Apr 7, 2020
What goes into owning and operating a farm that grows over 250 varieties of vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers year-round?
Veteran four-season farmer Andre Cantelmo of South Hampton, New Hampshire joins us today to deliver an in-depth answer to that question plus much more! Heron Pond Farm began the year-round farming business in 1998, allowing them to grow and maintain an incredibly skilled and experienced staff whose passion brings higher yields, quality, and flavor to their food all year long. Tune in to this episode to hear invaluable tips and insights from rock solid experience on how to thrive 365!
You’ll hear:
How Andre got into farming 1:34
How Andre went about scaling up his business 4:49
What method Andre uses for growing tomatoes 13:14
What specialized equipment Heron Pond has used to scale 16:44
What kind of yield Andre is getting with carrot crops 23:35
What periods of the carrot’s life cycle require specific attention 25:14
How Andre’s approach to farming has evolved over time 41:26
How baby greens affect farm soil 49:50
What Andre typically follows root crops with 52:39
How Andre gets high yields on his potato crops 53:56
What Andre’s current favorite potato varieties are 59:27
What environmental challenges Heron Pond faces on coastal New Hampshire 1.06:29
About the Guest:
In 1998 Heron Pond Farm began on a small two-acre rented plot of land at David Bachelder’s farm. The Farm has been growing and changing ever since, with the goal of becoming a permanent part of the landscape in southern Rockingham County. Through the very generous help of James and Jocelyn VanBokkelen a more permanent home was found in South Hampton the following year. Then in 2000 the Farm came into its current form when Walter and Blanche Syvinki retired from Valley Acres Farm and turned operations over to Greg Balog and Andre Cantelmo. The VanBokkelen's commitment to open space has kept the land available, while the Syvinskis have been valued mentors in New England small farm practices. It takes a village to raise a child so it should come as no surprise that it has taken a mix of all these folks to make Heron Pond Farm what it is today.
Heron Pond Farm is owned and
operated by Greg Balog and Andre Cantelmo. Friends from college
where they studied soil science, they have been a team for twenty
years. Heron Pond is a four season farm that grows over 250
varieties of vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers. Farming
year-round has allowed us to grow and maintain an incredibly
skilled and experienced staff whose passion brings higher yields,
quality, and flavor to our food all year long.
Resources:
Website - https://www.heronpondfarm.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heronpondfarm/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/heronpondfarm/