Running it Back

We returned to Lake Copake for our second annual Hootenanny in 2012.

This time, we invited close friends to a dinner celebrating our guests of honor: the more than 50 local family farmers in attendance.  Guest chefs David Burke and Frank Weber prepared a menu with ingredients sourced from over 100 different Hudson Valley providers — all within a five-mile radius of the plate.

Dinner was followed by a sundae bar provided by Ronnybrook Dairy.  Attendees then enjoyed a golf cart drive-in double feature: “How We Grow,” and “Vanishing of the Bees.”  Both documentaries were presented in partnership with Whole Foods Market.

The next day, we hosted more than 3,000 guests on the sunny shores of Lake Copake.  Speakers included Didi Barrett and Congressman Chris Gibson; athletic entertainment was provided by former NBA stars Eric Williams and David Wesley.

International and local celebrities including Rachael Ray, John Varvatos, Gina Gershon, Thom Filicia, Bob & Cortney Novogratz, Jim Holl, and the Fabulous Beekman Boys donated original painted picnic tables to Farm Fest’s live auction event.

All that added up to a smashing fundraising success.  Not only were we able to fund an expanded second year of Camp FarmOn!, we were also able to put $10,000 toward the launch of our new Milk Money program.  We partner with Hudson Valley dairy farms to replace the mass-produced milk in school lunches all across the region.  It’s our way of supporting local farmers while teaching kids the importance of conscientious consumption.