Happy first Friday in April, dear folks! Although the signs of spring can be a bit hard to find today, in keeping in step with the whims of the weather, we thought this would be a great time to highlight Frosty Morning Farms, a local grower from the Truxton area.

SVHC: How long have you been producing or growing in Cortland County?

FMF: For about 25 years.

SVHC: Growing food cannot be an easy task to take on, why engage this type of lifestyle?

FMF: We like to bring quality food and beauty to the people around us. Our farm is also a homestead and our own garden. We are lovers of food fresh from the land grown in a sustainable manner.

SVHC: What products or goods do you make or grow?

FMF: We grow and sell certified organic vegetables, shiitake mushrooms, fruit (large and small), herbs (fresh and dried) cut flowers, and herb and tomato plants. Also, perennials, goat's milk soap, herbal products (teas, herbal extracts, salves, aromatherapy oils, and sprays), our own homemade organic jam from our fruit and we raise registered Nubian and Saanen dairy goats and sell breeding stock.

SVHC: What has been your biggest joy as a local grower/producer?

FMF: There are many, but one that stands out is helping a child at the farmers' market pick out flowers and design their own bouquet.

SVHC: What has been your greatest challenge as a local grower in Cortland County?

FMF: Selling is always a challenge--making sure we can sell what we bring to the market to consumers who seem to have 'a fear of food' or they just went to the grocery store and don't need anything. I don't think people understand how perishable and seasonal fresh vegetables are and what we have to go through to bring them there. Someone will ask for tomatoes in June and walk away from the beautiful vegetables that we brought because we may not have tomatoes at that time of year. There are some wonderful customers who come to the market and plan what they will eat based on what vegetables are ready. There just aren't enough of them! It takes planning, creativity, and ingenuity to come to a market and plan your diet around what's in season.

SVHC: If you could tell your community one thing, what would it be?

FMF: If you're trying to eat locally and purchase food directly from farmers at the market, don't shop at the grocery store. See what you can find at the market. Be willing to try new things and be creative in meal planning based on what's in season and available.

SVHC: How can the community purchase your goods or connect with you?

FMF: We're at the Cazenovia Farmer's Market on Saturdays from May 12th through October 27th. We're also at the Cazenovia Winter Market and the Spruce Ridge Winter Market from November through April. We also sell to the Syracuse Real Foods Coop. We can sell some things, like perennials, herb and tomato plants, and some vegetables directly from the farm, but you'll need an appointment first. Email is a good first line of communication. We are also on Facebook!

#farmerfridays: Frosty Morning Farms