Welcome to Cold Brook Farm, nestled in one of the many cozy valleys of beautiful Central New York. Here you'll find some snapshots of our small farm and of some of our hand-made goods. We are always growing and changing, so we invite you to stop back often to check on what we're up to. If there is a specific something that you would like to see but don't find here, please let us know and we'll try to accommodate you.
There was a time, not very long ago, when we couldn't have imagined ourselves living on a sheep farm in the middle of what many consider the middle of nowhere. We were both busy building careers in New York City, but talk of raising a family crept in and we were stirred to search for a slower, more bucolic existence. We found it in Cortland County in an 1896 farmhouse anchoring 135 acres of pasture and woodland. Our farm is a short 10 minute drive from the city of Cortland and situated equidistant from Binghamton, Ithaca, and Syracuse.
"What are you going to do with all that land?" If we had a nickel for every time friends and family asked that question, we'd be driving better cars (and tractors). The simple answer is that we want to do what we can to try and preserve some of the qualities of what attracted us to this area and this life. So we spend much of our time and money finding out just how hard any kind of farming really is. Bringing back the pastures, preserving the hundred year old barn, putting up the hay, raising the animals… it's all part of the life and has its own rewards. Shepherding is one way in which we try to maintain the magnificent barn and breathtaking farmland instead of allowing disuse and disrepair become their fortune, as is the fate of so many American family farms. Over time the farm will pass into other hands. For now we do our best to practice good stewardship.
So now that Tammie's career has changed from teacher to Mother and Hearthkeeper, we've begun to shift our attention to making our farming habit-and our lives in general- be more self-sufficient. We hope you enjoy your visit around the farm and that you'll leave us a note with your comments, suggestions and questions. If you're interested in learning more on why sheep are the Earth-friendly, sustainable choice for the small and part-time farmer click here.
Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pete, Tammie, Jonah, Yael, Kristina, Nikolai and Dasha Whitson
Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pete, Tammie, Jonah, Yael, Kristina, Nikolai and Dasha Whitson
