Friday, July 1, 2016



Greetings Slow Food members and supporters,

It is with the mixed emotions of joy and sadness that I write this message. 

As some of you may have heard, Slow Food Katy Trail, the mid-Missouri chapter of Slow Food USA, is in transition and soon no longer will exist with any of its current all-volunteer staff. I think I can safely speak for our former and current board members when I say that we all have cherished and loved the work we’ve done in the community for the last 13 years. Through our many films, dinners, tastings, parties, potlucks, auctions, special events, farm tours and Harvest-of-the-Month elementary-school programs and farm field trips, we have educated thousands of children and adults about the Slow Food mission of good, clean and fair food for all. 

It’s been difficult to conclude that—while we’d love to continue the vital work of the Slow Food organization—none of us can sustain the chapter roles that have demanded so much of our time and energy for so long. There’s something about getting to the point in life where you have more years behind you than you do in front that makes you think about how to spend what’s left—speaking for myself, and perhaps all but one of our (younger) board members!

We hope to be able to introduce you to a new leader who will step in, take over the chapter and lead it in a fresh, new direction with new board members. We’ve been talking with a potential candidate, so we are optimistic that some of you will be able to meet her at our members’ farewell party on July 31 (details announced soon).

No matter what happens, I’m extremely proud of what Slow Food has accomplished and the trailblazing the organization has done to help change the food landscape in not only mid-Missouri, but throughout the country and the world. It’s been so rewarding to see the growing number of farmers’ markets, restaurants, food shops, young entrepreneurs and new organizations that support local farmers and organically grown food. I’m also encouraged by the increasing number of people who care about biodiversity via their involvement in Slow Food’s Ark of Taste—by identifying/growing heirloom varieties of plants and reviving heritage breeds of animals.

I’d like to thank all of our Slow Food Katy Trail members, volunteers and enthusiasts for your faithful and generous support and hard work throughout the years. The most wonderful benefit of having been a chapter leader since 2003 is the number of passionate farmers, fishers, restaurateurs, food artisans, activists, environmentalists and new friends I’ve come to know and love in the world of Slow Food.

Everywhere I go in this community I run into people I’ve bought food from, met or worked with on events or projects or heard speak. Every Saturday at the farmers market, I rejoice anew as I talk with long-time vendors; purchase their fresh, beautiful food; and meet my fellow faithful market friends doing the same. Every time I’ve gone to Slow Food gatherings or conferences throughout this country and the world, my food philosophy and commitments have been recharged. The brilliant speakers I’ve heard, the beyond-delicious local foods I’ve eaten and the intelligent, energetic U.S. and international Slow Food staff, chapter leaders and members I’ve met at all these remind me of what passion can accomplish in this world. Carlo Petrini has been and always will be my hero.

I plan to continue the work of the organization in my own life, through the everyday choices I make about the food I buy, cook, grow and share. Being intimately involved with Slow Food has made me realize that there is no better way to care for the planet, its people and the generations who come after us than to be fully conscious of each and every decision we make about our food choices.

I encourage you all to renew your memberships and stay involved with Slow Food USA, regardless of the status of our local chapter. I hope many of you will come to Slow Food Nation next year in Denver and to other Slow Food gatherings whenever you can and wherever you are. There is much to be learned and enjoyed at all of them—Terra Madre, Slow Meat, Slow Fish, Slow Cheese, Slow Beer, Slow Wine …

I leave you with a few of my favorite quotes from Slow Food USA:

We drink the Kool-Aid, but we make it ourselves, from scratch.

We still believe that
‘Taste is pleasure that reasons’
and taste drives preference
and preference drives behavior
and behavior drives change.
The fork is all powerful.

Our food culture is like a great artwork that has been wallpapered over again and again by convenience. We are about discovery. Not just to save what has been known and make it vibrant, but to add our voice to the conversation of the ages. We make life choices based on the heart, the back, and the brain. We are living examples, role models, keepers of the flame for a better life for all.

Slow regards and buon appetito!

Bernadette Dryden Leader, Slow Food Katy Trail

Retiring board: Bernadette Dryden, Sarah Cyr, Sallee Purcell, Laura Carter, Ilene Rauzi and Miriam Hasenclever. Board members emeritae: Ava Fajen, Martha Folk, Lisa Guillory.

Monday, June 22, 2015

SFKT's 2015 Ashland-area Farm Tour on Sunday, July 19


Slow Food Katy Trail’s

2015 ASHLAND-AREA FARM TOUR


Sunday, July 19 from 1 to 4 p.m.


Join Slow Food Katy Trail Sunday, July 19, as we spend the afternoon exploring some of the farms that supply fresh, sustainably grown food to the Central Missouri region. This tour is designed to acquaint you with local farmers and give you an up-close look at their production methods and farming styles. Please feel free to ask them questions about how they grow their food.

Featuring

River Hills Harvest

8871 Tom Bass Road, Rockbridge• Guided tour 1 to 1:30 p.m.


Photo by Bernadette Dryden
It’s all about the elderberry. Let internationally recognized elderberry guru, Terry Durham, tell you why you need more of this magical native fruit in your life. Sample refreshing elderflower lemonade, elderberry shrub and thumbprint cookies filled with with—you guessed it—elderberry jam. www.riverhillsharvest.com


The Salad Garden

16303 S. Hawkins Road, Ashland• Guided tour 1:45 to 2:45 p.m.


Photo by Angela Reid
Spend an hour with farmer Dan Kuebler in his certified-organic vegetable paradise and discover—while nibbling on samples of each—how he makes his addictive fermented sauerkraut and pickles. Check out his extensive plantings and find out why his produce has been a favorite at the Columbia Farmers Market for the past 25 years.


120 E. Fox Hollow Road, Ashland• Guided tour 3:15 to 4 p.m.


Photo by Megan Fox

Chickens and turkeys and ducks, oh my! Visit this small, diversified family farm that specializes in pasture-raised poultry, eggs and wild-crafted herbal medicinals. While you sample their kefir soda, wild jams and jellies, let Megan Fox and Alan Helland show you what goes into creating a resilient homestead in the beautiful rolling hills of southern Boone County. www.bluefoxfood.com


— DIRECTIONS —


The tour follows the order listed above, at the times specified. Online map and GPS directions may lead you astray today, so it’s recommended that you follow the directions below. The map links below and those embedded in the tour flyer are approved and safe to use. Click here to download the printable pdf tour flyer.

 To River Hills Harvest • 8871 Tom Bass Road, Rockbridge • Guided tour 1 to 1:30 p.m.
From Columbia—Take US-63 S toward Jefferson City. Go 6.8 miles, then turn right onto E. Deer Park Road. Go 115 feet and turn left onto MO-163 (Tom Bass Road). Go 1 mile; orchard is on the right. Watch for the Slow Food Katy Trail farm-tour sign at the driveway entrance. (7 minutes/7.8 miles from Broadway & US-63) 


Go right (south) on MO-163 from the orchard driveway and travel 1 mile. At the roundabout, take the second exit onto US-63 S toward Jefferson City. Go 3.8 miles and take the Ashland exit (follow signs for Missouri Y/Missouri M/Guthrie/Ashland). At the top of the ramp, take the third exit off the roundabout to cross back over US-63, heading east. At the next roundabout take the first exit onto Highway Y. Go 2.6 miles and turn right onto S. Hawkins Road. Go 7/10 mile; destination is on the right. Look for the high ­tunnels and farm-tour sign. (11 minutes/8.7 miles) 

Turn left (north) onto S. Hawkins Road from the farm driveway and go 8/10 mile. Turn left onto Highway Y and go 2.6 miles. At the roundabout, take the second exit onto E. Broadway; go 1/10 mile and at the next roundabout take the first exit to stay on E. Broadway. Go 1 mile, continue onto E. Route M, and travel 1.5 miles. Turn right onto Highway MM and travel 4.3 miles. Turn left onto W. Fox Hollow Road; the farm is 1/2 mile down the road on your right. Look for the high tunnel and farm-tour sign.  (20 minutes/10.7 miles) 

Turn left (west) onto W. Fox Hollow Road from the farm driveway and drive 1/2 mile. Turn right onto  Highway MM and go 4.3 miles. Turn left onto E. Route M and travel 2.5 miles to US Highway 63. (Go north on 63 to head for Columbia or south on 63 for Jeff City.)  (14 minutes/7.1 miles)

**** Please leave your dogs at home! • Smoking is prohibited on all farms. ****


Slow Food Katy Trail
is the mid-Missouri chapter of Slow Food USA,
and part of a global movement.

Slow Food advocates for food and farming policy that is good for the public, good for the planet, and good for farmers and workers. Food that is good, clean and fair. Slow Food Katy Trail heartily welcomes new members and new energy for the cause. To join our chapter, please go to www.slowfoodusa.org and click on Donate. Send us an email at: slowfoodkatytrail@yahoo.com. Follow us on Facebook. Come talk to us on the tour and learn more!

See the Slow Food Katy Trail Facebook page for more info and updates. 

There is no rain date, so check Facebook or the web site for tour cancellation info in the event of heavy rain or storms. You also may email lauraecarter17@gmail.com for more info, or call 573-220-5354 on the day of the tour.

Saturday, June 20, 2015

Ashland-area Farm Tour flyer (Sunday, July 19, 1-4 p.m.)



Follow the link below to print or download a handy two-page pdf flyer that contains all the info you'll need to attend the July 19 Ashland-area farm tour featuring River Hills Harvest, the Salad Garden and Blue Fox Farm. If you click on the directions to each farm you'll be taken to a Google map leading to that destination, or just follow the printed directions. 

Saturday, May 30, 2015

Save the date

The second Slow Food Katy Trail 2015 farm tour is scheduled for Sunday afternoon, July 19, and will feature three Ashland-area farms: Salad Garden, Blue Fox Farm, and River Hills Harvest. More information, including the event flyer, will be posted soon.

We invite you to join us on this tour and get a close-up look at some of the farmers who produce good, clean and fair food in mid-Missouri.

Friday, May 15, 2015

SFKT 2015 Fayette Farm Tour flyer


Follow the link below to print or download a handy single-page pdf flyer that contains all the info you'll need to attend the May 31 Fayette farm tour featuring Blue Bell Farm and Sullivan Farms. If you click on the directions to each farm you'll be taken to a Google map leading to that destination, or just follow the printed directions.