June 2021
"So many beautiful things are coming out this month!" Northrop's Hilltop Nursery and Landscaping. Massena, NY.
Image courtesy of the Farm-to-Table Initiative led by Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County.
GardenShare Spring Friend Appeal is Underway
In celebration of Spring and the beginning of the growing season in North Country, GardenShare has launched its Spring Friend Appeal!

It remains true that many hands make light work. We invite our Friends, be they new or long-time pals, to help us reach our $20,000 goal by making a donation today. In case you missed it, our Spring Friend Appeal can be found here:

Image courtesy of the Farm-to-Table Initiative led by Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County.
Farmers Market Season is Upon Us!
Produce is slowly but surely popping up and, with it, so are the farmers markets! Canton and Potsdam are in full swing with more produce arriving as the season continues.

The Gouverneur Farmers Market will open this Thursday, the 10th, and the Hammond Farmers' and Artisans' Market will open on Wednesday, the 18th!

Learn about the different market programs that help stretch your dollar with GardenShare's Customer Guide.
Introducing: Fruition by CCE
The Local Foods team at CCE is excited to announce their newest project, The Fruition Blog and Livestream Showcase. Fruition celebrates the rich traditions and resourceful innovations of North Country growers and eaters. Tune in for engaging stories of the farmers, gardeners, and cooks creating a delicious landscape and healthy local food system. New interviews, recipes, and articles will be added weekly, and a livestream with producer interviews on the third Wednesday of the month at 7pm. Be sure to visit to stay up to date on the latest here: https://blogs.cornell.edu/fruition/
Check out more about the May Livestream here!
Growing Our Minds
June is Dairy Month! Although the Dairy Princess Days are postponed in Canton, we're still celebrating.

Did you know: Dairy Month began as a grocer sponsored "National Milk Month" in 1937. The promotion began as a way to distribute extra milk during the warm summer month. In 1939, June became the official "dairy month" and is still celebrated today.
Image courtesy of NY Agriculture in the Classroom.
This month's recommended read from our Outreach & Education committee is the Tales of the Dairy Godmother: Chuck's Ice Cream Wish, written by Viola Butler with art by Ward Jenkins.

"Ice cream is a treat we enjoy in many forms and flavors. But how often do we stop and think about how the ice cream we're eating made its way to the cone or dish we are enjoying it from? Chuck's Ice Cream Wish (Tales of the Dairy Godmother) connects the delicious treat to the work farmers are doing every day to grow, raise and produce our food. This book will take students on an explorative journey to learn about dairy and to trace the food on their plate back to its source- the farmer." (NY Agriculture in the Classroom)

This pick was the New York Agriculture in the Classroom selection for this year's Agricultural Literacy Week. There are tons of great videos for kids to learn more about dairy — and ice cream! — on their website.
Stauffer Farms, Virtual Tour
Along with the book recommendation, kids and adults alike will enjoy this virtual tour of one of St. Lawrence County's own dairy farms, Stauffer Farms! Stauffer Farms is also a big GardenShare supporter!

The Virtual Farm Tour was facilitated by American Dairy Association Northeast. Using video chat technology, you will get a peek at barns, cows, and more as they see and learn firsthand how dairy farmers care for their cows, the land, and produce delicious milk for you to enjoy.