Edible Delmarva: Fall 2021
“There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One of these is roots, the other, wings.” —Henry Ward Beecher
This well-worn quote has inspired many parents, poets, and songwriters, and adorned many child bedroom walls and refrigerator doors. But roots and wings are just as important to raising connected communities, sustainable farms, and legacy businesses as they are to raising children.
In this issue, every story is about building for both today and tomorrow. As the multi-generational Layton family adapted to the changing winds of pandemic, their vineyard and winery adapted just as William Layton’s father and grandfather did before him — changing over cornfields to vineyards. Just like the Lewis family on Hooper’s Island, fishing for six generations and having to adapt to processing their own catch and finding ways to get it to the local markets that still demand their “good fish”. We found them thriving on innovation and energy, and committed to the generation that will follow.
Local farms are also learning that sustainability and regeneration can yield benefits today, while caring for the soil and grazing lands that will feed local families tomorrow. Maryland’s Fox Briar Farm, Pop’s Old Place, and Third Way Farm are all taking up that challenge, while the University of Delaware is tending their hives and apiaries to ensure the health of the honeybee as a critical partner in the regional plant and farming life cycle
Even newer businesses, like Bonheur in Easton, are focusing on providing comfort and care. A new twist on a traditional service — high tea — includes thoughtful presentation and an eye for every detail, making Friday afternoons a respite of elegance in an uncertain world.
Few roots run deeper than those in Lewes, Delaware, known as the first town in the first state. The charm of the small town, the windswept beaches, and the quiet that comes after a bustling summer, is just right for exploring and savoring what’s new side-by-side with some of the most historic spots in the country.
However you choose to put down roots and stretch your wings, Delmarva is the best place to be, with space for both and lots of company for whatever path you’re on.
