This Week's Warm Temperatures Generate First Sap Flows of Season
The 2010 Maple Sugaring Season began last week in the Upper Hudson region, with warmer temperatures generating sap flow in area maple trees. The season is off to a very strong start.
"This is what we wait for all year. The sap was running hard last week, kicking off a new maple season," said David Campbell, a Salem producer and president of the Upper Hudson Maple Producers Association.
Sugarmakers are reporting excellent quality syrup. Ideal sugar making temperatures are forecast for the next several days.
Meanwhile, sugarmakers are preparing for the fifteenth annual Maple Open House Weekend, expanded this year to two weekends, March 20-21 and March 27-28.
A ceremonial first tree tapping with State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker will be held at Dry Brook Sugarhouse in Salem at 12:30 p.m. Friday, March 19.
This year, there are more sugarhouses than ever participating in the self-guided tour.
For a complete listing of sugarhouses and a guide map, click on www.upperhudsonmaple.com.
Prime sap flow temperatures are 40 degrees or more during the day and below freezing at night. Maple season generally runs through early April.
The Upper Hudson region is among the biggest syrup producing regions in the country.
A visit to the produce isle in any supermarket this time of year is, in effect, a trip around the world. While we are freezing up here in the great white north, folks down in Argentina, Chile and Brazil are growing the produce for our winter salad bowls. To remain healthy throughout the winter months, we need to eat veggies daily. But must we support the intercontinental food transport system, just to get our RDA of vitamins and minerals? You'd prefer to buy local, but with snow everywhere, that's not possible, right?
The Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York (NOFA-NY) announces Circles of Caring, their 28th Annual Organic Farming and Gardening Conference in Saratoga Springs, NY. The conference, which attracts more than 1,000 people each year, will take place from January 22- 24, 2010 at the Saratoga Hilton. Over the three day event, attendees can choose between more than 80 workshops which explore all types of organic farming, gardening, value-added processing, cooking and policy issues. Workshops are of interest to farmers, gardeners, educators, environmentalists, foodies, and more. A special focus this year is on Beginning Farmers. Starting with a reception for young farmers on Thursday Jan 21st, there is programming throughout the conference to help people who are just starting out in farming or are considering becoming a farmer. New this year, NOFA-NY will offer 75 scholarships to beginning farmers.
The next Sustainable Saratoga Task Force meeting is Tuesday evening, Dec. 1, 2009 from 7-9 p.m. in the Music Hall, above Saratoga Springs City Hall (third floor of 474 Broadway.) The topic for the evening is the importance of buying local products and supporting local merchants. The evening's agenda includes a brief discussion by several individuals actively involved in promoting and supporting 'buy local' initiatives, followed by opportunities to meet local business owners who will be displaying the types of products they can offer during the holiday season. At the core of a sustainable community is easy access to a diverse array of goods and services - something we're happy to say Saratoga offers, and which Sustainable Saratoga is committed to supporting. As part of that commitment, we're offering the community an opportunity to learn more about the importance of buying local and the types of locally produced goods as well as "green" and sustainable products sold by local independent merchants. The event is free and open to the public ( just in time to plan for the "gift-giving" season.)
150 athletes, 300 spectators expected at Belgian-style, fan-based
bicycle race and expo on Sunday
SARATOGA SPRINGS - Beginning at 9:15 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25,
cyclocross racers from across New York State and New England will
converge on the Columbia Pavilion in Spa State Park for the
first-annual Saratoga Spa 'Cross.
I took advantage of the beautiful sunshine and road my bike to downtown Saratoga Springs to make my sales calls for the upcoming Harvest edition of the new eco-Local Living magazine, when I saw the signs at the City Center for the Adirondack Living Expo. Being a big fan and supporter of all thing Adirondack, I had to stop in and check out what was going on. The event is now in it's eighteenth season, and the promoters are taking advantage of the excitement that is downtown Saratoga in August to showcase the best of Adirondack craftsmen, green building technology and outdoor adventure.
Looking for something fun to do with the kids? Need a day to enjoy the outdoors? The eighth annual "Adirondack Spintacular", a 5K, six or twelve-mile cycle/run/walk event is scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. The event is co-sponsored by Positudes, Inc. and the Center for Donation and Transplant. The purpose of this event is to raise Hemophilia and Organ Donation awareness and raise money for the Lawrence Madeiros Memorial Scholarship fund. The scholarship is awarded annually to high school seniors living with a chronic disorder and continuing their education at an accredited college or university. Five-one thousand dollar scholarships were awarded this summer, and the recipients will be honored at this years' event. Over $30,000.00 in scholarships have been awarded since 2003.
With daily rain showers, planning outdoor activities this summer has
been sketchy. So when a day comes along like last Saturday, with
sunshine and no rain in the forecast for at least 24 hours, it's an
opportunity to get Up and Out like no other! There's one place in
particular, that draws us and many others out on a bright summer day.
I'm talking, of course, about Hadley Mountain, in the northern corner
of Saratoga County. A mere forty five minute drive from Saratoga
Springs, Hadley Mountain is a nearby adventure that will release all those pent-up endorphins and give you that warm
fuzzy feeling you've been missing.
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