Eat Local Food 2008: 
WORKSHOPS, Potlucks, Food Preservation Coops, Gardening and Food Preparation classes offered in direct support of The Local Diet Challenge.  Dates and more details will be posted as received:

EAT LOCAL FOOD POTLUCK SERIES 2008: 
Meet at local farms, explore farming practices with a guided tour, share your culinary skills and feast on local food creations with friends in your community. Free. All ages welcome. Hold these dates! Sundays starting at 4:00pm.  Visit the Alphabetical Listing page for address information on the following potluck locations:

1 - July 13 - Veritas Farms - Oops, missed this one.
2 - August 24 - Phillies Bridge Farm Project and CSA
3 - September 28 - Evolutionary Organics 

FOOD PRESERVATION: 

Canning Cooperatives offered by Jay and Polly Armour of Four Winds Farm, Marabac Road, Gardiner.  Working together with all levels of experience, preserve our local bounty of tomatoes and peaches using pressure canning techniques.  Leave with canned foods to fill your pantry for the cold weather months.  EVERY SATURDAY in August and September beginning at 2:00pm, group size limited to 5, bring your own canning jars, $5 cost.   Either get a group together or come alone and meet new friends.  To reserve your spot please contact - jarmour@bestweb.net. 

Lacto-fermentation Cooperatives offered by Sarah Williford and Kevin Skvorak of Regeneration CSA in High Falls.   Learn how to preserve our local bounty for long periods without freezers or canning by using the natural preservative lactic acid.  Depending on the harvest - leave with pickles, sauerkraut, dilly beans and more!
First was on July 26th.  Check back for more dates.

Live Fermentation Workshop with Sandor Katz.  Saturday, August 23rd, 2:00-4:30, Phillies Bridge Farm.  For more information go to www.philliesbridge.org .

GARDENING WORKSHOPS: 
 
So far Lee Reich has offered two separate workshops -  one on efficient gardening in a small space and the second on growing blueberries.  Let Lee know what else you may be interested in by contacting him at  garden@leereich.com or call 255-0417.  Or, simply check back here for updates.

FOOD PREPARATION:  (updates in red)

Seed Saving Workshops offered by Ken Greene of the Seed Library.  To reserve your spot for and get directions email ken@seedlibrary.org.   Locations will be posted right here and www.seedlibrary.org.
1 - Saving Seeds and Their Stories: July 16.  Seeds, Books, and Backyard Gardens.  July 16. Evening talk at Esopus Library. Free. 
2 - Seed Saving Basics, July 26th - Learn about the life cycles of many of your favorite heirloom vegetables and flowers.  This hands-on workshop will show gardeners how to collect, clean, and store seeds for the next season.  Workshop includes 30 Mile Lunch prepared by Holistic Health Counselor Carrie Schapker. $20 per person.  $16 for Seed Library Members. Location TBA. 
3 - Seeds and Salsa- August 16.  Seed-saving and good eating go hand in hand. Learn how to save seed from heirloom tomatoes, herbs, and peppers while making 100% local salsa.  Participants can take home as much salsa as we can make!  Great for freezing.  $10 per person.  $8 for Seed Library Members. Poughkeepsie Farm Project 1:30-3:30pm
4 - Saving Seeds and Their Stories September 16th Free talk sponsored by Ulster Garden Club. Be introduced to NY Heirlooms, hear their stories, and learn how to save seeds and keep the diversity of the Hudson Valley alive. Esopus Library 1:30 pm.
5 - Seed Meet and Greet- October 25. End of year seedy celebration includes tour of Seed Library land, Seed Swap, Raffles, Seedy News, Membership Renewals, and a chance to meet the Hudson Valley Seed Saving Community. Free for Members, $5 otherwise (but you can get your 2009 membership on the spot.) Hudson Valley Seed Library, Accord, NY. 

Veritas Farms hosts a Farm to Table Dinner,  Sunday September 28th. Ryan Orkus, instructor from French Culinary Institute, will prepare a feast using the farm's fine meats and produce; accompanied with local wine.  Space is limited. $50 per person $85 per couple. For reservations phone Jessica 646-763-2621 or info@veritasfarms.com