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Farm News from Orchard Country Produce
Gardners, PA
We are a two generation family farm in rural Cumberland County, PA. We own approximately 57 acres; some of it in woodland, some in pasture, some in hay, most in vegetables and fruit trees. We have four greenhouses. One for propagation and two are unheated high tunnels and one is heated. We raise hogs and broiler chickens for meat and layer chickens for eggs. Our family consisted of Gregg and Louise Keckler (old people) and Oliver and Lizzie Keckler with their four children – Isabelle, 7; Remington, 5; Cassidee, 2 and Travis.
This is a review of what has happened in the last month on our fields, in our greenhouses and tunnels and around the farm.
The Field Crops
We are working to clean up the fields that still have black plastic on them. This is easier when the ground is not frozen. Right now is a great time for pulling plastic!
The Tunnels
The tunnels are full of winter greens – kale, Swiss chard, spinach and beets and bok choi and lettuce. We are picking bok choi, lettuce, spinach and kale from the tunnels every week for the Saturday farm stand at St Luke’s. The vegetables are mostly always covered, but right now the weather is so mild that we are taking the covers off as we weed them. As long as it is sunny and the nighttime temperatures do not drop into the teens, we can leave the covers off. It is better to have the covers off so that the plants can get more sunlight. Since the days are so short we are striving for as much sun as possible.
Greenhouse Seeding
We have radishes ready to be plug planted into the tunnels as soon as we have any room in the tunnels. We also are planting leaf lettuce by seed beginning this week directly into the tunnels.
CSA
The CSA is ready to begin taking new subscriptions for 2025. The new dates are on the website. If you would like to sign up for a full season you can send us a check for $725 for a full 24 weeks of fruits and vegetables. Check out the CSA information page on the website. We will be taking subscriptions for the full season from now until April 30.
Canning, Gardening, Grilling and Preserving
December marked the first time in 7 years that Gregg and I decided to go on a vacation. We went to Granville, NY to visit our youngest daughter, Virginia and her family of four little girls and Dan, her husband. We had a wonderful trip (no snow).
This was the first time I have ever been to Vermont. I must say, it was beautiful! I think I know where the pristine pictures on the calendars come from. There was snow there and it was very memorable.
We were glad to get back though, and are working away in the tunnels (weeding, picking, and replanting). Gregg is making lots of jams and jellies for next year’s markets and I am getting things ready for the tax accountant :(. I do like our accountant. She is a very kind lady, but … the monotony of the papers can get to me after a while. This afternoon I could not take anymore so I went out and pruned all the gooseberries and the currant bushes.
Our goats are off getting bred now and will be gone for a month. So it seems quiet around here. We do have 100 2 week old broilers for company, though.
I have been making soups and chili this month. I used carrots, corn, green beans, and tomatoes that I canned this summer. We have our own beef plus we still have good onions and potatoes.
We hope that you had a lovely Christmas and will enjoy the new year in 2025!
By the way, I opened a jar of peaches that I canned in August and they are so deliciously yellow and sunny looking as well as very sweet! I hope you are enjoying the fruits and vegetables from last year’s bounty.
Farm Stands and Markets
The St Luke’s Farm Stand is open every Saturday from 8 – 1 pm beginning this Saturday, January 4, 2025. Come out and support the local farm on Saturdays!
The Belle View Condos Farm Stand is closed until May.
The East Columbia Library Farm Stand is closed until May.
The Fairfax Community Market is closed until May.
Come out and support our farm in Alexandria at St Luke’s Episcopal Church.
Have a Great Day!
Louise
Orchard Country Produce and Fruit Farm, Inc
Gregg and Louise Keckler
Oliver and Lizzie Keckler with Isabelle, Remington and Cassidee, and Travis also.
Orchard Country Produce and Fruit Farm, Inc
1410 Goodyear Rd
Gardners, PA 17324
717-486-4653
www.orchardcountryproduce.com
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Orchard Country Produce
1410 Goodyear Road
Gardners, PA 17324
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