CHESTERVILLE — After taking a year off because of health issues, The C Farm at 72 Gordon Hill Rd. will be opening again.

Brenda Crane does much of the work at the farm which transitioned from a greenhouse business selling seedlings to selling vegetables and processed items when the price of oil skyrocketed 11 or 12 years ago.

Brenda’s husband Ray built a cozy ‘summer kitchen’ during the last year that will be used to sell the various items that will be on sale Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays beginning June 1. Hours of operation on those days are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Ray does the initial rototilling of the garden. He has a full-time job, so isn’t always available  to help after that. Ray has a 40 horsepower New Holland tractor that he uses for the heavier jobs. Brenda has her own 30 horsepower New Holland that only she uses.

The 15-acre area near the house has large grassy areas that Brenda mows. Numerous herb beds can be found throughout the fields. Chamomile, ginger and apple mint, hops, and lavender are just a few of the perennial herbs.

A small greenhouse out back is used to start vegetables that need a longer growing season.

Many vegetable and annual herb varieties are already growing quickly in the garden. Kale, Italian parsley, swish chard, beet greens, green and wax string beans, snow peas, basil, cilantro, scallions, and cucumbers will soon be joined by 10 varieties of tomatoes, six varieties of peppers, more cucumbers, lettuce, buttercup and butternut squash, radishes and zucchini.

There are two large patches of rhubarb in the center of the garden which has seen four generations tilling the soil.

Fish emulsion and compost are used to fertilize the gardens. The soil is also amended with newspapers and hay. “We put everything right back in,” Brenda said.

Brenda believes in supporting other local businesses. She purchases her seedlings from several area farms and purchases locally whatever fruits she can’t forage from her land.

Many of Brenda’s preserves use time tested recipes and ingredients. Elderberry and crab apple jelly and a dandelion spread are a few examples. She also makes soy candles and homemade lye soap. “It’s the real deal,” she said.

Brenda has a home kitchen license to sell her processed products and baked goods. She is well known for her cream biscuits. She also makes breads and cookies. Brenda plans to feature a cookie of the week this summer.

Brenda said, “I judge my prices on what I could afford.” She tries to keep her prices low so that everyone can enjoy her wares. Because people have stolen items in the past, the property will be gated on days when the summer kitchen is not open.

It’s taken a lot to get back up and going again, but the hard work is worth it for Brenda. “It’s a labor of love,” she said.

For more information, call 897-8438 or email [email protected].

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