With the siting of the first robin it is officially spring, of course the day after I stated that I work up with a lovely white blanket on the ground-figures. But it wasn’t anything near what friends stated the got on March 29th back in Calgary, Alberta (they work up to a 3 foot blanket that added to what was already there!) And people ask me why I moved to NNY hmmm there is something to be said about living further south than that. It is all relative.
Anyhow with the bringing of spring comes along better traveling weather. I have been scheduling my road trips to the ENNY and WNNY sections of the region.
So here’s the update of where I’ve been and where I’m going:
Thursday April 2nd, found me at the North Country Symposium held in Canton at St. Lawrence University. I was invited to take part in the “Silvers Linings” panel alongside of Nancy Robert, St Lawrence County Public Transportation, Marc Compeau, School of Business-Clarkson University; Kathy Del Guidiuce, SUNY Canton & Brent Buchannan CCE St Lawrence. Each of us had 10 minutes to present on a project we are involved with that is offering ‘silver lining’ to the negative things that are going on in the region. I was there to talk about the North Country Regional Foods Initiative and how the current position and project I am working on is moving forward from the research that was done under Katherine’s project. I shared the results of the 2008 project and provided the resource links to our local/regional foods page housed on NNYADP website at www.nnyregionallocalfoods.org
From Canton I headed over to Watertown for a meeting with Roz Cook about this current project and to clarify how this will look like in reality. We discussed what some of the farmer/grower needs are in Jefferson county as well as some particular topic related to folks in Jefferson County. We were also able to schedule some future trips out to this area.
Friday, April 3/09
I was in Lewis County all day. Was able to visit with CCE staff here, as well as do a farm visit with Michele, local CCE Exec. Director, to a local winery that is just finishing up their retail store/banquet center. Spent time touring the facility and visiting with the owner regarding their plans for marketing, product features and so forth. Will pass along resources through Michele for Sue regarding sanitary regulations for locally made products.
I also had a phone consultation with another farmer regarding options of what they can do with their farm. Currently they are raising replacement heifers but Jen would like to do more on the farm. We went through a list of options and I provided resources for Jen to consider.
Saturday
April 4/09
Pre-Season Farmers Market Training in Lewis county for farmers market vendors. Repeat of the same program offered in Canton, Plattsburgh and Westport.
That is all for now.
Bernadette
