Hi Everyone,

I am very excited to be working with NOFA-NY and Slow Food North Shore again this year, to bring back the Long Island CSA Fair (Community Supported Agriculture) to the Sisters of St. Joseph’s in Brentwood, on Saturday, March 21st from 11am – 3pm! If you missed the event last year, you don’t want to miss it this year! Over 20 farms from across Long Island will be participating. This will be a great opportunity to meet the farmers, and to learn more about each individual CSA program, and find the right farm for you! Some programs offer just produce, while others have “add on” options like fruit, flowers, cheese, bread, eggs, meat and fish. Community Supported Agriculture supports local farmers by purchasing a weekly share of the harvest and paying up front, giving the farmer the financial support at the beginning of the season when they need it. Some programs offer payment plans, so you do not need to pay all up front. Either way, CSA’s are one of the best ways to get fresh organic produce at reasonable and fair price. We all know that eating more fruits and vegetables, and supporting local, sustainable agriculture, is great for your health and that of our planet.

The CSA fair will be hosted indoors, at the Sisters of St. Joseph Farm, 1725 Brentwood Road, Building #2, Brentwood, Long Island, from 11:00am – 3:00pm on Saturday March 21^st, 2020.  The fair is free and open to all who are interested. The Sisters of St. Joseph Campus hosts several small organic farms as well as operating their own organic garden (where they also raise chickens, rabbits and goats), a community garden and a large solar array. You can come for a few minutes, or stay for the whole time! Tours of the farms, gardens and other innovative environmental projects will be available. Refreshments will be served. While admission to the fair is free, we will have some fun raffle prizes, so bring a bit of cash for that!

My guest this week on the Progressive Radio Network is Wes Gillingham, the co-founder and Associate Director of Catskill Mountainkeeper. Catskill Mountainkeeper is dedicated to pushing New York into a Just Transition away from fossil fuels and protecting the ecological integrity of the region. Wes has lived off the electric grid for over 35 years, serves on the advisory board of the Center for Earth Ethics and the New York State Forest Preserve Advisory Committee, and just recently returned to the board of the Northeast Organic Farming Association. From 1996 to 2007, Wes and his wife Amy, ran a 150 Family Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) vegetable operation. After a catastrophic flood ruined their business, Wes co-founded Catskill Mountainkeeper and has helped lead the fracking fight and extreme energy campaigns in New York and across the country. Catskill Mountainkeeper works on educating the importance of small diversified farms as a major component in the future of our region.

As Mountainkeeper’s co-founder and Associate Director, Wes helps develop the strategic thrust of their programs and coordinates collaborative efforts working with regional, state, and national partners on Extreme Energy Extraction and fossil fuel infrastructure fights. Wes served as an Acting Director of Field Programs for the National Audubon Society Expedition Institute. He taught graduate and undergraduate environmental education programs throughout North America and worked as a Park Ranger for the National Park Service. Wes graduated from the University of Maine, but he credits his real education from his extensive experiences in the wilderness and rural communities in America. Growing up in the Catskills, Wes observed the interaction that humans have on the natural world, and enjoys leading educational trips throughout the U.S, sharing his knowledge and passion. I hope you can join us on Thursday, to learn more about Catskill Mountainkeeper and the ways they are working to protect our natural treasure.

My radio show, iEat Green with Bhavani on the Progressive Radio Network is live, every Thursday, from 10-11 am, EST.  To tune in to the live show, just navigate to PRN.fm and listen in!

If you miss our live show please listen on iTunes by downloading the Podcast App.

If you want to call in during the show with any questions for me or my guest, the call-in number is 888-874-4888. If you are listening to the podcast after the live broadcast, you can still ask me a question by leaving me a voicemail message at 862-800-6805. Just remember to say your name, what show you’re calling about (iEat Green with Bhavani), and your question. The message will be passed on to me, and I will get back to you.

With Love and Gratitude,

Bhavani 

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