Lisa Green reports from Kinderhook. The party in the fields of Katchkie Farm on Saturday, July 23 began with guests encountering The Sylvia Center’s mission of inspiring children to eat well. On the path down to the gardens, students from the Perfect 10 After School organization in Hudson — participants of the center’s programs — handed out pieces of lemon balm, encouraging guests to taste and smell the herb, just as they do when they’re learning at the farm. The ninth annual Farm-to-Table Dinner, which benefits The Sylvia Center, raises funds to help introduce thousands of young people to the farm as well as expand the Seed to Plate program, which brings healthy cooking courses to schools, youth groups and after-school programs throughout Columbia County. Cocktails in the Field House, passed hors d’oeuvres and tours of the Learning Garden kept guests happily occupied until the main event, dinner at long tables under the tent. All of the food was provided by Great Performances, whose owner, Liz Neumark, established Katchkie Farm (where much of the dinner’s ingredients came from) as well as The Sylvia Center. Volunteers from Great Performances and Sylvia Center students prepared and served the entire menu. [Above, Sam Wachsberger with his mom, the woman who started it all, Liz Neumark.]
Despina Leandrou and Michael Laudati of Stockport and New York City; Era Hanspal from the Albany area and Erin Reese, from the city.
The pond beside the farm provides a peaceful respite from the crowd.
Carol Schneider and Don Schneider with their daughter, Suzannah Schneider, the sustainability connector at Great Performances; Nardyne Cattani and Richard Cattani with Anna Hammond, The Sylvia Center’s executive director.
Charles Biblowit, Myra Bilblowit, who is the president of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, with their daughter Rachel Snyder, son-in-law Matt Snyder, and grandchildren Grace and William.
Julie Cerny, farm education director and garden manager, with Katherine Mok, marketing and public relations manager for Great Performances; The drink station set up and ready for customers.
Teresa Meza, Pamela Badila and Paula Forman, all from Perfect 10.
Julie Cerny explains how she introduces students to food on the farm that may be new to them.“Don’t yuck my yum” helps them to respect everyone’s unique tastebuds; Perfect 10 students perform a song they wrote about The Sylvia Center.
Food writer Anna Kovel and architect Greg Merryweather, new Kinderhook residents, with Debbie Gardner, a member of the board of directors.
Heather Kowalski and Curtis Gobrecht of Lover’s Leap Farm donated a whole heritage pig to the silent auction; After a few clouds and sprinkles, the sun returns to deliver a golden glow at dinnertime.
Mark Blumkin and Amy Blumkin of New Jersey and Great Barrington; Samara Antolini and Michael Antolini, visiting from NYC.
After dinner, guests make pledges to The Sylvia Center.