Big news! Picking Season is here!
We hope you’re planning to visit the farm for pick-your-own strawberry season! This year we’ve planted two varieties, “Sweet Charlie” and “Chandler,” which will be available for about three weeks. Bring the kids, grandma, grandpa—all are welcome. Picking is a fun family activity with a sweet ending!
Each year, we use our strawberries in all sorts of delicious ways. You can find many of our creations at the market, or you can enjoy the berries the old-fashioned way— plain and simple, piled up in a bowl or the palm of your hand. Of course strawberries and dessert are a perfect pair, but America’s favorite berry is quite the culinary traveler. If you haven’t gone beyond the traditional strawberry uses, it’s a must-do. And if you need a little inspiration, we’ve got a few simple ideas to get you started.
- Add sliced strawberries to your salad. Throw in your favorite nuts, some feta cheese, and a protein, like grilled chicken, fish, tofu, or beans.
- Speaking of salad, you have to try strawberry dressing. It’s so good on spinach or kale, and it’s inexpensive to make your own. Here’s a simple recipe: http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/fresh_strawberry_dressing.html
- Soup is super when it’s strawberry! Try this quick recipe from Southern Living: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/chilled-strawberry-soup
The beginning of our harvest time reminds us of why we’re here. As farmers, our work has many components: We want to grow healthy crops, take good care of our land, and be productive members of our community.
We love what we do, and we truly enjoy sharing it with our visitors. By inviting the public to pick berries, shop our market of homemade goods, and take tours, we feel like we’re doing our part to encourage a better relationship between farm and community. At Orr’s, there are a few ways that relationship comes full circle:
- Quality. By picking your own berries or selecting from our produce in the market, you know where your food comes from. When food doesn’t travel far, you don’t have to worry about how it was stored and transported.
- Agriculture. When you take a tour, you get to experience farming up close. You’ll know more about how the food you eat goes from seed to table.
- Community. You’re supporting a local business, and that’s a great thing. It helps your community thrive by keeping funds local and providing jobs.
There are countless benefits to eating locally grown foods, supporting locally owned businesses, and being involved in your community. We can’t do what we do without you. See you soon!
