ENJOYING SUMMER’S HARVEST
Local farms offer the freshest foods you can find
If you want to better understand the character of both Peters Township and Southwestern Pennsylvania, a good place to start would be to visit local farmers this summer. Their history is closely intertwined with the land, and has been for at least four, if not five, generations now.
With that in mind, Peters Township Magazine visited a few local farms to learn how a resident can pick — right from the branch in some cases — fresh foods from around the community.
Whether it’s participating in an event at a familiar farm or driving 10 to 15 minutes to a farm you may not have visited before, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy this summer’s harvest.
The SpringHouse
If you venture to the SpringHouse Store in North Strabane around noon, you are likely to
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Inside the SpringHouse Market.
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find a member of the Minor family serving lunch to customers. In business for more than 30 years, the Minors now have a 200-cow dairy farm, an eatery, country market and catering business that features hormone-free milk and their popular chocolate milk.
“We heard a customer say to another customer the other day that this is the chocolate milk place,” says Marcia Minor with a smile. “Our customers are very excited that our milk is hormone free and that it is produced right here,” says Minor, the retail manager and oldest daughter of owners Sam and Bev Minor.
You can also find skim and butter milk produced on the farm. For groups of 25 or more, and with a reservation, the SpringHouse provides educational tours that include actually milking one of the cows, which have names like “Alli,” “Katherine” and “Jessie.”
The Minors’ specialties are typical of the country, including casseroles, soups, sandwiches and desserts. In the future, you may be able to pick up The SpringHouse’s milk at supermarkets or at local schools because the Minors are considering selling wholesale.
Simmons Farm
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Simmons Farm's Thomas Road location.
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Just off Thomas Road in Peters Township, you can find a 450 to 500-acre farm that has been in the Simmons family for four generations. June is the best time to pick strawberries, according to owner/partner Scott Simmons.
“We’re seeing a resurgence in picking your own strawberries, peaches and apples,” says Simmons. “When you come out and get an apple right off the tree, it’s good tasting.”
In recent years, farmers such as Simmons have started hosting entertainment and educational events for customers. Families can have a child’s birthday party at the farm, or guests can plant either a vegetable or flower in a pot to take home. Groups can also take tractor-drawn tours of the farm, walk nature trails or visit the petting zoo.
The end of June and on through the summer months is the best time to pick sweet corn. According to Simmons, the corn from Western Pennsylvania tends to be more tender than Southern varieties, which are grown specifically to travel better and last longer.
While Simmons only sells to a few supermarkets, its produce may also be found at farmers’ markets. Simmons also runs a roadside market on Route 19 for quick stops.
Trax Farms
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The produce department at Trax Farm.
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During the full swing of the growing season, sweet corn, picked once or twice a day, is a big draw for customers at Trax Farms in Finleyville. In recent years, Trax has expanded its business to include a large home-decorating shop, an antiques area and, of course, the farm market.
The 400-acre farm has been in the family since 1865. When visiting, be sure to look for a new product at Trax: certified organic apple cider. You may also be able to find this product at the supermarkets by late summer or fall.
Trax’s market, including its produce area, is open year round, though, the food is obviously not grown locally then. Don’t forget that both Simmons and Trax are great places to buy plants or flowers for gardens. Trax Farms also has educational events on various topics ranging from water gardening to canning for those interested in saving their local vegetables for the winter months. (Trax sells a complete line of canning items).
If you’re interested in supporting local farms, a list of local grocers, caterers and restaurants is available online at www.buylocalpa.org.
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