What's Fresh Now: July in the Catskills

Today on WIOX Community Radio 91.3FM, we checked in with What's Fresh From the Catskills. Visit this webpage for the local u-picks in your county.  Look for strawberries, spinach, zucchini, eggs, and goat meat at area farmers' markets and farmstands. For ideas how to prepare/combine What's Fresh, check out our Recipes Page.

 

Lucky Dog Local Food Hub: To find out more about how this transportation and delivery system works and benefits our regional economy, attend the community meeting Regional Food Hubs: Bridging the Farm to Institution Gaps hosted by Food and Health Network of South Central New York on Thursday, July 25 from 2-4 p.m. at Lucky Dog Organic Farm, 35796 New York 10, Hamden. Following a farm tour, the group will discuss the role of food hubs in the farm to institution wholesale chain. Please RSVP by Tuesday, July 23 to Erin Summerlee (607) 692-7669.

 

PURE CATSKILLS-WATERSHED POST FARMERS' MARKET OF THE WEEK: Rosendale Farmers’ Market every Sunday, rain or shine, from 9 a .m. to 2 p.m. through October 27. Located in Rosendale Community Center parking lot, 1055 Route 32, the market features conventional and organic products, free coffee/tea, and live music. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the children’s area offers hands-on activities teach kids about healthy foods, farming and the environment. To serve all community members well with nutritious, affordable food, the Rosendale Farmers’ Market proudly accepts SNAP EBT payments.

 

EVENTS:

 

Pasture Fly Control Grazing meeting TODAY Friday July 12 at the Paul Santobuono Farm, Franklin, at 1 p.m. NYS Pesticide Applicator credits will be given.

Intensive Small Grain Production Field Day on Friday July 19 at 1 p.m. This free pasture walk address winter triticale and nutrient management at Byebrook Farm, Bloomville.

Catskills CRAFT Meeting on August 12, from 5-7 p.m. at Majestic Farm, 134 Majestic Road, Mountain Dale 12763. This free farm tour is open to those interested in farming, beginner to expert. Majestic Farm grows pasture raised pork, lamb, and poultry using sustainable practices and will give a farm tour and discuss “Farrow-to-Finishing” pig breeding. A potluck supper will follow and transportation is available. Contact Eleanor Blakeslee-Drain, Farmhearts Fellow.

SAVE THE DATE: Delaware County Fair August 12 - 17 at the Delaware County Fairgrounds. Pre-purchase your weekly tickets for $18 at the JC Penney Catalogue Store, main Street, Walton or online.

OF INTEREST: Greater Binghamton Regional Farmers' Market to be built this summer at Otsiningo Park and open in 2014. Answer this survey if you want to provide input on products, hours of operation, etc.

OTHER GROUNDSWELL WORKSHOPS sponsored by Food and Health Network of South Central New York:

• Workshop July 15: Selling Your Farm Products to Local Businesses and Institutions
• Conference July 16 & 17: CaRDI Community Development Institute
• Meeting July 17: NYS Council on Food Policy Annual Summer Meeting
• Webinar July 18: Healthy Food Retail in Rural Communities
• Workshop July 22: From Recipe To Market
• Workshop August 3: NYS Nut Growers Association Summer Meeting - Hazelnuts
• August 7: Farm Credit East Seminar on Healthcare Reform
• August 11: Healthy Food For All Harvest Dinner at Rememberance Farm

GRANT: Northeast SARE Research and Education Grant

Preproposal Deadline: July 29, 2013

The Research and Education program funds outcome-based projects offering research, education, and demonstration projects that benefit farmers and explore new sustainable farm practices. Projects should be directed toward research results that will translate quickly into farmer benefit, and farmers, extension staff, and other stakeholders should be involved in planning project content. Visit the website to learn more about the preproposal process and to apply.

 

GRANT: Regional Economic Development Council - Consolidated Funding Application (CFA)

Deadline, August 12, 2013, 4:00PMIn addition to funding through the Regional Economic Development Councils, several funding opportunities are available to apply for through the Consolidated Funding Application (CFA). For an overview of the resources available, check here. For a detailed list of all resources and directions on how to apply, view the CFA resource manual and the CFA application guide.

GRANT: Aetna Foundation Regional Grants Program

Deadline, September 15, 2013

The 2013 focus is on the following categories: Healthy Food Choices grants support programs that provide nutrition education and help increase the availability of affordable fresh fruits and vegetables in underserved communities. Healthy Activity grants support programs that provide opportunities for physical activity in underserved communities. Applications that focus on healthy food choices and physical activity through a racial and ethnic health equity lens will receive priority consideration. Visit the Foundation's websiteto submit an online application.  

 

Tune in every other Friday for the Watershed Wake-Up Call on

WIOX Community Radio 91.3 FM.

22 Farmy Things in 14 Days

Many of us are taking this week off. Some are living large and taking next week out of work, too. Here's a cool 22 Farmy Things (and some not so) to keep busy this week when gardening, B-B-Q-ing, and snoozing in the hammock become mundane. 

Day 1 (Tuesday, July 2): Mentor + Mentee Art Exhibit from 4 p.m to 6 p.m. at the Walt Meade Gallery, Roxbury.

Sidney Farmers' Market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Video Entertainment parking lot. 

Day 2 (Wednesday, July 3): Learn the Basics: Canning at Home from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Gerald J. Skoda Extension Education Center, Liberty. Food preservation at home CAN be easy and fun with a little instruction! All class materials are covered with a registration fee of only $25. Calling (845)292-6180.

Day 3 (Thursday, July 4): Holiday Pop-Up Market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hanford Mills Museum, East Meredith. Sponsored by the Greater Stamford Area Chamber of Commerce, this market "pops up" again on July 7, indoors at Antique Car Show at Stanford's Cyr Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Day 4 (Friday, July 5): Come Travel the Milky Way from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Find out how butter, gelato, cheese and yogurt are made. Catskills Family Creameries open their barn doors with farm tours, cost is free.

Day 5 (Saturday, July 6):   Annual BBQ, Art, and Music Splash! at Root 'N Roost Farm. $25 per person gets you all of the above! Kids 5 to 10 are just $10, under 5 free! RSVP to attend.

Pakatakan Farmers' Market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Round Barn, Halcottsville. Find bedding plants, shrubs, trees, fresh produce, baked goods, homemade crafts, jewelry, furniture, meat, eggs, fish, maple products, honey, wool and leather items. Rain or shine. Free. No dogs.

Day 6 (Sunday, July 7): Foxtail Community Farm Workshop Series from
12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Workshops introduce practical homesteading skills involving growing, preparing and preserving food. Participants will leave with a practical skill and a share of the goods produced. $10 for CSA members; $20 for non-members.

Franklin Farmers' Market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Located in front of Chapel Hall and across from the Franklin Central School on Institute Street, this open-air market offers meats, vegetables, fruits, eggs, cheese, maple and honey products, breads, baked goods, plants, coffee and special events.

Day 7 (Monday, July 8): Catskills CRAFT Meeting at Heather Ridge Farm, Preston Hollow from 5 p.m to 7 p.m. Free with a potluck supper to follow. Owner Carol Clemente will discuss diversifying a farm business and participating in cooperative ventures to further the farm's mission and goals. 

Songwriting Workshop with Story Laurie from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the West Kortright Centre, East Meredith. Do you love to sing your heart out? Have you ever wondered what it's like to write an actual song? Designed for ages 6-9, 5-week session costs $90/$75 WKC members.

Rock n' Pop Theater Camp from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 76 Main Street, Stamford. Campers ages 8-13 build their creative, acting, singing, and music skills as they take part in a musical and a concert performed before an appreciative audience on Friday, July 12.

Day 8 (Tuesday, July 9): Young People's Theater Arts Workshops: Shakespeare with Olivia Briggs at the West Kortright Centre, East Meredith. For ages 13–19, these multi-night workshops through August 2. Cost is $400/$350 WKC Member with scholarships available.

Day 9 (Wednesday, July 10): Sheep Goat Producer Group tour of Southwind Farms, Gilbertsville from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Transportation available. 

Delhi Farmers' Market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Delhi Courthouse Square. Sponsored by the Greater Delhi Area Chamber of Commerce, this market features fresh locally grown vegetables, fruits, various meats, cheeses, eggs, maple syrup, cut flowers, hanging baskets, fresh bread, wine, baked goods, annual and perennial plants and potted herbs.

Day 10 (Thursday, July 11): Farming with Kids at Apple Pond Farm from 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Children do some farm chores (activities vary): milking goats, feeding chickens, gathering eggs, grooming horses, etc. Adults: $5; children (age 4 and older) $4. Minimum of 5 people. No reservations needed.

Day 11 (Friday, July 12): Hobart Community Farmers' Market from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Town Hall Green, Maple Avenue. Local and regional vegetables, fruits, cheeses, honey, maple syrup, eggs, meats, baked goods, crafts.

WAC-CCE Catskills Grazing Group meets to discuss Invasive Pest Management of flies at a Franklin farm TBD. Pesticide credit available. Contact Kim Holden (607) 865-7090, ext. 241 for more.

Day 12 (Saturday, July 13): Oneonta Farmers' Market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Main Street Plaza.Open-air farmers' market offering local foods, including fruits and vegetables, grass-fed meats, poultry, eggs, cheeses, maple products, honey, chutneys and sauces, preserves, baked goods, and unique handmade crafts and jewelry. Live music, free tastings and special events. 

Day 13 (Sunday, July 14): Sullivan County Farmers' Markets Association at Callicoon Creek Park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Day 14 (Monday, July 15): Writers' Evening at 7 p.m. at 76 Main Street,  Stamford. Local writers present new works in progress to an audience of supportive fellow writers and community members. Free.

Monticello Farmers' Market take place every other Monday at the Government Center from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Part-timers can stock up on their way home while full timers can fill the frig after weekend guests with fruits, vegetables, baked goods, coffee and eggs.

You have something to share? Leave it in the comment section below. Need more? Check out the events calendars at Pure Catskills and the Watershed Agricultural Council or look in the 2013-14 Pure Catskills Guide to Farm Fresh Products.