On the Farm: Apple Cider, Fall Festival and Purple Potatoes

Wondering what's growing and going on at Crossroads Farm at Grossmann's, Nassau County's very own farm situated in the village of Malverne?

We'll keep you informed with our weekly "On the Farm" column. Here's our latest update from Farmer Bill Walsh, the Nassau Land Trust (the non-profit that operates the farm) and the rest of the crew at Crossroads.

FARMER'S UPDATE

The last of the summer squash are in the farm stand this weekend. This is also the peak of the eggplant & peppers, so make sure to pick up & preserve them while you can this season! Potatoes are slowly coming in, and we'll continue harvesting beets, carrots, and winter squash. We're also mulching and prepping the soil for next season. 

New This Week: 

• Organic Baby Bok Choy, Spinach & Green Beans from Markristo Farm
• Organic Yukon Gold Potatoes, Purple Potatoes, Delicata Squash, Buttercup Squash, and Cherry Tomatoes from Hepworth Farm
• Corn Relish & Pickled Beets from Taste of the North Fork
• Apple Cider from Jericho Cider Mill

Grown at Crossroads: This organic produce was harvested from the farm in Malverne and is available for purchase right now at the farm stand.

• Red, Gold and Fingerling Potatoes
• Yellow and Red Onions
• Honeynut Squash
• Acorn Squash
• Butternut Squash
• Tomatoes
• Green Cabbage
• Garlic
• Bok Choy
• Carrots
• Beets
• Eggplant
• Rainbow Chard
• Curly, Red Russian and Lacinato "Dino" Kale
• Cut Flowers (Zinnias, Snapdragons, Sunflowers and Amaranth)
• Pesto (made by Taste of North Fork in Peconic)

Vegetables, Herbs and Fruit From Other Farms: The following items are being sold at the Crossroads farm stand but were grown or prepared at other Long Island farms. 

• Organic Tomatoes, Broccoli, Green Leaf and Red Leaf Lettuce, Yukon Gold and Purple Potatoes, Delicata and Buttercup Squash, Cherry Tomatoes and IPM-grown Apples (Cortland, Empire, Gala, Honeycrisp and Macoun), Grapes (Concord) and Pears (Asian, Barlett and Bosc) from Hepworth Farm in Milton
• Organic Spinach, Baby Bok Choy and Green Beans from Markristo Farm in Hillsdale
• Organic Yellow Doll Watermelon and Spaghetti Squash from Taliaferro Farm in New Palz
• Salad Mix and Spinach from Schmitt Farm in Riverhead
• Red and Yukon Gold Potatoes and Cucumbers from Wesnofske Farm in Riverhead

Jars, Snacks and Cider

• Crossroads' Basil Pesto (made by Taste of North Fork in Peconic)
• Apple Cider from Jericho Cider Mill in Jericho
• Apple and Pear Blossom Honey from Wickham's Fruit Farm in Cutchogue
• Soy, Teriyaki, Tamari and Worchestershite sauces from Wan Ja Shan in Middletown
• Organic Sauerkraut, Ruby Sauerkraut and Kimchi from Hawthorne Valley Farm in Ghent
• Homemade Jams from Youngs Farm in Old Brookville
• Homemade Horseradish from Schmitt Farm in Riverhead
• Chipotle Carrots, NY Deli Style Pickles, Spicy Pickles, and Hop Pickles from Brooklyn Brine in Brooklyn
  
• Corn Relish and Pickled Beets from Taste of the North Fork in Peconic
• Long Island Potato Chips in Six Flavors (Plain, Salt and Vinegar, Sour Cream and Onion, BBQ, Rosemary & Garlic, Cheddar and Onion) and Sweet Potato Chips from North Fork Potato Chips in Peconic
  

Baked Goods 

• Fruit Pies (Apple Lattice, Apple Crumb, Cranberry Walnut Apple, Blueberry Lattice, Blueberry Crumb, Peach Lattice and Peach Crumb) and Assorted Crumb Cakes from Papa's Country Porch in Bohemia
• Oatmeal Raisin, Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Coconut and Hazelnut Cookies, and Granola from the Bakery at Champhill Village in Copake
• Cinnamon Buns, Whole Wheat Mixed Berry Muffins, Banana Walnut Muffins, Brownies, and Country White and 7-Grain Bread from Hepworth Valley Farm Bakery
• Muesli from Mu Mu Muesli in Sharon Springs
• Classic Pound Cake, Almond Pound Cake, Chocolate Chip Banana Bread, Blueberry Pound Cake, Cinnamon Pound Cake, Pumpkin Pound Cake and Assorted Muffins from PolkaDot Pound Cake in Rockville Centre

Gifts & Goodies

• 'Grown on Long Island' Tote Bags from Long Island Farm Bureau
• Assorted Handmade Soaps from Naturally Handmade by Susan in Franklin Square
• Mums, pumpkins and more!

Fall Festival: Oct. 21 

This will be our third year holding a fall festival at Crossroads Farm at Grossmann’s in conjunction with the Malverne Fall Festival. It will take place on Oct. 21 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the farm, rain or shine.

Last year, we helped hundreds of attendees enjoy hayrides, pumpkin picking, storytelling, antique engines & fire trucks, farm animals, live music, and face painting at one of Nassau’s last remaining farms.

We can’t wait to throw another “hoedown” for the community! The festival is free and open to the public. RSVP on Facebook and tune in for more details!

Keep Crossroads Farm Growing

Funds are urgently needed to cover Crossroads' operating expenses until the farm becomes self-sustaining. Click here to learn how you can donate. 

Educational Programs at Crossroads Farm

Would you like to bring your class or youth group to the farm?

Educational programs at the farm are available for schools, youth organizations, students, scout troops, and groups of all ages.

Programs include a tour of the farm, a visit to the beehives, and a hands-on seasonal activity in the greenhouses or in the fields. Groups can come for one visit or participate in a series of visits.

A program series can be developed for your specific interests or curriculum.

Series topics include:

• Seasonal Growing and Eating
• Organic and Biodynamic Farming
• Bees, Bugs, and Birds
• Healthy Soil, Plants, and Composting
• Chicken Care 101

For more information or to schedule a visit, contact Leonore Russell, Education Director, at 516-581-5696 or leonorerussell@gmail.com.

Come back next weekend to see what's new on the farm! You can also follow Crossroads Farm on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest for more news, recipes, photos and more!

Farm Stand Hours: Mondays to Fridays 10 a.m.-6p.m., Saturdays 9a.m.-5p.m. and Sundays 10a.m.-3p.m.