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As we enter into autumn, it's time to start harvesting all the delicious fruits and vegetables that have been growing all summer. Even if you didn't raise a garden this year, you can harvest fruits and vegetables for the freshest fare possible thanks to small farms that open their crops up for do-it-yourself gathering.
What is a Pick-Your-Own Farm?
A pick-your-own farm is what it states: a local farm that allows visitors to come in, walk the rows, and collect their own fruits and vegetables fresh off the vine, tree, bush and so on. You can gather up exactly the produce that looks best to you, in just the amounts you want. Typically these farms will have a variety of crops, including berries and fruits and a range of vegetables. Also common to PYO farms - and a special treat! - is a shop where they turn their crops into delicious baked goods, ciders, and other homemade products. It's a wonderful way to spend a morning or afternoon, and it never fails to get visitors excited about spending the rest of the weekend in the kitchen creating various culinary delights.
5 Reasons to Visit a Pick-Your-Own Farm
1. You're Supporting Local Farmers
PYO farms are typically run by small local farmers, so any money you spend on your produce is going straight into the hands of a fellow community member. Not only is that a positive thing in itself, but also you're supporting local agriculture, which is more ecologically sustainable and secure than consuming foods grown in massive monocultures.
2. Kids Learn About Where Food Comes From
Especially for those living in urban areas, it can be an exciting adventure to learn where food comes from and what it looks like before it ends up in your kitchen. Kids (and you!) may be surprised to see that Brussels sprouts grow on stalks, peanuts are actually found underground, or that apples are fuzzy before they're ripe. Learning more about where food comes from and how it is raised can help instill in children a strong connection to the planet that feeds them.
3. You Get The Freshest Possible Food for the Fewest Miles
Food miles are a big part of the carbon footprints and water footprints of foods found in grocery stores. It takes a lot of fossil fuel to harvest, package and ship produce to the markets where you shop. By going to local PYO farms, you're drastically cutting down the food miles of what you eat, and you're getting produce that's fresher than anything you can buy in a store, or even at farmer's market, because you've just plucked it from the soil or tree yourself.
4. The Farms Are Often Organic
It's likely that many of the stalls at your local farmer's market have produce grown with organic practices. This is much the same with PYO farms (who probably also have a presence at local farmer's markets) - they typically have organic practices. They may not be certified, and you'll have to ask the farm about their practices before knowing for sure. But it is quite likely that you have a local PYO farm that uses many sustainable and organic farming techniques, so you can feed your family only the best foods.
5. It's Simply Fun!
Gathering up your own harvest is just plain fun. Whether you go by yourself, with friends, or with your family, running up and down rows and filling your basket with what you find is a recipe for a good time. You'll have fun connecting to your food in a new way, and will no doubt get excited about what you can create with your harvest when you get it home.
How to Find a Pick Your Own Farm
If you don't already have a PYO farm in mind, there are a couple ways you can find a great farm to visit. First, ask around at your farmer's market. Visit your favorite stalls and ask the farmers if they offer PYO options. Or, you can visit PickYourOwn.org. This website lists loads of PYO farms across the United States, Canada, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and other countries. Simply click your location and see what pops up!
