Countryside Conservancy |
| | 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 in the greater Akron area. 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! |
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Join us for the 2011 Countryside
Farmers' Markets
Saturdays
9 til noon
thru October 29
at Howe Meadow 4040 Riverview Rd., Peninsula, OH 44264 Wednesdays
4 til 7 PM
thru September 28 at Highland Square
Corner of W. Market & Conger St.
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| | Upcoming Events | |
7/26
Follow Up With Your Farm Business
8/1
Countryside Initiative RFP Release
8/27
Tomato Tasting & Salsa Smackdown
9/27
Starting Your Farm Business
10/25
Employees for Your Farm Business
11/5 - 11/6
Advanced Techniques for Established Growers
11/7 - 11/8
Season Extension for Established Growers
For details about these events please visit our website.
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Zucchini Fritters
Chef Larkin Rogers
Executive Chef of the Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center
2 lbs zucchini, grated (preferably a mix of green and yellow)
4 eggs
1 cup flour
1-2 tsp baking powder
2 cloves garlic, minced
1-2 Tablespoons fresh summer savory or thyme
Pinch Salt
Freshly ground pepper
Zest from 1 lemon
Dash of Tabasco
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Olive oil for frying
1 cup all-purpose flour
Makes 4 dozen
Mix flour, baking powder, lemon zest, salt & pepper in a medium bowl. Add eggs and beat into dry ingredients. Add zucchini, garlic, Tabasco and herbs. Mix to combine. Drop spoonfuls of batter in medium-hot oil and fry until golden. Flip and fry until golden on second side. Dust with parmesan and serve. | |
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2011 Countryside Initiative Request for Proposals
Darwin Kelsey, Executive Director
A few minutes ago, Cuyahoga Valley National Park staff and I sent our printer the final proof of the 2011 Countryside Initiative Request for Proposals to lease two more farms in the Park. We expect several boxes of RFP's to arrive on our doorstep by month's end. "God willing, and the creeks don't rise," nearly 300 RFP's will be in the mail to potential lessees by August 1. And, we'll post the new RFP on both CVNP and Countryside websites August 1 for those who prefer the electronic version.
Now begins the final, critical phase of finding experienced, energetic, and able stewards for two of the last and best Initiative farms still available for long-term (60 year) leases. Completed proposals will be due by the end of September. Any citizen of the United States is eligible to apply, of course. But it is an open competitive process - and being selected to lease and care for one of the farms will take a creative enterprise plan, significant knowledge and experience, as well as the financial and human resources necessary to implement the plan.
The Edgar Farm is located near the northern edge of the CVNP in Valley View, and the Holland Farm is located just east of the Village of Peninsula on Rt. 303. Both have high public visibility, and are situated in the midst of a large population of prospective customers. So pass the word - to anyone and everyone you know who might be up to the challenge of building a successful business on one of these farms. For complete details check our website www.cvcountryside.org starting August 1. | |
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| | Changes Around the Countryside Conservancy
Stephanie Webb | |
I would like to take this time to introduce and welcome our newest  Countryside staff person, Julie Gabelman. Julie will take over my role as Administrative Coordinator at the end of July (check out Julie's bio below). And, I will go off to pursue my dream of becoming a nurse (I completed my degree in May).
For me the change will be bitter sweet. I can't say enough about the wonderful people I have worked with these past six years, my colleagues, our board, the farmers, and our volunteers. I've been enlightened, inspired, and motivated in so many different ways by each of you. I am certain that just knowing you has made me a better person. |
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Hello, My Name Is....
Julie Gabelman, Administrative Coordinator
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 I am so excited to be a part of the Countryside Conservancy! Here is a little bit about me - I am a lifelong resident of Summit County and currently live in Green with my husband, Brian, and our sons, Jacob, 20, who is a student at the University of Akron, and Bill, 17, who will be a senior at Green High School this year. In my spare time I enjoy photography, knitting and helping my husband raise a small flock of canaries. My prior experience includes working at a local law firm, initially as a legal assistant and later in their I.S. Department. Most recently, I was a PC technician for an I.T. consultant. One of the main reasons I was drawn to working at the Countryside Conservancy is that I believe strongly in the their mission of bringing our region's local food supply and the community together. I am looking forward to getting to know the Countryside Initiative farmers and other friends and volunteers of the Countryside and becoming involved in the Countryside's activities! I will be helping out soon at the Saturday farmers market.
I have to thank Stephanie for being so patient and thorough as we've worked together during this transition period. I consider myself very fortunate to have had the chance to work with her. There is so much I have needed to learn these past few weeks and I'm amazed by her vast knowledge of the Countryside. She will surely be missed by everyone here, and especially by me! |
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Wanted...Farmland Katie Myers-Griffith, Farmland Programs Coordinator
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In case you didn't know, Ohio is 2nd in the nation for loss of prime farmland. That is a dismal statistic. However, here at Countryside Conservancy we see a surge in demand for farmland, not from developers, but from future farmers. If acted upon proactively, we will see a decline in the loss of farmland and an increase in the demand for land...for farming or gardening. The Countryside Initiative is one program offered through Countryside Conservancy to obtain access to land and FarmLink is the other.
FarmLink: the mechanism of linking retiring/transitioning farms and farmland to beginning/expanding farm operations and farmers. Currently, we have a long list of farmers looking for land and a not-so-long list of available farmland. My goal for 2012 is to expand the number of acres available in the FarmLink Program. So, as a first action step, I am asking you to spread the word!
If you, or someone you know, have a farm that is sitting unused, and/or underutilized, please contact me! We are looking for acreage of all sizes, shapes, and forms. If you have a ½ acre lot in the city, 2 acres with a house in the suburbs, or 20 acres in the country with house, barn, and outhouse, I want it listed! We are not a real estate agency. We simply connect people to land. There are a variety of lease options and we have sample leases that can be used as a template.
Enrollment in FarmLink is free of charge for landowners. The application process is all online. However, if you do not have internet access or need assistance, I can help you fill out your application.
As a community, let's reclaim our farmland and put some eager farmers to work! |
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Slow Start for Farmers' Markets Give Way to Summer Bounty
Beth Knorr, Local Food Programs Coordinator/Market Manager |  The 2011 Countryside Farmers' Markets, while off to a somewhat rocky start, are in full swing now. The farmers throughout Ohio had one of the roughest springs in memorable history. Rain and cool weather that continued through May prohibited growers from getting into their fields to plant. Many are still playing catch-up, and most consider themselves about a month behind. Several farmers noted that even those items they did manage to plant between rain drops were slow to grow. All this created a noticeable decline in the amount of fresh produce for the first month and a half of the summer market season. Finally now as the summer crops are beginning to roll in are we seeing fuller tables at both of our farmers' markets.
Noticeable exceptions to the empty-table syndrome were those vendors with high tunnels on their farms. The high tunnels alleviated weather-related risk for several of our growers, enabling them to have bountiful market stands even through the severe weather of the spring. To show more growers the benefits of these low-cost structures, Countryside Conservancy is partnering with Ohio Ecological Food & Farm Association (OEFFA) to provide a workshop this fall that will share techniques with specialty crop growers interested in adding or better utilizing high tunnels on their farm, as well as provide information on advanced techniques for the established grower.
To read full article, click here . |
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Our Kitchens and Food Waste
Sage Culley, Farmers' Market Intern
After reading American Wasteland by Jonathon Bloom this past  Winter, I felt the definite disconnect in homes these days when it comes to food waste. I don't necessarily think families intend or want to waste, but many just don't know how to make the most of the foods they purchase. As I made my way through the book, I began looking at my own waste. I quickly realized that most of my waste was food waste. As a result, I started composting. I was able to reduce my weekly curbside garbage pick-up to once a month!
To read full article, click here . | |
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