For Chris Powell, owner of PA Preferred® Good Harvest Farms in Lancaster County, the work and the rewards are one and the same. He grows a wide array of produce year-round on 28 acres of farmland and in greenhouses on his Strasburg farm, delivering it directly to the community of the Lancaster County Farmers Market in nearby Delaware County. He says, “There’s satisfaction in starting from seed, growing quality produce and selling that to our market families.”
Those who shop a the longstanding farmers market, open Wednesday, Fridays and Saturdays in downtown Wayne, can rely on Good Harvest Farms for homegrown fruits and vegetables handpicked at peak freshness, full of flavor and packed with vitamins and minerals. Among the most popular are strawberries, blackberries, tomatoes, hydroponic lettuce and Brussels sprouts. There’s also sweet corn, lima beans, peas, peaches, potatoes, sugar plums, carrots, squash, eggplant, broccoli and much more. You’ll also find an assortment of jarred jellies and canned goods available to purchase.
Powell is able to offer his products all four seasons by using hydroponic farming methods. In his 4,000 square foot hydroponic greenhouse space, he utilizes nutrient-rich water to grow lush lettuce and culinary herbs, ensuring his customers never lack for fresh, healthy greens. He also grows flowers and house plants indoors, in addition to two expansive outdoor mum fields, offering this colorful and lively decor throughout the year.
Sustainability is central to Good Harvest Farms’ approach. Beyond his hydroponic methods, Powell also connects with a local beekeeping operation, Stockins Apiaries, for crop pollination from its honeybees. He then sells some of this Lancaster produced honey at the farmers market.
As a PA Preferred member, Powell is part of a thriving network of Pennsylvania farmers and growers. He believes that the program not only supports local families and farmers like him, but bolsters the local economy by helping consumers identify businesses offering fresh, locally-grown produce. This helps ensure that more PA-grown produce reaches the kitchens and dinner tables of Pennsylvanians.
By maintaining a presence at the Lancaster County Farmers Market, Powell and his team are able to go beyond growing food to fostering relationships. They see regulars return for their products week after week and get to connect with new faces all the time. This transparency and trust is invaluable for consumers, farmers and the local food system all at once.
To enjoy the farm fresh produce of Good Harvest Farms and meet the people who grew it, head its stand at the Lancaster County Farmers Market. 389 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne; (610) 293-1370.
This series was created in collaboration with PA Preferred.
PA Preferred® is Pennsylvania’s statewide branding program that promotes locally grown and processed food and other agricultural products.
- Photos: Good Harvest Farms
