Thank a Farmer!

IF YOU ATE, TODAY…..

THANK A FARMER!!!

Farmers are the backbone and foundation of this great country! Locally, we live in a major farming community. Orleans County, like much of Western NY, depends on farmers to keep our economy going and our citizens fed. And, they work hard to do that! While you and I are sitting by the pool or enjoying a picnic on a hot summer day, our local farmers are out working their butts off in the fields and orchards to feed America….regardless of the weather or whatever they may rather be doing! Because, when planting time comes and when the crops are ready for picking, there is no calling in sick or taking a vacation day! Case in point – it was a rainy day while I was out taking photos, today – I saw many farm hands in the fields working to get as much of the crops in as they could before the heavy rain came, including a crew out wearing rain slickers as they picked (I hate that photo didn’t come out)! So, whatever you ate or drank, today or any day, you can be sure that it was thanks to the hard work and dedication of a farmer! As they say, it was men in overalls who built this nation and continue to work the land and keep it going strong!

It is that time of year when local farm markets and produce stands pop up all over the county. Locally, we have a wide variety of farms offering wonderful, fresh, and delicious produce, fruits, meats, and dairy products — some large family farms, some smaller family farms, and even an abundance of Mom and Pop stands where folks who like to garden set out whatever they grow over what they can use to sell to passers-by! They make it so easy to shop local and home-grown! No reason to buy produce shipped in from out of the country or grown under unknown conditions…..support our local family farmers……even if you MUST buy your produce while you’re in the grocery store – most have sections in the produce aisles labeled “locally grown” to choose from that are stocked by local farmers! But……the freshest way to go is to stop in at one of many farm markets in the area – just choose one – you can’t throw a stick without hitting one near you! We have Rush’s, Kirby’s, Watt’s, Bannister’s, Brown’s, Panek’s, several Amish families, those working the muck lands, and so many more…..this just names a few of the many…..there are way too many to name here – this in no way is meant to slight any not mentioned!!! I so look forward to summer when I can hit them all and get an amazing variety of fresh from the farm foods to enjoy!

So, to honor our local farmers, I drove all around the country side – north, south, east, and west – to capture photos of local farms and produce! I spent all day driving around and didn’t put a dent in the farms out there! Check out the best of the photos……and prepare to get hungry and have your mouth water from the beautiful offerings…….and get your own butt out there and support our local heroes – the farmers of Orleans County!!! And, for those of my readers outside Orleans County and outside New York State……you know your local farmers – support them!!!

Markets and Produce:

And….talk about FRESH…..I watched this corn being placed in this basket directly from the field as I was pulling in the driveway at Rush’s……yes, I went home with some…..direct from the field to my kitchen in a matter of a few hours!!! And, it is ALL that fresh at ALL the markets and stands – I just happened to witness this one!!!

Looks like the corn was the most popular item at this road-side stand, today!!!

Farm Scenes:

The rich, black muck is such a beautiful sight……especially when it has veggies growing in it!!!

And….don’t forget that FISHERMEN also put food on our tables:

Part of what I bought on my travels, today, from Rush’s and Kirby’s:

And, finally, my Grandpa – Marlin Freeman – was a fisherman and a farmer…..he always believed in growing what he needed and what he needed beyond what he could grow, he bought from local farmers first – ALWAYS!