PURE CATSKILLS EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION DUE OCTOBER 20: Over $3,000 in funding is available to Pure Catskills business members to cover expenses associated with attending educational events that support the development of a new marketing opportunity or the adoption of a new production method. Pure Catskills members include farms, retailers, farmer's markets, restaurants and food-related organizations supporting local food systems within Delaware, Greene, Otsego, Schoharie, Sullivan and Ulster Counties. Eligible applicants must have a current membership in order to be eligible for this funding opportunity. Up to $250 per person will be awarded for educational events such as workshops, conferences, field days or trainings. Applications must have a postmark no later than October 20, 2010 to be considered. Only mailed proposals will be accepted. No hand-delivered, electronic or faxed submissions will be considered.

SAVE THE DATE: YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT

November 6, 10am-3pm at the CVI Building in Liberty, NY
Join speak Joel Salatin from Polyface Farms in two sessions that will discuss and explore the importance of consumers buying local food for our health, economy, and the environment; relationship marketing for farmers so as to connect local business to agricultural products and producers. Lunch will serve local food and provide an opportunity for consumers, businesses and farmers to connect. Stay tuned for more information or contact the Conservancy at (570) 226-3164 for more information.

NEWSWORTHY PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS:

Spring Lake Farm: Inspiring the Grass Fed Movement in Upstate New York (video): Farmer Ingimundar Kjarval shares his perspective on pastured livestock in this short video. At the upcoming Farmer Appreciation Picnic on October 2nd at the Delaware County Historical Association, we hope to capture your thoughts, dreams and aspirations for farming in the New York City Watershed for our website!

Maryellen Sheehan, a garlic grower at Hilltop Hanover Farm & Educational Center in Yorktown Heights, is featured in this New York Times article.

A handcrafted birch armoire by Catskill WoodNet member Jonah Meyer, owner of Serv ce Station, was highlighted in this NYT piece.