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local farms

Small Farms in April in the Nineteenth Century

April 6, 2021 by Maury Thompson Leave a Comment

S. Timmons farm, Walla Walla County, ca. 1892  Photo by F. Fortin, Courtesy UW Special Collections (WAS0304)April is the month when Spring weather typically calls out, “Ready or not, here I come,” and compels nature and humans of New York to come out from winter hiding.

“Happy is the farmer who has got everything ready for the active labors of the coming season. But no matter how thoroughly he is prepared there will always be plenty to do,” the agriculture columnist wrote in the April 25th, 1874 Ticonderoga Sentinel.

The task list was long and varied in the month of getting ready to make hay while the sun shines. [Read more…] about Small Farms in April in the Nineteenth Century

Filed Under: Adirondacks & NNY, Capital-Saratoga, Food, History, Hudson Valley - Catskills, Mohawk Valley, Western NY Tagged With: Agricultural History, local farms, local food, Newspapers, Spring, weather

Fear and Gardening in Pest Management

March 8, 2021 by Paul Hetzler Leave a Comment

Black Cutworm by Ken WiseNo offense, but Franklin D. Roosevelt should maybe bug off with his assertion that “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself,” because fear is good for gardeners and farmers. According to entomologists Nicholas Aflitto and Jennifer Thaler of the Cornell University-based New York State Integrated Pest Management Program (NYSPIM), it can be harnessed as a weapon against destructive pests. Turns out it’s possible to scare harmful insects out of gardens and crop fields. [Read more…] about Fear and Gardening in Pest Management

Filed Under: Adirondacks & NNY, Nature Tagged With: gardening, insects, Invasive Species, local farms, nature, Science, Wildlife

Microgrants Available for Adirondack Farms, Food Producers

March 2, 2021 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Wild Work Farm in Keene provided by Adirondack CouncilThe 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

Filed Under: Adirondacks & NNY, Food Tagged With: Adirondack Council, Food, Grants, local farms, local food

Chicken & Egg Stories From Historic Newspapers

February 18, 2021 by Maury Thompson Leave a Comment

eggs courtesy Wikimedia user TudorTulokIf a newspaper reporter witnesses it, then it has to be so.

But did the reporter see the chicken that supposedly laid the egg?

“Lyman Colson is the owner of a hen that produced an egg one day last week which was shown to your representative,” The Morning Star of Glens Falls reported on May 8th, 1885. “It measures six-and-one-half by eight-and-one-fourth inches in circumference.” [Read more…] about Chicken & Egg Stories From Historic Newspapers

Filed Under: Adirondacks & NNY, Capital-Saratoga, Food, History Tagged With: Culinary History, local farms, local food, Newspapers

An Anthology of Pig Tales from Northern New York

January 13, 2021 by Maury Thompson Leave a Comment

wallow in mud at the Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary courtesy Wikimedia user Mark PetersThis little piggy from Eagle Lake apparently did not want to go to market.

“Hebert Moore’s pig is still at large. Motorists are requested to drive with care in the vicinity,” the Ticonderoga Sentinel reported on July 15th, 1920. “A reward of $1 is offered by L. Lodge to anyone who will catch said pig single handed. Mr. Lodge must witness the catch. $3 if done after dark.” [Read more…] about An Anthology of Pig Tales from Northern New York

Filed Under: Adirondacks & NNY, Capital-Saratoga, Food, History, Hudson Valley - Catskills, Mohawk Valley, Western NY Tagged With: Agricultural History, Eagle Lake, local farms, North Creek, Stony Creek, Warren County, Washington County

DEC Conservation Partnership Program Grant Awardees

December 20, 2020 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

DEC LogoNew York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced more than $2.2 million in Conservation Partnership Program grants for 50 not-for-profit land trusts across the state. [Read more…] about DEC Conservation Partnership Program Grant Awardees

Filed Under: Adirondacks & NNY, Capital-Saratoga, Hudson Valley - Catskills, Mohawk Valley, Nature, New York City, Recreation, Western NY Tagged With: Climate Change, conservation, DEC, environment, Environmental Protection Fund, Grants, hiking, local farms, Tourism, water quality

Easement Acquired On 1830 Dutchess County Farm

December 15, 2020 by Editorial Staff 1 Comment

Jordan Lane Farm Pine Plains NYThe New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Dutchess Land Conservancy (DLC) have announced the acquisition of a conservation easement on an 1830 farm in the town of Pine Plains.

The Land Conservancy acquired the Jordan Lane Farm easement with New York State Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) funding that provides resources to protect source waters. [Read more…] about Easement Acquired On 1830 Dutchess County Farm

Filed Under: History, Hudson Valley - Catskills, Nature, Recreation Tagged With: Agricultural History, clean water, Dutchess County, Historic Preservation, Hudson River, local farms, nature, Pine Plains, Wappinger Creek, water quality

A Plague of Potato Bugs in 1877 Washington County

November 25, 2020 by Maury Thompson Leave a Comment

Colorado potato beetle courtesy Scott Bauer USDAThe weather at Granville, in Washington County, in June 1877, was ideal for agriculture.

“This is the weather that makes farmers happy,” The Granville Sentinel reported.

Corn and flax crops looked promising, but “vigilance and perseverance is to be the price of potatoes.” [Read more…] about A Plague of Potato Bugs in 1877 Washington County

Filed Under: Adirondacks & NNY, Capital-Saratoga, Food, History, Nature Tagged With: Agricultural History, Food, Granville, insects, local farms, local food, nature, Washington County, Wildlife

NY Farmer Named to USDA Organic Standards Board

October 15, 2020 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

NOFA NYA founding member of the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York (NOFA-NY), Brian Caldwell, was recently appointed to a five-year term on the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). [Read more…] about NY Farmer Named to USDA Organic Standards Board

Filed Under: Adirondacks & NNY, Capital-Saratoga, Food, Hudson Valley - Catskills, Mohawk Valley, New York City, Western NY Tagged With: agriculture, Food, local farms

Pot-Luck Suppers Of Yesteryear

October 8, 2020 by Maury Thompson Leave a Comment

assortment of different dishes at a potluck courtesy Wikimedia user Nehrams2020Theologically, I identify as an ecumenical pot luck supper observer.

So, this historic pun caught my fancy.

“The all-absorbing question agitating the public mind at Sandy Hill is: ‘If a Roman Catholic roasts an Episcopalian’s turkey in a Methodist oven, what denomination will the turkey be?’” The Morning Star of Glens Falls asked on January 12th, 1884. “All the sages have given it up.” [Read more…] about Pot-Luck Suppers Of Yesteryear

Filed Under: Adirondacks & NNY, Capital-Saratoga, History, Hudson Valley - Catskills, Mohawk Valley, Western NY Tagged With: Agricultural History, Culinary History, Cultural History, local farms

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