Try Something New

Sometimes we all need to try new things! I offered beet greens for sale at the Farmers' Market on Friday. They were a sell out - mostly to folks who knew how exquisitely delicious such things can taste. But there were a few folks who had never considered eating such things! One woman who examined the beet greens left my table with plans to thin her beet planting and enjoy her own greens. When you come to the Farmers' Market for your tried and true favorites, consider trying something new. All the farmers can provide you with cooking or preparation suggestions or even recipes!
At the Post Office on Monday, one of my customers visiting with a friend on the sidewalk stopped me and made it a point to tell me that "those beet greens were wonderful!" Her companion said she had been disappointed last week to find the greens were sold out so she'll be one of the first to get there this week!
What a joy it is to have the privilege of growing food for our neighbors and friends – thanks everyone!

A Fringe Benefit

This farming adventure has introduced us to such kind, warm and interesting folks!
Last year we met Dennis and Bridget Reynolds when we were directed to them as the source of Vermont Compost potting soil and we've enjoyed visiting with them several times since.  Every time our paths cross, I come away with a big smile on my face and yesterday was no exception.
A need for a bag of potting soil took us across the New York State border to Almond late yesterday afternoon as the storm clouds were gathering. Bridget was busy with other customers when we arrived and that gave us a chance to look around the store. The shelves of the coolers were stocked with lots of their organic produce – all kinds of salad greens, colorful kale, spring onions, Bok Choy. They also offer a selection of whole grains, specialty pasta, nut butters, maple syrup, honey. They also sell artisan breads from a local baker. But on the counter were quart boxes of organic strawberries – some of which were turned into a beautiful Father's Day strawberry shortcake here on Crandall Hill!
In addition to the potting soil, I also wanted to discuss head lettuce with Bridget. I had purchased 12 organic head lettuce plant starts from her as a growing experiment. Though I grow lovely leaf lettuce, I had never grown head lettuce. Those plants thrived both in the high tunnel and in the garden. I harvested the first of the lush and colorful heads June 8 and offered them for sale at the Farmer's Market. They sold like hotcakes and this week, the remaining heads were sold in no time. Customers from last week who came back for more had to hear that I was sold out!
I had hoped Bridget might have more plant starts but she had planted them all. However, she provided me with the information and seeds I need to start my own plants in our greenhouse. So all you folks who want more of that great head lettuce – red and green – check back with me in six weeks!
Here's a link to Dennis and Bridget's market in Almond, N.Y. – http://www.localharvest.org/quest-farm-produce-M31353

Farmers' Market Update

We participated in the Farmers' Market for the first time this year on Friday, June 8. It was nice to see folks stopping by to check out the selections of local farmers. I was particularly thrilled to hear folks say that they have been reading and enjoying this blog!
The Potter County Farmers' Market has been up and running for three weeks. Participants thus farm have included Wooleylot Farm, Sean McKeone, Fitzgerald's Family Farm, Card Creek Trading Post and Metzger Heritage Farm. While it will be a couple of weeks before the tables are loaded, everyone has something good and fresh every week.
Jim Jones of Solomons Words called me within minutes of receiving the update I sent him last week to offer his blog as a vehicle to promote the Farmers' Market and the local farmers. Thanks, Jim!
Here's what's happening on the farm this week:
Arthur took me on a tour of the upper fields Sunday evening. This is where we've planted the potatoes, some winter squash, sweet corn, soybeans and some shelling peas.

Meanwhile, back in the high tunnel, I snapped this photo of the tomatoes and their trellises.

And for the zucchini lovers here's a photo of the squash patch in the high tunnel. If all goes well, I should have a few zucchinis to sell on Friday at the Farmers' Market.

Safe For Children & Pets

I put a post on my Facebook page accompanied by this photo of a sign we have in our yard.

Wouldn't it be great if this sign could replace those little warning flags from lawn chemical companies cautioning us that poison has been sprayed in public places like Charles Cole Memorial Hospital or on your neighbor's lawn?
How do we launch a public campaign that would give folks information about the harmful effects of these chemicals so they could make educated decisions about whether they want to run the risk of poisoning themselves, their children, their neighbors just to have the promise of a green and weed-free lawn. What does this say about our society?
And while I'm on my soapbox, I will report that after a visit to a store that sells that stuff yesterday, I was dismayed to find that the smell of those chemicals clung to my clothes long after I had walked out the door. What is the effect on the people who work in that environment day after day?
I attended a meeting of the God's Country Water Dogs Monday evening. The group wanted to have a  discussion about the possibility of forming a coalition of local folks and groups with an interest in environmental matters. I went to the meeting with the idea that I could bring attention to the issue of lawn chemicals and perhaps find some support for this issue. There was good discussion at the meeting and I was impressed with the work being done by this group as they regularly monitor local streams and record their data. Discussion about a coaltion of environmentally-minded groups will continue. Another step in that direction is a picnic planned at the Genesee Environmental Center on Friday, July 13 aimed at bringing together various watershed groups in the area. I'll share more details in future posts.
Back to the high tunnel where I'm trellising and pruning my organic tomatoes today!

What's Growing?

For farmers, the weather forecast takes on great importance and, with our new high tunnel, we must be ever vigilant. A brief period of sunshine on an otherwise cloudy and chilly day can overheat even the most heat-loving plants. So far we've been able to be on top of it after a brief scare on Maple Festival Saturday when a quick trip to town for lunch was just enough time to almost overheat the tomatoes and peppers planted inside. It was a good learning experience.
Are you wondering what's growing in the high tunnel?
Here are a few photos I took this afternoon.

These are among the first tomatoes transplanted into the high tunnel in early May.

That's one of the first zucchini blossoms!

Yellow, green and purple string beans almost ready to blossom.

In the background are the first of the pepper plants - green bell and early jalapenos. At the other end of the tunnel are the rest of the peppers - orange, purple, red and green bell bell peppers and a variety of hot peppers.

These tomatoes were transplanted the third week of May, along with their companion planting of Rosie basil.

There are also many vegetables growing outside as well including this leaf lettuce enjoying the latest rain shower!

The Next Generation

Our grandchildren (ages 2 1/2 and 1 year) were here for a two-week visit and I took this picture on the morning of their last day in Pennsylvania - note the pajamas! They live in eastern Oregon in a small town in the middle of vast stretches of rolling wheat fields. We delighted in introducing them to this old farm where their mother, grandparents, great-grandparents, great-great grandparents and great-great-great grandparents have lived. The night before this picture was taken, we kept Rowan up past his bedtime in hopes of seeing fireflies. Sure enough - we spied a just a few of the glowing insects. While he's read about fireflies in a book, their habitat does not extend to eastern Oregon. When Grandpa carried the lad out into the darkness, he spied the crescent moon he had seen while on the porch and could not be dissuaded of his notion that there are two moons!

2012 Farmers' Market Opens!

The guidelines for the 2012 Potter County Farmers' Market include this Vision Statement:

• We envision a world in which people are buying and eating fresh, local food
  – Where local farmers are supported and thriving
  – Where schools, community institutions, hospitals and restaurants serve local food.
  – Where other Farmers’ Markets in our region share a mission of promoting and celebrating the
  values of eating locally.
• We believe that local foods nourish the community and support the local economy.
• We believe in sustainable practices, those that do not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

Friday marked the beginning of the Farmers' Market season in Potter County as three local farmers set up on the courthouse square in Coudersport.
Sean McKeone and his sons offered Shitake mushrooms, fresh spinach and rhubarb in addition to a selection of locally-grown fruit trees, brambles and plants. The Fitzgeralds offered a selection of jams, jellies, maple syrup and honey, eggs in addition to hand-painted sap buckets and free kittens! New the market is the Card Creek Trading Post – an endeavor being launched by Dennis and Netra Baker. Their table featured scallions, eggs, rhubarb, fresh flowers and a selection of plants including fresh herbs.
These farmers and others have put together a set of guidelines that provide some structure for the way our market will function. Participation in the Farmers' Market is open to all local farmers or others who wish to market handmade crafts, homemade baked cooks. Each participant is asked to sign an application form and comply with the guidelines.
Make it a point to visit the market often as the selection expands and changes with the season.