New farmers...and old!
NWPA Growers is a cooperative of farmers who raise good food using organic methods. In the last couple of years, several of our veggie growers have left us due to various personal reasons, but that left a gaping hole in our produce offerings.
The great news is that we have three new farms joining us this year, and three of our existing farms are increasing their veggie production. We will be featuring one or two of our farms in each of a series of emails in the coming weeks.
Sweetwater Farms
New Grower
We are a first generation family owned Market Farm located in Mercer, PA. Our goal at Sweetwater Farms is to provide fresh produce to our family and community through responsible, sustainable, organic based practices. We provide our produce through our produce stand, Farmers Markets, CSA program and local restaurants. In one way or another, Ben has had his hands in the dirt for the last thirteen years. After graduating from West Virginia University, Ben moved to the Pittsburgh area and started a landscaping company which he ran for seven years. He then decided to go back to school to pursue his teaching degree. During his 9 years of teaching Biology and Ecology, he introduced aquaponics systems into several classrooms. The students grew lettuce, arugula and kale and enjoyed harvesting the greens to add to their lunches. Ben grew up gardening with his mother and grandfather which helped drive his passion to farm. While living and teaching in Central Pennsylvania for a few years, he began helping a friend with his farm. He quickly realized this was something he loved and wanted to do himself so he, along with his wife Suzanne, son Owen and dog Tanner, relocated back to the Pittsburgh area to be closer to friends and family and start Sweetwater Farms. Suzanne has always had a love for food and cooking. Her interest in growing her own food started while she was pregnant. She wanted to eat as healthy as possible while also knowing where her food was coming from. This way of thinking has continued as she tries to cook for her family using fresh ingredients as much as possible. She feels that having the ability to walk into her back yard and harvest healthy food to put on her family’s table is very rewarding and the flavors are unlike any other. Sweetwater Farms will provide many of the field crops that Detweiler Farm has supplied for the last several years. |
Glacial Till Farm
Old friends
We are a family farm located right here in Slippery Rock. Our mission is to grow high-quality, organically-grown produce to nourish our neighbors. We grow on a 2-acre plot using all hand machinery and organic methods of growing. Our four young kids help us in every step: from clearing rocks out of beds, planting, weeding, harvesting, cleaning, packing, cooking, selling, and prepping the soil for the next growing year. We grow produce so pure that we eat it straight from the ground. Beyond organic, that's our goal and we are honored to share it with you.
Sign up for 2024 CSA |
Secure your spot today!
Spaces are filling up quickly for CSA that begins in June.