Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Congdon.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Mark. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I first came to Saltbox Farm in 2012, to explore my interest in farming and how food is raised. At the time, I had spent 10 years managing Francesca’s Cafe, a beloved community restaurant in Boston’s South End. Instead of stepping into a long time goal of ownership, I chose to continue my path in helping improve the current food system by shifting my efforts towards stewarding the land. Taking a leap of faith, I then left my city life of 13 years and moved to the country to pursue the farming trade and develop my farming skills under the apprenticeship of Don Zasada at Caretaker Farm in Williamstown, MA. Caretaker Farm, established in 1969, is a pioneer farm and one of the first CSAs established in the country.
During my two years there, I learned many aspects of farm life, from preparing and cultivating the land, growing a wide variety of crops, and managing a CSA, to raising cows, chickens, goats, and pigs, as well as managing an orchard.
Born and raised in Shrewsbury MA, I’m happy for this position here in Concord, Massachusetts and am very excited for the opportunity to play a lead role in the management of Saltbox Farm and being part of a food movement that brings sustainable agriculture to local communities.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has been very challenging. Changing my city life to fit a farming lifestyle took some getting used to.
My pursuits to full fill my inner driven passion to be a part of something so much bigger than me was strong enough to carry me through these tough times. Getting solid with the idea that one can have a very rich and meaningful life without the need for high wealth or income has been one of the reconditioning factors going forward with this new profession. It has been so engraved in my brain by societal pushes that we must make x amount of money to be successful. But at what cost? My strive for happiness while helping the greater good keeps me moving forward. When I am out in the fields, sweaty, dirty, and exhausted, I pause to look around at the work being done, the 80 CSA families I am currently feeding, the apprentices I am now teaching how to farm, the community that is being built around this small family farm, and I can’t help but feel the joy resonating from within. No price tag can be placed upon such a feeling.
Daily practicing of meditation and exercise also help to maintain my strength in not being moved by what others may say I need to have in order to be happy.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
We are a family farm in Concord, MA. The owner, Chef Ben Elliott, is a chef from years in Boston and then inherited the farm from his grandfather. He moved his family back to Concord where he started up the farm once again as well as a catering business. At which point, he and his team decided to open a farm to table restaurant. That is where I came in right from my apprenticeship ending and took over management of the farm.
Since then, about 4 years ago, I have built our CSA membership, continued to grow for the restaurant, Saltbox Kitchen, and started an apprenticeship program of my own, where I may pass on the farm knowledge I have obtained to other folks pursuing their passion of running a farm as well.
We are on about 10 acres where we grow vegetables, a fruit orchard, herbs, flowers, grapes, berries, and hops for our microbrewery. We also, raise up to 12 beehives for honey, a flock of 50 chickens for eggs, and a small flock of sheep for meat.
On our farm, we have a cooking school run by Chef Aaron Furmanek and we also host weddings, parties, and farm dinners.
Under one Saltbox Farm company, we are a farm, cooking school, cafe, catering company, and brewery. Lots keeping us busy!
What were you like growing up?
Growing up I was always looking towards nature. Even when I was out on the baseball field, I’d be all about the interesting bird flying by more than the play about to take place. I’d have my parents take me to flower shows and was always happy to help out in the garden.
Contact Info:
- Address: 40 Westford Road
Concord, MA 01742 - Website: www.saltboxfarmconcord.com
- Email: mark@saltboxfarmconcord.com
- Instagram: farmer_markc
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