Hunter Farms Logo
May 22nd, 2014
Farm News
 
The photo above shows the end of one year's cycle and the beginning of the new season's growth. The old and winter damaged canes we trimmed are burned to eliminate potential sources of disease while the first flush of new leaves are visible in the background. 

As we reported a few weeks back, we also use dispersed brush piles to facilitate a controlled burn in our pollinator habitat. This is an effort designed to mimic naturally-occurring, periodic fires that cull invasive species and have a rejuvenating effect on this important habitat. This week, cooperative weather conditions allowed us to enact the plan and all went well. Dominant, woody growth has been removed and within a few short weeks we anticipate the re-emergence of seedlings which had previously been crowded out. Our hope is that the rebirth of this habitat will be a boon to native pollinators and this small effort will encourage the health of these species in the local ecosystem. 

CSA News

As a continued reminder, the sign-up period for 2014 CSA Season membership is still open. Order forms can be found below and at the farm's website at hunterfarmsorganic.com/csa.html. Please don't hesitate to call us at 814 840 4370 or send us an email to [email protected] if you have questions or need assistance of any kind.



A major ongoing project every spring is starting seedlings and potting them on to ever larger containers until they are large and hardy enough to be planted in the fields. As you can see they're still quite small, little more than a short stem and a pair of cotyledons -- the first set of leaves, formed in the embryonic stage of growth -- so we're keeping a watchful eye on them. Now that they're potted they'll have more space to grow a healthy root system and soon, after they've become hardy through gradual exposure to the weather, we'll place them in the vegetable fields. The late winter has kept us behind our intended planting schedule, but before we know it, we'll have a bounty of fresh, organic vegetables.

Available at the Farm Store
 
As the seasons change, so do the delicious offerings from our local partners. This Saturday, stop by the Farm Store to pick up a pint of Beelzebub Salsa's most popular seasonal offering, their Strawberry Salsa. Sweet, hot, unique, it's a summery treat that's not to be missed.

Beelzebub's Strawberry Salsa will be available for $5.99 at the Farm Store, located at 7269 Sterrettania Road, currently open Saturdays from 9:00am to 5:00pm.
 
 
Weekly Special

This week, we're featuring handmade aprons created by Fairview local, Ann Turko. Ann's one-of-a-kind aprons and smocks are handmade with incredible attention to detail.  Both the aprons and smocks are reversible and we carry designs for men and women. Stop by the store and grab one before your Memorial Day barbecue. This week only, these unique, handcrafted items will be available at a special sale price of $39.99. 
 
Open Saturdays 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
  
 Certified Organic Produce: 
 
Hunter Farms Wild-Harvested Leeks
Hunter Farms Fresh, Organic Chives
Old State Farms Maple Syrup and Maple Products 
Clarion Rivers Organics Canned Goods and Breakfast Cereals
Frankferd Farms Pastry Mixes and Blue Corn Tortilla Chips
ReCap Regular and Wide Mouth Jar Lids
Out of the Grey Organic Teas
Hunter Farms Organic Blueberry Plants
Hunter Farms Organic Blueberry and Strawberry Jam
Fresh Little Farm Girl Handmade Soaps and Sundries
Local Honey and Beeswax Candles
Grabski Farm Eggs and Antibiotic & Hormone-Free Meats
Simply Body Soap Nets
Beelzebub's Salsas and Spicy Pickles
NOW Aromatherapy Essential Oils 
 
Link of the Week
We here at Hunter Farms appreciate any and all efforts to support local agriculture. As farmers, we could not exist without a passionate local customer base interested in the goods we produce. The farm-to-table movement, which was created in large part to support small farming operations focused on providing high-quality produce, is a good example of a movement we all can get behind, but as a recent New York Times article suggests, the movement may need to reevaluate its approach if their goal is truly to support small-scale agriculture. While farmers would love to grow only what customers would like to eat, the truth of the matter is that responsible agricultural technique demands a crop cycle aimed at replenishing the soil and not all of these crops are in high demand. Check out the link below to learn more about striking the delicate balance between what's best for the customer, the farm, and the land.
 
   
Hunter Farms Crew

Hunter Farms | | [email protected] |
7269 Sterrettania Rd, P.O. Box 478
Fairview, PA 16415




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