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Organic Farming

What the Hell are We Eating?

“We are living in a world today where lemonade is made from artificial flavors and furniture polish is made from real lemons.” – Alfred E. Newman I’ve been trying to eat less meat lately, especially after a study released in late June revealed that going vegetarian can halve your diet’s carbon footprint. After challenging myself […]

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Organic Farming

Spring Weekend on the Farm

From May 17-19, I celebrated a special kind of anniversary. I had been WWOOFing (volunteering on an organic farm) for a year. After making 4 visits to the same organic farm, Raven Crest Botanicals, its safe to say that I am in love. My friend Susanna’s beautiful, natural nook in Berne, New York will always […]

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Organic Farming

Winter Visit to the Farm

In between my old job and my new job, I went up to Raven Crest Botanicals for a long weekend. The farm is so beautiful, especially under a blanket of snow. We didn’t do any planting or harvesting, but went into town for project materials and into Albany for a showing of the film Her…and […]

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Organic Farming

Interested in Volunteering on an Organic Farm?

Herbalism Permaculture Self-sufficient living Interested in any of the above?  Consider volunteering at Raven Crest Botanicals! An organic farm located in Upstate New York, Raven Crest Botanicals is looking for two volunteers who can commit to the full season from April/May 2014 through September/October 2014. A couple or two friends would be great! Here is more […]

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Organic Farming

Good Things Are On The Way

Coming from the Suburbs of New Jersey, born and raised in the small, not terribly diverse town of Long Valley, my household is like most in the United States.  We have electricity, running water, cable, wireless internet. My mother cooks meat most every meal and we often eat American-Italian dishes.  We drive our own separate […]

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Organic Farming

Full Circle

With the windows down, sunny blue sky on the horizon and Third Eye Blind on the radio, I drove up the New York Thruway the first week of August for my second visit to Raven Crest Botanicals, an organic herb farm. Monday I arrived Monday afternoon to the open arms of Susanna and Thomas, eager […]

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Organic Farming

Jersey Girl Gone WWOOFing

“Gardening is the most therapeutic and defiant act you can do.” I have to agree, digging in the dirt is awesome.  Ever since I was a kid, I loved playing in my backyard, getting dirty looking for insects, building forts and splashing around in creeks looking for frogs and crayfish.  Being outside made me happy, […]

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Organic Farming

Permaculture Techniques for a More Sustainable Organic Farm

Deep in the sticks of Schoharie County in upstate New York, lays Raven Crest Botanicals, a 250-acre sanctuary of an organic farm. Over 80 herbs are grown at Raven Crest for a variety of teas, tinctures, elixirs and skin care products. Susanna Raeven, owner of Raven Crest Botanicals, strives to bring “non-toxic, safe and effective, […]