March 10, 2010 by Debra.

I’ve been enjoying experimenting with the locally grown and milled flour I bought from Moor Farm at the Winter Farmers’ Market earlier this season. So I was excited to come across information regarding a grain CSA being offered in nearby Massachusetts. Pioneer Valley Heritage Grains is the result of a partnership between Wheatberry Bakery & Cafe and The New England Small Farm Institute. This project was developed to explore the “challenges of producing, processing & marketing an emerging commodity.” The following describes what was being offered in last year’s share:

A full 2009 share ($300) is approximately:

• • 30lbs of wheat (spring and winter wheat)
  • 10lbs of black beans
  • 10lbs of oats
  • 20lbs of corn
  • 5lbs of barley
  • 6lbs of rye
  • 15lbs of spelt
  • 4lbs of emmer

Fine Print

• • A half share ($175) is half of the above quantities
  • Grains are unmilled for keeping quality.
  • Milling is available weekday afternoons at Wheatberry Bakery,
  • or a home sized mill can be used and cost between $50 and $200.

With locally grown beans already available and more locally grown wheat on the horizon, one can’t help but imagine that a grain CSA can’t be too far off from being offered here on the Seacoast!

Posted in author: Debra, sources of local food | Print | 2 Comments »

March 5, 2010 by Debra.

Our next Winter Farmers’ Market will be at Exeter on March 13th. That leaves a gap between area markets, however, there’s still local food available if you know where to look. Some possible sources include farm stands or shops that continue to be open during the winter, though sometimes on a reduced schedule:

- Brookford Farm: farm store open daily year-round, 24 hours

- Heron Pond Farm: farm stand open on weekends between winter farmers markets

- Riverslea Farm: farm shop open daily year-round, 8 to 6, and by appointment

- Lasting Legacy Farm: farm store winter hours Fridays 10 to 6, and by appointment

If you have a craving for something specific, check the list of vendors participating in our Winter Farmers’ Markets. Chances are they may have food available between markets, and can be contacted directly. Tip: Please call ahead for availability and visiting times.

Posted in Market Notes, author: Debra, sources of local food | Print | No Comments »

March 3, 2010 by Heather.

It’s the time of year when it feels like spring will never come again. But have no fear, Bill Spiller started his tomato plants on Monday. Which reminds me, it’s time to pick a CSA!

Anna and Bill Spiller of Spiller Farm in Wells, Maine, farm about 130 acres with 30 acres in row crops, 4 acres in strawberries, 4 acres in apples, and 1 acre of raspberries as well as hay fields and 60 acres of pasture and woods. Their family has been farming in Wells since 1894. They’re easy to find, only minutes from Route 1, which will make it handy when you go to pick up your weekly CSA produce. Their CSA will be 18 weeks long, running from mid-June to mid-October, with participation costing $295. Visit the Spiller Farm Web site for more information on what they offer, http://www.spillerfarm.com/2010/03/community-supported-agriculture.html.

If Wells is just too far for you to travel and you’re looking for a different CSA there are plenty to choose from! This handy list of CSAs and CSFs that participated in our Winter Farmers’ Market CSA Day at Wentworth Greenhouses should get you off and running. http://www.seacoasteatlocal.org/winterfarmersmarkets/CSAHandout.pdf 

Some additional information about CSAs and CSFs can be found at http://www.seacoasteatlocal.org/winterfarmersmarkets/#events.  

Posted in author: Heather, sources of local food, farms, Uncategorized | Print | No Comments »

February 23, 2010 by Sara Zoe.

Just in time for CSA Fair Weekend (events in MA, ME, and of course, at the Winter Farmers’ Market on Saturday the 27th with us in Rollinsford) LocalHarvest.org has published their own How to Choose a CSA article.

The first section is an important one, which is, knowing yourself and your relationship to things like vegetables and cooking - and then moving on to details of the relationship for the season, with the good advice to ask a lot of questions, “You’re considering making a major investment: go ahead and ask a lot of questions before you join” 

Go read the full article!

Posted in sources of local food, events | Print | No Comments »

February 15, 2010 by Debra.

Fresh, organic chicken is available for pick-up from Chick Farm until the end of the day, Tuesday, February 16th. Located in Wells, Maine, Chick Farm plans to continue to have fresh chicken available periodically throughout the winter.

Certified Organic Chicken: Our chickens are raised with tender loving care, in accordance with USDA organic standards and certified by the Maine Organic Farmers & Gardeners Association. These birds are young, tender, and very meaty — excellent for roasting, grilling, or frying. They are fresh-frozen, vacuum-packed, and average 4-6 lbs each. Our organic broilers are $3.99/lb, sold as whole birds here at the farm. We generally have frozen chicken on hand all the time and fresh chicken available once or twice a month.

Please contact Chick Farm ahead of time before visiting the farm. If you would like to order chicken or request to be put on their email notification list, they can be reached at info@chickfarm.com.

Posted in author: Debra, sources of local food | Print | No Comments »

February 9, 2010 by Jeff.

Seacoast Eat Local has had a tremendous year presenting two winter workshops for farmers, supporting NH Eat Local Month, planning 11 Winter Farmers’ Markets, and publishing the third edition of Seacoast Harvest. We thank you for your continued support of Seacoast Eat Local, and more importantly, for your continued support of the region’s farmers, fishermen, beekeepers, maple syrup producers, orchardists, and vintners. By working together and making mindful choices about how we eat, we contribute to the health of our environment, community, culture, and economy.

In 2009 Seacoast Eat Local and Slow Food Seacoast printed 6,000 copies of Seacoast Harvest, the local food guide for Rockingham, Strafford, and York Counties. What started as a small leaflet has grown substantially since 2007. Last year we listed 150 farms, two dozen farmers’ markets, and helped local farms survive and thrive during a difficult economy. Seacoast Harvest was such a success because of the many individuals, businesses, nonprofits, and other organizations that sponsored its publication, as well as those that gave their time. Please donate today so that we can continue our work in support of our communities’ farms and farmers.

Please donate $25 toward the 2010 edition of Seacoast Harvest today.  In thanks, we will mail you a copy of Seacoast Harvest as soon as it is published in late May.

Donate online through Paypal, a secure transaction.

If you would like to make your donation by check, please make checks payable to “Seacoast Eat Local” and mail to Seacoast Harvest c/o Jeff Donald 245 N River Rd Epping, NH 03042.

Seacoast Harvest is given out at farmers’ markets, farm stands, local businesses, and community events throughout the Seacoast, all year long.  It helps consumers to find the foods they want and to understand more about the farms where it is grown or raised. The companion website, www.seacoastharvest.org, provides links to more information about local food, a map of the area’s farmers’ markets, an interactive Harvest Calendar, and a searchable database of the farms listed in the print edition.

Individuals, businesses, or organizations that donate $100 or more can be listed as sponsors of Seacoast Harvest.  Sponsors are listed in print and on our website. If you are interested in making this level of donation, please contact us directly.  If your business was a sponsor in 2009 we hope that you will sponsor Seacoast Harvest again.  Our Sponsorship Coordinator can be reached at jeff@seacoasteatlocal.org or at (603) 793-9768.

We hope that you will consider being a donor or a sponsor of Seacoast Harvest.  Your donation provides the resources needed to ensure that farmers will have a viable market for their products, providing the Seacoast with a reliable source of real food.

Posted in sources of local food | Print | No Comments »

February 2, 2010 by Sara Zoe.

A note from Meadow’s Mirth Farm with details of their unique, very flexible CSA:

Josh and Jean at Meadow’s Mirth have been growing organic produce and selling at the farmers’ markets since 2004.  We are now accepting new members for our 2010 Community Suported Agriculture (CSA) program.  Buying
 a
 farm 
share
 is
 a
 sustainable 
way
 to
 help 
farmers 
with
 early 
season
 start‐up
 costs,
 and
 secures 
a 
market
 for
 farmers’ fresh 
produce.  By joining our CSA, you, the 

shareholder,
 benefit
 by 
getting
 a 
discount
 on
 our
 wide variety of products offered at the farmers’ market,
 and 
free
 choice
 as 
to
 what
 you
 want
 in
 each
 pickup.   You take
 as 
much 
or
 as
 little
 as 
you
 need 
for
 the 
week and it gets deducted from your balance.

  This 
amounts 
to 
less
 food
 waste,
 and 
more
 of
 what 
you 
enjoy.

  Pickups will be at one our farmers’ markets.  You 
can
 choose
 
location
 that
 works 
for 
you,
 and 
not 
worry
 about
 having 
to 
bring
 cash 
to
 the 
market 
for
 your
 veggies.

  Plus 
if
 there 
is 
something
 you 
need 
that 
we
 don’t
 provide 
(eggs,
 dairy, 
etc) 
you 
can 
purchase 
it
 from
 one 
of 
the 
other 
market
 vendors for one stop shopping at the farmers’ market.

  If
 you
 need
 to 
skip 
a 
week
 or two, 
there is
 no 
need 
to
 call.

 We
 will
 keep
 track 
of
 your
 balance 
and  periodically
 notify 
you
 so
 you
 can 
plan
 accordingly.

  Pickups are at Durham, Amesbury, Exeter, and Portsmouth markets in the summer, and Rollinsford and Exeter in the winter.   For more information check out our website or come see us at the Seacoast Eat Local winter markets.

  Download and read the .pdf for the nitty gritties

Posted in sources of local food | Print | No Comments »

January 30, 2010 by Sara Zoe.

Fill out the survey to be included: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BPNZGP8

A message from  Gail McWIlliam Jellie, Director of the Division of Agricultural Development for NH:

This year the Department of Agriculture and NH Division of Travel and Tourism are partnering to create two consumer resource maps: New Hampshire Agriculture Resource Map and New Hampshire Garden Trails Map.

About these maps:
New Hampshire Agriculture Resource Map: goal is to consolidate a variety of published booklets (Farmers’ Market Directory, Pick Your Own, etc) into one comprehensive map/brochure that will include, but not limited to, resources such as Farms, Farmstands, Farmers’ Markets, Pick your Own, Orchards, Dairies, Wineries, etc.

New Hampshire Garden Trails Map: goal is to promote garden, floral and other horticultural activities such as educational workshops and classes, tours, demonstration gardens, etc., as well as sources of NH grown plant products and to create a “trail” of these opportunities that interested parties may follow throughout the state or regions of the state. All New Hampshire businesses or organizations that offer such activities are invited to sign up.

Each map will be created and printed separately – but both will consist of a comprehensive map, divided into New Hampshire regions, with listing all of the state’s agricultural and garden resources including contact and other relevant information for each business listing.

Maps will be distributed via NH Welcome Centers, Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, Agriculture Fairs, NH Made partnership, and other avenues TBD.
We are very excited to create this map on behalf of the agriculture industry and we need your help to get started. If you would like your business to be a part of New Hampshire’s Agriculture Resource Map and/or the Garden Trails Map, please join us by providing your information for your listings. This is a free listing! Our goal is to print the map by the end of March, so please send in your completed form by Monday February 15, 2010. Information received after that date may not be able to be included.

Sincerely,
Gail McWIlliam Jellie, Director
Division of Agricultural Development
NH Dept. of Agriculture, Markets & Food
603-271-3788
www.agriculture.nh.gov

Fill out the survey to be included: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BPNZGP8

Posted in sources of local food | Print | No Comments »

January 28, 2010 by Sara Zoe.

Thistleridge Farm will hatch your chicks, or rent you an incubator so you can hatch your own! Call Sherri at the phone number listed below:

Sherri Towle

397 Tolend Road

Dover, NH 03820

phone: (603) 740-9332

email: thistleridgefarm @ yahoo . com

Posted in sources of local food | Print | No Comments »

January 19, 2010 by Sara Zoe.

Riverside Farm of North Berwick, Maine has written to announce that they will be offering CSA shares this season. Their CSA share contents and pickups will be very flexible, and offer a very wide variety of products and fun things like farm tours.

Visit their website to learn more!

Posted in sources of local food | Print | No Comments »