Big Love
Photography by Megan Wylie Ruffing

We are so blessed to live where we live — especially in these late summer months, when the harvest is here and our Pennsylvania farms are burgeoning with so many delicious things to eat. In this issue, we report on a Sligo farm, spitting out 800 pounds of watermelons per season. This bounty is something to celebrate. Art Director MacKenzie Hoops and Graphic Designer Nicole Davis were so inspired that they spent the afternoon stamping hearts out of the juicy fruit, a visual love letter. Hoops snagged intern Alexandra Egan and quickly gave her a brilliant blue manicure, an ode to our azure skies, and photographer Megan Wylie started snapping. We gushed over the majestic result (and chomped into their leftovers in the studio).

You can read what our friends and neighbors are doing with this season’s wondrous watermelons in Edible Essence on page 40. And get a closer look at what else is in season — complete with nutrition info and fun facts you never knew — in our Glossary on page 8.

We are happy to partner with some fantastic local events in the next few months, and we want to share them all with you. Check out Edible Chatter on page 10 to find out how to win tickets to Rachel’s Sustainable Feast, Savor Pittsburgh, and the Steel City Big Pour.

And, if you want to get pouring early, be sure to check out our home brewing guide on page 22. Our region boasts a handsome batch of beer experts, and in this issue, they give you the how-to (You’re going to want to show off this skill).

Finally, we are so pleased to announce the winners of our Local Heroes contest on page 11. You voted on leaders in your local food communities, and we are proud to showcase their commitments to growing (and cooking and wine-making and giving back) in Western Pennsylvania. We feel they share with us in creating a love letter to this land. And we couldn’t be in better company.

Happy Harvest,
Victoria Bradley
Executive Editor