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Topic of the Month:
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Two Rivers Wrap, made from Long Ridge Farm (Westmoreland) yarn. |
Local Consuming
By Laura Keir, Monadnock Localvore Project
Consuming and supporting local food is extremely important for the health of our community, environment, and our bodies- but what about all of the other things we consume besides food? How "local" are those goods?
This month's newsletter includes great examples of people and businesses within a 150 mile radius of Keene that are creating products from local ingredients. Read about Jenness Farm's soaps made from the milk of their own goats, Lorna's Wool Needle Felting Kits composed of local sheep's wool, and how to craft a wooden utensil right from the woods.
Beyond those examples, there are many more stories of goods in our region that are created from local materials. The Organic Hound in Swanzey makes organic dog treats using the following ingredients, among others: Pete & Gerry's eggs (Monroe, NH), The Royal Butcher beef (Braintree, VT), and Morgan's Mills oat and rice flour (Union, ME- a bit more than 150 miles away, but still a good effort for flour!). That means that roughly 75% of their dog biscuits are made of local ingredients!
When it comes to wooden products, we have a lot of natural resources in our region. In Westmoreland, Mountain Meadow Woodworks crafts wooden boxes right from the trees on their own farm. Ox Pond Press in Bethlehem, NH prints wooden signs for the home on white pine boards that come from H.G. Wood Industries in Bath, NH; 85% of that white pine is milled from trees grown in New Hampshire, and 13% comes from Vermont.
How about jewelry? Jayelay Jewelers in Westmoreland handcrafts earrings and necklaces composed of 80% gemstones, metals, and other materials (shells, sea glass, etc.) that are found in northern New England. The Village Craftsman in Dublin makes lightweight, laser-cut earrings from local maple and cherry wood.
See the resources section at the end of this newsletter for more goods that are made from local ingredients. And the next time you are shopping, try to figure out where those products really came from- even if you don't get all the answers to your questions right away, you will be putting this thought in people's minds:
How can we consume more locally?
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Featured Event:
Post Oil Solution's 3rd Annual No Gardener Left Behind Expo
Sunday, May 15, 10am-2pm
River Garden, Brattleboro
From soil building and seed starting, to food storage and extending the growing season, Post Oil Solutions' 3rd Annual No Gardener Left Behind Gardening Expo is all about feeding ourselves out of our gardens year-round.
The Expo, which will be held on Sunday, May 15, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Robert H. Gibson River Garden in the heart of downtown Brattleboro, is part of Post Oil's effort to encourage everyone to be gardeners, and especially to be doing so with neighbors as a way not only to create greater food sufficiency, but most especially to build community, that essential ingredient of a post petroleum world. We are all post oil solutions!
The room will be full of community resources designed to make gardening this year an easy, fun and popular activity. Exhibits and mini-workshops will inspire beginners and masters around these themes: soil building; 9 x 12 gardens; easy, inexpensive grow lights; neighborhood hoop houses; hand tools; seed starting; perennial vegetables and flowers; container gardening; cooking; canning; food storage and composting. There will also be information about how to get more involved in building our local food system.
Other highlights include:
- Seeds and seedlings for sale from local farmers.
- Everyone's Books will have relevant books for sale.
- Kids Activities will be led by Lisa Holderness of Deer Ridge Farm.
- Food prepared using local ingredients with recipes.
- A GREAT Raffle for gardening related stuff!
- Our community radio station, WVEW, will be broadcasting live.
- Brown & Roberts and Agway will have tools for sale.
The event is FREE, but we expect that people take info, leave a donation, and make a commitment to do something. Proceeds to benefit Post Oil Solutions. Find more information on the Post Oil Solutions website. |
Farm of the Month: 
Jenness Farm, LLC
What started as a 4-H project showing goats at local fairs has evolved over the years into a continually growing line of the best bath and body care products you can get anywhere. We currently produce over 95 varieties of goat milk soap and 15 different varieties of goat milk body lotion, along with a multitude of other bath and body care products. We produce all of the goat milk used in our products and have from the beginning.
We maintain a herd of pampered dairy goats that you are welcome to visit anytime at the farm. We still have one goat from the first set of babies born and she just celebrated her 14th birthday. All of our products are hand made one batch at a time using the "cold kettle" process. A batch is 32 pounds which translates into about 5 1/2 TONS of soap for the year!!! And that's not including all the other products we offer. No shortage of things to do for us as this is still just a two person operation. We choose to keep it that way to maintain the quality we have come to be known for.
We have a retail shop at the farm in Nottingham which is open Wed-Sun, 10am - 6pm year round and Thanksgiving through Christmas every day. We also open the farm twice per year for our annual Spring Open House and Harvest Festival weekend. We are located in Nottingham, NH right off Route 4 about halfway between Concord and Portsmouth. Visit www.jennessfarm.com any time to find out more information or follow Jenness Farm on Facebook to keep up to date on what's happening on the farm.
It's great when people come to the farm and get to see what goes into producing a product "from the ground up" so to speak. We also raise several pigs every year on our excess goat milk and produce and sell pork and goat meat. We spend a great deal of time educating the public about where/how your local products are made and where your food comes from. It's gratifying when it all comes together for someone and they renew their commitment to "keep it local".
Jenness Farm, LLC
77 Garland Road
Nottingham, NH 03290
(603) 942-8051
www.jennessfarm.com
Jenness Farm Soaps available
at Hannah Grimes Marketplace |
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Product of the Month:
 | | Lorna's Wool sheep are sheared by hand |
Lorna's Wool Needle Felting Kits
From Lorna's Wool website: Lorna's Wool is a family farm-based business located in Spofford, NH with a mission to share the magic of needle felting with crafters everywhere. After leading needle felting workshops for a number of years, Lorna developed her original "Felting Egg", which is a handcrafted, prefelted core that enables beginners to create a finished wooly creature in an hour or less. Her original designs that are based around her Felting Eggs, became so popular that she developed Lorna's Wool Needle Felting Kits as a complete "workshop in a box" for beginning and experienced needle felters. The wool is dyed on our woodstove and is locally carded, so when you buy one of our Kits, you can feel good about supporting local farmers.
When asked how much of the Kits are composed of locally grown materials, Lorna McMaster answered: "We use all the wool from our flock and buy in the rest from a variety of sources including farms in the Monadnock region, VT, MA, and CT. We do source some wool from further away, but try to deal with friends and neighbors locally especially when they bought their sheep from us." She also noted that the wool is usually carded at a mill in Temple, NH, and all Kits are assembled at Lorna's Wool in Spofford.
Needle Felting Kits available
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This month's non-food "recipe" tells you how to make something useful out of materials found in the woods- just don't cut all of the saplings down!
Spoon Carving
By Dan Watson, Woodlands.co.uk
Select a small pole about 2 to 3 inches in diameter that is growing. It's good to try and find one with a natural curve or slight dog leg that you can use as the curve of the spoon. Start by cutting the pole to a little longer than you need for the finished spoon and split the pole in half, length ways. To do this, place your knife with the edge across one end of the pole and carefully, using an off cut from your pole as a mallet, knock your knife into the pole. Allow it to split slowly as forcing it at this stage may make the split run off centre. Select the half or 'cleft' which curves the right way for the spoon you want to carve and whittle the split surface with your knife so that it is smooth.
Using a pencil, roughly draw a spoon shape on to the wood, you could use any spoon which you like the shape of as a template for this. Using the knife carefully, whittle and slice around the outline until you have completed shaping in that plane. The grain in the wood may run in different directions and dictate which way you can cut.
Look at your spoon from the side and decide how you would like to shape the curve of the spoon handle. If you have managed to use a pole with a natural curve or dog-leg it may only need a little refining. Always use your knife carefully making sure that you are always cutting away from yourself. If you have made the handle of your spoon wide in one plane, you can make it thin in the other plane and vice versa, shaping in this way will ensure that the spoon remains strong enough.
When you are satisfied with the shape of your spoon you can turn your attention to shaping the inside of the bowl. With your hooked knife slowly start to remove all the unwanted wood, the grain of the wood will dictate which direction you will need to cut in but in general cutting across the grain works well. When this is finished you can start finishing the spoon.
If you intend to sand the spoon to a smooth finish, store it at room temperature for a few days first, this will dry the wood out a little and make sanding easier. If you intend leaving you spoon with a tooled finish carefully go over the spoon with your knife fine-tuning any slightly rough or uneven areas (You may have to stop yourself!). Finally to treat your spoon use a little warmed sunflower oil, this will bring out the markings in the wood and also be safe for eating with.
What better way to while away a few hours on a sunny spring day than to carve yourself a spoon? For spoon carving, you will only need a good sharp knife, a small pruning saw and a crook or hooked knife to gouge out the bowl of the spoon. Birch and sycamore are both good woods to use and, as you become more practised, you will be able to experiment with many different species. |
Localvore Classifieds* Scott Farm Fruit Shares- The Scott farm in Dummerston, VT is offering fruit shares for nine weeks beginning the last week of August. The season opens with half-peck bags of tree-ripe peaches and continues each week with a different variety of our freshest-picked apples. Past selections have included Japanese Sansa, Gala, Honeycrisp, Ginger Gold, Macoun, and the lovely German apple Pinova. A sample bag of our heirloom apples will be one of the weekly features as harvest progresses. The cost is $48 for the season. To join our CSA, please fill out the membership form found here. Email scottfrm@sover.net or call with questions (802) 254-6868.
Locally Grown Wool- We have beautiful knitting yarns made from our sheep's wool, grown and raised in Nelson, NH. Cheshire Sheep Yarn is a worsted weight, 2-ply yarn in a variety of natural and dyed colors. It is spun for us at Green Mountain Spinnery in Putney, VT. Skeins are 4 ounces, 230 yards, $12 each. Also available are knitting kits for socks, hats and mittens, fleece and roving for handspinners. Contact elementalfiber@gmail.com or (603) 847-9763.
Fertile Fields Farm Interns- Fertile Fields Farm is seeking interns for this season, specifically June -August and also fall, Sept-November. If you want to learn the basics, and then some, of organic farming methods, market gardening, and greenhouse management, and also be part of a fun learning experience contact us soon for an interview. Minimum hours are 6 hours per week and you receive a modified CSA share of veggies each time you work. Call Lori and James at 603-399-7772.
Monadnock Community Market- Learn more about Monadnock Community Market, a food co-op in Keene, and become a member at
http://monadnockcommunitymarket.com/ Slaughtering Services- Home slaughtering services available, reasonable rates. Call Lester at 558-0068 or 865-5726.
*Hannah Grimes Marketplace is posting these classifieds as a service to readers and does not imply endorsement. Add your own classified ad: Send a 20-30 word description of your service or product that is directly supporting entrepreneurs to localvore@hannahgrimes.com. Make sure to include the best way to contact you. |
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Upcoming Events
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Beekeeping Workshop
Saturday, May 14, 1-3:30pm
Linden Apiaries, Alstead
Charles Andros, former NH/VT Apiary Inspector will lead this beekeeping workshop. Topics covered will be finding queens, requeening and 2-queen colonies, pollen collection, swarm control, supering, and bee venom therapy. Bring a veil, if you have one, as we will be opening some colonies. We'll be inside if it is rainy. Registration required: lindena@sover.net or call 603-756-9056. For details visit the Vital Communities website.
Growing Mushrooms in the Forest
Sunday, May 15, 9am-3pm
Wichland Woods, Nelson
David Wichland welcomes us to his mushroom haven at Wichland Woods where we will learn how to grow mushrooms utilizing agroforestry models. In this hands-on course sponsored by NOFA-NH we will inoculate logs and stumps and review various ways to grow mushrooms utilizing wood in the forest. All participants will leave with a shiitake or oyster log that they will inoculate during the course. Potluck lunch and mushroom feast. Rain or shine, dress accordingly. Fee is $45, register at the NOFA-NH website or nhhn@nofanh.org.
Lunch with the Lambs Fundraiser
Sunday, May 15, 1pm
Putnam Park, Peterborough
Enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by lambs! This event, presented by Slow Food Monadnock and Sunnyfield Farm, will benefit Sunnyfield Farm's efforts to obtain a new sheepdog. Bring your friends and family! Adult tickets $15 (includes Slow Food Monadnock Tote Bag), children $6- available at Steele's Stationers and Toadstool Bookshop in Peterborough. For more information visit Slow Food Monadnock online or email richardson.ashleyj@gmail.com.
Presentation on Farm Land: Sustaining Farm and Farm Land for the Future
Thursday, May 19, 6:30-8pm
Conway School of Landscape Design, Conway, MA
Greenfield Community College (GCC) and Conway School of Landscape Design (CSLD) have partnered to offer this free presentation, the third presentation in its series "Things are Looking Up Down on the Farm" about food and farm issues. Cris Coffin, New England Director of the American Farm Land Trust will present. See the event flyer for more information or email farm@csld.edu.
Mycological Landscaping Workshop
Sunday, May 22 & Sunday, June 12, 10am-4pm
Wichland Woods, Nelson
Two separate straw inoculation and gardening with mushrooms workshops will be offered by David Wichland. Bring something to share for a potluck lunch. Visit the Wichland Woods website for more information. Please RSVP by emailing wichlandwoods@hotmail.com or call (603) 357-2758.
Walpole Mountain View Winery Tasting & Tours
Saturday, May 28, 11am-6pm
Barnett Hill Vineyard, Walpole
The winery and vineyard reopens for tasting and tours at 114 Barnett Hill Rd. Check website www.BHvineyard.com and their Facebook page for updates. Email vineyard@sover.net or call (603) 756-3948.
Slow Living Summit
Wednesday, June 1 to Friday, June 3
Downtown Brattleboro
A gathering of diverse movements toward local and regional sustainability from New England and beyond, the Slow Living Summit will be an intensive two-and-a-half day exploration of ways to build healthy, thriving local economies while encouraging, mentoring and supporting a new generation of activists, entrepreneurs and engaged citizens. Registration fees through May 14: General registration: $150; student registration $105. After May 14 or on-site: general registration $180; student registration $115. Visit the Strolling of the Heifers website for more information and to register.
Urban/Container Gardening Workshop
Thursday, June 2, 6pm
Stonewall Farm, Keene
Want to grow vegetables, but feel you don't have the lawn space? Try growing vegetables in a container garden this year. Find out how at the Monadnock Localvore Project's Urban Gardening/Container Gardening Workshop. The workshop will be led by Amanda Maurmann, who is in her 4th season as the garden manager at Stonewall Farm. Registration is limited. The sliding scale fee is $5-15; but no one will be turned away due to lack of funds. For more details and to register, click here or call (603) 756-2988 ext.116.
Introduction to Backyard Organic Farming
Thursday, June 2, 9-11am
Dancing Dog Farm, Peterborough
You'll get a "behind the scenes" tour of our organic/biodynamic homestead farm, watch our goats be milked, (milk them too if you like!) and learn tips and tricks to building healthy soil, raising livestock and growing great food right in your own backyard. Fee is $20. For more information about Dancing Dog Farm's "Grow Your Own" Summer classes, contact Carol: (603) 289-2426, or drtmrpony@aol.com. Find us online at www.dancingdogfarm.wordpress.com
Beginner Beekeeping Workshop
Saturday, June 4, 9am-12pm
Imagine That Honey, Swanzey
Learn how to get started and keep healthy bees. $25 per couple. Offered by Dean and Jodi Turner, (603) 381-1717, 283 Matthews Rd in Swanzey.
Trowels to Tractors
Saturday, June 4, 10-11:30am
Stonewall Farm, Keene
Within New England history, we have used many tools to grow food. Today we will explore tools from our garden shed. From interesting trowels to exciting tractors we will learn what tools are used to grow food! This is a great program for children and adults of all ages. For more information, contact Stonewall Farm at (603) 357-7278, or visit their website.
Great Falls Food Hub Discussion
Monday, June 13, 6:30pm
Stonewall Farm, Keene
You are invited to discuss the Great Falls Food Hub and what it means for Cheshire County. An hors d'oeuvres buffet and drinks will be served at 6:30, followed by a briefpresentation on the accomplishments of the Food Hub thus far & the current momentum, the floor will then be open for conversations on the Food Hub and next steps. This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. To register please contact the Cheshire County Conservation District at (603) 756-2988 ext.116 or email info@cheshireconservation.org.
Keene Farmers' Market
Tuesdays & Saturdays, 9am-2pm
Gilbo Avenue, Keene
Located on Gilbo Avenue behind the Colonial Theater, find us each Tuesday and Saturday from 9-2 from May through October- providing 100% locally raised veggies, fruits, beef, pork, eggs, cheeses, jams, jellies, mustards, vinegars, and fiber. Also find baked goods, bread, granola, soaps, jewelry, and hand crafted wooden chairs and benches.
Walpole Farmers' Market
Fridays, 4-7pm
Walpole Common, Walpole
We offer a wide variety of items such as veggies, herbs, fruit, dairy products, meats, maple products, honey & bee products, mushrooms, fiber, prepared foods, and some utilitarian crafts. The weekly market will run through Friday, October 21st. For more information, visit the WFM website, email jill@walpolefarmersmarket.com, or call 603-756-3168.
Fresh Chicks Outdoor Marketplace
Mondays, 12-6pm
Monadnock Community Hospital, Peterborough
Fresh Chicks Outdoor Marketplace is another opportunity to make connections with local folks who grow fresh, natural and organic produce and create quality homemade, handmade products and crafts. We hope to spread the word about how important it is to support local growers, local economies and better nourished people. The Market will be held every Monday from 12:00-6:00, outdoors, in the northeast lot at the Monadnock Community Hospital, Peterborough. It will run into October, rain or shine. Contact Jean Mann, roseofsharon@localnet.com, 924-1913. |
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News & Resources:
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Wood turnings by David Maine
of The Arts Farm in Deering. |
Local Consuming
NH Made- If you've never explored the website of NH Made, you have been missing out! Find producers of all kinds of items, all made in New Hampshire and many using local materials.
Below are a few more businesses in the area that make products from local ingredients, just to get you started! All sell their items at Hannah Grimes Marketplace~
The Arts Farm in Deering- Deering, NH - Unique wood turnings by David Maine, from bowls to canisters, vases, and other vessels. The wood is chosen for its decorative grain, and many local woods are used. Visit their website.
Long Ridge Farm- Westmoreland, NH - Yarns spun from their own sheep and hand-dyed using black walnuts collected from Cheshire and Sullivan counties, as well as other natural dyeing materials. Find them online here.
Slaymaker Designs- Westmoreland, NH - Handcrafted wooden serving boards, utensils, and door stops. Made from wood that is salvaged from old buildings or rescued from natural disasters. Roughly 80% of the wood used can be found in northern New England. Find them on Facebook!
Sunnymanse Farm- Roxbury, NH - Offering sheepskins made from the fleeces of their own animals. Give them a call at (603) 357-4989.
Whispering Winds Alpaca Farm- Marlborough, NH - Yarns and roving available from the alpacas raised right on their farm. Visit their website.
Wyman Way Cooperative- Keene, NH - A non-profit organization founded with the mission to provide employment for the mentally ill. Makers of rustic twig furniture, trellises, plant stands, and more. Local sticks from Keene and Fitzwilliam make up about 80% of the furniture. Visit them at 90 Victoria Street in Keene, or call (603) 357-0534.
Yankee Ingenuity Wood Crafts- Keene, NH - Handmade wooden bowls, lamps, boxes, benches, and more. Featuring cherry, oak, maple, beech, and pine from local sawmills. Phone (603) 358-5235.
What's your interest?
What other great non-food items made from local ingredients do you enjoy? What did we miss in this newsletter? Please share your thoughts via email, Facebook, and Twitter.
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