March Farm Foods & Finds Special

Stay 2 midweek nights and receive 3 $10 Gift Certificates ($30) to spend at our local farm produce & gift shops.  Your farm adventure will take you to 3 active working farms:

Ioka Valley Farm, http://iokavalleyfarm.com/

Sweet Brook Farm, http://www.sweetbrookfarm.mybigcommerce.com/

Cricket Creek Farm, http://cricketcreekfarm.com/

You will witness live animals and the products derived from them, fresh foods being grown & harvested, and farm stores where you may purchase locally grown maple products, artisanal cheeses, breads & baked goods, dairy products, honey, alpaca clothing & products, and many other items.

Ioka Valley Farm has been named one of the 1000 best attractions in Massachusetts. The Great Places initiative celebrates what is unique about the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, its communities, and its people. It aims to boost visitation to Massachusetts as well as give local residents the opportunity to visit known and unknown historic sites, cultural venues, and natural landscapes. 

Check out their history page http://iokavalleyfarm.com/history/  for some background about this family farm.

Sweet Brook Farm is located in South Williamstown and is home to the Phelps family — Pete, Beth, Sarah, and Dan.  They built a new house and barn on a portion of the old Norris Phelps  farm (Pete’s dad) in 2005 – 2007.  Norris Phelps’ grandfather, Cassius Phelps, started Sweet Brook Farm long ago.  The Phelps’ dreamed of this homestead for 20 years before finally making their dream become a reality.

After the house and barn were constructed, the first alpacas took up residence in the barn in the fall of 2007.  Research on what type of livestock to raise led to the discovery of alpacas which were not used as meat animals but for their beautiful, soft fleece, docile nature, and manageable size and upkeep.

Check out their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/SweetBrookFarm and their photo albums at https://www.facebook.com/SweetBrookFarm?sk=photos

Cricket Creek Farm is one of the oldest active dairy farms in the region. In 2001, the Phelps family put Cricket Creek Farm up for sale, and the Sabot family, concerned about the development of the largest farm in Williamstown, explored options for protecting the land. By 2002 the purchase was complete and work was started on a plan for moving forward. Since much of the land was in Agricultural Protection, it had to be maintained as a working farm. After visiting Shelburne Farms in Northern Vermont, a decision was made to continue with dairy farming, add cheese making and an educational component.

Check out their history page http://www.cricketcreekfarm.com/?page=history for some background about this family farm.

Make your reservations now to take advantage of this special. http://www.1896house.com/reservations.htm

Enjoy a Day of Family Fun at Sweet Brook Farm

When: Saturday & Sunday Sept 24-25, 10am-3pm
Where: 580 Oblong Road, Williamstown, MA

• Watch the Green Mountain Spinners and Weavers Guild members demonstrate spinning, weaving, and knitting, and try your hand at these wonderful crafts
• Tour the scenic farm on the horse-drawn wagon, driven by a beautiful team of Belgian horses, Bob and Babe.  They are offering special pricing for this weekend only — $4 for both adults and children! And see beautiful views of Mt. Greylock
• Visit with and learn about the beautiful, elegant alpacas of Sweet Brook Farm
• Shop at the farm store, fully stocked with everything alpaca — from yarns and knitting and crocheting supplies and knitting kits, to high-quality alpaca apparel for men, women, and children such as sweaters, hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, socks, and toys
• Check out the maple syrup and maple goodies — maple candy, maple cream, maple-roasted nuts, and cream-covered cider donunts

For more information visit http://www.sweetbrookfarm.mybigcommerce.com/