Anticipation

"One of the most delightful things about a garden

is the anticipation it provides." - W.E. Johns

I took this picture of our new high tunnel last week before Friday's snow event. The tunnel occupies much of the garden space between Dingman Run Road and the "little orchard." We have three orchards on the farm and this little orchard was planted in the 1950s. Arthur recalls that these trees (mostly Golden Delicious with one Macintosh and a sprinkling of Red Delicious) were part of a package deal offered by a nursery in nearby New York State. Several of our neighbors also purchased and planted similar orchards at the same time. Also visible in this picture on the hillside are the Northern Spy trees. These venerable old friends provided a bountiful supply of those tart apple favorites for several generations of Mattesons and Metzgers. I was standing in the "new orchard" to take this photo. There are 20 apple trees planted last spring and this year, we have ordered many more new trees that will be introduced to Crandall Hill this spring. It is up to Arthur to post about the apples and such but today he's out in the orchard, pruning tools in hand, as he works to tame the long-ignored apple trees.

Happy New Year

The sun is just starting to make its appearance this morning, casting a golden glow on the patches of snow still dotting the fields. Everyone is talking about our strange winter, and everyone seems to have some kind of dire predictions for the growing season ahead - too many bugs, not enough rain, too much rain, too much heat, damp and chilly. I prefer to lose myself in the colorful seed catalogs with happy dreams of what the fields and orchards at our Heritage Farm will yield in this new year.
We hosted a meeting of the Farm Market growers on Saturday. There was lively discussion as we laid plans for the Farm Market on the courthouse square in Coudersport. It was agreed to change the day of the market from Saturday morning to Friday afternoon/early evening. We will set up on special Saturdays if there are activities happening in town.
As a consumer, what are you looking for from your Farmer's Market? Now is the time to tell the farmers what you'd like to buy next summer. Send a comment and make your suggestions. Rest assured your comments will not be published without your permission.
I share with you a photo from an exhibit at the John Day Fossil Beds we visited when in Oregon last spring as another kind of food for thought.

The Bounty

It is so very satisfying to put a meal on the table that is nearly completely locally produced. Last night we enjoyed a pork roast (from a local farmer), roasted multi colored potatoes from our own fields, applesauce from our own Northern Spy apples and buttercup squash grown in our garden.
This year, we are also enjoying the wild harvest including elk (harvested from the National Forest in Oregon where our daughter lives), venison and turkey from Potter County, wild Alaskan salmon and halibut.
The Christmas tree still stands in the "red room" on the Metzger Farm but this morning, Arthur and I shared coffee and farming plans for 2012. I think it's time to get out the flip chart we bought last year to plan our long visit to Oregon! Part of the plan for 2012 is increased networking and cooperation with other local farmers. Stay tuned for details.

Double Blind Taste Test

I enjoyed a conversation with a dear friend last evening who has been enjoying her supply of a variety of organic potatoes – from Metzger Heritage Farm of course! She related with great delight a tale of a taste test conducted at a weekend gathering. Folks attending the party tasted potatoes from a well-known retailer and organic Butte potatoes from Metzger Heritage Farm and it's no surprise to me that our potatoes were preferred by every one of the tasters! The tasters included folks of all ages and even the children could tell the difference.
And if you still need some convincing that organic potatoes are far superior, how about this article titled "7 Foods So Unsafe Even Farmers Won't Eat Them" from PlanetGreen.com
4. Conventionally Grown (Not Organic) Potatoes
The Expert: Jeffrey Moyer, chair of the National Organic Standards Board.
The Reason: Herbicides and pesticides may not be sprayed directly on root vegetables (since they're underground), but they absorb the chemicals through the soil and water. Because potatoes are considered the nation's most popular vegetable, producing a healthy crop is essential to keep up with demand. In order to maintain their health, the article exposes the scary fact that "they're treated with fungicides during the growing season, then sprayed with herbicides to kill off the fibrous vines before harvesting. After they're dug up, the potatoes are treated yet again to prevent them from sprouting." But here's the scary thing, Moyer says that he's talked to potato growers "who say point-blank they would never eat the potatoes they sell. They have separate plots where they grow potatoes for themselves without all the chemicals.
"The Solution: Another no-brainer— Only buy organic potatoes.
Here's the link to the entire article if you're interested. http://planetgreen.discovery.com/food-health/foods-unsafe-doctors-eat.html

Learning About Food Safety

Did you know that improperly stored baked potatoes can harbor the bacteria that causes botulism? If you've inadvertently left a lonely baked potato in the oven after dinner, you could have provided the bacterium the perfect medium to grow and multiply to unsafe levels.
I learned about this and other food safety information by completing the Serv-Safe certification course offered by Penn State Cooperative Extension. I have been interested in learning about food safety so that, as farmers who grow vegetables and fruits, we are aware of potential contaminants.
I took the course through the efforts of the Potter County Education Council. If you're not familiar with the Ed Council, take a look at its website (www.pottercountyedcouncil.org) to learn about the many educational opportunities available in our locale.
Speaking of the Ed Council, the course instructor suggested that we also investigate GAPs (Good Agricultural Practices) training. He would offer the four-hour course through the Ed Council if ten folks showed interest.

Gray Skies and Rain - Again!

Even I have to acknowledge that summer is long gone! Having been away for most of September, I was kind of pretending that time had stood still while I was gone and I would come back to tomatoes still growing on the vine, sweet corn on the stalk and fresh basil in the garden. Alas, it was just a daydream. We're working furiously to get all the potatoes harvested. Our new (old) one-row potato picker, purchased at auction from the Amish community here in Potter County, has met with limited success and the persistent rain (where were you last summer when we needed you?) hasn't helped much.
I still have carrots (planted late in the season) and shallots in the ground and will hold off on harvesting them until a real freeze is imminent. I should have quantities available for sale.
We made a small batch of apple cider on Sunday using our Northern Spy apples combined with Yellow Delicious. It is superb! More about apples and cider in future posts.

Potatoes!

It's potato harvest time here on Crandall Hill and we're also very busy wrapping up the growing season. I could not resist posting this picture of our grandson Rowan in his garden in Heppner, Oregon. As you can see, both hands are full of potatoes!