Fieldstone Asparagus article from the local paper LAWRENCE JOURNAL-WORLD
 

   
            
 Ken and Nancy Krause know firsthand about  field-fresh asparagus.

Customers stalk produce from Osage County farm.

By Jim Baker
Fresh, locally grown asparagus is one of life's rare delights. Served steamed with butter or hollandaise sauce, or cold with a little Italian dressing, it's: a succulent treat. The first fresh vegetable of the season, asparagus is rich in vitamins and low in calories. It's also a springtime herald of the summer garden season. 
Ken and Nancy Krause know firsthand how people relish field-fresh asparagus. They own the 180-acre Fieldstone Orchard & Vineyard, northeast of Overbrook. The Krauses' orchard has more than 1,200 trees that produce Asian pears, cherries, peaches, pecans and 40 varieties of apples. The juice from their vineyard is popular with amateur winemakers. And they have a whole field of tender, green asparagus growing near their Fieldstone Bed & Breakfast, which is located in a renovated 1909 stone barn. Customers can be found at Fieldstone from April to November or even December. These days, asparagus is the big draw. The green stalks are in season from about April 15 to May 30, and they're a hit among Fieldstone's customers - most of whom come from a 30-mile radius, including the Topeka and Lawrence areas.
"People go crazy," Ken Krause said. "They drive from anywhere to get fresh asparagus. They love it." On a recent sunny morning, sisters-in-law Jenny and Tammy Koontz were out in the field, snapping off the vegetables' long, green fingers right at the ground. That leaves the roots intact so more asparagus can grow, explained the women, who work for the Krauses. Asparagus is sold for $2 per pound at Fieldstone. It's also available for $3.29 per pound at the Community Mercantile Co-op, 901 Miss. The Krauses sell their asparagus to several Lawrence restaurants and supply the co-op with their fresh apple cider and several varieties of apples when in season. Nancy Krause, who does all the cooking at the bed and breakfast, tries to use as much Fieldstone produce as she can in meals she serves to guests. "My best breakfast is fresh asparagus with hollandaise sauce, scrambled eggs, sausage or ham," she said. "And the eggs are farm-fresh."

Fresh from the farm

Fieldstone Orchard & Vineyard and the Fieldstone Bed and Breakfast are two miles east of Overbrook on U.S. Highway 56 and one mile north on Stubbs Road. The orchard and vineyard are closed Mondays. The operation is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Customers can pick their own produce or buy it already picked.
Call (785) 665-7643 to confirm availability of seasonal produce.