Slow Food Metro North efforts have been focused on building farm to table relationships with the culinary professionals in the Metro North areas. Mimi Edelman and Kathryn Dysart, co-chairs of Slow Food Metro North, put together a tour of twelve local farms, and Chefs were invited to visit as many of the local farms in Putnam, Westchester, and Fairfield counties on April 15, 2013 as time allowed.

This mid April morning was a particularly beautiful morning to venture out and I selected three farms to visit. It was a difficult choice. I had to choose between 12 different farms in Fairfield, Connecticut, Putnam and Westchester New York.

Mimi Edelman, Farmer/Owner I and Me Farm; at Hilltop Hanover Farm. Chef Farm Tour & Luncheon, Slow Food Metro North, April 15, 2013. ©Mardi Welch Dickinson/KymryGroup™ All Rights Reserved.

Even though I have lived in Connecticut for many years, I jumped at the chance to visit several from my hometown of Bedford NY thanks to the kind invite from Mimi. It was all I could manage in a morning, and I was going to end up in that area anyway for lunch at Hilltop Farm in Yorktown Heights NY.

Amba Farm. l. to r. Kathryn Dysart, Slow Food Metro North; Andy Nusser, Executive Chef/Partner, Tarry Lodge; Sam Epps, Chef de Cuisine, Tarry Lodge Port Chester. Chef Farm Tour & Luncheon, Slow Food Metro North, April 15, 2013. ©Mardi Welch Dickinson/KymryGroup™ All Rights Reserved.

The photographs were taken in mid April, and captured the beginning of what looks like a thriving farming season which will enable many to enjoy the fruits of their labor.

My first Farm was Amba Farms. Certainly not your typical farm as I found when I pulled up to the formal wrought iron gate. I peered through the entrance way to see a stately home.  I was intrigued at the git-go, but more surprises were to be discovered within.

Amba Farm: Chefs gather for a brief talk before the tour with Louis D’Alessandro of JD Farms; Chef Farm Tour & Luncheon. Slow Food Metro North on April 15, 2013. ©Mardi Welch Dickinson/KymryGroup™. All Rights Reserved.

Amba Farms, founded by Elizabeth Taggart, is a delightful small-scale, family-operated, organic business in Bedford Hills, New York. They are a privately owned farm that sells primarily to local restaurants but also to the public at local farmers markets.

Amba Farm, Chef Farm Tour & Luncheon, Slow Food Metro North on April 15, 2013. ©Mardi Welch Dickinson/ KymryGroup™ All Rights Reserved.

They focus on growing a wide variety of produce from every vegetable family, as well as fruits and herbs, with particular emphasis on exciting lesser-known heirloom species.

Amba Farm, Chef Farm Tour & Luncheon, Slow Food Metro North, April 15, 2013. ©Mardi Welch Dickinson / KymryGroup™. All Rights Reserved.

Have your ever heard of or seen and/or eaten Blue Potatoes? Well apparently you should try one as they have a delicious, earthy flavor when baked, steamed, mashed  or roasted. To learn more, visit: Amba Farms 

Amba Farm, Louis D’Alessandro, JD Farms. talks with Chefs. Chef Farm Tour & Luncheon, Slow Food Metro North on April 15, 2013. ©Mardi Welch Dickinson/KymryGroup™. All Rights Reserved.

I And Me Farm is a small scale organic/biodynamic farmstead cultivating just under four acres of agriculturally preserved land in Bedford Hills, NY.

I And Me Farm Sign & Entrance: Mimi Edelman, Farmer/Owner. Chef Farm Tour & Luncheon, Slow Food Metro North on April 15, 2013. ©Mardi Welch Dickinson/KymryGroup™ All Rights Reserved.

Established by Eileen Zidi and Mimi Edelman five years ago, the farm is now tended solely by Mimi. This parcel of land is a beautifully kept piece of property that shows the true original beauty and landscape of this breathtaking area that still stands and is preserved from the days of old.

I And Me Farm: Mimi Edelman, Farmer/Owner. Chef Farm Tour & Luncheon, Slow Food Metro North on April 15, 2013. ©Mardi Welch Dickinson/KymryGroup™. All Rights Reserved.

The farm’s niche is to serve two chefs in the local community. Chef Jeremy at Bedford Post Inn and Chef Eric of Restaurant North. I & Me Farm has an RSA-Restaurant Supported Agriculture-relationship with the Farmhouse at Bedford Post Inn. The fields are planned and designed with both the Chef’s and the Farmer’s vision for the season. The extended season crops are heirloom and Slow Food ARK of Taste varieties reflecting global food cultures.

I And Me Farm; Assembling Hoop Greenhouse, Mimi Edelman, Farmer/Owner. Chef Farm Tour & Luncheon, Slow Food Metro North on April 15, 2013. ©Mardi Welch Dickinson/KymryGroup™All Rights Reserved.

The farm is open for culinary students and young farmers by appointment. The best way of reaching Mimi Edelman is at meme752@hotmail.com. Be patient during the growing season for a response.

I And Me Farm: l. to r. Sam Epps, Chef de Cuisine, Tarry Lodge; Andy Nusser, Executive Chef/Partner, Tarry Lodge; Mimi Edelman, Farmer/Owner, I and Me Farm. Chef Farm Tour & Luncheon, Slow Food Metro North on April 15, 2013. ©Mardi Welch Dickinson/KymryGroup™. All Rights Reserved.

Cabbage Hill Farm and Foundation is a non-profit organization is dedicated to the preservation of historic farm animals and small farm practices.

Cabbage Hill Farm, Aquaponics Greenhouse. Seeds are planted in seed-starting blocks. Chef Farm Tour & Luncheon, Slow Food Metro North on April 15, 2013. ©Mardi Welch Dickinson/KymryGroup™. All Rights Reserved.

Cabbage Hill Farm is dedicated to the practice of sustainable agriculture and aquaponics and are committed to increasing awareness through an educational model built around a successful working farm.

Cabbage Hill Farm, Aquaponics Greenhouse. Chef Farm Tour & Luncheon, Slow Food Metro North on April 15, 2013. ©Mardi Welch Dickinson /KymryGroup™ All Rights Reserved.

The Swiss Chard growing in the aquaponics greenhouse is used to produce high quality greens and fish year round.

Cabbage Hill Farm, Swiss Chard growing in the Aquaponics Greenhouse. Chef Farm Tour & Luncheon, Slow Food Metro North on April 15, 2013. ©Mardi Welch Dickinson/KymryGroup™ All Rights Reserved.

Aquaponics is the practice of circulating the nitrogen rich water that the fish are reared in to grow vegetables.

Cabbage Hill Farm,  A 10,000 gallon Tilapia Fish Tanks are in the Aquaponics Greenhouse. Chef Farm Tour & Luncheon, Slow Food Metro North. ©Mardi Welch Dickinson/KymryGroup™All Rights Reserved.

The aquaponics system is a closed system that uses very little water and land to yield a high amount of protein and vegetables. The farmed fish include Tilapia, Sunshine Bass, and Rainbow trout.

The farm also grow vegetables and greens in raised beds, fields, and hoop houses using  their own compost along with organic compost from a local farm. The farm does not use any pesticides or genetically modified seeds.

Cabbage Hill Farm, Aquaponics Greenhouse. Chef Farm Tour & Luncheon, Slow Food Metro North, April 15, 2013. ©Mardi Welch Dickinson/KymryGroup™ All Rights Reserved.

They also raise pastured, naturally bred Narragansett, Bourbon Red, Maran chickens, Shetland geese and ducks. Pasturing poultry helps keep the harmful insect population at bay and ensures a traditional flavor not found in commercial birds. To learn more, visit: Cabbage Hill Farm

Cabbage Hill Farm, Raised pastured bred Narragansett, Bourbon Red and Maran Chickens around nearby Chicken Coop. Chef Farm Tour & Luncheon. Slow Food Metro North on April 15, 2013. ©Mardi Welch Dickinson/KymryGroup™ All Rights Reserved.

All were invited afterwards for lunch at the stunning setting of Hilltop Hanover Farm & Environmental Center.

Hilltop Hanover Farm. Chef Farm Tour & Luncheon, Slow Food Metro North on April 15, 2013. ©Mardi Welch Dickinson/KymryGroup™ All Rights Reserved.

Chef Quint, Executive Chef of Stamford Yacht Club greets us by his impressive mobil wood-fired oven, ready to delight the pallet with mouth watering pizza toppings.

Chef Quint Smith, Executive Chef, Stamford Yacht Club serving lunch on a fired up kitchens mobil wood-fired oven at Hilltop Hanover Farm. Chef Farm Tour & Luncheon, Slow Food Metro North on April 15, 2013. ©Mardi Welch Dickinson/ KymryGroup™ All Rights Reserved.

Chefs, Farmers all gathered to enjoy each others company and talk about the days events and to network.

Chefs and Farmers gather for lunch at Hilltop Hanover Farm after visiting up to thirteen different Farms in Westchester NY & Connecticut. Chef Farm Tour & Luncheon, Slow Food Metro North, April 15, 2013. ©Mardi Welch Dickinson/KymryGroup™ All Rights Reserved.

A round of applause was given to all and of course to the notables below for an incredible  day, great company and delicious food!

Hilltop Hanover Farm. l. to r. Mimi Edelman, Farmer/Owner, I and Me Farm; Quint Smith, Executive Chef, Stamford Yacht Club; Lucille Munz, Farm Director, Hilltop Farm. Chef Farm Tour & Luncheon, Slow Food Metro North on April 15, 2013. ©Mardi Welch Dickinson/ KymryGroup™ All Rights Reserved.

Over 60 Chefs, Farmers, Restaurant owners in the surrounding area, gathered for a group photo to remember the successful day with the back drop of the beautiful Hilltop Farm. To learn more, visit: Hilltop Hanover Farm & Environmental Center.

Related FarmToFamily™ – Tarry Lodge Celebrates “Snail of Approval” From Slow Foods Metro North

Chefs and Farmers all gather after lunch for a group photo in celebration of a successful tour. Hilltop Hanover Farm. Chef Farm Tour & Luncheon, Slow Food Metro North, April 15, 2013. ©Mardi Welch Dickinson/KymryGroup™ All Rights Reserved.