History, Natural History & the Arts
State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has adopted final regulations to implement New York’s Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling Law.
The law and implementing regulations are part of the state’s addressing contributors to climate change and assisting those in need by supporting the donation of quality food. [Read more…] about New Food Scrap Recycling Regulations Adopted
One of the first crops to emerge from the ground in New York State is asparagus (scientific name: asparagus officinalis). The vegetable is an integral part of America’s colonial history. It must have been a taste of nostalgia that prompted New Netherland settlers to try and cultivate asparagus in unfamiliar surroundings. [Read more…] about Asparagus Officinalis: A Spear of Transatlantic History
In Ray Bradbury’s 1952 science fiction story A Sound of Thunder, Eckels, a time-traveling safari hunter accidentally steps on a butterfly during prehistoric times, which triggers a massive change to the eco-system when Eckels returns to 2055 society.
If it’s so that a single action can have consequences centuries later, I wonder about ramifications from the mass extermination of butterflies by a witty, well-meaning, 19th century Hague (on Lake George in Warren County) cabbage farmer. [Read more…] about 19th Century Tales Of Cabbage Worms
The New York State Thruway Authority has announced construction will begin this month on a $450 million project to redevelop the 27 service areas located on the New York State Thruway. The service areas were originally built in the 1950s, with the last significant redevelopment taking place in the 1990s. On July 29th, ten service areas will close for work to begin on the first phase of the project. Fuel services will remain available at all locations during construction. [Read more…] about 27 Thruway Service Areas Being Modernized
There are still a few people who remember that Sullivan County apple producers at one time shipped apples to every state in the country except for Washington and Oregon.
Perhaps the largest apple producer in Sullivan County at the height of the industry here was Martin A. Smith of Fremont Center. [Read more…] about Apple Orchards Are Returning Again to Sullivan County
The Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) has received a combined grant award of $1.268 million from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) and Mastercard to develop and implement small business assistance programs in the aftermath of the COVID-19 economic crisis. [Read more…] about ANCA Awarded $1.2M for Pandemic Response Program
Traditional Arts in Upstate New York (TAUNY) has announced the Grow and Tell Project, in partnership with the littleGrasse Community Farm, as part of their Folk to Table traditional foodways project. [Read more…] about Northern New York Seed-Savers, Meaningful Seeds Sought
Talking Cursive Brewing Company and the Erie Canal Museum have teamed up to brew “Good Ol’ Pale Ale” as part of the Erie Eats: The Erie Canal Foodways Project. [Read more…] about Beer Release Celebrates Erie Canal and Syracuse Brewing History
Some foods give you gas, but March is the time of year when gas gives you a delicious food. Maple syrup, which is nutritious enough to be listed by the US Department of Agriculture as a food, is carbon dioxide-powered. If it wasn’t for a bunch of little gas bubbles in the wood or xylem tissue, maple sap would not flow.
Who knew that trees were carbonated? [Read more…] about Sugaring Season: Maple Sap Runs On Gas
The Adirondack Council’s Essex Farm Institute (EFI) is seeking applicants for micro-grants up to $1,500 for environmentally beneficial and sustainable projects on Adirondack farms and by value-added producers. [Read more…] about Microgrants Available for Adirondack Farms, Food Producers