Today we’d like to introduce you to Geoffrey Freeman.
Geoffrey, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
After 35 years working in a large architectural firm in Boston designing college and university libraries, I was “transitioning” into retirement, working with a very skilled carpenter friend on giving new life to some small houses in town. While working on a small 1912 house in Carlisle, the historic dairy farm across the street came on the market. While the land was protected, the 1850 barn was not. My wife and I decided to purchase the farm, protect the barn and bring the farm back into active agriculture. It took us a year to find Andrew Rodgers, an organic grower who shared our interest in sustainable agriculture, building a CSA, educating people about farming and sustainable growing practices and connecting people to the land. Another goal was to prove that agriculture can be sustainable financially but we quickly learned that having more land would be a tremendous benefit. We were soon approached by the Seawright family who were retiring and looking for a way to keep their land in agriculture. We realized that this not only gave us more fields for produce but a place to sell our organic produce to the public.
Inspired by the Center for an Agricultural Economy in Hardwick, Vermont, our mission is to grow food of the highest quality, engage our community and strengthen our connection to the land, increase access to healthy food and support education about sustainable agriculture and the food system.
I designed a post-and- beam farm market at 201 Bedford Road, Carlisle, that nestles in between our organic crop production and a large Pick-Your-Own garden where people can come for strawberries, cherry tomatoes, beans etc. Inside the market, we sell Clark Farm produce, our pasture-raised eggs and meats as well as locally sourced fruit, milk, cheeses and regional products. The Seawright Hosta garden was preserved as a place to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee or a crisp fall apple.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Considering that it is a start-up and a new line of work, it has been relatively smooth largely due to a great farm team and very significant community support.
We have an extraordinary farmer who is leading us through this new venture.
Every day is a learning day; whether it is pigs escaping and eating a neighbor’s flower garden, excessive rainfall, prolonged drought or an infestation of hornworms on the tomatoes. Andrew Rodgers is an exceptional grower and teacher so we are in good hands. That does not mean there are not struggles and lengthy debates. The largest challenge we now face is getting the word out about Clark Farm Market and retraining people’s shopping patterns. When people come the first time, the response has been fantastic!
Please tell us about Clark Farm Market.
Local and regional produced and added-value products from like-minded food entrepreneurs.
Most proud of connecting people back to the land and to where their food comes from.
We are mission-based and also have an educational component, including lectures and events
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I wish I had started earlier in my life….
Contact Info:
- Address: Clark Farm Market
201 Bedford Road, Carlisle - Website: www.clarkfarmcarlisle.com
- Phone: 978-254-5427
- Email: info@clarkfarmcarlisle.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/clarkfarmmarket
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClarkFarmMarket/
Image Credit:
Molly McPhee Photography for photo with goats
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