Slow Food Nation '08

Monday, September 1st | 7:30am–6pm (10.5 hrs)

Hosted by Slow Food Madera.

Promotional description:

General Itinerary

• San Joaquin Valley – Meet the farms and farmers of two organic seasonal grass-based dairies and see their operations first-hand. This trip through the valley will be guided by docents familiar with San Joaquin natural and agricultural history.
• Kasteel Noz – Enjoy a Slow lunch prepared by local chefs at this unique Dutch Castle with our regional wines and cheeses.
• Joel Salatin – Hear about his model of a diversified farmstead, along with Jerry Brunetti.

Cost: $159

For a longer, slower description, please read on:

This unique journey takes you to the most intensively managed grass/organic dairy operation in Central California. Though the distance is greater than some other journeys, the offering is rich, indeed. From the folks who supply organic produce to the best restaurants in Yosemite National Park to the cooperative that supplies much of our organic milk, you will appreciate how these progressive food pioneers are paving the way to good, clean and fair farming and dairy practices. Come tour and celebrate the “grasstravaganza” at a family owned and operated certified organic seasonal grass based dairy, nestled below the foothills of Yosemite’s Half Dome, on the broad Central Valley east of California’s coastal range. Three generations are now stewarding over a thousand acres of forages with equal number crossbred Jersey milk cows, poultry, beef, and 950 acres of almond orchards, harvesting San Joaquin Valley sunlight to produce flavorful nutrient-dense protein and fats, while regenerating soil, precious watershed, human health and local economies.

The locations visited will be California Cloverleaf Farms and Full Circle Dairy, owner-members of the Organic Valley ~ Family of Farms Cooperative, and Vista Livestock Company, a transitional organic almond farm. These family farms have been designed and are operated with simplicity “using nature as God intended”. Concentrating on environmental and economical sustainability for land, cattle and farmers. They also emphasize that managing grasslands correctly is the key to the future of our water supply – a critical part of our ecosystem. The symbiotic relationship between cattle and land ensures open space for maintaining a healthy watershed.

You will meet the Burroughs and Bylsma families and who are stewarding these farms. You will enjoy the experience of riding a horse-driven wagon while touring the farms.

Chefs from several San Joaquin Valley communities will prepare a Slow lunch at the Kasteel Noz, a neighboring Dutch Castle, starting with fine regional wines and cheeses, local fruits and vegetables, including Farmer Tom Willey’s produce from T&D Willey Farms.

After lunch, you will join the local community and have the wonderful opportunity to hear Joel Salatin from Polyface Farm in Virginia. Salatin was profiled in Michael Pollan’s Omnivore’s Dilemma. He will be joined by Dr. Jerry Brunetti of Martins Creek, Pennsylvania, who founded Agri-Dynamics to provide natural products for livestock animals. Our speakers are a dynamic duo with inspiring messages focusing on “Food as Medicine” and “The Farm of Many Faces”.

Joel Salatin’s family farm shines as an example of innovation and what is right about family-scale farming, when it is done with respect to nature. He is a true pro in diversified farming, relationship marketing, and grass-based livestock production systems.

Jerry Brunetti has an unparalleled understanding of the interrelated dynamics of biological systems. His insight into livestock feeding is without equal. But his true genius shows when he correlates what we know of plant nutrition to animal and human needs.