In 2019, we were living on a 36′ sailboat in Boston Harbor with two kids that were rapidly outgrowing their berths onboard. Looking for a new adventure, we thought about finding a new spot in a more rural area like where we grew up to grow our own food. We explored the Pioneer Valley for the summer and found a hidden plot of land available right in N. Amherst. Our plan – slowly work to build a house we could live in and then start a small farm to feed us and our neighbors. The land had been part of a farm for more than 100 years, and for all we know maybe thousands of years before that, so we’d be following in lots of others footsteps while building something new.
Then the pandemic hit. Living in 150 sq ft with everything around us closed seemed silly when we had six acres to stretch out on a couple hours away – albeit without anywhere to live, but there was a solid, if open walled, barn, and a set of plans for a small, efficient house. So we passed the boat along to a new adventurous soul, loaded up our car, and headed west.
From above, our land looks like a wedge of pie, a slice of apple … maybe a carrot. In 2021, with help from farm assistant Cathryn Brubaker, we cleared out nine 100′ rows on the northern edge and planted them with a variety of fruits and vegetables, setting up a makeshift stand near our driveway. This year, Carrot Corner Farm is expanding, as we learn how to farm no-till using organic, low spray practices with the hopes of feeding our neighbors yummy healthy food.
Catch us at our expanded farm stand on E. Pleasant St., and occasionally at the Amherst farmers market. If you want to know what we have available each week, sign up to our mailing list here and/or join us on twitter at ____.