-Patty Janoski
“ I love working at the farm every day and knowing that my family is close by and I’ m going to see them all.”
-Patty Janoski
Joann Janoski, who founded the farm with her husband Sonny, and all her great-grandchildren. ong before eating local produce became a trend, the Janoski family understood the value of fruits and vegetables that are grown locally by farmers you trust. Today, Janoski’ s Farm & Greenhouse remains a family-run business, by Patty and Mike Janoski along with their sons, Thomas and Steven, nephews Jeremy and Daniel, and niece Rachel, who Patty describes as her“ right hand.”
Rounding out the staff are about 10 core employees who have been with them for many years. That longevity speaks well to the authenticity of the family’ s connection to the community.
Being with family is what Patty enjoys most.“ I love working at the farm every day and knowing that my family is close by and I’ m going to see them all.” Some have literally grown up on the farm and are a valued part of what makes it successful.
Wintertime is a welcome break for all of those who work the land, when life runs at a little slower pace. But Patty is quick to point out,“ This doesn’ t mean there’ s no work being done! We’ re open year-round and that’ s very unusual. We’ re always here.”
The farm equipment must be winterized, and the soil prepared for the coming spring season. And even now, her son is busy seeding onions for planting after winter.
Janoski’ s method of constantly rotating crops yields more than 40 varieties of produce, and the farm market currently has fresh cabbage, potatoes and apples. And poinsettias— lots and lots of poinsettias, with about 18,000 plants making their way to the shelves this year!
The market also has jams, relishes, salsa, pickles, spaghetti sauce, and other specialty sauces made from produce grown on the farm.
Along with their own farm products, the Janoski family is committed to supporting local small businesses and will carry farm-fresh meats, pork, beef and eggs from local ranchers and honey from area beekeepers. They also stock milk in old-style glass bottles from Brunton Dairy, a seventh-generation family dairy farm in Aliquippa that still offers local home delivery.
Having products sourced from nearby farms ensures that the food people are getting is much fresher than food flown in from corporate farms in faraway places, where it may sit in warehouses for days.
Janoski’ s Farm & Greenhouse is more than just a place to get fresh produce though. It’ s a chance to escape to the country, and to see how good food is actually produced.
A farmer is always in a delicate dance with the land, with an unchoreographed storm or drought now and then. Despite the occasional challenges, the farm and the Janoski family have continued to flourish.
For information on visiting the farm, go to janoskis. com. n
WEST ALLEGHENY ❘ WINTER 2025 11