Inaugural Auction Of Heirloom Vegetables To Benefit Local Farmers And Food Programs To Be Hosted At Sotheby's Ny A Celebration Of The Art Of Farmi

Sotheby's Auction House host the inaugural Tri-State Heirloom Vegetable auction on September 23, 2010. Just in time for the harvest season, this first-of-its-kind event, titled The Art of Farming, a fund raising event that will celebrate edible heirlooms and the art involved in their creation. For more information on The Art of Farming or to purchase tickets, visit www.artoffarming.org

The event is supported by leaders and visionaries in the sustainable food and farming movement, including Eric Ripert, Ruth Reichl, Martha Stewart, Bette Midler, Dan Barber, Liz Neumark, and others.

The list below is a selection of the items to be auctioned off at the Art of Farming. All proceeds from the event will benefit the GrowNYC New Farmers Development Project, which identifies, educates and supports immigrants with agricultural experience to become local producers and establish farms in the region, and The Sylvia Center, a program that inspires and teaches children to eat well through hands-on experiences at Katchkie Farm and in school and community centers all over New York City.

Jamie Niven, Chairman of Sotheby's North America, will lead a live auction of Heirloom vegetables from more than 40 local farmers from the tri-state area, including Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell of Beekman 1802, John Gorzynski of Gorzynski Ornery Farms, Russell Glover of Consider Bardwell, Tom Culton of Culton Organics, and Richard Ball of Schoharie Valley Farms. All seeds for the produce on sale have been donated to the farmers by Landreth and Seed Savers.

The highlight of the evening will be 10 crates of mixed vegetables auctioned off for local food charities and donated to food programs in the city including the Yorkville Common Pantry and West Side Campaign Against Hunger.

The crates will include:

Sugar Baby Melon, Jumbo peanuts , Ozette potatoes , Isis Candy Cherry Tomato, Turkish Organe Eggplant , Lady Godiva Squash, Christmas Lima Beans, Joe's Round Pepper; Yugoslavian Finger Fruit Squash, Pink banana pumpkin, Yugo Red Lettuce, Purple Dark Oval Basil, Black Sea Man Tomato, Sunberry Squash

In addition, the following unique and exciting food events are available to the highest bidder:

Greyledge Farm: An exclusive opportunity for 4 people to spend the day and a night at Greyledge Farm, in scenic Roxbury, CT. Greyledge Farm specializes in all-natural, pasture-raised Black Angus beef, pork and poultry. Guests will stay in a private guesthouse on the 300-acre property and receive a personal tour of the farm with owners Terry and Libby Fitzgerald. The evening includes a delicious four-course farm dinner prepared by a local chef using Greyledge's all-natural Black Angus beef, pork, and chicken, and other locally sourced artisanal products. To continue the Greyledge experience year-round, guests will receive a selection of Greyledge's finest cuts each season, by special home delivery, for one year.

Tuthilltown Spirits: A barrel of whiskey made from Hudson Manhattan Rye Whiskey and an In-Home Whiskey Tasting for 10 people.

Beekman 1802: The winner will enjoy a weekend at Beekman 1802 Farm with the 'Beekman Boys' Josh Kilmer-Purcell and Dr. Brent Ridge, and will participate in a barn-raising and communal meal for the filming of their reality show "The Fabulous Beekman Boys" for The Discovery Channel.

Goode Green: A sunset cocktail hour of wine, antipasti and cheeses at the rooftop garden home of Lisa Goode for up to 10 people, co-owner and managing partner of Goode Green, a green roof design and installation firm in New York City. The rooftop home boasts almost 6,000 square feet of green roof gardens. The food and wine will be provided by the hostess and will be an assortment of delicacies from neighborhood food shop