iEat Green - An Interview with Michael Veracka, Chairman of the Department of Urban Horticulture & Design at Farmingdale State College - 04/10/14

My guest is Michael Veracka, an Assistant Professor and Chairman of the Department of Urban Horticulture and Design at Farmingdale State College. Along with his students, he designed in 2011, a one half acre Sustainable Gardenon the campus grounds. Now in its second year of construction, the garden’s major components will demonstrate sustainable landscape design and horticultural principles thatpromote environmental stewardship. SUNY Farmingdale used to be an agricultural school, but closed that portion of the school when farming didn’t seem like a viable career. Now, with a renewed interest in sustainable agriculture, maybe this department will continue to grow to fill the need for a sustainable agricultural program on Long Island. This Saturday, the Department of Urban Horticulture and Design, will host an all day event with speakers and presentations, called, “Waste Not Want Not.” The event is open to the public and will benefit the Sustainable Garden. This event will coincide with the Long Island’s CSA Fair (10:00 am – 2:00 pm), where community members can meet and talk with farmers who offer shares into their Community Supported Agricultural programs, and have an opportunity to sign up for the CSA program that is best suited to their needs. The CSA Fair is free, and the “Waste Not Want Not” event is $10.00. 

Crispy Sweet Potato Fries

Ingredients

3 sweet potatoes, cut into long fries

1/4 cup olive oil

3 Tablespoons cornstarch

Dredge sweet potatoes in cornstarch by placing cornstarch in a large zip-lock bag, and adding the sweet potatoes. Close bag and shake, until evenly coated.

Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and cover with the olive oil. Lay out sweet potatoes and toss in the oil. Sprinkle with salt and paprika. 

Bake in pre-heated 450* oven for 15-20 minutes, until crispy.