The air is crisp, the leaves are changing, and the harvest season is in full swing at Crooked Pines Farm. As the days grow shorter and the nights longer, our team is busy gathering the last of the season’s bounty, preparing for the winter ahead. But the end of the growing season doesn’t mean the work is done – in fact, this is one of the busiest times of year, as we shift our focus to preserving the fruits and vegetables we’ve worked so hard to nurture.
Seasonal Farming Practices
Harvesting
At Crooked Pines Farm, we take great pride in our harvest practices. Throughout the growing season, our dedicated team has carefully tended to each crop, ensuring they receive the right amount of water, nutrients, and sunlight to thrive. Now, as the harvest season reaches its peak, we’re out in the fields and orchards, carefully selecting the ripest and most flavorful produce.
Whether it’s juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, or sweet heirloom peppers, we handle each item with care, ensuring they make their way from our fields to your table in the best possible condition. Our post-harvest handling practices are meticulous, as we sort, wash, and store the produce to maintain its freshness and flavor.
Canning and Preserving
But the work doesn’t stop there. Once the produce is harvested, it’s time to start canning and preserving – a vital part of our seasonal farming practices. By canning and preserving our crops, we’re able to extend their shelf life and ensure that the delicious flavors of our farm-fresh produce can be enjoyed long after the growing season has ended.
Our team of experienced preservationists is well-versed in a variety of techniques, from water-bath canning and pressure canning to pickling and dehydrating. They take great care to follow safe and effective preservation methods, ensuring that every jar, bottle, or package is sealed to perfection.
Farm-Based Workshops
To share our knowledge and passion for preserving the harvest, we offer a series of canning and preserving workshops throughout the fall season. These hands-on classes are open to the public and provide participants with the opportunity to learn directly from our experts.
During these workshops, attendees will have the chance to get their hands dirty, as they work alongside our team to prepare a variety of preserved goods. From tomato sauce and fruit jams to pickled vegetables and dried herbs, participants will leave with a newfound appreciation for the art of food preservation, as well as a bounty of delicious, homemade products to enjoy all winter long.
Crooked Pines Farm
Farm Overview
Crooked Pines Farm is a 50-acre family-owned operation nestled in the rolling hills of central Florida. For over three generations, our family has been dedicated to sustainable, organic farming practices, growing a diverse array of fruits, vegetables, and herbs for our local community.
In addition to our thriving vegetable and fruit production, we also maintain a small herd of heritage breed livestock, including chickens, goats, and pigs. These animals not only provide us with a steady supply of eggs, milk, and meat, but they also play a crucial role in our regenerative agriculture system, helping to naturally fertilize our fields and control pests.
Farming Community
At Crooked Pines Farm, we don’t just grow food – we cultivate a sense of community. Our farm is a hub of activity, with visitors from all walks of life coming to learn, explore, and connect with the land. Whether it’s a school group on a field trip, a family looking to spend a day outdoors, or a group of fellow farmers and gardeners, everyone is welcome at Crooked Pines.
We take great pride in our role as educators, sharing our knowledge and passion for sustainable agriculture with anyone who is interested. From hands-on workshops and nature trails to farm-to-table cooking classes and DIY crafting events, there’s always something new to discover at our farm.
Educational Offerings
One of the cornerstones of our educational programming is our canning and preserving workshops. In these classes, participants learn the ins and outs of various preservation techniques, gaining the skills and confidence to put up their own bounty at home.
Throughout the year, we offer a variety of workshops, each focused on a specific method or type of preserved product. In the fall, for example, we might host a tomato canning class, where participants can learn how to water-bath can their homegrown tomatoes for use in soups, sauces, and other winter meals. Or, in the spring, we might offer a herb drying workshop, teaching folks how to properly dehydrate and store their fresh herbs for year-round use.
No matter the time of year, our educational offerings are designed to inspire and empower, giving people the tools they need to become more self-sufficient and connected to their food sources.
Produce Preservation Techniques
Canning
One of the most popular preservation methods we teach at our workshops is canning. Canning is a time-honored technique that allows you to safely store fruits, vegetables, and other foods for long periods of time.
There are two main types of canning: water-bath canning and pressure canning. Water-bath canning is best suited for high-acid foods like tomatoes, pickles, and jams, while pressure canning is required for low-acid foods like meats, beans, and vegetables.
During our canning workshops, participants will learn how to properly prepare their produce, sterilize their jars and lids, and follow safe canning procedures to ensure a successful – and delicious – outcome. They’ll also learn how to properly label and store their canned goods, so they can enjoy the flavors of the harvest all year round.
Pickling
Another preservation method we highlight in our workshops is pickling. Pickling is a great way to extend the life of certain vegetables, like cucumbers, carrots, and onions, by submerging them in a vinegar-based brine.
Not only does pickling help preserve the produce, but it also infuses it with delicious, tangy flavors. In our pickling workshops, participants will learn how to make a variety of pickled products, from classic dill pickles to spicy kimchi.
We’ll cover the importance of proper pH balance and acidity levels, as well as techniques for achieving the perfect crunch and flavor profile. Attendees will leave with a bounty of pickled goodies to enjoy (and share!) throughout the winter months.
Dehydrating
In addition to canning and pickling, we also offer workshops on dehydrating – a simple yet effective way to preserve fruits, vegetables, herbs, and even meats.
Dehydrating works by removing the moisture from the produce, which inhibits the growth of microorganisms and extends the shelf life of the items. In our dehydrating classes, participants will learn how to properly prepare and dry a variety of foods using either a commercial dehydrator or a simple, homemade setup.
We’ll discuss the optimal drying temperatures and times, as well as techniques for storing the dried goods to maintain their freshness and flavor. Attendees will have the opportunity to experiment with different herbs, spices, and seasonings, creating custom dried blends and snacks to enjoy all winter long.
Importance of Seasonal Eating
Nutritional Benefits
Preserving the harvest through canning, pickling, and dehydrating doesn’t just extend the shelf life of our produce – it also helps to preserve the nutritional value. By capturing the peak freshness and flavor of our farm-grown fruits and vegetables, we’re able to lock in essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that might otherwise be lost.
This means that even in the depths of winter, when fresh produce may be harder to come by, our canned, pickled, and dried goods are still brimming with the same wholesome goodness as the day they were harvested. In fact, studies have shown that canned and frozen produce can sometimes be even more nutrient-dense than their fresh counterparts, as the preservation process helps to prevent nutrient degradation.
Environmental Impact
But the benefits of preserving the harvest go beyond just nutrition – they also have a positive impact on the environment. By reducing food waste and extending the lifespan of our farm-fresh produce, we’re able to minimize the carbon footprint associated with growing, transporting, and disposing of food.
When you choose to can, pickle, or dehydrate your own produce, you’re not only supporting local, sustainable agriculture, but you’re also reducing the amount of food that ends up in landfills. This, in turn, helps to lower greenhouse gas emissions and conserve precious natural resources.
Community Engagement
Finally, our canning and preserving workshops play a vital role in fostering a sense of community and connection. By teaching people how to put up their own harvest, we’re empowering them to become more self-sufficient and engaged with their local food system.
Whether it’s a young family looking to stock their pantry for the winter or a group of retirees eager to learn new skills, our workshops bring people together around a shared love of good food and sustainable living. Attendees leave not only with a deeper understanding of preservation techniques, but also with a stronger sense of community and a renewed appreciation for the bounty of the land.
At Crooked Pines Farm, we believe that celebrating the harvest is about more than just putting food on the table – it’s about nurturing the connections between people, the land, and the seasons. By inviting our community to participate in the preservation process, we’re not only sharing our knowledge and expertise, but also fostering a deeper appreciation for the cyclical nature of farming and the importance of seasonal eating.
So, as the days grow shorter and the leaves begin to change, we invite you to join us at Crooked Pines Farm for a canning and preserving workshop. Come and learn the art of food preservation, and leave with a bounty of delicious, homemade goods to enjoy all winter long. Together, let’s celebrate the harvest and the abundance of the land.
