Up North Foodies

CSA Fall: week 8(1/2 share)

Mixed greens, eggs, onions and apples.

Black Star Farms’ Entrepreneurial Spirit

Check out today's article in the Traverse City Record-Eagle about Jen and Nic Welty, who put the "farm" in Black Star Farms. Interesting read on the business angle too, and its investment in young people and farm-to-table agriculture.

The Importance of Being

Chef Ted Cizma could teach a class titled "The culinary field is not what you see on the Food Network, 101." Rather than all glamor and glitz, it's a lot of hard work. But if you love it, it's all worth it!

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CSA Training Manual

CSA-MI recently held a mini-school for people interested in starting a CSA farm. The training manual is available online, and covers share types and pricing, communicating with prospective and current members, planting, distribution and more. If a CSA farm is in your future, check it out!

CSA Fall: week 7 (1/2 share)

mixes greens ... lots of greens
tomatoes and onions

Rediscovering Up North Traditional Foods

When Gary Nabhan visited northern Michigan earlier this month to lead a group of locals in identifying traditional foods at risk, I was stumped. The cherries and whitefish that first come to mind when thinking of our typical Up North menus are still prevalent. And the foods I remember from childhood are more of the Midwestern casserole variety; not a specific potato, or chicken or mushroom.

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Winter Squash

Winter squash is ready to pick. Visit Taste the Local Difference for recipes and more.

CSA Fall: week 6 (1/2 share)

Misc peppers, onions, kale and hard cider.

Hearty Meal In A Jar

My recipe for porcini pasta sauce. Preserve the flavors of summer's harvest to enjoy throughout the year.

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Grand Vision Scorecard

I just filled out the Grand Vision scorecard. Have you? If you want a say in what future you'd like for northern Michigan, make sure to fill it out! It's simple! They offer comparisons of the four scenarios presented, including the number of additional roads, availability of mass transit, ability to walk or ride bikes, the size and type of buildings, land consumed, and more. Each scenario has a different effect on agriculture and agritourism for our region, so let the planners know which future you prefer.

You can find paper copies throughout the region, or fill out the scorecard online.

The Lonely Chef

Chef Eric Patterson writes of the paradox chefs face in bringing people together, providing them joy, and yet in doing so, are often lonely. He asks, "Are those who miss out, who walk alone, who choose others happiness over their own, are they the ones who find the most inspiration? Perhaps that's the trade off. Perhaps inspiration can only be found in the lonely places on earth."

Stephanie Mills and Gary Nabhan Book Signing

Photos from last week's book signing with Stephanie Mills and Gary Nabhan.

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Bingham’s Agri-Tourism Ordinance Update

The Bingham Township Planning Commission held public hearings on two proposed zoning ordinance amendments last week and subsequently recommended both changes for adoption, reports the Leelanau Enterprise. Both amendments will be forwarded to the Leelanau County Planning Commission for review, and then on to the township board.

Epicurean Classic Needs a Home

The Great Lakes Culinary Institute at Northwestern Michigan College will no longer host the Epicurean Classic, according to an article in today's Traverse City Record-Eagle. Let's hope we get some creative community solutions to keep it here in town!