As I drive into the country along South State Route 605 just past New Albany, I spot a large carved rooster peering above the trees off to the right.
It turns out the enormous carving is just one of many unique pieces of yard art that decorate the grounds of the Glass Rooster Cannery, a sustainable farm and licensed cannery.
I am greeted by Jeannie Seabrook who started Glass Roster Cannery in 2011 with her sister, Susie Schmidhammer. Susie is the artist and Jeannie is the foodie.
Together, they create an experience on the grounds that invites guests to learn about and participate in the benefits of sustainable living.
In addition to the more than 100 varieties of tomatoes in the gardens, visitors will find hundreds of other vegetables, fruits and herbs all grown by seed and cultivated by hand.
Jeannie has me taste a basil leaf right off of the plant to demonstrate why “fresh” and “organic” matters when it comes to produce – you can definitely taste the difference. The flavor is vibrant.
Throughout the season Jeannie and her team use the the fresh fruits and veggies in the licensed cannery to create unique jams, pie filling and even novelty jellies in unique flavors like “soda pop.”
“We want people to have a taste of fun. We wanted to create a place where the art of cannery would be carried to the next generation and a place where canning could be taught in a safe way,” said Jeannie.
The vision for the cannery has expanded as the general population becomes more attentive to the foods they put onto their table.
Jeannie wants people to have options for produce that they cannot find in grocery stores. Glass Rooster Cannery allows them to do that. Oftentimes, farm-to-table events are held for groups looking for a unique way to spend time together.
The cannery also offers regular classes like Cheese Making at Home, Cooking with Herbs, Natural Soap Making and Homemade Bread and Pasta. There is also a youth day camp offered twice a year where kids select their lunch out of the gardens and orchard, then learn how to cook a meal with their ingredients. All classes can be found online.
Beyond the gardens on the five-acres at the Glass Rooster Cannery, visitors will enjoy endless statues, glass sculptures, antiques and unique creations throughout the grounds and in the renovated buildings.
What was once a working dairy farm has been transformed into a tranquil park area. In the works is a gazebo made entirely of wine bottles which will take several years to complete.
Visits here can be planned or unplanned. Hours are Monday – Saturday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., but the sisters welcome visitors who want to just stop by anytime and admire the things that they love: nature, gardens, growing plants, canning and art that is only limited by the imagination.
Recent Comments