FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 10/16/2010
Farm to Market: Agricultural showcase sows seeds for next year’s event
CANTON — With the 2010 Farm to Market tasting event barely behind them, Ruby Sprowls of the Northern Adirondack Trading Cooperative, sponsors and regional growers are mapping broad plans for next year’s event.
This year’s tasting — really a free, gourmet multi-course meal prepared by local chef — was offered on Oct. 4 at Beartown Farms, 37221 state Route 11, Antwerp, as a way to showcase locally grown and raised foods. This marked the second year the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, Cornell Cooperative Extension and the PathStone Enterprise Center collaborated to promote local agriculture. Area families were encouraged to discover the many places where they can purchase these locally produced meats, vegetables, fruits, cheeses, herbs, wine and more. The gathering was also a way to introduce growers to area caterers and institutional decision-makers.
“I think it went really well,” said organizer Sprowls. “It was chilly and raining, but we had a good turnout. Around 80 people attended this year, and last year, we had about 50 or 60. We had more farmers participating this year, too. I heard some interesting questions and conversations throughout the evening.”
Preliminary feedback from guests so far has been positive, she said. “One said it was impossible to pick a favorite food and another said this was a great event,” she recalled.
Participating farmers/growers are NATC members from around Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties. They included: Beartown Farms; North Branch Farms; River Mist Winery; Orebed Sugar Shack; Cross Island Farms; Squeak Creek Honey; Burnham Family Maple; Windy Ridge Dairy; St. Lawrence Valley Roasters; Adirondack Harvest; Garden Share and North Country Grown Co-op. Chef Dan Mullins of Mullins Family Restaurant/Mullins Catering prepared the autumn feast.
The farmers, or vendors, are evaluating how the evening went for them in order to help tweak next year’s event. They said they welcome the opportunity to interact with their customers.
“Overall, it was a positive thing,” said Tim Gardner of Lisbon-based St. Lawrence Valley Roasters. “I met contacts for my business and that was good. I would do it again in a minute; it was good exposure and well worth it to pick up even one customer.”
The first two tastings took place in Antwerp, so Ms. Sprowls is considering moving it to St. Lawrence County next year. Gardner would like that, he said.
“I got a lot of compliments on my coffee,” he said. “People are really into local foods in Canton/Potsdam area; a tasting would go well here.”
Veronica LaMoethe, of Beartown Farms, had the host site, under big tents outdoors. “It seemed like everyone had a good time,” she said. “Last year was more focused on bigger markets such as colleges and institutions. It was more open to the public this time, so anyone interested could see what local food is like.”
Mrs. LaMoethe and her colleagues all say they hope to see more people aware of where their food comes from. She would like to see more chefs turn out for events such as these, but in the meantime, she goes out to make contacts herself.
“I did find a local restaurant here. I brought a sample to them, and the owner started serving our grass-fed hamburger as a special. It’s a really good start. I’m still positive, because we have many repeat individual customers. We get lots of new customers through word of mouth. This is a way to keep meeting them,” she said.
Stephanie Hill of Windy Ridge Dairy in West Potsdam has a decade-old family farm with 17 grass-fed cows. The dairy provides raw milk, pasteurized milk and four flavors of yogurt: plain, maple lemon, and vanilla.
“We farm organically, but are not certified. You should know your farmer,” she stresses.
Events like the tastings are a good way to meet the public and answer questions. Farmers’ markets, CSA programs (Community Supported Agriculture where customers buy a share in advance of the anticipated harvest), and tours also are popular ways to get together.
Along that line, Mark Berninghausen of Squeak Creek Honey in Brasher Falls sells his products around Potsdam and Norwood, but also makes presentations at local schools to discuss beekeeping and explain the importance of pollination to agriculture.
Cross Island Farms on Wellesley Island offers a firsthand chance to experience farm life and offers training opportunities for live-in volunteers from around the world. Dani Baker and her partner David sell certified organic pastured pork, beef and goat meat. They sell goats as pets and give tours about organic methodology and the environment in general. They also grow 250 or more varieties of vegetables.
Grants from the USDA funded the Farm to Market events, organizer Sprowls said. A representative from USDA attended, spoke with the farmers, took notes, and sampled the foods.
“I think the farmers appreciated the interest and attention,” she said. “We’re talking about ways to keep the event growing.”
To find out more about the Northern Adirondack Trading Cooperative and its educational programs and events, call Ruby Sprowls at 315-386-4000 or toll-free at 1-877-228-7810. The Web site address is www.natconline.org.
