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Frank Yerina continues the Garlic Delite Farm started by his dad, Robert Yerina, in 1985. The farm was a family operation from its beginning. Robert began the farm with a handful of garlic bulbs that his father had bought at a bar in Salisbury, New York. Knowing the Mohawk Valley’s great growing conditions for garlic including the rich soil, pure water and favorable climate, Robert decided to make a family business out of growing garlic. The Yerina family farm was a pioneer in the renewed interest in growing garlic in the Mohawk Valley.
Historically, European immigrant families brought garlic with them to this region when they settled here in the 19th and early 20th century. Many of the garlic types they grew here originated in their home territories of Germany, Italy and Eastern Europe. As the garlic grew well here, seed garlic was passed down from generation to generation and became part of family and community gardening traditions.
Today the Garlic Delite Farm grows several different varieties of garlic that are sold for seed to gardeners and other farmers, as well as being used in their wide range of garlic-based food products. Some of the varieties that they grow include:
Garlic Delite Farm is known for its wide range of garlic products including pickled garlic and scapes, hot sauces, as well as seed garlic for home gardeners. A specialty is black garlic products. Black Garlic is made by slowly heating garlic for many days in a chamber under low heat and high humidity. Black Garlic has been used for centuries for both its rich flavor and also its reputed health benefits. It is said that Black Garlic is high in antioxidants and is used as an immune booster and inflammation reducer in Asian medicine. Some of the Black Garlic products produced by Garlic Delite Farm include spices, hot sauces, as well as Black Garlic Bulbs. Perhaps the most unusual product offered by the farm is Black Garlic & Dark Chocolate. Although it sounds like an unlikely combination, everyone who tries it comes back for more.
Like most of our small farms, Garlic Delite depends on the hard work of family to produce quality products. In addition to Frank Yerina who took over from his father, the farm relies on his wife Lisa, who manages the marketing effort, as well as daughters, Raelynn and Kinleigh, who help in the production and shipping of products.
Find Garlic Delite Farm on our directory.
Article published October 24, 2024.
The Herkimer Agricultural Council is coordinated by the staff of Cornell Cooperative Extension Herkimer. If you are interested in the work of the council or have a question about agriculture, local foods or starting an agricultural business, contact us today!
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