
Meet Our Cafe Supervisor: Nicole Hankinson
Foodie Beginnings Nicole’s passion for food began at a young age. Growing up, she enjoyed helping her grandma with her garden and baking in the kitchen. Her grandma grew flowers and vegetables like green beans. The first time Nicole tasted one of those fresh green beans, she fell in love. Career Path & Farming…
Read More You either love it, or you hate it: Patchouli
Love it or Hate it? What do you think of patchouli? “OMG, I love patchouli!” “Ugh – I hate patchouli!” We hear these reactions all the time from our customers. Patchouli (pəˈCHo͞olē), Pogostemon cablin, is a unique scent that many either love or hate. There really is no middle ground with this unique earthy, slightly sweet, and spicy scent. Frequently,…
Read More Meet One of Our 2020 Seasonal Assistant Growers: Nicole Wild
Farming Beginnings Growing up, Nicole would help her mother with small gardening projects around the house. But it wasn’t until she was a junior in high school, that she realized she wanted to pursue a career in horticulture. Nicole’s goal is to be as close to the natural world as possible and work with plants…
Read More Catnip isn’t JUST for cats!
Catnip For Your Cats Cats make amazing companions, and giving them catnip is a really fun way to play with and treat your cat. When cats are exposed to catnip, the response can be downright comical! They may rub their heads and body on the catnip, jump and roll around on it, chew and lick it,…
Read More Meet One of Our New Vegetable Growers: Annie Halcomb
Gardening Beginnings Both sides of Annie’s family have left their impressions about nature and gardening on her. Annie’s mother always keeps a large garden, and so did her grandmother. Not letting age and physical changes deter her, Annie’s grandma utilized a plastic chair when weeding in her garden. On the other side of her family,…
Read More How to Make Plant-based, Organic Potpourri
Make Potpourri from the Nature Around You! In CVO’s second installment of our Dried Flower Craft Series, Jodi shows a fun and easy way to make potpourri! This can be an adventurous and hands-on way for kids to create a Mother’s Day gift that will last all year long. Supplies Needed Your choice…
Read More An Organic Flower Bouquet Subscription is the Perfect Gift!
Looking for the perfect gift for a friend, relative, co-worker, or neighbor? How about a weekly, every other week, or every 4-week bouquet of fresh-cut, colorful, organic blooms? Heck, maybe you’d even like one for yourself! Our Organic Flower Bouquet Subscription service in Pittsburgh makes it easy for you or a treasured friend to enjoy fresh-cut…
Read More The Healing Properties of Lavender
Who doesn’t love Lavender, right?! Based on our experience at market and plant sales, very few people have an adverse reaction to this popular garden plant. At the same time, it is one that we get many questions about. This blog post is intended to help answer those questions, introduce you to the varieties of Lavender…
Read More Meet the New CVO Sales & Marketing Specialist: Heather Herczak
We’ve hinted and introduced to you the talented new women farmers that have join the CVO team this year. Now, we would like to introduce to you someone completely different: our new Sales & Marketing Specialist, Heather Herczak! Part of Heather’s new role is handling the CVO Facebook, Instagram, website and blog updates, graphic design…
Read More Dried Flower Craft Kits
We have new Dried Flower Craft Kits available on our website! Watch this video to see Jodi show how to make these colorful crafts for kids (or adults), using some of the beautiful dried flowers from our farm! Butterfly Craft Kit 6 wooden butterflies 1 bag blue bachelor buttons 1 bag orange…
Read More Thyme Varieties for Culinary and Ornamental Use
Here at Cherry Valley, we grow dozens of different types of herbs, but one of our favorites is thyme. While you might think that there’s only one type of thyme, that isn’t the case. There are dozens of different varieties of thyme, each with their own unique appearance and flavor. Some thyme varieties are better…
Read More Come celebrate the Grand Opening of our new Farm Market and Cafe!
Our Grand Opening festivities will follow this schedule: **Saturday 6/1 – 9am – 9pm All day happenings! Pie on the Porch Free Samples (food, coffee, tea) Raffles 10am – Potted Plant Demo 10:30am – Kid Craft #1 11:30am – Vase Flower Arranging 1:00pm – Kid Craft #2 2:00pm – Bird House Making Musician Chris Hannigan…
Read More Garlic Scapes: How to harvest and cook
One of the more surprising spring crops we harvest here at the Cherry Valley Organics Farm is garlic scapes. While most people think about the bulbous, underground cloves when they think about using garlic in the kitchen, there’s another edible part of the garlic plant with a delicious flavor worth fitting into your dinner plans.…
Read More Meet Cherry Valley Organics Retail Sales and Event Assistant: Katie Sofio
The Cherry Valley Organics Farm Market and Cafe will soon be open for our spring and summer hours! We’re located at 1713 Main Street, Burgettstown, PA in the recently refurbished, historic Burgettstown Train Station. There are so many wonderful changes taking place for our CVO family, and as a result, you’ll notice lots of new…
Read More Meet the Founder of Cherry Valley Organics Farm: Jodi Danyo
Small farmers are a hard-working, dedicated bunch. Being a small farmer requires endless hours spent not just growing the fruits, veggies, flowers, and herbs sold by the farm, but also marketing those products, managing the books, collaborating with fellow growers, maintaining equipment, keeping a website updated, arranging and making deliveries, organizing planting and harvesting dates,…
Read More Celebrate CSA Day with Cherry Valley Organics
The last Friday in February is “National CSA Sign-up Day” (CSA Day for short), and we’re busy celebrating here at Cherry Valley Organics! Based on data collected from small farmers, the last Friday in February is the most popular day of the year to sign up for a CSA Farm Share program. If you haven’t…
Read More Our All-natural, Organic Fragrance Sprays and Roll-ons
Did you know that most air fresheners and room sprays are made from a concoction of synthetic chemicals? The Huffington Post declared synthetic fragrance sprays to be “The New Secondhand Smoke” in this recent article. And in this article by the Washington Post, the author discusses the dangers of these fragrances for people with chemical sensitivities, and…
Read More Herbal Bath Salts and Bath Bags: Healing, Calming, and Rejuvenating
With today’s ever-busy schedules, it isn’t often that we take time for ourselves and relax. But when we do, it should be in a way that’s comforting and calming. That’s where our organic bath salts and bath bags come in. A good, long soak in a tub full of warm water, infused with the finest…
Read More Handmade Soap from Cherry Valley Organics
We’ve been making our certified organic, handmade soap for over a decade. Our soap-making process begins by selecting only the finest ingredients, some of which we grow ourselves right here on our Pennsylvania farm. All of the plant-based ingredients we can’t grow on the farm are sustainably sourced, and none of our products are ever tested…
Read More Announcing the Grand Opening of the Cherry Valley Organics Holiday Market!
We’re beyond thrilled to announce the opening of the Cherry Valley Organics Holiday Market in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania, just a 30-minute drive from downtown Pittsburgh! The store’s Grand Opening is on Friday, November 23rd, 2018 at 10:00 am. Come celebrate this exciting new endeavor with us! More about our new Holiday Market Our beautiful new retail space is located in…
Read More Herbal Salves: How We Make Our Healing Organic Salves
Herbal salves like those we make here at our certified organic farm are useful for soothing irritated muscles and healing damaged, chapped, or dry skin. Our salve recipes combine essential oils, herbs, and beeswax to create one of a kind blends. Like all of our products, our salves are certified organic by the USDA. Types…
Read More Beets: How we sow, grow, and harvest these delicious roots
Beets might be humble-looking on the outside, but on the inside, they’re packed with flavor and nutrition. Consuming a beetroot infuses your body with potassium, manganese, folic acid, and lots of fiber. And if you enjoy the greens, you’re boosting your levels of calcium, iron, and Vitamins A and C. Beets are one of our…
Read More Organic Garlic: How to grow, harvest, and cure garlic bulbs
Did you know that much of the organic garlic that’s sold in grocery stores travel hundreds or even thousands of miles before it reaches your kitchen table? Around 75% of the world’s garlic comes from China, and while Chinese garlic imports have recently had quotas imposed on them here in the U.S., Chinese garlic is still prevalent on the…
Read More Microgreens Supplier in Pittsburgh: Cherry Valley Organics Farm
If you’re a chef, restaurateur, or even a home cook who’s looking for a microgreens supplier in Pittsburgh, we have you covered! Our microgreens are crunchy, delicious, and packed with nutrients. And, our USDA organic certification means our microgreens are free from synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and fungicides. Hand-grown under exacting standards, our wide selection of microgreens can supply…
Read More What is patty pan squash? How to grow and cook this vegetable
Patty pan squash is quite unique. Its squat, flat shape, unique coloration, and ruffled edges might leave you scratching your head with wonder. What is patty pan squash anyway? Is it a winter squash or a summer squash? Do you peel patty pan squash or eat the rind? How the heck do you cook it? Today,…
Read More Cucumber Farming: How We Grow This Prized Crop
Cucumbers can be a notoriously challenging crop for farmers. Many varieties are susceptible to a devastating pathogen known as bacterial wilt that’s spread by a small insect called the cucumber beetle. Just when the plants are about to produce, the vines wilt, turn brown and die. It’s heart-breaking. But, there are lots of upsides to…
Read More Heirloom Tomato Varieties From Our Farm to Your Home
Heirloom tomatoes come in just about every color of the rainbow, and the diversity of flavors and textures they bring to the table is unparalleled. Here at Cherry Valley Organics, we grow and sell many different heirloom tomato varieties, each with it’s own unique look and taste. Today, we thought it would be fun to…
Read More Succession Planting Plan for Farmers and Gardeners
Despite what you may think, spring isn’t the only planting season here at the farm, nor should it be in your own home garden. Farmers and gardeners who want to have freshly picked produce rolling in for months on end need to employ a succession planting plan. Our own succession planting plan ensures a continual…
Read More How We Grow and Harvest Cherry Tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes are among our customers’ favorites, which is a good thing because they’re also one of our favorite crops to grow! With their prolific production and sweet flavor, there’s so much to love about cherry tomatoes. We thought you might enjoy a glimpse into how we grow these tasty tomatoes, why we hand-pick them…
Read More The Importance of Eating with the Seasons
For many folks, one of the toughest challenges of eating local is realizing how connected our food is to the natural cycles of nature. Our ancestors were intimately in tune with the seasons, especially when it came to the foods they ate. But modern food production and delivery systems make it easy to get strawberries,…
Read More Edible Flowers for Cakes, Salads, and Other Culinary Adventures
If you’re wondering where to buy edible flowers for a special event, restaurant, or even for everyday home enjoyment, Cherry Valley Organics has you covered. We grow, package, and sell many different varieties of edible flowers in both fresh and dried form. What makes our edible flowers so special As a USDA certified organic farm, we take…
Read More Organic Wedding Flowers in Pittsburgh
Are you tying the knot in the Pittsburgh area? Let Cherry Valley Organics Farm, located just 20 miles from downtown Pittsburgh, grow gorgeous, certified organic flowers for your special day! We’re one of the only suppliers of locally grown, organic wedding flowers in Pittsburgh, and we LOVE making one-of-a-kind bouquets, boutonnières, alter and reception arrangements, corsages, and…
Read More How We Grow Shiitake and Oyster Mushrooms
Our delicious mushrooms are a favorite of many of our Farm Share subscribers and farmers market customers. Baskets of meaty shiitake and flavorful oyster mushrooms are one of our most prized crops here at Cherry Valley Organics. We’re frequently asked how we grow these delicious fungi, so we thought we’d share a step-by-step of how we grow shiitake…
Read More Organic Herb Plants for Your Pittsburgh Garden
If you want to save some big bucks on your food budget, consider growing your own herbs. With the average grocery store price of fresh herbs consistently on the rise, it’s no wonder many homeowners have started to grow their own backyard and container herb gardens. Most herbs are easy to grow, and those that are perennial,…
Read More Why Our Organic Strawberries are the Right Choice for Your Family
Conventionally grown strawberries consistently top the Environmental Working Group’s “Dirty Dozen” list of fruits and vegetables that contain the highest levels of pesticide residue. One sample of strawberries was found to contain 20 different pesticide residues! Organic strawberries, however, are a whole different ballgame. They’re nutrient dense, antioxidant-rich, and free of the synthetic chemical residues found on…
Read More Meet the Power Behind our Herbs and Flowers: Allie Logue
According to the New York Times, roughly three-quarters of the cut flowers sold in the U.S. are grown far outside of our country’s borders. Most cut flowers travel thousands of miles from South or Central America before finding their way to our dining room tables. That’s a lot of precious energy spent just to move a…
Read More Who Grows Your Food? A Cherry Valley Organics Grower Profile
Do you know who grows the food you eat? If you shop at a big grocery chain, the face behind that cucumber in your salad is a complete mystery. But, if you support a small, local farm like Cherry Valley Organics, there’s no mystery as to whose hands (and heart!) grew the food you put into your…
Read More Gourmet Lettuce Varieties to Make Your Salad Sing
Here at the Cherry Valley Organics farm we take our lettuce very seriously. It’s a staple in our Pittsburgh CSA Farm Share boxes all summer long. Yep, that’s right. We provide fresh, organic lettuce to our customers for months, not just for a few weeks in the spring and fall when the weather is cool. We carefully select each…
Read More What is Swiss chard? Growing, harvesting, and cooking this delicious green
What is Swiss chard? Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris) is a close relative of the garden beet. Chard and beets are so close, in fact, that they’re actually the same species of plant that’s been selected and bred for specific traits over many years. While beets have been bred for their plump, edible roots, Swiss chard…
Read More Organic Valentine’s Day Gifts from Cherry Valley Organics
If you don’t want to give your sweetheart expensive, pesticide-laden roses that were grown thousands of miles away from home for Valentine’s Day, give him or her the gift of organic luxury instead! Handmade body care products make exceptional organic Valentine’s Day gifts for the one you love. What Makes Our Organic Valentine’s Day Gifts…
Read More CSA Pittsburgh: Cherry Valley Organics Farm Share Program
Sign-ups for our 2019 CSA Pittsburgh Farm Share Program are now open! We’re excited to be able to provide your family with a wide selection of delicious, organic fruits and vegetables each and every week throughout the growing season from June 8th to October 25th. Cherry Valley Organics is one of only a few USDA Certified…
Read More Last Chance Holiday Events and $5 off $40 Until December 19th!
Don’t forget to take advantage of our last online sale of the season! Plus, everything ordered before December 19th will arrive in time for Christmas! That’s right, this sale includes all of our bath and body products like Bath Bags & Salts, Fragrances, Salves, Massage Oils, Lip Balms & Glosses, Soaps, & more! We even have stocking stuffers for kitties! They…
Read More Buy Organic Herbal Tea Online: Why our natural herbal tea recipes are the best
Buy Organic Herbal Tea Online: Why our natural herbal tea recipes are the best Here are Cherry Valley Organics we take our tea very seriously. Made from a blend of certified organic herbs, spices, and dried fruits, our organic herbal teas are prepared in small batches and hand-packed into biodegradable tea bags. Every herb we…
Read More What’s in Your Lip Balm? A Closer Look at the Ingredient List
What’s in Your Lip Balm? A Closer Look at the Ingredient List The next time you apply lip balm, take a look at the label. Do you see a list of ingredients? What’s on that list? Sadly, most popular brands of lip balm found at the pharmacy or cosmetics counter, contain a whole host of…
Read More Buy 4 Lip Balms, Get one FREE and $5 Off $40!
It’s the season of giving, right?! Enjoy these upcoming sales and you can give to others and save on goodies for yourself, too! Buy any four lip balms, get one FREE December 7th – December 10th! Please indicate which scent of lip balm you would like in the comment section at check out and our…
Read More Buy 5 Get 1 Free Soap Sale Today and Tomorrow Only!
Need stocking stuffers, hostess gifts, or teacher treats?! Our USDA certified organic soaps come in a variety of scents and starting TODAY through Sunday at midnight, you can buy 5 bars and get one of our popular lavender soaps for FREE! CLICK HERE TO SHOP NOW!
Read More December Holiday Events Kick Off TODAY!
In addition to our online store, there are several ways to get your hands on our goods for holiday gifts this month!… December 1-9: Sweetwater Holiday mART What: A pop-up boutique featuring locally made handcrafted gifts, such as jewelry, ceramics, glass, weavings, knitted wears, fine art, woodcraft, toys, cards, and ornaments. Check their website for happy hour and…
Read More Handmade, Organic Gifts from Cherry Valley Organics
5 Reasons to Shop Cherry Valley Organics Farm for All Your Gift Needs 1. All of our body care products, including soaps, fragrances, lip balm, salves, and more are certified organic by the USDA. They’re free of chemical preservatives, additives, colors, and scents. Our herbal teas and our massage oils and gift baskets are all natural, too. Even our Cut Flower Subscription bouquets are certified organic! 2. We ship…
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