On the Farm: Blueberries, Breads and 'Tribute to LI Farms'

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. Every Friday afternoon, we'll fill you in on what fresh crops have been recently harvested and ready for your kitchen, what locally grown produce and gourmet items have been delivered to the farm stand and what events will be taking place that week. 

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

It'll soon be time for another NOFA-NY visit for Crossroads Farm at Grossmann's organic certification. NOFA-NY, which is the New York state chapter of the Northeast Organic Farming Association, is our certifyng agency for USDA organic standards. 

To maintain certification, the farm must keep diligent records of all plantings, plant care, harvesting, and storage of vegetable crops. We also use all-natural methods to fertilize our plants, and use no synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. To us, this means that we're farming in a way to benefit the health of our land & our community. 

NOFA-NY's Long Island/NYC Chapter has its annual meeting on Monday, July 16th. For more information, visit NOFA-NY's Web site.

New This Week: 

• Organic green zucchini, yellow summer squash, pattypan/sunburst squash, cucumbers, kale mix, collards, basil, and zinnias from Crossroads Farm at Grossmann's
• Seven-Grain and Country White Bread from Hawthorne Valley Farm
• Organic iceberg lettuce and Napa cabbage from Hepworth Farm
• Blueberries and Apricots from Wickham's Fruit Farm

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

• Zucchini
• Yellow Summer Squash
• Pattypan/Sunburst Squash
• Cucumbers
• Swiss Chard
• Baby Beets
• Kale Mix
• Collards
• Basil
• Cut Flowers (Zinnias)

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 red cabbage, Napa cabbage, Iceberg lettuce, rainbow chard, green garlic, Italian parsley, and red radishes from Hepworth Farm in Milton
• Organic white and orange carrots, and organic pea shoots from Little Seed Gardens in Chatham
• Organic spring onions from Taliaferro Farms in New Palz
• Long Island bi-color sweet corn from Rottkamp's Farm in Calverton
• Red and Golden Beets from Schmitt Farm in Riverhead
• Cauliflower and string beans from Wesnofske Farm in Riverhead
  
• Broccoli and Red Potatoes from Smilie Kozak Farm in Riverhead
  
• Zuchini, Golden Zuchini and Cabbage from Anderson Farm in Riverhead
  
• Red and Yellow Tomatoes, Peaches, Blueberries and Apricots from Wickham's Fruit Farm in Cutchogue
  
• Wildflower and Clover Honey from Fricke Apiaries in Hicksville
• Homemade Jams from Youngs Farm in Old Brookville
  

Gifts and Gourmet Goodies: 

• Soaps -- Lavender Patchouli, Bee Happy Honey, Gardener's, Ocean Breeze and Pink Grapefruit -- from Naturally Handmade by Susan in Franklin Square
• Light, Medium and Dark Brown Ground Coffee Beans from Gentle Brew in Long Beach
• NY Style Deli Pickles, Maple Bourbon Bread and Butter Pickles and Whiskey Barrel Sauerkraut 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 and Hazelnut Cookies from the Bakery at Champhill Village in Copake
• Classic Pound Cake, Almond Pound Cake, Orange Cranberry Pound Cake, Chocolate Chip Banana Bread, Blueberry Pound Cake, Cinnamon Pound Cake and Assorted Muffins from PolkaDot Pound Cake in Rockville Centre
• Seven-Grain and Country White Bread from Hawthorne Valley Farm
  

Upcoming Events

• Nassau Land Trust will be hosting a "Tribute to Long Island Farms" on July 26 from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the Queens County Farm Museum. For more information and to purchase tickets go here. 

Volunteer at Crossroads 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 every Friday to see what's new on the farm! You can also follow Crossroads Farm on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest!