UPPER MILFORD TWP., Pa. — With frost fading across the region, spring has officially sprung in the Lehigh Valley.
For gardeners and farmers, that means planting season has begun.
“Typically, Mother's Day weekend usually falls right around the frost date, which is the time when it's typically safe to plant out what we would call the ‘hot crops,’” said Katy Hunter, program administrator for The Seed Farm.
“Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant — things like that. And, lots of annual flowers that want the soil to be warmer and don't want to have a dip down into frost territory.”
This weekend, a handful of organic farms across the Lehigh Valley are welcoming residents and visitors to help their gardens grow. By buying from local farms residents not only get quality plants, farm officials said, but also help support sustainable, regenerative agriculture.
“Growing food is incredibly important, and I know that all the organizations really care about the local food, local food security, the local food economy and making sure to support food production at all levels.”Katy Hunter, program administrator for The Seed Farm
In addition to The Seed Farm, plant sales this weekend are also scheduled at the Monocacy Farm Project, LaFarm and Rodale Institute.
“You’re supporting your local economy, and, since we're all a whole group of nonprofit farms, you're supporting the greater mission of the farm as well,” Hunter said. “Each one of our farm programs does something different, but really special and important within the community.
“Growing food is incredibly important, and I know that all the organizations really care about the local food, local food security, the local food economy and making sure to support food production at all levels.”
Farms, food in the Lehigh Valley
Farms are an integral part of Pennsylvania’s economy, with 7.3 million acres of farmland across the commonwealth.
Agriculture each year contributes $132.5 billion to the state economy and supports more than 593,000 jobs, paying out $32.8 billion in wages, according to the state Department of Agriculture’s “The Economic Impact of Agriculture in Pennsylvania: 2021 Update” — the most recent report available.
State officials seem to recognize the importance of farms in the local food chain. Russell Redding, secretary of the state Department of Agriculture, in April announced $4.8 million available in federally funded grants “to purchase equipment needed to strengthen the middle of the food supply chain — between the farm field and the consumer's table.”
"A strong local supply chain keeps more dollars in the pockets of our farm businesses, growing their bottom lines, and feeding the economy in communities across Pennsylvania," Redding said in a news release.
Farm preservation has also been an ongoing effort, both at the state and local levels. Last month, two Northampton County farms were preserved as part of a $8.07 million statewide effort to ward off development and protect open spaces.
But, for all the food grown across the state, there are still many who go hungry, including in the Valley.
According to the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, just shy of 11% of the population are food insecure. When looking at just children, that jumps to 15%.
Earlier this year, 10 farm owners from across the region joined the Lehigh Valley Food System Coalition to develop a sustainable food infrastructure for organizations in the region.
The Seed Farm was one of them, in addition to: Blackbird Farms in Emmaus, Crooked Row Farm in Orefield; Josie Porter Farm in Stroudsburg, Monroe County; Primordia Farms in Lenhartsville, Berks County; Scholl Orchards in Bethlehem; Taproot Farm in Shoemakersville, Berks County; Terra Fauna Farm in Northampton; Twin Maple Farm in Bath, and Willow Haven Farm in New Tripoli.
More than plants
Prices for plants at local sales are similar to what residents would find at a big box store.
“We sell plants in different quantities — what are called four packs and six packs,” Hunter said. “It's a little plastic pack that either has four cells and then there’s a plant in each cell or sometimes a grouping of plants, depending on what variety it is.
“And then we also have six packs which are the same but they have six spaces in them. So, you're getting six plants or six clusters of plants, depending on what it is.”
Individual plants, as well as tomato plants in compostable pots, are also available.
However, unlike major retailers, farm sales offer more than just plants — they provide education, too.
In addition to organic compost and soils, Rodale’s event will feature staff ready to share gardening advice.
“Shoppers can also learn from Rodale Institute staff who are experts on organic plants,” said Shawn Brown, Rodale’s senior director of visitor experience. “While at the Spring Organic Market everyone is encouraged to shop from local vendors in our craft barn, grab a bite from food trucks and take a self-guided or wagon tour of our nearly 400-acre research and education farm that has been instrumental in the growth of regenerative organic agriculture.”
Similarly, there are two workshops scheduled during The Seed Farm’s sale for residents interested in learning how to build their rain barrels to conserve water.
By combining the sale with educational opportunities, farmers get more opportunities to engage with residents, hopefully bolstering their efforts.
“We want to invite the public out to the farm to see the place to hear more about our mission, and it's just important to support local places because that's what keeps them available,” Hunter said. “That's what keeps them reaching the public and doing their mission.”
Below, find details on several plant sales, taking place this weekend, across the Lehigh Valley:
- Spring on the Farm, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Monocacy Farm Project, 395 Bridle Path Road in Bethlehem.
- Spring Organic Market, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Rodale Institute Visitor Center, 611 Siegfriedale Road, Kutztown.
- 2024 Spring Plant Sale, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at The Seed Farm, 5854 Vera Cruz Road, Upper Milford Township.
- Annual Spring Plant Sale, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at LaFarm, 3118 Sullivan Trail in Forks Township.
