Liz Wagner has been growing food in the Lehigh Valley for the last nine years, starting Crooked Row Farm when she moved back to the area in 2013. Since then, Crooked Row has expanded to include a second farm location and a Market 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 was a cornerstone of the local 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 two new high tunnels out back, the farm market can continue to be open year-round, growing an array of greens to carry patrons through the winter.
On a typical Monday, the crew arrives first thing in the morning to harvest. They then wash and pack the vegetables for the market, while some head back out into the fields for seeding, weeding, planting, pruning, and trellising. Others set up for the day’s stand opening and pack CSA boxes. From salad mix, spinach, and kale to tomatoes, and zucchini, the farm grows it all. The farm has also partnered with the artists at Lone Mesa to create a Crooked Row Herbals line, featuring herb-infused oils, tinctures, dried herbal tea blends, and more.
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 and ferments, freshly-baked breads, meats, mushrooms, local grains and oats, jams and jellies, canned goods, sweet treats, and even some locally-crafted soaps and gift items. Whether you are looking for gifts or looking for a new spot for your weekly grocery shopping, Crooked Row Farm and Market can help.
The farm has also partnered 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 Facebook, or @crookedrowfarmerliz on Instagram.
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 local food journey.
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