NOFA-VT Summer workshop series

Sat. July 19 Organic Apples
10am–5pm Shelburne Orchards, 216 Orchard Rd , Shelburne , VT
Michael Phillips, farmer at Heartsong Farm, and author of The Apple Grower, will lead participants in a walk through the orchard season. He will discuss the key roles understory management and soil health play in an organic orchard, and look at varietal and rootstock choices. He will also identify insect and disease dynamics from a holistic perspective aimed at achieving maximum diversity. Orchards can be a profitable element of a diversified farm operation, and Michael will discuss a range of options for successfully marketing an organic fruit crop. The day ends with a rambunctious wassail sure to kindle those hopes of offering the "good fruit" to one’s own community. It is guaranteed to be an informative day for both the commercial and the backyard orchardist. The workshop is hosted by Nick Cowles of Shelburne Orchards, an 80 acre, family owned orchard with apples, peaches, sour cherries, and plums. Please pre-register by calling the NOFA Vermont office at 802-434-4122 or email info@nofavt.org . $20 for NOFA members, $30 for non-members. Please bring a bagged lunch. Directions: From north or south : Take I-89 to Exit 13. Exit left or south on Rte 7. Travel about 5 miles through the town of Shelburne . Turn right on Bostwick Rd. Travel about 2 miles and turn right on to Orchard Rd.

Sun. July 20 Getting Started with Poultry
1–3:30pm Singing Cedars Farmstead, 30 Black Snake Ln , Orwell , VT
Scott Greene and Suzanne Young raise laying hens and meat birds on their farm in Orwell but their systems work just as well for the backyard chicken coop. This workshop will cover basic brooding, feeding, watering, and housing. Scott and Suzanne have recently added newer structures including portable greenhouse frames and a pasture solar hen house. $10 for NOFA members, $15 for non-members Directions: From the south: Take Rte 22A north from Fair Haven. After ~11mi turn left on North Cross Rd. After ¾mi turn right on Stage Rd. After 0.7mi, turn left on Singing Cedars Rd. Go 1mi to two green mail boxes on the right. Turn right onto Black Snake Ln. Go 0.3 mile to the first place. From the north: Take Rte 22A south from Vergennes. Turn right at the crest of the hill on Cook Rd. Go 0.75mi and bear left on Stage Rd. Go 2.3 mi and turn right on Singing Cedars Rd. Follow directions above.

Sat. August 2 Grow Your Own Organic Garden
9am–1pm Community Teaching Garden , Ethan Allen Homestead, Burlington , VT
Want to cut your food bill and become more self-sufficient, but unsure of how to start? Workshops on the basics of organic gardening will be held throughout Vermont this summer and will cover: an introduction to soil science, composting methods, nutrient management, cover cropping, weed control, insect and pest management, plus more. This workshop will be led by Jim Flint, the Executive Director of Friends of Burlington Gardens. Please pre-register by calling the NOFA Vermont office at 802-434-4122 or email info@nofavt.org . $20 for NOFA members, $30 for non-members. Participants should be prepared to be outside throughout this workshop. Please bring a potluck dish to share for lunch. Directions: From Burlington : take Rte 127 North to the North Ave Exit (toward beaches). Turn right at the Ethan Allen Homestead.

Sat. August 9 The Family Cow and Making Home Dairy Products
2–5pm Turkey Hill Farm, 55 Turkey Hill Rd , Randolph Center , VT
Have you ever thought of having a family cow? Then this workshop is for you! Farmers Stuart and Margaret Osha will share the many issues that arise in having a family cow, including milking schedules, equipment, breed types, health considerations, feed and land issues as well as marketing your milk. This workshop will also cover making homemade butter, ice cream, cheese, and more! $10 for NOFA members, $15 for non-members. Directions: Take I-89 to Exit 4. Take Rte 66 east. Past Floyd's Store. Take a left on Ridge Rd. Go ~1mi and turn right on North Randolph Rd. Go ~1mi and take a right on Curtis Rd. After 1/3 mile, stay straight, do not go around the corner, go past the three mail boxes, we are the first left. If you get lost call 802-728-7064.

Sat. August 16 Grow Your Own Organic Garden
9am–1pm Maplewood Natural Organics, 3550 Gore Rd , Highgate , VT
Want to cut your food bill and become more self-sufficient, but unsure of how to start? Workshops on the basics of organic gardening will be held throughout Vermont this summer and will cover: an introduction to soil science, composting methods, nutrient management, cover cropping, weed control, insect and pest management, plus more. This workshop will be led by experienced organic gardener and farmer Hannah Noel, who grows over 40 vegetables and fruits. Please pre-register by calling the NOFA Vermont office at 802-434-4122 or email info@nofavt.org . $20 for NOFA members, $30 for non-members. Please bring a trowel and work gloves as well as a potluck dish to share for lunch. Directions: From I-89 take Exit 20, and head north on Rte 207 into Highgate. Turn right onto Rte 78. Turn left onto Rte 207N (also called Gore Road ) just past the Mobil. Drive north 3.5mi. Our farm is past Fisher Hill Nursery, the first brick house on the right.

Sun. August 17 Cooking with The 10 Best Herbs
4-6pm Ellen's Kitchen, 98 Franklin Ave , Manchester Village , VT
Learn to design an herb garden perfect for your cooking needs with Ellen Ogden, co-founder of The Cook’s Garden seed catalogue and author of both The Cook’s Garden and The Vermont Cheese Book. Together discuss garden design and then prepare soup, salad, bread, and a main course using 10 of the best culinary herbs. Please pre-register by calling the NOFA Vermont office at 802-434-4122 or email info@nofavt.org. $10 for NOFA members, $15 for non-members. Directions: From the center of Manchester at the Intersection of Rte. 30 & 7A - Take Rte. 7A South towards Arlington . Go 1 mile, turn right onto Seminary Ave (before Equinox Hotel). Take first right onto Franklin Ave. Park in the lot, and walk two houses down. Number 98 is on the right, a pale green house with split rail fence.

Sat. August 23 Grow Your Own Organic Garden
9-1pm, Bromley Farm , Peru , VT
Want to cut your food bill and become more self-sufficient, but unsure of how to start? Workshops on the basics of organic gardening will be held throughout Vermont this summer and will cover: an introduction to soil science, composting methods, nutrient management, cover cropping, weed control, insect and pest management, plus more. This workshop will be led by Jessica Klick, owner of Bromley Farm, a diversified operation in Peru . Please pre-register by calling the NOFA Vermont office at 802-434-4122 or email info@nofavt.org . $20 for NOFA members, $30 for non-members. Please bring a potluck dish to share for lunch. Directions: From Manchester: Take Rte 11 east ~10mi. Turn right on Bromley Farm Rd. The house is the 3rd on the right.

Sun. August 24 Earthen Ovens – How to Build and Use Your Own Oven
9am–3pm Wellspring Farm, 182 LaFiriria Place , Marshfield , VT
In 2007, NOFA-VT sponsored the construction of the beautiful earthen oven seen to the right at Wellspring Farm. That oven will serve as the prototype for this workshop. We will discuss site location and preparation, the use of earthen materials, planning and logistics for building, upkeep and maintenance, fuel considerations, and baking tools used in the finished oven. A very small-scale oven will be constructed during the workshop to demonstrate the general process of building with earth materials. Cooking in an earthen oven will be demonstrated, and we will cook a light lunch in the existing oven. Please pre-register by calling the NOFA Vermont office at 802-434-4122 or email info@nofavt.org . $20 for NOFA members, $30 for non-members. Directions: From the west: take Rte 2 east. Turn right onto Patty's Crossing after signs for Meadowcrest Campground (~4mi beyond Plainfield ). Turn right to LaFirira Place . The farm is at the dead end. From the east: Take Rte 2 west past Marshfield . Turn left onto Patty's Crossing (approx. 3 miles from Marshfield village). Follow directions above.

Sat. August 30 Pollination Gardens to Attract Bees
9am–12noon Honey Gardens Apiaries, 2777 Rte 7, Ferrisburgh , VT
Todd Hardie and Annie Watson of Honey Gardens Apiaries will discuss how to plant gardens that support bees. Assess your yard and garden to see what vegetables, flowers, "weeds," and trees you already grow that provide nectar and pollen. Make plans to encourage what's there and to add more next year, so honey bees and other pollinators will have food sources throughout the spring, summer, and fall. The workshop will include a walking tour of the nectar and pollen gardens and beehives at Honey Gardens . Bring a bag lunch if you would like to stay for further discussion. $10 for NOFA members, $15 for non-members. Directions: From Burlington , take Rte 7 south to Ferrisburgh. Honey Gardens is on the right at the southern end of the village. Look for the bears holding a yellow sign. From Middlebury, take Rte 7 north to Ferrisburgh. Honey Gardens is on the left just after a Mobil. Look for the bears holding a yellow sign.

Sat. Sept. 6 Growing Herbs - Making Medicine
10am–4pm Lotus Moon Medicinals, Anjali Farm, 395 Middletown Rd, South Londonderry , VT
The day begins with a farm tour and weed walk with Lini Mazumdar, owner of Lotus Moon Medicinals. Get your hands dirty digging roots and wildcrafting herbs. After lunch, you will learn different methods of storing, processing, and making medicines and other herbal products. Lini will also discuss starting and owning an herbal business. $20 for NOFA members, $30 for non-members. Please bring a bagged lunch. Directions: From the south: Go north on Rte 100 to S. Londonderry. Cross bridge and go straight up hill on Middletown Road . Anjali Farm is 2/10 of a mile on the left. From the north or west: Take Rte 100 south to S. Londonderry . Before the bridge, make a left turn on to Middletown Road . Anjali Farm is 2/10 of a mile on the left.

Sat. Sept. 13 (rain date Sat. Sept 20) Hands-on Stone Wall Building
9am–5pm Holy Goat Farm, 206 Walker Hill Rd , Williston , VT
Brian Vaughan of Vaughan Landscaping will teach a hands-on workshop building a natural fieldstone wall. You will learn how to prepare the base, the drainage, and the backfill for a stone wall, as well as how to build the wall and the cap. Please pre-register by calling the NOFA Vermont office at 802-434-4122 or email info@nofavt.org . $20 for NOFA members, $30 for non-members. Bring work gloves and eye protection. Directions: From I-89 take Exit 12 (Williston). Take Rte 2A south. Drive about 1/2 mile. Turn right onto Walker Hill Rd. Look for number 206 on your right.

Sun. Sept. 14 Store the Harvest
1–4:30pm Meadowland Farm, 578 Baldwin Rd , Hinesburg , VT
This hands-on workshop, led by Susan Johnson of Meadowland Farm, will walk participants through canning tomatoes and freezing vegetables. We will discuss how to choose vegetables that store, can, and freeze well. Participants will tour our simple but working root cellar. Please pre-register by calling the NOFA Vermont office at 802-434-4122 or email info@nofavt.org. $10 for NOFA members, $15 for non-members. Directions: From Rte 116 in Hinesburg: Turn onto the Charlotte Road opposite Lantman’s. When the road takes a 90 degree turn to the right, stay straight onto the dirt road (there is a red tool shed at the corner) onto Baldwin Rd. Our home is a brown weathered cape, ½ mile up the road on the right.

Wed. Sept. 17 Seed Saving Basics
3–5 pm High Mowing Seeds Trial Gardens , Wolcott , VT
Tom Stearns and Katie Traube of High Mowing Seeds will discuss the basic principles and techniques of seed saving. The event takes place in the HMS Trial Gardens and will lend an opportunity to tour and discuss a number of crop types as well as some live demonstrations of extraction and cleaning. This workshop is directly followed by the High Mowing Seeds Summer Field Day (www.highmowingseeds.com). Co-sponsored by the Stowe Free Library. Free. Directions: From the east: Take Rte15W out of Hardwick. Go 3 miles to Marsh Rd. Turn right onto Marsh Rd and travel up hill till you overlook the fields and find parking signs. From the west: take Rte 15E past Wolcott Center. Turn left on East Hill Rd. By the cemetery, at top of hill, take right onto Marsh Rd. Follow till you see signs for parking.

Gubernatorial Debate at Flatbread 7/20

2008 Gubernatorial Debate
Our Environment • Our Food • Our Future

Debate Highlights
Date and Time: Sunday, July 20th at 5pm (debate starts at 5:30)
Location: Lareau Farm, Home of American Flatbread in Waitsfield, VT
Moderator: David Moats, Editorial Editor for the Rutland Herald
Candidates: Governor Jim Douglas (R), Anthony Pollina (P), Speaker Gaye Symington (D)
FREE and Open to the Public. All are welcome and encouraged to attend!
Flatbread Picnic: Immediately following the Debate featuring American Flatbread and Beverages for sale and free salad and Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream.

In My View
Gubernatorial Debate
Our Environment • Our Food
By George Schenk

Why a Gubernatorial Debate?
Like a lot of other people I followed the presidential primaries with a level of interest that surprised me. Maybe it was the historic nature of the candidates, the closeness of the races, or the extraordinary voter turn out that moved me, but more than these I came to feel that we are a society at a crossroads: that much of the conventional wisdom that has guided the country's growth and development since the Second World War is being challenged by new technologies and environmental limitations.
As this is true for the nation and the world, it is also true for our state and our communities. Vermont is rich in culture and has many natural resources – not least of which is the thing we seem to talk about most – our weather – but like everywhere, we have our share of difficulties, and things that are simply not serving us well.
In my view, the dominant food system is not serving Vermonters or our environment in the ways that it could, and I believe, ultimately needs to.
Food, in all of its various forms, is the largest business on the planet. Its production, processing and distribution has the largest impact on our environment of any other human activity, and it is, along with air, water, shelter, clothing and love, common and elementary to us all. Yet despite its central role in the human experience and its profound effect on the earth, it is a subject that historically we have infrequently talked about in our highest political conversations.
For a long time it didn't seem to matter. American farmers always produced enough to keep our shelves full and prices low. We worried about the high rate of failure of small family farms but felt helpless to do much about it in the face of inexorable market forces. It was the price of progress.
This was the logic for our political silence of the past.
Today there is a new food imperative with a new food conversation. It is a conversation with questions that will not go away and demand our thoughtful consideration. Why does so much of our food that could be grown and raised here come from so far away? What do residues of pesticides, growth hormones and antibiotics; the genetics of GMO's and cloned meats; and the technology of irradiation mean to our health, the health of our children and the health of our environment? Do consumers have the right to know what's in their food and how it has been treated? How will the next generation of farmers afford the land they need? What kind of food should we have in our public schools? In our hospitals and nursing homes? Could better food be a tool to improve behavior in our prisons? How do we relieve hunger and provide for basic food security for all Vermonters? Is good clean wholesome food only something the rich can afford? Who is responsible for GMO pollen drift that contaminates organic crops? How do Vermont dairy farmers compete in a global market? Can we produce the food we need in greater harmony with the environment we live in?
Together, these questions and others illuminate the central question: How will we feed one another? Directly or indirectly, we are all in the business of food. We are in this together, and it will be together that we will best find ways to create meaningful food that nurtures our health, that promotes the well being of our communities, and that safeguards our environment for the generations to follow.
To help advance this important conversation and to inform the voters of Vermont on the positions of the candidates for Governor concerning the environment and agriculture and food policy American Flatbread is honored to co-host with the Vermont Natural Resource Council (VNRC) and the Vermont Localvores the first Gubernatorial Debate of 2008 at Lareau Farm Sunday July 20th at 5 p.m. The moderator will be the Pulitzer prize editor of the Rutland Herald, David Moats. The debate is free and open to the public; all are welcome. Immediately following the debate there will be a Flatbread picnic in the pavilion with live jazz and free Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. Please carpool.
A Note on Political Bias.
By any objective measure American Flatbread, or maybe more fairly, I, tend to fall left of center on most political subjects. My intention in hosting this Gubernatorial Debate is not to promote or support any one candidate or conversely, set up for failure, embarrass or in any way personally attack or put down an individual candidate. My intention is to facilitate a conversation on subjects that are important to Vermont. Although I may from time to time disagree with specific policies or priorities, I observe that Vermont is blessed with elected officials and civil servants who are professional, conscientious, ethical and have a great affection for this land we call home, and for the people we call our neighbors.
An event like this is the work of many people; thanks to all who have helped coordinate this debate.
George Schenk
Founder, CEO
American Flatbread