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Event
Foodie-to-Farm August Farm Tour: Urban Agriculture
The concept of farming in the city was not lost on our region's founders. Chicken coops, backyard vegetable patches and root cellars were a mainstay in Buffalo just over one hundred years ago. Today, people all over the country are becoming increasingly interested in homesteading, and just last year a law allowing City of Buffalo residents to raise chickens was enacted. But with acres and acres of vacant lots in Buffalo, it is no wonder that the concept of farming this land, of raising beds of organic soil and planting plots of greens, tomatoes, cucumbers and zucchini, has become not only a hot trend, but a way to provide better access to fresh and healthy foods in distressed neighborhoods. This tour will meet at a city location (see below), where we will board a bus and head out to visit some of Buffalo's most exciting Urban Farms.
It was just over a year ago that the city granted the Stevens family the right to farm on lots strung together on the East Side. Today, Wilson Street Farm is home to a large hoop house used to start plants early and to prolong the growing season. We'll tour their farm, and see what they've done to turn this once-blighted area into a productive farm. Cold Spring Urban Farm is a single plot, farmed by Daniel Ash and Jessica Lang, dedicated urbanites who have helped to revolutionize the Buffalo urban agriculture scene through a seedling pilot project for Grassroots Gardens. After that, we'll take some time for a lovely picnic lunch in one of Buffalo's stunning Olmsted Parks. Prepared for us by one of our city's best chefs and featuring local ingredients, it is sure to satisfy.
After lunch, we will head to the West Side to visit Curbside Croft. In its second growing season, Curbside specializes in a mandala growing system which uses space efficiently, allowing for a wider variety and greater quantity of crops to be grown in a small space. Additionally, the people behind this urban farm have worked diligently to provide its multi-ethnic neighborhood with the fruits and vegetables native to their customer's homelands. Last but not least, we'll visit Massachusetts Avenue Project (pictured above), the first urban farm Buffalo, now in its seventh year. MAP's commitment to providing healthy food to its community manifests itself in so many ways, including training and employing young people, and coordinating a Mobile Market and low income CSA. Guests will experience this 1/2 acre farm and the straw-bale greenhouse, which contains the only aquaponics system in Buffalo. Using this system, MAP is not only raising fresh fish (tilapia) for local restaurants, but it is also simultaneously and sustainably fertilizing their farm.
This tour will leave on time from the parking lot belonging to Artisan Kitchens & Baths, home of the Nickel City Chef series, located at 200 Amherst Street, Buffalo 14207. Guests should arrive no later than 9:45 a.m. and should dress for the weather in farm-appropriate footwear.
**Please include a *valid email address* where an itinerary and other information can be sent to you.** Itineraries will be distributed approximately one week before the tour date. More details can be found on the ticket purchasing website.
Feed Your Soul's August Foodie-to-Farm event includes:
*Transportation to and from area farms
*Farmer guided tours
*Opportunity to speak with farmers and ask questions
*Bottled water
*Local-centric picnic lunch prepared by Chef Bruce Wieszala
*Take home packet loaded with information about sustainability and local agriculture
*Reusable tote bag
Approximately one week prior to the tour we will contact you with a complete itinerary. Foodie-to-Farm is a rain or shine event, so please dress appropriately. Sunblock is highly recommended. Guests are required to sign a waiver before boarding the bus. You can download it at our website www.feedyoursoul-buffalo.com. (We will have extra copies in case you do not bring one along).
We reserve the right to cancel classes that do not have a minimum of 20 participants. We don't anticipate this to be a concern, but there are occasions when unforeseen circumstances may arise.
Tickets are nonrefundable, but they are transferable.
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LocationUrban Agriculture Farm Tour
200 Amherst Street
Buffalo, NY 14207
United States
Categories
| Minimum Age: 18 |
| Kid Friendly: No |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: No |
| Wheelchair Accessible: No |
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