Accomplishments

Adirondack Harvest logo
We have developed and copyrighted a logo to identify products grown or made in the Adirondack region. Along with the logo, we have printed signs, stickers, and banners for members' use.


Adirondack Harvest Map
We have printed and distributed a tri-county map of farmstands.


Booths at Shows
We sponsored "A Taste of the North Country" at the Northern New York Ag Expo. This booth provided samples of a variety of produce, cheese, jams, meat, and condiments produced in the Adirondack region. Additionally we have taken displays of local farm products to the Farm Day at the New York State Capitol, to New York Farm Day on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., and to the Winterfest in Central Park.


Farmers' Market Promotions
To support local farmers' markets and the farmers selling at them, Adirondack Harvest cost-shared extensive advertising in regional tourism magazines. Additionally, we cost-shared the purchase of signs and banners for farmers' markets.


Greenhouse Mentoring Program
With funding from the Cornell Small Farms Program, we conducted a mentoring program in which experienced local greenhouse growers mentored local farmers interested in starting greenhouse production.


Harvest Festivals
Beginning in 2001, we have held annual Harvest Festivals. The first three were at the Lake Placid Center for the Arts. The 2004 and 2005 Festivals were weeklong events, culminating in a Harvest Dinner at the Essex County Fairgrounds. Farm tours and Taste-Offs at farmers' markets have been popular elements of the Harvest Festival.


Restaurant Survey
We surveyed restaurants and processors to identify those who would like to purchase locally-grown products. This database of businesses interested in purchasing local farm products, and what they want to purchase, is available to Adirondack Harvest members.


Workshops and Trainings
We provide training for consumers to expand their use of locally-produced foods and for farmers to expand our supply of locally-produced food. Adirondack Harvest partners with the Champlain Valley Foodshed Coalition to help fund their workshops for farmers and provocative speakers for public discussions of farm and food issues. Cornell Cooperative Extension organizes and supports educational efforts and trainings aimed both at producers and at consumers. We have also funded private consultations for specialty producers, such as cheesemaking, and funded farmer participation in workshops outside our area. Adirondack Harvest works with Eat Smart New York! to educate consumers about the advantages of buying local and how to use unprocessed food to improve their diets.


Adirondack Harvest Cookbook
The Cookbook is in looseleaf format so that folks can take favorite recipes to market with them and so that we can easily add future supplements. The cookbook is for sale directly from us at our webstore and from local stores.


Adirondack Harvest Delivery Pool
In 2004 and 2005 we sponsored an Adirondack Harvest Delivery Pool, linking local growers with restaurants and stores in the Lake Placid and Saranac Lake area, taking orders and delivering local farm products weekly. In the fall of 2005, this successful program was spun off into the Adirondack Farm Express as a private enterprise. Rob McDowell, owner and operator, was a valuable resource to the farming community during the 2006 growing season. Unfortunately for us, in the fall of 2006 Rob disbanded Adirondack Farm Express to devote his time to his vineyard. We appreciate his efforts, wish him well with his agricultural ventures and hope to get the delivery pool back on its feet in the future.


Three Farms DVD
Adirondack Harvest produced a DVD entitled "Three Farms." Videographer Ben Stechschulte documented the workings of three local farms to be used as an educational video for farmers to see what other farmers are doing. Clover Mead Farm, owned by Sam and Denise Hendren in Keeseville, produces certified organic farmstead cheeses. Mike Davis at the Cornell University Willsboro Research Farm encourages local farmers to incorporate organic wheat rotations on their land in the winter and spring. Rivermede Farm in Keene Valley is run by Rob Hastings. Rob uses season extension techniques to provide more variety for more of the year. The DVD hopes to promote the idea that there is plenty of market for Adirondack agricultural products. The DVD is for sale directly from us at our webstore or you may call or write us in Westport.