Last night, amid amazing food, drink, and wonderful company, we had the pleasure of welcoming Craig Kenkel, the new superintendent of Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Countryside staffers and an intimate group of our biggest supporters arrived at the Blackacre property (future site of the Countryside Center) to find the two-story barn transformed. Doug Katz (Fire Food & Drink; Katz Club Diner; Provenance) provided the four-course meal, which included specialties like Mergeuz lamb sausage
(Spicy Lamb Farm) with pan seared gnocchi, roasted radishes
(Maize Valley Farm and Breezy Hill Farm) with honey and garlic scape cream
(Greenfield Berry Farm), pea tendrils
(Basket of Life) and microgreens. Local food was the spotlight of the meal, with all components of the menu coming from less than 37 miles away, and featuring many of our Countryside Initiative farms. A map on the wall of the barn marked the locations of the farms, wineries, and other businesses that made up the meal. A full and happy crowd listened to remarks by Darwin Kelsey, executive director, and the guest of honor, Craig Kenkel, as each discussed the vital importance of preserving our rural landscape. We are thrilled to welcome Craig, a self-professed "Iowa farm boy," to Cuyahoga Valley National Park and look forward to many productive years ahead, working together to fulfill our mission to connect people, food, and land.
photo by Sara Graca
