Fresh from the farm The 2008 agriguide

The Villa Maria Farmin Villa Maria, Pa. donates between 65 percent and 70 percent of its produce to charities. Run by the Sisters of the Humility of Mary, this farm about a mile from the Ohio line is nonprofit and does sell to the public — proceeds are plowed back into the farm’s upkeep.

Open:Mid-June through mid-October, Wednesday-Friday, noon - 5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Phone:(724) 964-8920 ext. 3385.

Web: www.humilityofmary.org

When in season, find this noncertified organic produce: yellow, butternut, acorn and spaghetti squash, lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, green onions, sugar snap peas, carrots, eggplant, bell peppers, sweet frying peppers, mild hot frying peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, jack-o’-lantern pumpkins, pie pumpkins, gourds, sweet corn, potatoes, garlic, onions, sugar beets, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage (early and late), watermelon, cantaloupe, cucumbers, pickling cucumbers, celery, radishes, Indian corn, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, oregano, cilantro, parsley, rosemary, thyme, sage, savory and mint. Also, hanging baskets, porch flower posts, bedding flowers, garden vegetable starts, herb starts, winter lettuce, spinach crops, mums, Christmas poinsettias, Easter flowers, and cut and drying flowers. Field crops include hay, oats, wheat, field corn and soybeans. They offer beef, lamb and wool.

Apple Castle, 277 State Route 18, New Wilmington.

Open: December-July, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; August-November, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

Phone: (724) 652-3221.

Web: www.applecastle.com.

What’s available: Apples, more than 50 varieties, year-round. When in season, find: peaches, nectarines, blueberries, raspberries, sour cherries, plums, sweet corn, pumpkins, squash, gourds, green beans, tomatoes, peppers, onions, potatoes, zucchini and cucumbers. Also find honey, eggs, cheese, Pennsylvania maple syrup and cider.

Bugle Ridge Farm, 3240 Old Pittsburgh Road, New Castle.

Phone: (724) 651-7080.

Web: www.bugleridgefarm.com.

What’s available: Elk, black Angus cattle. USDA-inspected, farm-raised elk meat. Half of beef. Available at local stores and restaurants. Antlers and antler products available.

Crestview Farm, 1289 Mill Bridge Road, Ellwood City.

Open: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Phone: (724) 924-2445, (724) 971-5511; Web: www.crestviewfarm.com

What’s available: USDA-inspected Texas longhorn beef, whole/quarter/half, vacuum-packed, double-wrapped. Grass-fed, free-range. No hormones, low cholesterol.

Double J Galloways, 395 Double J Lane, New Castle.

Open: Hours vary, please call.

Phone: (724) 924-2938.

What’s available: Galloway beef — hormone-, chemical- and antibiotic-free.

3 D’s Farm, 1605 Mohawk School Road, Edinburg.

Open: Monday, Friday, 2 - 8 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 3 - 8 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Phone: (724) 667-1022.

What’s available: A large variety of vegetables, pumpkins, gourds, cornstalks. Vegetable plants and flowers, including fall mums. Herbs.

Ron Gargasz Organic Farms, 129 Old Ash Road, Volant.

Open: Saturday, 10 a.m, to noon. Please call ahead and place your order.

Phone: (724) 530-7720.

Web: rgargasz@earthlink.net.

What’s available: Certified organic grass-fed beef.

Michaelangelo’s Flea Market, 2475 Ben Franklin Highway, Edinburg.

Open: Sunday, 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Phone: (724) 652-6244

What’s available: Hay, vendors selling fruits and vegetables.

Mijavec Feed & Supply, 294 Cheriwood Road, Pulaski.

Open: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Sunday (May-October), 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Phone: (724) 964-8933.

What’s available: Sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, squash, potatoes, beans, beets, pickles, cucumbers, cantaloupe, watermelon, apples. Bushel quantities available in season. Flowers, hanging baskets, pots. Cornstalks, pumpkins, gourds, straw, Christmas trees, mums, ornamental corn.

Pasture Maid Creamery, 571 Cow Path Lane, New Castle.

Open: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, 4 — 7 p.m.

Phone: (724) 944-7894; Web: www.deanfarms.com

What’s available: Raw milk, raw-milk cheese.

Ro-Jo Stock Farm, Debbie’s Fresh Vegetables, 3185 State Road, New Castle.

Open: Seven days a week, July 1 - Oct. 30.

Phone: (724) 654-1474

What’s available: Farm-fresh produce in season.

Sperdute Farms, 206 Kildoo Road, New Castle.

Open: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily through Halloween.

Phone: (724) 667-8866.

What’s available: Bell peppers, Italian frying peppers, cubanella peppers, sweet and hot banana peppers, cherry hot peppers, red roaster peppers, onions, sweet corn, eggplant, pickling cucumbers, zucchini, cousa, green beans, yellow squash, green and Savoy cabbage, large slicing tomatoes, paste tomatoes, yellow tomatoes, winter squash, watermelon, relishes, jams, jellies, honey, Autumn and Halloween crafts, pumpkins, gourds, cornstalks, Indian corn, squash, mums, apples, cider.

Sources: Penn State Cooperative Extension and the Lawrence County Conservation District