And A 'Chicken Tractor' At CT NOFA Taste!

CT NOFA Taste! 2010 is Sept. 19 at Manchester Community College, Great Path Road, Manchester, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $7; children under 12, free.

This annual event is the only local and organic festival in the state, offering a farmer's market, fresh prepared food, live music, sustainable vendors, artisans, workshops.

Free workshops include “Pickling Unusual Vegetables,” “Making Homemade Beer and Wine,” “Bread Making,” ”Extended Season Gardening,” “Top Bar Beekeeping,” “How to Raise a Small Flock,” “Eating from Your Back Yard” and others.

The children’s tent will offer old-time crafts and games, as well as live story-telling and ever-popular hoop dancing. Noontime entertainment will be an out-of-doors performance by ART FARM: playful theater with an environmental theme. Children can also enjoy a pony ride, or join their parents on a free hay ride behind a bio-diesel tractor.

Bridie, the dwarf “backyard cow,” will be present, as well as goats, turkeys and chickens, and working hens in a “chicken tractor.” Local farmers will be on hand, as well as CT NOFA executive director Bill Duesing, who will accompany groups on a “market stroll” through the local vendors and their produce.

Custom-made smoothies with local organic fruits and dairy will be available, along with fresh (local) greens with balsamic dressing.

New Haven’s celebrity chef Bun Lai, owner of Miya Sushi, will also be on hand to give a free workshop on sushi. (Bun’s restaurant was recently named one of the top-ten sustainable restaurants in America.)

More information at www.ctnofa.org or call (203) 888-5146; e-mail, Teresa@ctnofa.org.

Last Weekend For Belltown Hill's Apple Fritters

The Preli family who own Belltown Hill Orchards of South Glastonbury reminds hungry visitors that this is the last weekend to pick up some of their very own apple fritters.

(That's a picture of them, above, from the farm's e-newsletter.)

The farm store is located at 483 Matson Hill Rd., South Glastonbury. Hours: Farm market, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Weekday PYO 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; weekend PYO is 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. or until dusk.

Pick up fruit, good food, or check out the nook for neighbor Wind-Gait Farm's yarns - three different kinds with mohair blended with wool. (Special orders are available, too.)

Fresh squeezed apple cider, milk and cheeses are also available and check out the bakery and well-stocked pantry products.

For details and even a recipe of the month (Classic Apple Pie), visit the farm's site at www.belltownhillorchards.com
Sign up for their wonderful newsletter - and they will send delectable recipes each week (this week is Harvest Pumpkin Bread, yum).

Call ahead for other details, (860) 633-2789.

While in Glastonbury, it's quite possible to visit numerous farms and farm stores - just look for the small signs along the way. For specific details see the first in a series on the PYO trail that recently provided a weekend of enjoyment and discovery (and pies).

Open Air Market At Long Hill Estate

More than 70 artisans and vendors will display their wares at seventh annual Open Air Market and Festival at Long Hill Estate, 421 Wadsworth St., Middletown, Sunday Aug. 23, 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. rain or shine.

Walk the grounds of the estate and find inspiration and works of art created by artisans, carvers, potters, painters, and jewelers, knitters, spinners and weavers. Fresh produce, fine cheeses, delicious foods, iced coffee and more offer up the bounty of Connecticut. (Live music, plenty of shade, family fun and tours of the mansion, too.)

Vendors will be participating this year including: Rose’s Berry Farm, Wayne’s Organic Garden, Stonewall Apiary, The Farmer’s Cow, Ballek’s Garden Center, Malabar Glass, Silks by Lucia, Zhe Feng Pottery, fine artist Adele Johnson as well as hand spun yarns from Tidal Yarns.

Horse-drawn carriage rides by Allegra Farms, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Face painting, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Middletown Commission on the Arts sponsors the musical entertainment:
9:30 to 11:30, Middletown Symphonic Band
11:45 to 1:45, Tune Chick
2 to 4:00, The Bluelights

Convenient shuttle parking will be available from Snow Elementary School. Additional parking is available at Mercy High School. For a complete listing of performers and vendors visit www.wadsworthmansion.com.