Notes from Your Farm: Pawpaws, Swallowtails, & Farmer John

Hello from the Farm,   

Shareholder Pick-Up Times
Thursday 3:00pm - 7:00pm
Friday 11:00am - 7:00pm
Saturday 9:00am - 1:00pm

  
Another fall crop that is making an appearance at the farm are Pawpaws. This unique fruit is native to the U.S. east coast and found in some mid-west states.  Lewis and Clark lived off of pawpaws for months while on their journey across America.  In the 1800's they were a popular dessert item sold at farmer markets during the fall season.  Now pawpaws are known as the "Lost Fruit of America" because many people do not understand they are are native and are not appreciated anymore.  Support Pawpaws by buying them locally, finding them near a creek, or grow one in your backyard!  


Here is an article about Pawpaws found on Lancaster Online: http://lancasteronline.com/features/food/pawpaws-where-to-find-this-unusual-fruit-in-lancaster-county/article_3309c0a0-84e1-11e6-9952-bbe97ce91c20.html



Homefields
Thanks to everyone that came out to support Homefields this past weekend!  Perfect weather, food, and an amazing group of people :)

Look at what some of our shareholder friends found! This was found on the farm in the PYO Field.  It is a Swallowtail caterpillar which will eventually turn into a Swallowtail butterfly!  



Fall Harvest Evening - Coming Soon! 
Friday, Oct. 21 - 4pm-7pm drop in at anytime - at Goodwill at Homefields Farm - There will be Fall activities for all ages, refreshments, and a campfire.  More details will be coming!  

Meet your Farmers

Farmer John

  

Farmer John is a huge help at the farm on Tuesdays.  He helps with hand weeding, hoeing, greenhouse seeding, transplanting, and many other tasks.  One of his favorite tasks is to fill the greenhouse trays with soil.  This is a big job in the spring time when we are starting our growing season. Outside of work John "chills" with his family and does some artwork.     

What is your favorite thing to do on the farm?
Harvest zucchini, garlic, and peppers.

If you could be any vegetable what would you be and why?
Cauliflower because we pick it and put it in a bucket.  I like to eat cauliflower but not broccoli.

What type of activities do you do outside of work?
Art.  My favorite colors to paint with are orange, yellow, and brown.  (John also paints at Friendship Heart Gallery, like Patrick.  You can look at John's artwork by clicking on this website: http://www.friendshipart.net/artists/john/ )

Abendesson Bread
Apple Strudel Sourdough - Apples are from North Star Orchard! - $5 a loaf



Harvest List
Pumpkins - Here is a website that gives 5 great examples of how you can cook a pumpkin: http://www.thekitchn.com/five-ways-to-eat-pumpkin-99617 

Potatoes - cut them in small pieces, add to boiling water until soft, smash them, add some herbs, and now you have mashed potatoes! yumm!
Lettuce - salads, sandwiches, steamed dishes, or soups
Pawpaws - cut the pawpaw in half, scoop our the soft fruit inside, do not eat the seeds or skin.
Asian Pears - this fruit is basically a mix between an apple and a pear.
Onions - great to add to cooked potatoes, salad, or any other meal
Carrots - roast them, caramelize, carrot macaroni, or carrot cake! 
Tomatoes - slice them, dice them, or just bite them.  I personally just eat them like an apple.
Peppers - eat raw, put in salads, sauteed, or stuff the peppers with hamburger and rice, delicious!
Eggplant - can be pan fried, grilled, or microwaved till tender
Garlic - bake, roast, boil, or eat it raw in salad.  Helps to prevent cancer, colds, and stabilizes cholesterol levels.


Trying to stay dry,
Your Farmers