At a recent dinner party I met an oncologist who also owns a hotel in Miami. In her spare time she farms chickens at her home in South Beach. She’s far from alone. Urban chicken farming, gardening and beekeeping are proliferating across the country, and, in fact, have raised issues for municipalities who are relooking zoning. This phenomenon is called the “hobby farmer”, you could say a logical next step in the farm-to-table movement that has fueled a growth in farmers’ markets, community sponsored agriculture and young people going back to the land. In recent years foodies have put a premium on restaurants that serve locally grown fruits and vegetables and now they’ve taken this home — taking their gardening up several notches, going more professional. If this is a description of you, you’re a “foodie” or just interested in farm to table, there’s a new website and magazine for you — Modern Farmer. Out since April, it already has a global following in Europe and Australia. I can see why. There are highly original, fascinating articles not covered by any other publication. Former President Bill Clinton contributed an article about the work his foundation is doing with farmers globally, and his memories of helping on his uncle’s farm in Alabama. Categories include food, travel, plants and animals and culture among others. Other articles have included everything from Hotels that Farm and a Farmers’ Market Etiquette to the Boston Design Center getting a 55K square foot rooftop garden, and everything you’d ever want to know (and what you may not want to know) about goats (a “hot” menu item now….the new lamb?). You’ll be glad you checked it out. P.S. And speaking about farmers’ markets, I checked out the one in Pinecrest last Sunday and the local produce is coming in. A big new change from last year this time — kale is all over the place.
One Response
Very interesting blog. We should in the future open something with the Camille’s produce and your herbs and pineapplessssssssssss. Lamb or goat, anyway you’re killing an animal, so you’re going to be a vegan or you’ll eat fish and meat. No?