Barrett's Mill FarmVertical Divider
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Barrett’s Mill Farm is a part of the McGrath Farmstead–a beautiful piece of land located in Concord, MA historically used for agricultural purposes. Melissa Maxwell and Lise Holdorf have been farming on the 15-acre property, which they lease from the town, since 2014 and became certified organic in 2017. Lise started farming after her time in the Peace Corps and Melissa started when she got a summer job after graduating from college.
They have a CSA and farm stand, and grow veggies and flowers from April through December (though they are working to expand that even further!). The McGrath family, who owned the farm for about 100 years before the Town bought the property, were well known for their asparagus, so they've tried to keep up the tradition while also expanding some of their spring offerings to include early season flowers and greens. They've also added several high tunnels over their 10 years on the property, allowing them to grow early tomatoes and cucumbers, as well as expand their offerings in the shoulder seasons.
In regards to growing practices, they use cover crops and organically approved fertilizers/composts to improve the soil; maximize the land’s biodiversity by growing 50+ types of crops, with 200 varieties; use straw and plastic mulches to naturally control weeds; and use physical barriers, like row cover and kaolin clay, to prevent pests. In their own words, "We strive to farm in a way that will keep the land healthy and productive for generations to come. Our goal is not only to grow productive plants and beautiful, nutritious vegetables, but to improve the soil and our local environment."
They have a CSA and farm stand, and grow veggies and flowers from April through December (though they are working to expand that even further!). The McGrath family, who owned the farm for about 100 years before the Town bought the property, were well known for their asparagus, so they've tried to keep up the tradition while also expanding some of their spring offerings to include early season flowers and greens. They've also added several high tunnels over their 10 years on the property, allowing them to grow early tomatoes and cucumbers, as well as expand their offerings in the shoulder seasons.
In regards to growing practices, they use cover crops and organically approved fertilizers/composts to improve the soil; maximize the land’s biodiversity by growing 50+ types of crops, with 200 varieties; use straw and plastic mulches to naturally control weeds; and use physical barriers, like row cover and kaolin clay, to prevent pests. In their own words, "We strive to farm in a way that will keep the land healthy and productive for generations to come. Our goal is not only to grow productive plants and beautiful, nutritious vegetables, but to improve the soil and our local environment."
