Farming is a grind like no other. You’re up early and out all day, in all kinds of weather. You wear the hat of scientist, laborer, manager, salesperson, marketer and bookkeeper. And one hurricane, one drought, or pest infestation can set you back by weeks or more. It’s no wonder that so many farmers tell us it’s a labor of love, one that connects them with the land, the community and a greater purpose that makes it all worth it.
October 12 is National Farmers’ Day and a great opportunity to think about your connection to the farms and farmers around you. How can you support local agriculture and homegrown, farm-fresh food? Here are 5 ways to thank a Pennsylvania farmer:
Join a CSA
Arguably the best way to support a farmer is by joining a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. CSAs are a key income channel for farmers and help to keep them afloat all year long. CSAs keep you eating fresh, local food all year long, while providing farmers with reliable income and the ability to plan, plan, harvest and distribute according to demand.
CSA’s have major benefits for consumers. It’s one of the healthiest, tastiest ways to purchase food, as it’s locally-grown, seasonal, fresh and produce-based. It also allows you to stay informed on your food sources, and meet the people growing it.
CSA crops from Kneehigh Farm
A great way to find your local CSA is by inquiring with the farms closest to you. Visit local farmers markets and ask your favorite vendors if they offer CSA shares. You can also search through the PA Veggies online CSA directory.
Pick Your Own
It’s tons of fun to journey through the rows and fields of a local farm, choosing the just-right fruits and veggies to call your own. Many farms and orchards offer immersive Pick Your Own opportunities for apples, berries and cherries, and other crops. It’s a way for people to connect with their food, engage with the land, and experience a microcosm of the farmers’ experience.
Pick Your Own fees support farmers and help with harvests. PYOs also bring people to farms, where they can shop for other goods and invest in their local farmer.
Volunteer
If you want to unlock a “moment of zen,” try volunteering at your local farm. Get lost in the moment as you help out with simple, enriching tasks like gardening, mulching, sorting and more.
Volunteering is a wonderful way to thank a Pennsylvania farmer with your time and energy. Community volunteers help to keep the farm running, particularly during peak periods, when the task load can outweigh the manpower. It’s a nice way to go behind the scenes, gain a new skill, get to know farmers and contribute to the agriculture around you.
We suggest inquiring with local farms about volunteer opportunities, which might be posted on their website or social media pages. You can also check out these organizations for opportunities. Organizations like Farm Philly and Grow Pittsburgh also allow you to connect with various urban farms and urban agriculture initiatives for volunteer opportunities.
Attend an Ag Event
Yoga on the farm? Harvest dinner? Strawberry festival? Sign us up! Farms play host to all kinds of fantastic events throughout the year. Thank a Pennsylvania farmer by attending an agricultural event at their farm or elsewhere. There are family-friendly seasonal bashes, like fall fests with hayrides and apple-picking, elegant dinners where you can try paired local wines and foods, and wellness programming, like hikes, yoga and crafty, medicinal workshops.
Of course, there’s the mother of all PA ag events, the PA Farm Show, which showcases all things Pennsylvania agriculture. Meet representatives from the state’s beekeeping, potato growing, dairy, livestock, maple syrup, mushroom, veggie and horticulture organizations, pursue the recipe competition, and check out the famed, enormous butter sculpture.
Farm stays are another amazing way to support farms. Either roll up your sleeves or put your feet up, depending on the particular stay, and enjoy farm fresh food, meet the animals and observe the inner workings of the farm.
By tapping into the great variety of agriculture and farming events, you network with farmers, support their livelihood and participate in some of the most unique (and exquisite) opportunities the state has to offer.
Shop at a Farmers Market or Farm Stand
Looping a farmers market or farm stand into your routine shopping is a superb way to support the farms around you. Farmers markets are often a primary channel of income for farmers and makers to sell their goods. It also allows them to meet you and learn more about local consumers’ preferences and needs.
Visiting a farmers market is an event in itself, with so much to see and savor. As you peruse, look out for PA Preferred items, which often bear a yellow “check mark” logo. The ingredients in those products and produce are 75% grown or harvested within Pennsylvania. It’s the ultimate way to make sure your dollars support PA agriculture.
- Feature photo: Bigstock
- Kneehigh CSA photo: Zoe Schaeffer
- Apple photo: Weaver's Orchard
- Volunteers photo: Chester County Food Bank
- Farm stay photo: Landis Farm Guest House
- Farm to City Dinner photo: Seth Nenstiel Photography
- Pottstown Farmers Market photo: Pottstown Farmers Market
