Countryside Conservancy |
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| About the Countryside Conservancy |
Since 1999, the Countryside Conservancy has supported community-based food systems throughout Northeast Ohio. This unique non-profit organization helps re-establish farms in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and runs farmers' markets at Howe Meadow (also in the park), as well as and at the historic Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens in Akron. Other programs help up and coming farmers find land, connect local growers to chefs and consumers, and educate citizens about the importance of local food systems. Visit our website to see what's growing on! | | | |
2010 Countryside Farmers' Market Dates
Countryside Farmers' Market, Saturdays @ Howe Meadow
May 15-October 30
9-noon
Countryside Farmers' Market, Thursdays @ Stan Hywet
June 3-September 23
4-7pm |
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We Need More Farmers in America, and CVNP!
Darwin Kelsey, Executive Director |
 Food is not optional. Where and how food is grown determines a lot about its taste, healthfulness, impact on the environment, and its impact on the local economy, etc. And, America today is in the midst of a reawakening about the consequences of where and how food is grown. And, consequently, it is also at the beginning of a broad based movement to rescale, reorganize and relocalize food production.
The writer, Michael Polan, says we need 30,000,000 new farmers. That's a lot of farmers - that's a lot of jobs. That's about one in ten Americans (about the way it was in 1950). I can imagine tens of thousands of those new farmers right here in Northeast Ohio. I can imagine a different - and better - future for our region.
For starters, I (we) need your help. We (CVNP and the Conservancy) are going to need two (2) of those new farmers real soon. This Fall we will offer two more farms in the Park for long-term leases (of up to 60 years). These are two of the last (and best) farms to be offered in the Countryside Initiative. Hence, we will be looking for some really good farmers. Spread the word!
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Countryside Conservancy Day @ Whole Foods
Tomorrow - June 15th
Come shop at Whole Foods in Woodmere (27249 Chagrin Blvd.) tomorrow to show your support for the Countryside Conservancy. We will receive 5% of the total sales for the day!
Conservancy staff and volunteers will also be on-hand from 11-2pm and 4-7pm to discuss our programs throughout Northeast Ohio that Support Community-Based Food Systems.
Oh, and we'll also have our NEW Don't Buy Food From Strangers t-shirts and totebags available for purchase.
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| Farmer Profile: Spring Hill Farm & Market
Photo courtesy of George Remington (2009) | Spring Hill Farm and Market is a diversified vegetable, cut flower, and poultry farm located in Brecksville, operated by Alan and Susan Halko. The Halkos raise over a dozen types of vegetables (including 20+ varieties of tomatoes), and 50+ types of flowers. Their poultry operation (eggs and broilers) is pasture based. They sell at the farm, and in the Countryside Farmers' Market at Howe Meadow.
For more information on Spring Hill and other Countryside Initiative Farms, visit our website. | |
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| Summer Solstice Wine, Art & Blues Festival
June 18-20 @ Sarah's Vineyard
(1403 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls)
 Come and taste great Ohio wines and browse and shop with artists who will be displaying jewelry, pottery, prints, handmade tiles, handmade soaps, decorative gourds, stained glass, woodworking, metal working, fabric art, and photography. Take a leisurely walk through the vineyard and sample delicious food and wine. Visit sarahsvineyardwinery.com for full details.
Looking for a great volunteer opportunity? Contact us if you are interested in selling tickets at the event. | |
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Go Green and Give Back
Katie Myers- Griffith, Farmland Programs Coordinator |
As a busy wife, mother of three boys, farmer, and career woman going green has been a baby step process. About three years ago, I started replacing my incandescent light bulbs with CFL (compact florescent lamp) light bulbs. As an old incandescent blew out, I replaced it. A few months later, our whole home was CFL lights. They last longer and consume less energy. At the same time, I started collecting re-usable shopping bags and recycling the plastic bags by returning them to the store of purchase. Re-usable shopping bags have helped the environment and me in many ways; I no longer have plastic bags shoved in every nook and cranny of the kitchen and they double great as a swim bag or overnight bag for the boys. Recently, we have decided to not purchase plastic, disposable water bottles. So, I bought each of my family members a plastic water bottle - color of their choice! You too can take baby steps towards going green and I have just the on-line shopping source for you; letsgogreen.biz On sale right now is the Bobble™ a BPA free filtered water bottle. The Bobble™is made of recycled plastic and made in the U.S.A. It comes in stylish colors too!
In addition, at letsgogreen.biz you will find a full line of CFL light bulbs, Natural Value™toxic free cleaning supplies, and for your garden, low flow garden hose nozzles.
Prices are fair, shipping is fast and packaged in eco-friendly materials, and by going green you can chose Countryside Conservancy as your fundraiser and a portion of your purchase will be donated to our organization. So you can go green and give back!
Please visit letsgogreen.biz for your eco-friendly needs, when asked if this is a fundraiser...choose Countryside Conservancy in the drop down menu! |
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Ag-Bio Cluster Leadership Council Cuyahoga Co. & Summit Co. Stakeholder Session
Monday, June 28th
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Agriculture and bio-science entrepreneurs (farmers, distributors, or processors) of Cuyahoga and Summit counties: You are cordially invited to attend a second Ag-Bio Cluster stakeholder session on June 28, from 6pm - 8 pm at Boston Store, 1548 Boston Mills Road, Boston Township (Cuyahoga Valley National Park). For questions or to RSVP contact us. This gathering is a follow-up to county-wide meetings conducted earlier this year during which participants shared ideas related to creation / expansion of local food, advanced energy, and do-it-yourself manufacturing businesses. For our Events page for more information. |
| Farm 'n Barn Bike Tour
in Cuyahoga Valley National Park Sunday, August 29th |
Join us for our 1st Annual Farm 'N Barn Bike Tour in the  picturesque Cuyahoga Valley National Park, featuring stops at all Countryside Initiative Farms. This one of a kind event offers an opportunity to learn more about the Countryside Initiative program from the farmers' perspective, and to learn more about what each CI farm has to offer.
The event will consist of 3 Different Routes including a 12-mile (with 4 farm stops), 32-mile (with 6 farm stops), and a 52-mile (with 7 farm stops).
On-line registration is now open, visit our website for more information. |
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