St Louis County Library

The St. Louis County Library Foundation is pleased to present Liz Fathman and Maddie Earnest, authors of "Missouri Harvest: A Guide to Growers and Producers in the Show Me State" on Monday, April 16, 7:00 p.m. at Library Headquarters, 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd.

The program is free and open to the public. Books will be available for purchase at the event from Reedy Press.

Did you know that Missouri has the second largest number of farms in the United States? Mis­souri farmers grow and raise an amazing variety of foods: vegetables, grains, fruits, meats, dairy products, and more. "Missouri Harvest" takes you on a tour of all the Show Me State has to offer for those interested in eating and shopping locally, whether you are a committed locavore or just developing an interest.

Maddie Earnest and Liz Fathman introduce you to the farmers who raise the food, to the purveyors who bring it to you, the chefs who prepare it, and some of the people who are active in making it all happen through the support of local businesses. Throughout the book, they also provide ideas and suggestions for preparing the great bounty of our state, right down to the recipes provided by some of the folks featured in the book.

Farmer's markets, grocery stores, country stores, restaurants--let "Missouri Harvest" be your guide to local farming and local eating. You will learn that small farmers are an enterprising and optimistic lot who like to say "Hope springs eternal!"

Maddie Earnest is the co-founder and co-owner of Local Harvest Grocery and Café whose interest in local foods stems back to the family garden of her youth and environmental courses in college. The store and the café sell and use as much locally grown and produced food as possible, striving for at least 50% to be locally sourced, and the businesses buy from farmers who use sustainable growing methods.

Liz Fathman is a food enthusiast with an interest in local food systems and all they imply. From the sustain­ability of growing and buying locally raised food, to the difference in the flavor and quality, to the act of sup­porting the local economy, Liz's interest in the Farm to Table movement has, like that of many others, developed along the way. When she's not cooking and eating locally raised food, Liz is the Publications Manager at the Mis­souri Botanical Garden.

Program sites are accessible. Upon two weeks notice, accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities. Contact St. Louis County Library by phone 314-994-3300 or visit www.slcl.org.

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