F.A.B.: Farmers, Artisans, and Bakers

In the next series of this blog, I review local products I've discovered and recommend after consideration not only of taste - but also of ingredients and sourcing of those raw materials, practices, and packaging.

In a way, our government, about which this Gettysburg address was about, has failed us - they've sold out to lobbys of special interests - whomever has money - BIG money - speaks the loudest in Washington, D.C.

One of the easiest ways to fix this, is to redistribute wealth in a real way - focusing our dollars on the small - yes, I mean small -  business owners to revitalize an economy 
"...of the  people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth"- from the Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, November 19, 1863

As a people, I believe we can take back our government by putting money back in the  hands of the people.  Can you re-direct your spending money to small businesses?  I'll bet you can.  Let's begin with Farmers, Artisans, and Bakers!  This plan really has an immediate impact on your quality of life because you will be able to see the difference in the art and woodwork, the food, and celebrations in your life.  More details to follow...We can do it!

One of our founding principles - equal opportunity for all - the pursuit of the American dream - that is what made this country great.  The reasons large box stores and multi BIG corporations are not healthy are numerous - but here are a few - profit rules over integrity and shortcuts are taken to harm animals, humans, and the earth - box stores box out the small business because these areas/malls that they carve out in our neighborhoods discourage small businesses by the high lease/ rents for storefronts nearby that follow, they employ people but at what price - low wages, and even lower wages for many jobs outsourced to other countries.

As I discover more F.A.B. businesses - I will recommend them to you - and provide the best way to purchase directly from them through our F.A.B MEMBERSHIP.

F.A.B.: Sweet Riot

One of the recommended Companies is  Sweet Riot

Why we review it...

-their CEO is really cool and well spoken as is their Mission!

-good antioxidants

-helps cocoa farmers

-simple packaging

The price:  $4.00/bar

The website:

http://sweetriot.com/

contact info

sweetriot, inc. 
670 Broadway, Suite 302 
new york, ny 10012 
212.431.RIOT (7468)

info@sweetriot/com

Tradition: Italian Struffoli

F.A.B.: UpState Harvest Granola

One of the recommended Companies is  UpState Harvest
Why we review it...
-their granola is simple, wholesome ingredients - for real!
-good crunch, freshness
-you can tell alot about a product by its fans
-simple packaging
...slim healthy people ask me for this product.

The price:  $5.79/lb.

The website:
http://www.upstateharvest.com/

contact info
 granola@upstateharvest.com

F.A.B.: Siggi's

One of the recommended Companies is Siggi's

Why we review it...

-nice taste

-smooth, all natural

-small processing facility in comparison to the other large ones

-simple packaging

one of a kind in the US

 Finnish seems lighter than Greek but with the same satisfying custard-y feel  

The price:  $2.29/container

The website:

http://skyr.com/

contact info

Skyr Corporation
135 West 26th Street, 11th floor
New York, NY, 10001
E-mail: info@skyr.com
Distribution: 212-966-6950

F.A.B.: Simply Greek

One of the recommended Companies is Simply Greek

Why we review it...

-mid sized farm wth sheeps grazing outdoors!

-good clean smoothness with no thickeners

please note that some of the larger producers are using guar gum

-simple packaging

The price:  $2.00/small container.

The website:

http://simplygreekyogurt.com

contact info

contact@simplygreekyogurt.com

Simply Greek Yogurt. c/o Maple Hill Creamery. 2800 State Route 169. Little Falls, NY 13365

F.A.B.: Evans Farmhouse Dairy

One of the recommended Companies is Evans Farmhouse

Why we review it...

-their dairy products have cream that rises to the top, ooh!

-good people

-cows that graze outdoors

The price:  $2.29/half and half pictured here

The website:

see articles

contact info

5037 State Hwy Rt 23Norwich, NY 13815

• Phone:(607) 334-5339

F.A.B.: Farm Fresh Eggs

Why we review it...

we enjoy eggs farm fresh eggs from our farm, the Haar Family Farm, and Fiddle Tree Farm - all free range, humane, and natural

we encourage everyone to seek out the closest "chick" farmer near you 

 - look for chickens that enjoy fresh air and free range

- ask what they are fed - a good diet should transfer to great tasting and healthy eggs

- eggs are great for a variety of meal options and baking!

The price:  $2.50/dozen

The website:

here is a way to find fresh eggs near you

http://www.localharvest.org/organic-farms/

in new york

http://www.prideofny.com/

in new jersey

http://www.jerseyfresh.nj.gov/searches/pyo.htm

in connecticut

http://www.ediblecommunities.com/nutmeg/farmers-markets/farmers-markets.htm

contact info:

see above listings

Recipe: Curried Celery Root

SARE

By giving grants to people with ideas to keep farms and food alive in harmony with nature and our bodies...thats how SARE helps us SURVIVE!!!

Braised Kale

Information about Local Yogurt - Siggis

Italian Greens and Beans

Use any dark leafy greens and whatever beans you have on hand.
The nutrition of this combination is perfect!  Addition of cheese/ dairy helps to absorb the nutrients.
2 tablespoon olive oil
4 cloves garlic, sliced thin
veggie or chicken broth
white cannellini beans, chick peas, or other beans
pinch of red pepper flakes
1 anchovy fillet (optional)
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano
1 head escarole, or curly endive
salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

Asian Sauce for Pork

Asian Sauce
5 tablespoons Homemade Chicken Stock
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
2 1/2 teaspoons sugar
2 1/4 teaspoons tapioca starch
2 teaspoons ketchup
1 1/2 teaspoons dark soy sauce
Pinch freshly ground white pepper
1 tablespoon peanut oil
1 small onion, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
3/4 cup Asian Barbecued Pork
1 1/2 teaspoons Chinese rice wine or gin
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

2011 Heirloom Tomato Varieties Custom Grown

Our tomato plants are ready to be planted this week! CSA members will benefit from lots of great red and purple types - mouthwatering sunbursts of flavor in no time! Each member can pick ripe tomatoes beginning around July - harvest is limited to a smaller basket (but still generous) once per week.

We are also selling some of our custom grown tomato plants until June 7th.
The price per plant is .65 - Each order is 16 plants - while supplies last.
Offer open until June 7. Pick up in Utica NH area - email your order.

maximum from this group = 5 of any variety
cuor di bue
pantano romanesco
san marzano
striped roman
cherokee purple

maximum from this group = 1 of any variety
delicious
hazelfield
moneymaker
beauty queem
rei dos
morado
mama leone
black early
black oxheart
black giant
black pear
igneli gigante
illini star
orange purple smudge
vorlon

Wild Greens

Includes ramps or wild leeks, garlic greens, mustard, nettle,

"The Indian Medicine Man"

excerpt from Green Treasures by Charles Morrow Wilson cr 1974
"J I Lighthall
 - sassafras tea, used as a substitute for coffee and all would be digestion better and more happy and hopeful populace
the country is an open garden of medicinal plants
practiced by "Pennslyvania Dutch Country" men and women, actually of German descent
tops of wild carrot or Queen Annes lace is a tea for bladder ailments
pulverized white oak bark and cayenne pepper will reduce-quit smoking habit- chew the size of a bean

according to the Medicine Man - JI Lighthall

"tobacco is an evil weed and the ruthless enemy of good health"

A little Hamlet, a wonderful Farmers Market!

Today I met and enjoyed many vendors at the Poolville Farmers Market.  It is the first market I've been to since my days at the WTC breezing through the farmers market to buy lunch things long before I knew I'd have my own farm one day.  Since then,  I have been a farmer for 20 years - a Connoisseur longer than that.   Farmers Markets are the cornerstone of farmer to consumer distribution.

- Each vendor took in between  $150- $400.  The market only ran from 10am-12pm (2 hours) so that amounts to a wage of $75-200/hr.  Sales were brisk and people that came - came to buy.

- I would love to bring my products to market once we get our 20k processing facility

Products that include frozen veggies,  heirloom tomato puree, combination meals such as Tuscan soup, and Giambotta.  Brick oven Neopolitan Pizza.  Amaretti Cookies and Italian Cheese Cake.  Frittatas from our Farm fresh eggs.

Sharing Recipes, Traditions, and Healthy Lifestyles Together!

WE ARE A U-PICK CSA.  

the reasons are simple, children and adults experience fun and renewed vigor on a day at the farm.  

It is cheaper for customers and us since we don't have to hire workers to harvest vegetables.

All Americans are in need of more time outdoors in nature and we provide that here.

This wonderful farm has many preserved open spaces and lots of fertile earth to grow boundless nutritious food for everyone!

MEMBERSHIP DRIVE: 2011 CSA

MEMBERSHIP DRIVE: 2011 CSA

WE ARE FEATURED HERE:

http://www.farmshedcny.com/farmshednation/?tag=csas

VISIT OUR FARM ANIMALS: PETTING ALLOWED!

Butler is our first BUCK, added to our Saanen goat herd in 2010, he will be a year old in May.  We plan on growing our herd slowly and expect doelings in the Spring!  These animals have such personality and our great for petting, walking and all around entertainment.  Our goats are Saanen which is a breed from Switzerland known for good milk production.  We hope to work with local cheese artisans in the near future that will make wonderful foods out of our goats milk.  This Buck is also half Arapawa,  a New Zealand rare breed, which we hope will pass along "the hardiness, self-sustainability, and disease resistance qualities making them a potential source for the stimulation of narrowly bred domestic varieties."  As Heritage breed advocates, we think it is really important to promote the preservation of old breeds, but at the same time careful not to breed this lineage too closely, a risk for any dairy farmer.  With this buck which was bred on another farm, we are hoping to diversify our genetic pool for strong, enduring animals. 

 We do not have children, but love to receive visits from families and their children.  Most of our young visitors,  like the one pictured here,  come with their families for our featherdown.com agritourism stay!  We are proud of our animals and want to share them especially with children.  Our animals are cared for their lifetime, we strive to achieve longevity for each animal.  They are not here for what they do for us, but more what we provide for them, which is a nurturing lifelong commitment!