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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

Penn State Student Farm Fall Festival coming Sept. 7

Posted by Jamie Oberdick on 08/31 at 07:41 AM

The Penn State Student Farm is quite an endeavor; we wrote about them on Local Food Journey and WPSU did a radio piece on them. Tucked away just off I-99, you’ve probably have driven right past the farm and never knew it.

Well, here’s your chance to visit the farm on Wednesday, Sept. 7 for the Penn State Student Farm Harvest Festival. The event will be held at the farm from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

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Local Food Journey

Restaurant review: Reedville’s Revival Kitchen lives up to the hype

Posted by Jamie Oberdick on 08/24 at 09:53 AM

Earlier this month at the Boalsburg Farmers Market’s Golden Basket Awards, an upstart restaurant and its chef took the event by storm, wowing the judges with a chicken dish and a coffee-roasted beet dish that landed the Golden Basket. That restaurant was Revival Kitchen, the chef was Quintin Wicks, and I was one of the judges.

Inspired by this experience, I pitched Revival Kitchen to my wife as a place for us to go for our August 19 16th anniversary dinner. After hearing me rave about Chef Wicks’ food, she agreed, and last Friday we took the trip down to Reedsville to celebrate at the Kitchen. And just like at the Golden Basket Awards, they did not disappoint. Yes, if you heard people hyping Revival Kitchen and ever wondered if it was worth the trip, they really do live up to it.

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Local Food Journey

Evening hours at Ag Progress days tonight; here’s ideas on what to do

Posted by Jamie Oberdick on 08/17 at 08:46 AM

Penn State is a land grant university, and for three days in August, the University really hearkens back to its roots as the Farmers High School with Ag Progress Days. This year’s Ag Progress Days is Tuesday-Thursday of this week. In the past the event was held during the day and closed during the evening, leading to some complaints from those of us with day jobs about there being no evening hours. Well, recently that changed, so one Ag Progress Day has evening hours, and that’s tonight.

Ag Progress Days will run this evening until 8:00 p.m., giving area residents the opportunity to spend a few hours checking out various agriculture displays, seminars, and great local food. While it is an agricultural event, it has something for just about everyone. Here’s some things to do tonight at Ag Progress Days:

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Local Food Journey

So you grow the best tomatoes ever, eh? Here’s your chance to prove it

Posted by Jamie Oberdick on 08/16 at 10:41 AM

Nothing beats homegrown tomatoes, and of course, everyone thinks they grow the best ones. Really, the argument is sort of moot because any garden tomato is pretty great, but here’s your chance to prove to central PA who has the best. This Saturday from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Tait Farm Foods will hold their annual Tomato Festival, featuring a variety of tomato contests, including a home-grown tomato taste-off.

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Local Food Journey

Tips to help your garden get through drought

Posted by Jamie Oberdick on 08/09 at 08:50 AM

As a glance at most lawns will tell you, we’re currently in a drought. The data backs that up. State College is currently experiencing its third-driest summer, second-driest year, and is in a moderate drought area as per the United States Drought Monitor.

A drought is about the biggest challenge a gardener can face, with few exceptions. Drought-stressed plants are not healthy plants, so along with the real danger of them dying, they also have reduced yields and are susceptible to disease. Water is vital, and if your garden isn’t getting it naturally, you need to take steps to make sure it gets what it needs. Here’s some tips to help your garden quench its thirst on dry days…

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Local Food Journey

Local Food Notes for August 5

Posted by Jamie Oberdick on 08/05 at 09:31 AM

Local Food Notes today include the Centre County Farm Tour, the State College Brew Expo, and how your herb garden has a secret—it’s also a spa!

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Local Food Journey

Revival Kitchen lives up to the hype and takes the Golden Basket Award

Posted by Jamie Oberdick on 08/03 at 10:34 AM

Over the past year or so, I’ve noticed a steady building of buzz about a restaurant down in the Amish country of Reedsville. Revival Kitchen, a farm-to-table spot over the ridge down 322 from State College, has steadily built a reputation as a go-to location for excellent, creative food made from local ingredients.

And all that growing chit-chat about a small restaurant that is a must-try was backed up at yesterday’s Golden Basket Awards, as first-timer Quintin Wicks of Revival Kitchen took the top prize at the event held at the Boalsburg Farmers Market. As a four-time judge of this six-year-old showcase of both local food and local chefs, I can attest that his win was during one of the toughest years for judging this contest, as all of the dishes were first-rate.

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