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Stories and Events in the WPSU Community
The opinions expressed in these blogs are solely those of the people who wrote them, and do not represent the views of WPSU or Penn State University.
Local Food Journey
Final Day of the Strawberries Recipe Contest
Posted by Emily Wiley on 06/30 at 10:47 AM
Strawberry season has sadly come to an end. What is the best thing you made this month with summer’s first berries? Share it today for your chance to win a $25 gift certificate to Harrison’s Wine Grill in State College. Today is the final day to enter the contest, so submit your recipe now!
Looking for inspiration?
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Local Food Journey
Garlic Harvest
Posted by Tony Ricci on 06/29 at 11:06 AM
There are several milestones during the year that mark dramatic shifts in the growing season. For me, it’s always the garlic harvest, which coincides with the first full week of summer. The harvest brings to a close the long wait for the king of alliums that started back in November when the final clove was tucked in the ground for the winter.
Garlic is a precise, no-nonsense crop that sticks to its preordained schedule whether you like it or not. It’s not going to wait around for a distracted farmer to fit it in to his daily planner. Wait a week too long and tough luck, it’s on to its next phase of development without so much as a by-your-leave.
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Local Food Journey
Three Minute Gardener: How to Renovate a Strawberry Patch
Posted by Emily Wiley on 06/28 at 09:04 AM
After the June harvest of strawberries, patches should be renovated in preparation for the following year. Penn State Senior Extension Educator Kathy Demchak explains why these renovations are important and how to complete them.
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Local Food Journey
Welcome, Green Heron Farm!
Posted by Emily Wiley on 06/27 at 01:40 PM
Please welcome our newest contributor, Tony Ricci, of Green Heron Farm in southern Huntingdon County. Tony has been instrumental in bringing a year-round supply of local, organic produce to our area. He’s also the farmer who uses fryer oil to fuel his delivery truck.
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Our Town
WPSU Prepares for Our Town: Kane & Mt Jewett
Posted by Whitney on 06/24 at 03:21 PM
The 62nd episode of the Our Town series will feature the McKean county area known as “The Big Level” and the “Black Cherry Capital of the World.” Members of the community are encouraged to share stories about the area in “Our Town: Kane & Mt: Jewett.” No experience is required—-just enthusiasm! WPSU producers will hold a public meeting about the project on Wednesday, July 13 at 7 p.m. in the Kane Area Middle School auditorium.
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Local Food Journey
Celebrate Local Food and Farms
Posted by Katherine Taylor Grofic on 06/24 at 02:37 PM
The first annual Summer Solstice Celebration at Tait Farm was a success! Watch a video recap of the local event.
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Local Food Journey
Farmland Preservation Artists
Posted by Emily Wiley on 06/24 at 11:32 AM
The farmland in Centre County provides wildlife habitat, helps to replenish the groundwater supply, generates tax revenue, and feeds local residents. But as the county’s population grows, more and more farmland is being lost to development. WPSU’s Kristine Allen gives an audio report on efforts to preserve farmland—notably, one that involves a group of local artists who gathered at Tait Farm last Saturday for the first annual Summer Solstice Celebration.
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Local Food Journey
A Convivium of Local Support
Posted by Kit Henshaw on 06/24 at 11:10 AM
Solstice…the word conjures up visions of kicking back, chilling out and enjoying a long, lazy summer day. But on Saturday, June 18th at Tait Farm in Centre Hall, the crowd at the first annual Summer Solstice Celebration to benefit the Centre County Farmland Trust was actively engaged in the pursuit of tasting locally produced fresh delights while supporting a local farm. In a word, it was happy. People were relaxed, cooperative and neighborly – grateful for the weather, the scenery, the fresh farm air, the flavors, the sense of community, and the shared mission of local foods and farms.
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Local Food Journey
Simple Strawberry Cake
Posted by Emily Wiley on 06/22 at 01:14 PM
Strawberry season is my favorite season; though it is a short one. Throughout the month of June, I enjoy strawberries on my morning cereal and swirled into yogurt, tossed with spinach salad, on top of shortcakes and waffles, and layered with vanilla cake and cream cheese frosting. We also currently have four quarts in the freezer just begging to be thawed and consumed.
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Local Food Journey
Unpaid Field Hand: The Story of Peas
Posted by James Eisenstein on 06/21 at 12:19 PM
Last Tuesday night, Emily Wiley posted a picture of her dinner to the Boalsburg Farmers Market Facebook page. The caption said: “Dinner tonight courtesy of the Boalsburg Farmers Market. Pork chops from Cow-a-Hen Farm. Snap peas from Jade Family Farm. Bread from Gemelli Bakery with lemon-artichoke pesto from Fasta & Ravioli Co. And strawberries from Way Fruit Farm. Happiness on a plate.”
Emily knew the peas she bought were grown at Jade Family Farm, but how did the green pods find their way to our farm and then to the market? Well, this unpaid field hand decided to tackle that question.
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Local Food Journey
Summer Solstice Celebration a Success!
Posted by Emily Wiley on 06/20 at 03:29 PM
Thank you to all who attended Saturday’s Summer Solstice Celebration at Tait Farm. The event was a huge success, and we were thrilled to meet so many local foodies!
We were proud to join partners from Elk Creek Cafe + Ale Works, Harrison’s Wine Grill & Catering, Otto’s Pub & Brewery, and Mount Nittany Winery in support of the Centre County Farmland Trust.
Hopefully you left the event with a greater understanding of the importance of preserving Centre County farmland for food, natural resources, and future generations. Get more information and find out how to become a member on their website.
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Local Food Journey
Strawberry Vinaigrette
Posted by Steve Spanelli on 06/20 at 12:54 PM
Have you submitted your favorite strawberries recipe for the June contest? Share it today for your chance to win a $25 gift certificate to Harrison’s Wine Grill in State College.
Enjoy this favorite from Tait Farm Foods.
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Local Food Journey
Howard’s End CSA Farm
Posted by Katherine Taylor Grofic on 06/17 at 10:20 AM
Do you belong to a CSA? Community-supported agriculture (CSA) connects farmers and consumers and offers advantages to both parties. Consumers purchase a share at the beginning of the season and receive a weekly box of fresh-from-the-farm produce. And because farmers receive payment early, they are able to more effectively manage their cash flow and their crops.
Addison Hoffman from Howard’s End CSA Farm, located about 1/2 hour outside of State College, runs a CSA. They offer everything from chickens and ducks to berries to honey and yogurt. You can also find him at the State College Farmers Market on Tuesdays.
Watch a video interview with Addison and learn more about CSA farms.
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Local Food Journey
Field Notes: Mid-June Radishes and Berries
Posted by Erin McKinney on 06/16 at 01:37 PM
The soil in the fields has been through so many changes already this year. It has been pounded and compacted by torrential downpours in early spring and then dried to a hard-as-a-brick state after a few weeks of really dry, hot days. This constricted the root development of a lot of crops, which, unfortunately, leads to a poor yield when the roots of crops like radishes are what you are looking to reap.
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Local Food Journey
Moser’s Garden Produce from Centre Hall
Posted by Katherine Taylor Grofic on 06/15 at 02:22 PM
Moser’s Garden in Centre Hall is a family operation. It began in 1976 as a half-acre garden with a few dozen fruit trees and grape vines. Today it has grown in both variety and acreage producing over 150 varieties of tomatoes, as well as berries, peppers, and sweet corn.
Watch a video interview with Barry Moser and find his produce at the State College Farmers Market on Tuesdays and Fridays and at the North Atherton Market on Saturdays.
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Most recent entries
Our Local Food Journey comes to an end- Wednesday, January 31, 2018
- By Jamie Oberdick in Local Food Journey
Winter isn’t a quiet time at the farm- Wednesday, January 31, 2018
- By James Eisenstein in Local Food Journey
-
Get the taste of garden season right now by growing herbs indoors
- Friday, January 26, 2018
- By Jamie Oberdick in Local Food Journey
-
All you need to know about PASA’s Farming for the Future conference
- Friday, January 19, 2018
- By Jamie Oberdick in Local Food Journey
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