We live in a vast rural county, larger than the states of Delaware and Rhode Island. In a place this spread out, sometimes it takes a while to know who is doing what. There’s a brand new way to learn more about agriculture in our area and the stories behind our area’s food businesses.
In addition to this blog, just launched in May 2021, the Extension Local Foods team is bringing the farmers and food businesses right to your computer screen with a new livestream called the Fruition Local Food Showcase. We are passionate about connecting consumers with the people who grow or sell food items available in St. Lawrence County.
The showcase features three new people every month, who have their chance in the spotlight for a 15 minute interview. Community members tune in on YouTube or Facebook, where it’s livestreamed and also saved as a recording to view later. The program gives viewers a unique opportunity to learn directly from the people who run these businesses about what drives them, what’s new this season, and how to access and best use their products.
The kickoff program was May 19th, featuring Will Trithart of Big Spoon Kitchen in Potsdam, Megan Bowdish of Never Tire Farm in Lisbon, and Kassandra Barton of 8 O’ Clock Ranch in DeKalb. It was a lively conversational session, where the passion of these three producers shone through. We learned that Big Spoon is opening a food truck this summer, 8 O’clock Ranch will celebrate their 20th anniversary next season and Never Tire Farm just added their 9th greenhouse.
But wait- there’s more! The showcase lives on past the livestream with the recipes that the guests share. Will & Rosie of Big Spoon contributed a seasonal fruit curd and bar along with an adaptable focaccia recipe. Kassandra Barton had a mouthwatering simple tangy slow cooker pot roast recipe. All the recipes will be posted on the Cornell Cooperative Extension site in the seasonal recipes section. Watch this recipe list grow throughout the season with the favorite dishes of our featured producers. There will be new additions every month contributed by the Fruition Showcase guests, along with Master Food Preserver volunteers.
The May showcase had prizewinners too! Mackenzie Y. won a 10% off coupon from Big Spoon, Carolyn F. won a $50 gift certificate for Big Spoon Kitchen and Jon C. won the $50 gift certificate from 8 O’ Clock Ranch.
Mark your calendars for the upcoming showcases, airing live each month on the third Wednesdays, 7-8pm. The June edition will feature The Blue House of Madrid and M&M Eggs of Massena. This will be a lively session and includes a prize raffle of a heritage Thanksgiving turkey from M & M Eggs and a gift certificate to the Blue House!
Here is your chance to learn firsthand about the farmers, chefs, food entrepreneurs and retailers of our region.