Extension regularly reflects on ways to create meaningful connections between our northern NY producers and customers. Our first-ever Local Foods Weekend was in early September and farmers and food producers from across the region had unique offerings for the public to enjoy. Extension organized the event, and each producer had free reign to choose how they would participate. The result was a full events calendar across three days featuring over 40 farm and food businesses at 30 locations.
After the whirlwind of activity, we called each participating business to hear how the event was for them. As a complex web of activities across multiple locations and times, it was invaluable to hear their feedback on aspects that went smoothly and input for improvements.
Read on to learn more about the diversity of offerings paired with quotes from a half dozen producers. Check out the bonus gallery of images at the close of the post. The creativity and passion of the producers was evident everywhere we visited and community members were engaged and enjoying themselves at the various events.
For many farmers, the improvements to their farm are multi-year efforts. The Tuckers, of Tuckers Black Angus Ranch in North Lawrence have been working hard to expand their on-farm infrastructure and they planned the grand opening of their new farm store for Local Food Weekend. They offered tours of the farm, hosted the food truck Mac’s Mobile Diner and offered a full line of meat products and other artisan products.
The Blue House in Madrid, specializes in seasonal rotating menus. During Local Foods Weekend they had a diverse offering that included Wood Fired Ruby Red Trout, Portuguese Sausage Kale Soup, Mexican Street Corn and much more. Sourcing for the menu featured ingredients from many local producers including Birchland Farm, Brandy View Farms, Cedar Hedge Farm, C&M Farm, Kent Family Growers, Martin’s Farmstand, M&M Farm, Meier’s Cheese, Squeak Creek Apiaries, Village Veggies, and Whitten Family Farm.
Cedar Hedge Farm of Lowville traveled up to St. Lawrence County to be a day vendor at the Canton Farmers Market, selling their soft goat cheeses, breads and jams.
St. Lawrence Nurseries of Potsdam planned a special event to coincide with Local Foods Weekend. They shifted their cold hardy tree nursery to a new location and invited the public to an evening Open House that included tours, a presentation with their resident beekeeper, fresh food from neighboring Big Spoon Kitchen and beer from Hex and Hop from Bloomingdale. It was a popular gathering spot on the first night of the weekend.
Some businesses got creative with their offerings, including partnering with other producers in the area. Jernabi Coffeehouse built a custom non-alcoholic drink menu around the sweet cider from Canton Apples.
Traditional Arts of Upstate New York (The TAUNY Center) is housing the Extension exhibit In Season: Our Rural Food System in Photos. This extensive display in a historic building was the perfect setting for producers to offer off-farm activities such as presentations and demonstrations. Brian Bennett of Bittersweet Farm in DePeyster used The TAUNY Center for his home base for a presentation about agriculture.
Agriculture takes many forms and Ashley Campbell of Trout and Heron in Potsdam, is fascinated with inspiring kids to learn more about the environment and food. For Local Foods Weekend, she set up a tent at the Potsdam Farmers Market brimming with activities for youth including: harvesting sunflower seeds for the birds and seed saving, building a garden flower bouquet, playing at the bee pollination station, and making garden inspired art.
The above images are just a snapshot of the weekend. Click through the carousel below to see more Local Foods Weekend action.
Grasse River Hemp & Northern Limits Farm in Canton, NY
Did you attend one or more events as part of Local Foods Weekend? The Extension Local Foods Team is always open to hearing feedback from community members about their experience. We aim to offer chances to dive into the region’s agriculture and input from a wide variety of folks is essential. If you have ideas about how to create connections between the region’s food producers and community members, contact Flip.
Find other upcoming events on the Fruition blog here.
Flip Filippi is the Local Food Program Leader and Harvest Kitchen Manager at the Extension Learning Farm. She is dedicated to serving people all along the food chain: from businesses wanting to make food products for sale to consumers eager to access foods produced in the region and gain the confidence to use them in their kitchens. She is a certified Master Food Preserver and loves to connect with others around low waste, full flavored whole foods cooking.