A big week for food fans is shaping up here in Lawrence, and there are other items of interest, too. Read on…
Put these activities on your schedules:
- Friday, Oct. 3: Chef Kurt Michael Friese will speak and sign his book, A Cook’s Journey: Slow Food in the Heartland
at KU. - Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 4-5: Kaw Valley Farm Tour. I had a great time last year. Not sure I’ll be able to make it this year, but if I do I hope to catch places I missed then.
- Wednesday, Oct. 8: Lawrence Originals, a showcase of locally owned restaurants’ food, makes its first appearance.
Who needs farmland? Developers’ attorney suggests Douglas County has plenty. Maybe he likes his food tasteless. (LJW Town Talk)
Food and farm philosophies. Sustainable ag gets its due at the Land Institute’s Prairie Festival, but Kansas’ senators believe in industrial. (Salina Journal) Meanwhile, keynote speaker Barbara Kingsolver inspires the festival’s crowd. (Salina Journal)
It’s hard to know which of these we’re saddest about missing. (Seánan’s still sad about not being able to attend Slow Food Nation.)
As a consolation prize, we’re ordering a copy of Friese’s book, which we’ll probably read swiftly.
Lawrence Originals should be fabulous. That’s very exciting. Is there anything you’re particularly eager to see (smell, taste . . . ) there?
Connecticut is doing more and more to support its farmers. At all levels, the enthusiasm is not just encouraging; it’s enough to instill optimism in the most dour. It isn’t only fiscal. Online, there’s a farm map (http://www.ctfarms.uconn.edu/) with an invitation to “plan an agricultural adventure”). If you go to the state’s Department of Agriculture site (http://tinyurl.com/46cc5z), the same map is proudly displayed. Farmers’ markets are increasing in size and number, chefs are making more and more sustainable choices, and consumers are (for want of a better phrase) wising up. It’s a trend we’d love to see in every state.
Neither of us is from Connecticut, by the bye. What’s happening there makes us happy, and happiness is something we like to share.
Meryl // Oct 4, 2008 at 9:11 pm
I’m so looking forward to the Lawrence Originals-already have tickets!
We don’t know what we most envy. It’s probably Lawrence Originals; that’s going to be very tasty. Is there anything you’re anticipating with particular delight?
Right now, we’re being impressed by Connecticut, which is supporting its farmers and its farmlands with energy, appetite, intelligence and websites. The Department of Agriculture Website (http://tinyurl.com/46cc5z) proudly displays a link to the Connecticut Farms Map (http://www.ctfarms.uconn.edu/), where visitors are invited to “map an agricultural adventure”. We’re all about slow, languid food and supporting small producers (and we’re aware of our responsibilities to the small coffee farmer in Uganda, as well as to the guy growing apples down the road), and it’s exciting to see support for local farms. May it become an international pattern, and not a passing trend.
On the subject of slow food, we’re ordering Friese’s book. We may even give a few copies as gifts, during the upcoming holidays. Let the slowness spread.
Janet Majure // Oct 6, 2008 at 9:54 am
If I don’t make it to L.O. (another commitment, darn it), I’ll watch for your report, Meryl.
S&S, I did go to Friese’s talk and intend to blog about it. Alas, I’ve been so busy I have a backlog. Watch this space!