Hello!

It’s been awhile, yes?

I hope you are all warm and well and hanging on out there.

I’ve spent the last few years growing the farm outside of this platform – you can see some of our evolution on our website. I’ve got a store, I’m still running a small CSA, and I’m still growing the green goods. I’m trying to get off the other social media platforms at present, but for now we’re still on Facebook and at Instagram @crookedrowfarmerliz. I’ve been writing a somewhat monthly column for an agricultural weekly print newspaper, and you can find those online publications here. There’s a column from August about inclusion in agriculture and a couple of others that I am particularly proud of. I’m also writing a less-than-monthly newsletter – here is the February one – and you’re welcome to subscribe to that. That’s for more immediate farm news, vendor spotlights and seasonal updates.

I’ve been holding onto this blog space, trying to figure out what to share here. I’m writing about the farm in so many other places that this was starting to feel redundant. So, I’m going to use this space, for now, as a bit of a community bulletin board. I’m going to share what we’re doing for the immediate community right now, how you can help in this particular area if you are interested, and I’m also going to share verified news about how what is happening in our country at present is affecting American farmers. Agriculture, though the cornerstone of all of our lives, can be a murky, vague, nuanced space that folks outside of the industry don’t always have the time to learn about and read about, and I’d like to offer up a place to share and discuss some of that information and news, as far as I know and understand it.

For now, here’s our Community Note:

If you become food insecure, or if you have an elderly neighbor who can’t get out or a relative who has lost a job, or if you know of a friend with kids in distress in the days and weeks and months ahead, let me know. I know a lot of things are up in the air right now, and we’re a small little shop, but we’re going to do what we can to get people fed around here. We’ve got some patrons who have donated some funds (which you’re also welcome to do), to order bulk pantry goods and extra freezer items for a very informal distribution network for folks in need. And we have a couple of volunteer drivers on standby for those who are home bound. The stand number is 484-773-6559 if you want to reach me about this.

If you are looking for a more formal place to help and a local way to donate, I recommend reaching out to the Parkland Cares Food Pantry.

Various funding cuts are going to affect/have affected community members, growers, and food access at different points throughout the supply chain, as well as folks in our sphere whose jobs are now in flux. Hopefully, some of this gets vetted and sorted and essential services get to those who need them. In the meantime, as people living in the community, it’s our civic duty to take care of each other. We’re here for it.

Stay warm out there.