Having very gratefully accepted a scholarship to the 2014 NOFA NY Winter Conference in Saratoga Springs, I feel I owe it to our members to share my experience there.
When I first started a love for photography, my favorite subjects were found in nature. Old barns grown over with vines, fence posts with barbed wire poking through snow, flowers laden with dew, fruit fresh on the vine, the perfection of a leaf. Intricate designs of the natural and weathered I simply hoped to capture and do nature justice in the images I took. On my early morning drive to Saratoga Springs, I felt compelled to stop so many time to snap shots as the sun rose in shades of pink and gold, rolling over snow covered feilds, but didn't want to be late! So this one shot of a beautiful barn in the sunrise was all I got. I didn't bring my camera into the conference, as I was already lagged down with multitudes of literature acquired, and pictures can only tell a small part of this story.
I was not on a photo trip, but a journey to learn. I met so many wonderful people, and I'd like to share who I met and what I learned.
When I arrived, just in time to catch breakfast, I pulled up a chair at a table of children, and an older gentleman. We both agreed that it was the best seat in the house. Upon introductions, I learned that he was none other than executive director at Hawthorne Valley; Martin Ping. Hawthorne Valley Farm is a diverse organic farm in Southern NY, and have grown since their founding in 1972 to include an incredible farm store, and a Waldorf school, among many other accomplishments. Their cooperative farm's story has been a great inspiration to me throughout the years, and I was planning a trip in the early spring to see the school and farm. He offered to help in any way he could for us to start a school as we move forward. He also raved about the healing qualities of the blueberries Grindstone Farm sends every year for their CSA and bakery. What an honor it was to meet him!
At my first workshop, presented by NOFA council member, Steve Gilman, I was relieved to learn that NOFA, along with countless other farm advocacy groups, and third party certifiers, are vehemently opposed to the Food Safety and Modernization Act; and that the last comment period resulted in the FDA and legislators having to bring the whole thing back to the drawing board. Bottom line, clean food does not cause illness! Presently there is a maximum of $500,000 GROSS sales in order to qualify for an exemption from the rigorous regulations proposed in this law. The consensus of most small farms is that $500,000 in gross sales is very low considering the cost of labor, and cost of production. If you are interested in participating in the next comment session, please join the National Young Farmer's Coalition's mailing list to keep updated on action alerts.
Speaking of the National Young Farmer's Coalition ,(NYFC) they were present at the trade show as well. I first learned about the organization at last year's NJ NOFA conference. They are a not for profit group educating beginner farmers, tackling the land access issues facing many new farmers, and politically active for farmer's rights. While I have been in contact with them since last winter, Freedom Rains Farm is now a proud NYFC member. This helps their (our) cause and gives us some great discounts off seeds and equipment. Essentially it is a lobby group, and organic small growers are rarely represented in DC due to the lack of funds. The more we can support groups like this, the better our chances of achieving goals for a healthy future. Anti fracking, GMO labeling, land access for small sustainable farms and food, allowing a space for ingenuity and sharing experiences and ideas for farmers across the nation; they are active in all these areas. They were founded in NY to deal with the issue of land access in their area, and have grown to a nationwide organization with chapters in many regions, connecting local farms.
Wayne Gottlieb, a presenter from Thompkins County presented the trials, errors and successes of starting a school garden at Dewitt Middle School. He went through all the layers of approval and support it took to get started, and all the success and growth it's seen since it's inception. By doing this he provides hands on outdoor education to his science students, as well as fresh organic food for the school cafeteria. The school gardenis currently seeking funding for a summer program. I have found that is the biggest barrier to school gardens in CNY, our most active growing season is summer vacation for students, and funding for summer programs gets tighter every year. School gardens are all but non existent in Oswego and Onondaga Counties, and we would be happy to support any school projects in any way we can, whether through education, donating seedlings, or at school training.
I saw Tim, formerly of Greyrock Farm in Cazenovia. For those familiar with Greyrock, Tim was the draft horse expert there, and is currently seeking his own farm. I spoke with many young farmers about the issues of finding land. What it made me realize was how blessed we are to have the arrangement we have. To lease already certified organic land from Grindstone, to have such and abundance of fresh water, to have the freedom to do business and work cooperatively with our local producers, we are in a unique situation in comparison to many who seek to start their own farms in NY. While land ownership is still on the forefront of the battle, we must utilize our youth and our predecessors experience to create an environment of seamless transition of America's farmland and food supply. So many old farms are relics; crumbling under the weight of time and development. So many farmers are reaching retirement age with no pension, little to no social security, and few options for land transfer beyond outright sale to developers, or corporate farms. Too many foreclosure sales and auctions are going on in the farming world to make anyone who eats feel comfortable. Groups like American Farm Land Trust, NYFC, and FarmNet, are great resources for both the senior and junior generations.
As many New Yorkers are seeking ways to contribute to a sustainable foodshed in our state; urban farmers, rural farmers, community gardeners, food access advocates, food processors and the like; I found that Central NY is lagging behind the rest of the state in many ways. When given a list from the NY Small Scale Food Processors Association of "local" food processing facilities in NY there was a huge gap in the CNY area. While an Oswego County food hub currently in the works, in cooperation with the city of Oswego and SUNY Oswego; it may be years before it is underway. By supporting this project we hope to have access to commercial kitchen space to preserve excess harvest for our members and community; schools, hospitals, nursing homes; and provide access to minimally processed local foods. We need the support of the community on this as well. No great feat is accomplished without a strong backing. If you'd like to become involved in support of the food hub, or organize a school to farm program, please contact me.
While land access, tackling food deserts, making and paying a living wage, producing organic foods in a chemical environment may sound like big challenges to NY's farmers; the elephant in the room is Hydro Fracking. The consensus is that NY is rich in agricultural history, and we've seen what fracking has done to Ohio (frack related earthquakes, sinkholes) Pennsylvania (dangerously contaminated water); any farmer who truly wishes to continue farming must play activist against Fracking in NY. Food and Water Watch was there with much information to be shared and distributed. The pressure must be put on Albany to put an end to the discussion. New York has spoken- no fracking in the Marcellus Shale, but apparently we have to keep reminding the powers that be where we stand. Renewable energy is a viable alternative to fracking, strip mined coal and nuclear.
Being at the conference, realizing only a small handful of organic growers were there, made me see what an incredible community of sustainable farmers there are in our state. Seeing old friends, and making new ones. Having the honor of talking to a few gentlemen from Vermont, who were pioneers of organics, helping to construct a national organic standard. When I asked them if they ever thought back in the 70's and early 80's if they'd ever see a conference so big in the NE they said, never in their wildest dreams had they imagined that the organic community would have grown to the size it is now. And it's growing. That they were thrilled to see so many young folks filling in the gaps for their generation. That there is still much footwork to be done.
Upon returning home for two days of wind and snow accumulations of 3-4 feet, hauling water to the barn in blinding frigid lake affect winds, seeing my family after a two day break, I realized two days without farm and house chores was more than enough time to know without a shadow of doubt- I love my job! I might be crazy, but I'm not the only one.
Travis and I spent last evening fine tuning our field plans, and tallying seed prices (that discount from NYFC will come in handy!) I started a germination trial of red russian kale seeds with a sample of potting soil from an Ithaca producer, Green Tree. If it works well, the price is right and it's a locally produced product, we will be using it this season for all our transplants. We also filled out the paperwork for the 2014 NOFA Farmer's Pledge, which will put us in NOFA's big book of organic growers in NY. While we grow on Certified Organic land, the certification for both business entities was a little redundant, and quite frankly confused the folks at NOFA. We must be on the fringe when we ask questions people don't have answers to. Also, in many ways, I feel that the Farmer's Pledge is a more sustainable model for organic producers and our communities at large, as it includes social justice, sustainable energy usage, and conservation practices not included in USDA organic requirements.
While the cold seeps through the walls we dream of spring, awaiting that first harvest with eager hopefulness, in the meantime the fruits of our labor come in the form of fresh eggs, and the loving support of CSA members who instill confidence in our goals of growth and community. Thank you to all who have supported us thus far. Farmers are only part of the equation- conscious, knowledgeable customers are the other part! The organic community of growers would never had grown to such wonderful abundance without the support of our communities across NY.
I envision a future where all farms are organic in nature, that all livestock is pastured and treated humanely, that no pesticide residues contaminate our food or drinking water, that GMO's are a horror story of the past, that everyone has at least one neighboring farm the call their own, that food is not shipped in from overseas. I envision a future where old barns are active and restored, not abandoned relics of the past. We have a long way to go yet, but I am reassured to know there is such a strong passionate base of support for organics in NY.
"You might say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one"
Travis and I will be attending the MOSES (Midwest Organic & Sustainable Education Service) conference at the end of February in Wisconsin on behalf of Grindstone Farm, so more to come before conference season is over!
Here are links to some of the great organizations and businesses who attended and supported the conference:
www.hawthornevalleyfarm.org
www.youngfarmers.org
www.farmland.org
www.justfood.org
www.nyssfpa.com
www.foodandwaterwatch.org
www.syracuseculturalworkers.com
www.agriculturaljusticeproject.org
www.independentsciencenews.org
www.greentreegardensupply.com
www.nofany.org
Our chicken coop, awaiting restoration in the spring looking buried in the snow banks. The chickens are presently overwintered in the barn.
When I first started a love for photography, my favorite subjects were found in nature. Old barns grown over with vines, fence posts with barbed wire poking through snow, flowers laden with dew, fruit fresh on the vine, the perfection of a leaf. Intricate designs of the natural and weathered I simply hoped to capture and do nature justice in the images I took. On my early morning drive to Saratoga Springs, I felt compelled to stop so many time to snap shots as the sun rose in shades of pink and gold, rolling over snow covered feilds, but didn't want to be late! So this one shot of a beautiful barn in the sunrise was all I got. I didn't bring my camera into the conference, as I was already lagged down with multitudes of literature acquired, and pictures can only tell a small part of this story.
I was not on a photo trip, but a journey to learn. I met so many wonderful people, and I'd like to share who I met and what I learned.
When I arrived, just in time to catch breakfast, I pulled up a chair at a table of children, and an older gentleman. We both agreed that it was the best seat in the house. Upon introductions, I learned that he was none other than executive director at Hawthorne Valley; Martin Ping. Hawthorne Valley Farm is a diverse organic farm in Southern NY, and have grown since their founding in 1972 to include an incredible farm store, and a Waldorf school, among many other accomplishments. Their cooperative farm's story has been a great inspiration to me throughout the years, and I was planning a trip in the early spring to see the school and farm. He offered to help in any way he could for us to start a school as we move forward. He also raved about the healing qualities of the blueberries Grindstone Farm sends every year for their CSA and bakery. What an honor it was to meet him!
At my first workshop, presented by NOFA council member, Steve Gilman, I was relieved to learn that NOFA, along with countless other farm advocacy groups, and third party certifiers, are vehemently opposed to the Food Safety and Modernization Act; and that the last comment period resulted in the FDA and legislators having to bring the whole thing back to the drawing board. Bottom line, clean food does not cause illness! Presently there is a maximum of $500,000 GROSS sales in order to qualify for an exemption from the rigorous regulations proposed in this law. The consensus of most small farms is that $500,000 in gross sales is very low considering the cost of labor, and cost of production. If you are interested in participating in the next comment session, please join the National Young Farmer's Coalition's mailing list to keep updated on action alerts.
Speaking of the National Young Farmer's Coalition ,(NYFC) they were present at the trade show as well. I first learned about the organization at last year's NJ NOFA conference. They are a not for profit group educating beginner farmers, tackling the land access issues facing many new farmers, and politically active for farmer's rights. While I have been in contact with them since last winter, Freedom Rains Farm is now a proud NYFC member. This helps their (our) cause and gives us some great discounts off seeds and equipment. Essentially it is a lobby group, and organic small growers are rarely represented in DC due to the lack of funds. The more we can support groups like this, the better our chances of achieving goals for a healthy future. Anti fracking, GMO labeling, land access for small sustainable farms and food, allowing a space for ingenuity and sharing experiences and ideas for farmers across the nation; they are active in all these areas. They were founded in NY to deal with the issue of land access in their area, and have grown to a nationwide organization with chapters in many regions, connecting local farms.
Wayne Gottlieb, a presenter from Thompkins County presented the trials, errors and successes of starting a school garden at Dewitt Middle School. He went through all the layers of approval and support it took to get started, and all the success and growth it's seen since it's inception. By doing this he provides hands on outdoor education to his science students, as well as fresh organic food for the school cafeteria. The school gardenis currently seeking funding for a summer program. I have found that is the biggest barrier to school gardens in CNY, our most active growing season is summer vacation for students, and funding for summer programs gets tighter every year. School gardens are all but non existent in Oswego and Onondaga Counties, and we would be happy to support any school projects in any way we can, whether through education, donating seedlings, or at school training.
I saw Tim, formerly of Greyrock Farm in Cazenovia. For those familiar with Greyrock, Tim was the draft horse expert there, and is currently seeking his own farm. I spoke with many young farmers about the issues of finding land. What it made me realize was how blessed we are to have the arrangement we have. To lease already certified organic land from Grindstone, to have such and abundance of fresh water, to have the freedom to do business and work cooperatively with our local producers, we are in a unique situation in comparison to many who seek to start their own farms in NY. While land ownership is still on the forefront of the battle, we must utilize our youth and our predecessors experience to create an environment of seamless transition of America's farmland and food supply. So many old farms are relics; crumbling under the weight of time and development. So many farmers are reaching retirement age with no pension, little to no social security, and few options for land transfer beyond outright sale to developers, or corporate farms. Too many foreclosure sales and auctions are going on in the farming world to make anyone who eats feel comfortable. Groups like American Farm Land Trust, NYFC, and FarmNet, are great resources for both the senior and junior generations.
As many New Yorkers are seeking ways to contribute to a sustainable foodshed in our state; urban farmers, rural farmers, community gardeners, food access advocates, food processors and the like; I found that Central NY is lagging behind the rest of the state in many ways. When given a list from the NY Small Scale Food Processors Association of "local" food processing facilities in NY there was a huge gap in the CNY area. While an Oswego County food hub currently in the works, in cooperation with the city of Oswego and SUNY Oswego; it may be years before it is underway. By supporting this project we hope to have access to commercial kitchen space to preserve excess harvest for our members and community; schools, hospitals, nursing homes; and provide access to minimally processed local foods. We need the support of the community on this as well. No great feat is accomplished without a strong backing. If you'd like to become involved in support of the food hub, or organize a school to farm program, please contact me.
While land access, tackling food deserts, making and paying a living wage, producing organic foods in a chemical environment may sound like big challenges to NY's farmers; the elephant in the room is Hydro Fracking. The consensus is that NY is rich in agricultural history, and we've seen what fracking has done to Ohio (frack related earthquakes, sinkholes) Pennsylvania (dangerously contaminated water); any farmer who truly wishes to continue farming must play activist against Fracking in NY. Food and Water Watch was there with much information to be shared and distributed. The pressure must be put on Albany to put an end to the discussion. New York has spoken- no fracking in the Marcellus Shale, but apparently we have to keep reminding the powers that be where we stand. Renewable energy is a viable alternative to fracking, strip mined coal and nuclear.
Being at the conference, realizing only a small handful of organic growers were there, made me see what an incredible community of sustainable farmers there are in our state. Seeing old friends, and making new ones. Having the honor of talking to a few gentlemen from Vermont, who were pioneers of organics, helping to construct a national organic standard. When I asked them if they ever thought back in the 70's and early 80's if they'd ever see a conference so big in the NE they said, never in their wildest dreams had they imagined that the organic community would have grown to the size it is now. And it's growing. That they were thrilled to see so many young folks filling in the gaps for their generation. That there is still much footwork to be done.
Upon returning home for two days of wind and snow accumulations of 3-4 feet, hauling water to the barn in blinding frigid lake affect winds, seeing my family after a two day break, I realized two days without farm and house chores was more than enough time to know without a shadow of doubt- I love my job! I might be crazy, but I'm not the only one.
Travis and I spent last evening fine tuning our field plans, and tallying seed prices (that discount from NYFC will come in handy!) I started a germination trial of red russian kale seeds with a sample of potting soil from an Ithaca producer, Green Tree. If it works well, the price is right and it's a locally produced product, we will be using it this season for all our transplants. We also filled out the paperwork for the 2014 NOFA Farmer's Pledge, which will put us in NOFA's big book of organic growers in NY. While we grow on Certified Organic land, the certification for both business entities was a little redundant, and quite frankly confused the folks at NOFA. We must be on the fringe when we ask questions people don't have answers to. Also, in many ways, I feel that the Farmer's Pledge is a more sustainable model for organic producers and our communities at large, as it includes social justice, sustainable energy usage, and conservation practices not included in USDA organic requirements.
While the cold seeps through the walls we dream of spring, awaiting that first harvest with eager hopefulness, in the meantime the fruits of our labor come in the form of fresh eggs, and the loving support of CSA members who instill confidence in our goals of growth and community. Thank you to all who have supported us thus far. Farmers are only part of the equation- conscious, knowledgeable customers are the other part! The organic community of growers would never had grown to such wonderful abundance without the support of our communities across NY.
I envision a future where all farms are organic in nature, that all livestock is pastured and treated humanely, that no pesticide residues contaminate our food or drinking water, that GMO's are a horror story of the past, that everyone has at least one neighboring farm the call their own, that food is not shipped in from overseas. I envision a future where old barns are active and restored, not abandoned relics of the past. We have a long way to go yet, but I am reassured to know there is such a strong passionate base of support for organics in NY.
"You might say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one"
Travis and I will be attending the MOSES (Midwest Organic & Sustainable Education Service) conference at the end of February in Wisconsin on behalf of Grindstone Farm, so more to come before conference season is over!
Here are links to some of the great organizations and businesses who attended and supported the conference:
www.hawthornevalleyfarm.org
www.youngfarmers.org
www.farmland.org
www.justfood.org
www.nyssfpa.com
www.foodandwaterwatch.org
www.syracuseculturalworkers.com
www.agriculturaljusticeproject.org
www.independentsciencenews.org
www.greentreegardensupply.com
www.nofany.org
Our chicken coop, awaiting restoration in the spring looking buried in the snow banks. The chickens are presently overwintered in the barn.
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