Workshop Announcement

Introduction to Butter- and Cheesemaking

This is a demonstration workshop which will provide participants with the basics of making butter using a blender, beating out the milk, and molding it.

We will also demonstrate methods of making chevre and seasoning it with various ingredients; making mozzarella with two different methods ofstretching; and making ricotta from the mozzarella whey.

Participants will have opportunities to ask questions. Recipes and methodology will be provided as hand-outs.

Sunday, November 9th at 3 p.m.

at Brambleberry Farm in Fincastle
Cost: $35.00

To reserve a place and get directions, call 992-5529 or contact me.

Sponsored by Botetourt Family Farms

October 25th Market

Mini Blessings Farm:
Earl and I will be at the market on Saturday. We will have a delicious "ripe, sweet, pear" different than what we have had in the past. We will have a new batch of convenience foods, and our "triple berry jam" will make a final appearance of the season. We will have an array of baked goods, and wonderful homemade fudges. We will also have a box of walnuts for anyone interested.Hope to see yaall' there. Linda

Full Circle Farm will not be at the market this week due to the need for afamily weekend! We will be back with our line of freshly milled wheat and spelt products next week. Please feel free to email your order in advance. Thanks! See you then!

October 18th Market Offerings

Rain or shine, We'll be at Ikenberry's on Saturday morning. Look for us up on the porch if it's raining!

Full Circle Farm will be at the market with freshly ground whole wheat and spelt breads, our specialty mixes, and grass-fed beef. See you there!

We are planning on attending tomorrow and selling jams and apple pies.
thanks, Lara , Peaceful Haven Farm

Brambleberry Farm is bringing eggs, pumpkin brownies, apple bread, dried figs, herb teas, bath teas/sachets, Indian corn, chard, shagbark hickory nuts, cherry tomatoes, and mixed peppers and tomatoes.

Virginia Mountain Vineyard: I will be at the Farmer's Mkt Sat. I plan on bringing wine, jelly, grape juice, biscotti, wooden wine boxes, ornaments (maybe). Marie

There will be plenty of other vendors there with farm produce. Ikenberry's is hosting a Fall Festival, so there'll be lots of surprises, a live band, miniature horse rides, and more!

Build Your Own Rain Barrel Workshop

Learn about watersheds, how local measures can make local ad regional impacts, and what low impact development tools can be used on personal property.

Engage in hands-on construction of a barrel to take home. Bring work gloves and wear comfortable clothes that can get dirty.

Registration required.

When: 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Where: Montgomery County Government Center, 755 Roanoke St., Christiansburg

Cost: $45.00 per barrel, includes supplies

Contact: 382-5790

Regional Goat Program

Regional Goat Program

Saturday, November 15, 2008
9 a.m -- 5 p.m.
(registration starts at 8 a.m.)

The Alphin Stuart Livestock Arena
Virginia Tech, Blacksburg

TOPICS:
Basic Goat Production
Marketing
Evaluation
Herd Health/Diseases
Hands on Worker Demonstration

SPEAKERS:
Susan Schoenian, M.S., P.A.S.
Sheep and Goat Specialist
Western Maryland Research & Education Center

Kevin D. Pelzer, DVM, MPVM
Production Management Medicine
Diplomate American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine
VA-MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech

Allen McElroy
Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech

Cost: $20.00 per adult, $10.00 per youth (ages 9-19)
(includes breaks, lunch, & printed materials)

Please register/RSVP by Monday, November 10, 2008

Make check payable to:
VCE - Botetourt Office

Mail payment and registration to:
Botetourt Extension Office
P.O. Box 217
Fincastle VA 24090

Food for Thought

For those of you interested in the local food movement and global implications:

Farmer in Chief

Wine, Moon & Stars

Two of our Botetourt Farmers' members will be involved in a fun event on Friday, October 17.

"Wine, Moon & Stars" will offer wine tasting and star gazing with Master Observer John Goss at the Gibbs' Virginia Mountain Vineyards on Old Fincastle Road.

Details are available at http://www.vmvines.com/

Genevieve Goss

October 4th Farmers' Market Listings

The Blue Ridge Poultry Coop will be there with whole and quartered, frozen, pasture raised chicken! Thanks!

Hillery Family from Full Circle Farm will be there with freshly milled whole wheat Milk and Honey Bread and grass-fed beef. See you there.

Brambleberry Farm will bring eggs, fresh figs, heirloom tomatoes, chard, Indian corn, bizcochitos, and apple oatmeal cookies.

White Spaces

If you are in a rural area where high speed Internet service and wireless services are unavailable, you will be interested in this:

http://www.freepress.net/whitespaces