October 2022 Newsletter 2

Not being a farmer, I (Marti) have little personal experience growing and raising food beyond my home garden. The closest I come is remembering when my grandmother, a third-generation farmer in central Indiana, told me “You can’t do a damn thing about the weather”. This was the ONLY time I heard her swear.
Getting to know the hard-working, resilient people who sell through Edinboro Market over the last five years has put a ‘face’ on farming for me.  I’ve learned that there are many benefits to farming. You eat well, you’re your own boss, you spend much of your time in the natural world. There are downsides too. It’s hard physical work and the outcome is often dependent on things beyond your control like weather, critters, etc. The low pay usually necessitates a second job off the farm to pay bills and/or secure health insurance.
If you’d like to learn more about the issues small-scale farmers face in our area consider attending the Growing Roots of Understanding Community Agricultural Forum on 11/03/22 at Penn State Behrend. Find more information below.

Fennel, a member of the carrot family, defies the norm by being an above-ground bulb. It also defies categorization, and can be considered an herb, spice, or vegetable. Fennel’s flavor is anise-like, but not as strong as star anise or licorice. When the bulb is cooked down, it becomes slightly sweet like an onion. We have an abundance of this neat and flavorful herb/spice/vegetable, and quite a few of the other ingredients necessary for your next dinner or potluck dish.