Sweet Success: Farming couple opens Harmony location
Veggies, fruits, honey, bread, syrup and eggs: Sweetwater Farms in Jackson Township aims to provide a year-round, well-rounded diet to local residents with locally grown, made or sourced products.
Those products also include produce that owners Suzanne and Ben Trew grow themselves.
Although not a certified organic farm, Sweetwater Farms adheres to similar applications.
“We use responsible, sustainable, organic-based practices,” Suzanne Trew said. “Not only does it provide safe nutrient-dense food, but it also helps to improve the quality of the land by using these methods.”
The Trews opened up their shop at 100 Perry Highway in November.
Ben Trew, who grew up in Harmony, has a connection to the area. After seeing the sort of feedback their pop-up locations received in Zelienople during last year's market season, the Trews decided to set down some roots.
“We had always hoped to eventually open a market,” Suzanne said. “With the support that we've received and the desire for people to have local produce, it was a great opportunity.”
Sweetwater Farms is a collaborative effort. Items are sourced from a number of local businesses and sold in a variety of ways.
Some of these ways are more physical, like the store or the Trews' farmer's market stalls.
But the Trews also sell to local restaurants and through CSA subscriptions.
CSA stands for community-supported agriculture, a system that connects producers and consumers.
CSA boxes vary depending on produce and other food availability. Customers who order a box from Sweetwater Farms are able to pick them up at the Perry Highway store.Once pandemic restrictions start to ease, the Trews plan to open their store for classes and demonstrations.“These will range anywhere from how to grow microgreens (to) how to cook the food that you are growing or purchasing and holding farm-to-table dinners,” Suzanne Trew said.Suzanne said the Trews also hope to have events throughout the year that allow them to partner with local chefs.This will give customers an opportunity to taste test some of Sweetwater Farms' meats and produce.“We are currently offering a weekly rotating produce box for pickup each week,” Suzanne Trew said. She added that eventually Sweetwater Farms is planning to introduce dinner kits.“To make meal prep and planning a little easier,” she said.The Trews are now well into the growing season, and have been seeding plants for weeks. They're preparing to transplant.Sweetwater Farms originally started with land in New Sewickley Township. Recently, the Trews partnered with a farm in Mars for extra growing space.“Acquiring additional land and high tunnel greenhouses (means we're) able to extend our growing season,” Suzanne Trew said.A longer growing season helps not only the Trews, but also the business owners they work with.Sweetwater Farms carries more than food. It's also a place to find things like salts, spices, lotions and candles from across Pennsylvania.Specialty items, such as grass-fed beef, non-homogenized milk and quail eggs, set Sweetwater Farms apart from other markets, according to Suzanne Trew.“It's a great place for one stop shopping,” Suzanne Trew said.To learn more about Sweetwater Farms, visit www.sweetwaterfarmspa.com.
