2024 Updates

Click on the pictures for enlargement and a description

The 2023 growing season was wet and chilly at times. Some plants didn’t do great, but given that much of our crop production is up on a ridge, we faired better than some other farms. With more employees living at the farm as parents, there was a little mischief and silliness sprinkled on the grounds with kiddos running around.

Plants

For a third season in a row we planted lots of new perennials.  With climate change coming in hot, every season it seems we are getting more severe wind events and we felt it prudent to plant some windbreaks on our exposed ridge. This included 200 evergreen and deciduous trees.  Some of the deciduous trees will provide animal fodder for our livestock.   Furthermore we added to our hazelnut grove with 100 new hazelnuts bushes. In 3 or so years we will be excited to start processing and selling our hazelnuts!

 Animals

The biggest addition this year was in the animal world. There are  roughly 10 acres of fields that have been underutilized in recent past. In the spring we acquired a flock of Scottish black face sheep.  As of this winter we have over a dozen ewes pregnant, fluffy and chilling out in our animal barn. Lambing is set for early spring.   

Demand for our eggs has well surpassed our supply and we doubled the size of our chicken flock.  These chickens often followed our sheep through our rotational grazing. Currently the chickens are overwintering in one of our greenhouses, where they are getting plenty of vitamin D.

Kitchen and Retail

Our kitchen, farmer’s market and farm stand sales continue to increase.  Jason, the general manager of the farm with prior culinary experience, has transitioned to be able to work with Frank, enabling us to meet our higher production goals. Stay tuned, as we plan to expand our retail presence in the upcoming year.