Blog
Elegy Written In A NH Barnyard: The Passing of Summer
The curfew tolls the knell of parting day, The pecking hens winds slowly o'er the lea, The groundskeeper homeward plods his weary way, And leaves the farm to darkness and to me. Now fades ... Read More
Art in the Age Presents: Nix Besser by Michael Alan
Art in the Age is pleased to announce our September exhibition, NIX BESSER, the rich Pennsylvania Dutch history and traditions that inspired SNAP, brought to life through the creations ... Read More
Organic Vegetable Tsunami Report
Until this week, I was unaware that northern New Hampshire was blessed with a Tsunami Season. I'd heard of Mud Season. Hell, I survived one already. Black Fly Season...old hat ... Read More
New Mast Brothers Chocolate Flavors Available at the Store!
We absolutely love the decadent and delicious chocolates of The Mast Brothers . We salute this delectable duo for their fresh, original packaging and the superb quality of their ingredients. ... Read More
Philly Mixologists Show SNAP Some LOVE!
All over Philly, local bartenders and mixologists are experimenting with Art in the Age Spirits– and the results are pretty amazing. We set out to capture some of our favorites ... Read More
Art in the Age at the Kennett Square Farmer’s Market
Art in the Age ROOT had a blast this past Friday at the Kennett Square Farmer's Market - Buy Fresh, Buy Local Festival! Fully stocked with our samples of Wild ... Read More
Adventures in Agronomy: First Vegetable Harvest!
Pictured: Cucumber Hugs This morning was spent reveling in utter disbelief and inexplicable relief that the shrubbery in the garden is now VEGETABLE-LADEN! After suffering from a week of ... Read More
Come Out and Visit ROOT at a Farmer’s Market Near You this Weekend!
At Art in the Age we love to support our local farmer's markets. We love it so much in fact, that this weekend we're doubling our efforts! This Friday, July 16th ... Read More
The First Fruits at The Farm: “Stay Gold, Berry-Joy, Stay Gold”
New Hampshire's first fruit is redHer tastiest hue, it's said. Her early leaves are berries; One needs a bucket to carry Then pink subsides to ruby. And fingers rose to duty, So we ... Read More
Aquaponics: The Future of Sustainable Agriculture
Aquaponics is the sustainable method of combining aquaculture (raising fish) and hydroponics (growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions in water) to produce organic food year round. This process dates back to 1,000 ... Read More
Cheering for the Under-Chicken: Pecking Order Theory
"Pecking order" is defined by the American Heritage Dictionary as: 1. A hierarchy among a group, as of people, classes, or nations: "The astronauts had developed a pecking ... Read More
Now that it's officially summer... it's time to get outside and start those grills! Though a barbecue isn't the least green method of cooking around, it does still have a considerable ... Read More
The Food Trust’s Headhouse Farmers’ Market - July 18th
The Food Trust’s Headhouse Farmers’ Market Sunday, July 18th Starting at 10AM Visit ROOT at The Food Trust Headhouse Farmers’ Market, which strives to make healthy food available to all. Working ... Read More
GARDEN UPDATE: Of Silver Bells, Cockle Shells, Pretty Maids, etc.
Q: Robin McDowell, Armed With A Trowel, How Does Your Garden Grow? A. With coyote pee... (a natural predator deterrent) and greenery... (Johnny's Seeds Wild Arugula, to be exact) ...and fluffy cats trampling ... Read More
GARDEN UPDATE: “Ode On A Greenish Thumb”
THOU still unravish'd seed of quietness, Thou foster-child of Soil and slow Time, Sylvan landscape, who canst thus express A flowery tale more sweetly than our rhyme: What ... Read More
Egg Bombs: The Hens Are Serious Business
The hens are getting serious about egg-laying. We are moving at a rate of 5-6 big brown eggs each day, and until more human company arrives, friends and neighbors are ... Read More
ROOT Welcomes TWEED to the Neighborhood!
During their grand opening last Thursday the folks over at TWEED welcomed guests to a fully stocked bar—complete with not one, but two bottles of ROOT! The new endeavor, made possible ... Read More
Pete’s Greens: “At The Heart of The Locavore Movement”
Pete's Greens from Driven Studio on Vimeo. Read More
Hay Season 2010: We Get Organic With A Little Help From Our Friends
We are so stoked to be working with our neighbors at Schoolhouse Farm to restore the hay fields at the farm using best and organic practices, beginning this summer! Norman/Wendy/Schoolhouse ... Read More
Now that we've made it through Philly Beer Week, and most of us are still walking around in a hop-induced haze, it's time to shed a little light on the ... Read More
Mast Brothers Chocolate Arrives at The Store!
With packaging too beautiful to open and flavors too tantalizing to miss, it is hard for us here at Art in the Age to keep our hands off of the ... Read More
After a year of gloomy bake sales and fund-raisers, bakers are on their way to passing a bill to lift the ban on home-baked goods. It’s hard to imagine that ... Read More
The Well-Stocked AITA Bar: Introducing Fee Brothers Bitters
Just in time for Summer entertaining and Father's Day, Fee Brothers Bitters debut at Art in the Age!A few dashes of the bitters add pointed flavor to any cocktail, or you ... Read More
Supper Restaurant’s Mitch Prensky: In A Pickle
Before the luxury of refrigeration, and before we had the ability to source produce from around the world, pickling and preserving made it possible to serve zesty seasonal fruits and ... Read More
Grocery Store Truths: Organic Corporations
Ever wonder who owns the farms producing the certified organic products you buy at most grocery stores? Chances are it’s no longer the family farm that’s been passed down through ... Read More
In Season Alert: Fiddlehead Ferns
Spring is here, and that can only mean one thing, fiddlehead ferns! Often compared to asparagus in flavor and texture, fiddleheads are deep or bright green, tightly coiled and no ... Read More
Chicken Update: Terror In The Night!
We returned to the farm a recent evening to discover that some New Hampshire megafauna – coyotes, bears, foxes – had pilfered from our chicken coop. Where once ... Read More
Just In! New Colors of the Utility Canvas Apron at Art in the Age!
For those of you who missed out on Mother's Day, or if you are way ahead-of-the-curve for Father's Day, check out our stock of NEW colors in the perennially popular ... Read More
Urban CSA Update: West Philly!
Community Supported Agriculture programs have been gaining momentum in Philadelphia, and have become a great way for city dwellers to access local produce and meat straight from the farm. In ... Read More
The Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm Presents “Art of Homesteading” in June!
Photos from REMICKMUSEUM.ORG Attn: Tamworth-ians, New Hampshire-ites, and New Englanders! Join the Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm on June 16 from 5-7 pm for the opening ceremony for their new ... Read More
Art in the Age Root at Headhouse Farmers’ Market May 23rd
Join Art In The Age at Headhouse Farmer’s Market this Sunday, May 23 from 10am until 2 pm. Over 30 vendors will air their edible offerings along 2nd Street, between Pine ... Read More
Organic Farming for the World?
image from BUSINESSWEEK.COM Among the debates over the movement toward organic and sustainable farming, the most contentious refers to the movement's scalability – could it work for the whole world? Is ... Read More
May is National Egg Month! (As declared by The American Egg Board) Why May? In April, egg sales soar for Easter preparations. After the holiday, hens across the nation are still laying ... Read More
Raspberry Reveries, Chapter 1: And So It Begins…
2 humans + 8 hours + 2 wheelbarrows + 1000 prickly dead canes + 1 deer tick incident = THE BEGINNING OF RASPBERRY SEASON 2010!!! In 3 months time, our freshly ... Read More
Gardening Reaches New Heights: Green Roofs In The City!
Take urban gardening to the next level...literally! There has been a recent rise in rooftop gardening, especially among city residents. Making the most of the limited residential space symptomatic of ... Read More
A New Hampshire Hearthside Dinner
A hearthside dinner at the Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm in Tamworth, NH leaves one full of delicious local foods cooked "the old fashioned way", in addition to the ... Read More
Last Wednesday saw the arrival of seven organic hens to the Farm. A gift from a farmer in nearby Hancock, NH, they are mature White Plymouth Rocks, Black Australorps, and ... Read More
In The Kitchen With ROOT - Chef Brinn Sinnot of Noble: An American Cookery
ROOT is not just for drinking. After a 5 course ROOT-infused meal at Alfa a few months back, Wild Flour Bakery baking a ROOT Raisin Bread for the Farmers' Markets, ... Read More
Piazza Artisan Market: Summer Edition Fashion Weekend
Saturday, May 15thh through Sunday, May 16th 150 designers and boutiques, 1 to die for trunk show, and The Piazza's very own fashion show, all within 30,00 square feet. Visit the Art ... Read More
The Perfect Gift for Mother’s Day at Art in the Age
Saturday, May 1st through Sunday May 23rd Stop into Art in the Age for the perfect gift for Mother’s Day. The store is chalk full of items like, Utility Cancas ... Read More
Cheese Making - Our Recent Adventures at the Remick Farm
From milk to pot and heat Then, curdle, gather, repeat You formed into a ball Which amazes us all Oh cheese, you, I can't wait to eat Courtesy of the Remick ... Read More
Nostalgic Candy Now Available at the Art in the Age Store
Here at Art in the Age, we love to reminisce with old time favorites. This time we’re offering a spread of nostalgic candies and our favorite, Root Beer Barrels! A ... Read More
so much depends / upon / the white chickens
INSPIRATION: A-Frame Pasture Shelter featured in Backyard Poultry Magazine... OUR COOP COMIX: A Coop On Wheels! Imminent Omelets! THE PROCESS... Procure Lumber & Materials... 45 degree angle cuts... Assembling the A-frame... Height check... Pretty A's all in ... Read More
SPRING FARM UPDATE: These delights thy mind may move…
Come live with me and be my love, And we will all the pleasures prove That valleys, groves, hills, and fields, Woods, or steepy mountain yields.And we will sit upon compost heaps, Seeing ... Read More
EARTH DAY 1970: A Question of Survival, EARTH DAY 2010: A Question of Sustainability
This planet is threatened with destruction and we who live in it with death. The heavens reek. The waters below are foul. Children die in infancy. And we and the ... Read More
Fairmount Arts Crawl This Weekend
The Fairmount Arts Crawl, a day of arts and festivities, is this Sunday in the Fairmount area of Philadelphia. Artwork from over 70 local artists will be featured in bars, ... Read More
Security and Adventure pt. 3: Travails, Fruition
Since our last, exuberant, update, our seedlings and their keepers have led increasingly precarious lives. A seedling's first weeks are fraught with peril. Too much water, too little water, to ... Read More
Not seeing what you want at your local farmer’s market? Are there veggies you’d just like to grow yourself? This month’s issue of Grid Philly features some great tips on urban ... Read More
Fresh, affordable, local produce. Delivered straight to your doorstep. All summer long. Stopping pinching yourself, this is for real!! CSA’s (Community Supported Agriculture) are programs where you can purchase a share ... Read More
Security and Adventure: Spreading Our Seed
We have spread our seed. We have installed into the good earth the first kernels of future feasting. Our closet laboratory (link to previous installment) is finally ... Read More
Useable Feast at Noble featuring ROOT
On Tuesday, March 30th, Noble American Cookery on Sansom will host a “Useable Feast” presented by Down to Earth Exhibits and Events. Down to Earth is an event planning company ... Read More
Peepoo, and the Frontiers of Wastefulness
In the last few decades, the human race has made great strides to combat its unprecedented wastefulness, recycling, reducing, reusing, etc. Nonetheless, a final frontier has persisted unchallenged: that most ... Read More
Security and Adventure Redux: Beasts and Men
While humans presently constitute one-half of the Farm's permanent residents (two people, two cats), they are soon to be outnumbered. This is not sci-fi prognostication but a mere expansion of ... Read More
“Security and Adventure”: Adventures in Agronomy Part 1
"Security and adventure might be considered opposites in some situations, but the gardener who raises plants from seeds can experience both..." (The New Seed Starter's Handbook). At the AITA Farm we've ... Read More
Cold nights, sunny days...New Hampshire has begun to shake off its winter torpor. This particular weather pattern is also the harbinger of Maple Sugar season! The expansion and contraction caused by ... Read More
Peter Menzel’s “What the World Eats”
We've spent the last hour poring over a fascinating series on Time's website by the California photojournalist Peter Menzel. In 2005 Menzel took a photographic survey of the diets of ... Read More
Recipe from The Farm: ROOT Vegetable Soup
Blizzard conditions in Philly got you down? Cooped up inside? Oddly enough, the New Hampshire snowline is receding. So instead of shoveling, we celebrated by creating this savory soup. If you've ... Read More
Whole Foods Health Plan – The Whole Answer?
As the obesity pandemic shows no sign of waning and government responses remain ineffectual, local interventions – variously simpleminded, whimsical, and inspired – are proliferating. In particular, John Mackey’s new ... Read More
Denver’s Yelp Elites Celebrate with ROOT
Denver's Yelp Elites gathered this past Saturday at Lala's Wine Bar + Pizzeria for another successful party. Over 130 elite came together and raised $400 for Project Angelheart. Project Angelheart ... Read More
SVF Farm: Saving Heritage Breeds in Newport, RI
Earlier this month the Times printed a feature on the Swiss Village Foundation, a pioneering conservation project located on a historic farm in Newport, RI. The SVF is working to ... Read More
The Making of John & Kira’s Root Chocolates
During our recent collaboration with John & Kira's - Philly local chocolatiers - we got an inside look of how the chocolate making process happens. We've already showed you the ... Read More
Cookies for Grown-Ups: ROOT Gingerbread Variations!
Last night's -4 degree windchill did not put me in the mood to "Carpe P.M." So what better opportunity to do ALL of my Christmas baking? In addition to nut ... Read More
The Compost Crusade Continues: Wilmington’s New Organic Recycling Center!
For those of you who attended the Vermicomposting Event at the Art In The Age Store in November (and those of us who are concerned citizens, interested in reducing our ... Read More
Autumn in New Hampshire: Mulled ROOT Cider
The AITA farm has been creating many adventures for Robin - who bravely moved to (wo)man the land. Farming, fixing, building and working all day will surely make one thirsty ... Read More
AITA Adventures Abroad: Discussing The Farm in Europe
Some entertaining tidbits from my recent trip across the pond...I was surprised and delighted to discover that at least the IDEA of the New American Organic "Farmer" seems to be ... Read More
Vermicomposting at Art in the Age
Vermicomposting at Art in the AgeUrban/Small space composting made easy Interested in greening your life by composting, but not sure how? Come to Art in the Age on November 18th at ... Read More
Blooming Glen Farm - CSA, Farmers’ Markets and Harvest Fests
Tom Murtha and Tricia Borneman have been farming together for seven years and have worked in all avenues of farming in CT, OR, NJ and PA. They have returned to ... Read More
ROOT Mushrooms from Lacroix Restaurant on the 10! Show
Thursday morning, executive chef Jason Cichonski of Lacroix Restaraunt stopped by the 10! show, where he served up, “Smoked Hen of the Woods, Crunchy Mustard Chips and Celery,” featuring a ... Read More
FeelGood Open Call: Meet the Winners!
Several months ago we collaborated with FeelGood, a student-powered business organization working to end world hunger. We had an open call for visual responses to FeelGood related themes (including ending ... Read More
The PA Dutch Inspired Midatlantic - Opened
Daniel Stern's long awaited opening of Midatlantic, finally arrived yesterday. The Science Center at 3711 Market Street (Ground Level) is now the home for " a focus on reinterpreting the ... Read More
PHOTO TOUR: The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association Common Ground Fair!
En route to The MOFGA Common Ground Fair... Maine is more sparse than New Hampshire (if you can believe it!). Great, vast old properties like this one... Walking with the crowds across ... Read More
Olden Days Are Here Again: Woodstove 101
Over the past two weeks, temperatures have dropped well into the 30's at night! Luckily, I have welcomed a new tenant into my home...a refurbished Vermont Castings "Vigilant" Woodstove! She's a ... Read More
In the Kitchen with ROOT: Rust ‘n’ ROOT Cupcakes
ROOT + dessert. I am in love. Our good friend at Foodaphilia, E, has crafted up a cupcake recipe using ROOT in a Red Velvet cake with the traditional cream cheese ... Read More
The maple trees are blushing red everywhere you look. Mornings and evenings are chilly and crisp. And so we celebrate the advent of autumn in New England with warm mulled ... Read More
TOMORROW: Maxim’s Taste of Philadelphia
Head out to Derek's in Manayunk tomorrow (Wednesday) night at 7pm for an impressive array of local cuisine. You'll be in good hands with executive chef Derek Davis at the ... Read More
In the Kitchen with ROOT: QBBQ and Tequila
Old City BBQing masters at QBBQ and Tequila won two first places at the 3rd Annual Rib Off last Saturday. Those two prize-winning dishes just so happened to be made ... Read More
ROOT & Maine ROOT: A Mix n’ Match Made in Heaven (aka New England)
Call me a hopeless romantic, but I've always secretly retained this idea that Prince Charming actually existed. And furthermore, that Prince Perfectly-Chiseled-Cheekbones-Who-Is-Also-An-Able-Carpenter, my island in an ocean of worldly chaos, ... Read More
A Full Plate 3rd Annual Rib Off - ROOT and Ribs
The Full Plate Rib Off this year was an absolute success! Close to 600 people lined up and piled into the street where the professionals and ameteurs were grilling, smoking ... Read More
FARMERS MARKET FINDS: Homemade Root Beer on Rittenhouse!
While browsing the farm stands that line the north side of Rittenhouse every Saturday, I stumbled upon some homemade root beer! You can't do much better than homemade Pennsylvania Dutch ... Read More
ROOT Recipe of the Week: The Govenor’s Garden
Colonial New England was known for its love of gardens. The first governor of Massachusettes Bay Colony planted a garden on Conant's Island in Boston and it was coined "The ... Read More
“Livestock” Update: Ah, The Circle of Life!
Chai caught her first mouse last week. This event was the source of great pride, as well as confusion (on both Chai and my own parts). At 10-weeks old, Chai was ... Read More
The Beginning of a Beautiful Organic Garden at The Farm
A Nursery (no pun intended) Rhyme for Tamworth, NH Robin, RobinAccustomed to bloggin'How does your garden grow?With blisters and sweatIn a rivuletAnd hours of roto-tillingAll in a row -------------------------- Reading, Riting, and 'Rithmetic ... Read More
ROOT Entertaining Tip: Sweet Organic Mixers!
This has been an AWESOME shopping week for me. (Whodathunk, all the way up here!) On Tuesday, I visited Portsmouth, New Hampshire, a historical seaside town with a KILLER health ... Read More
FARMERS MARKET FINDS: Mint Tea and Mini Shoofly Pie!
While we can't all be as fortunate as Robin, all hope is not lost. We can still enjoy farm-fresh veggies, even in the city. It's still open-air market season after ... Read More
An Evening of Perfect ROOT Pairings at ALFA
Alfa was packed to the gills last night with Philadelphians eager to be regaled with five ROOT-infused courses and five complementary ROOT cocktails. From the ROOT-cured gravad amuse bouche to ... Read More
A Week of Farm Firsts: Zucchini, Compost Heaps, and Pigs
This is a week of firsts. I think my farming cherry (tomato) has been officially popped. The squash I planted outside my kitchen door, after a long hard, fruitless and rainy ... Read More
In the Kitchen with ROOT - Seared Scallops from Chef Sean Ford
ROOT is not only meant for sipping neat or in cocktails. The complex flavor of this unique liquid can be used for culinary experimentation. Chef Sean Ford - the creator ... Read More
ROOT Recipe of the Week: Bomba Shack
Lauren Phillips of Alfa Bar and Restaurant created this delish ROOT cocktail for the competition at Silk City. The Bomba Shack wil now be part of the first course pairing at ... Read More
Is there anything better than a refreshing Root Cocktail? Probably not, but ribs are a close second! So why not enjoy both classic American creations at A Full Plate's third ... Read More
What to do with our harvest of raspberries?! Freeze em? Dry em? Put em in a pie? I thought I'd try my hand at making jam without fancy canners or machines. ... Read More
MONDAY: Fall Veggie Garden Workshop!
This Monday from 6:30 to 8pm, horticulturalist Sally McCabe will be talking city gardens--more specifically, fall-vegetable city gardens. So come out to Philadelphia Community College and learn about plant selection, ... Read More
PA Dutch Festival: Come and Gone
Beautiful weather arrived alongside the horses and buggies last Thursday for the 20th annual Pennsylvania Dutch Festival. While farm animals and bluegrass music filled the 1100 block of Arch Street, ... Read More
SATURDAY: Lancaster County Comes to Philly!!
Gone are the days when one would need to make the hour-and-a-half drive to Pennsylvania Dutch Country to pick up authentic handmade quilts, wooden toys, and shoofly pie. Well, gone ... Read More
Upcoming Event: ROOT Tasting Dinner
Come Tuesday August 25th, Art in the Age will be pairing up with ALFA Restaurant & Bar for a ROOT Tasting Dinner. Alfa's Executive Chef Sean Ford will present five ... Read More
ROOT Entertaining Tip: The Mighty Mason Jar
So we've been touting the creation of innovative, super-cerebral, mixologist-formulated cocktails. And most, if not all of these uber-savvy beverages have appropriate corresponding glassware. Well, what if you want to pare ... Read More
ROOT Cocktail Competition - Check Out What You Missed!!
A grand time was had by all in Silk City's newish Beer Garden on Tuesday evening. 14 bartenders from some of Philly's finest watering holes signed up to shake, mix ... Read More
A ROOT Cocktail Champion is Crowned!
After a grueling hours-long battle under the stars at Silk City’s outdoor garden last night, a sole ROOT Cocktail Champion finally emerged: Kate Loeb from the recently reopened Oyster House. Judges ... Read More
ROOT Cocktail of the Week: Tsunami
While this perfect summertime cocktail may not cause destruction in mere seconds, it will definitely have you feeling its effects. There are many variations of the 'tsunami’ cocktail but the ... Read More
AGRO-FABulous: Agriculture Enters The Discourse of Site-Specific Installation
WATCH OUT CHRISTO & JEANNE-CLAUDE! I'm coming down the tracks with a 4 foot long roll of white, gauzy fabric! I'm ready to wrap the immediate landscape like you've never ... Read More
ROOT Entertaining Tip: Show Off Your Green Thumb with Savory Herb Garnishes!
'Tis the season for fresh EVERYTHING, especially fresh herbs. Many savory varieties can be grown in pots or in a windowbox (living in a city is NOT an excuse!). Seasonal summer ... Read More
