Growing grain from 1977-2017

We successfully grew our first grain crops on six acres in 1977. We wanted to do it the old fashioned way, with a grain binder and threshing machine.

It was a great feeling, munching our own whole wheat bread (and homemade butter) knowing that our true wealth lay within the ability to feed ourselves from the land. We wanted to grow all our own food and grain for our cows, chickens, pigs and horses.

We grew grain for nearly 40 years. The operation changed over time with more acreage, growing a wider variety of crops and using more modern machinery.

The prairie-style granary, timber framed with a monitor roof, supports an elevator for grains to be sorted into the appropriate bins below. Seed cleaners and a flour mill were housed in the granary with the ability to clean and process barley, oats, wheat and spelt.

As the amounts and types of grains increased, so did the need to store harvests safely and securely. The granary was started in 1989; the building was completed in 1992 including some grain bins. It was last operational in 2017.

From Grain to Grass Farming

After decades of growing and experimenting with grain, Jack Lazor wrote The Organic Grain Grower, sharing his knowledge with the organic farming community.

In 2022, with our focus securely on grass farming the Granary building and some of the original grain equipment are still on site awaiting time, money, energy and renewed purpose.

In the meantime, we happily invite visitors to our on-farm events.

Learn about our solar barns – winter housing where our free-roaming herd passes time “laying on clouds.”

Meet the Butterworks cows! We’ve cared for a closed herd of Jersey cows (with names) since 1977.

Take a virtual tour of our on-farm creamery where all of our cultured dairy products are made with care.