In a region where winter drags on for months, there is a place where harvesting and planting are found even during the coldest, dreariest days. That place is Canticle Farm in Allegany and on Thursday some of the staff peeled off their jackets and rolled up their sleeves to harvest produce in the high tunnels as well as plant seeds in greenhouses.
Mark Printz, farm manager, said the farm is doing well and continues to sell its produce at its community market on Old State Road. “It’s been kind of mild (this winter) as far as our cold temperatures and the amount of snow,” Printz said. “But I want to be careful because (the weather) could come back to bite me.”
He said the several paid employees at the farm have been kept busy both harvesting the produce grown in the high tunnels and sold at the market, and planting seeds in the greenhouses.
“That’s one of the reasons we do winter production is to keep people employed throughout the year,” Printz added. The plants are seeded in two greenhouses, and then grown in five high tunnels on the properties.
“The market is good and demand on that has been consistent,” Printz remarked, noting he believes the pandemic has changed the priorities of many people. “Food is becoming a priority and people are learning to cook again.”
