekend. I'll post a 3rd video later by one of the founders of permaculture, on the role of permaculture in the post peak-oil world. I hope others will be inspired to learn more about this solutions-oriented approach. Enjoy.
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