Living In A Local Zone

These are the resources I have found useful in building my local zone and getting to know the world inside it. My foodshed includes all of Connecticut, most of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and parts of New York. Some are general tools for eating locally, learning what is in season, and storing/preserving food. Others are more specific and likely more useful for localvores in the Connecticut/Massachusetts/New York areas. I’ll keep adding to this list as I learn more. Hope these can help others, and please let me know of the resources that have helped you!

Local Sources, forming the base of my foodshed

• Wild Hive Farm – my savior for local grains! I am so thankful to have found them in my zone, especially since locally grown flours are scarce in New England.
• George Hall Farm – I’m a member of the CSA (community supported agriculture) here for both the winter and the spring/summer/fall seasons, and I love it. I mean LOVE it. The people who run the farm are friendly, open, and so helpful with all my questions. I get tons of great produce and, as a vegetarian, I depend so much on these farmers. As a bonus, they also come to local farmers markets so there is room to get some extras too.
• Buy CT Grown – this website provides links to most of the Connecticut farms, and it’s even searchable by food item. Type in “sweet potatoes” and get back a list of farms that currently have them in supply, where they are selling them, and contact information.
• Fairfield Green Food Guide – for local food, sustainability efforts, innovation, and community development, this is the place to go.  They have comprehensive round-ups, resource guides, and are a good “one-stop” way to jump into the local scene.
• Hartford County Farmers Markets – I go to the West Hartford farmers market at LaSalle Road parking lot nearly every week!
• Wholesome Wave Winter Market – They have a winter farmers market based in Fairfield/Westport, CT that I suspect will be a staple haunt for me this winter and spring. Open from November 22 through April, I am amazed and impressed at this resource.
• The Farmer’s Cow – This is a group of 6 family owned farms in Connecticut that have combined to produce milk sold at most major grocery stores in this area. They are strong supporters of sustainable agriculture and are free of artificial growth hormones.
• The Regional Farm and Food – a mainly New York resource, I include it here since my 100 miles extends into parts of New York. This includes farmers markets, restaurants, and buying information.
• Pick Your Own Connecticut – listings of pick your own orchards and farms in Connecticut
• Connecticut Farm Map - much like a paper map, this helped me locate many a farm.
• Connecticut NOFA, along with its Massachusetts and New York counterparts (Rhode Island seems not to be found, although it is part of the Interstate Council) has great information on organic farming/farmers, classes on sustainable growing and living, as well as sources for produce within the foodsheds.

General Local Living Resources

• Find Your 100 Miles – a tool to find your own 100 mile zone, just enter in a city/town and the country for a zoom map of that local area
• The American Farmland Trust – Go here!! This is a trust that is dedicated to advocacy and support for local farms, local food, and mindful stewardship of the earth.  They are working to support the Farm Bill in the federal legislature, work on cost-effective ways to help local farmers deal with competition from large enterprises, climate change, and clean water.  The Trust also works on state and local projects specific to that area.  Their work is inspiring – as they say, “NO FARMS, NO FOOD”!  It all depends on the local farmer.
• NRDC Eat Local – The National Resources Defense Council has an amazing website with a searchable tool for local foods in each state, sorted by month. Great way to learn what’s in season where and when, and what to plan for in the months ahead. I also like their resources for understanding the value (and impact) of going local.
• Eat Well Guide - a guide to local, sustainable foods with searchable listings and region/state specific information for the United States and Canada. There is also a great blog, trip planning assistance, and project information.
• Local Harvest – Locating farms, CSAs, food co-ops, and restaurants with local foods throughout the United States.
• Local Fork – a guide for localvores visiting New York City and the surrounding areas. I am starting to realize how deeply the local life can go, and how it can still be done even when traveling.
• Sustainable Table – celebrating local food, educating on food-related issues and sustainability, and working to build local communities and a connection to the land, particularly through local schools

Techniques and Skills: Learning

• Garden Toad’s Companion Plant Guide – Great site with charts and info on companion planting – i.e. using various combos of plants to attract beneficial insects and repel pests from the garden.  It, and other similar resources/books, shows that pesticides are not necessary, and there are alternatives for gardeners who are looking for another option.
• Garden Toad – A wealth of info on care/feeding of fruits, veg, herbs, and flowers – including zones, nutrient and soil needs, problem solvers, tutorials, and so much more I’m sure I haven’t even discovered yet!
• Safe Food Freezing - a guide from the USDA on basic safety/health and processes for freezing foods
• Dehydration Guide – A step-by-step guide to dehydration of fruits and veg, including tips for how to “condition” and store them. Be sure to look at the links and PDFs at the bottom of the page for more info!
• Harvesting and Storing Gourds – from the University of Illinois Extension office, and great for me for this winter!
• The Encyclopedia of Country Living - more information on food storage, cooking, freezing, canning, and other skills than I could even hope for.
• National Center for Home Food Preservation and Pick Your Own both have great instructions and explanations for pressure and water-bath canning methods, including information on which method should be used on what foods, step-by-step instructions, and good ideas for general storage.
• Food Routes – this site takes a look at where our food comes from, offers reasons and ways/resources to eat local, highlights events throughout the US, and provides recipes using ingredients local to various areas. It also has a good library of resources, articles, and ideas on the local lifestyle. I like their outreach program and the connection the organization seems to have to grassroots community action as well as a link with schools.