News

Cranston Buys Homes to Reduce Flooding and Expenses

ecori.org

WARWICK, R.I. — As an unprecedented series of hurricanes pummel the southern U.S. coast and Caribbean, Rhode Island is taking steps to prepare for its next hurricane, flood or other extreme-weather event.

Pawtuxet Village Farmer's Market

UP IN YOUR GRILL; WILD WALK; CURES AND COMESTIBLES It's Memorial Day weekend, and we've got all you need for your cookouts. Greens, herbs, eggs and spring vegetables from our farmers for sides, salads and seasonings, meats from Baffoni's Poultry and Weatherlow Farms, fish from The Local Catch, burger buns and pizza shells (wheat and white) from Olga's plus more foodstuffs at every table. We also have great veggie and herb starts for that home garden now that it's safe to plant. The Pawtuxet River Plant Walk will leave from the market at 10 AM. Meet at the red tent. Take a gentle hike on the trail that runs beside the river, and learn about the plants that thrive there, many of them only visible in the spring. The walk will be led by local wild plant enthusiast Sandy Jacobi. Joining us on June 3 as a weekly vendor: The Honey Shop. They produce a range of products using ingredients from local farms: Hot Sauce, salsas, honey-based cold and allergy remedies, syrups, jam, dressings, marinades, spices, rubs, olive oil, aged herb infused balsamic vinegar, and dips. One of their suppliers is our own Blue Skys Farm. Also on June 3, Goodwill Industries will be at the market to collect electronics you no longer use or are in need or repair or recycling. The full list of accepted items will be published in next week's update, or found on our Facebook page and website. See you at the market.

American chestnut rescue will succeed, but slower than expected | Scienmag: Latest Science and Health News

scienmag.com

Credit: American Chestnut Foundation The nearly century-old effort to employ selective breeding to rescue the American chestnut, which has been rendered functionally extinct by an introduced disease -- Chestnut blight, eventually will succeed, but it will take longer than many people expect. That is...

R.I.'s First Digester Expected to Take Food Scrap in June

ecori.org

JOHNSTON, R.I. — Rhode Island is on the verge of opening its first industrial anaerobic digester, offering another option in the long process to reduce waste and find a better use for the millions of pounds of food scrap wasted each year.

Pawtuxet Village Farmer's Market

BARDEN BRINGS CORN, BERRIES, AND PUMPKINS; OUR REAL FARMERS; FOOD FOR THOUGHT You know fall is almost upon us when pumpkins and more apples make their appearance at the Barden Orchard stand; they still have corn, berries and tomatoes, too, so make your way down to the end of the line and check them out. Someone asked last week where the real farmers were; I was puzzled by this question and answered that our farmers were all real (not a hologram or android among them). It did get me thinking about why that would even be an issue; are we lacking in farmer stereotypes at our market? The answer lies in the resurgence of agriculture in Rhode Island today: there are many small farms, run by all kinds of people: young, old, male, female, of all races, nationalities and gender identity. The old image of the farmer. a white male on a tractor, with a wife back at the farmhouse raising the kids and chickens, and making meals for the farmhands, is not typical today. One thing that has stayed the same is that all our farmers work real hard, get real dirty and go out in all kinds of real bad weather to bring you their amazing crops. Really. An event is scheduled at the William Hall Library on Sept. 20 at 6 PM. The featured speaker is Mr. Paul Roselli from the Burrillville Land Trust. Mr. Roselli will speak and present information regarding the proposed new power plant in Burrilllville. Water usage by the new plant would impact all of the Rhode Island watersheds, including the Scituate Reservoir, the source of most of our drinking water. See you at the market.

Pawtuxet Village Farmer's Market

FISH AS FRESH AS IT GETS; AB FAB VEG; STACKS O' STYROFOAM Nothing is as perfect for a summer meal as fresh Rhode Island seafood, and the Local Catch brings it right to us every Saturday. Shellfish including scallops, oysters and littlenecks, squid, and a variety of ocean fish such as cod, halibut, and tuna, and their own tasty smoked fish are available at their stall. Ask Dave for advice on how to cook whatever you choose; he also has a deep knowledge of the various fishies and where they're caught. And of course, no meal would be complete without some fabulous farm fresh produce. Golden beets, purple beans and green and yellow squash add color and the best value for nutrition and flavor you'll find anywhere. Ask our farmers "What's new?" and "How do I prepare this?" and they'll be happy to let you in on the latest and greatest they have to offer. Bring your stash of CLEAN styrofoam take-out containers, cups and large solid packing foam to the market this week; our volunteers Polly and Penelope will take them to the Eco Depot for recycling. Many containers, one trip! NO packing peanuts, please. LeFavorite Bakery is on vacation this week and next, but don't despair! Our favorite substitute baker, Jess Watts, will be here with her goodies from Little Falls Bakery and Cafe. Patois Catering will join us again Saturday; if you didn't get to try their food last week (they ran out early), they promise to bring more this time to satisfy everyone. See you at the market.

Pawtuxet Village Farmer's Market

JULY IS BUSTIN' OUT ALL OVER; CREATING CONNECTIONS; MOVIES AT MASHPAUG The veggies are going to be spilling over their bushels this Saturday. GC Farms says they will be bringing tomatoes, eggplant, lots of green peppers, and their second set of broccoli. Blue Skys will have lettuce, squash, Juliet tomatoes, and those yummy Gold of Bacau Roma Pole beans. Pak Express will have greens, root vegetables and nime chow. PV Farmstand has beans and corn among others, and Wedgewood Flowers will have eggs and blueberries. Our other vendors will be bringing their best comestibles for us: fresh and smoked fish from The Local Catch, baked goods from LeFavorite, cold and hot beverages from Presto Strange O, and honey, jams, nuts and nut butters, cheese and butter at the Market Table. Farmer Frank of PV Farmstand, offers along with his beef, boar and chicken, a special on ground pork and turkey sausage: Ground Pork - 10lbs for only $30 ($3 per lb) Extra-Lean Turkey Sausage - $4.99/b Check his website to preorder. Havav Near East Market is making new friends here at Pawtuxet Village, not only with the customers but the other vendors as well. Carla and Lia use walnuts and pistachios from Virginia & Spanish Peanut Co. for the bourma and Swiss chard from gC Farms for nivik (chickpeas, Swiss chard, coriander and red pepper). This focus on using locally sourced ingredients is so important to building our network of farmers, producers and consumers. Thanks, Havav! Urban Pond Procession Arts is a non-profit dedicated to reclaiming and celebrating Mashpaug Pond and its community, UPP Arts kicks off its Full Circle Film Series on Friday, July 22, 2016 at 8 pm at J T Owens Park's Boat Launch, 350 Niantic Ave., Providence. (Rain date July 23 - check website for scheduling updates upparts.org) Living Narragansett: Stories of the Past, Present, and Future. Film night is curated by Loren Spears, Director of the Tomaquag Museum. The Full Circle project activities are made possible with a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and the City of Providence Department of Art Culture + Tourism. The films are free, family friendly, and open to the public. Popcorn, cotton candy and cold drinks will be available. Bring a lawn chair and/or blanket for family and friends.

Pawtuxet Village Farmer's Market

TINY BUT TASTY TOMATOES, WEDDING BELL BLUES, PLEASE PRE-CAFFEINATE Finally, it's tomato time! Just the smaller varieties so far, but it's still a delight to have a nugget of sun-ripened goodness after the long winter and those lesser hot-house cousins. Early corn has made an appearance, too, offering a glimpse of the sweet bounty to come. Pak Express will be absent from the market this week; Farmer Chang's youngest daughter is getting married. Long time customers will remember Seesa from her many summers tending the Xiong's stand. No nime chow, but Blue Skys Farm will have their eggs and veggies. Congratulations to Seesa and Den! Presto Strange O will also be at another event this Saturday, but will return next week. So remember to bring your own or stop by one of the village coffee shops for a to-go cup. See you at the market.

Providence, Cranston, Coventry public libraries serving as seed exchanges for gardeners

providencejournal.com

CRANSTON, R.I. — Rake, hoe, plant, water. And pull the weeds.The rituals of gardening are ancient, whether they be a labor of love or merely a

Pawtuxet Village Farmer's Market

SAMPLE SOME SAVORY COOKING; SMOOTH AS SILK TREE SOAP We'll be having our first cooking demonstration of the season this Saturday, as neighborhood super-chefs Zoey, Jonathan, Emily and Hazel prepare some delectable treats using foods from our farmers. Come taste and get tips for making the good stuff at home. Silk Tree Farm rejoins us this week, with their rich and creamy goat milk soaps, soy candles and Westfield Farm chevre cheese. Stop by and find out how your purchase supports their efforts to increase their herds of heritage livestock on conserved farm land in Little Compton. As the weather grows warmer, our farmers have more variety of fresh, just-picked produce. There's something new every week! See you at the market.

Pawtuxet Village Farmer's Market

MARKET MOVES TO HALL LIBRARY FOR PARADE DAY Saturday June 11, the market will set up at: William Hall Library 1825 Broad Street Cranston, RI 02905 (about 10 blocks north of our usual site, right up Broad St.) Due to the Gaspee Days Parade, we will make our customary ONE DAY ONLY migration north to the library. This year, we will be on the front lawn so you can’t miss us. Same great vendors, same great food! Plus an appearance with delicious samples by the Edgewood Cheese Shop. So make your way around the parade route to visit us and support your favorite farmers. See you at the market.

Pawtuxet Village Farmer's Market

Jump into June, Smokin' Cheeses, Pooch Patrol It's the first June market, and there are lots of seasonal veggies coming your way this Saturday. The hot weather and the deluge earlier this week have given the crops a boost; unfortunately, the weeds are thriving as well, so give our farmers some love for their hard work bringing you chemical-free produce. Stop by the Market Table and taste some Rhody Fresh "Rhody Smoka" cheese; it's a smoked version of their Butterkaese, made here in RI with milk from local cows (no hormones!). Lots of new pups are showing up at the market; it's time to remind owners of our furry friends that the market welcomes them, but people have the right of way. Please be courteous and kind to both your pet and our shoppers: keep dogs on a short leash, under the control of an undistracted adult, and away from the vendor stands. Thanks for your cooperation. See you at the market.