8/24/2023 0 Comments Bitter two farm stands divides![]() Michigan’s health department issued a mask directive, which the Friske Farm Market defied until the state threatened to revoke its business license. When the state Supreme Court nullified a series of the governor’s COVID-related executive orders in October, it effectively tossed out her mask mandate and made the lawsuit moot. Next to a list of homemade pies on sale in the barn store bulletin board, Kitchen pinned handmade fliers offering his services as a roofer and shoveling snow.Branded apparel at Friske Farm Market in Ellsworth, Mich., on May 13, 2021. It seems as if Ryan Kitchen, who still works his day job with the Keller Williams real estate firm, is ready to follow his beloved grandfather even in the hard years. When hard years hit Paul Kleinke, he worked extra jobs as a roofer and a gravedigger and mowed lawns. farmers will have one year where they earn zero in sales according to an Ohio State University report. Most Americans shopping farm stands would be shocked to learn about 25 percent of U.S. Hot cocoa and cinnamon scent the air and reel in visitors through the barn door. They loaded the wooden stalls and shelves with winter squash, evergreen wreaths and Christmas trees. For the first time in the farm’s history, they’re going to keep Paul Kleinke’s barn store open all winter to test how well new seasonal products sell.Īrea farmers asked them to stock and sell homemade spice mixes, mustard, jewel-toned jars of jam, baked goods, apple cider and handmade decorations. Meanwhile, the Kleinke heirs are nibbling at their ambitious project with a clever trial run. “When residents mention housing needs to me, it’s often empty nesters who enjoyed raising kids in Bethlehem but now want to trade their house for a smaller condo that’s easier to maintain,” outgoing Town Supervisor John Clarkson said.Ĭlarkson felt it premature to comment on Cardona’s project since it has barely started the approval process. My suggestion to new farmers is focus on what you own before acquiring more.”Ĭardona’s projects went before the town’s development planning committee in September 2016. “My main worry for many millennial farmers is that they’re so high-spirited, they try to eat an entire elephant in a gulp. “A GoFundMe page can be unfortunate marketing if the goal is too ambitious,” Buxton said. (The Cardona contract was not finalized so Ryan estimated the cost of land and improvements). But she was concerned about a $2 million GoFundMe page Ryan, who has a Siena College economics degree, launched this summer to buy back the 70 acres. She was impressed with their enthusiasm and imagination. “I tell town officials the only time I’ve been tempted to sell my farm to a developer is when I feel that the community doesn’t support our efforts,” said Stanton, whose oldest son, 29, is now his business partner.įarm business management expert Sandy Buxton met the young Kleinkes when she worked for Albany County’s Cornell Cooperative Extension. Stanton sends produce to Adventures in Food, a Menands warehouse where area chefs buy everything from duck breasts to herbs produced by local farms. Stanton’s Catskill relatives provide him mushrooms to sell year-round. Stanton’s Old Homestead Farm Market and Our Family’s Harvest farm stands sell in-season strawberries, tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet corn, beans and melons. We’ve diversified into agri-tainment - corn mazes, hay rides, U Pick apples - to attract customers.” But we can get the support of nearby towns and sell from farm stands. “New York farmers don’t have rich soil and vast fields like Midwesterners. “The Kleinkes are on the right track to succeed, New York farmers must transform their community into consumers,” said Feura Bush farmer Tim Stanton, who grows 500 acres of hay plus vegetables. More than 97 percent of New York’s farms are owned by intergenerational families. ![]() And the horizon isn’t completely ominous. Cardona did not respond to requests for an interview. Linda declined to be interviewed for this story. We need the community’s support to thrive.” Ryan says he and the other Kleinke millennials are prepared to accept that life, bitter and sweet. Those tough moments are balanced by memories of schoolchildren joyfully touring the farm and sampling fresh chocolate milk, and of pride in bountiful harvests. ![]() He only agreed to that when he could no longer carry milk cans more than a few steps without getting winded. His only sick leave was for lifesaving heart surgery. Deborah says working with clanging dairy machinery deafened her father, Paul. When Ryan’s mother, Deborah, shares childhood memories, they sometimes reflect Linda’s view of farming. “She said she’s saving us from that future.” “She told us a farm is nothing but hard physical labor, financial stress and worry,” Ryan said. Ryan Kleinke Kitchen, 24, grandson of Paul, hoped Linda might withdraw from her contract and sell to the Kleinkes if they matched Cardona’s price and paid penalties.
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