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NOFA-NY Offering Scholarships to Annual Organic Farming Education Conference

November 3, 2011 by Bernadette Logozar

The Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York (NOFA-NY) is offering farmer-education scholarships to cover registration costs to its annual winter conference.  The NOFA-NY Winter Conference will be held from January 20th-22nd in Saratoga Springs, NY.  Through funding from the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program of the National Institute for Food and Agriculture, USDA, #2009-49400-05878 and #2011-49400-30510, from the Risk Management Agency of the USDA and NOFA-NY’s Farmer Education Fund, NOFA-NY is pleased to be able to offer scholarships to aspiring, new and experienced farmers as well as to teachers and student groups.

Additional scholarships may be available on a limited basis to agricultural student groups and groups of farm apprentices from one farm.  These scholarships are available through funding from the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program of the National Institute for Food and Agriculture, USDA #2010-49400-21847 and require an earlier application deadline of November 21st.  These applications will be considered on a rolling basis until all funds are utilized.

Applicants for individual scholarships must apply by December 1st.  Notifications will be sent December 7th, with a wait-list decision sent on December 21st.  All applicants should use the online application form located at https://nofa.wufoo.com/forms/nofany-winter-conference-scholarship-application/; paper-based forms can be requested by contacting NOFA-NY.  Applicants in other Northeast states (New Jersey, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Massachusetts) are encouraged to contact their state’s NOFA chapter for information on their winter conference and scholarship opportunities.

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5 Farm-to-School Marketing Tips – Hobby Farms

October 27, 2011 by Bernadette Logozar

Last week, at Cornell Cooperative Extension Franklin County Annual Dinner, we enjoyed the culinary creations of Chef John Vargo of Eat N’ Meet Grill in Saranac Lake.  Our dessert included mixed berry pies.

This past Tuesday,  students at Syracuse University enjoyed a meal of local corn on the cob, roasted beets and winter squash.   On November 9th, they will again enjoy samplings of local farm products purchased direct from the farm.  So why am I mentioning this here?  Well the products came from NNY.

Why am I mentioning these events here?  Well the berries that we had at the CCE annual dinner were flash frozen at the end of July and stored for our later use.  And the corn that the students enjoyed in Syracuse was blanched and flash frozen, vacuumed sealed for their use.

The processing made possible through the Harvest Kitchen at Comlinks Gleaning Warehouse here in Malone, the final pieces of their equipment was in place the end of July this year.  And since then Comlinks has been working with CCE to process locally grown farm products for later sale.  Comlinks has been processing and supplying local products to the Malone Central School District this year.  Students have been feasting on local corn on the cob, green beans, summer squash, locally grown potatoes and much more.

Ideally, it is great to enjoy local farm products fresh, but given our growing season and the school calendar don’t match up well, the ability to freeze products, such as corn,  beans and squash for the schools to use later works out rather well.  The farmers are able to extend their market season by having those products available for later sale.

The cost of processing?  Comlinks asks that the farmers provide them 30% of the amount being processed, which goes into Comlinks food pantry supply chain.  So the folks who are accessing the local food pantries here in the North Country are also getting locally grown farm products.  It is a win-win for the farmers, Comlinks and the end-users.  Rather than having to outlay cash for the processing farmers are able to get the service on the raw agricultural products they are bringing into the Harvest Kitchen.

These products then can be later sold to stores and restaurants.  Here are some tips from Hobby Farms Magazine about Farm-to-School Marketing.   To learn more about the Farm-to-School program here in New York State visit:  http://farmtoschool.cce.cornell.edu/

5 Farm-to-School Marketing Tips – Hobby Farms.

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Students treated to a farm-fresh lunch – AdirondackDailyEnterprise.com | News, Sports, Jobs, Saranac Lake region — Adirondack Daily Enterprise

October 17, 2011 by Bernadette Logozar

Students treated to a farm-fresh lunch – AdirondackDailyEnterprise.com | News, Sports, Jobs, Saranac Lake region — Adirondack Daily Enterprise.

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Apples, Apples, Apples — Have You Had Yours Today?

September 27, 2011 by Bernadette Logozar

They say that an apple a day keeps the doctor away.  And this year is definitely the year to start eating apples.  The harvest is looking great for all types of apples and they are especially sweet this year!  A local farmer called me this morning to say we need to tell more people to come buy apples.  Here in Franklin County, farm stores have in stock Macs, Cortland, Paula Reds, HoneyCrisp, Zestar and Gala.  And I can be fairly certain that to the east in Clinton and Essex counties these same apples and more are available for purchase at local orchards.

If you are in an area that has apple orchards then now is the time to pick your own apples!  For more information about your favorite apples visit NY Apple Country website.

Nothing says fall like a crisp, sweet apple!  Yum!  Be sure to pick up yours today!

 

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VALUE-ADDED INSTITUTE ANNOUNCES FALL COURSES

September 27, 2011 by Bernadette Logozar

Farmers and others in the Adirondack Region interested in food businesses have an opportunity to take classes in the 2011 Value-Added Institute toward a food processors’ certificate issued by the New York Small Scale Food Processors’ Association (NYSSFPA) this fall.  NYSSFPA, in partnership with Adirondack Harvest and several Cornell Cooperative Extension offices, will offer a variety of workshops in Watertown,  Ballston Spa, and Malone, with a final class in Geneva. Completion of these classes can lead to greater business profitability through the processing of local food products.

October 7 & 8 in Watertown at the Jefferson County Cornell Cooperative Extension office:

  • Processing Fruits and Vegetables for Market
  • Models of Shared Use Kitchens
  • Scale Meat Processing and Marketing

October 21 & 22 in Ballston Spa at the Saratoga County Cornell Cooperative Extension office:

  • Processing of Fruits, Vegetables and Herbs for Market
  • One Stop Shopping for Food Business Start-up Local and
  • Sustainable Marketing Small Business Profitability Makeover

November 4 & 5 in Malone at ComLinks:

  • Freezing and Vacuum Packaging of Local Farm Produce
  • Models of Shared Use Kitchens
  • Small Scale Meat Processing and Marketing

November 17 in Geneva at the New York Agricultural Experiment Station Food Venture Center: Acid and Acidified Foods

$25 registration fee covers 3 classes and lunch at one of the sites, the Geneva class with lunch, and dinner and graduation at the New York Wine and Culinary Center in Canandaigua.

Valued at over $250, this institute is funded by a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Northeast Sustainable Agriculture, Research and Education (NESARE) program.

For further information and registration contact: Alison Clarke, 585-394-0864 or accompost@gmail.com. Or visit www.adirondackharvest.com.

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UC Davis Launches Sustainable Ag Major – Hobby Farms

September 13, 2011 by Bernadette Logozar

UC Davis Launches Sustainable Ag Major – Hobby Farms.

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Watertown Daily Times | Downtown Canton cafe showcases local growers

September 8, 2011 by Bernadette Logozar

One of my favorite places to have lunch when I am in Canton is the Black Bird Cafe.  They have great food, and source local.  Recently I noticed the wall display that shows you where the food comes from.  To find out more read this recent article Watertown Times.  And next time you are in Canton,  make certain you stop at the Black Bird for a meal.  The Tobbogans are great!  (You’ll have to visit to find out what I mean.)

Watertown Daily Times | Downtown Canton cafe showcases local growers.

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