Biodynamic Food & Wine Tasting: Raising Funds for Young Farmers
A convivial group gathered during the Biodynamic National Conference for a lovely evening of sampling the best of what biodynamic agriculture has to offer — with the overriding goal of raising funds for biodynamic apprentice, youth, and young farmer programs. Five chefs, 8 farms, and 13 wineries donated their services and products for the event. (See list below photos.)
Guests were treated to a spectacular menu ranging from lacto-fermented ginger carrots, to sauteed summer squash with fresh herbs and goat cheese, to oxtail stew, to mint chocolate shooters with Biodynamic cocoa, to lavendar yogurt panna cotta. Many thanks go to Hungry Hollow Co-op for their support and to Sarah Hesse, who brought this unprecedented event together.
The event culminated with the first diploma ceremony of the North American Biodynamic Apprenticeship Program (NABDAP). After hearing from fundraiser sponsors RSF Social Finance and Dr. Hauschka Skin Care, guests were inspired by learning of the experiences of some of the apprentices who had completed the two-year program.
-
- Outside before the fundraiser (©Natt McFee)
-
- Display of milk from Milk Thistle Farm (©Natt McFee)
-
- Awaiting guests (©Natt McFee)
-
- Threefold Cafe Chef Anthony Lo Pinto and helpers prepare meatballs made with Biodynamic Hawthorne Valley beef
-
- Serving baby greens with roasted beets and balsamic tarragon vinaigrette
-
- Tasting Biodynamic wines
-
- Outside tables at the fundraiser (©Natt McFee)
-
- Fundraiser guests gather for the NABDAP diploma ceremony
-
- BDA President Jean-Paul Courtens awards the NABDAP diplomas
-
- The 7 graduating NABDAP apprentices (©Natt McFee)
- Farms
- Hawthorne Valley Farm
- Midsummer Farm
- Milk Thistle Farm
- Nectar Hill Farm
- Remembrance Farm
- Roxbury Farm
- Threshold Farm
- Villa Vanilla Spice Plantation
- Chefs
- Jamie Bush, Let’spoon, Nyack, NY
- Anthony Lo Pinto, Threefold Cafe, Chestnut Ridge, NY
- Josephine Proul, Local 111, Philmont, NY
- Kathleen Sibrizzi, Hungry Hollow Co-op, Chestnut Ridge, NY
- Alexis Starkey, Farm to Feast Catering, Washington, DC
Join us in the vineyard at Quintessa in Napa Valley as we make Preparation# 500