May 25, 2011 by Sara Zoe.

Wild Miller Gardens
Open Farm Day
Saturday May 28th 1-4pm

Come visit the farm and celebrate
the opening of our on farm store!
Organic vegetables, Garlic, Fresh milk,
Fresh eggs, Maple syrup & much much more!

11 Randall Road Lee NH 03861
Joel & Annalisa Miller
603-988-4658 www.wildmillergardens.com

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May 24, 2011 by Debra.

The first round of micro- or low-interest loans from the No Small Potatoes Investment Club, part of Slow Money Maine, was so successful, they’re ready to begin their second round much sooner than expected. Targeting Maine farmers and food producers, the first set of loans helped Heiwa Tofu, Lalibela Farm, and Thirty Acre Farm. From an article on the club in The Portland Press Herald:

“They want to work with farmers rather than being hard and fast with the rules,” Simon Frost said. “They’re all customers of ours who want to invest in our future.”

If interested in obtaining a micro-loan, No Small Potatoes Investment Club is now accepting applications, deadline June 15th:

The No Small Potatoes Investment Club seeks to strengthen Maine’s sustainable food system by providing low interest micro-loans (up to $5,000) to Maine’s farms and food businesses for equipment or working capital. Applications for our next round of loans are due on June 15th, and we will make loan decisions by the end of July. Please contact Chris Hallweaver (207-329-5048 or chrishallweaver@gmail.com) to receive an application.

For more information: www.slowmoneymaine.org.

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May 24, 2011 by Debra.

Start off the summer with Maine Classics, the new cookbook from Mark Gaier and Clark Frasier, written with the help of Rachel Forrest. Join all three at RiverRun Bookstore in Portsmouth, Sunday, May 29th, when they’ll discuss exploring Maine’s food traditions, complete with samples!

Mark Gaier, Clark Frasier, and Rachel Forrest talk about their new cookbook, MAINE CLASSICS

RiverRun Bookstore, Portsmouth, NH

Sunday, May 29, 2011

1 p.m.

From pan-fried trout and mushroom pie to butternut squash donuts and root cellar gratin, Gaier and Frasier put a creative spin on traditional Maine cuisine. Founders of three restaurants – including the famed Arrows Restaurant in Ogunqut, Maine – Gaier and Clark bring their passion and expertise to readers with delicious recipes and unique accounts of the people, places and traditions that go into creating each and every bite. There will be some food samples at this event!

 

Covering all areas that make Maine cuisine what it is known for today – the shore, the sea, the forest, the farm, the garden, the dairy, the bakery and the root cellar – the award-winning chefs delve deep into the traditional roots and local atmosphere, bringing readers as close to the true Maine experience as possible. From Ogunquit lobsterman Ted Johnson to Gaier and Frasier’s lobster mac ’n’ cheese, readers are exposed to the steps and stories behind dozens of delectable dishes, meeting the fishermen, farmers and cheese makers that bring the spirit of Maine to life along the way.

 

With vivid illustrations of the food, the landscape and the people that make Maine so quintessential, Gaier and Frasier bring the lobster roll, the clam bake and all the “Down East” flavor to kitchens everywhere.

For more information: www.riverrunbookstore.com.

Visit the Arrows Restaurant website for additional book-related events, including A Cooking Class Dinner from “Maine Classics”, Sunday, June 5th: www.arrowsrestaurant.com.

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May 24, 2011 by Sara Zoe.

Join the Dover Cassily Community Garden’s “Growing Children” children’s garden program “Compost & Soil Safari” on Sunday, June 5, 2011. Come dig into the garden soil and compost pile and find out what makes up “dirt” (i.e.: bugs, organic matter, etc.)

This is the third in the summer long Growing Children Activity Series focusing on growing cycles, affinity for planting, caring for, harvesting and eating locally grown organic produce, community building, social interaction, exploration of nature, getting dirty and just plain having fun!

Children of all ages and families are welcome to attend free of charge. Much more information (including directions) is available at dovergarden.org or email Traci, Youth Outreach Coordinator, at the.mogget@yahoo.com. All programs will begin at 10am at the DCCG shed and run from about an hour to an hour and a half.

Directions from the Spaulding: Take exit 9 toward Rt-9/Dover/Rt-108/Somersworth. Turn left onto Indian Brook Drive. Turn left onto 6th St. Travel about 1.1 miles then turn right onto Hillside Drive.Directions from Downtown Dover: Take Central Ave. northbound. Take a left onto 6th St. Travel for about .5 mile then take a left onto Hillside Drive.Once on Hillside Drive, continue toward the ball fields, through the gate (the road turns to gravel). Pull into the upper parking lot on the right and park near the green DCCG shed.

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May 23, 2011 by Debra.

Bring the family and visit for awhile at the Local Flavor Community Potluck Picnic in Newbury on Saturday, May 28th:

Local Flavor Community Potluck Picnic

First Parish Church of Newbury, Newbury, MA

Saturday, May 28, 2011

4:30 PM to 7:00 PM

The Local Flavor Community Potluck Picnic is moving outdoors again! We are planning to picnic the summer away the last Saturday of every month through September. The potuck is a celebration of locally grown, seasonal food. You are invited to bring a potluck dish using as many locally grown ingredients as possible from your garden, CSA, Farmers’ Market, farmstand or local food artisan. Label your dish so we know what’s in it and who to thank. Also bring your beverage of choice: if it’s local brew and in a pitcher to share, even better. We will provide pitchers of refreshing local water.

 

We are aiming for a zero-waste event, so please bring your own “mess kits” – non-disposable plate, cup, utensils and cloth napkin. Leftover vegetable waste will be composted.

 

Come along, bring the family, your potluck dish, beverage of choice, “mess kit”, a blanket or chair for seating and musical instruments. We’re looking forward to a fun time for all.

 

This event is a sponsored by the First Parish Church of Newbury, Greater Newburyport CSA, New Eden Collaborative, Northshore Permaculture Meetup and Transition Newburyport.

For information: www.transitionnewburyport.org or e-mail transition@transitionnewburyport.org.

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May 22, 2011 by Debra.

The Southeast Land Trust of New Hampshire is celebrating the conservation of Scamman Farm in Stratham with a day full of fun activities, including a cookout featuring local food, on Saturday, June 4th:

Conservation Celebration and Cookout

Southeast Land Trust of New Hampshire

Scamman Farm, Stratham, NH

Saturday, June 4, 2011

$10 Adults, $5 Children over six

RSVP by May 27th

Join us on June 4th to celebrate the more than 850 acres of open spaces conserved in 2010 at our Conservation Celebration and Cookout at the Scamman Farm in Stratham!

 

Lorraine Stuart Merrill, Stratham farmer and current Commissioner of the NH Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food, will share her thoughts on the local food movement, land conservation, and how these two vibrant efforts are interrelated and interdependent. You will enjoy a local food-focused cookout, with hamburgers from Stuart Farm, sausages from New Roots Farm, and salad greens from Barker’s Farm! After lunch, join landowner Doug Scamman for a walking tour of the 206-acre Scamman Farm, protected in early 2011.

 

The cost to attend the Annual Cookout is $10 per adult, $5 per child seven and over (children under 6 are free). Pre-registration is required. Please reserve your spot by May 27th by emailing Karen McCormack or calling her at 603-778-6088. Please specify if you intend to join us for the field trip and whether you require a vegetarian meal.

For program and more information: www.seltnh.org.

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May 22, 2011 by Debra.

In his latest Pest Report for MOFGA, Eric Sideman is worried and now I am too. One of the results of this spring’s wet and cold conditions has “the fruit trees blossoming with no bees out of their nests….” Find out more about these essential pollinators at this week’s screening of Queen of the Sun: What are the Bees Telling Us? at The Music Hall in Portsmouth, on Wednesday, May 25th. If you’re interested in learning more about beekeeping, a list of resources is included below.

Queen of the Sun: What are the Bees Telling Us?

The Music Hall, Portsmouth, NH

Wednesday, May 25, 2011, 7 p.m.

A profound, alternative look at the global bee crisis from Taggart Siegel, director of THE REAL DIRT ON FARMER JOHN. Taking us on a journey through the catastrophic disappearance of bees and the mysterious world of the beehive, this engaging and ultimately uplifting film weaves an unusual and dramatic story of the heartfelt struggles of beekeepers, scientists and philosophers from around the world including Michael Pollan, Gunther Hauk and Vandana Shiva. Together they reveal both the problems and the solutions in renewing a culture in balance with nature. Followed by a panel-discussion featuring members of, and presented in association with, the Seacoast Beekeepers Association.

 

For more information and online tickets: www.themusichall.org.

Resources for Beekeeping:

• Beginning Beekeeping (1 day workshop), Greater Seacoast Permaculture Group, June 26th: http://www.meetup.com/GreaterSeacoastPermaculture/.

• Seacoast Beekeepers Association: www.seacoastbeekeepers.com.

• Pawtuckaway Beekeepers’ Association: www.pawtuckawaybeekeepers.org.

• York County Beekeepers Association: http://mainebeekeepers.org/york-county-beekeepers/.

• Bee Pride (beekeeping supplies), Lebanon, ME: www.beepride.com.

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May 20, 2011 by Debra.

Start your garden at the farmers’ market!

Start Your Garden Days:

Portsmouth Farmers’ Market

Saturday, May 21, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Exeter Farmers’ Market

Thursday, May 26, 2:15 – 5:30 p.m.

Whether you’re a novice gardener or an old hand, there’s always somewhere to start and something to learn. Visit the SGA Market Activity Booth for these free transplanting demonstrations:

 

• Portsmouth, Saturday, May 21

Led by SGA’s own Sofie Larsen of Applegard Farm in North Berwick

 

• Exeter, Thursday, May 26

Led by Nada Haddad of the UNH Cooperative Extension

 

Tap into the expertise of both Sofie and Nada — and peruse Sofie’s personal library of beautiful gardening books — to get your garden off to a great start. A bounty of seeds from High Mowing Organic Seeds will be available for purchase, and of course dozens of varieties of New England-hardy vegetables, flowers and herbs can be found with our vendors.

For more information: www.seacoastgrowers.org.

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May 20, 2011 by Debra.

Considering starting your own farm? New Entry Sustainable Farming Project is offering the free course Explore Farming! on Thursday, May 26th. If you’re interested in attending, please RSVP by emailing sanderson@comteam.org or calling 978-654-6745.

Course: Explore Farming!

New Entry Sustainable Farming Project

155 Merrimack Street, 3rd Floor, Lowell MA

Thursday, May 26, 2011, 4 – 6 p.m.

Free and open to the public, RSVP requested

New Entry Sustainable Farming Project’s next free Explore Farming! course is set to take place from 4–6 p.m. at our Lowell office, on Thursday, May 26th. Thank-you to those who filled in the survey to choose the date — you chose Thursday, so Thursday it is!

 

If you haven’t registered yet, don’t worry, you still have time — just click here for the registration form.

 

During the class we will discuss some of the challenges and rewards of farm ownership, as opposed to other means of satisfying your interest in farming. A primary goal of the course is to encourage you to think realistically about the financial feasibility of starting and growing your own farm businesses. Most of the participants have worked on farms for at least one season, and know that they love farming, but are interested in learning how to start their own farm businesses. Whether you decide to pursue starting your own farm business, or would rather continue farming in another way, we have lots of resources to help you move forward in your farming career.

 

Explore Farming! meets only once, is scheduled on a rolling basis, and is free and open to anyone who sends in a registration form. In addition to providing guidance for potential farmers who want to take the first step, Explore Farming! also serves as a introduction to our Farm Business Planning Course, a six week course for those serious about getting started in small-scale sustainable farming. With a new growing season on the way, this is a perfect time to check out Explore Farming! and decide whether you’re ready to get serious about starting your own farm business.

 

If you have any questions, please email sanderson@comteam.org.

For more information: www.nesfp.org.

Update: Explore Farming! has been RESCHEDULED for next Wednesday, June 1 (still 4-6pm). Please RSVP by emailing sanderson@comteam.org or calling 978-654-6745.

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May 19, 2011 by Debra.

This June, CoFed’s regional organizers are hosting two week-long summer retreats to train and empower the next generation of campus food cooperative leaders. CoFed is a national training program and research institute for students interested in creating ethically-sourced, cooperatively-run sustainable food storefronts and cafés on college campuses. If you’re a college student and you would like to learn all about how to establish a new food co-op at your campus, retreats will be held in California and New York. Application deadline for the East Coast CoFed Retreat is June 1st:

The East Coast CoFed Retreat

Hawthorne Valley Farm, Ghent (mid-upstate), NY

June 19–25, 2011

The West Coast CoFed Retreat 

Orella Stewardship Institute, Santa Barbara, CA

June 11–17, 2011

CoFed, is trying to reach students interested in food sustainability, food sovereignty, and food justice to come to our West and East Coast retreats this summer to find ways of bringing more student control into their campus food systems.

 

This summer, college teams from all over the country will converge on our East and West Coast retreats in mid-June to create or expand a student-run, cooperative, sustainable food businesses on their campuses. CoFed, provides support to students interested in food sustainability, food sovereignty and food justice in their endeavors to bring more democracy into their campus food systems. Each retreat will host programing all day, including professional development, business and organizing skills, and yummy sustainable food. We will be bringing in prominent figures within the local food and co-op worlds to give workshops. The East Coast retreat will be getting a visit by Bill McKibben!

 

Why do you want to come?

• To launch a student food co-op!

• Skill building

• Networking

• Professional development

• Learn about other projects and build on your own

• Yummy sustainable ethical Food

• A beautiful natural landscape

 

The application can be found here >. The cost for the week-long retreat is $250 per person. If this is beyond your means, please contact a regional organizer as we give scholarships on a case by case basis. Scholarship form can be found here >.

 

For more information: www.cofed.org.

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