Full Steam Ahead!

I've been spending a lot of time at Mountaindale Farm as an intern and CSA volunteer. I've learned a lot, and met some great farmers, including Jeff and Mary Jean Henry of Cranberry Creek Farm, and Tom Dente of Jones Farm. I'm ready to embark on my own initiative, getting my kitchen licensed to produce jams, jellies, baked goods, flowers, herbs and medicinals.

Mountaindale Farm, which has been operated on chemical free, sustainable agriculture principles for three generations, in Minisink Hills, PA.

 

"From Keith's Farm". Flavia Bacarella Woodcuts at the Patisserie in Milford, PA

"A Farmer and His Dog" Flavia Bacarella woodcut, $350 framed, at Patisserie, from the book "It's a Long Road to a Tomato"

 

I often sneak up through the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, north from Black Bear Farm  on Route 209 along the Delaware River,  a most beautiful and reflective drive at any season. One of my favorite stops is Patisserie, on Broad Street. My friends Mark Edmonds and Christian Garcia run an amazingly exquisite business, featuring organic foods that I love! I'm happy to say, the Patisserie is currently the ONLY retail outlet offering Black Bear Farm Maple Syrup. In 2009, I purchased a book there, "A Long Road to a Tomato", a collection of narrative essays of life as an organic farmer, written by farmer Keith Stewart, who supplies the Patisserie with organic produce, and illustrated with the inspired woodcuts of Flavia Bacarella, Keith's wife. Flavia's original woodcut illustrations are currently shown at the Patisserie, and a visit to "Keith's Farm" is one of my favorite farm visits.

Heidi Secord represents WAGN in the Land Down Under!

Heidi Secord is an inspirational friend first met at a community yoga class, now running the Josie Porter CSA. She is an amazingly informed farmer, a Northeast Regional Representative for Women's Agricultural Network, and has been invited to attend a women's agricultural conference in Australia, where she is giving the closing speech! Here is a blog about her trip!

The Lands at Hillside Farms........

            Hillside Farms is the farm where one of my good friends from Moore, Marion Mills, an incredible painter and colorist, grew up. It is a dairy farm in Shavertown, and was the last working, cow to bottle farm in Pennsylvania west of State College. The farm incorporated as a non profit not too long ago, and typical "Dallas" PA style  ( kicking butt must go with the name) it is up and running and absolutely fantastic. I hope to have a meeting soon with the farm manager, and will report back!! Rock on Hillside!

The Little Farmers

"The Little Farmers" is the name I give the girls I taught about farming...........I shared my love of ponies........I braided manes, set up fences, purchased tack.........shared the miraculous sensation of cradling a fresh warm egg in your hands, straight from the nest.......... the amazing miracle of a bean sprout............ They are the girls I make sure have the best of everything: Jennifer Shearouse, Anneka Syvarth, Cassandre Griffin, Rebecca Wyckoff, Elizabeth Buzzard, Mary Griffin, Teal Wyckoff.........Dr. Tara Viechnicki.........I mention my nieces, Griffin Louisa Richards and Madelaine Boyer; I have no direct farm connection with them, they are Farm Girls, know their ways around manes and tails and compost heaps and pitchforks, and so are deserving of mention.

"Farm Friends: Big Girls": These girls that taught me about farming, are the backbone of my farming skills and continue to educate me by instruction and example: Chloe Richards Puzio, Gran Richards, Sue Oiler, Carol McIlvaine, Susan Marshall, Susan Shebelsky, Martha Stewart, Sammie Thompson, Dr. Mary Griffin, Heidi Secord, Patty Martin, Tina Conway, Sasha Vesti MacDowell, Judy VonHandorf, Beezie Patton, Nell Newman, Kirsten Oloffson..............Laura Ingalls Wilder............Tess McLeod's big sister, Clare.............the list goes on..............

"Farm Friends: Farmer Boys: Pop Pop Griffin, who raised rabbits on Knorr Street during WW2 to make sure his family could eat, when his brother and uncles were all serving overseas. Dan Canning,  Jim Wyckoff, Gary Swartz, Gary Oiler, Howard Canfield.........Pop-pop Griffin, John Hastings Richards.............and of course, my beloved father, Vincent A. Griffin, Sr. ..............not directly a farmer, but the skilled operator of a tractor, backhoe, and chainsaw, and certainly a guy who knew how to get things done and made sure others did as well.......not the least of which was the ability to swing a hammer...............unreasonable, emotional, and ineffective at times, but not someone you wasted much time arguing with..................Thank you!

Alice Wicks, Marge Wakefield, Josie Porter, Nancy Shukaitis and Janet Richards

are the names of five legendary Monroe County farmers. They are inspired, incredible women who shaped much of the rural heritage of the county during the latter part of the 20th century, and birthed the last of the baby boom.

Info on Alice Wicks

Alice Wicks' real name was "Gran". She made me warm eggs on a cold October morning in the 1970's,  on a cast iron stove at the West End Fairgrounds. She taught me a lot about life and she made me feel loved. She was a woman of vision, innovation, and yankee ingenuity. A great historian, a hard worker, and a noble female figure who embodies the American Farm Spirit.

Marge Wakefield was, first and foremost, a mom. She drove a VW bus and was surrounded by love, and boisterous activity. What I can think most about Marge was that she was an Enduring Spirit. Her husband Wes called the square dances at Quiet Valley, in the Engel Barn.

Josie Porter: I am sorry to say that I only met Josie Porter post-humously. I am good friends with her daughter Abigail, and helped at the Porter Farm after her mother's death. I met Abby's friend, Jim Silverthorne. I learned more about Rudolf Steiner, the Waldorf movement, and the school of Anthoposophy. I also had the privelege to live with many of Josie's possessions, including linen pillowcases, a beautiful swan barometer, and her beloved and much used loveseat.

Nancy Shukaitis is a beloved friend and childhood role model. She is an amazing inspiration to so many of us.

Janet Richards is the farm woman who I knew most intimately and saw most regularly. She was Gran.
I had a number of incredible women in my life in my early years: Grandmom Griffin, Grandma L, Gran Richards, and "Gram" Alice Wicks................Thank you ladies. You are with me everyday.

Women in Agriculture............

"Fresh from the Farm" photo credit Cassandre Griffin

Totally psyched to be invited to be the Northeastern PA coordinator for  PA Women In Agriculture..........here is a link to a recent conference at Penn State. Just created a Facebook Page for us! I've been talking it up to friends! Can't wait to roll up my sleeves and get started! Heidi Secord is the Pennsylvania coordinator. Heidi runs a CSA ( Community Supported Garden) at the Josie Porter Farm, in Stroud Township. Heidi was recently invited to attend a women's agriculture conference in Australia, and will give the closing remarks. SO thrilled to be part of the international women's agriculture movement!!