Planting the Seeds: Young Hearts Leadership Council visits Heermance Farm!

We chose a beautiful sunny day for our visit and were greeted by a verdant, vibrant gazpacho and fresh corn muffins upon our arrival, courtesy of Culinary Council Member Chef Mavis-Jay Sanders.

Rejuvenated, we set out on a greenhouse tour with farmer Kevin, who’s been overseeing the operations at Heermance for close to 10 years. Under his guidance, the farm is flourishing! The YHLC tested his wares, enjoying turnips, broccoli, kale, parsley, and carrots right from the custom mushroom-hardwood soil.

Next, we paid a visit to the “Stone House”. Built in the 1730s by the farm’s original Dutch settlers, the building is a solid mass of stone and beautiful hardwoods. It’s a true testament to Dutch craftsmanship!

Stepping back out into the sunshine, we journeyed down the road to visit the hydroponics growing areas. Using greenhouses and hydroponics, farmer Kevin and his team can extend their harvests’ natural growing season. Thanks to this innovation, the YHLC enjoyed the first strawberries of the summer, in April!

Our next stop was to see the trout: raised in filtered pools, these slippery swimmers were a thrill to try to catch in a net. The bravest YHLC members even tried their hand at grabbing them out of the water! Practice makes perfect…

Back at the main barn (hands washed from the trout pools), we sat down to another delicious meal prepared by Chef Mavis-Jay. Drawing inspiration from springtime harvests and using ingredients from Heermance, she created a gorgeous tablescape.

From fennel and apple salad to whipped Brie with cherry compote to marinated jammy eggs to fresh radishes with salted French butter, every bite was more delicious than the last! For a chef who knows how to celebrate the Spring season, look no further than Chef Mavis-Jay.

Contented by our meal and delighted by the surprise Heermance Farm goodie bags, we reluctantly boarded the bus to head back to the City. The Young Hearts Leadership Council has been learning about God’s Love We Deliver all year, and this farm visit helped fill out their understanding of the food systems that make our work so effective and joyful.

Thanks to Neil and Marika Bender for generously sponsoring this visit, to Chef Mavis-Jay Sanders for her thoughtfully-crafted provisions, and to the Heermance team of Camila, Kevin, Tyreek, and Adriana for being wonderful hosts. We can’t wait to come back.

Food is Medicine, Food is Love, and – on Heermance Farms – Food is MAGIC!