Wednesday, September 24, 2008

End of summer, bring on the Fall!

The Flying J Dinner on Saturday was just what everyone expected: Delicious, warm, fun and inspiring. Unfortunately, I'm on the road in Maine and don't have the means to upload my photos...those will be delayed until I get home on Oct. 2. But you can read and see photos of our Shake the Hand that Feeds You dinner here on Colleen's blog.

Today, Russ and I woke up in Stonington, ME. We got in last night to this small, coastal town located right on the southern tip of Deer Isle. It's all so picturesque. I can't wait to upload my photos. The combination of salty air, inviting cafes and little art galleries make me wish I could spend more time here in each little town. But I must stay focused! We will be traveling to Acadia National Park today. Then in a few days, back down to Camden, where Russ lived and worked last summer. Finally, Sunday I will spend the day at Appleton Creamery with Caitlin and Monday I'll drive back up to Orono to hang with Jen and Scott at the Olde Oak Farm.

Yesterday, Russ and I drove up from Brooklyn, NY through Portsmouth, NH, where we stopped to have lunch at the Friendly Toast, a recommendation from Jane, a fellow Slow Food member. I'm so glad she recommended it! I had rhubarb bread french toast and it was soooo good! Thanks for the rec. Jane!
More to come soon...

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Pawpaws to the People

Yesterday, I visited the Pawpaw festival with some Slow Food friends. The pawpaws were so good! Sweet and rich like custard. Banana/mango sweetness!! I finally met Chris from Integration Acres. Our Slow Food group would love to visit his farm, but understandably, he's been very busy lately. He was very busy yesterday handing out pawpaw samples along with a variety of products made with pawpaws, spicebush berries, and goat cheese!
Integration Acres added a small dairy goat herd a couple years ago and has been making cheese for about a year now. I tried the chevre. It's nice and mild. And when I tried it, I immediately wanted to try my hand at making some.

I also attended a short workshop yesterday that was more like a Q and A about goat farming. I felt pretty knowledgeable about everything they mentioned...which means I must be doing my homework...but I still have no actual goat experience. I spoke with one of the ladies giving the talk afterward. Her name is Jen and she has worked with goats on her family's farm for 14 years. She also currently works for Chris at Integration Acres and is responsible for daily milking of the goats. It was good to meet someone my age who is so experienced and knowledgeable with goats. We will definitely keep in touch. OEFFA is doing a forest harvesting workshop at Integration Acres on October 11. I will definitely be there. And hopefully, I can plan more visits soon.

Now the pawpaw festival is over.
Next is our Slow Food dinner at Flying J farm!
And immediately following that, I will be leaving for a 2 week vacation to Maine Next Sunday. I am visiting Olde Oak Farm and Appleton Creamery to learn more about their apprenticeships.
April will be here before I know it...and my own "year of the goat" will take shape.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Green Living Fayre



The Ohio Green Living Fayre was Monday. This was the second year for the fayre, but the first time I went. What a great event! Met so many people, and even learned a little.
Mostly, it was a relief to see so many people interested in and excited about sustainable living. All these people are making an effort to do something positive, to live by example, to change the way we all think about our impact on the earth. It was held at Flying J Farm, the perfect setting for the event. Such a beautiful place, I felt right at home.



Most interesting to me was the workshop on straw bale construction by Jay from Blue Rock Station. www.bluerockstation.com

Jay gives workshops on how to build your own straw bale structure, and I plan on attending one of these workshops next spring.



Other highlights from the fayre included learning about solar power from Matt from Dovetail Solar and Wind, Snowville Creamery icecream and milk tasting, meeting the guys from Rootdown, learning about Simply Living, and Heart of Ohio.



I was there representing Slow Food Columbus with Natalie and we're already looking forward to next year's event.