Organic farming promoted

MILLERTON — With the  aroma of an array of foods coming from outside the farm market, McEnroe Organic Farm attracted quite a few visitors last Saturday, for its free pig roast and crafts fair.

Pulled pork sandwiches, garlic mashed potatoes, baked beans and hot kraut were all served up buffet-style and free of charge for hungry perusers as they navigated through the different arts and crafts booths set up in McEnroe’s driveway.

Artists Tilly Strauss and Sue Hennelly had set up their easels and were busy painting.

“This is my second time here,� Hennelly said, noting that she attended last year’s pig roast at the farm as well. “I love the food and it’s one of the few places where you can buy organic meat.�

Woodworker John Roccanova had set up a booth with his handcrafted wooden bowls and kitchen utensils. He was raising money for Play Pump International, a “child’s merry-go-round attached to a water pump that provides clean drinking water and powerful educational messages to schools and communities in sub-Saharan Africa,� according to pamphlets Roccanova was passing out.

Suko Presseau is head of McEnroe Farm’s new education program, which aims to inform local residents and consumers about the farm and its goals of organic sustainability. Presseau was available all day during the pig roast, giving tours around the farm’s roughly 800-acre property to show just how the whole operation works.

Why is there is an interest in organic and sustainable farming? Presseau said, “It’s the time. People are dealing with food scares, and the cost to transport food is rising. It’s no longer that much of a difference [fiscally] to support local farms.�

Presseau explained along the tour that the principles of organic farming are to “nurture the soil, not just the crop.â€� McEnroe Farm currently implements different farming techniques such  as strip-cropping and rotating grazing pastures to make sure that both the animals raised and the environment remain as healthy as possible.

“There’s something special about organic farming on this scale,� she said.

McEnroe Organic Farm is one of the largest and most diverse organic family-owned farms in New York. They grow fruits and vegetables and raise beef, pork, lamb and poultry, all of which is sold at their year-round farm market.

In 2007, the farm began an education program that works with the local elementary and high schools through regular field trips to the farm, and is developing an internship program for college students studying agriculture.

Erich McEnroe, one of the owner’s sons, said, “farming in general is great for the community. The goal here is to raise public awareness of organic farming, and I think it’s been a big success.�

Carol Leskanic of Sharon, Conn., said that she comes to McEnroe a lot.

““There are a lot of health benefits to organic food and I don’t mind spending the extra money,� she said. “The food’s great here and I think McEnroe really did a great job with this whole event today.�