On the Farm: Pumpkins, Grapes and Last Tomatoes

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

Tomatoes are down to a trickle these days as the cooler weather sets in and the summer heat leaves us. Speaking of leaves, our leafy greens have been coming in a'plenty, with lots of kale, bok choy, and lettuce in the farm stand. Winter squash are also coming in bountifully, with Jack-Be-Little pumpkins, acorn squash, butternut squash, honey nut squash, and Baby Pam pumpkins in season. We've also had a surge of eggplants & peppers this week -- be sure to get 'em while they're still here!

New This Week: 

• Crossroads' own organic Jack-Be-Little Pumpkins
• Organic Spinach from Markristo Farm
• Organic Patty Pan Squash and Spaghetti Squash from Taliaferro Farm
• Apple, Grapes and Pears from Hepworth Farms (IPM-grown) 
• Pumpkin Chip Pound Cake from Polka Dot Poundcake 

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

• Jack-Be-Little and Baby Pam Pumpkins
• 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
• Cucumbers
• Rainbow Chard
• Curly, Red Russian and Lacinato "Dino" Kale
• Cut Flowers (Zinnias, Snapdragons, Sunflowers and Amaranth)
• Pesto and Canned Tomatoes (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, Brussels Sprouts, and Scallions, and IPM-grown Apples (Gala, Honeycrispa and McIntosh), Grapes (Concord and Niagara) and Pears (Asian, Barlett) from Hepworth Farm in Milton
• Organic Spinach, Red Chard and Edamame from Markristo Farm in Hillsdale
• Organic Yellow Doll Watermelon, Spaghetti Squash, and Patty Pan Squash from Taliaferro Farm in New Palz
• Spring Salad Mix, Spinach, Red Beets and Golden Beets from Schmitt Farm in Riverhead
• Red and Yukon Gold Potatoes and Cucumbers from Wesnofske Farm in Riverhead
• Zucchini and Golden Zucchini from Anderson Farm in Riverhead
• Apples (Macoun, Cortland, Acey Mac, snf Jona Mac), Peaches and Pears from Wickham's Fruit Farm in Cutchogue

Jars snd Snacks

• Crossroads' Pesto and Canned Tomatoes (made by Taste of North Fork in Peconic)
• 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
  
• 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

Thursday Night Movie Series

• Sept. 20: Dive! Guest Speaker: Jon Stepanian, Co-Founder, Long Island Food Not Bombs. This eye-opening documentary reveals the appalling amount of edible, nutritis goods that are thrown away -- wasted -- every day in a nation where millions of citizens still go hungry.
• Sept. 27: Forks Over Knives Guest Speaker: Judy Griffin, Founder, Nourishing Solutions 4 Life. Focusing on research by two food scientists, this documentary reveals that despite broad advances in medical technology, the popularity of animal-based and modern processed foods have led to epidemic rates of obesity, diabetes, and other diseases.

Both programs start at 7 p.m. at the Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island (38 Old Country Road, Garden City, NY 11530). Price: $10 per movie; $25 for 3-Movie Pass. Price includes light refreshments, guest speakers and discussion. Tickets can be purchased at Crossroads Farm, the Ethical Humanist Society, or at the door. RSVP on Facebook, share with a friend
. Find directions.

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.

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.