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Michelle Gabel, Syracuse.com
The Northeast Hop Alliance will be celebrating its second 2010 Field Days event, the Hop Pickin’ Picnic, August 28th from 10am-3pm at Foothill Hops Farm in Munnsville, NY. Tickets are $10 for NeHA members and $20 for non-members. A delicious lunch will be provided by Holy Smoke BBQ along with thirst-quenching samples of Empire Brewing Company’s Empire State Pale Ale – brewed by Brewmaster Tim Butler with 100% local hops grown from Foothill Hops Farm. To register, please call 315-684-3001 ext. 125. The Northeast Hop Alliance is 501(c)(6) not-for-profit created to reestablish a hop culture in New York and the Northeast and to preserve the hop heritage and architecture of the past.
Kate and Larry Fisher, owners of Foothill Hops Farm (Larry is also President of the Northeast Hop Alliance) have been growing and selling hops for 9 years. They started with one rhizome in 2001 and have grown their operation to over 2,000 hills. The Hop Pickin’ Picnic provides a hands-on opportunity to walk through the hop fields and see the Foothill Hops harvester and separator – build by Larry using expired patents. The Fishers will be harvesting Willamette and Cascade varieties this year along with several varieties of certified organic hops. The Fishers sell pelletized and dry leaf hops to local breweries and home brewers. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to witness a small-scale “field to dryer” operation.
Following the Hop Pickin’ Picnic will be an exquisitely prepared four course dinner and beer pairing at the Ye Olde Landmark Tavern in Bouckville. Cooperstown Brewery will be in attendance to showcase their variety of brews. The dinner will begin at 5pm and is $40 per person, tax and gratuity not included. Seating is limited, so call (315) 893-1810 to reserve your seat today. If you are traveling from far, the Ye Olde Landmark also has a limited number of colonial style rooms still available for an overnight stay. To reserve a room, call (315) 893-1810. The dinner and beer pairing menu is as follows:

Summer Vegetable Terrine
Arugula pesto, parmesan crisp
Nine Man Golden Ale

Spicy Corn Soup
cilantro oil, crispy tortilla
Back Yard India Pale Ale

Grilled Pork Loin
molasses barbecue sauce, toasted barley salad, roasted green beans
Strike Out Stout

Pecan Brownie Tort
buttermilk ice cream, caramel sauce
Benchwarmer Porter

The Hop Pickin’ Picnic is brought to you by the Northeast Hop Alliance, Madison County Agricultural Economic Development Program, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Madison County, New York State Brewers Association, Madison County Tourism, and the Empire Brewing Company.
 
 
The culmination of Madison County’s Buy Local Week 2010 is the third annual Open Farm Day on Saturday, July 24, from 10 am to 4 pm at 37 farms and 3 farmers markets throughout the county.  Buy Local Week's feature event is an opportunity to experience first-hand the work that goes into the food we eat and the local products we consume.
 
Hosted by Madison County's Agricultural Economic Development Program and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Madison County, Open Farm Day showcases the broad variety of “local” available to Central New Yorkers – organic and hydroponic produce; elk, sheep, goats, alpacas, and llamas; chickens and eggs; perennial and annual greenhouse vegetables and ornamental plants; grains milled into flour and cereal; cider and honey; Angus and Kobe beef; milk, yogurt, cheese, and butter.
 
An Open Farm Day “Passport” can be downloaded from http://madisoncountyagriculture.com/buylocalweek/2010passport.pdf and provides everything you need to visit the farms of your choice, including a full description of each farm, as well as address, phone number, and owners’ names.   Once en route, “Open Farm Day” stop signs will identify participating farms, which are divided into four regions:  Region 1 – Sullivan, Lenox, Canastota, Wampsville, Oneida, Chittenango, and Lincoln; Region 2 – Fenner, Cazenovia, Nelson, DeRuyter, and Georgetown; Region 3 – Stockbridge, Smithfield, Munnsville, Eaton, and Madison; and Region 4 – Lebanon, Hamilton, Brookfield, and Earlville.
 
Participating farms will offer tours and rides, free samples, farm stands and stores, and supervised interaction with and observation of a variety of animals. Collect a stamp from at least three farms to qualify for a special Buy Local prize at the last farm visited. Visitors to farms in all four regions will be eligible for the Grand Prize – a weekend stay at Endless Trails Farm Bed and Breakfast in Hubbardsville.
 
Local sponsors of Buy Local Week include Price Chopper, Cazenovia Equipment, National Grid, Cornell University’s Cooperative Extension of Madison County, Central New York Bounty, Madison County Tourism, Shapna Tea and Coffee, Off the Path Media, and Serendipity Catering.
 
Complete information on Open Farm Day 2010 can be found online at http://madisoncountyagriculture.com/buylocalweek.  A printable map of farm locations is available at http://madisoncountyagriculture.com/buylocalweek/2010map.pdf.  For more information on Madison County’s Agricultural Economic Development Program, visit www.madisoncountyagriculture.com.

 
 
Summer is in full swing and so are all the fun events that make Central New York such a great place to live and visit.  Here are a few events that you don't want to miss this weekend:
1. Fresh Gala-- The FRESH! Gala will be held on Sunday and it is a fund-raising event that celebrates the diversity and vibrancy of Madison County agriculture. The Fresh! Gala will be held at Endless Trails Farm in Hubbardsville with local food prepared by Serendipity Catering, live music, a silent auction, and beer from the Empire Brewery made with Foothill Hops Farm hops. You can still get tickets for the event at Price Chopper and a few will be available at the door.
2. Cazenovia Counterpoint--A festival of contemporary music, art & writing featuring regional artists, CNY natives & guests, presented by the Society of New Music. This 30th year of the festival features The Arts & the Natural World 'ear to the ground & eyes toward heaven'
3. Lorenzo Driving Competition --Join us for the 32nd annual driving competition. Horse and carriage driving competition featuring tests of skill, timing, and style. Exhibits, sales, refreshments, demonstrations. The show runs 8am until 5pm both days and admission is free.
4. Farmer's Markets-- The bounty from Central New York's fields is on full display at farmer's markets in Oneida, Cazenovia, Canastota, and Hamilton this weekend.  Find a ton of fresh produce and support your local farmers.
5. Family Day of Croquet -- Abolitionist Gerrit Smith liked to play a game or two of croquet daily during the summer. In honor of Smith’s summer recreation on a court near his house, the Grounds Squad of the Gerrit Smith Estate National Historic Landmark has planned a Family Day of Croquet on Sunday, July 18 from 2 – 6 p.m. on the grounds of Smith’s 19th Century home. The event will be attended by local croquet enthusiasts and a group dressed in croquet outfits. Croquet can be played by amateurs of all ages, and is enjoying a national resurgence. The public is urged to join in reviving this tradition. Croquet attire of the 19th or 21st Century is encouraged but not required.
Now you have no excuses when someone tells you there is nothing to do this weekend.  Don't forget our event page for a full listing of things happening in and around CNY this weekend.
 
 
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Madison County’s Agricultural Economic Development Program is hosting the Fresh! Gala this coming Sunday, July 18th from 3-6pm at Endless Trails Farm in Hubbardsville.  Endless Trails Farm and Guesthouse, owned and operated by Dave and Pam Williams is located at 8856 Larkin Road in Hubbardsville.  The farm raises grass fed beef, which is marketed under the Sunnybrook Farm label.
The Fresh! Gala at this unique venue promises a great time for everyone with its beautiful setting in the outdoor covered pavilion, featuring: a local foods dinner prepared by Serendipity Catering with seared Meadows Farm Kobe beef, Meadowood Farm lamb kabobs with sheep’s milk yogurt tzatziki, and Drover Hill smoked ham with Split Rail Farm apple chutney; beer made by the Empire Brewing Company with hops grown in Madison County at Foothill Hops Farm; live music by Larry Hoyt and the Good Acoustics; and, a silent auction. Funds raised will be used to support the mission of the Agricultural Economic Development Program.
Ticket prices are $35 per person or $65 per couple and are available at ten Price Chopper stores: 142 Genesee Street in Oneida; Madison Marketplace on Route 12B north of Hamilton; 1917 Genesee Street and the North Utica Shopping Center in Utica; 1790 Black River Blvd. in Rome; 4535 Commercial Drive in New Hartford; 2525 Erie Blvd and 4713 Onondaga Blvd. in Syracuse; 3863 State Route 31 in Liverpool; and, 5701 East Circle Drive in Cicero.  Tickets are also available online at www.MadisonCountyAgriculture.com and must be purchased prior to the event. For more information, including a map and directions, visit www.MadisonCountyAgriculture.com.

Sponsors of Buy Local Week include Price Chopper, Cazenovia Equipment, National Grid, Madison County’s Agricultural Economic Development Program, Empire Brewery, Cornell University’s Cooperative Extension of Madison County, Central New York Bounty, Madison County Tourism, Shapna Tea and Coffee, and Serendipity Caterers.

 
 
The kickoff for the Madison County Buy Local Week 2010 happens on SUNDAY, July 18, from 3-6 pm at Endless Trails Farm and Guesthouse in Hubbardsville, just 10 minutes east of Hamilton. The event, hosted by Madison County's Agricultural Economic Development Program, is called the Fresh! Gala, a fundraiser that celebrates the diversity and vibrancy of Madison County agriculture.  Local sponsors of Buy Local Week include Price Chopper, Cazenovia Equipment, National Grid, Cornell University’s Cooperative Extension of Madison County, Central New York Bounty, Madison County Tourism, Shapna Tea and Coffee, and Serendipity Caterers.
 
The mission of the AED Program is to maintain, develop, and promote a viable agricultural economy that benefits Madison County.  AED’s priorities are to market Madison County’s agricultural products and services by creating market opportunities and encouraging value-added enterprises, as well as maintaining an agricultural land base to support a viable agricultural economy by assisting existing farmers and attracting and supporting new farmers.  
 
The Endless Trails Farm and Guesthouse, owned and operated by Dave and Pam Williams and Dan and Melissa Williams is located at 8856 Larkin Road in Hubbardsville.  The farm raises grass fed beef under the name Sunnybrook Farm, which can be ordered by calling 315-841-8384, and is part of 340 acres of land adjacent to the Brookfield Trail System. The trail system consists of 130 miles of groomed trails maintained by the New York State Department of Conservation. The trails are open to horse enthusiasts, mountain bikers, cross-country skiers, and snowmobilers.  Horse owners who want to get away for a few days or a few weeks can stable their horses on the premises in the 12 horse stalls available for guest use.
 
The guesthouse features six upstairs bedrooms, four with private baths and a suite that includes a shared bath. Guests have full use of the kitchen, living areas, enclosed porch, patio, and covered deck. The guesthouse is available to rent by the week, by the weekend, or by the day. The whole house can be rented for a group, or individual rooms can be rented.
 
The Fresh! Gala at this unique venue promises a great time for everyone with its beautiful setting in the outdoor covered pavilion, local food prepared by Stephanie Holzbaur’s Serendipity Catering, beer made with hops grown in Madison County at Foothill Hops Farm, live music by Larry Hoyt and the Good Acoustics, and a silent auction. Funds raised will be used to support the mission of the Agricultural Economic Development Program.

Ticket prices are $35 per person or $65 per couple and are available at ten Price Chopper stores: 142 Genesee Street in Oneida, Madison Marketplace on Route 12B north of Hamilton, 1917 Genesee Street and the North Utica Shopping Center in Utica, 1790 Black River Blvd. in Rome, 4535 Commercial Drive in New Hartford, 2525 Erie Blvd and 4713 Onondaga Blvd. in Syracuse, 3863 State Route 31 in Liverpool, and 5701 East Circle Drive in Cicero.  Tickets are also available online at http://buylocalweek2010.eventbrite.com/ and must be purchased prior to the event. No tickets will be sold at the door.  For more information, including a map and directions, visit www.madisoncountyagriculture.com.
 
 
(Oneida) -- We have moved up the date one weekend earlier for our Pride of NY event - as prime fall foliage will be at its peak here in the CNY region.  We will be partnering up our Wine/Farmer's Market with our Hot Air Balloon festival - hoping to target a more diverse adult market.  Last year our Hot Air Balloon Weekend had 4,500 visitors come through the gates, offering 5 launch times with 7 balloons. We will have even more pilots attending this year's event - offering launches, tethers, and balloon walks throughout the weekend.
Additional advertising campaigns for this specific weekend as an outdoor "rain or shine" under the tents event will take place on Time Warner Cable ads, radio, print, and additional promotional and marketing efforts across the state. We expect a wonderful attendance record!  We will also have a separate smaller fee for those patrons wishing only to visit the balloons/farmer's market - and not participate in the harvest festival activities on the farm.  This will help encourage visitors to join us - without having to attend the festival itself at a higher admission rate.  The farmer's market area will be open to all PONY members - selling any NYS made products - including: wines, gourmet foods, textiles, candies, honey, syrup, jams, etc. 
All vendors will be included online in our list of participants upon registration.  We typically receive over 150,000 hits per season during our 7 weeks we are open.  Links to your websites or contact info will be included.  We also ask for vendors to send us jpegs that may be used in our marketing materials - showing their booths or products. Many will be used in our Time Warner commercials - others will be used in print materials.  
This is a farm market event - all wineries and breweries are free to sample and sell bottles.  All vendors are responsible for their own sales tax. Those sampling/selling alcohol must provide proof of insurance, and list Wolf Oak Acres as an additional insured.  Please feel free to visit our website at: http://www.wolfoakacres.netdzyne.com/prideofny.html  for additional information on set up, accommodations, directions, etc.
Thank you to all who participated last year - and we look forward to having you and many new vendors join us for a newly transformed experience this coming fall!
 
 
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Focus on Fiber, a “Fair within the Fair”, made its debut at the Madison County Fair in 2009.  Llamas, alpacas, angora rabbits, and cashmere goats were on hand, spinners and felters demonstrated their crafts, and vendors offered fleece, yarn, and products made from natural fibers.  Educational exhibits were available and visitors could watch videos on fiber processing.
The 2010 fiber fair will offer even more educational opportunities for anyone interested in fiber arts.  All three days, there will be demonstrations of spinning, weaving, wet felting, carding, and needle felting.  For anyone interested in more focused learning, four workshops will be available. 
On Friday and Saturday afternoon, July 9th and 10th, Mindy Laymon from The Olde Homestead in Brookfield will lead workshops on needle felting.   Needle felting is a technique for fusing layers of fiber (yarn, roving, or felt) together, using a single barbed needle or a set of needles in a plastic sleeve.    By poking the needle into a ball of wool, one can “mold” the wool into the desired shape.   Needle felting can also be used to make designs on a background of cloth or felt.    Pre-registration is not required for these workshops.   Mindy will welcome beginners as well as experienced felters looking for ideas.  A $10 fee for materials is all that is required, and Mindy will be found with her Baby Doll sheep near the fiber pavilion.
 
 
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Madison County’s Agricultural Economic Development Program and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Madison County are pleased to announce that this year’s Fresh! Gala will be held at Endless Trails Farm in Hubbardsville, owned and operated by Pam and Dave Williams. The Fresh! Gala will take place on Sunday, July 18th starting at 3pm.  The Gala, part of Madison County’s Buy Local Week, is a fundraising event that celebrates the diversity and vibrancy of Madison County agriculture. The Fresh! Gala at Endless Trails Farm will include live music from Larry Hoyt and the Good Acoustics, local food prepared by Serendipity Catering, a silent auction, and beer from the Empire Brewery made with Foothill Hops Farm hops and locally-grown products from Critz farm. 
The Williams’ purchased Endless Trails Farm in 2003.  Prior to that time they owned a cow/calf operation in Deansboro.  Endless Trails is a diversified farm and agri-tourism operation,. Endless Trails Guesthouse boasts a six-bedroom Bed & Breakfast catering to all sorts of individuals, but especially to those visitors interested in riding their horses along the Brookfield Trail system, which runs along the property. A variety of events are held at the Guesthouse each year ranging from small intimate dinners to large weddings.  Along with managing the B&B, Endless Trails Farm runs an Angus, Hereford-cross cow-calf operation. They maintain 340 acres of certified organic fields and provide custom grazing for other farmers.  Their meat is sold under the Sunnybrook Farm label owned by Dan and Melissa Williams. Endless Trails also provides horse drawn wagon and sleigh rides over the pastures and through the woods of this beautiful, organic farm
To learn more about the Fresh! Gala and the other Buy Local Week events, and to purchase tickets to the Fresh! Gala, please visit our website: www.madisoncountyagriculture.com or call: 315-684-3001 x 125
Buy Local Week is brought to you by: Madison County’s Agricultural Economic Development Program, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Madison County, CNYBounty.com, Madison County Tourism, Price Chopper Grocery Stores, Cazenovia Equipment, Serendipity Catering, Off the Path Media, and Empire Brewery

 
 
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Many years ago, Madison County Tourism produced a travel guide themed "From Antiques to Oz".  That theme sums up this weekend's events in Madison County.  Oz-Stravaganza! has already began and the antique dealers are setting up their tents as I write this in Bouckville.  So without further ado, here are your best bets for a fun weekend n Madison County:
1. Oz-Stravaganza!--It's the annual celebration of all things Wizard of Oz in Chittenango.  It starts this afternoon and runs right through Sunday evening.  The parade is set for 2pm on Saturday and if you are coming for the costume contest, registration begins at 12:15.
2. Spring Antique Show -- Everyone knows the Madison Bouckville Summer Antique Show that happens in August every year.  This weekend marks the spring show in Madison and Bouckville.  There are many deals to be found and smaller crowds than in August.  Check it out tomorrow and Sunday.
3. Saturday is National Trails Day and the local chapter of the North Country Trail Association will celebrate it at Stone Quarry Art Park tomorrow.  Convene at the hilltop area adjacent to the Stone Quarry Art Park Admin Building by 10am. You will be able to explore one of the Art Park Trails of your choice, tour the exhibit hall, learn about the many attractions offered by the Art Park, and check out the NCT/Link Trail segment within the park. At noon, reassemble at the picnic table area immediately adjacent to the Admin Building for refreshments.
4. For the 10th time, the DeRuyter Ruritan will be sponsoring an Antique Auto and Engine Show with gas engine demos, antique tractor parade and demos, a chicken bbq, and music highlight the afternoon of family fun. Cars will be judged in 12 classes and there will be vendors with crafts and a flea market.
5. On Sunday, June 6 the public is invited to join the fun and reminisce about “Milk Cow Memories,” a dairy history day and old fashioned family picnic. It will be held at The Smithfield Community Center, 5255Pleasnt Valley Road in Peterboro, NY beginning at noon and ending at 4 PM. Guests are asked to bring a dish-to-pass, along with scrapbooks, pictures, and antiques pertaining to the rich history of dairy farming in Central New York. In particular, we’re looking for Holstein enthusiasts and people who’ve devoted their lives to dairy farming.
 
 
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Event season is in full  swing across Madison County and this weekend there are a ton of things for you and your family to do.  You will find farmer's markets in Cazenovia and Hamilton, and this Saturday the new summer flea and farmer's market in Oneida opens for the season.  You will find it in front of Oneida Commons in the parking lot behind the Kallet Theater.  Of course why not see what all the fuss is about at the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum.  They won an award from the National Parks System this week, so it only figures you need to get down there this weekend to congratulate them.  We will have more great ideas for your weekend after the jump.....