A New Generation of Farmers

Speaking of farm-life, The New York Times just did an article on the growing trend of young farmers in the United States. It really does seem like everywhere you turn there are young couples buying land and having a go at it (we have seen a lot of them in Portland and even at the famer's markers in NYC over the past few years). Perhaps the overstimulation of our society is causing us to regress to simpler times? Regardless of why, it is always inspiring to me to see people who are not afraid to take a risk and do something special. Is this becoming the new norm?

Books To Read: The Dirty Life

I haven't read this book yet, but as soon as I tackle my current "to read" stack, I will. Writer Kristin Kimball tells the true story of her move from New York journalist to upstate farmer...with no real experience.  Of course it all sounds so romantic, but she says her new life can be pretty ugly at times (birthing animals, butchering...eek).

What IS romantic is the how when she was a travel writer living in Manhattan, she traveled to Pennsylvania to do a story about a young, sustainable farmer.  One thing lead to another and this man, Mark, became her husband and the man who inspired her to change everything.  Now they are raising their two children near Lake Champlain and living a pretty charmed life.

I dream about these type of things...leaving everything behind to farm beets/bake pies/sleep under the stars.  But to actually DO it....well, lets hope that this book will inspire me in some way.

Oh and NPR did a little segment on Krisin, listen to it here.

Bound for Glory: American in Color

Unbelievably beautiful photos from a 2006 exhibit put on by the Library of Congress. It was the first major exhibition of color photography taken by the Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information. The images capture the effects of the Depression on America's rural and small town populations between 1939 and 1943.  They are so simply stunning and timeless: its hard to believe these were taken 70 years ago.  See more here.

Maple Weekend

This weekend (and next) is Maple Weekend in upstate New York. Visitors can taste all the fresh sap that they want, and attend one of the 20+ pancake breakfasts being held! There are vendors all over the state so it would make for a nice (and yummy) road trip. More info in today's New York Times article on NY State syrup making.

Eagle Street Rooftop Farm

The Eagle Street Rooftop in Greenpoint, Brooklyn is the best idea ever, we just wish we had thought of it. It's been around for a few years now, but we still haven't visited it (even though its only a few blocks away)! These images from The Selby are going to change that!