As farmers and consumers, why do we need to worry about pollination at all? Easy answer: because one third of the crops we eat rely on it! Any fruiting bodies that we eat, with a few exceptions, rely on pollination and proper fertilization to be recognized as edible. Apples, peaches, plums, zucchini, walnuts, melons, tomatoes, peppers, almonds, and pears all begin as blossoms, and if those flowers aren’t pollinated correctly, it might form a tiny, shriveled, or improperly developed fruit, which no one would want to eat.
I recently had the opportunity to talk with my good friend Larken about her work with the 
Hello! My name is Zoe Yost—and some of you may remember or know me! I am a fifteen-year-old musician, writer, and painter who has been involved with North Star Orchard since I was six (my family belongs to the CSA). 
“How do I keep my carrots from getting wobbly and my lettuce from wilting when I get it home?”
If you’ve spent any time driving around Chester County, then you’ve seen them on the side of the road: these spindly red machines that look exactly like what a five-year old would draw if you gave them some crayons and said, ‘draw me a tractor.’ That is, unless they’ve already been indoctrinated to think John Deere is where it’s at, the poor things.
I’m enjoying a beautiful day thinning fruit in the 
Spring on the farm means welcoming back warm weather, rain (sigh...), growing and blooming plants, and a bunch of great helpers to work with!
Looking for a fun and/or educational event for your group? Now's the time to get the thinking caps on and the conversation started and line up some great new experiences to share!