Local Farmers Beat the Heat

From the looks of the downtown Farmers' Market, no one would have guessed that the farmers had been sweating it out, both literally and figuratively, over the recent scorching conditions. The market was bustling, merchants were smiling, and the produce was bright, crisp and abundant. Last week's long-awaited rain provided much-needed relief, rescuing many crops from what seemed like their inevitable demise.

Carol Davis, owner of Stony Hill Farm in Chester, said that the recent rain saved a few of her crops just in the nick of time. "Everything is on a drip [irrigation] line, except for pumpkins and sweet corn. We were starting to get a little worried, but we've been lucky." And luckily for consumers, prices were not affected by the near miss. The workers at Alstede Farms, also located in Chester, said that their crops haven't been affected by the heat, but it has made for long, arduous days both on the farm and at the market.

For Kyle Laferriere and Kristen Bowlin of Totten Family Farm in Long Valley, the hot, dry weather wasn't anything they couldn't handle. The fledging farm has overcome adverse conditions in the past, including a house fire just a few months after opening their doors this past February. The farm, which is Certified Naturally Grown, does not use an irrigation system; they rely on organic mulches to retain moisture, and when conditions deem it necessary, they only water tender seedlings. For the rest they depend on Mother Nature, who has certainly come through for them this time. They had a beautiful array of produce including eggplants, zucchini, mustard greens, potted herbs, tomatoes, and squash.

Last week saw Eden Gourmet chef Frank Pasquale offer shoppers a refreshing melon-apple-ginger-yogurt soup and strawberries marinated in balsamic vinegar and sugar with whipped cream.