You may have seen the turkeys running around in their pen - they are now outside in the grass in the new fenced in area.  Be sure to visit them if you havent already.

This year we are growing heritage breed turkeys: broad breasted bronze and bourbon red.  These are the breeds that have been grown for many years and are similar to heirloom crops in that they were bred for hardiness, flavor and other attributes.  These breeds are threatened because modern agriculture favors only a few varieties that have been bred for maximum output (such as breast size) in a controlled environment (such as indoor confinement housing).

Our turkeys are very different from anything you would get elsewhere because they are growing in a free-ranging environment and come from genetic lines that date back 100 years or more.

The broad breasted bronze is the traditional turkey that was brought over by European settlers in the 1700s.  It is a large turkey with black to bronze feathers, and a large fanning tail.  Toms will weigh up to 25 lbs and hens 16 lbs.

The bourbon red is named after Kentucky's bluegrass region, from which it originates.  Interestingly, the initial cross breeding was done in Pennsylvania before the birds were taken out to Kentucky in the late 1800s.  A handsome bird with deep brownish red feathers and a white tail, this variety has become rare in recent times, losing favor to the more heavy breasted commercial varieties.  But with renewed interest in free-range growing, interest in the bourbon red is now increasing due to their good survivability, fitness and exceptional flavor.  The bourbon reds are smaller birds with pinkish meat - toms will weigh up to 15 lbs and hens 10 lbs.

We have approximately 50 bronzes and 10 bourbon reds.  Bronzes will go for $3.50/lb and bourbon reds for $4.50/lb.

To reserve your turkey, please email Andy at pennypackfarm@gmail.com and indicate which breed you would like and your preferred size.

Some home gardeners have already ripped out their vegetable patch, but here at Pennypack, fall is the glory season.  Your shares have already included some of the first fall greens - either arugula, or bok choi, or kale, or dandelion.  There's more to come, as well as many root crops such as garlic, sweet potatoes, and turnips.
 
This year it seemed as if summer was turned off at the switch.  From muggy and miserable, the weather turned cool and pleasant in a day.  We're not complaining.  The dry spell has also allowed us to catch up on cultivating - which is a long-winded word for weeding.  Many thanks to board member Ron Denzel, who tuned up our Allis Chalmers Model G tractor, which is our primary cultivating tool.  Now he's even threatening to repaint it!
 
We have also started seeding many beds with cover crops, and the expected rain will help to germinate the seeds. Cover crops serve multiple purposes.  These are crops that are not intended for harvest but instead will be plowed back into the soil.  They protect against erosion, compete with weeds, and build organic matter.  One cover crop, vetch, also provides a significant nitrogen boost to the crops that follow it.  That may be one reason our peppers and eggplant have been so spectacular this year.
 
On a sad note, our tomato crop is pretty much done for the year, a month ahead of schedule.  We were happy that we got as much out of it as we did, given the unexpected outbreak of late blight.  Our potatoes, which are also susceptible, seem to be ok.  The most noticeable problem is the small holes drilled by the wire worm, a soil dwelling segmented worm.  But fear not, it doesn't take up residence in the potato and the damage is only cosmetic.
 
One other farm note: we are happy to welcome two new workers to the farm crew,  Jessica Gerani and Emilie McDonald.  Jessica is a new farmer who is happy to leave many years in banking and state government; look for her in the floppy straw hat.  Emilie is our new clerk at the Local Foods Market, replacing ukelele Sam.  As it happens she plays the guitar, so perhaps the sound of music will once again drift over the farm.

Food, Live Music, Pumpkin Painting, Hayrides, Scarecrow Making, Vendors, Used Book Sale, Kids Activities & More

Start Rounding Up Those Books
This year's Harvest Festival will once again feature a Used Book Sale. Start gathering up your gently used fiction and newer non-fiction books. This is a great time to clean out those bookcases. Drop off bins will be available starting the last week of September.

Scarecrow Clothes Needed
Long sleeved shirts and pants are needed to dress this year's scarecrow crop. Bonus points go to those who find some overalls hidden deep in the recesses of your closet to donate. Items to dress up the scarecrows such as hats and old sunglasses are also needed. There will
be a bin in the Harvest House for you to place your donated clothes starting 9/18.
 

Heim, S., Stang, J., & Ireland, M. (2009, July). A garden pilot project enhances fruit and vegetable consumption among children. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 109(7), 1220-1226.
 
McAleese, J. D., & Rankin, L. L. (2007, April). Garden-based nutrition education affects fruits and vegetable consumption in sixth-grade adolescents. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 107(4), 662-665.

Native Plants: The Benefits and the Beauty
Saturday, September 19 ~ 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.

Jonathan Strickland and Kristy Gregory will teach you how to make your home landscape unique, beautiful and attractive to wildlife. Discover which plants will work best in your yard and the best places to source the plants. Learn first hand while we install a native garden in the Edible Classroom.

Registration is required by Sept. 12
Fee: $10.00/person

Farmer Andy Hour - 100 Mile Diet
Thursday, September 24 ~ 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Have you ever thought about eating food that was grown/raised within 100 miles of your home? Can it be done?  Farmer Andy did it and he will outline the challenges and the successes that he faced.

Registration is required by Sept. 22
Fee: $10.00/person

October topic - Soil

Bring Your Group to the Farm

Fresh eggs from the hens you know!

Apple Tree chevre, garlic herb
Apple Tree chevre, plain
Hope Springs Sharp Cheddar
Misty Creek Hard goat cheddar: reg and smoked
Noble Cave aged cheddar
Herbal Jack
Toy Cow Black Cherry Yogurt
Toy Cow Blueberry Yogurt
Toy Cow Smoothies

7 Stars: lowfat maple yogurt
7 Stars: plain yogurt
7 Stars: lowfat plain yogurt

Butter
Organic Milk

Goat Feta

Fresh Mozzarella

Broilers

Liver/heart packs

Neck packs

Bison, ground
Bison, bugers

Chicken, basil and tomato sausage
Chicken, broccoli rabe sausage
Chicken, mozzarella and basil sausage
Chicken, white wine and garlic sausage
Chicken, spinach and feta sausage
Ground Turkey

Various seasonal fruit IPM
Cremini Mushrooms
Portabello Mushrooms

Organic Spelt
Rosemary Olive Oil
Whole Wheat Baguette
Whole Wheat Sandwich
Granola 12 oz
Granola bars

Honey: raw

Maple  Syrup

Garlic Hummus
Jalapeno Hummus

Kauffman's Cider; 1/2 gallon

Vrapple