The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Marketplace brings ’em in — to the farm
With blue skies and temperatures well into the 80s, it was a perfect day to be on a farm.
MORRIS >> With blue skies and a brilliant sun overhead pushing temperatures well into into the 80s, it was a perfect day to be on a farm in Litchfield County. And that’s what dozens of people did Sunday as they rambled through the weekly Morris Marketplace held at South Farms.
The Marketplace attracted about 18 vendors, selling everything from goat milk soap and Italian ice to vegetables and “bicycle”-made smoothies. A two-man band played music to create even more of a festive mood, and children strolled along with their parents sampling, buying and taking part in children’s activities.
The Marketplace at South Farms is in its fourth year and is one of the more successful such ventures in Litchfield County.
“We wanted to have something that was different from most farmers markets, many of which are in parking lots and such,” said Ben Paletsky, one of the owners of South Farms. The Marketplace was the brainchild of Paletsky and his buddy, Cory Matthews, owner of nearby Dorsett Farm. They wanted a place that would attract both vendors and customers, and the idea has worked out marvelously.
“We hoped we would be successful with it and we are thrilled that it has been as well received as it has,” said Paletsky. “We wanted to make this a fun place where people would want to come every week. We have people who come and have lunch on the farm. It’s a nice place to visit, and people enjoy the scenery the farm offers.”
The Marketplace Grill serves up delicious grilled dishes that can be enjoyed on a picnic blanket spread on the grass or in the White Barn Bull Room. Also on the premises each week is Amanda-Bakes mobile coffee shop. Winvian Farm also has a food truck at the market.
The Marketplace draws people from all over Litchfield County, as well as Fairfield County, the Hartford and Waterbury areas, and weekenders from out of state. “We like to think of it as holding a mini-fair every weekend,” quipped Paletsky.
Chelsea and Mike Kaneb, owners of the Hummingbird Cafe, were busy whipping up smoothies, Mike Kaneb doing the mixing with pedal power from a bicycle.
“This is so much fun,” said Chelsea Kaneb. “We like to think we are helping the environment by not using a blender and people think it is a neat thing. Having the Marketplace on South Farms is beautiful and I know people enjoy coming here.”
Kate Eddy of Winvian Farms in Morris was selling produce. “It’s a fun atmosphere and we are pleased to be a part of the Marketplace. Our produce is grown organically and we have quite a large garden.”
South Farms’ stated vision is to redefine New England agriculture, creating a farmland venue that offers a diversity of agricultural products, services and attractions. By co-locating unique, entrepreneurial and complementing businesses onto the homestead, South Farms intends to emerge as a destination.
“We believe farmland preservation is best accomplished by creating and nurturing sustainable farmland businesses that excel within a blended, value-added agricultural and agri-tourism environment,” said Paletsky. South Farms also sells grass-fed Galloway beef and heritage breed pork.
Matthews is an energetic, creative man who has dreams born of the land. “The Marketplace was an experiment and it has worked. We have so many notable agricultural enterprises in the area, such and Arethusa Farm and White Flower Farm, our farm and Dorsett Farm. We have someone growing hops on our property for use in making craft beers, and there is talk of a winery wanting to open close by.”
He continued, “Our farm has multiple layers and we are just starting to explore more ways to invest in a new agricultural future.” South Farms boasts a large, rustic banquet area (used for weddings and events) that takes up a portion of a 20,000-square foot barn that once housed cows and some horses. Paletsky and friends have begun to create beautiful, large wooden tables for sale and he also hopes to continue his love of reclaiming old spaces, such as what he skillfully did with a section of his farm’s white barn, for other individuals. “We are also looking into the technology/scientific side of agriculture and hopefully finding new and better ways to farm.”
South Farms and Dorsett Farm are doing their part to keep farming alive in the area and give others a place to sell their produce and goods. By the looks on the kids’ faces Sunday, they realized that during in the summertime, when the grass grows high and the warm breezes sweep over the green meadows, being on a farm remains one of life’s simplest yet greatest joys.
The Morris Marketplace, located on Higbie Road, is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Sunday through October.