Black Star Farms, The Incubator

The Record-Eagle on how Black Star Farms helps new farmers.

See: Young entrepreneurs try hands at farming

Raw Milk

Raw milk news all of a sudden:

Shetler Family Dairy Going Raw?

The idea Shetler's is experimenting with is to offer cow-shares.

Raw Milk Renegade

Raw milk enthusiasts think that unpasteurized milk contains important microbes and enzymes that help protect against everything from allergies to eczema. A 2007 Swedish study of nearly 15,000 children across five European countries found those who drank unpasteurized milk were significantly less likely to suffer from asthma and hay fever.

In other states you can get raw milk for your pets, but not in Michigan (See: http://www.realmilk.com/raw-pet-milk-sales.html)

Heritage Apples

Listen to IPR's story about Antique Apples in Leelanau County.

The orchard discussed is Kilcherman's Christmas Cove Farm where they offer over 100 varieties of antique apples, including reputably Thomas Jefferson's favorite, the Spitzenburg.

No More Wine At Two Lads Winery

Via MichWine: Two Lads Shutters Tasting Room

When the winery reopens, Two Lads will offer its first Riesling, along with a Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Franc Reserve, and Merlot from the highly-regarded 2007 vintage

Fustini's

Fustini's Oil and Vinegars gets featured in Traverse Magazine.

See:
Flavor Adventure: Fustini's Oils and Vinegars

Foodie File: Lane Milligan

The fruit-infused balsamic vinegars are amazing, especially the strawberry-balsamic. Unfortunately they do not have any 100-year old balsamic vinegar. The owner told me he didn't want to shock anyone with that price tag.

Love For The Right Brain

Right Brain Brewery is a cozy, friendly hidden treasure in Traverse City

One of the best involved Right Brain's Grahamercy Local Hop Ale and the Karma Palace IPA which were made with locally grown hops. Russ Springsteen, Right Brain's very own 'big idea guy,' told us this tale.

After hearing about Right Brain's situation amid the hop crisis, a local retiree summering in Traverse City returned in March with over 2,000 rhizomes. A loyal army of volunteers helped Right Brain staff harvest the hops, and they had enough of a harvest to create these two brews, with some left over to share.

See: Right Brain Brewery

Leelanau Wineries In The USAToday

Riesling rising, and more, in Leelanau Peninsula, Michigan

Northern Michigan Culinary Tours

The first, of what may someday be many, agritourism businesses is now open in Northern Michigan. This one is called Learn Great Foods and you can read about the experience via MyNorth.com - Trip to Bountiful

They base their Leelanau Peninsula tour at Sweeter Song Farm and it sounds like a great experience for the culinarian who is looking to eat their way through northern Michigan.

The Fruits Of Summer

The first peaches and apricots were at the Traverse City Farmer's Market last Saturday. Here are some guides to making this goodness last throughout the year:

National Center for Home Food Preservation - How do I? Can, Freeze, Dry, Cure & Smoke. Ferment, Pickle, Make Jam & Jelly

University of California guides to Canning & Food Preservation

Cook's Illustrated - How to Freeze Summer Fruits:We froze six kinds of popular summer fruits, using up to seven different methods, then thawed them six months later to find out what worked best (PDF).

Shetler's Ice Cream

This is exciting for northern Michigan ice cream lovers - Shetler's Dairy is testing three ice cream flavors at their Farm Store. The flavors are Vanilla Devine, Chocolate Delight, and Decadent Dark Chocolate.

Traverse City Restaurants And The Film Festival

Traverse City's downtown restaurants benefit from the TC Film Festival much more than they do from the Cherry Festival. Some will even extend their hours for the duration of the Film Festival.

See the RecordEagle - Eateries prep for festival crowds