Visiting an herb fair down the road from my farm

September 30, 2009

Visiting an herb fair down the road from my farm

Right down the road from my farm in Bedford is the John Jay Homestead , the beautiful home and farm of John Jay, one of America's Founding Fathers. Many events take place on the grounds of the Homestead, including last week's 61st annual Herb Fair, sponsored by the New York Unit of the Herb Society of America, which maintains a showcase garden on the site. These people really know their herbs and use them in many wonderful ways. Enjoy these photos.

: The big white tent on the sprawling grounds of the John Jay Homestead all decorated for harvest time

: Beware of Rocks & Hollows – a nice way of saying ‘walk carefully’

: Jars of herb infused jams, jellies, and mustards sell very quickly.

: Debby Shields manning this table

: This area of the tent smelled especially fragrant. Betsy Jacobs demonstrated how to make herbal wreaths.

: A very beautiful and aromatic wreath

: Basket trays piled with all kinds of freshly cut herbs

: The herbs are attached to a wreath form using floral wire.

: Ruth Robertson – 93-years-old and the oldest member of the Herb Society of America – holding a jar of her famous tarragon mustard.

: Used gardening books and cookbooks for sale

: The lunch bags

: The lunch menu including a smoked turkey sandwich with Ruth Robertson’s tarragon mustard

: This is the line for the society’s signature lovage soup.

: Pat Thompson was busy stirring away.

: This wonderful lovage soup has a distinctive flavor – similar to celery with a hint of anise.

: As you can see, the herb fair draws quite a crowd.

: There were many kinds of herb plants for sale.

: Cookbooks for sale complied by members of the New York Unit of the Herb Society of America

: Herbal infused vinegars

: Lovely jams and jellies

: Local beekeeper, D.J. Haverkamp of Bedford Bees sitting with his exhibit – he even brought a display case of honey bees!

: Bottles of pickled chile peppers, lemon verbena – opal basil – margoram rice vinegar, and nasturtium blossom rice vinegar

: A collection of culinary herbs

: Aromatic lovage is the key ingredient in the Herb Society’s delicious lovage soup, served at the fair’s luncheon.

: An adorable little basket of hardneck garlic, hot peppers, and various herbs

: Volunteers – Susan Thorson, Denise Lee, Cathy _______, and Denise Brookes

: Lisa decorated her hat with herbal sprigs and flowers.

: My friend, Lisa Schwartz of Rainbeau Ridge www.rainbeauridge.com, holding a basket of terrific produce and goat cheese from her farm for the fair’s raffle.