The definition of distinctive is special, unique, or different; in the culinary sense, a fruit is usually any sweet tasting plant part that has seed(s). The best gourmet dishes come from the freshest, most flavorful fruit.
Fruits chosen for the Farm are the results of hours of researching old (1800s) and current references for description of special flavor and necessary growing conditions. Fruits planted on the Farm are from the domestic (pear, peach, apple, plum, quince, cherry, nectarine, etc.) and the wild (persimmon, paw paw, elderberry, plum, etc.) in order to offer food across the growing season and so that some may produce fruit no matter what weather events happen during blooming and growing.
Distinctive fruit also is dependent on healthy soil. Healthy soil is a vibrant, living system that supports animal, plant and human health while protecting environmental quality. The organic soil practices at the Farm have restored the previously degraded soil from a conventional farming history. The soil story may be found online in the Missouri Prairie Journal on pages 14-20 http://www.moprairie.org/documents/Vol29No3.pdf
Weather, insects, diseases and pests are among the reasons we don’t see numerous producers of organic fruit in Missouri. Growing fruit organically here is very difficult and there are few programs or resources to support adventuresome farmers who want to do the work. It is a labor of passion and patience. Some fruit trees take as many as 8 years to come into production.
Information on botanical history, preparation, and storage, as well as recipe suggestions are provided to customers as an essential part of understanding the fruits’ unique potential. When you buy fruit from Prairie Birthday Farm, you are contributing to the sustainability of distinctively flavorful fruit and taking advantage of a unique and pleasurable eating experience.