The warmth of wool moves from one to another through a careful, methodical practice.
A few of us went up North and visited a sheep farm to watch and capture the shearing process. It was such an interesting and inspiring morning – being able to see where wool fibers come from and what’s involved in gathering it up. I now have a deeper appreciate for the yarn that I work with and feel more connected to the craft.
A photo essay by Emma Robertson for Kinfolk Vol. 6
“With Thanksgiving fast approaching and stomachs growling for some homecookin’, we made a special trip upstate to talk turkey with Farmer Ryan of Fitzgerald Farms who provided Plovgh members with fresh birds this holiday season.
After the two-and-a-half hour drive, we arrived at High Falls Co-Op where Ryan works four days a week when not tending to his poultry. He greeted us downstairs among the spices and shelves, and brought us out to his truck where the turkeys were kept cool.
“Turkeys are a big investment,” he told us as he loaded the plump birds into our car. While chickens typically need eight weeks to mature, turkeys require five and a half months. This holiday has been a long time coming for Ryan and his fellow farmers, and lucky for him, he sold over 500 turkeys this year.
Ryan grew up around chickens and is vehemently a poultry-over-produce kind of guy. “After seeing the work that went into growing vegetables, I thought it was too hard,” he confessed. Well, that’s alright with us – his fresh eggs and birds convince us that he made the right choice.
Once the coolers were filled to brim with turkeys, he wished us a “Happy Thanksgiving” and we were off for the city; Over the river and through the woods to bring you a fresh alternative this turkey day.”
We are starting fresh and bringing back our Urtak survey. Each week we’ll be asking a new question that will cover a variety of topics, from how you choose your produce to where you seek out your news. Conversation requires collaboration after all, so don’t hesitate to share what you’re thinking and submit questions yourself.
Q: Do you care about having a connection with the farm that produces your food?
Harvest. Prepare. Distribute.
Thanks to the folks at Wassaic Community Farm for having us over this weekend!
Last Friday we made a trip out to Long Island to visit with Anthony and Marie of Natural Earth Farms. This was our first time on the farm since this past fall and we got to check out the greenhouse where Anthony is seeding and preparing the varieties (over 50!) of lettuce, broccoli and other greens he’ll be planting for the upcoming season.
This is Mileston, home of the Mileston Cooperative and a group of the most open-minded farmers I’ve met yet.
This is Mr. McLaurin. He’s been growing an abundance of vegetables and fruit on his family’s land his entire life. His thinking about responsible agricultural practices comes not from the catch-phrasing of the oh-so-recent food movement but from farming alongside his parents on the very land he farms now.
This is the Mississippi Delta. The alluvial soil feels like silk compared to the Midwestern and Northeastern soil I’m accustomed to. And how it makes Mr. McLaurin’s turnips grow!
One turnip, one rutabaga, straight from the farm.
Highway 49, on the way back to Jackson.
Farmer name(s): Marie and Anthony Panarello
Location: Calverton, NY
Size of farm(s) or acreage under cultivation: 10 acres
Years in farming: 20 years
Most popular products: Tomato, melons, beans, lettuce, greens
Hudson Valley Harvest - Hudson Valley, NY - Network of independently owned local farms
10 oz bags of frozen vegetables (2011 harvest): $5.00
Produce is from Taliaferro Farm, Evolutionary Organics, Amba Farms, Gill’s Farm, Hepworth Farm, Veritas Farms and Bradley Farm.
Green beans
Summer squash
Tomato puree
Butternut squash puree
Kale puree
Broccoli
Collard greens
Sweet corn
Edamame
Steak and ground beef: $9.00-$24.00/lb see specific cuts
All natural, pasture raised beef is from Sugar Hill Farm.
Pork, bacon, and sausage: $7.00-$11.00/lb see specific cuts
All natural, pasture raised pork is from Sir William Berkshire Farm.
Whole chicken: $15.00/3 lbs
Natural, free-range chicken is from North Wind Farm.
Maple syrup: $20.00/16 oz
Honey: $6.00/half pound, $10.00/lb
Partners Trace - New Paltz, NY - Six acre farm, growers of practicing-organic, biodynamic flowers, herbs and vegetables
Pickled carrots with ginger and cinnamon: $8.00-$11.00
Pickle sampler: Orange pink peppercorn, Ginger tarragon, Beets with allspice, Carrots with ginger and cinnamon: $9.00/4 jars
Sage allspice bitters: $12.00/4 oz what to do with this?
Lavender licorice bitters: $12.00/4 ozwhat to do with this?
Fitkin Farms - Cedar Falls, IA - Iowa family farm
Yellow popping corn: $3.00/bag (2 lbs)what to do with this?
Late Bloomer Farm - Campbell Hall, NY - Producer of local, organic microgreens
Mix of sunflower, radish, and broccoli greens, arugula, and watercress - AVAILABLE JANUARY 21
Name: Ali
Occupation: Student
Plovgh Pickup Point: The New School Campus, West Village
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