Friday, May 9, 2008 

MANCHESTER — Last year 75 people from the southwestern Vermont region took the Eat Local Challenge, and ate foods grown within 100 miles for one week in September. With transportation costs soaring, eating local makes even more sense this year. To kick off the 2008 Southwestern Eat Local Challenge, classes in how to raise food will create an opportunity for locals to learn more from the expert growers and food producers in the area.

Workshops coming up in May include topics ranging from bees to blueberries, and soil to chickens.

May 10, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. — Scott MacKenzie will discuss care and feeding of blueberry bushes. MacKenzie owns Wildwood Farm in East Dorset, and raises blueberries and raspberries. He is also the author of a blueberry cookbook and creator of blueberry products such as a jam and a barbecue sauce.

On May 25, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. — the Profts of Someday Farm will teach about raising organic poultry: layers, broilers, water fowl and turkeys. They will also cover the basics of composing to build healthy soil, healthy plants, and a healthy environment. Someday Farm was Vermont's 2006 Sustainable Farm of the Year.

Reservations

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are necessary to attend these workshops, so call 362-7235. A fee of $3 per workshop will secure a spot.

Workshops coming up this summer include topics such as extending the growing season, growing organic vegetables, putting foods by, raising hogs for meat, raising cows for milk, and raising cattle for meat.

For dates and times, see vteatlocal.org for more information.

These programs offer a unique opportunity to meet the people who grow great food in the area, and a way to learn how to grow great food yourself. Remember to eat local the third week of September 2008.