With our Worden Farm season drawing to a close, I’ve been starting to feel a little guilty about having never actually made it out to the farm. Several of my friends also have farm memberships and are always telling me how fun it is to go out there each week. Well let me tell you, they weren’t kidding!
This week we finally went with my friend Angie and her lovely daughter. It was great to have a “pro” to show us around–Angie has been a member for 4 years–and it was fun to run into a few other friends while we were there. The girls had a blast and I literally had to pry them away in order to get Princess off to dance class on time.
As luck would have it, this week was goat milking week, where all the kids could try their hand at milking a goat. Princess wanted nothing to do with the goat but Trouble–ever the adventurer–was totally enamored. She wouldn’t leave the poor goat alone!
Another highlight of going to the farm is the opportunity to pick your own produce. This doesn’t count towards your weekly allowance, it is just an added bonus. This week we had the option of digging for potatoes or picking edible flowers. My prissy girls aren’t exactly dig-in-the-dirt kinda kids but they loved picking flowers!
After flower picking it was time to pick out our vegetables–that is, after all, the point of going to the farm–and it was SO hard to choose! The cool thing about the farm pickup option versus the box delivery option is that you get a total number of credits that you can use as you wish. Thus, if you only want 5 items one week and 15 the next, you can do that. You also get to pick exactly what you want–or need–each week.
I originally picked the box because it was more convenient (the Farm is WAY out in the country!) and because I thought it would be a fun challenge to get a random assortment of vegetables each week. Some weeks I definitely enjoyed the challenge more than others.
But the experience of going to the farm, especially with kids, is so great that I can’t imagine not picking that option next year. What a value! Not only do you get a huge selection of locally grown organic produce for only $30 a week, you get a pre-paid afternoon of entertainment! I’m a girl who knows a deal when I see one. 
Here in Southwest Florida the Worden Farm season is just ending (boo!) but you will soon be able to enroll for next year. Those of you up north might be able to find a similar local farm co-op membership in your area by checking out LocalHarvest.org.
And if you are looking for some yummy ways to use up all those fresh vegetables, be sure to check out all of these Worden Farm-inspired recipes:
- Grilled Chicken & Vegetable Salad with Honey Dijon Glaze
- Easy Vegetarian Goulash
- Cheesy Cream of Broccoli Soup
- Creamy Dill Vegetable Soup
- Winter Diet Soup
- Strawberry Basil Sangria
- Homemade Zucchini Bread
- Simple Vegetable Frittata
- Roasted Root Vegetable & Tomato Cream Sauce over Farfalle
- Roasted Vegetable Quesadilla
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