June 2008 Blog Posts (15)

Summer project

During my first year in veterinary school, I learned a lot about how farm animals are managed. I wanted to start buying more humanely-raised meat and move away from factory-farmed meat. Some friends and I bought a pig from a local farmer; luckily I had an extra freezer to store the fifty pounds or more of pork that I got. The purchase was a huge hassle -- finding people who would go in with me, scheduling a time when everyone could pick the meat up, explaining yet again why I couldn't tell them… Continue

Added by Jessica Hekman on June 30, 2008 at 4:46pm — No Comments

Market day in Bridgton

Out in the garden before 5 am to pick greens, herbs and snap peas.

At the market it was overcast, but that didn't seem to stop the flow

of customers. Sold out of produce quickly and sold alot of lamb. Had

fun grilling at the market passing out samples of spicy lamb burgers.

One of our best days yet. One of the things I enjoy most about the

market is talking to the regulars and meeting new people. Eating local/

supporting local farms seems to be a priority in this… Continue

Added by Donna Fournier on June 29, 2008 at 3:57pm — No Comments

Actual Blog url

http://cnycheese.blogspot.com/

Added by Shannon M. Nichols on June 27, 2008 at 3:25pm — No Comments

Madison County Farmers Working Together

I have another blog at www.cnycheese.blogger.com . That is where you can learn more about the issues that face me as an organic dairy farmer and a direct marketer. I thought I'd share something that evolved while marketing at a Farmer's Markets in Hamilton, NY.

At some point in every market there is a lull. I get ancy during these lulls. I start to think. Generally it is my "to do" list that I am contemplating, but when other vendors come to talk (or I go to talk) we all start to… Continue

Added by Shannon M. Nichols on June 26, 2008 at 6:36pm — 1 Comment

Duty to Education

One of the original Rochdale principles – the distilled principles from cooperative history – is the duty to educate. Cooperatives who are growing and long-lived must add new members. This drives the need for education.

New members have to acquire an understanding of the business. Owners should understand the corporate culture of the business they own. Directors are drawn from a subset of these owners. They become experts on the business providing essential oversight and… Continue

Added by Kate Smith on June 26, 2008 at 10:08am — No Comments

Love this new site

I found this site after visiting WMA and so glad I

did. Good idea Roger! As a farmer any opportunity

I have to network with others interested in local

food is welcomed.

The farmers market in Bridgton has been great so

far this year. I suggest people come check it out.

With the new Reny's remodel and new parking lot

we are located right in the middle of things.

This is one of my favorite times of year on the farm.

The brood ewes are… Continue

Added by Donna Fournier on June 26, 2008 at 7:52am — No Comments

CT NOFA Farm Tour

It was a "girls" afternoon out last Sunday when I brought my mother on the 2008 CT NOFA Farm Tour. Despite some rain drops, it was a great day all around. We visited Holbrook Farm in Bethel, CT, New Pond Farm in Redding, CT, and The Hickories in Ridgefield, CT. It was a day filled with interesting people, a terrific lunch, and beautiful places.

Added by Alicia Ghio on June 24, 2008 at 12:14pm — No Comments

Good For A Laugh

When my mother-in-law saw this comic strip in the Sunday paper a couple of weeks ago she said she immediately thought of me .... Yup, it's me. But, honestly, who can resist the farmers' market?

Added by Alicia Ghio on June 23, 2008 at 5:40pm — No Comments

Co-op fragility

Last week I wrote about the economics of cooperatives with its hypothesized competitive equilibrium of zero profit. This week the fragility of cooperatives is on my mind. The process of cooperative development is fraught with many perils. A group business has its own special issues – in addition to the challenges all business start-ups face.

Conflicts emerge when people work together. For example, the steering committee that is guiding a food cooperative start-up suddenly hits a wall… Continue

Added by Kate Smith on June 19, 2008 at 9:24am — No Comments

Grillin' In The Rain

It was another trip to the New Milford Farmers' Market this weekend and another fantastic local meal. The crazy rain Saturday night didn't deter us from cooking outside. We may have gotten drenched, but our meal was a success. We grilled up some kielbasa and served it with an arugula and strawberry salad topped with a balsamic viniagarette and shaved pecorino romano cheese. The kielbasa was from Ox Hollow Farm (Roxbury, CT), arugula from Mountain View Farm (Kent, CT) and… Continue

Added by Alicia Ghio on June 16, 2008 at 2:45pm — No Comments

Economics of Cooperation

In this blog, I want to share some of my thoughts on cooperative businesses, their development, and their sustainability.

First, an entry on the economics of cooperatives.

A cooperative business is a group-owned business. Those who own it also use its services. The organization is governed democratically and profits are distributed based upon the use of the business. This is all comes from the cooperative principles that originated in England in the 1800's… Continue

Added by Kate Smith on June 12, 2008 at 10:14am — No Comments

Praise

This virtual network/community is terrific. Many, many kudos to the person(s) who conceived and brought it to life.

Added by Kate Smith on June 12, 2008 at 7:05am — 1 Comment

A Local Meal

I finally got to the New Milford Farm Market last weekend and we feasted on a fantastic local meal: Grilled pork chops topped with dollop of garlic scape pesto and a salad with a simple vinaigrette dressing. Pork chops were from Ox Hollow Farm (Roxbury, CT), garlic scapes from Mountain View Farm (Kent, CT), and salad mix from Riverbank Farm (Roxbury, CT).

Added by Alicia Ghio on June 11, 2008 at 10:41am — No Comments

Improving My Green Thumb

I freely admit I am no gardener, but I do grow basic kitchen herbs. In an attempt to green my thumb, I recently interviewed Carole Miller of Topmost Herb Farm in Coventry, CT for an upcoming episode. So far the genovese basil plant she gave me is thriving in my container garden. I'm going to keep my fingers crossed!

Added by Alicia Ghio on June 5, 2008 at 3:07pm — No Comments

Spring Has Sprung

As part of an upcoming The Natural Princess episode I had the chance to pick some asparagus with Patti Popp of Sport Hill Farm in Easton, CT. Asparagus growing in a garden has to be one of the coolest and most prehistoric looking sights I have ever seen. It may look weird, but it tasted fantastic and hands down beats what you find in the supermarket. I just drizzled the stalks with some olive oil and salt and grilled 'em… Continue

Added by Alicia Ghio on June 4, 2008 at 1:53pm — No Comments