Patrices Farm

Patrice’s Farm was named for our 5th daughter, Patrice. When she was 8 years old she wanted a pony. We urged her to earn the money to buy it herself.  As part of her homeschooling, she  grew vegetables which she sold around the neighborhood from a little red wagon pulled by her big hairy dog.  She was so cute, everyone bought something. In 1993 we dedicated ourselves to grow all-natural, organic produce. Most of it is in raised beds following the square-foot gardening suggestions of Mel Bartholomew.

She saw an ad for a gingerbread decorating contest  (with a prize of $25) so she entered.  She didn’t win, but the newspaper ran a large story about her trying to earn the money for a pony.  A lady in the next town sent her a letter saying, ”if anyone would work that hard for a pony then she would take good care of it” and gave her a pony.  Patrice kept the farm going to pay for the hay and grain.  When she left for college (she has her masters in wildlife biology now and her own lab at Potato Products of Idaho) we kept the farm growing. Now she is working on her PhD in Washington, DC while her wonderful husband supports her.

Patrice’s Farm is proud of our heritage and love of the land. We have begun wood burning farm-inspired artwork and hope that you will check out our store at Patrice’s Farm.

My grandfather bought part of the historic Rowe Farm back in 1937 because of the beautiful orchard.  The hurricane of ’38 destroyed all except two pear trees, but the family continued the farm off-and-on until Patrice began selling. 

My grandmother’s family-favorite, falling-apart cookbook yielded the recipes we use:

Grape Jam - beautiful dark purple wild grapes, picked and cooked at the height of flavor. Also Strawberry, Strawberry-rhubarb, Peach, Pear, and Apple in quilted crystal jelly jars.

Two-crust 9″ Pies: Blueberry, Bluebarb (Blueberry and rhubarb), Peach, and Apple are made from the fruit grown here on the farm. 
Thank you for supporting local agriculture.  Buy your Big Banana CSA now.