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Traffic report for Aug. 26

Letter to the Editor: Entertainment venues lacking in Wyoming Valley for teens and young adults

<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; Kessler Farm and Greenhouse has had a home at the Wilkes-Barre Farmers Market since it began 42 years ago. But decades before the market&#8217;s start, the farm has been growing peaches, sweet corn, peppers, cucumbers, grain crops and more.</p><p>The family-run farm has been passed down through generations &#8212; dating back to the Revolutionary War, said Molly Kessler, a current matriarch of the business. The 300-acre farm, located in Salem Township, is cared for by Kesslers &#8212; brothers, nieces and nephews, and in-laws. It has since expanded from the farm to include a greenhouse and even chickens.</p><p>&#8220;The kids want to keep it in the family,&#8221; Kessler said. &#8220;Right now it&#8217;s the two brothers and their families. It&#8217;s all family on the farm.&#8221;</p><p>Michael Kessler, one of the nephews who helps out on the farm when he&#8217;s not away at college, introduced the idea of raising chickens and selling eggs several years ago, Molly Kessler said. The farm now has about 500 chickens and sells fresh eggs every Thursday.</p><p>&#8220;We bring about 25 dozen eggs with us and they go fast,&#8221; said Darby Kessler, who married into the farm business.</p><p>Currently peaches are abundant at the stand, that spans about five tables long, and Molly said it will stay that way for a little longer before a new crop takes their place.</p><p>In addition to freshly picked produce, jellies, jams, fruit butter and marmalades are also sold. Flavors include Boysenberry, cherry, Peach Rhubarb, Gooseberry, Apricot Pineapple and more.</p><p>Molly Kessler&#8217;s favorite? The strawberry jelly.</p><p>There are also some savory jarred items including spicy vidalia onion mustard, spicy pickled beets, sweet fire peppers, and black bean and corn salsa.</p><p>And don&#8217;t forget about the honey sticks. More than 35 varieties of tiny tubes of honey are also available.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Molly Kessler, of Kessler Farm and Greenhouse, helps a customer at her farmers market stand. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_kessler.jpg</photo0><caption0>Molly Kessler, of Kessler Farm and Greenhouse, helps a customer at her farmers market stand. </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_kessler2.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Darby Kessler and Molly Kessler pack up some produce at the Wilkes-Barre Farmers Market. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_kessler2.jpg</photo1><caption1>Darby Kessler and Molly Kessler pack up some produce at the Wilkes-Barre Farmers Market. </caption1><photoCredit1></photoCredit1></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><subheadMeta>Kessler Farm and Greenhouse provides produce to shoppers since the beginning</subheadMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Sarah Haase</p><p><a href="mailto:shaase@www.timesleader.com">shaase@www.timesleader.com</a></p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><factboxMeta><p><strong>Editor&#8217;s Note:</strong> There&#8217;s nothing like perusing a local farmers market and indulging in fresh, homegrown, homemade products. The Wilkes-Barre Farmers Market, in its 42nd year, offers wares, produce and baked goods from a variety of vendors. Check the Times Leader every week for the opportunity to get to know the vendors selling you honey, lettuce, apples, jams and more.</p></factboxMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Sarah Haase at 570-991-6111. Follow her on Twitter at @tlarts.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

At the farmers market: Kessler Farm and Greenhouse