For the last eight years, Liz Wagner has been learning to grow food in the Lehigh Valley. Since its beginnings in 2013, her business, Crooked Row Farm, has expanded to include a second farm and a store in Orefield, become a certified-organic operation, and brought on Brandon Haines as the farm’s field manager. With a loveable crew of seasonal help, the veggies are flourishing and the shelves are stocked.
The Wehr’s Fruit Stand had been a cornerstone of Orefield’s food community for over 50 years. When the opportunity came, Liz was excited to grow into such an exciting space. Crooked Row Farm and Market captures the dream of a working farm and farm store – one where the farm can sell its wide array of fresh produce while showcasing other local and regional foods from area growers and producers. With the addition of a new high tunnel out back, the farm stand will continue to be open year-round and will grow an array of greens to carry through the winter.
On a typical Monday, the crew arrives first thing in the morning to harvest vegetables before the summer heat really sets in. They then break into teams to wash and pack vegetables for market, while some head back out into the fields for seeding, weeding, pruning and trellising. Others set up for the day’s opening and pack CSA boxes. From salad mix, spinach and kale to tomatoes and zucchini, the farm grows it all.
Seasonal fruits, from strawberries and blueberries to melons and peaches, are available through local fruit farm and orchard partnerships. In between the fresh produce, you can find a wide array of eggs, cheese, kombucha, freshly-baked breads, meats, mushrooms, flour and oats, jams and jellies, canned goods, and even some locally-crafted soaps and gift items.
The farm has also started a partnership with the Parkland C.A.R.E.S. food pantry to provide fresh food for the community during pantry drives. To learn more about this opportunity, as well as the stand’s pre-order and curbside pickup options, visit the website at www.crookedrowfarmpa.com, or follow Crooked Row on social media @thefarmerliz.
Crooked Row started this journey with the intentions of learning how to be stewards of the land, chicken-whisperers, forest foragers, working herbalists, small business supporters and local food advocates. They have done all of this and more, and they look forward to meeting and feeding you as they continue on their organic journey.
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