Niman Gets His Goat

By Susie, 17 October, 2008,

goats The New York Times has a great story about how Bill Niman, formerly of Niman Ranch, is going into the goat farming business in Bolinas, California. The article’s goat photos have major “awwww!” quality.

On a related note, several goat farms in Maine have “partnered together to assure the availability of a high quality, Maine raised product.” Thyme for Goat is coining goat as “the other red meat.” Good slogans die hard!

(It’s kind of exciting to note I took this goat pic at a county fair in Maine.)

I personally find well cooked goat meat delicious. And it seems to be more nutritious than other popular meats. I hope this trend takes off!

Coolest Job Ever: Livestock Manager at Skywalker Ranch

By Susie, 17 October, 2008,

“Hi, Ya I work at Skywalker Ranch. I pretty much spend the day caring for about 20 long horn and about 20 Waygu cattle, and breeding bulls for George Lucas.”

See the coolest job in the world on Craigslist.

If you’re bitter that you’re not qualified, get back at the cattle by working for Prather Ranch Meat Company in the San Francisco Ferry Building.

Growing Esrogs for Sukkot (October 14)

By Susie, 14 October, 2008,

Esrogs are an important part of Sukkot, a Jewish historical and agricultural festival. It seems only fitting to celebrate a major grower of esrogs who is also finally relaxing after an intense harvest season!

If you want to use your citrons creatively after the holiday, here are some ideas. You can read more about the grower in The Saga of the Citron Selecting the Perfect Etrog.

Fall Day at the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market

By Susie, 13 October, 2008,

Shop at Farmer's Markets: It's the law.

Local Food Movement Invigorating Local Economies

By Susie, 9 October, 2008,

The New York Times ran a nice story about “Uniting Around Food to Save an Ailing Town” in Vermont.

“…young artisans and agricultural entrepreneurs are expanding aggressively, reaching out to investors and working together to create a collective strength never before seen in this seedbed of Yankee individualism.”

Much like La Cocina in San Francisco, the Vermont Food Venture Center provides assistance to the new food companies. Perhaps, this trend of gastropreneurism will sweep the nation as have farmer’s markets. And Foodzie arrives just in time as the perfect marketing outlet.

Vermont is also home to the locally focused Farmer’s Diner, which I also first learned about through the New York Times.

Small state, great big dreams!