GREENSBURG, Pa. — This Saturday, May 16th, is Armed Forces Day, when we recognize the service of all who protect this great nation while serving in the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, on active duty, as reservists, or as Guard members. Throughout Pennsylvania, military members and veterans continue to serve by feeding their communities. Support veteran farms while you buy and eat local when you purchase produce, meats, poultry, and more from a veteran/military-owned farm this Armed Forces Day.
Find a Pennsylvania veteran farm near you by visiting www.troopstotractors.org and clicking on the PA Veteran Farm map. This Armed Services Day weekend the PA Veteran Farming Project is highlighting 5 outstanding farms:
In Crawford County, Crabapple Hollow Farms LLC, 26073 US 6 & 19 Cambridge Springs 16403, offers vegetable plants and potted flowers. This Homegrown by Heroes/PA Preferred farm owned by Army veteran Don Green offers current military and first responders a 10% discount, and they offer both no-contact curbside pickup and local delivery for a small fee within 5 miles. Visit the farm on the web at ww.crabapplehollowfarms.com .
Hopkins Fancy Farm is located at 502 River Rd., Falls, 18615 in Wyoming County. 30-year Army veteran Bill Hopkins and wife Leanne are fourth generation farmers and purchased the farm from his father in early 2020. As consumers and producers strive to stay safe during the Covid-19 pandemic, the public will be glad to learn that Bill offers phone orders thru 570-388-2858. and curbside pickup once their farm store opens May 22nd. Hopkins Fancy Farm is a Homegrown by Heroes/PA Preferred member.
In southwestern PA you’ll find Fayette County’s Heritage Farms, at 426 Old Route 21, McClellandtown 15458. Army veteran Larry Daugherty and his family raise heritage breeds of pork and beef and will be opening a new farm stand soon. Be sure to try their pulled pork sandwiches and specialty cold cuts. www.facebook.com/Heritage-farms-348177148588849/
A short, 10 minute-drive from Heritage Farms is Homegrown by Heroes/PA Preferred Red Range Farm LLC, at 604 Footedale Road, New Salem PA 15468. Rogers Clawson, Army veteran, and his wife Lorraine operate their certified organic/biodynamic farm and will have lettuce, kale, radishes, goat sausage links, and free range eggs available on Armed Services Day. Find them on the web at www.redrangefarm.com
Navy veteran James Cornwell and his family own and operate Nine Pines Farm at 3301 E Berlin Road, York. They raise pastured poultry and pork, and have become sought after for their farm-grown floral arrangements. Visit https://www.ninepinesfarm.com/ to learn how they grow with no chemical pesticides, fertilizers, preservatives, hormones nor antibiotics.
Peace and Friendship Farm is at 678 Somers Street, Pittsburgh 15219. This newer, urban Allegheny County farm features edible flowers, and pickled mushrooms. Army veteran Kent Bey offers a 5% discount for order requests via email at info@plcpgh.org . No-contact curbside pick-up is available. Learn more about this unique farm at facebook.com/groups/peaceandfriendshipfarm.
On Armed Service Day and every day, the PA Veteran Farming Project encourages all Pennsylvanians to ensure the quality, safety, and freshness of the food you serve your family buy buying local, and please consider patronizing a military or veteran-owned farm near you.
–Mimi Thomas-Brooker,PA Veteran Farming Project
