What we produce
Our Produce
We grow over 200 different varieties of vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruit on our farm. Biodiversity is key to our style of farming. We look to the natural world to learn many lessons about cultivating a vibrant ecosystem on our farm. In growing a large variety, we encourage resilience in the crops abilities to withstand pest and disease pressure with the added benefit of attracting a myriad of pollinators and pest predators as well as diversifying our offerings at market. We never resort to synthetic chemicals at any stage of growth which we believe results in denser, more nutritious vegetables and fruit and, of course, is gentle on the earth. We do not have organic certification but hold ourselves to even higher standards and focus our efforts on forming relationships with our customers so you can come to learn the story of how your food is raised.
Foraging
The forests and fields around our farm provide us with an abundance of wild edibles and crafting materials. At various times of the year you will find wild chanterelles and other mushrooms, fiddleheads, and seasonal crafts such as wreaths made from foraged plants at our market stall. We have great respect for the areas in which we forage and are always careful not to take too much. We take great delight in seeing everything come back year after year in the same locations and enjoy this little break from the farm.
Flowers & Crafts
Flower gardens are also an important part of our farm. We grow a large variety of flowers and ornamental grasses which provide fresh bouquets for market and restaurants and some are destined to be hung and dried for winter crafting. You you will find these cheerful offerings at our market stall all year round. Not all the blooms are picked, and many are left for the bees and pollinators as well as for the enjoyment of all who should stroll around the gardens.
Season Extension
Living in a climate which only has three frost free months (if we’re lucky!) poses a challenge for growing the great variety of annuals that we rely on for food. We use season extension methods with unheated greenhouses to allow us to have a harvest in just about every month of the year. The crops slow down over the winter but they don’t stop all together and we delight in harvesting salad greens when there’s a foot of snow outside! Follow our adventures in local eating year round on instagram @bigbarnlittlefarmfood
Our Eggs
Our hens live most of the year in a moveable pen called a ‘chickshaw’ which allows us to bring them to fresh grass constantly while still being enclosed in a 200-foot moveable fence. We can’t allow them to be out-and-about as they have the potential to destroy the garden. This system also allows us to put them to work in the gardens at various points. They are wonderful scavengers and do a great job of scratching up the earth and extracting pests. They were instrumental in our battle against the dreaded wire worms which plagued us in our first season but after a season of grazing the chickens over the garden beds, we have nearly eradicated them. Additionally, the hens fertilize the soil with their droppings as they pass through. In this way, they have become an integral part of the farm and also provide the richest yolky eggs for us all to enjoy!
Willow
In 2022 we are installing a willow plantation for use in our school of basketry. This will be harvested every year in a sustainable coppicing method and the materials dried and used for crafting. This is an age-old practice; the original natural, renewable resource, and we are excited to be adding this new element to our farm.
Transplants
Another one of our offerings at market is plant starts or transplants for use in gardens. We grow a large variety of common and not so common vegetables and flowers which our customers like to grow in their gardens. These plants are all raised without the use of synthetic chemicals and grown in a very minimally heated greenhouse which we believe results in strong resilient plants. Look for these offerings in the spring.