Producer

Dave Gott and Ted Watt bought the farm parcel in 1999 and chose a name that reflected existing survey records and honored Dave’s ancestors. Encouraged by the trends towards sustainable farming and local buying, Dave and cohort Mark Benjamin developed on-farm retail sales and PYO. Soon over 80% of the farm’s sustainable grown fruit was sold to individuals and families, who also came here to appreciate the grandeur of the land. The rest of the fruit was delivered to area outlets for fresh eating and was used to produce quality fruit spread, juice, and ice cream. Collaborations with neighboring Burnt Hill Farm and the Tripps were rewarding for Dave. Farm friends initiated the Annual Wild Blueberry Jubilee, which became a first Saturday of August tradition. Ted offered community nature walks, and farm tours were frequently hosted.

In 2011, with the support of the Franklin Land Trust (FLT), the MA Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), other area organizations, and farm customers, Ted and Dave placed agricultural and conservation covenants on the property and granted a trail easement that assures long term access for respectful visitors to the land.

We aim towards sustainable management of our fields, including organic practices as well as reducing the use of fossil fuels. We aim to go "beyond organic" and are transitioning the fields to nutrient dense farming practices. The 35 acres of blueberry fields are managed almost entirely with human power. We burn the fields every spring on a rotation, a traditional practice to triennially rejuvenate the blueberry plants. We also believe in sharing the harvest with the bears, birds and other wildlife for whom the low-bush blueberry is an important food source. We have completed the first phase, and have begun the second phase, of a long-term pollinator habitat project to create additional habitat for our native bees, butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds.