This past Sunday we did the Organ Donation ride on the North Fork. What a great celebration of my friend Andrea's successful double lung transplant 15 years ago. On the way back from Orient State Park, we saw signs for a biodynamic farm and gourmet CSA -- we both thought, what is a gourmet CSA? We parked our bikes and sauntered off to the food barn to get some fresh food for our post-ride healthy meal. On our way we were welcomed by the owner (Ira) who guided us into the barn to check out the farm's wares. We picked out some beautiful looking kale, spring scallions, blackberry jam, and pickled peppers, and were happy with our healthy purchase...but there was so much more to this farm, and we could feel it. Ira offered to show us around the property, parts of which date back to 1680 or so. We saw barn swallows for the first time, and tasted arugula flowers, too. The plots of vegetables were beautifully laid out, the greenhouses full of lettuces, and Ira also mentioned there were bees. The farm was created by Ira and his late wife, KK, an architect and builder (team), respectively. The biodynamic philosophy was the inspiration of KK, who simply wanted to provide her family and friends with healthy, nutritious food. And the gourmet CSA was no real mystery. Customers get to choose what they want each week...pretty novel.
If you are into real food, visit the farm; if you are into seeing people who are doing real work, visit the farm. You will be inspired by this labor of love, created by two people who shared a vision, and shared the beauty and fruits of their vision with all of us. Oh yeah, you will want to buy stuff, so make sure you have some cash on you as there are no easy access ATMs! read more