Easter Flowers!

Tulips & Daffodils For Easter!

Did you get your Easter flowers yet?  The lilies, tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils can all be planted outside once the blooms are faded.  They'll come back next year at the normal time in the growing season ...
There's something a little strange today about picking out Easter flowers in the middle of a snow squall just 2 days after 80 degree temps!  :)

Local Grower Gets Ready For Spring!

Pansies & Violas At Janoski's Farm Market & Greenhouse

LFLF found this sure sign of spring at Janoski's today ... the flats and baskets are outside under roof next to the greenhouse.  A couple of shoppers were taking their favorites into the greenhouse to pay for them.

Janoski's Onions, Lettuce, & Cole Crop Plants

Both of them mentioned that they were buying plants now for containers that they could keep covered if needed.  Isn't it so tempting to buy these great looking plants & take a chance?

Janoski's Lettuce Flats

 Here are a couple of other items for sale.  Fresh from local Seibel's Farm - small eggs anyone? 


You Can Still Get Potatoes, Apples, & Cabbage!

Local Food Supply Chain In The Limelight!

Invitation To Attend Local Food Round Table Discussion

LFLF attended a stakeholder meeting Wednesday evening sponsored by the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission and the topic was locally produced food.  The Beaver County Agricultural Land Preservation Board gathered farmers/producers and local businesses as well as local officials to discuss the benefits of local foods, possiblities of expanding the availablity of local foods, and the barriers to supplying & utilizing local food.

Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission - Why Are We Here?

Represented were produce farms, dairy farms, an organic CSA, beef, & lamb producers, honey producers, as well as community gardens, businesses using local produce, and local officials.
The group was split up and the sub-groups brainstormed specific barriers to production as well as possible solutions.

Laura Mundell of SPC Facilitating Discussion

Three other SW PA counties have been surveyed so far. The 10 county compiled results will be used in future regional economic growth strategies ..... stay tuned!

David Pinkosky of SPC Gets An Answer From The Producers

One of the topics that came up late in the discussion was the potential impact of the Federal Food Safety Modernization Act  ......... LFLF has been remiss in not bringing this topic up in this forum!

Last Beaver Farmers' Market of 2013!

The View From Under Pat's Tent!

The last day of the 2013 Beaver Farmers' Market was a rainy day ..... a small crowd had gathered under the tent at Pat's Pastries.  That's Pat in the green coat waiting on her customers.  At least it was warmer than usual with temperatures in the high 50's.
The holiday cookies were going fast & LFLF picked up one of the large containers.   The hardy holiday shoppers were picking up potatoes, broccoli, winter squash, beef, bread, apples, cookies, and wreaths.
LFLF also got the last of the seasonal cider from Oak Spring Farm.  We picked up 2 gallons to freeze them for later ...... we  just pour off a cup or so from each gallon to allow it room to expand when it freezes.   Nothing like hot cider in January!

Oak Spring Farm - Talking About The Apple Cider

Snow For The Locals!

Snowy Market Greetings From Phil of Douds-Floyd Farm, Dick of
McElhaney Family Farm, & Wayne of Oak Spring Farm!

What a way to get in the Christmas spirit!  Only one more market day left on Saturday 12/21 at the Beaver Farmers' Market, but the farmers & vendors were out today in the snow for their loyal customers.  LFLF got there around 11:45 to select our Christmas wreaths from May-Malone Farm & pick up some Christmas cookies from Pats' Pastries.  

Wreath Customers At May-Malone Farm

The vendors and customers had to deal with the falling snow and slush in the parking lot, but they were still out there. 

Snow Covered Kale At Enon Country Gardens

Wood Street Bread Company Serves Up The Fresh Bread!

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!

Finally, we picked up a head of cabbage for cabbage & noodles and a gallon of cider pressed on Wednesday from Oak Spring Farm .......
Something I just noticed ...... it's near market end, but all of the customers are different people in the pictures.  We muffed a picture of shoppers buying beef from McElhaney Family Farm --- too blurry in a bit of a snow squall when we snapped the pic! 

Winter Squash, Cabbage, & Golden Delicious Apples

Standing Chimney & Small Business Saturday!

LFLF Following The Signs To Standing Chimney!

As promised, LFLF is reporting on our "Small Business Saturday" visit to Standing Chimney.  We love the fact that these directional signs lead you along the way through the countryside.  Their tag line is true ..... "In the middle of nowhere, on the way to everywhere"!
And we weren't the only ones in the middle of nowhere .......

Customers Checking Out Items On The Porch

There were some folks also in the back room enjoying tea & sampling baked goods.  Standing Chimney is full of locally produced & sourced items - click picture to enlarge & read:


Standing Chimney Thanks You!

We browsed the store and came away with a silverware keychain made from a repurposed butter knife handle, a small throw pillow, a change purse (for all that loose change that escapes in the truck consol), some homemade fudge, and anise pizzelles.  Mmmmm, mmmmm, mmmmm! 

Pillows, Vests, Baby Afgans & Beautiful Smocked Dresses!

LFLF loved the smocked heirloom looking dresses, christening gowns, & doll clothes.
And speaking of heirlooms ........  Just look at this unfinished rug hooking, a "work in progress".
Owner Beth got this from an elderly relative & it had been bundled up for years.  You can see the creases on the burlap.  It's found a new life & is celebrated now as a a unique work of art hanging in the shop.  Gorgeous!

Standing Chimney Hooking

Along with seasonal items like hand knitted Christmas stockings, there was alpaca yarn, alpaca socks, knitted hats, gloves, and felted items as well as bakery mixes, coffees, frozen pierogies, and fresh baked goods available. How about wine bottle cork wreaths from a local crafter? 

Standing Chimney - Locally Handcrafted Goodies!

So LFLF and lots of others supported local Small Business Saturday and shopped at Standing Chimney.  They are open for 2 more Saturdays this year - December 7th & December 14th!
What does LFLF vote in as the most unique gift item?  How about handpainted wooden baby duck fishing lures & bobbers?

And finally, the view out back ..... it's also a working farm!

Standing Chimney Cattle



Beaver Farmers' Market Still Open!

Yummy Holiday Cookies From Pat's Pastries!
 

Yes, the Beaver Farmers' Market will be open for 3 more weeks - 12/7, 12/14, & 12/21!  Who could resist taking home some cookies from Pat?  These were for "now" and some Pecan Tassies went into the freezer to add to the LFLF holiday cookie plate ..... ssshhhhhh ..... who will know where they came from?  ;)

Shallots & Potatoes From Oak Spring Farm

The market has lots of potatoes, winter squash, apples, apple cider, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, leeks, & root veggies, plus beef and fresh evergreen Christmas wreaths & swags. 


Shopper Buys Last Bag of "Arkansas Black" Apples

So how did you spend "Small Business Saturday"?  
Next post ..... LFLF takes you to a local small business ..... stay tuned!