Eat Local: Anythyme Farm


Since I was not invited back to the Militant Community Garden, and am a closet farmer, I am attracted to people's blogs that farm and cook what they grow.

Most of these blogs are written by young people, who purchased land somewhere in the U.S. and grow vegetables and flowers to supply local restaurants, farm stands, and CSA boxes during the season.

I follow Dishing Up the Dirt, a young married couple and their Lab, who worked on a farm in Massachusetts, then decided to buy a farm in the Pacific Northwest and live their dream.

I also follow Melissa Rebholz, who owns The Riverhouse Farm in Eastern Tennessee, we have become friends, and I love her witty humor and Brooklyn-esque ways......
Once a gal from NYC who couldn't take the rat race anymore....she bought a small piece of land in the South and farms it all by herself.
She runs an Air B&B and also does CSA and farmers' markets.

Now let me introduce you to my newest friend, Emily. A nice gal from Mendham, NJ, who also decided she loved farming.


She leases a 1 acre piece of land in Mendham, where she grew up, and raises Nigerian Dwarf goats and grows all types of organic vegetables, and calls it Anythyme Farm.


She farms the land all by herself and supplies locals with weekly CSA boxes. Though it's almost the end of our season here in the Garden State, Anythyme Farm still had 10 different types of gorgeous organic greens; radicchio; sorrel; spicy mustard greens; arugula; spinach and many more......


Emily also grows turnips and a variety of squash and carrots. The broccoli is still hanging in, and the Brussels sprouts and cauliflower are ready to be harvested in the next few weeks.


I hope you like goats, because I took a lot of photos of them!


I spent the day with Emily and the goats, who think they are dogs! Moo and Noodle run the show, and the other goats follow.

I tried goats milk ice cream, yogurt and of course, goat cheese. All fantastic, and nothing like the stuff you buy at the grocery store.

*Local readers, contact me if you like to do a whole share or half share of Emily's CSA for the 2016 season.


All of these women (and men) do this 7 days a week, sunrise to sunset, some of them working in the dark with headlamps to get the job done.

It's not a lifestyle for a lazy person, that's for sure!
They don't take lavish vacations to the Caribbean or take off for the Jersey shore for 2 weeks.
They work very hard, but it's a labor of love.

If you ask them, they all say they love what they do, and wouldn't trade it for a desk job ever.


These are the people that you support when you buy a CSA box (Community Supported Agriculture, in case you live under a rock), and when you buy from your local farmer at the Farmers' Market!

Eat local, if you can.
:)

Comments

Kerry said…
This is wonderful! I love the goats!!!

I live locally and am interested in the CSA for next year.....how do I go about it?

Thanks, Kerry
Macy said…
Stacey, I'd be interested in learning more about the CSA share.
Ciao Chow Linda said…
Stacey - Thank you of shining a light on Anythyme farm and others who do similar work. I have so much admiration for them and what they do to provide food for people. My son's best friend and his wife traded their master's degrees and office careers to bring back to life a family farm (McCollum Orchards) that had lain fallow for decades in upstate NY. They started with hops, but now grow all kinds of veggies and have a CSA too. By the way, I'm a sucker for sheep anywhere, but the goats are just charming too.
Veena said…
One my favorite posts on your blog EVER! I am in NJ but too far from Mendham to join this CSA. Thanks for sharing, Stacey!
Amen kahwajy said…
What is the utility of the goats? Love this type of post. Thanks.
Stacey Snacks said…
Veena! thank you!

Amen.....do you mean what do they do? They walk around, eat, poop and look cute.

She makes goat cheese, and other products from the goats' milk, however not allowed to sell it because NJ does not allow unless you are a licensed creamery.
Rules, rules.

Stacey
Stacey, thanks for dragging me from under that boulder; I had no clue what CSA stood for. I have a rich fantasy life, and in that life I have a farm and animals (I think I run it myself, not sure), but babysitting a puppy for a week convinced me this is only a fantasy. However, I always try to buy from farmer's markets during the season, and enjoy your recipes. I'll look into her CSA boxes. Thanks Angela Muller
SarahBTT said…
Love this!!! oooooh! The goats! Adorable. And I have so much respect for these farmers! Thanks Sta!
Stephanie said…
I like this gal and interested in a csa share!