Homegrown Happy Valley

Last year Homegrown volunteered at PASA’s Central PA Farm Tour.  Michele and I sat at Tait Farm all afternoon welcoming visitors, handing out information, answering questions, and eating Gemelli cookies from the farm store.  But this year I wanted to take the tour myself.  So with map and directions in hand, I loaded the car with drinks, snacks, husband, child, and a few members of my extended family.

Five questions for Lyn Garling of Over the Moon Farm, which is selling its boneless no-nitrate organically-raised hams for Easter:

What makes your organic hams better than the supermarket version?

Our pigs are raised outside with a diversity of things to eat including lots of organic greens. They also have a lot of room to roam around freely–unlike supermarket pigs who are fed a strict diet and confined in cages their entire lives. Our pigs never experience any stress at all. Then they are custom butchered by Leona Meat Plant, Inc., which is certified in organic animals and does the entire process with a no nitrate cure, which you cannot get in supermarkets.

It’s hard to leave a party these days without someone making reference  to their “CSA” or “farm share.” If you’re thinking about joining the trend, now is the time. The ground is thawing, leaves are sprouting, and farms are gearing up for their busy season.

So what’s it all about? CSA is short for Community Supported Agriculture. As the name implies, locals support the farm by buying “memberships” that give them a share of the weekly or bi-weekly harvest. That means signing on for the ups and downs of agriculture, whether it’s a bumper crop of butternut squash or a dearth of strawberries.

Guest blogger Carolyne Meehan–a mom, former English teacher, and supporter of all things local–finishes her diary of working on a local farm in exchange for fresh, local produce with Part Three: “When Life Happens — Literally.” If you’re just joining in now, check out Part 1 here or Part 2 here.

While my Happy Valley friends watched the Nittany Lions handily defeat the Zips on Saturday, I took an alternative approach to the afternoon.  I canned.

I finally heard the call of the mountain of Roma tomatoes growing on my countertop.  So after driving to the Millheim Farmers’ Market to buy a bit more garlic and basil (stopping at Elk Creek Café for delicious brunch) I decided to go home and test my newly learned skill (I use the word “skill” loosely).

Guest blogger Carolyne Meehan–a mom, former English teacher, and supporter of all things local–continues her diary of working on a local farm in exchange for fresh, local produce with Part Two: “You Know it’s Early When You Have to Wake The Farmer.” If you’re just joining in now, check out Part 1 here.

While I was away all week (and, yes, sticking to my goal of purchasing vegetables and meat from farmer’s markets only), Katie and Michele were hard at work at home preparing for the Food Inc. movie and panel at the State Theatre and reception at Webster’s Cafe. When the busy day arrived, they were rewarded with a sampling of local goodies that basically doubled as dinner. Check out Day 1 for a quick glance at what the panelists and guests sampled at the reception.

HOT ITEMS OF THE WEEK:

• peaches
• raspberries
• corn
• tomatoes

Greetings from British Columbia (Vancouver and Whistler to be exact), where I’m bombarded by advertisements for local produce. So far, we’ve escaped the supermarket, getting all of our fruit and veggies from two farmer’s markets. But there’s just two meat vendors (one bison, one beef) and no dairy vendors.

As I mentioned last week, it’s exciting to see what local products are available in different regions. Yet, as great as it is to be on vacation, I look forward to next week when I can purchase all of my dairy, meat, and produce from local vendors in Central Pennsylvania.

Warning: Unlike just about everything else you read in this blog, the following information will not make you hungry.

Food Inc., a new movie that investigates the food industry and may leave you feeling a tad uncomfortable about what you’re serving your families, is coming to the State Theatre August 21st, with showings until the 27th.

When it comes to souvenirs, the ones I collect from my summer travels disappear quicker than a sand castle on a busy beach. I love searching for “local produce” signs on my trips and collecting whatever is in season.  Right now I’m in Virginia on a quick family weekend enjoying local peaches, corn, and tomatoes. Later in the month, I’m traveling to the Pacific Northwest. I’m dreaming of the spectacular landscape, but just as excited to see what the farmers markets will provide for dinner.

HOT ITEMS OF THE WEEK:

• raspberries
• corn
• tomatoes