profile

Tessa DeMaster

Growing up on my family's farm in Pennsylvania, I never would have pictured the life I live at Willow Haven farm. As a kid I spent summers in our large family garden we called, “The Truck Patch”. I helped mom every summer, picking beans, weeding, and cutting fruit and vegetables for the hundreds of jars of canned and frozen produce we put up. Now I spends less time out in the field and more time in the kitchen doing the same preserving for my own farm family. Farmer Reuben values my many hours doing much of the behind the scenes marketing, writing emails to cultivate customers and capturing the farm story each week. I'm always learning along the way in my quest to improve the farm experience for each of her current and future farm members in our 500+ member, year-round customized farm box delivery program. Reading our stories will connect you with your food in a way you never experienced before. Someday soon you will want to fit local food into your life and we'll be here to help you.

Willow Haven farm is the leader in local, organic seasonal eating in the Lehigh Valley
Featured Post

👨‍🌾 So, are you slowing down? [not!] You'll see why + Specials

Hi Reader, "So, are you slowing down now?" It’s freezing cold today, and you’d think the farm work would ease up in weather like this. Everyone asks us this question. It never does. Winter chores always seem heavier—literally and figuratively. The pigs, chickens, and cows still need our care, and in these frigid temperatures, that means extra effort to keep them fed, watered, and warm. This week has been especially challenging because we said goodbye to our best farm worker. Our field...

Hi Reader, Setting up a thanksgiving meal in the barn may have been more work but there isn’t a more beautiful setting for our whole farm community to come together for amazing farm food. But you may be surprised that we roasted chickens and turkey, whipped the mashed potatoes and unstuffed the apple walnut stuffing 2 weeks ago when the weather was a bit warmer. (Remember the almost 60 degree days we had earlier this month?) Holidays with family get complicated, right? Each family has its own...

Hello Reader, Just a quick reminder that our DIY Essential Oil Rollers for Winter Wellness class is happening tomorrow at 1:00 PM at Willow Haven Farm! We’re excited to gather and create blends that support your immune system, keeping you and your family healthy as we head into the colder months. It’s going to be hands-on and fun, and you’ll leave with customized rollers that are perfect for winter wellness or even gift-giving! Event Details: Date: November 9th, 2024 Time: 1:00 PM Location:...

make your own sauerkraut for meals like this with pastured pork

Hi Reader, Do you love pork and sauerkraut for New Year’s? I certainly do! This dish is a classic Pennsylvania Dutch tradition, symbolizing good luck and prosperity for the coming year. The tender, savory pork paired with tangy, fermented sauerkraut creates a flavor combination that warms the heart and soul. But, WAIT?! Is it too early to talk about New Years? That's three holidays away still! Keep reading... We Are Open on the Farm @7686 Herber Rd! Saturday: 9 AM - 3:00 PM Organic Sourdough...

family reunion at the U.S. Capital

Hi Reader, "Mom, I’m Coming to D.C. – Will You Visit Me?"Reuniting with Our College Kid and Making Memories in the Capital Farm boy Blaise left the farm in July, and we haven’t seen him since. Since then, he’s roamed the Teton Mountains and the canyons of Utah with his new college friends from Wyoming Catholic College, all while studying music, natural history, humanities, and theology. Blaise is thriving in college. He’s hard at work on papers, enjoys speaking conversational Latin, serves...

beet kvass to ferment on my kitchen counter

Hi Reader, "I'm nervous about the flavor of kvass," confessed a friend. I totally understand her nerves! The flavor can be a bit different, but I described beet kvass as briny, earthy, and slightly fizzy with a touch of sweetness. If you've added any fermented foods to your diet, it's not that big of a leap to try kvass. Plus, what's not to love about a deep purple shot in your day? Get the Beet Kvass Recipe & More As I prepared my kvass today, I decide to enhance its already powerful...

Hi Reader, At a rainy event in New Tripoli, I met a man wearing a VegStock T-shirt who made a beeline for our organic farm food stand. Turns out, he’s a fellow foodie! VegStock is a BIG event that promotes plant-based eating, a growing trend these days. While I don’t believe in completely excluding animal products forever, I know that focusing on organic, plant-based meals can be a great way to heal the body. And guess what? You can reintroduce nutrient-dense animal products later, like Bone...

the best of willow haven farm in your kitchen

Hi Reader, What's the best travel food? Jerky, of course! Pioneers and American Indians used it and now its a manufactured convenience food with lots of plastic packaging and additives. I mentioned in our Farm Member Chat Group that I made Beef Jerky this week with our own ground beef. Calls for the recipe came quickly! Since we are traveling this weekend, I'm sharing the recipe and a list of our tried and true travel foods. Grass fed Ground Beef Jerky Recipe & More We Are Open at Willow...

Keep your family healthy

Hi Reader, Even my jaw dropped. Did I forget or was this info SO SHOCKING that it's hard to believe? The head farmer at Rodale spoke at a Health Symposium for medical professionals in July. Reuben and I were the only other farmer attendees. When talking about food and health to the doctors, nurses, and students, he chose to make sure they knew that organic food is the only way to eat for health and sustainability. Over 70 crops are sprayed directly with glyphosate, most immediately before...

Erik's workshop on Fermenting

Hi Reader! Are you curious about the health benefits of fermentation but unsure where to begin? Do you find yourself fascinated by the idea of making your own kraut, pickles, kimchi, or kombucha but feel overwhelmed by the process? If you've ever wondered how to transform simple ingredients into delicious, probiotic-rich foods that nourish your body, you're not alone. Many people are intrigued by fermentation but are held back by the fear of the unknown or concerns about safety. But what if...