iEat Green - Guest Mary Jo Dudley Director, Cornell Farmworkers Program - 05.11.17

Mary Jo Dudley is the Director of the Cornell Farmworker Program (a program within the Community and Regional Development Institute at Cornell’s’ College of Agriculture and Life Science). The Cornell Farmworker Program is dedicated to improving the living and working conditions of farmworkers and their families. They also seek recognition for farmworker’s contributions to society and their acceptance and full participation in local communities. The Cornell Farmworker Program envisions a state and nation in which farmworkers receive equal protection under law, earn a living wage, live in comfortable housing, are safe and healthy, receive due respect as workers and as individuals, and participate fully in their communities.She is also a faculty member of the Department of Development Sociology. She has extensive research interests in immigrant workers, farmworkers, US-Latin American relations, migration from Latin America to the US, and immigrant communities in the US. She is currently involved in capacity building within the farmworker community in New York State. She is also engaged in research on farmworker contributions, farmworker perceptions about life in their new communities, farmworker empowerment, and gender and participation. Current research with farmworkers and farmers examines how to improve workplace relations. Mary Jo was selected for the 2012 White House Champions of Change Cesar Chavez Legacy award. In 2015 she was awarded the George D. Levy Engaged Teaching and Research Award at Cornell University.

 

Burdock with Asian Vegetables and Tempeh

3-4 pieces burdock root (3 cups. Gobo) julienned

2 carrots, small julienne strips

1 t. chopped garlic

1 Tbs.chopped ginger

1 Tbs. chopped turmeric

2 Tbs oil

2 Tbs mirin

2 Tbs Tamari

2 blocks of Tempeh, cut into cubes

1 Tbs. Olive oil

1 Tbs. chopped ginger

1 Onion, cut into slivers and then halved

2 cups broccoli florets, cut into bite size pieces

½ napa cabbage, cut into shreds

2 cups sliced, baby Portobello mushrooms

2 baby Bok Choy, chopped

1 Tbs. chopped Garlic

2 Tbs. chopped ginger

2 Tbs. Turmeric

3 Tbs. mirin

3 Tbs. tamari

1 Tbs. dark sesame oil

Cover the bottom of a cast iron skillet with olive oil. When oil is hot, add the burdock and sauté for 10 minutes. On low heat. Stir to keep from burning, and add water if necessary. Cover and cook another 10 minutes, adding water or oil to keep from sticking. Add the carrots, ginger, turmeric, and garlic, and cook for another 10 minutes. Add the mirin and tamari and let it caramelize. Cook for a few minutes more, and set aside. Tempeh- In med. size bowl, toss tempeh with olive oil, garlic and ginger. Lay out on a cookie sheet, lined with parchment paper. Bake at 400* until golden brown. Splash with Tamari and toss. Stir Fry Veggies- Saute the onion in a hot wok with olive oil. For 5 minutes. Add the broccoli and cook for 3 minutes. Add the garlic, ginger and turmeric. Add the mushrooms, and a little more oil. When soft, add the napa cabbage and bok choy, the mirin and the tamari., and cook down for 5 minutes until soft and flavors have come together. Add dark sesame oil, burdock root, and tempeh. Serve with Brown and Black Rice.