"I love the simplicity and the difficulty. In cooking, you can do something that's going to be done in five minutes or you can do something that's going to take you five days." Andre Rush (White House chef and "strongest chef in the military")
Hello Hudson Farmers' Market Friends!
With just 3 more markets left in our outdoor season, we are excited to share a little bit of what you can find at the market this Saturday.
This week the temperatures took a turn and it seems like winter is taking a big step forward-- really making her presence known and her power felt! Most of our vendors will be present for the last few weeks, but (smartly, tenderly, logically) some of them close up shop this week. The crazy, wild ones are left to brave the unpredictable currents of November.
This coming Monday we are honoring all the veterans who have served for our country and for us. Being consistent with the theme over the past season, in this newsletter we'll be looking at the place where nature, farming, and food production overlaps-- with respect to our nation's servicemembers.
A recent study created and conducted by the University of Copenhagen focused on the power of nature to help veterans working through the wide-reaching effects of PTSD. They found through their field research that taking in nature, sitting with it, and working with it helped round out many of the sharp edges associated with the diagnosis. They found that the restorative and protective quality of nature gave the veterans a unique and low demand way to heal their traumas around feeling unsafe in an environment. Seems so obvious to most of us, but it's really powerful to have the academic backing giving validation to the concept. Here's some info from UC Berkeley too.
The Farmer Veterans Coalition is an organization in the US dedicated to helping veterans find their place in agricultural work. They act as a network meant to connect and support farmers and veterans with national and regional organizations that can serve as points of partnership and collaboration. Their Homegrown By Heros project provides a tangible way to support veterans by highlighting the goods and service of each member. The veterans who participate come from all branches of the military and their agricultural productions range from honey harvesters, traditional and specialtyfarming, hydroponic operations, compost and soil businesses, nativeplant rehabilitation, and mead makers.
Veterans and farming
Andre Rush is a veteran chef who hit it big last year while cooking for the President at the White House and for his 24" biceps (he regularly teases that he has to cut his chef coat to accommodate those pythons). He was a Master Sergeant in the Army who trained as a chef during his time in service in Iraq. He's freelancing and consulting these days, but wants whatever he lands in during his civilian life to give back to others. His advice: "I would make these crazy meals with nothing at all in a makeshift kitchen... be creative, improvise, go and do something outside of the box. That's what I always did."
Rush on Rachel Ray
And, last but not least, a day in the life of a mess-hall crew aboard a ship for the Navy. They feed 1500 people each day and try to give as much variety as possible to make everyone feel more at home. Working with limited resources has not diminished their creativity, integrity, and care for their fellow crewmembers. Such a lovely glimpse.
Our guest vendor this week is HudsonValleyCandleCompany. MikeHerman will be playing and singing for us under the Music Tent. AND BobSheets of ProSharp will be back with the magnificent mobile van filled with all the equipment he needs to hone your steel-- bringyourblades! Find him at the 6th Street entrance.
