A Guide To Local Farm Products In Chester County - London Grove
A GUIDE TOLOCALFARMPRODUCTSin Chester CountyPRODUCED BY THEChester County Agricultural Development Council
2016 Messagefrom theChester CountyChester CountyBoard of CommissionersTerence FarrellKathi CozzoneMichelle KichlineAgricultural Development CouncilEvery year the Chester County Board of Commissioners and the AgriculturalDevelopment Council (Ag Council) bring you this resource to help you find local farmproducts and assist you in discovering what agriculture in our county is all about.We are proud to support local producers and hope residents gain additionalunderstanding of where their food comes from and how it is produced.Chester CountyAgricultural Development CouncilChristopher Alonzo, ChairKarl Herr, Vice ChairDuncan AllisonWilliam CracasJodi GaukerDavid LongeneckerMarcia SoldaWilliam Wells, Jr.Larry WelschIn addition, the Ag Council wants to introduce you to Lewis Wilkinson and theTeam at Seven Stars Farm, the 2015 co-Farmer of the Year award recipients, as wellas others working in the industry that are charting new territory and/or are takingtheir operations to the next level.We are also pleased to acquaint you with some students in our area who haveembarked on a journey of personal development, friendship and agricultural pursuits.Finally, you will meet our partners who support this publication and learn howthey are involved with agriculture via their own missions and outreach efforts.For more information on the Ag Council please visit our website atwww.chesco.org/agdev or find us on Facebook and Instagram.Agricultural Development staffHillary Krummrich, DirectorAnn LaneDesigned by the Chester CountyPlanning CommissionAnnual farm tour at the Farm at Doe Run andDeer Creek Malthouse with the Chester CountyBoard of Commissioners’: Chair, Terence Farrell,Kathi Cozzone and Michelle KichlineChester County Agricultural Development Council601 Westtown Road, Suite 270, West Chester, PA 19380, 610-344-6285www.CHESCO.ORG/AGDEV2A GUIDE TO LOCAL FARM PRODUCTS IN CHESTER COUNTYwww.CHESCO.ORG/AGDEV
Contents16FeaturesWhere to buyPartner profiles4 2015 Farmers of the Year:16Map of locations in Chester County28 Mushroom Farmers of Pennsylvania Lewis Wilkinson Team at Seven Stars Farm18Farmers’ markets29 Chester-Delaware County6 Passion for beer, heads for business19Farm outlets8 Two Gander Farm: the journey to20Retail outlets21 CSA—Community Supportedorganic certification10 Growing more than farmers: theNational FFA Organization12 Backyard farming clubs for theaspiring farmer in all of us22AgricultureSpecialty productsFarm Bureau30 Chester County EconomicDevelopment Council’s AgConnect31 Central & Western Chester CountyIndustrial Development Authority31 Chester County Planning Commission Meat & eggs Milk, ice cream & yogurt Cheese Honey Christmas tree farms Mushrooms WineriesFarm productcalendar26www.CHESCO.ORG/AGDEVA GUIDE TO LOCAL FARM PRODUCTS IN CHESTER COUNTY3
2015Farmers of theYearThe co-winners of this year’s Farmer of the Year awardillustrate the wonderful diversity in our agriculturalindustry within the county, and both operations bringso much to our community.Without Wilkinson and other local crop farmers,these industries would have to acquire the necessarymaterials from a greater distance, significantlyimpacting their input costs. In addition, Andy Joneswho works with HMR Mushrooms, will tell you that“Not only is it less expensive for us to source haylocally from Lew, the local product is better, theygrow it specifically for us and Lew’s is the best qualitywithout a doubt.”“We’ve been doing no-till for thirty-plusyears, with the intention of saving thesoil and for the water quality.”Lewis WilkinsonLewis Wilkinson is an essential part of the supplychain for other agricultural producers and a necessaryplayer in local land preservation, but you will not findhim selling at your farmers’ market.Wilkinson is a crop farmer, who in addition tofarming his own land and additional rented ground,custom farms for other landowners, (he contracts toplant and harvest other’s land). All told, he farms overa thousand acres. Wilkinson primarily grows hay andother crops for the county’s two largest agriculturalindustries: mushroom and dairy.4A GUIDE TO LOCAL FARM PRODUCTS IN CHESTER COUNTYWilkinson also helps keep preserved farmland inagricultural production. He notes, “Quite a few ofthe landowners I contract with hold agriculturaleasements, but many of them would have difficultyfarming the land themselves.” This may be due to avariety of reasons: age, interest, lack of equipmentor farming experience, or because the land may beheld by an entity, such as a land trust rather than anindividual.Wilkinson is committed to conservation practices andsoil management. He says, “We’ve been doing no-tillfor thirty-plus years, with the intention of saving thesoil and for the water quality in the Chesapeake Bayand Delaware River Basin.”Because of the scale of theacreage and the importanceof land preservation inthe county, Wilkinson hasthe confidence to invest inexpensive equipment (onecombine may be upward of 200,000) as well as GPSprecision technology thathelp with soil conservationand reduce his input cost (seed, fertilizer, etc.).Wilkinson’s investment in new equipment underlieshis belief that he is running a sustainable businessmodel, and his excitement of working with his son,George, alongside him tells us the future looks bright.www.CHESCO.ORG/AGDEV
Seven Stars FarmThe team at Seven Stars Farm in Kimberton makesdelicious, organic, European-style yogurt from theirsustainable herd of Jersey, Jersey-cross cows. Inaddition, they work with other local certified organicdairies in the region to meet the increasing milkdemand for yogurt production.The team, led by Mark and Cindy Dunphy, alongwith their business partners David and Edie Griffiths,run a biodynamic farm operation which means theylook at the farm as a living organism. With the goal ofcreating a self-sustaining, ecologically balanced farm,they look at the relationship of soil, plants, and theiranimals as an interconnected one.Running a 350-acre dairy operation in a somewhatsuburban community may sound impossible to some.Dunphy says, “I know a lot of people think that youcan only generate revenue through development [ofthe land], but I can tell you that if you add value toyour dairy products, you can actually make a livingand keep the farm sustainable.”The popularity of Seven Stars’ yogurt is undeniable.Terry Brett, owner of Kimberton Whole Foods, notes,“Sales of their yogurt have grown substantially overthe years with extensive distribution on the East coastand throughout the Midwest. In the Natural /Organicchannel, Seven Stars Plain and Low Fat Plain rankfirst and third in total sales in the past year in theMid-Atlantic region.” Seven Stars yogurt can also bepurchased on the farm.www.CHESCO.ORG/AGDEV“At first, you think you’re just farming,but you’re really not. You’re touchingthe lives of many, many people.”Another factor that ties Seven Stars to the communityis its relationship with the Kimberton WaldorfSchool across the road. In addition to sending theirfour sons there, Cindy Dunphy reminisces about themany young students who have visited and workedon the farm. “The look of excitement on their faceswhen they know they are going to get to milk cowswith Farmer Mark is priceless. It is almost a badge ofpride because they know the grades before them havehad the opportunity and now it’s their turn.” MarkDunphy adds, “At first, you think you’re just farming,but you’re really not. You’re touching the lives ofmany, many people.” And that certainly is somethingto be proud of.For more information about Seven Stars Farm, pleasevisit www.sevenstarsfarm.com.Each year the Chester County Board ofCommissioners and the Ag Council select aFarmer of the Year. The selection process isdifficult year-to-year because of the great poolof nominees. We would like to thank all of thewonderful farmers here in the county for theircommitment to stewardship and sustainability,and implementing opportunities for continuedsuccess.A GUIDE TO LOCAL FARM PRODUCTS IN CHESTER COUNTY5
Passion for Beer,HeadsforBusinessTransforming a 150-year-old livestock barn intothe headquarters of one of Chester County’s mostintriguing new businesses was only one of the manychallenges faced by the enterprising trio of MarkBrault, Josh Oliver, and Scott Welsh when theystarted Deer Creek Malthouse in 2012. Malthousesare where malt producers, also known as “maltsters,”process grain into one of the key ingredients found inbeer and spirits.The Deer Creek team all share a passion for beer,but they are just as passionate about the scienceand business aspects of the industry. Mark Brault,President at Deer Creek, comes from a biology andsupply chain management background, and he metcofounder Josh Oliver, a former chemist, in the MBAprogram at Villanova University. They later joinedforces with Scott Welsh, who has a background inagricultural science and a shared interest in themalting industry, through social networking.Welsh also has ties to Chester County’s agriculturalcommunity through his extended family’s WynnorrFarm in Westtown Township, which has proven tobe an ideal location for their operation. “The farmsetting was consistent with our view of malting asan extension of agriculture, and the Strattons (theowners), were looking to support a new generationof agricultural enterprise on the farm,” says Welsh.“This location also provides convenient access to theregion’s vibrant craft brewing industry,” adds Brault.Since they were opening the first malthouse inPennsylvania since Prohibition, the team had a lotto learn about everything from grain selection tofabricating their own equipment, but that has notslowed their entrepreneurial spirit. As a result, theteam has been working with Penn State Extension,through grain crops specialist Dr. Greg Roth, togrow the best possible grain for our climate and soilconditions.“It’s been a learning experience for everybody,”says Dr. Roth. “It takes more commitment andmanagement on the farmer side to produce highquality malting barley and maltsters need to learn howto adapt to the variations in the locally grown grain.”The Deer Creek team also fabricates or customizesmost of the specialized machinery they use. Buyinghard to find, specialized small-scale equipment wouldlikely have cost thousands when they started theirbusiness. For example, their kiln is made from aformer maritime shipping container that may havetraveled the world before finding a new purpose inWesttown Township. “Nothing here goes to waste,”says Brault.6A GUIDE TO LOCAL FARM PRODUCTS IN CHESTER COUNTYwww.CHESCO.ORG/AGDEV
Unlike large-scale malthouses that produceanywhere from 1.5-2.5 million tons of malt a yearfor large commercial brewers, the Deer Creek teamis interested in a different market. Last year theyproduced approximately 55 tons of malt in smallbatches to offer a wide range of distinct flavor andaroma characteristics for craft brewers interested inexperimenting with different beer styles.“We produce traditional-style malts as well as manyunique products,” says Brault. “Part of our work iscollaborating with our brewer customers becausemany of them are not initially aware of all the flavorpossibilities we can provide.”The team tests every batch of malt in their in-houselab to ensure quality and also provide customers withmalt analysis sheets that include flavor and aromaprofiles so they know exactly what they are getting.Their most popular product, PA Dutch Malt, isdescribed as having “notes of burnt straw, caramelizednuts and toasted bread.”They currently sell malt to over 60 breweries,including local favorites like Victory BrewingCompany and Tröegs Brewing Company, and theyare also working with craft distilleries and bakersinterested in producing spirits and bread from locallygrown ingredients.In time, the Deer Creek team plans to invest in someautomation to increase their efficiency. They arecurrently limited by the amount of manpower it takesto process the malt by hand. Their eventual goal isto develop a retail environment so the public can seefirst-hand how artisanal malt is produced. “We wantto share the story behind our malt and invite thecommunity to grow with us,” says Brault.With the popularity of the craft brewing industry,and solid consumer and producer demand for locallygrown ingredients, the team at Deer Creek Malthouseis well positioned to play an important role in thepromising future of Pennsylvania’s beer makingtradition for many years to come.For more information about Deer Creek Malthouse,please visit www.deercreekmalt.com.“It takes more commitment andmanagement on the farmer side toproduce high quality malting barleyand maltsters need to learn how toadapt to the variations in the locallygrown grain.”www.CHESCO.ORG/AGDEVA GUIDE TO LOCAL FARM PRODUCTS IN CHESTER COUNTY7
Two GanderFarm: The Journey toOrganic CertificationConsumer interest in certified organic products ison the rise and farmers are taking note, according torecent data from the USDA’s Organic Survey. Despitethese national trends, there are only a few certifiedorganic farms in Chester County, and even fewerselling directly to the public. Two Gander Farm, afamily farm operated by Trey and Deirdre Flemming,is one of them. Organic certification appealed tothem from both a business perspective, as well as aphilosophical one, since they were already farmingusing many of the same environmentally consciousgrowing practices required for certification.Although some shoppers report confusion over thevast spectrum of food labeling practices, the definitionof certified organic products is clear: “Organic is alabeling term for food or other agricultural productsthat have been produced using cultural, biological,and mechanical practices that support the cyclingof on-farm resources, promote ecological balance,and conserve biodiversity in accordance with theUSDA organic regulations. This means that organicoperations must maintain or enhance soil and waterquality, while also conserving wetlands, woodlands,and wildlife,” according the USDA’s National OrganicProgram, which oversees the certification.Deirdre Flemming was kind enough to talk aboutthe challenges and benefits they found while recentlyundergoing the certification process and why it madesense for their farm business.Tell me about Two Gander Farm.My husband Trey and I have been farming togetherfor seven years. We started in Berks County butmoved to Downingtown in 2013. We farm 10 acres ofleased land, which is part of a larger parcel preservedby the Brandywine Conservancy. We grow over 100varieties of certified organic vegetables, flowers and8A GUIDE TO LOCAL FARM PRODUCTS IN CHESTER COUNTYherbs, and have an apiary on site. We benefit from theproperty’s existing habitat diversity. It has made a bigdifference for us in terms of the beneficial insect andbird species that help us grow organically.Have you always been a certified organicfarm?No, and we absolutely respect growers who use otherterms to describe their growing practices. Prior tocertification, we advertised ourselves as practicing“ecologically sound agriculture.” It worked for us, butit could be confusing for some of our customers.Why did you decide to pursue certification?Organic certification has helped us resolve theambiguity about our growing practices and it sets usapart from other growers. We also found that demandfor organic products is very different in the farmers’markets we sell at. The customers at the Bryn MawrFarmers’ Market, which is our strongest market,are very interested in it. Certification can be costprohibitive for some farmers if their customers don’thave a strong preference.What is involved in the certification process?Everyone thinks organic certification is purely aboutthe product or the quality of product, but what it isreally about is certifying the growing process.To start, we had to choose an approved certifyingagency to verify that we follow all of the USDA’sguidelines. Our agent, Pennsylvania Certified Organic(PCO), required paperwork showing our property’shistory, including what was grown there, and thefarming practices used. Since the prior farmer hadbeen using an unapproved fertilizer, we were requiredto undergo a three-year waiting period before we couldcontinue.www.CHESCO.ORG/AGDEV
After the waiting period, we submitted our OrganicSystems Plan documentation, which looks at our soiland farm management practices. It covers all aspectsof our farm including seed purchasing, inputs we uselike approved fertilizers and sprays, and soil testingresults. It even includes how we market our products,the packaging, and the truck we transport them in.The application process is time consuming but itrequires thorough records that good farmers shouldbe keeping anyway. PCO recently introduced anonline submission process which has greatly simplifiedthings. We have to submit paperwork and undergoinspection annually but it gets a little easier everytime.In terms of cost, we pay approximately 1,100 a yearto PCO which covers our annual certification fee,sales assessment, and the hourly rate charged for theannual inspection. The certification cost varies byfarm since it is dependent on the type of operationbeing certified, what the gross sales are, and how longinspection takes.What impact has gaining the certification hadon your farm business?In one year, we saw a 20 perecent increase in grosssales, so the certification has certainly paid for itself.We have had to raise our prices slowly since becomingcertified to cover the extra costs associated withcertification like the need for more labor intensivegrowing practices, but our customers didn’t abandonus. We try to engage them by explaining why thechanges we have made necessitate the higher price.Was there anyone who helped you throughthe process?The Pennsylvania Association for SustainableAgriculture (PASA) was a huge help. Their workshopsand classes let us know what growing practices werepossible. We also talked with a farmer friend who hadpreviously run a certified organic farm who assisted uswww.CHESCO.ORG/AGDEVwith the paperwork. I can also call PCO any time forhelp; we have learned so much from them.What are your future plans for Two GanderFarm?We’d like to get into berry production since ourcustomers have been asking us for it, and ourother goal is to grow our CSA from 50 to 250people by 2018 by reaching out to our neighboringcommunities. We’ve found that many of our localcustomers share our goals of protecting our watershed,keeping Chester County’s prime farmland inproduction and helping to preserve open space, so it’sa win-win for everyone.For more information about Two Gander Farm,please visit www.twoganderfarm.com.A GUIDE TO LOCAL FARM PRODUCTS IN CHESTER COUNTY9
Growingmore thanFarmers:The National FFA OrganizationThe answer to the question, “Are leaders born ormade?” is probably “Both”, provided they haveopportunities to reach their potential. One groupthat takes that charge seriously is the National FFAOrganization (FFA) whose mission is to make apositive difference in students’ lives by developingtheir potential for leadership, personal growth andcareer success through agricultural education.Formerly known only as Future Farmers of America,the name of the organization was updated in 1988 toreflect the growing diversity and new opportunities inthe agricultural industry. FFA is not just for studentswho want to be farmers; it is for those who aspire tobe teachers, doctors, scientists, business owners andmore.The proof of the program’s success can be found inour local Octorara High School chapter, the mostactive chapter in the county. Comprised of twoprograms, Production Agriculture taught by JennaMoser, and Agricultural Mechanics taught by CharlieGraydus, the approximately 35 students learn lifeskills as well as agriculture-related curriculum.Chapter President and high school senior, GlennB. jokes about bringing home club participationpaperwork three years earlier, “My dad and uncle,who both belonged to FFA, checked off the boxwithout even talking to me about it because theyunderstood it’s value and what it would offer me.”10A GUIDE TO LOCAL FARM PRODUCTS IN CHESTER COUNTYGlenn, whose family used to own a sheep farm says,“Being a part of FFA shows you what you’re capableof. I have found family here and I’m proud of beingon the officer team.”First-year member and junior, Mekenzie P. who wantsto become a vet tech shared that she got involvedbased on the advice of her guidance counselor. Whenasked if she is glad that she did, she said, “Yes! It hasbeen a great way to meet new people,” as well as learnabout her area of interest. In addition, she says herparents, who are not involved with agriculture, haveseen the benefits for her, “They love it for me. It hasgiven me an opportunity to come more out of myshell.”Gaining self-confidence seems to be an overarchingadvantage for most of the students we spoke with.Junior Mike J. says, “FFA has helped me withpublic speaking. I can do it now without too muchhesitation.” Interested in agronomy, he also tellsof how he was able to participate in a field trial,having worked with another student to plant aboutten varieties of corn on 15 acres, and then conductsoil and yield tests. “We were then able to bring ourresearch back into our program which benefited ourclassmates. It was pretty cool.”In addition, his inherent tendency to look out forothers makes him the natural choice for the office ofchapter Sentinel, whose responsibility it is to welcomewww.CHESCO.ORG/AGDEV
“We really are a family. And it’s greatto have that, we’re here to help andsupport each other.”skill, 4-wheel, parts identification, safety check and thetractor safety test. Glenn placed second, teasing, “Thissemi-city kid [Mike P.] beat me only because he didslightly better on the written test.”and watch over members. For example, he welcomedMike P. when he came to Octorara three-and-a-halfyears ago and the two have become good friends.Mike P. now a three-year chapter member and juniorsays that, “Participating in FFA has definitely been anopportunity for me to find my voice.” Interested inlaw enforcement he notes, “I like to joke around, butI have serious ideas and through FFA I have a placeto offer suggestions and to implement those ideas.”He also acknowledges that the skills he has developedhave already helped him, “This past summer I wasinterviewing for a job and another kid that was alsothere was so nervous, he was shaking. I knew I couldlook the interviewer in the eye and do my best. And Igot the job.”The students takepride in their variouspersonal achievements.Sophomore Sara W.mentions that she hasbeen working withMs. Moser to helpbring new aqua cultureopportunities here toOctorara, getting togo along to CheyneyMs. Jenna MoserUniversity to explorepossibilities. She notes, “It’s really fun and cool to beallowed that kind of opportunity.” And although Sarahas not grown up on a farm, she has recently starteda flock of backyard chickens and loves it. In addition,her role as Chaplain also allows her a chance to servethe chapter through her personal beliefs.But all joking aside, they are just as happy for eachother as they are proud of themselves. Mekenzienotes that the team-work between the two programsis remarkable; the two disciplines fully participate asone chapter. And Sara agrees stating, “We really are afamily. And it’s great to have that, we’re here to helpand support each other.”Teachers Graydus andMoser acknowledge howrewarding it is to seethe personal growth intheir students. Referredto affectionately only as‘Graydus’, he admits topushing students a littlebit to help them realizetheir potential. “Oncein a while a kid thinksMr. Charlie GraydusI’m picking on him,but after some time they realize that it’s because I seesomething in him, he or she is a born leader who justneeds the nudging to see it for himself. And it’s ourjob to help them do that.”The Octorara chapter is also performing well atFFA competitions. Mike J. came in third out of60 agronomy participants at regionals and Mike P.won first place in the tractor driving competition,excelling in all of the components: 2-wheel tractorwww.CHESCO.ORG/AGDEVA GUIDE TO LOCAL FARM PRODUCTS IN CHESTER COUNTY11
Backyard Farming Clubsfor theAspiring Farmer in All of UsMost would agree that farming is a demanding joband not everyone can make it a successful, full-timeoccupation. Luckily for those of us with an interestin agriculture and growing our own food, there area variety of options when it comes to learning fromand socializing with like-minded backyard farmingenthusiasts no tractor experience required!Backyard Fruit GrowersBackyard Fruit Growers (BYFG) welcomes participantsof all skill levels and property sizes. It was founded in1990 as an exchange for those who wished to growfruit in their own backyards. People often join thegroup because they have a favorite fruit they’d like togrow but they aren’t quite sure where to start. Whatthey find is that the fruit growing possibilities areendless with a little guidance from those who know.Chester County Beekeepers Association“As gardeners we’re always trying to push the limits onwhat we can grow in this area,” said Andy Weidman,Vice President of the Backyard Fruit GrowersPlanning Committee. “We’re always saying ‘let metry and see what happens.’” A fan of gooseberries,Weidman now grows multiple varieties of the pricklybushed fruit in addition to currants, figs, apples andpears on his ½ acre, suburban lot.Besides the ever present threat of the destructiveVarroa mite, which plagues both expert and beginnerbeekeepers alike, novices have additional challengesthat seasoned club members can help them with.Although the BYFG group is based in LancasterCounty, the approximately 200 active subscriberscome from around southeastern Pennsylvania to sharea wealth of fruit growing experience and fellowshipat their quarterly meetings and through the monthlynewsletter and Facebook page.12A GUIDE TO LOCAL FARM PRODUCTS IN CHESTER COUNTYFor those interested in other sweet pursuits, theChester County Beekeepers Association (CCBA)welcomes hobbyists as well as those keeping bees as asideline or main business endeavor.“If you haven’t been through a full season ofbeekeeping, you don’t always know what your hivesshould look like throughout the year,” says JackMcMichael, CCBA treasurer. McMichael, who caughtthe beekeeping bug after attending a Chester CountyNight School class in 2010, encourages beginners towww.CHESCO.ORG/AGDEV
keep at least two hives for comparison’s sake and toattend the monthly club meetings to discuss solutionsto challenges like proper and sufficient nutrition,swarms, and sick or aging queens.CCBA offers educational opportunities for the publicas well, from their annual conference held at WestChester University, to making speakers available todiscuss the invaluable role of honeybees. Experiencedmembers may even assist residents with honeybeeswarm removal.Penn State Extension’s 4-H programFor kids 8-18, Penn State Extension’s 4-H programprovides a wide variety of special interest clubs tohelp them engage with agriculture while learningimportant life skills. One such club, Pony Partners,offers hands-on equine programs to youth who mayhave never encountered farm animals before.“The kids learn things like teambuilding skills and how to growinterpersonal relationships without evenknowing they are doing it.”Pony Partners Program Leader Amy O’Grady, whogrew up with horses, aims to teach students thatanimals, like people, need to be treated with care andrespect; a valuable lesson at any age.O’Grady and her helpers, primarily made up ofcurrent and former 4-H members, take the animals,which include ponies, miniature horses and even aminiature mule, to schools throughout the county.They offer a variety of equine experiences dependingon the children’s age and length of the program.www.CHESCO.ORG/AGDEVO’Grady is often amazed by the connection the kidsform with the animals: “The bigger animals take themout of their comfort zones, but horses are so good atmirroring what kids are feeling. The kids learn thingslike team building skills and how to grow interpersonalrelationships without even knowing they are doing it.And the horses really keep their attention.”Whether to learn life skills, for camaraderie withfellow enthusiasts, or for tips on how to better yourown backyard farming pursuits, there are clubsand associations throughout the region for everyinterest. However, always make sure to check yourmunicipality’s zoning ordinances and check with anyhomeowners association regulations before startingany new endeavor.For more information about these groups, please visit: B ackyard Fruit Growers:www.sas.upenn.edu/ dailey/byfg.html C hester County Beekeepers Association:www.chescobees.org C hester County 4-H Clubs(including Pony Partners):extension.psu.edu/4-h/counties/chesterA GUIDE TO LOCAL FARM PRODUCTS IN CHESTER COUNTY13
Where to buyLOCALFARMPRODUCTS14
inChester County15
Where to buyLOCALFARMPRODUCTSinChesterCounty18 Farmers’ markets19 Farm outlets20 Retail outlets21 C SA—CommunitySupported Agriculture22 Specialty products 16Meat & eggsMilk, ice cream & yogurtCheeseHoneyChristmas tree farmsMushroomsWineriesA GUIDE TO LOCAL FARM PRODUCTS IN CHESTER COUNTYwww.CHESCO.ORG/AGDEV
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Farmers’ marketsFarmers’ markets are often open-airvenues at which farmers and producersoffer their products. For the purpose ofthis guide, farmers’ markets are generally“producer only markets,” meaning theysell what they produce, not items theypurchase from other suppliers.Markets denoted with a snowflakehost winter markets at least once amonth during t
A GUIDE TO. in Chester County. Chester County Agricultural Development Council. . agricultural production. He notes, "Quite a few of . the landowners I contract with hold agricultural easements, but many of them would have difficulty . quality malting barley and maltsters need to learn how
Off-farm income is included in the discussion of farm income at the household level at the end of this report. 1 For information on state-level farm income, see "U.S. and State Farm Income and Wealth Statistics," available as part of the Farm Income and Wealth Statistics, Farm Income and Costs, Farm Economy Topics, Economic Research
Farm Bureau Bank . The Bank is a federal savings bank that was formed in 1998 and currently has equity capital from 29 Farm Bureau State Federations (the "Farm Bureaus"). The Bank was formed specifically to provide services to Farm Bureau members. Each Farm Bureau is a cooperative organization governed by, representing, and serving farm,
Farm A working farm at Samuell Farm was funded and programmed as a an educational and recreational opportunity for residents of Dallas County from 1982 to 2001 Due to budget reductions in the late 1990s, the farm's animal and livestock operations ceased in 2001. Samuell Farm, ca. 1962. Dallas Park & Recreation
(a)Farm vehicle drivers are exempt from CDL requirements if: (1) Used to transport their own agricultural products, farm machinery, or farm supplies to or from their farm; (2) Used within 150 miles of the person’s farm. (b)FMCSR interpretation - Farm supplies
Whole Farm Plan Introduction to Whole Farm Planning . Brainstorming . Objectives: Understand the various components and facets of a beginning farm enterprise and the input needed to become sustainable. Determine the reality of establishing a farm enterprise by exploring motives, resources, and personal goals related to the farming industry.
When the Taking Stock workbook for the Beginning Farmer and Farm Action Plan are completed, you are then eligible to access the B.C. Farm Business Advisory Services Program funding to employ a farm business advisor for Tier 1: Basic Farm Financial Assessment or Tier 2: Specialized Business Planning. The Farm Action Plan will provide the basis of your discussion with your farm business advisor .
How does the farm change from the beginning to the end of the film? Who are Molly and John? Why did they decide to start their own farm? What are some of the challenges Molly and John faced as they were building their farm? In what ways did nature impede Molly and John’s plan to build a self-sustaining farm? Describe some of the ways the farm’s animals, plants, and insects .
Beginning Farm Business Plan Example Prepared June 2008 This is a sample farm business plan, provided by NYFarmNet / NYFarmLink. It is based on a real farm plan written by a real farm family in Upstate NY. The identity of the farm and proprietary information have been deleted. Each section will give you a g
