ABOUT US

At our small family farm in Dell, Heath, MA, we grow vegetables, fruit and herbs, raise several breeds of chickens, pure-bred Alpine dairy goats and make artisanal cheese. We do this to nourish ourselves and our guests and to nurture connections with the land and our animals. We find it satisfying to follow the old ways in spite of (or perhaps because of) the hard work that must be done regardless of the weather.

Many of you reading this will know the pride of giving a gift of homemade preserves - such simple beauty and so full of love. Deep in icy February, the aroma from a jar of Rose Petal Jelly transports you back to warm summer breezes, birdsong and the humming of bees- all this even before tasting it! What a gift!

Our cheeses are truly artisanal - meaning they are made from fresh milk from goats born and raised on our land, converted into cheese in our kitchen and aged in a cave in the basement of our 190-year-old home. Our goats browse in the pasture alongside the gardens, near enough to "talk" with us while we work outside. The cave was formerly a spring-fed cistern we converted and monitored to determine its suitability for use as a cheese cave. Our cheese naturally acquires characteristics of delicacies the goats found to nibble on; and as the cheeses age, they develop subtle variations due to changes in humidity and temperature of the cave.

Over the years (we've been doing this now for 40 years) we've discovered what cheeses work best for our conditions. It is a process of trial and error, but our hens are most happy to help when a batch of cheese doesn't come out just right! Cheesemaking teaches patience and reinforces the rewards of persistence and attention to detail. Our Tomme de la Dell is an aged, natural rind goat cheese, with a smooth, rich texture, pale caramel color and a delightful nuttiness.

It is our hope that when you join us for a cheesemaking workshop, that you not only gain information, but a sense of what can be yours when you take time to cherish your animals and put a little love into the foods you grow and prepare.