FARMING PHILOSOPHY

We are firm believers in being good stewards of the land.  We utilize a program called Integrated Pest Management.  The philosophy of this program is to utilize the best aspects of organic and traditional farming.  We apply the manure from our sheep, cows, chickens to our fields as organic fertilizer, which helps improve or soil tilthe.  Some fields, once the crop is harvested, are then planted with a cover crop which acts as a green manure and helps increase the organic matter in the soils.  The use of chemicals for our fruits and vegetables is minimized by utilizing daily reports for Penn State, which help determine what and when, if at all, commercial fertilizer and sprays should be applied.

Biodegradable plastic is used for much of our vegetable production.  This reduces weed growth, and being biodegradable, it does not end up in landfills.  In addition, crops are constantly rotated, and when needed, trickle irrigation is used for the small vegetables.  This reduces water usage and we are able to apply additional amendments to just the vegetable plants. Otherwise we depend on Mother Nature for watering the fruit trees and sweet corn.  These practices are not only environmentally friendly, but reduce costs.

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We raise the grain and hay fed to our animals, adding only minerals and vitamins to supplement their diet.  Sheep are pastured as long as possible.

during the year.  The chickens are maintained in a pen, where they are free to move about, and the cows, while not able to be pastured, are fedthe hay grown here on the farm and also get leftover produce and sweet corn chop.

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The farm stand is open year round.  Here we sell the wool products from our sheep, local honey, and our eggs.  The produce we offer is all grown here on the farm.  We offer garlic, onions, lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, and many other vegetables,along with our o