October 1, 2009 by Annette Nielsen
Gleaning at the Courthouse Community Garden -- It's Fall at the garden and a number of students from Amy Maxwell's Landscape and Garden Design class joined in to help Nancy Higby, Al Cormier and crew. Vegetables were harvested for Salem Food Pantry use, and the remaining corn stalks, gourds and pumpkins were plucked for the Salem Community Center upcoming Halloween celebration. There is further gleaning work to be done, as well as putting the garden to bed for the winter months. Please stop by the garden -- pick some cold-weather hearty kale great for a robust soup or stew, gather some aromatic herbs for drying or adding to that simmering pot on the stove. Check out the Garden Harvest Recipe page for great inspiration for using kale in the recipe for Tuscan Bean Soup or Ribollita!

Heidi’s Garden Chronicles

by Heidi Reece
August 3, 2009
Heidi’s Garden Chronicles

by Heidi Reece

Blight!

Well, the community garden almost made it threw the summer without the blight that has affected so many other gardens in the area. Unfortunately the first weekend of August, late blight was spotted on both the tomato and potato plants. What some history buffs may find interesting is this same blight that is affected everyone’s gardens in 2009 affected the Irish crops in the years of the famine. CRAZY! Fortunately now we have other resources and are not dependent upon a “mother” country or potatoes.
As for what is being done, and what can be done in terms of your own garden, Nancy Hand Higby has given some helpful advice. … Avoid disposing of plants when the environment is damp or because of the constant weather conditions, raining. Place plants in a plastic bag, roots and all. Seal the bag and dispose of through cornel cooperative extension. It’s important to not compost these plants for this will only further your blight problem.
Soooo…. For the young workers of the community garden this summer has been a wealth of knowledge in the ways of harvesting, planting, weeding, plant knowledge and blight detecting. This summer, has been wonderful -- full of activities that have involved the garden and its employees. Lunch and learn, Al Fresco and the garden tour. This all could not have been accomplish if it weren’t for the dedication of the volunteers and staff.

Governors Mansion

Its not everyday one is invited to the Governors mansion for a little fun and food. Fortunately with the help of executive chief Noah Sheetz, Annette Nielsen, Jeanna, Tim, Austin and Danny were able to experience this wonderful opportunity. Bubbling with excitement at the information learn and the ability of the young boys to recite the knowledge acquired by being in their own garden, the boys not only impressed the head of building and grounds but also gave their supervisors some silent gratification. There were many workshops involving plant identification and other revolving around sustainability issues, and tours of the onsite gardens that provide food for the mansion itself. The Albany Boys and Girls Club, Darrow School, Camphill Farm all attended and all learned of composting, animal identification through skulls and were shown woven baskets and other products made of recycled plastic bags. The members of the garden would like to extend their thanks to the Mansion for the generous invitation and the opportunity to extend their knowledge of both plants and animals.


Al Fresco!

The atmosphere was festive and spirits were high as the Al Fresco weekend kicked off. A silent auction consisting of many different pieces including jewelry and a river package were among the many generous offerings auctioned off throughout the night.

Al Fresco weekend all came about by a stay in Italy facilitated by Jennifer Dudley, who invited Annette Nielsen and her family to the annual horse race, Palio, a major tradition in Siena Italy. Involving a community, different families, stars and a cuisine to die for, this tradition has now been introduced to this tiny farming community in the form of Al Fresco. Aside from the horses, perhaps replaced by the local herds of cows, white tents, great food, family and friends gathered together under their own canopy of paradise.

With the help of many local chefs, venders and supporters of the Courthouse the weekend was a success. The variety of pastries, main courses and drinks from microbrewers, the mood was relaxing and fun for everyone. Many thanks go out to the many people who help set up the tents, chairs, BBQ pit, music and much, much more.


Heidi Reece is part of the Courthouse Community Garden crew and entering her senior year at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, NH.

Heidi's Garden Journal entry, June 30, 2009

Two new students from Salem central have joined the garden ranks, now elevating the staff’s Washington County EOC staff numbers to six (6). The two young boys Austin Evans and Danny Ruggles, will be helping with the watering, weeding and harvesting of the garden. Thanks to Beverly Krazert and Washington County EOC staff, we’ve been able to have the involvement of local students -- great help for the many jobs that the garden produces. Through the dedication and tirelessness of volunteers such as Beverly, Charlie Burd, Nancy Hand Higby, and Annette Nielsen, the garden has been able to supply food for many members of the community. Not only is food supplied for the local food pantry, but it also provides jobs for area youth.
Al Fresco Dinner-
To those interested in satisfying their stomachs, the Courthouse Community Center is hosting their annual Al Fresco dinner and brunch. There going fast and their availability is waning, so hurry!
Here are some details on the Al Fresco dinner. The Al Fresco dinner held on the grounds of the historic Salem Courthouse is filled with events, live entertainment, silent auction and perhaps most importantly food – with a menu completely sourced from local farmers and producers. Tickets are $50 for dinner (Saturday evening) and $20 for the chefs brunch (Sunday) and all proceeds go to the Courthouse Community Center projects and programs. So come on out and support your community while satisfying your eyes, ears and taste buds.

My how this garden:
For those who haven’t passed the Courthouse Community Center lately or even for those who have, what a utopia of growth and beauty. Tomato plants thick with their soon-to-be red fruit, herbs, onions and okra. If you haven’t walked through the 80 bed garden to see the vegetables mentioned (and the many more that aren’t) you wouldn’t be able to see the “peace garden”. A garden in the shape of a peace sign, stocked with corn, beans, and squash, representative of the “Three Sisters” garden from Native American lore. In the back beds, there are the perennials, blueberries.

Involvement:
There was much to be done at the courthouse gardens as the local United Presbyterian Church members along with Donna Frischknecht planted their matured plants. Earlier this spring the youth of the church planted seedlings, which were ready to be transplanted. Hopefully the abundance of rain won’t waterlog these starters. The courthouse is hopeful that the transplants will help supply some food for the pantry and for the recently acquired markets.

June 27,2009
The farmers market, as some may or may not know, is a place where local farmers of an assortment of different agricultural sectors come together to sell to their community. The Courthouse Garden project has begun its participation in the local Salem market and is hopeful of its success. Because of the growth rate of the vegetables, the market is a way to give back to the community and helps provide an outlet

Understanding produce and sales is an essential lesson for anyone but especially for the local student who will be involved in this venture. With these acquired markets, kids will have a very valuable work experience and the knowledge of how important vegetables are to a healthy diet. The Courthouse Community Garden has taken membership in the Route 22 Farmers’ Markets managed by Bob Andersen who is also in charge of many farmers’ markets in Washington County.
The Courthouse Community Garden produce will be available at the Salem farmers’ market on Saturdays (10-1). Show your support by buying local and supporting not only the courthouse but also your community youth.

June 15, 2009
All connecting; Vegetables, Project and Community growing together

The Courthouse Community Garden Project has finally received the essential watering system crucial for their ever increasing garden, now numbering around 80 beds. The new system was installed and supplied partially by Jim Carrolan Mark Woodell and Charlie Beattie and is greatly appreciated by the community and our thanks go to them. Before the new watering system, the water was taken directly from the courthouse supply, restricted but manageable. With the added pressure from the new water system and the many hoses generously donated by A&J Agway, the garden will have its desired amount of water delivered in full force without depleting the courthouse supply.
Soon the garden will be attended to by local students eager to get their hands dirty. Supervised by Nancy Hand Higby, Jeanna Kratzert and others, theses students are fulfilling one of the principle functions of the garden project, which is to supply local students with an educational and healthy job experience. By connecting with their surroundings, these students will learn the importance of produce and community involvement.
On a note from the produce section; lettuce, lettuce everywhere! A delivery has been made to the local food pantry at the White Church in Salem. The delivery consisted of a variety of mixed salad greens including kale, spinach and arugula. The produce drop went off without a hitch as Seth Pitts and others handed out the essential veggies, receiving a very positive result from their recipients. As a community so capable of producing its own produce the community garden working group is pleased to be able to contribute to the efforts of the Salem Food Pantry. With the efforts from the Courthouse garden workers, these products will continue to be supplied in an ever increasing variety to those dependent upon the food pantry.
Heidi Reece is part of the Courthouse Community Garden crew and entering her senior year at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, NH.

Salem, NY – On Friday, June 5th, over 300 elementary students, teachers and staff from Salem Central School planted seedlings in the Courthouse Community Garden. The seeds, started by the students in their classrooms, helped fill the 80 beds that comprise the Courthouse Community Garden in Salem, New York with vegetables, herbs, and flowers.

In addition to planting the seedlings in the raised beds, the students enjoyed a visit from Executive Chef Noah Sheetz, from the Executive Mansion in Albany. The chef noted that they have a garden at the Executive Mansion, where he draws inspiration for fresh, seasonal cooking, and that he participates in a community garden in Albany, as well. Chef Sheetz spoke to the students about the importance of healthful eating, gardening, and praised them for the great work they’re doing for their community.

The Courthouse Community Garden (CCG) was initiated by a group of individuals under the umbrella of the Courthouse Community Center and is located adjacent to the Courthouse Community Center campus on East Broadway, across from the Salem Central School/Washington Academy. Woody Hill Farm has generously allowed CCG to use a large parcel (8,000 square feet) that has been transformed into 80 beds for planting. A wide variety of vegetables and herbs are being planted with seeds granted from the America the Beautiful Fund.

The fresh harvest from the garden will be donated to the Salem Food Pantry and the garden will provide additional programming opportunities with the Courthouse summer Lunch-n-Learn program. Produce will also be used in conjunction with a variety of upcoming Battenkill Kitchen classes throughout the summer and harvest season. In its broadest definition, the Courthouse Community Garden will offer numerous opportunities to build connections with nature and food for the region.

In addition to the help received from the Salem Central School/Washington Academy students, teachers, and staff in Salem, Janet Britt from Agriculture Stewardship Association has started a few hundred seeds for planting, A & J Agway has donated garden tools and supplies, Gardenworks has provided soil and supplies for the seed starting at the school, and Cornell Cooperative Extension has facilitated initial soil tests that were performed by an agriculture class at Salem High School. The Courthouse Community Garden working group is also partnering with Washington County EOC to employ eligible high school students to work in the garden throughout the summer season.

Other contributions and donations from the National Peanut Board, Carovail, Nancy Hand Higby Garden Design, Salem Hardware, Glens Falls Hospital and Salem Family Health Center, Salem Rotary, MilkHouse Artworks and a number of individuals who have helped build and paint the garden sign, till the soil, prep the beds, plant, weed and tend have made this a true community project.

If you would like to help in the garden throughout the season, call Annette Nielsen at 854.9777. For further information on the Courthouse Community Garden, please visit www.salemcourthouse.org.