Labor Day - Labor of Love

Yesterday I wandered out to visit one of our producers - Taproot Farm - located in Shoemakersville, PA, in Berks County. The drive to the farm was beautiful - 

 

The farm is situated on a hill just above the north shore of Lake Ontelaunee - it's a lovely site - water lilies dot the lake every where you look.

I was greeted at the farm by Annie, Anna and George - they were hard at work when I arrived, getting produce cleaned and packed for their Saturday markets. George and his wife Ola operate the farm. Anna is the face we at the East Goshen Farmers' Market attach to Taproot - she is present every week with her infectious smile selling the amazing produce grown on the farm.

Annie, Anna and George - very happy farmers!

George was kind enough to take a break from his market preparations to take me on a walk around the farm. They farm 5 acres - every inch of it - using organic farming principles to grow over 40 varieties of crops. We passed rows of jewel colored peppers.

Swiss chard as far as the eye could see.

A bounty of Tuscan kale - just look at the scenery in the background - simply stunning countryside!

And young cabbage - we'll be enjoying this later in the season.

It's appropriate on Labor Day weekend that we take the time to appreciate the labor of love that goes into producing our food - the tireless hours of backbreaking work while coping with the challenges Mother Nature offers - months without rain while the well wasn't working followed by flooding rains. Through it all, farmers like George and Ola choose to try to make an impact, committing to strict organic growing principles. We are lucky that they have chosen to sell their beautiful produce at our market!
 
Thanks Taproot for a lovely visit to your farm!