Weatherbury Farm Grain Tracker
From Planting to Harvest, Admiral Perry Navy Beans in the field:
A new growing adventure for Weatherbury Farm in 2022.
Since the catalog name of the bean is a rather boring (in our minds) ISB 2884-4, we have decided to call the beans Admiral Perry Navy Beans after Western PA’s naval hero who led American Forces to a decisive naval victory at the Battle of Lake Erie.
After the field is plowed and harrowed (harrowing smooths the soil), we planted the navy beans. The planter also has a harrow in front of it to smooth the ground before the beans are planted.
The field of Admiral Perry Navy Beans is beginning to flower.
Thinking about a bowl of Senate Bean Soup made with our organic navy beans.
Closeup of blooming Admiral Perry Navy Beans.
Aye, aye sir — all the blooming beans on deck.
Three weeks after blooming, the Admiral Perry Navy Beans have formed on the plants.
Deer it seems also like Navy Beans and have been feasting on the top of the plants.
The beans are beginning to dry down.
As a certified organic farm, we do not use herbicides. Which is a good thing, as the navy beans have some cover to hide from the deer.
By this time, the deer have decided that the merlot beans which were also planted in 2022 offer an easier dinner as the Merlot Beans are larger than the Navy Beans.
The beans have dried down enough that the farmers decided to direct harvest them, rather than swathing them first.
The beans are loaded into a peanut wagon for transport back to the farm where an aerator fan will be put on the wagon to dry them down even more.
We use a peanut wagon to store our beans because it has a bottom floor which can be aerated to help dry down the beans.
Our peanut wagon started its life on a North Carolina peanut farm. Newer technologies are now available for drying peanuts.
Admiral Perry Navy Bean Facts 2022
2022 Admiral Perry Navy Bean Field
In 2022, Admiral Perry Navy Beans were grown in Independence Township on the farm established by Robert Leggett in 1815. Leggett had holdings totally 585 acres in the area and raised 1000 sheep. In addition to being a farmer, he was a breeder and dealer of 1st class Spanish sheep (Merino). Today the farm still raises sheep. Weatherbury Farm transitioned this land from conventional in 2013 and it was certified organic in 2015.
The beans were planted on one field totaling 2.0 acres on June 25, 2022.
The Admiral Perry Navy Beans were harvested on November 9, 2022.
For an illustrated explanation of how Weatherbury beans are planted, harvested and cleaned,, visit the from seed to flour page.
About Admiral Perry Navy Beans
Admiral Perry Navy Beans
At Weatherbury Farm, we are growing Navy Beans as a new bean this year. Officially known as ISB 2884-4, we have decided to call the beans “Admiral Perry Navy Beans” to honor Western PA’s naval hero who led American Forces to a decisive naval victory at the Battle of Lake Erie. So, “Don’t Give Up the Ship” and make plans to add these beans to your pantry. Navy beans have been a staple for U.S. sailors since the mid 19th century.
Products from Admiral Perry Navy Bean
Admiral Perry Navy Beans are cleaned and offered as dry beans. For best results, beans should be soaked overnight before cooking to achieve optimum texture and flavor. With their mild flavor, navy beans are popular as baked beans, in soups, stews and even desserts. And of course, in the famous Senate Bean Soup.
Navy Beans are also known as white pea beans and pearl haricot beans.
Health benefits of Beans
Navy beans provide a good source of protein, with one cup providing about 15 grams. White beans, like navy beans, have the most phosphorus content of any bean — about 28% of your daily requirement. Navy beans are also a good source of folate, manganese, copper, iron and thiamin (vitamin B1). They can help manage diabetes, boost your heart’s health and even assist in weight loss.
One advantage of dried beans over canned beans is that canned beans, because of the canning process, may be high in sodium, which could affect the health of folks with high blood pressure.
More Information
Admiral Perry Navy Beans can be ordered at our online shop either for our monthly on-farm pickup or you can have your order sent to you.
To read more about Admiral Perry Navy Beans, please visit our Navy Beans page.