September 2, 2010 by Sara Zoe.

See below for some great and pretty inexpensive online course offerings on soil health, financial record-keeping and business planning from folks who know what they are talking about!:

Need some guidance on the development or expansion of a farm enterprise? Can’t find any trainings near you? If you’re comfortable enough with a computer to consider learning online, you’ll be glad to know that the Cornell Small Farms Program and Cornell Cooperative Extension are expanding offerings of their popular online courses for beginning farmers with two new online courses this Fall, in addition to our usual beginners Fall course, BF 101. Join experienced CCE and farmer instructors and 25 of your farmer peers in a dynamic learning experience that incorporates both self-paced readings and real-time virtual meetings with discussion forums, homework activities, guest presenters, and developing a customized plan for your next steps in farming.
The Cornell Small Farms Program and Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) present:
BF 110: Soil Health Basics: Investing in the Vitality of Your Farm
The health and productivity of our soils are the basis for a farm’s success and profitability, as well as its ecological sustainability. Farmers need a holistic approach to preserving and building soil health and fertility. Stewardship of the soil is arguably the most important job of any farmer or gardener.

NOTE: This course will incorporate a face-to-face field day hosted by the Northeast Organic Farming Association at instructor David Belding’s Cross Island Farms on Wellesley Island, NY, 4pm-7pm Oct 18th. This will be an amazing opportunity to meet your fellow coursemates and see firsthand how David has improved the soils on his farm over the past 5 years. The field day fee is covered by the course registration cost. Instructors: David Belding – Cross Island Farms, Wellesley Island, NY, and Dan Welch – CCE Cayuga

BF 104: Financial Record-keeping: A Cornerstone of Farm Profitability
To succeed in business, you need to understand financial management. The foundation of a sound financial management program for a farm is a good record keeping system. It does not matter what you produce, the service you provide, or how effective you are in marketing; the revenue you earn will disappear if you do not understand how to collect, monitor, save, spend, or invest that revenue. Current financial records from a good record keeping system are critical for making business decisions. This 6-week course will provide you with insight, understanding and the technological know-how to produce financial records and a beginning knowledge of analyzing financial statements. Instructors: Bonnie Collins – CCE Oneida County and Steve Hadcock - CCE Columbia County

BF 101: Taking Stock: Evaluating Your Land and Resources and Choosing an Enterprise
Evaluating what you want to do and what you have to work with are key elements to a successful new farm enterprise. This course will help you take the first steps toward setting goals, assessing the resources you have available for farming (physical, financial, and personal), and deciding what enterprises are the best fit for you and your land. NOTE: You will get the most out of this course if you already have access to land. Each participant will be gathering information about their own enterprise and will begin to create a Farm Plan. Instructors: Laura Biasillo - CCE Broome County and Dianne Olsen – CCE Putnam County

COURSE DATES: Thurs. Oct 14, 2010 to Wed. Nov 24, 2010. All courses incorporate live webinars featuring farmers, agency staff, and University faculty. See link below for webinar dates and details.

COST is $150 per course, except the Soil Health course, which is $165

TO REGISTER, or for more information on course format and requirements, please visit http://www.nybeginningfarmers.org/index.php?page=onlinecourse

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August 30, 2010 by Sara Zoe.

Seacoast Eat Local is now accepting applications from farmers and fishermen for the 2010-2011 Winter Farmers’ Markets. The winter market season will run from late November 2010 through April 2011. All markets will be held on Saturdays from 10:00am to 2:00pm, alternating between two indoor locations in Rollinsford (Wentworth Greenhouses) and Exeter (Exeter High School). To request an application packet, please email Winter Farmers’ Market Coordinator Kate Donald at kate@seacoasteatlocal.org. The application deadline is September 15, 2010.

In keeping with Seacoast Eat Local’s mission of connecting consumers with sources of locally grown foods, we aim to organize markets that emphasize farmers, fishermen, and their products. In order to allow sufficient space for farmers and fishermen, we have designated a small number of spaces for prepared food vendors this year. The 2010-11 markets will feature prepared food vendors who are going to extra mile to offer products made from ingredients sourced directly from local farmers and fishermen. We are not accepting unsolicited applications from prepared food vendors at this time. If you would like to recommend a potential food vendor for the markets, please fill out Seacoast Eat Local’s “Recommendations of Vendors” form.

For more information about Seacoast Eat Local’s Winter Farmers’ Markets, and other winter farmers’ markets in the area, visit our website. Check back often as we add market vendor and event information.

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August 23, 2010 by Sara Zoe.

A Gravenstein Cider Press and 1669 Supper, August 29th, 4pm

The Gravenstein was introduced to western North America (California) in the early 19th century, perhaps by Russian fur-traders who are said to have planted a tree at Fort Ross in 1811. Its origins have been traced back to 1669 Denmark, although there is some evidence that the variety originated in Northern Italy. Now in America, this antique was the source of applesauce and dried apples for the troops in WWII and was declared an American heritage food by Slow Food USA and inducted to its ARK OF TASTE in 2005.

The dinner will feature a multi-course Gravenstein themed supper after guests participate in ‘a Gravenstein cider press’. Come enjoy just pressed sweet, tart and delicious organic orchard cider with supper:

The Evening’s Gravenstein Menu

Maine grown field greens tossed in a ‘just pressed’ Gravenstein cider vinaigrette with shaved heirloom orchard apple, applewood smoked walnuts, Great Hill farmhouse blue cheese and wildflower bee pollen.

Orchard cider syrup lacquered berkshire pork loin roast with farmstead local cheddar mashed Maine potatoes, spiced apple chutney and bacon-fat caramelized summer squash.

Apple pie with Shaine’s of Maine ginger ice cream.

Join us in celebrating this antique apple on August 29th

Cider Press, 4pm
1669 Supper, 5pm
$30/p (kids- $15) (plus applicable state tax and gratuity)

For reservations call:  207.459.4271

www.thenewenglandfarm2forkproject.com

info@thenewenglandfarm2forkproject.com

Dinner  will be held at Raven Hill Orchard, 255 Ossipee Hill Road, East Waterboro, ME 04030

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August 22, 2010 by Sara Zoe.

A part-time Special Projects Coordinator is sought to support the work of the Food & Society and Culture & Sustainability initiatives of the UNH Sustainability Academy. The Special Projects Coordinator will organize and implement key special projects, research, and events related to issues of food, local and sustainable agriculture, nutrition, community, culture, and other related issues.

UNH Office of Sustainability seeks Special Projects Coordinator - 30 hours a week, $15/hour

Job posting:

https://jobs.usnh.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/position/JobDetails_css.jsp?postingId=139515

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August 20, 2010 by Sara Zoe.

The Natural Heritage and Agricultural Fair is next weekend, August 28 + 29. It will be held at Warren Farm in Barrington, NH and is going to be fantastically fun and filled with locally grown goodness.

Help spread the word by sharing the website, agfair.wordpress.com

and

Downloading and printing our a few fliers (.doc) for friends/neighbors/coworkers/neighborhood store/library (and so on!)

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August 20, 2010 by Sara Zoe.

Next up in this excellent series:

Dover Cassily Community Garden’s Children’s Summer Activity Series

Exploring the Compost Pile!
Saturday, August 21st at 10:00am.

This week we will be exploring (read: digging in and climbing about) our two compost piles; one finished and one working. We will also be harvesting and caring for existing plantings. Come ready to dig! Tractors, trucks and diggers welcome!

Children of all ages are welcome to participate in DCCG’s free children’s program. No preregistration is necessary. We will meet at the DCCG shed at 10:00am and walk out to the garden together. It is a good idea to wear sunscreen and a hat and bring bug spray, water and a snack.

More info at dovergarden.org or email Traci, Youth Outreach Coordinator at the.mogget@yahoo.com

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August 20, 2010 by Sara Zoe.

New Roots Farm is offering pre-orders of fresh (not frozen) pasture-raised chickens for pickup at the Exeter Farmers’ Market on Thursday 8/26.

New Roots grass-fed chickens are raised on certified organic pasture in the Joel Salatin style as seen in Food, Inc.  We will be offering whole roasting chickens (4-5 pounds) for $4.50 per pound and half-chickens for $5.50 per pound.  The chickens are humanely processed on our farm in Newmarket and are shrink wrapped, sealed and labeled for pickup.  Limit two whole birds per customer.

Order your chicken by emailing Jeff and Renee Cantara at farmers @ newrootsfarm.com or by calling 292-5902

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August 17, 2010 by Sara Zoe.

The folks at Protein U want to help us all learn more about butchering, a critical skill in a local food system. To that end, they held a video contest, and now have announced the top 20 for voting. There are pig videos and beef videos, and for those of us looking to learn something for our home kitchens, there are also helpful rabbit and duck videos.

One of the finalists is Amy Winans, part of the UNH ecogastronomy and hospitality programs, showcasing the start of making a prosciutto like ham. Go vote, then spread the word! 

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August 4, 2010 by Sara Zoe.

Next up in the  Dover Cassily Community Garden’s Children’s Summer Activity Series, Nature Journals:

Nature Journals

Children’s Activity on Sunday, August 8th at 10:00am. This week we will be making Nature Journals as well as harvesting and caring for existing plantings.

Children of all ages are welcome to participate in DCCG’s children’s program. No preregistration is necessary.  We will meet at the DCCG shed at 10:00am and walk out to the garden together. It is a good idea to wear sunscreen and a hat and bring bug spray, water and a snack.

Much more information (including directions) is available at dovergarden.org or email Traci, Youth Outreach Coordinator at the.mogget@yahoo.com.

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August 4, 2010 by Sara Zoe.

On August 28th and 29th, from 10am -4pm (rain or shine!)  the 2nd Natural Heritage and Agriculture Fair will take place at Warren Farm, a fulltime working farm in Barrington NH.

Start the day off with a mule team hay wagon ride along the trails of the protected farm land. The Barrington Recreation Department will be hosting family friendly “old-time” games morning and afternoon on both days. Local farmers who raise animals will show off their critters and answer questions.

Learn about turtles, frogs, snakes, dragon flies, birds and more during nature walks on the 244 acre farm with Scott Young at 1pm Sat and Sun.

Dr. John Carroll, famed advocate and author of local agriculture will speak at 12 noon Saturday. Beekeeper Amy Antonucci will give a talk about her work with bees on Sunday.

Purchase local food at the large farmers’ market, begin your gift shopping early with local artisans, eat maple sugar ice cream and cotton candy made by Sugarmomma, purchase sweet goodies and bread from 45 Market street Bakery, lunch and breakfast foods by Fig Tree Cafe, and fresh fish sandwiches by Seaport Fish and more.

Many educational booths will inspire and propel you towards community sustainability.  Sunday Peter Yarenski and friends will play fiddle music and jam with area musicians, and there will be live music from local musicians on Saturday too.  For more information, visit the fair website at agfair.wordpress.com

Spread the word!

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