LOCALadk Magazine

56 Fall 2019 LOCALadk Magazine LOCALadk After 7 years of applying, Fledging Crow was finally grant- ed a space at the famous New York City Green Market. Ian loads his truck at 2 a.m., and twice each week travels the 6 hours to the Big Apple. His farm is represented in Manhattan and Brooklyn to a different audience — one that he sees as a future for Fledging Crow. Ian is bringing a real taste of the Adirondacks to New York City. I spent a few hours on the farm, enthralled with Ian's tales of farm life, walking through his greenhouses, and watching his wash operation. Like most farmers, this is Ian's expres- sion—the farm is an extension of the person. With his part- ner, Jessica, and daughter, Amaya, Ian has made the Adiron- dacks his home, and his farm, a gift to those who love this special place. Ian has a vision for American Farming: "Farmers need to spend more time communicating and working together for the small operation to remain viable. Forget getting so wrapped up in the individual brand of a farm, and move more toward collaboration. When ever y farm grows ever ything, then no one wins. We need to think more about creating a real small farm ecosystem that knows that working together is the only real answer." As I leave the farm and travel a mile or so down Route 9, I pull off the side of the road when I see another Fledging Crow logo on the side of a barn that is past its useful life. Tucked behind the ghost of a building are more greenhous- es and fields of Fledging Crow tomatoes, corn, and celer y. I walked through the rows and enjoyed a connection with this fantastic local food. Pausing for a moment, I gave thanks to farmers for all that they do, for their commitment to quality and their passion for work that goes way beyond the norm. When in the Adirondacks, seek out local farm products. Visit a farm and shake the hand of the person who fills the same role as Ian. Support farmers; they are a gift to us all. Interested in local Adirondack farms and producers? Check out the website for Adirondack Har vest, an organization fo- cused on bringing local farmers, producers, chefs, and con- sumers together. If you are traveling down Route 9 in Kee- seville, stop in to Fledging Crow and tell Ian I said hi. If you happen to be in New York City at the Green Market, pay Ian a visit and buy a bunch of Adirondack carrots, kale, or fragrant fennel. You won't be disappointed. Adirondack Har vest https://adirondackhar vest.com/ Union Square Green Market – NYC https://www.grownyc.org/greenmarket/manhat- tan-union-square-m Tamara Johnson

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