In Our Fall 2023 Issue

“Agriculture is our wisest pursuit, because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals, and happiness.”

—Thomas Jefferson

For many years now I have been buying my meat and pork directly from the farm. I like to live locally and see it as a way of doing my part for the local economy. Picking up orders over the years, I’ve had the chance to meet various members of the Ziehm family—each one energetic, friendly, hardworking; each one greeting me with a big smile and willingness to chat, no matter what the weather or time of day. Their pride and passion exude the feeling that this was their calling: farming.

Last year we had an idea to follow the Ziehms for one year, with a kind of four-seasons-on-the-farm focus. Luckily for us, Jessica Ziehm agreed, and writer Maria Buteux Reade and photographer Elizabeth Pedinotti Haynes both answered yes to the project right away. Learning about the Ziehms’ start nearly 60 years ago and their plans for building the farm for the next and future generations shows us why life is better on the farm.

Learning about the Ziehms’ start nearly 60 years ago and their plans for building the farm for the next and future generations shows us why life is better on the farm.

Contributor Haley Whalen takes a day trip to Bimi’s Canteen in Chatham, New York. Earlier this summer, owners Ellen Waggert and Christopher Landy opened this restaurant right next door to their premier Bimi’s Cheese Shop, offering in the new venue a full dining experience along with a perfect ambience.

On Thursday evenings by the United Methodist Church on 35th Street in Troy, a long line of white plastic folding tables—each one covered with neatly arranged fresh produce, packaged food, ready-to-eat meals, grocery staples and pantry items—stands ready to serve those in the community in need of assistance, no questions asked. Meet the Sidewalk Warriors Troy, established by Robin Fontanelli in 2021. Fontanelli and her army of volunteers assemble this evening distribution pop-up every Thursday, 52 weeks a year—in all kinds of weather, the Sidewalk Warriors Troy are there. Regular contributor Maria Buteux Reade tells us that the Sidewalk Warriors’ offering of hope is as welcome as their steady unquestioning assistance.

Over in Saratoga County, the Franklin Community Center celebrates 40 years of helping to bridge the gap for those in need—and now more so than ever. FCC’s food pantry and facilities manager, John Falco, tells contributor Kathleen Willcox: “Since the beginning of 2022 alone there has been a 26% increase in the number of people we are seeing at our food pantry. In July, we had the highest number of families on record come in here—357, which accounted for more than 1,000 people.” The program is a lifeline for many families during difficult times.

Finally, we have a Ginger Almond Fig Bark recipe from Terry Walters’s cookbook Nourish, perfect for gift giving this year or just for making something delish to snack on.

We hope you enjoy this issue. Celebrate with us by living locally, savoring the season and contributing to our community, it’s the best of who we all can be.

Mary Blair
Editor