Before. After. Next Year. With our Support New England Farms will Survive!

New England Farms, specifically Vermont Farms can and will survive the impact of Tropical Storm Irene if we rally to support them.

Kingsbury Market Garden Before Tropical Storm Irene 2011

Kingsbury Market Garden Damage to Squash Fields from Tropical Storm Irene 2011

Buy Vermont!

It’s that simple. Seriously. BUY VERMONT (or whatever state you live in.) There are farms that did survive the storm, as well as ones who did not have a 100% loss of produce as a result of fields being just out of reach to resulting flood waters. Buy. Buy. BUY!

The short and sweet = buy what you can first from Vermont farms and businesses. It makes a difference!

“I’m not just talking produce either! Cheese, meats, baked goods, yarns for textiles, milk and eggs… but wait, don’t forget to pick up some CARAMEL from Fat Toad Family Goat Farm!!! (I just ordered some = Excited!)”

Give What You Can!

The Vermont Community Foundation will be making grants to support farms of any size that have sustained losses. http://www.vermontcf.org/give-now/ or call 802-388-3355.

NOFA-Vermont’s Farmer Emergency Fund assists organic farmers with grants and zero-interest loans http://nofavt.org/programs/farm-financial-resources/farmer-emergency-fund or call 802-434-4122.

The Vermont Farm Fund will be offering small, low interest loans to farmers, see: http://hardwickagriculture.org/donate.html or call 802-472-5840.

The Intervale Farmers Recovery Fund will assist farms in the Intervale http://www.intervale.org or call 802-660-0440.

 

Vermont Farms. Helping Hand. Volunteering.

Hello from soggy Vermont. You may have heard, but this little storm named “Irene” sort of snuck up and dumped a @#$% of water onto the Green Mountain state. It’s been an experience like none other in my life and though small scale compared to other natural disasters in the world, it’s still a disaster.

It’s also emotional.

Personally, I was lucky, living way up on a hill that did become bit of an island by Monday morning, it was just another rainy New England day. However, for those down the street, and I mean “down” as they were IN the Valley, a flood plane zone, that is all of a quarter to half mile from my own home… worlds turned upside down. Changed forever.

A book could be written on this historical event, though my motivation behind this post is to shed light on one small area – the Vermont Farmer. If you follow my work, you know I’ve become close to those who operate the Kingsbury Market and Farm, situated along the Mad River Valley. Here’s a link to their reported losses from this event.

Here are some photos from today (9/1/2011) to help illustrate how much land they lost to the Mad River, their carrots are literally “hanging-in” there, and the depth of the erosion is at least, if not greater than 5-6 feet.:

I live up the road from these amazing people, and have donated time to help them secure professional images they may use to illustrate and/or report their losses, with the hope being, it helps them reclaim or secure future funding to ensure their existence.

If you are, or know, a Vermont Farm affected by the flood who could benefit from photographic documentation, I’d like to volunteer my time. I have a strong background from previous work in research, and familiar with what State and Federal agencies may require to process a claim, etc. having spent a number of years reporting scientific documentation to the FDA. Please let me help, fill out an inquiry and will do my best.

Day in the Life. Clouds. Pictures. More Clouds.

I don’t know about you, but I sure am happy it’s the weekend! However, it’s been a great few days in photos. I’ve had my “head in the clouds,” most days, which has resulted in the constant state of “looking up.” It’s a good thing, looking up. Have you ever noticed that the physical act of looking up also lifts your spirits?

So it’s no surprise that one of the first things I personally like to do every morning is look out my window and UP at the sky. Yesterday morning, particularly a treat. The alarm clock went of early! Way too early for my liking, not much of an early bird unless there is skiing involved. However, yesterday I had to be in Boston for an editorial asignment, so, I got up!

I’d like to thank the Universe for this particular image, because the beautiful scene was clutch in getting me out of bed! Coffee was pretty key too!

Awake. Caffinated. Inspired. I was pretty ready to head South for my assignment. Though I am unable to share photos from the shoot till late September, I can give a hint to the location…

Anyone notice the cloud reflection in the windows… I pulled me head out of the clouds long enough to complete the photo-shoot, did an about-face, and headed home to Vermont. Normally, the view out the front windshield is captivating me, but my rental car’s ridiculously clean side-view mirrors revealed these beautiful little snippet views of the clouds I was leaving to my stern…

Darn that little iPhone4 is a handy little camera!

I have to admit, was pretty stoked about heading back North, home to me Vermont Sky, but never has the view from the side-view mirror been so lovely!

The wake-up call was not nearly as early this morning, but my head has remained in the clouds and think it will for sometime…

Stopping at the East Warren Community Market is a daily ritual, but this morning, besides being gorgeous out, check out the back of this mini-van?!?! Come to find-out, as if the sky was not inspiring enough, turns out we have a new graffiti artist in the valley…one who does not cause damage to the side of a building, but turns an otherwise dirty car (part of living on and around dirt roads,) into pieces of art.

What I really found inspiring, much like the clouds, this lovely piece of art will not last forever. Rain. Carwash. Windshield wiper. It’ll disappear like that! Just like the clouds overhead. You have to enjoy and appreciate it when you see it.

This week has been remarkable in terms of Vermont sky-scapes = GORGEOUS! Though all the pretty pictures aside, I feel like the week was a lesson in looking up and out. Taking in the world around. Listening. Watching. Paying attention and smiling.

iPhone Photography. Clouds. Vermont Landscape.

“EEEK!!!”

That would be my reaction when I am looking out my window or driving around Central Vermont (or really anywhere with a great “sky-scape” perspective of the world above.) Today has been one of those days where the sky “spoke” to you, if you listened.

The clouds where not just beautiful, cool and expressive. They were SPECTACULAR! I mean S.P.E.C.T.A.C.U.L.A.R., and then add a few explanation points!

The first photo from the day was on my iPhone4; I was coming home after a few errands, and drove RIGHT past the entrance to my road because I knew if I just went up the road a little bit further… I could get THIS photo!

When I pulled over to take the shot, had no idea I had an audience, you know, when you have that feeling someone is watching you, turned around, and two kids sitting on a rock where like, “huh???” I waved. Hopped back into the car. Practiced my three-point-turn, and back to the house so I could take THIS photo with the Canon 7D/70-200mm at f13/320s.

It was terribly difficult to keep my head out of the clouds ALL day. The best views were to the West and it continued to build and build. I had to fight the urge to bail on work and literally just drive around taking cloud and sky photos. The struggles of living in Central Vermont. Like I’ve said before, “hate me,” but you too could live here! At least visit!

So, I “struggled” through my day, teased and tormented by the beautiful world above me, when it was time to take a short drive to my friend’s house. Little side note: I am an awesome “chick-sitter.” Before your imagination runs nutty on that one, my friends have chickens and I’m looking after then while out of town.

At any-rate, I could not resist. I faught the urge to shoot till after all the young chickens were safe and sound in their home, went out into the middle of Warren Common Road and with my iPhone, took THIS…

To be frank, though I am happy with this little photo, it still does little justice to the visual experience in-person. Generally speaking, the sky is always beautiful in these parts of Vermont, but it’s not everyday where the clouds just scream,”LOOK AT ME,” like they did today. I do feel a little bit behind on my work-list, but that will be there tomorrow, today’s clouds are already gone…

Beautiful Gardens. Beautiful People. Warren Vermont.

Eeek!!! ANOTHER beautiful day in Central Vermont. Hate me. However, you too could live here… just saying!

I basically woke up with the camera in hand this morning. Had an original mission that was defunked (not sure that is a word or not… but it sounds fitting for how I was feeling.) At-any-rate, the light was all wrong for this morning’s plan A.

However, it was going to be a beautiful day to shoot SOMETHING. Clear air in Vermont = perfect blues and greens (unless you are so excited about the landscape you forget to re-adjust your white-balance from plan A because you are now onto plan B which requires a totally different setting…I also started shooting before finishing my first cup of coffee.)

I head back home,  drank TWO cups of coffee and before I knew it, it was eleven o’clock. What does that mean? It means Kingsbury Market on route 100 is open for business!!!

Plan B = give my other favorite local market my photography love!! Whoop! So I did…

I don’t even know where to begin, minus the part where my eyes are a little sore – shooting on bright sunny days through a very powerful lens can be a little hard on the pupils…

Lets start with the amazing  team of people behind this place, and I know I am leaving folks out, but only because I have not met them yet! My first greeting is by Agela, a wealth of foodie info but when you stop by, ask her about cheese! She sends me off to play in the gardens where I meet Aaron, who is on his way to pick fresh Roman tomatoes…ooo.

That led to a lovely discussion on how the folks who travel from all over to vacation in the Mad River Valley have very little knowledge of how rich we are in agriculture, never-mind the accessibility of farm fresh produce they could easily bring back home with them. This topic is going to be further discussed in a later blog. Talking with Arron inspired me to just go farm-photography-crazy!

I head back inside to pick-up a few items for lunch, and behind the scenes is Aaron’s wife Suzanne. She’s this beautiful dynamic women and hope everyone who comes through can meet her! I personally am on a mission to get a portrait of her and hubby Arron. Lovely couple. Lovely farm. Lovely picture!

All-in-all, my plan B was a home-run, but there is a moral to this story. The best photos of the day, all of which are on my fan page, has to be these last two, which drive home points from yesterday’s post…

To go with items I picked up yesterday from East Warren Community Market, and additional items I collected from Hunger Mountain Coop in Montpelier Vermont (a trip I make about once to twice a month for gluten-free specialty items I am unable to get in the Valley.)

Everything INSIDE my Udi’s gluten-free multi-grain bread is grown at Kingsbury Market and bought either there or East Warren (I live in the middle of each.)

Lunch was LOCALICIOUS!! Mmm… my new fav word from the folks at the Vermont Fresh Network. (I am in ownership of a green t-shirt with exactly that scrawled across the front!)

Ahh! Before I forget, a shout-out to Agela who suggested the Raspberry Rhubarb Ramble I paired with my veggie-sammy = FABULOUS!

Local fare. Local photography.

Locally Grown. Locally Farmed. Keep it Fresh!

Fresh. Local. Beautiful!

I crave Saturday like I crave fresh locally grown everything! On Saturdays I get to do what I love freely = eat locally and photograph locally (many of the times at the same time!) If you’ve been reading from the beginning, you’ve surely picked up on my passion for local Vermont fare. This time of the year, it’s simply silly to eat anything else.

I’m an accidental veggie-chick (story for another day,) but right in the Mad River Valley you can get EVERYTHING you need for balanced and extremely healthy diet. I just sort of find myself taking more photos of the gardens, but I really should go visit the farms that supply my local market with it’s milk, cheese (oh yah!!,) and meat.

Below are a few photos from today’s visit to East Warren Community Market (truth be know, I’m here everyday!) It’s so gorgeous out back, can not think of a better way to spend part of my Saturday! I also enjoy chatting the ear off of store manager Ashley! Thanks to her, this beautiful landscape is going to be our backdrop to a fundraiser we are planning in Fall.

SAVE THE DATES: Columbus Day Weekend Family Portrait Days, October 8th and 9th. More details will be posted on my Fan Page and at the Market.

TGIF. Reflections. Central Vermont Weekend is Here!

TGIF!!!

I can hardly believe a week ago from right now I was playing in Blueberry Lake with my bestest gal-pal and her two little girls chatting about our plans for the weekend. A lot has changed in a week…

For starters, it’s NOT 100+ degrees out. In-fact, it’s cloudy, rainy, and a touch on the cool side, but still plenty warm! Personally, I love it! I had a portrait shoot earlier in the day and the low hanging clouds and dampness made the greens pop. The diffused light and the subjects sun-kissed complexion made for a great session…

Sorry, teasing about photos I am not at liberty to post…

I am also jumping around, it’s Friday after all and not sure about all of you, my brain does not always work in a linear pattern on Fridays. Ok… that may not be true for only Fridays…

Who cares, it’s Friday and Central Vermont weekends rock! If you are kicking around these parts be sure to swing by the Waitsfield Farmer’s Market between 9am -1pm! It NEVER disappoints!! Last weekend had the groovy dude below pulling me into one of his tricks!!! The little girls loved it! Me… well… think I’ll stick to my day job!

I. Love. Cheese. Especially Vermont Cheese!

I recently found myself at the Annual Vermont Cheese Festival held at Shelburne Farms. This is a good place to land if you LOVE cheese, however, I have to note I am apparently not the only cheese lover out there (shocker…) The place was so packed I have to apologize to all those venders I sort of just waved at, as I was not able to get within reach of their delicious samples (picture a very very sad face…)

Luckily I live in the heart of cheese country and have been fortunate to taste many of the varieties. However, there was one I had never heard of and stole my heart!!

If you have not, you must seek out Vermont Farmstead’s Spiced Edam Cheese = O.M.G.

This being a more personal post with very little to do with photography. I have to add that there were almost as many cheese eaters as there where professional shooters. Made me wonder… could a photographer make a living photographing cheese??? I’d like that. As long as I could eat it after the shoot!!!

East Warren Community Market’s Farmer’s Market. Part Two!!

The second part IS the best part = PHOTOS!!!

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We had it all!! Save August 25th and plan to be in Warren Vermont for the next Farmer’s Market!

East Warren Community Market Farmer’s Market. Part One!

Good things come in twos – right? Well, this is going to be blog one of two because I am SO EXCITED about the collection of photos from today’s inaugural East Warren Community Market’s Farmer’s Market, there is no way I can cover it in one post.

For starters, I have to add that today’s temps were well into the 90s and comparable to those in places like Texas?!? I can tell you that is NOT why I and many other folks moved to Vermont. Personally, I’m a snow-flake…

At any-rate, the farmer’s market. I digress, it’s so hot and humid I can barely think straight, let alone put words together, but I have to share this photo right away!

Hoops Vermont is this amazing company who makes amazing hoola hoops that inspire people of all ages to dance about, and this lovely lady was twirling to the music. I was watching, mainly because I am awful when it comes to the hoola hoop – when I saw the shot… The picture I really really wanted to end my day on.

That would be the picture above!

I asked her to do it again, laid on the ground and paired her silhouette with the wild sky-scape over the Green Mountains. I could not get home fast enough to edit and share! Though, this is one shot of an entire collection that includes an amazing group of  artist, musicians, gardeners, culinary wizards, pony rides, face painting, and I’m sure to be missing something.

Hence, why this is part one of two!! Back to editing the rest! Whoop! So excited!