North Star Orchard

A farm is not an island. Well, it could be on an island. It could even own an island. Mmmm…farming on a tropical island sounds mighty nice. I’ll have to think more on that…

But what I mean here is that a farm is not an entity unto itself; it depends on the support of many others. The obvious others? The farm owners, our farm helpers, customers, and CSA members. The not-so-obvious others are the business and individuals without which the farm could not function and, well, grow.

For us there’s any number of important support others. This is like the list of credits at the end of a movie. Most people know they’re there, but they don’t really watch them. For those few of you who might be watching, here’s some of the business/people in our ‘credits’:

Stoltzfus Farm Service
Anderson Truck and Auto
Radbill Automotive
One Village Coffee
Perk
Chester County Crop Care
Nolt’s Produce Supply
Rainflo Irrigation
Bauman Family Apple Butter
Tie Dye Guru
Google
Constant Contact
Veni Vortex
Siteground
Credo Mobile
Phil Brown Welding
Kubota
Giant
Turkey Hill
Inverbrook Farm
Pennypack Farm
Charlestown Farm
Quiet Creek Farm
CCEDC (w/ Suzanne Milshaw)
Farmers’ Markets: West Chester, Phoenixville, Oakmont, Headhouse, Clark Park, Emmaus, Upper Merion – and all the people who work hard to make those markets happen.
…and more

Who’s on YOUR list of credits?

(Sophie has been a full-time helper since spring 2007)

Background: I don’t really keep track of what I’ve done in the past… there’s too much to do in the present! Plus, I always have to be on the look out for rabbits, treats, concrete trucks, and Amish buggies… I can’t spend time thinking about the past. What if one of them shows up?!

Why are you working at North Star Orchard? Wait, I’m working? I was just having fun… that’s not work!

What do you want to do when you grow up? I’m four… I’m already grown up!

Least favorite farm job: Fighting groundhogs, accidentally biting frogs, going in the house, hiding from thunder, waiting for Mom to come home.

Favorite farm job: Getting treats and toys, chasing concrete trucks that go past my house, barking at buggies, scouring the farm to chase out those pesky rabbits, watching people do things in the barn.

Favorite vegetable/ fruit: I really like Housi Asian pears and some of the really sweet apples. Carrots and Brussels sprouts are awesome, too.

Favorite flavor of ice cream: I’m not sure if the blog’s reading audience would want to know just what I like to snack on while I’m running around the farm…

By now, many many people know what CSA stands for, but in case you’ve missed it, it is “Community Supported Agriculture”.

And now, for a bit of history:

Its roots reach back more than 30 years to Japan where a group of women concerned about the increase in food imports and the corresponding decrease in the farming population initiated a direct growing and purchasing relationship between their group and local farms. This arrangement, called “teikei” in Japanese, translates to “putting the farmers’ face on food.” The concept traveled to Europe and America, where it was given the name “Community Supported Agriculture” at Indian Line Farm, Massachusetts in 1985.

In this country, the differences between CSAs are as vast as the number of CSAs. While they are primarily vegetable-based, many offer fruits as well. Meat, cheese, and even grain/flour CSAs are in existence. Most CSAs have members sign up early, sometimes even the fall prior, while others have various payment plans, or account-balance-based structures. Some CSAs have hefty work requirements of members, while others do not have any. The list of differences goes on.

What CSAs all have in common, though, is a significant connection between farmers and consumers.

I argue, however, that perhaps we should be making a shift to calling them ASCs instead; Agriculture Supported Communities. With all the buzz about ‘local’ and ‘sustainable’, shouldn’t we be looking at ASC as a model?

There’s something that seems not-quite-right when some CSAs are delivering veggies all over Philadelphia, and pushing 60 to 100 miles from their home base to do it. There are farmers who are traveling 3 hours and more to sell at Philadelphia and New York City farmers’ markets. Please note I am not dissing these operations, just making a point. Personally, it seems somehow not-quite-right for me to be schlepping Fruit Shares to Horsham and Kutztown, each of which are 40 miles distant, or going to a farmers’ market 60 miles away. It’s not that I don’t want those folks to get my fruit – not in the slightest – but now that ‘local’ and ‘CSA’ and ‘sustainable’ are gaining such momentum, I think we must watch out for how to encourage things to ‘travel’ in the right direction.

It wouldn’t make sense, after all, if a Lancaster-based CSA were delivering shares to Philly, while an urban or suburban Philly farm couldn’t sell all the shares it had available to sell. And although there are no other local Fruit Shares like ours available in the area at this time, if one did pop up near Kutztown but had to deliver shares to our own Chester County area, we’d be passing each other on delivery day. Sounds goofy, huh? But that’s just what has happened as commodity agriculture grew. As a nation, we are exporting apples TO China, and importing apples FROM China. Where’s the sense in that? Same thing goes for all kinds of other crops and businesses.

So, what we need to be on the lookout for, and work towards, is making sure that things make sense. Work towards ASC: If you’re joining a CSA, choose one close to home. And then, as years pass, make sure it’s STILL the closest one to home. While I’d hate to say goodbye to long-term members of ours who live at somewhat of a distance, I would enjoy saying ‘hello’ to new members who live in our own county. While I’d be sad to leave some far-flung farmers’ markets that I’ve gone to for years, I’d be happy to supply my direct neighbors with food, knowing at the same time that other new farms are supplying the people I used to. Of course, new orchards are far and few between, as the development costs, in both time and expense, are so friggin’ high. But, new farms will come along if we all, as a community, can show that there is the need and desire for them.

In days gone by, we all practiced ASC. Little hamlets and small towns relied on their own neighborhood farmers to feed them. We are living in an environment so gosh-darned suited to agriculture that there is no reason why we cannot again practice ASC. But, of course, many people are still unaware of the concept of buying local, or may be unwilling to practice it. They may think it too expensive or inconvenient. But such feelings and attitudes are changing; we’ve been watching it happen.

Community as a word has come to represent just about any group: Facebook friends, online gaming groups, etc. Community as a locale would be a great thing to bring back as its major definition. Imagine knowing personally your shoemaker, cheesemaker, electrical engineer, jelly maker, and farmer – because you lived near them, worked with them, and supported each other in business. I think we may be headed that way. ASC is one of the first steps.

ASC would really be teikei. But, we’d love to see things go further than that. Let’s really see the consumers’ faces, as well as the doctors’, the mailmans’, and yes, even the garbage collectors’. It takes all of us to build community.

For a great example, watch this video about what a small town in Vermont has done! (Grab your coffee, this one is about 20 minutes long, but worth it!)

(Jay helps out part-time every year.)

Background: I’ve been homeschooled all my life, which has given me a great chance to really follow my interests during all the times at public schools which are wasted (role call, travel [on the bus and between classes], dealing with loud/obnoxious kids, etc.). Thanks to having a more flexible schedule, I have more time to really focus on what I want to do. Right now, that is web programming and other computer science topics.

Why are you working at North Star Orchard? Well, the most obvious thing, maybe, is that it is a very convenient place for me to work, since I live right there. I’ve grown up with the farm, so I think my personality has really been influenced by the work I’ve been doing… rather than coming in to work with preconceived notions of what I do and don’t like, what I like doing, and by extension why I’m working at North Star, are based on my work experiences. Finally, I can’t deny that it’s nice to have a seasonal source of income.

What do you want to do when you grow up? At this point I’m looking towards following some sort of programming, Internet, or other computer-y type path. I haven’t quite settled on just where in that (admittedly vast) field I want to go into, but I’m hoping that the computer science class I’m taking at the Chester County Technical College High School will help me more firmly solidify the details.

Least favorite farm job: Moving all the 40+ pound crates of fruit out of a small box truck in a space of an hour or two. Those things are heavy.

Favorite farm job: Talking to customers at farmers’ markets. Market-goers tend to be really friendly, and it’s been great getting to know some of our customers.

Favorite vegetable/ fruit: Apples. There’s just so much variety!

Favorite flavor of ice cream: Chocolate chip cookie dough. Not real healthy, but even farmers need to give in sometimes.

(Liedeke helps out part-time. Last year, she helped on the farm, this year, she’s helping at a farmers’ market)

Background: As a wee child, I spent my time being home-schooled by my parents, attending home-school co-ops, and playing with my three sisters. That lasted for a few glorious years (up through 9th grade), when I went to a charter school in West Chester. I spent the last two years of high school at Octorara, and am now at Delaware Technical & Community College.

Why are you working at North Star Orchard? Mainly because I need a job while I am in college. That being said, I started working at the farm because I enjoy being and working outside. As of now, I am only working at markets, which is completely different work than at the farm, although no less enjoyable. Markets are fun because of the interaction with customers. Everyone is so relaxed and happy that they are getting delicious fruit. I look forward to market days because of the interactions with customers!

What do you want to do when you grow up? That’s a good question! I know that I love learning about science, and why the world works the way that it does. So, I’m aiming to get a degree in Quantitative Biology at the University of Delaware. I’ll see what opportunities arise after that, and figure it out as I go!

Least favorite farm job: Vacuuming harlequin beetles. Vacuuming beetles may sound like fun at first, but after a few hours of searching under Brussels sprout leaves for signs of insects, it gets pretty old.

Favorite farm job: Picking sugar snap peas. Also, at market stocking plums in the morning.

Favorite vegetable/ fruit: Tomatoes and White Lady peaches.

Favorite flavor of ice cream: Mint Chocolate Chip

(Lisa is co-owner of North Star Orchard)

Background:I caught the farming ‘bug’ while attending Penn State and working on the student farm one summer. Although I was in college for education (I wanted to teach high school chemistry), I found working on the student farm to be very challenging and rewarding work. As I was dating (and soon to be married to) a guy whose plan was to farm, the decision to switch majors was a fairly easy one. I’ve enjoyed the best of both farming and teaching careers, as I’ve homeschooled our son Jay straight through from K to 12. (Although I never did teach him high school chemistry!)

Why are you working at North Star Orchard?:While this answer is fairly obvious (because I own the business), I will say this: when Ike and I started North Star Orchard in 1992, we had absolutely NO idea what we were in for! Challenges like extreme weather, taking on debt, managing an ever-increasing pool of employees, working 12 to 15-hour days during harvest time, and figuring out our goals/marketing plan have been both tough and sometimes awesome to figure out. Getting to know so many great people, including the aforementioned employees as well as our CSA members and farmers’ market customers has been a joy – and a most excellent reward for all of our hard work and worry!

What do you want to do when you grow up?: I think I’ve mostly hit this one already. Some things I’d like to do in the future: find more time to do artwork and writing. At least most winters I can squeeze a bit of each in! I’d also like to do some on-farm educational programs in the future, as well as add a few chickens and a pig or two to the farm.

Favorite farm job (so far!): Thinning Asian pears. I get to listen to a lot of great audiobooks when I’m in midst of thinning mode. This year, I went through most of Charles Dickens’ books. Previous years were focused on history, the sciences, philosophy, etc.

Least favorite farm job: Thinning Asian pears! Ok, that job is a love-hate relationship. The task is completely daunting, as there’s so much to do. For the first half of thinning season, I get stressed that we’ll never get done on time. During the second half of thinning season, I get stressed that we’re not doing a good-enough job. Ugh!

Favorite vegetable/fruit: Veggies: Swiss Chard and beets. Fruit: just about any plums, plus Golden Russet and Gold Rush apples

Favorite ice cream: Espresso Chip (although I’ll take anything that I can add chocolate syrup to!)

(Josh is a full-time seasonal helper this year)

Background: I grew up gardening with my mom.  We had a small veggie garden that consisted of 4 raised beds.  Just recently, my wife and I started a much larger garden with over 40 varieties of vegetables, herbs and fruits- this keeps us busy all summer long.  When we have eaten our fill, we can most of our extra harvest.  This way, we are fed almost all year!

Why are you working at North Star Orchard?: I love working at North Star Orchard, not just because Ike and Lisa are the best bosses, ever.  A supporter of CSAs and sustainability, this farm allows me to work someplace that I not only enjoy but share similar values.

What do you want to do when you grow up?: As I look towards my future, I see myself continuing to work in this field.  It may be hard work, but it is something that is important to me and my family.  Plus, who doesn’t like to literally enjoy the ‘fruits’ of their labor?!

Favorite farm job (so far!): My favorite job here on the farm is hoeing because it is so much fun.

Least favorite farm job: My least favorite farm job is gathering the kale. 

Favorite vegetable/fruit: I love Brussels sprouts, especially when they are sautéed with some garlic and olive oil (and cooked by my wife!)
Favorite ice cream: Mint chocolate chip- please note that I will accept ice cream donations willingly.

(Erin, our orcharding assistant, is a full-time helper who has been with us since April 2009)

Background: Originally from Ohio, I majored in Peace & Global Studies in college, with lots of gardening and farming experiences mixed in.  After graduating, I lived in Philadelphia for several years, where I worked for a grassroots food security organization and Greensgrow, an urban farm in Kensington.  When i decided that I really wanted to farm, I left to do an Apprenticeship in Ecological Horticulture at the University of California in Santa Cruz. 

Why are you working at North Star Orchard?: I wanted to learn more about fruit trees, return to the Philadelphia area for awhile longer, and eat myself sick on Asian pears.  But seriously, I had loved North Star’s fruit that I had purchased at markets in Philly, and I was impressed with the diversity of fruit at the orchard and their professionalism.

What do you want to do when you grow up?: I daydream about having my own farm and homestead, very small scale, influenced by permaculture principles, growing lots of unusual crops of all kinds…  Whether or not that will make any money is a whole other question.

Favorite farm job (so far!): Harvesting

Least favorite farm job: Heavy lifting.

Favorite vegetable/fruit: arugula & sugar snap peas, purple heart plums & Hosui Asian pears
Favorite ice cream: Caramel

(Laura is a full-time seasonal helper this year)

Background: I grew up in Chadds Ford, PA and have always had a great love for food and the outdoors. Although I was quite upset with my mom in elementary school because I had no paper bag lunches with wonder bread sandwiches and juice boxes like my friends, by late high school and college I started educating myself more about environmental issues while getting a bachelor’s degree in psychology and studio art

Why are you working at North Star Orchard?: After working for a year and a half as a mental health case worker with children and families who had little or no access to healthy and sustainable food, and feeling surrounded on all sides by fast food chains on a daily basis, I needed to reconnect with real food and wanted to learn more about small scale agriculture

What do you want to do when you grow up?: I would love to one day design sustainable public spaces as a landscape architect or educate young people about making healthy choices for themselves and the world they live in.  I’d also like to have a big, big garden

Favorite farm job (so far!): Harvesting Swiss chard. I completely enjoy it; putting them in bunches is like arranging beautiful flowers!

Least favorite farm job: Putting up row covers on a windy day

Favorite vegetable/fruit: I love love love seckel pears and every kind of fresh beefsteak tomato I’ve ever tried
Favorite ice cream: chocolate fudge brownie

(Genevieve is a full-time seasonal helper this year)

Background: My educational background is in city planning, and I’ve been involved with and passionate about local food in Philly for the past few years. Originally, I grew up in the beautiful mountains of northeast Tennessee, and I’m from a family of 5 (one of whom is a twin brother).

Why are you working at North Star Orchard?: I’m interested in really learning how an organic farm operates; I want literal hands-on experience to understand how it all works and to see if it’s the life and work for me.

What do you want to do when you grow up?: I want to be a happy, compassionate, and productive human being.

Favorite farm job (so far!): At this point, it’s probably transplanting, as you feel like you’re filling out the farm and setting the veggies off to really start growing!

Least favorite farm job: I’d say any task where you’re likely to be surprised by multi-legged insects (like moving a long-standing rock pile) is not on my list of favorites.

Favorite vegetable/fruit: I really love lemon cucumbers and blueberries.
Favorite ice cream: Chocolate chip cookie dough is a great one.