About Us
Willowtree Farm History
When planning for the future, it helps to know a little bit about the past. Here, in brief, is a history of Willowtree Farm. It is run by the Mckay family including Rod, Marlene, Jordan, and Alex. Rod Mckay has been farming on this land since the late 1960’s, when they began milking registered Holsteins.
Before getting to where we are today, we were full-time dairy farmers for 20 years. It was in 1979 when we first tried out our green thumbs and planted strawberries. In 1980, our first season, we were selling strawberries in a wagon on the side of the road with 4 acres of fresh berries.
By 1990 we had expanded the sales area and built a market on the farm. 1993 was a pivotal year for Willowtree Farm as we sold the dairy herd, retiring from the dairy business to focus on our fruits and vegetables. It was this year that we started taking our products to farmers’ markets. We now sell at nine seasonal farmers’ markets each week.
Jordy, our eldest son, who graduated in honors agriculture economics and marketing, looks after our marketing, meat and community supported agriculture program (CSA). Marlene (my wife) and Jordy oversee the farmers’ markets and our own market. Alex, our youngest son who graduated in honors forestry and environmental studies, oversees planting, growing, watering and harvesting of fruits and vegetables. Marlene looks after the books, scheduling and personnel. With lots of help. I look after the cattle, farm crops, repairs and try to help out where needed..
Today, we grow 100 acres of fruits and vegetables with the help of our two sons, eleven full-time seasonal laborers and several local workers. Our fresh products are sold 10% wholesale contracts and 90% to our loyal customers. We farm 350 acres of field crops, hay and pasture and raise 100 head of beef cows.
Our main crops are strawberries, raspberries, sweet corn, tomatoes, beans, peas, cucumbers, pumpkins, cauliflower, broccoli, squash, zucchini, rhubarb, onions, herbs, spinach, peppers, asparagus and 15 bee hives. We also press our own apple cider from apples grown in my sister’s nearby orchard. We sell our own naturally grown beef which has no antibiotics and no growth hormones.
In the fall of each year, we arrange school tours for kids and adults alike to come to the farm and learn about the many aspects of farming and food.
Our Willowtree Farm mission is to grow fresh fruits and vegetables in a safe healthy environment. To educate local school children in our fields, teaching them where their food comes from. Finally, to be good responsible stewards of our land following our environmental farm plan.
Quality control is also very important to us and word of mouth helps us to be successful. Our best marketing tool? When a customer has a complaint we replace the product with a smile.
Working with nature to bring you our best is what we do!
Rod