Local Food, Culinary & Agritourism on the Plate at this Year's Ag Brunch

Hudson, NY, – You're invited to learn about some very exciting initiatives in Columbia County presented by the Columbia County Bounty program. This year's Agricultural Business Brunch slated for March 12 will feature a panel of speakers focusing on “Culinary & Agritourism”.

The Chamber's Ag. Brunch is now the premier who's who event among the farm and restaurant community. Last year the sold out event launched the Columbia County Bounty (CCB) program, which has been hugely successful in its first year.

Grab a seat and learn what the Bounty is cooking up for 2008 and beyond. CCB is pleased to be launching a new website that will allow farmers, chefs and the general public to search for products, locations and much more! The Columbia County Bounty committee will be on hand to explain the exciting benefits of being a CCB member and what's coming up next for the initiative. The brunch will also feature an almost 100% local food menu along with fabulous tabletop displays of local farms, chefs and producers.

The program is pleased to welcome keynote speaker Mary Kay Vrba, Director of Dutchess County Tourism. She will concentrate on the importance of the culinary & agritourism topic. Dutchess County Tourism has been extremely successful in linking culinary & agritoursim in recent years. Vrba served as assistant director of tourism from 1994 to her present position, helping the DCT director with all aspects of the agency. Previously, she was the director of tourism for the Hudson River Valley Association, and a partner in Crossroads International Management. Prior to these responsibilities, Vrba was Dutchess County 's commissioner of parks, recreation, and conservation.  The Dutchess County Tourism Promotion Agency (DCTPA) was established in 1984. The officially designated destination marketing organization for Dutchess County , it brings tourism dollars to area businesses by marketing and promoting the assets of Dutchess County to the nation and the world.

Linda Fix of Fix Brothers Fruit Farm will speak about their successful marketing of a pick-your-own operation. The Fix Farm was established in 1899 when John Henry Fix immigrated from Germany and settled with his family in the Hudson Valley in Upstate New York.  He gradually added acres enlarging his orchards over the years. His son William Henry continued farming and in 1953 his sons William and Robert started the third generation and named the farm Fix Bros. At that time, the orchards were sweet and sour cherries and apples.  They added more varieties of apples, pears and peaches. When Bill retired, Bob's sons Bobby, Gary & David became partners with their Dad to become the fourth generation on the farm.  They purchased an adjoining farm and planted additional orchards.  A "Pick your Own" operation was started opening up cherries, peaches and apples orchards to the public. Their mailing list has grown and the Fix Bros web site has brought a tremendous response from people desiring tree ripened fruit.

The Agricultural Brunch will be held on Wednesday, March 12 from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm. The event will be held at Space 360 located at 360 Warren Street in Hudson and the cost is $15. Please contact the Chamber at (518) 828-4417 for reservations by March 7.

First Niagara Bank, Kinderhook Bank and Taconic Farms, Inc. are Major Sponsors. Midhudsonmedia and The Register-Star/Chatham Courier are Media Sponsors. Columbia Land Conservancy, First Pioneer Farm Credit and Hawthorne Valley Association are Supporting Sponsors.

The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce, with its 850 members, is the leading voice of business in Columbia County, providing advocacy, promotional and benefit solutions for its members. Those seeking more information concerning the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce and membership can contact the Chamber at (518) 828-4417 or visit the website at www.columbiachamber-ny.com.