Be A Conscious Consumer

My beautiful neighbor, Karen, owns Truly Wize Gluten Free Bakery. Karen makes me smile even at an unholy hour on a Saturday morning at the market.

Well, dear reader, we have three days until our Fall At The Farm Event. It is fast approaching, and my enthusiasm builds. This year, we are welcoming some new friends to our vendor roster. We have a few late additions that add layers of diversity and interest. My idea for this year was to introduce you all to more buy-direct from farm businesses. After a discussion we had with a delivery driver yesterday, it reinforces the need for people to have options of where they purchase their food and the quality of the food they consume.

I advocate for the fair, kind, and humane treatment of animals. The huge agri-corporations that feed the majority of Americans have legalized the systemic abuse of animals. The gentleman we spoke with yesterday drove truckloads of chicken manure from a vast corporate farm just a few hours from here. The chickens at this farm are kept in cages inside barns, never seeing natural sunlight, never running about pecking bugs or lounging in the sun. They never experience a natural diet or the freedom to live a natural life. Instead, they are kept in cages stacked upon each other, a conveyor belt running a constant supply of food filled with antibiotics to combat the diseases spawned by overcrowded conditions, with artificial light to trick their bodies into producing more eggs than a chicken is naturally meant to make until they die a sad death or their little bodies wear out and they are sent to slaughter. Some might say, "Well, it's only a chicken."

As consumers, we have distanced ourselves from our food and its sources. We go into grocery stores and see neatly packaged rows of chicken, beef, pork, eggs, and dairy products, many never giving a second thought to the animals that provided that meat, their lives before they become consumable, or their treatment during that life. As always, I encourage you to do your research. Look into the business of corporate farms, the practices, and the treatment of the animals unfortunate enough to be forced into this life. It was a game-changer for me. I'm not saying I never buy a carton of eggs from the grocery store when I am in a pinch or refuse to consume chicken bought from a grocery store, but I make a conscious effort to purchase meat from farmers I know. We raised our own pork, and I can tell you that while our pigs were living here, they were treated with kindness, care, gentleness, and an effort to keep them healthy and happy. They lived the life all pigs should live.

I also enjoy keeping laying hens for our eggs. Many have chosen to have a backyard flock to raise, enjoy, and turn into pets. These pets also generously supply fresh eggs. I encourage you to experience the difference between an egg from a chicken raised on a small farm, which is unrestrained, eating vegetation, bugs, and farm ground feed free from antibiotics, to eggs purchased from the grocery store. There is no comparison between appearance and flavor. Farm-fresh eggs from well-tended chickens have a bright orange yolk and are very flavorful. Literally, the yolks from eggs purchased at the grocery store pales in comparison. If you don't have the inclination or space to keep your own small flock, find a neighbor who does. I see many signs at the end of driveways announcing farm fresh eggs for sale. Before I had my flock, I purchased eggs from a young man outside Marion Center. He enjoyed raising his flock and used money from egg sales to help pay for college. I consider that a good reason to support small and local.

Locally, we have several options for purchasing fresh vegetables, fresh milk, small farm-raised poultry, beef, and pork. If you have never had the pleasure of visiting Lone Oak Farm, I strongly encourage you to take the drive to Georgeville and visit them. You will find Cody (aka Cody the Cutie) tending his dairy cows, Joanie (who could be a super-model) tending her garden, Fallon and Aaron tending the store (and their adorable children) and creating the most delicious foods, as well as a beautiful store well-stocked with fresh and local products. It seriously is worth the trip. Lone Oak's chocolate milk is beyond compare.

Yarnick's Farm is down the road from our farm. The Yarnick family has been farming for decades and offers beautiful produce, canned products, meat, and poultry. They, too, have a lovely store that sells quality local products. You won't be disappointed. Those are two year-round options to find fresh, small-farm produce and meat. On Saturday, we are happy to introduce you to several of our farmer friends. Chaganra Farm will be here with their pork, beef, and poultry. I love that their daughter, who isn't much older than Jordan, will represent the family, their farm, and their quality products. AK Fish is a new addition to our roster, and I can't tell you enough good things about the fish and crab legs we enjoyed. Have a conversation with the Hilty's and learn about their fascinating story. Lone Oak Farms will be here with their vast array of baked goods, produce, dairy products, and (fingers crossed) chocolate milk.

We're also thrilled to introduce you to our friend Karen, who owns Truly Wize Bakery, a gluten—and dairy-free bakery in Greensburg, PA. Karen has been featured on The Today Show, and Martha Stewart and Al Gore approached her to provide gluten-free baked goods for gifts. How cool is that? Karen has an exciting journey. I encourage you to talk with her and discover what a warm, friendly, knowledgeable person she is. We loved being Karen's neighbor at Ligonier Country Market this year and are thrilled to welcome her to our farm.

My sweet friend, Sharon, Mrs. Nut Roll, will be here with The B-Team, Chris. We teased Chris when Sharon did not attend the market, and she was forced to send in the B-Team. Chris has an easy laugh and laid-back personality that rolls with all The Bibbed Wonder's wit. Again, I encourage you to chat it up with my warm, friendly market family. They each have unique and interesting stories to tell.

The Lydic family will be here with their beautiful selection of pumpkins. I love the Lydic family. They are some of the kindest, hardest-working folks you will ever meet. Their family runs like a well-oiled machine, and everyone lends a hand to make it work. The Lydics have a small roadside stand where you can buy pumpkins, gourds, and other fall produce. It's charming, and the pumpkin selection is impressive. Talk with them about their farming practices and small-farm-raised product options.

My goal when I began The Smiling Goat Soap Company was to create an option for people other than what the standard industry creates and claims as safe, good-for-you, and filled with God knows what. Some may say, "Well, it's just soap." If you are here, reading this, you know the difference. I thank you for supporting us, our dream, and our small family farm. I gently encourage you to support other small family farms and small businesses. Do your research as a consumer. Know how your food is raised, your products are made, and the dreams you support. We can't be perfect, but we can do better. Knowledge is vital to making better choices. Please do what you can, where you can, and help others understand they have more options than the big box stores offer.

There are only three days until Fall On The Farm. We hope to see you on Saturday from 9 to 1. I gently encourage you to come hungry, bring a cooler for all the fantastic fresh products you can enjoy, and bring a smile. We like smiles here. The weather looks perfect for Saturday. Also, the Indiana County Potter's Tour coincides with our event. I encourage you to travel just over the hill to Stoke Hole Pottery to support The Frew family and their handmade business. You can find their second location just off Philadelphia Street in Indiana. Why not make a day of supporting small, local farms and businesses?

On this overcast October day, stay safe, be smart, be a conscious consumer, support small, and keep washing your hands.