The last farm we visited on the Stonyfield Barnstorming Tour was Middle Branch Farm located in New Boston, NH and owned by Roger and Lori Noonan. Just when I thought it wasn’t possible to meet another friendly farming family, the Noonan’s proved me wrong again! Middle Branch Farm is a vegetable CSA that provides food for about 600 families as well as employs of Stonyfield. We were warmly welcomed by Roger, Lori, and their intern Florence. Roger showed us around, and we got to sample some veggies straight from the farm!! So exciting!!!
Have you ever had kohlrabi? I hadn’t until now, and I’m inspired to try growing some in our garden next year. I hear it is great with a buffalo wing sauce!
We also saw rainbow swiss chard, and many other great looking veggies! I asked Roger what he does to control all the weeds. His answer – “Hoe, hoe, hoe!” Let me tell you, that is a LOT of work!!!
This is just ONE of the fields, and we saw several plus there are several greenhouses, chickens, and even ducks!
I love how beautiful this beet looks! Yummm!!
We also got to sample some Tuscan Kale — it was so tasty! Again, another vegetable I’d like to try growing in our garden. According to Kristina (one of the other bloggers), this variety of kale would make fantastic kale chips!
Lori had just returned from work while we were touring the fields. She works off of the farm so their family can have health care. As we were munching on veggies out in the field, Roger commented, “We don’t have much money, but we eat well. What else is there in life?”
Florence whipped up some delicious sandwiches for us, all made with ingredients from the farm: fresh homemade bread, hard-boiled egg, lettuce, tomato, and bacon. Roger and Lori graciously welcomed us into their home to eat, and the smell of fresh bread in the kitchen was sooooo inviting!
Next up, a tour of the Stonyfield plant where they make all that delicious yogurt!!
Holy cow, my head is spinning! Thanks for keeping us posted on all your fun. :>)
We like kohlrabi sliced with just a sprinkle of salt. Mmm!
I'm glad to see we arent the only ones with weeds in our garden!
Wow! how funny post it is.i am so happy to see sugar bit. thanks for nice blog.
Just look at that garden. It is so funny – when I saw the plants I remembered that my dad mentioned kohlrabi the other day so I put it on my list just now, then went on to read that you had kohlrabi! I have to look for some while I am here in Florida.
Very nice and green cultivate field . i am really happy to see it because it is my first experience to see sugar bit land.
chioggia beets are the best beets EVER! I have a bunch growing in my garden right now. I have always likened kohlrabi to broccoli stems… don’t you?
Blessings,
Val
It is a bit like broccoli stems, but has a bit of a peppery taste to it — I really liked it, and would love to grow some in our garden next year. Will have to try chioggia beets too. I bet they are amazing!!
Oh and BTW, that dutch hoe I told you about makes the job of weeding even easier. I bet they have some. 😉
I’m sure that’s what they use. I have one of those too. I asked for (and got one) for Christmas after finding out about them from you! 🙂 It is SO helpful!