Catskills farmer flood relief fund

Two weeks. Two floods. It's left many communities in our region feeling helpless and looking for ways to help rebuild.

Many neighbors have contacted Pure Catskills looking for ways to help farmers directly. One of those neighbors was Morgan George, the herd manager at Sherman Hill Farmstead, who is organizing a fundraiser to do just that!

The big event, 'Raise the Roof!,' will take place Sunday, September 18th from 4:30 to 9:00 PM at the Hamden Inn, 35769 State Highway 10, Hamden, NY.

Admission to the event is offered by donation, large or small. Local musicians and writers will provide entertainment. Proceeds from the event's silent auction, featuring local artwork and products, will go toward the relief fund. Silent auction donations are still being accepted. Please contact Morgan at target409@hotmail.com or (607) 829-6886 for more information.

Every dollar gathered through the fund will be distributed to farmers in need. A diverse review panel of local farmers will oversee the distribution of need-based funding awards. The goal is to fill needs not met by funds available from Federal, State and non-profit sources. The Watershed Agricultural Council, of which Pure Catskills is an initiative, is serving as the fiscal sponsor for the fund.

Those unable to attend the fundraiser but interested in donating to the farmer relief fund may make a tax-deductible donation online at the Council's donation page. Please fill the "Designate your donation to a specific program or fund" field with "Catskills Farmer Relief." Mail checks made out to "WAC" to WAC, 33195 State Highway 10, Walton, NY 13856. Please write "Catskills Farmer Relief" in the memo line.

Mark your calendars! Spread the word! See you on the 18th!

Labor Day weekend events

Main Street Farm in Livingston Manor. Hey, nice mural!

We can hardly believe it as we type it but Labor Day is here!

September 3, 10 to 11 am
Latin for Gardeners
Catskill Native Nursery
607 Samsonville Road, Kerhonkson
Phone: (845) 626-2758
We all know that once you get started, Latin names offer a surefire, easy way to identify specific plants and quickly find related ones. But how do you get started? Writer, former Latin teacher, and nursery employee John Kuhner will give a brief introductory class on Latin pronunciation, the most useful botanical Latin terms, the fun botanists have at plants' expense, and the books you need to investigate further. Bring your Latin questions, your unpronounceable plant names, and general curiosity. Suggested contribution of $5 when we pass the basket. If it rains we will hold the session in our barn.

September 3, 12 to 3 pm
Farmstock Tour - final tour of the year!
Bridle Hill Farm
190 Hemmer Road, Jeffersonville
Phone: (845) 482-3993
Western trail ride, grooming, saddling demonstrations. Presented by the Sullivan County Farm Network. Admission fee: adults $6, kids $4.

September 4, 10 am to 5 p m
Bovina Farm Day
Weber Road, Bovina
Phone: (607) 832-4418
A day of ‘down on the farm’ fun for everyone. Come and meet your local farmers. Gathering for locally grown producers to display their products. $5 per car.

September 4, 11 am to 5 pm
Tunes 'n' Tomatoes 2011!
West Kortright Centre
49 West Kortright Church Road, East Meredith
Live music all day! Kids activities throughout from the Oneonta World of Learning and the Dirtmeister; Uncle Rock and the Playthings’ Dance Party; hear and join in with the Delaware County Complaints Choir; the Homegrown String Band will play their acoustic roots music with step-dancing demonstrations; Story Laurie & Ira McIntosh provide music and storytelling; Jesse's Backyard Orchestra will play a mash-up of blues, Brazilian, Americana & jazz,Rob Hunt Swing Band plays favorites. Fabulous baked goods! Scrumptious food — locally grown and prepared meats by NYFarm2Door & delicious vegetarian dishes. Jam-packed silent auctions of fine art, antiques, recycled treasures, and goods! Antique appraiser on-site. $15 adults/$5 under 19/free 5 and under. Rain or shine.

September 4, 11 am to 4 pm
Bethel Woods Harvest Festival: Alpaca Festival
200 Hurd Road, Bethel
Phone: (845) 295-2448
Email: farmfest@BethelWoodsCenter.org
La Mantequilla Alpaca Fashions and Friends bring live alpacas, exhibits, spinners and weavers to the festival. A boutique will offer diverse products. Complimented by music, food and wine this event is a festival favorite to kick off the harvest season. The Sullivan County SPCA will also be on site offering information and adoption opportunities. $2.00 Parking; Free Admission.

September 4, 1 pm
'When Cauliflower was King'
Morgan Outdoors
Main Street, Livingston Manor
Join Morgan Outdoors and Main Street Farm in the village of Livingston Manor for an author discussion with local writer Diane Galusha. Her book on the cauliflower-growing industry in the Catskills will be discussed followed by local food tastings across the street at Main Street Farm.

Fundraisers to benefit Catskill farms

Details are emerging about upcoming fundraisers aimed at supporting Catskill farms that have been impacted by this week's flooding. We will share more details as they become available.

Please visit the individual event and business links for additional details. This list is limited to events organized by or to benefit Pure Catskills business members. A list of general relief efforts is available at the Watershed Post.

Today!
Peekamoose Restaurant & Tap Room, Big Indian
The restaurant will donate 20% of the night's proceeds to the MARK Project's rebuilding efforts in the Margaretville-Arkville area. Opens at 5 pm.

September 10th
Charity Chili Cook off
Andes Hotel, Andes
Sign up now for next weekend's cook off at the Hotel. Every dollar taken in will be donated at the MARK Project to help get Margaretville back on track!

September 18th
Farm Fundraiser
Hamden Inn, Hamden
An event filled with local musicians, writers and artists coming together to raise funding for area farmers. Contact Morgan George of Sherman Hill Farmstead in Franklin at target409@hotmail.com or leave a message at (607) 829-6886.

October 9th & 10th
Taste of the Catskills
Maple Shade Farm, Delhi
This annual local food celebration will add fundraising for farms affects to the weekend's program. Contact Jonah Shaw for additional details at info@tasteofthecatskills.com.

November 6th
RSK Farm Fundraiser
Global Palate Restaurant, West Park
Global Palate's chef Jessica Winchell and Michael Bernardo of Cafe Mio will be holding a benefit dinner at Global Palate for Bob and Sandy Kiley of RSK farms. The farm is located along the Schoharie Creek in Prattsville and had lost most of its topsoil as a result of flooding.