Welcome to the virtual home of Swallow Hollow Gardens at Wheel Estate Acres, a beautiful 80-acre farm in State College, Pennsylvania!
My name is Jenny Strouse Garis and I would like to start off by introducing myself. I was born and raised on the farm where Swallow Hollow is located and have always loved the adventures and work of farm-living, and particularly the idea of living and eating off the land.
I graduated from Penn State and immediately started working for my father in our housing rental business--and of course, at the farm. My father, Ralph E. Strouse, was also born and raised on the farm and has maintained it all these years. His Polled Hereford Beef herd is renowned. I would not be able to offer the bounties of Swallow Hollow without his blessing and patience!
Many years ago I met my now husband, Josh. He works long summer hours and I figured I needed something to do so, I put out a vegetable garden that first summer. Well, gardening and vegetable growing became an instant passion. As my garden expanded, so did my interest in growing and raising other edibles, such as chickens, eggs, beef, and ducks. Just like how I grow heirloom varieties in the garden, I also focus on heritage breed livestock and poultry. I feel it is important to help preserve some of the rare and unique breeds. Older breeds of livestock tend to be able to forage naturally and more efficiently than some of today's hybrids, and ultimately taste better! My interests keep expanding, and as I have found out over the years, many people are just as interested in growing and eating things that have been locally raised the old-fashioned way. Swallow Hollow has really started because of such demand and loyalty from my customers! I work full-time at the family business so Swallow Hollow Gardens is a small, hobby business specifically oriented to meet the needs of our customer base. I feel we provide the highest quality products because of the individual attention we give to the animals, plants and produce.
Needless to say, my father and husband help me immensely with this "hobby" and I could not do a lot of this without them. My husband jokes that the beautiful chicken coop he built me would be built out of recycling bins if I did it myself...he's right.
Hello everyone! I'm Jenny, the owner of Swallow Hollow Gardens. Feel free to browse around, contact me, or ask a question!