lsanderson | (no subject)

The sun is shining and it looks nice out.

Food Wednesday, it's spring, and the Times does lamb and farmer's markets:

Women Find Their Place in the Field

By JULIA MOSKIN

CHERYL ROGOWSKI planted her seeds of change in the black soil of Orange County, N.Y., in 1994. Her parents, first-generation Polish-Americans, built the W. Rogowski Farm, starting in the 1950's. Like most farmers in the area, they dedicated their land to the wholesale onion business. "We sold 500 tons of onions every year," Ms. Rogowski said, "and never met any of the people who bought them."

Fresh and Ripe for the Shopping

"THE stalls at local farmers' markets are filling out like cornfields in July. Each week there are more choices, even more farmers. As you plow through the crowds and rustle through the greens, you might want a little help focusing. Here it is. These purveyors at local farmers' markets are among the best. Most bring crops to market month after month. But each has a specialty worth trying at the peak of its season. For each, the tale of what brought them to market is slightly different. Exact market locations and times are at www.cenyc.org, www.nyfarmersmarket.com and www.communitymarkets.biz."

Give 'em a Chance, Steers Will Eat Grass

By KIM SEVERSON

Ghent, N.Y.

"FROM his roomy shed three hours north of New York City, a chocolate-brown calf can see acres of Hawthorne Valley Farm's prime grassland. "

A Labor of Spring

By MARK BITTMAN

"I WAS very surprised to find a package of baby artichokes in a rural Massachusetts supermarket last week: it wasn't more than a couple of years ago that these were sold only in specialty stores. Even then, it was far more common to come across them in California, where they are a sure sign of spring, than in New York. Who says there's no progress?"

Recipe: Sautéed Baby Artichokes With Lamb