Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation

Michelle Knapik, Environment Program Director

Once inside the unassuming entrance of Roberta’s, if you can cast your gaze past the wood fired stove and pizza gurus, let your olfactory senses take in something beyond the sweet aroma of ricotta pancakes sopping up maple syrup, and put down your mason jar of local beer, you will see, hear and experience the backyard urban oasis – a farming oasis that is. But don’t look out, look up. There is where you will find the first of the rooftop greenhouses.

The hoop greenhouse is built on top of a shipping container that is fitted out as a radio station (more on that later). Another captures waste heat from the condenser unit for the walk-in refrigerator.

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In the spirit of the new year, when we often find ourselves thinking about our health and our eating habits, it seems only appropriate to spread the word that Slow Foods of Northern New Jersey, who was very helpful in identifying local foods vendors for the 12th Biennial Geraldine R. Dodge Poetry Festival, and the Morris County Historical Society are hosting “Local Harvest: Farms, Food and Family” on Saturday, January 17th at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum in Morristown.

Meet local farmers, buy fresh meat, poultry, eggs, bread and prepared foods from local food artisans. Learn about community supported agriculture and how you can buy a share in a local farm for an affordable price. There will be activities for kids such as butter making and learning how to plant a vegetable garden, as well as cooking demonstrations by area chefs for the whole family.

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