Pure Catskills: Spring Season

The spring brings a new harvest to the Catskills. Greens, radishes, carrots and soon asparagus will be available at our farms and farmers' markets. CSAs are gearing up to supply shares to their neighbors this growing season. Not sure where to find your local farmer? Check these listings for Delaware, Greene, Otsego, Schoharie, Sullivan, and Ulster Counties.
Farm to Market 2013
A day of networking and education about the most current topics in direct marketing. Local food advocates gathered from across the region including farmers, retailers, restaurateurs, specialty food producers, distributors, farmers' market staff and economic development practitioners. The Farm to Market Connection was perfect way to get the growing season off to the right start!
Taste the Difference
Food that is grown closer to home has spent less time in transit and in warehouses so it is fresher and tastes better. Click here to find Catskills restaurants featuring local farm products on their menus.
Visit Catskill WoodNet
Catskill WoodNet is a regional network of businesses that harvest and manufacture wood products from New York's Catskill Mountain Region. Through improved land stewardship in the New York City Watershed, our goal is to encourage a working landscape that connects people with local forest resources.
Keep an eye out for the guide at hundreds of locations in the region, or view online now.
Calendar
Smartphones for Farmers
Friday, April 5, 2013; 12:30pm - 3:30pm
34570 State Hwy. 10
CCE Resource Center, Hamden, NY
Contact CCE at 607-865-6531 for more details.
Shering day at Heather Ridge Farm
April 6
Our flock of 50-something sheep will get their spring makeovers and health checks at the barn. You are welcome to drop by and see the action! Weavers: come pick out the fleece you want and watch that sheep get sheared. Take home a bag of the fleece of your dreams…white, black multicolored, Icelandic or Dorset. www.heather-ridge-farm.com.
Lucky Dog Local Food Hub Workshop
April 8
2:00 p.m.
at Lucky Dog Organic Farm on Main Street in Hamden
Are you interested in entering the growing wholesale NYC market for local food while maintaining your farm product identity? Want to spend more time on-farm growing food and less time online (or on the phone or in the car) trying to sell it? What about understanding how to improve aggregation and distribution efficiency in our region? Food Hubs around the country are emerging as successful models for improving access to demand while returning a higher profit to the farmer. But it's not quite as simple as throwing your product on a truck headed into market. Farmers have to learn how to be "wholesale ready" and coordinate their growing/processing schedules to ensure high quality, consistency, and quantity to the buyers. Produce, dairy products, meats, eggs, herbs, honey, maple syrup, wool and fibers, etc. WE HAVE IT! THEY WANT IT! For more information: Center for Agricultural Development and Entrepreneurship 607-433-2545
Learn About Low-interest Microloans of up to $35,000 Now Available for Farmers: Free Webinar
April 10
7 - 8 p.m.
Join the Cornell Small Farms Program and FSA Senior Loan Specialist Carrie Novak for this One-Time Opportunity. Small farmers spoke up and the Farm Services Agency (FSA) listened! In January 2013 the FSA launched a new Microloan Program that offers very low-interest loans of up to $35,000, with an abbreviated application process. On Wed. April 10 from 7-8pm EST, come learn about the details of the program, including loan terms and application process, and have the opportunity to type questions to the FSA's Senior Loan Specialist, Carrie Novak via chat pod. Carrie will also present basic FSA loan eligibility criteria and review the application form. For more information: http://nebeginningfarmers.org/2013/03/28/learn-about-low-interest-microloans-for-farmers/
Highbush Blueberry Production
Thursday, April 11, 2013
10:00am - 4:00pm
34570 State Hwy. 10
CCE Resource Center, Hamden, NY
Contact CCE at 607-865-6531 for more details.
Information Session for Producers Interested in Accessing Institutional Markets
April 12
10:00 a.m.
at Broome County Cornell Cooperative Extension at 840 Upper Front Street, Binghamton, NY 13905-1500
Through a USDA Farm to School grant, BT-BOCES is working with area producers to bring more local, nutritious food into Binghamton City school cafeterias, with the possibility of eventually expanding to other schools and institutions. To RSVP & for more information: Rose Zonetti at rzonett1@gmail.com or 610-750-2853.
Talking With Our Mouths Full
Sunday, April 14
5:30pm - 7pm
Admission is Free. ($10 for access to wine bar and snacks)
An evening of Stories about Food - by local writers. This event will feature the musings of Carrie Bradley Neves, Tony Fletcher, JD Louis, Jessie Koester, Marybeth Mills, Bethany Saltman, Eric Steinman, and Kitty Sheehan.
Peekamoose Restaurant + Tap Room (main dining room)
8373 State Route 28, Big Indian, NY 12410
(845) 254-6500 for information
Food Preservation Workshop
Sunday, April 16
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
A workshop on how to successfully and safely can foods at home is offered by the Master Food Preservation Team of Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Sullivan County. SueAnn Boyd and Erica Ferber, CCE Nutrition Educators, will guide the workshop with topics including why and when "hot pack" is preferable, canning safety, and the proper procedure for hot water bath canning. Participants will be sent home with a prepared food sample. The workshop will be held at the Gerald J. Skoda Extension Education Center on 64 Ferndale-Loomis Road in Liberty, NY. All class materials are covered with a registration fee of just $25.00. Class size is limited so pre-registration with payment is required in advance. No refunds will be issued. Registration and more information can be obtained by calling 845-292-6180.
Blueberry Culture and Management Class
Sunday, April 18
6 - 8:30 p.m..
The class will cover important topics including site selection, cultivar selection, pollination, insect and disease management, pruning, economics, and marketing. The class will be held at the Gerald J. Skoda Extension Education Center on 64 Ferndale-Loomis Road in Liberty. Cost for the program is $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Class size is limited so pre-registration with payment must be made in advanced by calling 845-292-6180. Registration deadline to CCE is Tuesday, April 16th.
Analysis Critical Control Point Programs for Meat and Poultry Processors (HACCP)
April 24 - 25
8 a.m. - 5 p.m
at Cornell University Morrison Hall, 48 Judd Falls Road, Ithaca, NY 14850
This course covers the fundamentals of HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) and the application in meat and poultry processing operations. It provides the participant with hands-on experience in developing an HACCP plan. This course is certified by the International HACCP Alliance and meets USDA requirements for HACCP training. Registration Fee: $495 per person if registered by March 22; $525 per person after March 22. Registration Fee for Company Groups: $400 per person for companies registering three or more employees. For more information, please contact Catherine Cutter (814-865-8862) or Martin Bucknavage (814-867-1839). To register visit: http://www.cvent.com/events/principles-of-haccp-for-meat-and-poultry-processors-ithaca-ny/event-summary-ed29af70ccbf4284bda837b23692196c.aspx.
The Hobart Farmers' Market's "Annual Seed Sale & Spring Gardening Event"
April 27
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Master Gardener will be on site to answer your gardening questions! Local vendors will be showcasing their products! For the Whole Family: Terracotta planter decorating & sunflower seedling planting! Seeds: Non‐GMO, 100% Certified Organic. Location: Hobart Community Center, 80 Cornell Ave., Hobart, NY.
Spring Farm Visit
May 18
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Come to the farm and see how your vegetables are grown. Experience the early spring time activity on the farm. Bring your own lunch and drinks and send an e-mail letting us know you will be attending.
Peter and Deborah Kavakos
Stoneledge Farm
518-029-12467
www.stoneledgefarmny.org
info@stoneledgefarmny.org
Ongoing Cornell Cooperative Extension Events
Dairy Barn Meetings
Sheep and Goat Producer Group Meetings
Beef Producer Group Meetings
Grazing Group Meetings
Look for events in Spring 2013 (dates to be announced).
Events located at farms in Delaware County.
email mef99@cornell.edu if interested.
Catskills CRAFT at Channery Hill Farm
Tuesday, June 11, 3:00-5:00 pm
Channery Hill Farm
Jen McGlashan and Kai Brothers
77 Keller Road
Callicoon Center, NY 12724
Channery Hill is a small family-owned farm that grows vegetables and livestock. Jen also makes a wide variety of value added products, including pestos, spreads, dressings, and much more. They operate a CSA and sell at local farmers' markets. Jen will talk about food preservation and will lead a farm tour. A potluck supper will follow.
Catskills CRAFT at Heather Ridge Farm
Monday, July 8, 5:00-7:00 pm
Heather Ridge Farm
Carol Clement
989 Broome Center Road
Preston Hollow, NY 12469
Located in beautiful Schoharie County, Heather Ridge Farm raises grass-fed beef and lamb, pastured pigs, chickens and turkeys. Heather Ridge also operates "The Bees Knees Cafe," and farm store. Carol will discuss diversifying a farm business and participating in cooperative ventures to further the farm's mission and goals. A potluck supper will follow. Transportation available. Email info@catskillscraft.org for details.
Catskills CRAFT at Majestic Farm
Monday, August 12, 5:00-7:00 pm
Majestic Farm
Sara, Brett, and Michelle
134 Majestic Road
Mountain Dale, NY 12763
Majestic Farm grows pasture raised pork, lamb, and poultry using sustainable practices. They also offer artist residencies and host art events at the farm. They will give a farm tour and will discuss "Farrow-to-Finishing" pig breeding. A potluck supper will follow. Transportation available. Email info@catskillscraft.org for details.
Catskills CRAFT at Dirty Girl Farm
Monday, September 9, 5:00-7:00 pm
Dirty Girl Farm
Cyndi Wright
539 Perch Lake Rd
Andes, NY 13731
Dirty Girl Farm is the only licensed goat dairy and micro-creamery in Delaware County, NY. They sell pasteurized bottled goat milk and soft goat cheese. Cyndi will give a tour of the farm and demonstrate how to milk a goat! A potluck supper will follow.
Catskills CRAFT at Rondout Valley Organics
Monday, October 14, 3:00-5:00 pm
Rondout Valley Organics
Oleh and Nadia Maczaj Rusty Plough Farm
331 Dowe Road
Ellenville, NY 12428
Rondout Valley Organics is a collaborative CSA comprised of many farms in Ulster and Sullivan Counties. Oleh and Nadia of Rusty Plough Farm will talk about their cooperative CSA model, give a farm tour, and lead a garlic planting workshop (so wear your work clothes!) A potluck supper will follow. Transportation available. Email info@catskillscraft.org for details.
Contra Dance and Season Celebration!
Time and Place TBD
Come Do-Si-Do with fellow farmers and gardeners to celebrate another great year of farming in the Catskills. Dancing and potluck supper.



