The newly released "Fresh from the Catskills" Holiday Gift Guide 2012 offers unique ideas for giving locally grown and handcrafted products from local farmers and holiday markets. County-by-county listings share where to cut Christmas trees, sources for holiday decorating, and festive regional dining options with gift certificates for take-home enjoyment this holiday season.
A must-have guide for residents from the NYC metro area planning trips to the Catskills region and local consumers who want to support farmers by buying local, the "Fresh From the Catskills" Holiday Gift Guide 2012 is filled with gift-giving ideas for individuals and businesses. Retailer locations, phone numbers, email, and websites make locating these local outlets easier. Shopping local is a cinch at regional one-day, multi-vendor opportunities at indoor locations throughout Delaware, Greene, Schoharie, Sullivan, and Ulster Counties. You'll know just where to start, right here in the Catskills, to find everything you need for enjoying and entertaining into the New Year.
Better than the 12 days of Christmas line-up, the "Fresh from the Catskills" Holiday Gift Guide 2012 contains nearly 100 regional listings for 18 honey collectors; 12 wool and fiber makers; 10 outlets for wreath, flowers, and holiday decorations; 10 cut-your-own tree farms; 8 wine, beer and spirits makers; 6 holiday farmers' markets; 5 pottery and handmade gifts outlets; 4 farm-to-table restaurants; 3 jelly and jams varieties; 6 botanical/soap lines; 6 merry bakers and 4 holiday caterers... All in ONE easy-to-access resource - the Fresh From the Catskills Holiday Gift Guide 2012. Download your complimentary guide at BuyPureCatkills.com.
"The Catskills region founded the modern Christmas tree market when Catskills farmer Mark Carr was said to have hauled two ox sleds of evergreens into New York City in 1851 and sold them all," says Tara Collins, communications director for the Watershed Agricultural Council. "Today, visitors from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, and local folks from throughout the region, come to the Catskills for our large selection of trees and to share the outdoor farm experience with family and friends.
"Supporting local farmers and farm merchants is important year-round. But it's especially significant during the holidays. Shopping small and local has a tangible economic impact for these businesses," she says. "We can choose how we spend our gift dollars this year. Let's keep it local. Connecting with farmers, growers and merchants at retail shops and markets makes the season all the more festive, while supporting rural communities."
"Fresh from the Catskills" is a new campaign promoting specialty crops in the Catskills aimed at informing local consumers and visitors about where to find locally grown produce at farmers' markets, farmstands and pick-your-own farms in Delaware, Greene, Schoharie, Sullivan and Ulster counties. Funding for the campaign comes from a grant to the Watershed Agricultural Council from New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets through the United States Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant Program and Pride of NY. For a complimentary copy of the "Fresh from the Catskills" Holiday Gift Guide 2012, visit BuyPureCatskills.com.
About Pure Catskills
Pure Catskills buy local campaign is an economic initiative of the Watershed Agricultural Council. The Council protects both the rural, land-based economy of the watershed region and the drinking water quality of over nine million people. Working with farmers, agribusinesses, forest landowners, forest industry professionals and others, the Council seeks to enhance both business profitability and environmental stewardship. It also champions the use of conservation easements as an option to keep land within a working landscape context. The Council works through partnerships with other nonprofits organizations, government agencies and community stakeholders to achieve its purpose. For more information, visit www.buypurecatskills.com or follow Pure Catskills on Facebook or Twitter.
About the Watershed Agricultural Council
The Watershed Agricultural Council is funded by The New York City Department of Environmental Protection, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Forest Service, and other federal and foundation sources. The Council is an equal opportunity employer and provider. For more information, visit www.nycwatershed.org.
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