Cranberry Popcorn Balls

CRANBERRY POPCORN BALLS

Yield: 18 balls

Ingredients

• 2 cups sugar

• 1 cup whole berry cranberry sauce, slightly mashed

• 1 tablespoon grated orange peel

• 1/2 cup cranberry juice

• 1/2 cup light corn syrup

• 1 teaspoon vinegar

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 5 quarts unsalted popped popcorn

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients, except popcorn, in a heavy saucepan.

2. Bring to a boil; lower heat and cook to 250 degrees Fahrenheit on a candy thermometer.

3. Mixture will bubble up in pan, so watch to keep from boiling over.

4. Pour slowly onto hot popcorn and mix until well-coated.

5. Let stand 5 minutes or until mixture can easily be formed into balls.

6. Butter hands and form into 3-inch balls.

Cranberry-Orange Caramel Corn

CRANBERRY-ORANGE CARAMEL CORN

Yield: 10 cups

Ingredients

• 10 cups popped popcorn

• 1 cup dried cranberries

• 1/2 cup whole almonds

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter

• 1/2 packed brown sugar

• 1/4 cup corn syrup

• 2 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate, undiluted

• 1 teaspoon orange or vanilla extract

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Place popcorn, cranberries and almonds in a large bowl; set aside.

2. In a medium saucepan heat butter, brown sugar, corn syrup and orange juice concentrate over medium heat until butter is melted. Bring to a boil and boil 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in extract and baking soda (mixture will foam).

3. Pour syrup mixture over popcorn mixture in bowl; stir to coat well. Spread evenly in a large, rimmed baking sheet or roasting pan, lined with foil and sprayed with nonstick spray. Bake 30 minutes, stirring twice during baking time. Stir caramel corn as it cools on baking sheet. Store in an airtight container.

Honey Pumpkin Pie

HONEY PUMPKIN PIE

3 eggs
1 pastry for single 9-inch pie crust
3/4 cup West Virginia honey
1 can (15 oz) canned pumpkin
1 cup evaporated milk
2 Tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. In a medium bowl, beat eggs. Brush one teaspoon beaten egg on inside of pie crust. Place crust on a cookie sheet and bake for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, add the rest of the ingredients to remaining beaten eggs and whisk to combine. Remove pie crust from oven and carefully pour honey pumpkin mixture into hot crust; bake 5 minutes more at 425 degrees F. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F and bake 30 to 40 minutes more, until filling is set. Cool completely and serve with Honey Whipped Cream (see below).

HONEY WHIPPED CREAM

1 cup whipping cream
3 Tablespoons West Virginia honey
1 teaspoon vanilla

Beat whipping cream until mixture thickens; gradually add honey and beat until soft peaks form. Fold in vanilla.

Gingersnap Popcorn Snack Mix

Gingersnap Popcorn Snack Mix

2 quarts West Virginia popped popcorn
Butter flavored cooking spray
1/3 cup granulated sugar substitute
2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black or white pepper

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Spread popcorn on baking sheet and spray lightly with the cooking spray. Combine remaining ingredients in a small bowl and sprinkle evenly over popcorn. Spray again with cooking spray and toss to coat evenly. Bake 7 minutes and serve warm.

May 26-National Cherry Dessert Day

It's National Cherry Dessert Day.

Grown in West Virginia and a favorite at several of our orchards, cherries are delicious as a snack or baked into your favorite recipe.

Did you know that cherries---
          Are high in antioxidants?
          Are a great source of beta carotene?
         Are rich in Vitamin C and Vitamin E?
         Should be bought when they are dark in color and plump.  
         Sour cherries should be a true red color.
         The stems should be attached and avoid any with brown spots.
         Bing cherries, or the sweet cherry, are available in late spring.
         Sour cherries are available in June-July.

Cherries are available at your local West Virginia farmers market or farm stand. Celebrate Memorial Day with a cool, cherry dessert favorite. Here's a recipe for Red White & Blue Trifle (http://busycooks.about.com/od/dessertrecipe1/r/redwhitebtrifle.htm)

Ingredients:


•1-1/2 cups cold whole milk

•4 serving size pkg. cheesecake flavor instant pudding mix

•8 oz. container frozen whipped topping, thawed

•1 frozen loaf pound cake, thawed

•2 cups pitted cherries (can substitute sliced strawberries)

•1 cup blueberries

•1 cup sliced bananas

•1 cup raspberries

•1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted

Preparation:

In medium bowl, combine milk and pudding mix and beat with egg beater for 1-2 minutes until smooth. Fold in the thawed whipped topping. Cut the thawed pound cake into 1/2" cubes. In large glass bowl, layer 1/2 of the cake cubes, 1/2 of the fruit, and 1/2 of the pudding mixture. Repeat layers. Chill at least 2 hours before serving. Sprinkle with toasted almonds. Serves 12

PS: You can also get local West Virginia raspberries and blueberries at the market.

May Is.......National Asparagus Month

Garden's are beginning to sprout new crops and offer more choices in the grocery store. May brings the spring flowers from April rains and a dinnertime favorite, asparagus. The month of May is home to many food celebrations and we'll explore them throughout the month especially as West Virginia farms start bringing more and more produce to the market.

In the April 30, 2001 Charleston Gazette newspaper, writer Sara Busse and photographer Chris Dorst wandered over to the Ware Farm in West Hamlin. What they found were three acres of asparagus and harvest in full swing. Read the article here and plan to visit the farm to get the perfect dinner vegetable, pick some up at Forth Food Fair or The Purple Onion at Capitol Market, or order them at your favorite restaurants, Huntington Prime and Jewel City Seafood.

Let's explore this early season crop....did you know:

• Asparagus is a member of the Lily family
• Asparagus spears grow from a crown that is planted about a foot deep in sandy soils
• It takes three years before the plant is ready to be harvested for the first time
• Under ideal conditions, an asparagus spear can grow 10" in a 24-hour period; some fields need to be picked every 24 hours
• A well cared for asparagus planting will generally produce for about 15 years without being replanted.
• Asparagus is healthy--high in folic acid, a good source of potassium, fiber, Vitamin B6, Vitamins A & C and thiamin; no fat, no cholesterol and low in sodium

Try this easy way to prepare asparagus and enjoy the garden!

• 3 Tablespoons butter or margarine
• 1 bunch fresh asparagus
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped

Melt the butter or margarine in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and asparagus spears; cover and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until asparagus is tender. If you like your asparagus well done, reduce heat and cook an additional 10 minutes.

Celebrate......National Blueberry Pie Day!

Yes, although blueberry pie is a favorite around 4th of July when they are being harvested, the national celebration of the blueberry pie is April 28th.

Pies with fruit filling have been around since Colonial Times in America. Women would often pick ripe fruits like apples, peaches, blueberries and strawberries to bake into pies. Blueberries and the blueberry pie have seen increased popularity due to their antioxidant properties.

Easter Sunday in our house featured some of these wonderful fruits that we froze over the winter. Instead of the two crust traditional pie, she found a recipe for an "Uncovered Blueberry Pie". The verdict: excellent and that is coming from our in resident food critic....Dad! Simple, easy and very quick, try this blueberry pie twist:

UNCOVERED BLUEBERRY PIE
3 cups, thawed, fresh or frozen West Virginia blueberries
1 Tablespoon butter
3 Tablespoons corn starch
Cream, whipped, sweetened
1 pie shell, baked, 9"
1/8 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup water

In a medium sauce pan, combine sugar, cornstarch and salt. Stir in the water and 1 cup of the blueberries.
Stir in the water and 1 cup of the blueberries. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in the two remaining cups of blueberries and the butter until the butter is melted.
Cool completely. Pour into pie shell.
If desired, cover and chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Serve with whipped cream.

April 25, 2011----National Zucchini Day

That's right, National Zucchini Day. This popular cultivated squash is part of the summer squash family and is an early garden favorite in West Virginia. But what do you really know about the quirky zucchini?

Did you know?

• Zucchini can grow to nearly a meter (almost 40 inches) but usually picked under 8 inches in length while the seeds are soft and immature. Mature zucchini are oftern fibrous and not desirable for cooking.
• Although a member of the cucumber family, zucchini is usually served cooked and can be prepared steamed, boiled, grilled, stuffed, baked, barbecued, fried or used in recipes as an ingredient.
• The zucchini flower can be eater stuffed or deep fried.
• For cooking purposes, zucchini is treated as a vegetable but botanically the zucchini is an immature fruit.
• Typical zucchini were developed in Italy in the late 19th century.
• Zucchini should be stored not longer than three days and are prone to chilling damage.
• In Mexico, the zucchini flower is used for soup (sopa de flor de calabaza) and used in quesadillas.
• In France, zucchini is a key ingredient in ratatouille, a stew of summer fruits and vegetables prepared in olive oil and cooked for an extended time over low heat.
• In Turkey, zucchini is the main ingredient of a popular dish called mucver; zucchini pancakes.
• In Bulgaria, zucchini are fried and then served with a dip made from yogurt, garlic and dill.

In the United States, zucchini is widely grown in home and commercial gardens. In May, you'll find this crop at your local farmer's market (including Inwood, Capitol and Logan). Zucchini is low in calories (approximately 15 calories per 100g) and contains folate, potassium, manganese and Vitamin A. Celebrate the day by making a loaf of zucchini bread...here's a recipe from FoodNetwork's Paula Deen. What's your favorite family zucchini recipe?

Zucchini Bread

• 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3 cups sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 4 eggs, beaten
• 1/3 cup water
• 2 cups grated zucchini
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 cup chooped walnuts or pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, nutmeg, baking soda, cinnamon and sugar. In a separate bowl, combine oil, eggs, water, zucchini and lemon juice. Mix wet ingredients into dry, add nuts and fold in. Bake in 2 standard loaf pans, sprayed with nonstick spray, for 1 hour, or until a tester comes out clean. Alternately, bake in 5 mini loaf pans for about 45 minutes.

Hors D'Oeuvres From The Market

The April issue of Meetings & Conventions magazine featured the "Best Bites" and trendy hors d'oeuvres for meeting and group planners. Many West Virginia agribusinesses and specialty food companies provide catering services so using fresh, local ingredients from your local farmers' market is one of their favorite sources. Don't have a market open year round? Check out the Inwood Farmers Market or Capitol Market to shop for your ingredients. Here's a quick view of the newest in appetizers and a West Virginia "twist":

1.  Tomato Basil Hand Pies-Get some local tomatoes to roast and harvest some basil from your container or herb garden.
2.  A Lobster Two Ways-Substitute with a corn dog and combine with herbs like cilantro from your garden to dress up a wonderful presentation idea on a stick.
3. A Waves & Foam-Utilizes a foam presentation technique and reminds us that chutney, jam & jelly go wonderfully with Gorgonzola cheese; how about West Virginia goat cheese or a variety from Spring Gap Mountain Creamery?
4. A Duo of Granitas--Frozen cocktails remind us that West Virginia wineries and distillers can be used out of the bottle or combined into a cool summer drink.
5. Seafood Fortune Cookies--A balance of curry and coconut in this presentation; regional cuisines are in. Check out a list of West Virginia specialty condiment manufacturers and create your own unique appetizer.
6. A Bacon and Egg Sandwich--One bite sandwiches are the centerpiece of a diverse appetizer presentation. Have fun with West Virginia pork and some fresh eggs from your local market or farm.
7. Tiny Sirloin Patty Melts--Following the snacker trend and mixing it up with a classic sandwich, these would be easy to make using West Virginia beef products.
8. Lamb Tagine Turnovers--Most forget that West Virginia lamb is a terrific meat choice and goes well with an array of sweet spices (mint, cucumber).
9. Asparagus Salume Pesto Tower--Screams West Virginia! Asparagus from your home garden or the market.
10. Truffled Cherries--Appetizers can be sweet! Check out Vienna's Holl's Chocolates or Martinsburg's DeFluri's Fine Chocolates to add these treats easily.
11. Pumpkin Pie Soup--Pumpkins and butternut squash topped with apple cider foam....how West Virginia can you get.

Check out all of the newest trends at http://www.mcmag.com/ and add a touch of West Virginia agriculture to your next party or meeting.

You've got to Stand for Something

Better late than never, but I am finally blogging about my last day at the North American Farmers Direct Marketing Conference. In my previous blog, I mentioned an inspirational speaker named Brad, who taught a day long workshop about bringing lighted-heartedness into the work place. As the opening speaker on Thursday, he had the whole room laughing and ready for the day ahead. At one point, we even gave a standing ovation to a lady who was returning from the restroom. This made her day! Remember...whether you are at a conference or on your farms, you can make someones day...help them create a story!
After a morning full of laughter, I attended my first session. Once again folks, I am preaching about the use of social media! IT IS NOT GOING AWAY...YOU NEED TO BE USING IT! Facebook, Twitter, Four Square, and Blogs are the new newspaper. One point that I found very interesting is that if you are not using these to advertise your business, someone else is. Who would you rather have telling about your business you or someone else? I know word of mouth is the best tool, but you need to monitor what is being said. Four Square may be the newest of the four forms of social media I just mentioned. Four Square allows individuals to earn "badges" for the places they attend. For example, if I visit your farm, the GPS setting on my phone would know that I am there and I would earn points for being at "Elm Grove Farm." The individual who visits the most will be named the mayor of that location. If nothing else, go on Four Square and register your business, so people are not registering it for you.

BONUS IDEA: When people visit your farm...take a picture of the family in front of your sign. Make sure your contact information is also on your sign. Tell the family the picture is free to them. You post it on Facebook. They have to "like" your page to see it and then they will tag themselves on it. Not only do you get more fans on your page, but also all their friends see the "Jones" Family having a great time at your farm!

The final session I attended was a story about making decisions on your farm. The main points that I took from this workshop:
1. It's okay to disagree with the experts. It is your farm, sometimes your gut instinct is correct.
2. Stand up for what is right. In the example this farmer gave, the town was trying to regulate what he could sell in his market. He fought against this and won and now has a very successful business.

Now it is time to take this home to the beautiful mountains of West Virginia. Goodbye city life! Look for us to share our agritourism ideas at the West Virginia Small Farms Conference!

Your husband called...he said you can buy anything you want!

I spent today in a session called "Laugh-O-Nomics." As the name would apply, this was a great, fun session. The workshop focused on using humor and fun in the workplace to increase productivity. There are small gestures that can be used to create a lightened atmosphere in the workplace. The heading of this blog, "Your husband called...he said you can buy anything you want," is a sign that hangs in one of markets of a participant in today's workshop. When people walk in, they automatically feel light-hearted feeling that we want to produce in our markets. Small things can really boost attitude in the workplace. Some ideas were hanging up bulletin boards where employees can post jokes, cartoons, etc., place a funny picture on the wall and have each employee add a caption, or simply challenge employees to small contest. Happy employees often transfer into happy customers. Customer Satisfaction is Key!

I cannot write this blog without sharing the activity we did today. We were broke into groups of five and each person in the group was given two balloons. Each group was then given a box of Cracker Jacks, and we had to find the prize. After finding the prize, you decide what letter it starts with. For example, if my box has a crab, I have to use the letter "C." We then had to create something using the balloons that started with the letter "C." My group tied with another group for the win! We created a Cranky Crown of Correction. We decided that if an employee had a bad attitude, they would have to wear the crown! Trust me, you can't put this thing on your head without immediately feeling uplifted! Be creative in your own businesses. Do you hire teenagers for summer employment? Do they think everything is "lame." Ask them for advice, value their opinion, and make them feel a part of the team. Have rituals that use to change negative behaviors and reinforce positive behaviors. Create an atmosphere where fun is not just allowed, it is encouraged!

This is our last night here in Baltimore, and although it has been a fun, educational experience, I can't wait to return to the beautiful mountains of West Virginia. For the last time, good night from Baltimore!

"Don't tell me what you learned. Tell me how you are going to act differently" -Drucker

Do you remember as a kid when you did something wrong how your mom and dad would ask if you were ever going to do it again, and you always replied, "No?" Five minutes later as soon as they turned around you would do it again. It is so easy for us to say we are going to do something, but to actually match our actions with our words tends to be a challenge. Today our speaker, Dr. Richard J. George, offered some excellent advice and inspiration to the participants in this years conference. His workshop, "Get Close and Stay Close With Your Customers," talked about what customers are looking for, how to maintain customer satisfaction, and why the small markets and agritourism farms have the advantage over large businesses. He said, "If Mike Tyson came up and asked you how you wanted to settle a fight, you would not say boxing...you would challenge him to chess." Small businesses have to know their strengths and use them to their advantage. It may be impossible to compete with Wal-Mart prices, but the farmers market offers something different. Don't just sell the product, sell the experience!

This morning I attended and judged the website, radio jingle, and TV commercial contest. Each attendee was allowed to submit a ballot. It was a consensus among the crowd that websites are no longer an option, they are a necessity. Did you know: The average person spends 5 HOURS A DAY using social media. No folks, this is not a misprint. We must be advertising our businesses through social media. Facebook, Twitter, Google Map, Blog Spot, You Tube, etc...these are your resources...USE THEM! When it comes to any kind of advertising remember it is first important to choose your target audience. I noticed today that the people from different generations had different opinions concerning which websites, radio jingles, and TV commercials should win. When you are advertising make sure to uphold the aesthetics of your business. I enjoyed the websites that were created in such a way that when I clicked on them I got the same feeling I would if I were actually at the farm.

I attended two round table discussions today. The first round table discussion was on cook books. There was one great idea that stuck out in my mind. Wine Pairing Cookbooks. The wineries are working to make cookbooks that include foods that can easily be paired with their wines. This would be a great item for wineries to market with their products. Also, many businesses pair wine tasting with luncheons or dinners. Two programs that were mentioned today were "Wine and Dines" and "Relax and Un-Wine." For the "Relax and Un-Wine" program, the owner paired with a yoga instructor to teach a class and then have a tasting. BE CREATIVE! The second round table I attended was about Agritourism Ideas. I think I will save that one until after my workshop at the WV Small Farms Conference. There are many great ideas I have to share! Sneak Peak: One of my favorite ideas...CORN SAND BOXES. Instead of sand, you fill a box with corn and provide the kids with shovels and toy farm equipment!

Tomorrow, I have a full day workshop called "Laugh-O-Nomics." I am not sure what this will include, but it should be entertaining.

Good Night from Charm City!

The Proposal

This morning I received an exciting phone call from a really good friend of mine informing me that last night she got engaged. This obviously is wonderful news! During my bus trip today, I had a lot of time to think about this and how it applies to our West Virginia farmers. How many of you have been looking to take the next step in your farm or business, but have continuously talked yourself out of it? What are you waiting for? Sometimes, we have to jump and take that next step in order to be successful. This three day bus tour has opened my eyes to the importance of keeping your enterprise fresh and reaching out to customers. I "propose" that if you have been thinking about taking that next step in your business, that you do your research and jump into that next stage. Often times without risk, there is no reward.

With that said, I had another full day on the road. First stop was Linvilla Orchards. This operation has a lot to offer its customers. When I stepped off the bus, I was greeted by a red dog mascot. They often use things such as this to entertain kids. There are four owners within the business, and their many talents shine through on their farm. One of the sisters has an art degree, and it truly shines through on all the displays, as well as the playground. The family has had their share of challenges. They recently had their octagonal barn burn down. It is the family's desire to rebuild this unique symbol of their farm. The farm has a garden center, market, and many other things to offer. The media coverage they get is incredible! They often are featured on their local news stations. Remember: Advertising is powerful!

My second stop of the day was Milburn Orchards. I was really impressed with their "Barn Buddies." They had several goats and had built ramps for them to play on. They offered the quarter machines to buy corn and feed the animals. They had a nice walking trail that created boundaries for kids to stay in. The "Boo Barn" was also a feature of this farm. Haunted barns or trails are often to scary for small children. The "Boo Barn" allows children to walk through a haunted barn without as much scary stuff. For example, within the barn they have fake stuffed spiders and bats. I loved that they had a "School Tour Store." Kids on school tours often only have five dollars to spend. The problem is, if they do not understand money, they pick up more expensive items. So, what if there is a store with only five dollar and under items. This helps to eliminate the children choosing items outside their budgets. The trash cans on the farm were extremely cute! They were painted like Holstein cows, and then had either udders or cow faces on the lids. They said, "Keep our farm udderly clean." This encourages visitors to throw trash in the cans. Little touches often mean the most!

Richardson Farm had the most updated facilities on the tour. They had only been open a short time. They provided a grocery store style atmosphere, but offered fresh products. They also have an on site greenhouse. One thing that is incredibly impressive is they make their own ice. They have huge a huge ice maker machine, which supplies all their produce cases. They also raise turkeys each year and have their own deli.

The final stop of the bus tour was Weber's Cider Mill. I liked this stop, because the moment you walked into the market you just got a good country feeling. The children playground was also impressive. Straw or hay mazes seem to be a popular agritourism activity. They built a bridge over their hay maze to make it easier for parents to monitor children while they were in the maze. I also had the opportunity to explore their cider manufacturing facility, which was very impressive.

I am now back in Baltimore! The tour was very enjoyable and educational, and I am looking forward to seeing what the rest of the conference has to offer. I have had great conversation with people from diverse backgrounds. Agritourism can be successful! Whether you have 5 acres or 500 acres, this can work for you!

Goodbye Skinny Jeans....Hello Agritourism!!!

After having fresh pineapple and bagels at Reading Market, my first experience with Apple Cider donuts, and wonderful lasagna at Johnsons Corner Farm, I am truly convinced of two things. First of all, if I eat like this everyday I am going to need a whole new wardrobe, and secondly, WV farmers need to sell Apple Cider Donuts!

My morning began with breakfast at the Reading Market. I was fortunate this morning to get to sit at a table from a gentleman who does Pick Your Own outside of London, England. He was great to talk to.Then, it was on to Shady Brook Farms. It was incredible to see beautiful blooming flowers in the middle of winter. The market managers also did an incredible job preparing special exhibits to highlight their holiday items. Within the market, customers not only find a functional gardening center, but they also offer wine tasting. Below is a picture of some of the beautiful flowers that were growing in the garden center. The market had a beautiful layout. Everything was clearly labeled, and they offered several value added products.










Terhune Farms has a lot to offer their guest. The number one thing...Apple Cider Donuts. Okay, they offered a lot more than that. I was really impressed about the programs this farm sets up for children. It was really exciting to hear about their farm day camp programs, treasure and scavenger hunts, read and pick, and many other programs for children. They have a bakery, market, and produce many fresh fruits and vegetables. Their labeling system for products was fantastic. Within the market if the product is something grown on the farm it is marked with a red tag, if it is organic it has a green tag, and other purchase produce has a yellow tag. This allows consumers to easily identify locally grown products. They also focus on an open door policy. The doors to the cleaning and grading room is left open, so customers can see the produce being washed. The owners of the farm were very welcoming and gave a great tour!

Johnsons Corner Farm provided us with delicious lasagna for lunch. This operation is incredible. They have two separate trails, one for the public and one for school children. The family operates a pick your own operation and holds different festivals and events. They reminded me how important it is to use your resources. The farm has limited parking, but they are across the road from the local high school. They let the high school use their parking during games and other events. The high school then lets them use the over 200 space parking lot to accommodate their guest during festivals and other events. The whole farm is beautiful with all the buildings painted to match their theme. Each visitor has the opportunity to have a hay ride to pick their own crops. The barn style market and gift shop is a definite must see. Below you can see a picture of the center pieces from dinner.










Finally, Cindy and I had the opportunity to visit the Liberty Bell. I also got to see the foundation of the house where our first two presidents lived. It's very humbling to be in a place that is so important to our American history. With that said, below is a picture of Cindy and I at the Liberty Bell. You will notice that I have taught the Cindy the official pageant pose! In case you are wondering who I am cheering for in the Super Bowl...I would have to say the Packers. Neither team in the Super Bowl is my usual NFL team. It is with deep regret that I have to admit my team has always been the Dallas Cowboys. Embargoing after this past season. But, between the Packers and Steelers, I choose the Packers due to an incident last year when the Steelers game was shone in place of my usual Dancing With the Stars. I still hold the grudge. Which would you rather see a Hail Mary to the inzone or the Cha Cha Cha? I think it is very obvious which is better! With that said, tomorrow we travel our way pack to Baltimore, and I am looking forward to our next visits. Sweetdreams from Philadelphia!














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Let Freedom Ring......

After crowding the lobby of the hotel in Baltimore it was amazing how so many people could load 7 tour busses and head out but we did, on time. As Danielle mentioned yesterday, I'm on the "Crabs" bus but we are certainly high tech crabs with a new Twitter page this evening, iPads and our own mobile internet port. One of the great things about this bus tour is that we are truly a school on wheels sharing stories about agriculture operations from California to Arizona, Toronto, Canada, Massachusetts and West Virginia plus all points in between! We've had breakouts about technology, special events and staffing with lots more to cover in the next two days. It is a creative and entrepreneurial group!

Our first stop was Cactoctin Mountain Orchard in Thurmont, MD. A diverse orchard, vegetable grower and farm stand, we were treated to snacks prepared in their bakery, an explanation of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices by the local Extension agent and a view of their extensive composting operation done in conjunction with local and county officials. Though foggy and rainy, it was easy to see this operation is popular with families. Their most unique crop--kale!

Our next stop was to Hollabaugh Brothers Fruit Farm & Market in Biglerville, PA. This extensive family operation includes wholesale fruit, orchard operations and a retail stand. They partner with a local history provider who has developed an Underground Railroad feature and we entered the Civil War period in the middle of the orchard complete with an actor. Very nice touch and a great example of collaboration. Their farm stand was especially prepared for our group (they are usually closed this time of year) and featured an extensive learning room with beekeeper displays and information on their IPM practices. We walked up to the wholesale building in the cold storage area where we were treated to a terrific lunch ending with peaches from the farm. We've arrived in Philadelphia and browsed through the Reading Terminal Market. Tomorrow Danielle heads to Shady Brook Farm, Terhune Orchards, and Johnsons Corner Farm. I'm off to Terhune orchards, Shady Brook Farm, DelVal College Market and Rose Bank Winery. We'll rendevouz in the afternoon at the Liberty Bell Park and celebrate our country's root right before dinner in Downtown Philly and the Super Bowl...wonder where we'll end up and who we'll be rooting for? Check back tomorrow for our activities and find out whose side we are on.

Agritourism Tour...Aye?

When Lincoln wrote the Gettysburg address, he began the speech by talking about the journey our country had taken since the Revolutionary War. Today, I started my own journey upon the "Gettysburg Express" to learn more about agritourism. My day began with a buffet style breakfast. This may seem like a normal conference activity, but for me it was my first chance to hear someone from Canada use the popular phrase, "Aye." I may have been slightly over excited about this. (Jeanie, if you are reading this...don't worry I did not embarrass the state by saying something like "you just said Aye.") Another highlight to my breakfast was being asked if I was a coal miners daughter after they realized I grew up in West Virginia. I had a great time meeting and talking with new people!

Our first stop on our way to Philadelphia was Butlers Orchard. This was a interesting place with a lot to offer their customers. Not only does the orchard have their own farmer's market, but they also have pick your own, a bakery, and events that are held annually. Many times farmers in the agritourism industry struggle to find activities in the spring. Butlers Orchard holds "Bunnyland" each year to bring visitors to the farm at this time of year. Of course kids can expect to see the Easter bunny and participate in egg hunts, but there also many more agriculture activities to get everyone involved in. Apparently, tube slides are a very popular attraction. The owners and employees were very hospitable and offered all snacks and drinks. This is a great place to visit!

CRUMLAND FARMS...THIS WAS SO COOL!!!





I think it is incredible how they use a piece of old farm equipment to create something that would be attractive to children, but teach them about the equipment at the same time. On the back side of the picture above, they have cut out a hole and a slide goes down the back. It has all the controls inside for the children to see. West Virginia Farmers, how many of you have old, obsolete equipment that is rusting in the field? I really love that this farm does a Christmas light show. Their Christmas light pig and horse were on display for us to see. They also have a 4th of July event, as well as many others. They had a great playground and just really used their resources well.

I actually heard Abraham Lincoln speak today! Okay, so it may have been an impersonator, but he was still incredibly knowledgeable about our 16th President's life. Our next stop along the way was Gettysburg Visitor Center. I was really sad to not be able to spend more time here. We had lunch at the visitor center, but did not have time to tour. On the bus I did win a prize, because I answered the most questions correctly about the Gettysburg Address!

Our final stop on the tour was Adams Winery. Some unique things about this winery are the classes they provide. They offer both wine tasting and wine making classes. They have a tasting area and a nice gift shop. The people here are very friendly. They also have a designer on site to make personalized labels for the wine. GREAT FOR WEDDINGS! A picture of the bride and groom with there wedding theme on a bottle of wine make great value added products! They also have a rescue dog that greets people. They were very friendly and informative.

I am now at the Marriott here in Philadelphia. We are right across from the Reading Market. This market is huge. There is lots of food and lots of chocolate. The one downfall would definitely be whole cooked ducks (complete with their heads) hanging in the market. I guess this WV girl is going to have to teach them how to field dress a duck! :-) (I know they are supposed to be that way). Until tomorrow...goodbye from Philadelphia!

All aboard the Gettysburg Express!!!

For the next couple of days I hope to be blogging about my trip to the North American Farmers Direct Marketing Conference. Today Cindy and I made the trip from the rural country of West Virginia to the big city of Baltimore...at least it seems to be a big city to a girl who grew up forty five minutes from Wal-Mart. For the next three days we will be on separate bus tours and spending our nights in Philadelphia. I am pleased to announce that I will be on the bus tour called the "Gettysburg Express." Gettysburg is one of our many stops on this three day tour of some great farms. Get ready for some new ideas!!! Cindy will be riding on the "Crab" bus. I think she is in for an interesting week after seeing her tour guides wearing crab claw hats this evening as she registered. My tour guides seemed much more normal, they were wearing Abe Lincoln hats. We just had dinner at the Cheesecake Factory, and Cindy had the opportunity to catch up with her former 4-H director. Hopefully, in the next few days I will be able to offer many great pictures and new ideas. Good Night from Baltimore!

We're Heading Out!

That's right we are heading to Baltimore and Philadelphia...post ice/snow storm it appears. New Marketing Specialist Danielle Kisamore and I are slated to attend the annual North American Farmer Direct Marketing & Agritourism Association (www.nafdma.com) meeting and tour. We'll spend three days on a mobile classroom (bus) tromping through fields, farms, pastures and farm markets learning about what our neighbors are doing. We are slated for different tours to maximize the ideas and will be presenting them at the 2011 West Virginia Small Farms Conference in Morgantown (February 17-19). We'll return to Baltimore on Monday evening and have three more days of workshops, meetings and all things farm marketing.

In addition to preparing for our presentation, I'm hoping to keep everyone updated through use of this blog. Danielle and I each have cameras and laptop packed and I'm hoping to learn a few things about social media with her. Once we arrive in Baltimore on Friday, we'll try to post our tour visits for the following day. Let us know if you have questions or want us to explore an attraction you are thinking about adding to your operation. You can email me at cmartel@ag.state.wv.us. I've already heard from Katy at Orr's and know what she is interested in....what more would you like to learn in 2011?