On the Farm: Melons, Turnips and Gala Apples

Wondering what's growing and going on at , 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

What a wet Wednesday we had! Downpours like that can be hard on our tomato plants; tomatoes will crack if the plants soak up too much water. The wet weather also weighed down our eggplant & pepper plants, which need to be picked up off the ground.

Even though the temperature change has been moderate for us this early in September, the basil is showing signs that it's cold! Many of the plants' leaves have yellowed, and we can expect these and many more seasonal changes as fall sets in...

While some plants fade in cooler weather, others thrive. Our winter squash are maturing on-schedule, and our cool-weather crops (including kale, broccoli, and brussel sprouts) are growing as planned, too

New This Week: 

• Crossroads' own organic Onions, Potatoes, and Winter Squashes
• Organic Melons from Taliaferro Farm
• Organic Lettuces from Hepworth Farm
• Organic Green Beans, White Turnips and Radicchio from Markristo Farm
• Organic Arugula and Salad Mix from Little Seed Gardens 

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
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Green Cabbage
• Basil
• Garlic
• Bok Choy
• Carrots
• Beets
• Eggplant
• Zucchini
• Yellow Summer Squash
• Pattypan/Sunburst Squash
• Cucumbers
• Rainbow Chard
• Curly, Red Russian and Lacinato "Dino" Kale
• Cut Flowers (Zinnias, Snapdragons, Sunflowers and Amaranth)
• Pesto and Tomato Sauce (made by Taste of North Fork in Peconic)

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 Green Leaf, Red Leaf and Romaine Lettuces, Red Radish, Green Scallions, and Zucchini from Hepworth Farm in Milton
• Organic Arugula and Salad Mix from Little Seed Gardens
• Spring Salad Mix, Spinach, Red Beets and Golden Beets from Schmitt Farm in Riverhead
• Red and Yukon Gold Potatoes and Cantaloupes from Wesnofske Farm in Riverhead
• Organic Green Beans, White Turnips and Radicchio from Markristo Farm 
• Zucchini and Golden Zucchini from Anderson Farm in Riverhead
• Gingergold adn Gala Apples, Peaches, Nectarines and Plums from Wickham's Fruit Farm in Cutchogue
• Organic Watermelon, Honey Orange Melon and Yellow Doll Watermelon from Taliaferro Farm in New Paltz

Sauces, Baked Goods and Miscellaneous: 

• 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
• Apple and Pear Blossom Honey from Wickham's Fruit Farm in Cutchogue
• Soy, Teriyaki, Tamari and Worchestershite sauces from Wan Ja Shan in Middletown
• Homemade Jams from Youngs Farm in Old Brookville
• Homemade Horseradish from Schmitt Farm in Riverhead
• Assorted Handmade Soaps from Naturally Handmade by Susan in Franklin Square
• Chipotle Carrots, NY Deli Style Pickles, Spicy Pickles, and Hop Pickles from Brooklyn Brine in Brooklyn
• 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
• 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 and Assorted Muffins from PolkaDot Pound Cake in Rockville Centre

Keep Crossroads Farm Growing

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

Educational Programs at Crossroads Farm

The school year is nearly here! 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.

Volunteer on the Farm

Would you like to learn more about local food and organic agriculture? Consider volunteering at Crossroads Farm at Grossmann's!

Volunteers work side-by-side with our farmer and staff to learn about organic growing methods, plant care, and local food systems.

You can sign up for a weekly 2-hour shift, or adapt volunteering times based on your schedule. All ages are welcome, but children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

If you're interested in volunteering at the farm, be sure to check out our online Volunteer Sign-Up Form.  

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.