This week we received our annual organic inspection. The USDA sets organic standards for U.S. farmers and ranchers. The standards are instituted from an ongoing process of consultation with citizen advisory boards, through open public meetings, and public comment. The USDA accredits individual certifying agencies that adopt the national standards. Individual farms and ranches may choose which of these agencies best meet their needs according to geographic location, type of production, and the
agency's ability to respond to each operation's unique requirements. The selected agency schedules annual inspections using the services of independent organic inspectors who are trained members of the Independent Organic Inspectors Association.
Our farm's inspection required a little over four hours and no noncompliance's were found. The inspector files their report with the certifying agency along with documentation of all inputs used on the farm. In addition to no use of any synthetic inputs many other factors are included in the inspection. Some of the conditions checked include adequate buffer zones with no spraying around the property from power company right of ways or neighboring non organic operations. Equipment is inspected to Ensure no petroleum products leak into production fields. Water used to wash vegetables and fruit must have regular lab testing for purity. These and many other standards must be met to be certified organic.
An organic systems plan we develop for the next year of operation is included with the inspectors report. In addition to the aforementioned farm input records, all of this information is forwarded to the certifying agency for review. The logo above is the emblem for our chosen agency, Pennsylvania Certified Organic. We are proud to look forward to our 20th year of continual certified organic production in 2015. We were organic when organic wasn't cool.
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CSA Distribution Bin Reminder
As a continuing reminder, we ask that all CSA participants please remember to return their distribution bins each week. Sustainability and food safety are of supreme importance to us, and these reusable bins, which are sanitized each week, are an important part of our efforts to operate in a sustainable, responsible manner. We very much appreciate your cooperation. Thanks!
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Peppers, whether sweet, bell, or hot are one of a limited number of vegetables that can be frozen without blanching. This makes peppers an extremely easy fresh item to save and keep on hand for the winter. Properly stored peppers can be used in cooked dishes like one of our favorites, stuffed peppers, and retain sufficient crispness to be used raw. Once peppers are washed, cut top portion of the vegetable, remove inner membrane and seeds, prepare them as you plan to eat them (left whole, cut into strips, diced, etc.), place on a freezer safe tray for about an hour (until frozen) and transfer to your preferred freezer storage bag. Like most frozen vegetables, properly frozen peppers can be safely enjoyed for six to eight months.
CSA Share Information
The share list for the 2014 CSA's 16th week includes:
Certified Organic:
Green Kale Red Root Beets Leeks Green Peppers Blue Hubbard Squash
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| Available at the Farm Store |
Weekly Special
This week we're featuring two gourmet, seasonal, flavored coffees from Happy Mug Coffee of Edinboro. Locally roasted by Happy Mug owner Matt Shay, they're delightful compliments to the beautiful, crisp fall mornings we've been enjoying of late. According to Shay, Apple Pie is a smooth, sweet coffee with a hint of fresh, juicy apples and Pumpkin is akin to creamy, warm pumpkin pie in your coffee mug, almost enough to make someone who doesn't like coffee change their mind. Regularly priced at $9.99, this week they're available for $6.99. Stop out to the Farm Store, located at 7269 Sterrettania Road in Fairview and pick some up!
Open Saturdays 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Local Products and Certified Organic Produce:
Seasonably-Available Certified Organic Produce
Hand-thrown Pottery from Mel El-Farouki
Happy Mug Organic Coffees
Old State Farms Maple Syrup
Clarion Rivers Organics Canned Goods and Breakfast Cereals
Frankferd Farms Pastry Mixes and Blue Corn Tortilla Chips
ReCap Regular and Wide Mouth Jar Lids
Hunter Farms Organic Blueberry and Strawberry Jam
Hunter Farms Organic Pickled Asparagus
Fresh Little Farm Girl Handmade Soaps and Sundries
Simply Body Soap Nets
Local Honey and Beeswax Candles
Grabski Farm Eggs and Antibiotic & Hormone-Free Meats
Beelzebub's Salsas and Spicy Pickles
NOW Aromatherapy Essential Oils Garden of Eden Organic Canned Goods
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