Keeseville, NY, Jul 11, 2011 — This week we begin a series of stories and conversations about the next generation of farmers in the North Country. We're calling it "Farmers under 40". They're young, energetic and willing to make sacrifices to be part of the farmer-foodie culture.

Community Supported Agriculture, or "CSA", is a growing trend across the region with people who like to know where their food is grown and that it's fresh. It's like subscription agriculture. Members join before the growing season begins, giving the grower the money to buy seeds and supplies. They also share in the farm's seasonal bounty.

One such CSA, Fledging Crow Vegetables, is run by Ian Ater and Lucas Christenson. Todd Moe recently visited their small farm just outside of Keeseville, south of Plattsburgh. Chances are you've seen the Fledging Crow booth at a farmers' market in the Adirondacks or Champlain Valley this summer. Ater and Christenson are both college educated, but growing and peddling spinach, lettuce, tomatoes and carrots wasn't in their early career plans. Now in their late-20's, the two friends are committed -- physically and financially -- to dirt, sweat and feeding the North Country.  Go to full article

Jun 21, 2011 — Beginning and veteran farmers will gather in the Champlain Valley on Saturday for a chance to network, learn and socialize. The event, at the historic Whallonsburg Grange in Essex, will feature food, music and the screening of a documentary that focuses on a new generation of young farmers.

Todd Moe talks with Hudson valley farmer Severine von Tscharner Fleming, a co-founder of the National Young Farmers Coalition, one of the groups sponsoring Saturday's gathering. She also directed the documentary The Greenhorns, a film about the young farmer movement.  Go to full article

Plattsburgh, NY, Apr 06, 2011 — A group of Plattsburgh residents interested in keeping a limited number of backyard hens will hold a public forum next Tuesday night to the discuss the pros and cons of raising urban chickens. Some of their reasons for keeping chickens in the city include fresh eggs, a source of organic garden compost and gaining a closer relationship to the food they eat. It's illegal in the City of Plattsburgh to raise livestock, including chickens. But cities throughout the state, including Buffalo, Rochester, Saratoga Springs and New York City allow residents to raise chickens in their backyards. Todd Moe spoke with forum organizer Anne Lenox Barlow, who is an avid gardener and local food advocate.  Go to full article

Burlington, VT, Mar 11, 2011 — Underneath the lintel runs at Vermont Stage Company in the FlynnSpace in Burlington through March 20. Resident theatre critic Connie Meng was at the opening night and has this review.  Go to full article

Champlain, NY, Feb 28, 2011 — The Plattsburgh Press-Republican is reporting that another of the region's Catholic schools may be forced to close. St. Mary's Academy in the town of Champlain is facing $80,000 in debts and declining enrollments. Brian Mann has details.  Go to full article

Westport, NY, Jan 25, 2011 — This week, temperatures in North Country plummeted to 35 below zero Fahrenheit, as arctic air from Canada settled over the Northeast.

Schools were forced to close and communities opened shelters for people who needed a safe place to sleep and warm up.

During the cold snap, Brian Mann set out on his snowshoes to get a taste of that frigid winter weather. He sent an audio postcard from the Champlain Valley.  Go to full article

Nov 11, 2010 — Roughly a hundred people crammed the Essex, New York, fire hall last night to protest a plan to shut down ferry service this winter.

The Lake Champlain Transportation company says it will suspend crossings from Essex to Charlotte, Vermont, when the lake begins to ice over.

Local residents from New York and Vermont blasted that decision.

As Brian Mann reports, critics say the ferry is crucial for the region's economy and for public safety.  Go to full article

Westport, NY, Oct 19, 2010 — Despite last week's snow, there is still a lot of fall color across the North Country. Brian Mann went for a leaf-peeping hike in the Champlain Valley just north of Westport. He sent this audio postcard from Split Rock Mountain.  Go to full article

Oct 12, 2010 — There are urban folks who spend weekends and summers on upstate New York farms. They're taken by the part-time charm of rural life. Then there are those, like Kristin Kimball, who give up the big city completely and fall in love with life in the country. Kimball was a freelance writer in New York City. Then she met a young farmer, and on an impulse, traded city bustle for the chance to live closer to the earth. Since 2003, Kristin and her husband Mark have run Essex Farms, a CSA among the rolling hills above Essex, New York. Todd Moe toured their farm this summer, during the peak harvest season, and talked with Kristin about her new book, The Dirty Life - On Farming, Food and Love. It chronicles the Kimballs' challenges and joys during the first year on their Champlain Valley farm.  Go to full article

May 07, 2010 — The spring turkey hunt is underway across the North Country. For many outdoorsmen, it's one of the most challenging and satisfying hunts of the year. The weather is generally good, there are few bugs, and the Adirondack Mountains in May are stunningly beautiful. Brian Mann headed out this week with two veteran sportsmen from Moriah, in the Champlain Valley. He sent this audio postcard.  Go to full article