A Guide to Farm Products: Calling All Producers!

Since 2008, Penn State Cooperative Extension has produced a booklet called A Guide to Farm Products which is a directory of family farms, farmers' markets, vegetable, maple, and honey producers, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA's) farms, u-pick farms, Christmas tree growers, wineries, restaurants, grocers, and other businesses that sell locally produced farm products within Susquehanna County.

This widely-popular guide is updated annually and so far includes over 45 local businesses.  We would like to extend the offer for your "farm" to be included.  The piece will include a short description of the farm or business along with products available and hours of operation, if open to the public and its location on a map of the county.  The guides are placed throughout the county and are also available online at http://susquehanna.extension.psu.edu/Horticulture/farmer%20products%20brochure%20new%20format.pdf

Today's consumer is increasingly looking to buy farm products directly from the grower.  When buying directly from local farmers and shopping and dining at those businesses which support local farmers, consumers are getting the freshest, best tasting food, contributing to a strong local economy and helping preserve our landscape.  It is the hope of those gathering the information that shoppers will make a connection with healthy fresh food, their neighbor farmers who grow it and those markets and businesses that support them by using locally grown food.

Susquehanna County has a number of farm stands, farm markets, orchards, and CSA farms where residents can purchase fresh produce.  Please help us in compiling this guide by calling the Cooperative Extension Office at 570-278-1158 and requesting a network form, http://susquehanna.extension.psu.edu/Horticulture/FarmNetworkForm.pdf,  and map marking your location.  you can mail the completed forms back to us by January 31, 2011.  We are planning on having the booklet published by early spring.