Readers of this site might be interested in a few news items and events developing this month:
Hilltop Hanover Appeal — Act Now
Our friends at Hilltop Hanover have issued an urgent appeal that supporters of their mission take action to protest the County’s elimination of one of the farmer positions: Jenny Elliot. We won’t thrash out all the details of the County’s evisceration of Hilltop’s budget in this space — though we are certainly sorry to see it happen — but we encourage you to visit their website, join the “Friends of Hilltop Hanover Group” (we have), learn the facts, and join the battle to ensure Hilltop has the time to develop a financially sustainable business plan. And also: hold the County to its promises!
Annie Novak at Westchester Land Trust — January 20th
The Westchester Land Trust’s speaking series “Food, Land, Sustainability” is back on Thursday, January 20th, at 7pm at Sarah Lawrence College, with a talk by Annie Novak, the co-founder of Brooklyn’s Eagle Street Rooftop Farm. For information and reservations, check out Westchester Land Trust’s website. Last year, when the speaker was our very own Josh Viertel, the event was sold out — this year should be no different, so act fast.
NOFA-NY Winter Conference — January 21st-23rd
Saratoga Springs will be host to the Northeast Organic Farming Association’s 29th annual winter conference of small organic farmers from around New York State, January 21st – 23rd. It sometimes surprises people to realize that the pursuit of organic farming is not some funky food fad; for decades, small farmers in New York have honored growing practices that are good, clean and fair, for the earth, and for the people who grow it and eat it. The winter conference is designed for farmers, but is good fun for anybody who cares about delicious food, sustainable practices, and food justice here in New York.
Environmental Action Day — January 29th
The Bedford 2020 Coalition is organizing its second major summit, a day of education, discussion and networking on issues of sustainability, environment, and community. The first summit, two years ago, was a landmark achievement in getting the communities of Northern Westchester to recognize the vast depth of resources, and passion for the issues, right here in our backyard. With two years of work, experience, and the passage of the Town of Bedford’s pioneering Energy Action Plan, this is an opportunity to found out what’s new, what’s changed, and what still needs to be done. (Hint: a lot.) Get your tickets at the B2020 website.
