The Farmplate Blog

• A panel discussion, ''Why Good Food Matters,'' including Trubek, Goldstein and Jeff Roberts, director of the Vermont Institute of Artisan Cheese at UVM, concludes the conference.

• Breakout sessions feature Vermont farming from a global perspective; food and its relationship to the landscape; Vermont's artisan cheese industry; bread; and the cookbook as a literary genre.

The conference is open to all. The $99 fee ($69 for students) includes the Friday evening and Saturday programs, continental breakfast buffet lunch and snacks. Space is limited and is going fast: call 802.262.2626 to reserve.

The conference is presented with the support from C&S Wholesale Grocers and with the participation of King Arthur Flour.

More Regional Events

Friday, November 13

Shelburne Farms has added a new session for their popular "Cheddar Is a Verb" cheesemaking experience. Participants work side-by-side with cheesemakers to turn 6,000 pounds of milk into cheddar. You'll have to get up early: Class begins at 7:30 sharp. Call 802.985.8686 for details.

American Flatbread's "Organic Food for Public Schools Benefit Bake" raises money for local schools to purchase organic food for school lunches. In its 11th year, the Benefit Bake takes place at Lareau Farm in Waitsfield, VT, and begins at 5 pm. Every hot-from-the-oven flatbread sold adds $5 to the fund.

Join Magic Hat Brewery at Ramunto's Brick and Brew in Lebanon, NH, for samples of seasonal drafts, pizza and games. Bottles of Magic Hat's infamous #9 will be available as well. Festivities begin at 6 pm.

Saturday, November 14

Bennington County's first Farm-to-Plate summit begins with a local foods banquet followed by a presentation and open discussion on statewide F2P initiatives.  From 5:30 to 8:30 pm at St. Peters Episcopal Church, 200 Pleasant Street, Bennington, VT. For more information contact Susan Beal (sbeal@shadowbrookfarm.org) or Bill Laberge (laberge@vermontel.net). Please RSVP by November 12 to heather@vsjf.org.

Sunday, November 15

The Indoor Farmers' Market in Thetford, VT, runs from 9 am until 12 noon at the North Thetford Church. Phone: 802.333.4429.

Practice the art of making apple pie the old-fashioned way at the Scott Farm in Dummerston, VT. Pastry chef Laurel Roberts Johnson will lead the class from mixing tender dough to slicing heirloom apples to devouring the last bite of crust. Call Kelly Carlin at 802.254.6868 to secure your spot, or email her.

Tuesday, November 17

The Red Hen Bakery and Café in Middlesex, VT, hosts the Slow Food Vermont's Annual Meeting from 5 to 7 pm. All are welcome! Call 802.223.5200 for more information.

Tuesday, November 17 or Thursday, November 19

Join ''Let's Talk Turkeys'' at the Green Mountain Audubon Center in Huntington, VT.  Naturalists lead 3- to 5-year-olds through wooded trails to learn more about their Thanksgiving feast. Call 802.434.3068 to reserve space for you and your youngster.