By Carol Fisher-Linn
Perfect recipe for making a dream come true; diligence, perseverance and risks are part of everyday life.
Have you ever wondered how we, as Americans, have lost health? Look around you as you read this article. What do you see? Are you sitting in nature, perhaps grounding with your bare feet on the grass, soaking up her healing properties? Are you near a tree absorbing her magic and filling your soul with the smell of her fragrance and the grandeur of her beauty? Or are you cooped in a closed room, A/C blasting, bad-news program on the TV in the background, a cup of coffee likely from Brazil (where our rainforest is threatened), and the morning sun streaming through your window, valiantly trying to beckon you to the outdoors? I describe to a “T” my present environment – although I did spend the first hour of my day on my deck and on my lawn, grounding, and breathing in the healing properties of Mother Nature. Reminder: Our health needs nurturing, constant awareness and a lifestyle that supports wellness. It needs deep breathing, mindfulness, meditation, visiting nature and body movement using Pilates, Yoga, and Tai Chi. One does not HOPE for good health. One practices it every day, including taking care with the things we put into our bodies.
I read somewhere that farming is a profession of hope. Look around and you will find several who have figured it out and are successful farmsteading in our local area. You’ll find that vibe at Burdicks Blueberries, Lucky Day Homestead on Roszyk Hill and one of the newest members of that community, on Plato Road in East Otto at the Zerbian homestead/farmstead.
recipe for farmsteading.
Farmsteading is living on a homestead but running a small business from the homestead where you raise your own food but raise enough surplus to pay for what you eat yourself and possibly make some profit along the way. (Think farmers markets.) Homesteading, on the other hand, (think Little House on the Prairie) includes sustenance agriculture and home preservation of foodstuffs, perhaps even some woven textiles and crafting for household use.
On a mission to feed themselves healthy, chemical free food and share the bounty with the community Cameron and Rachael Zerbian followed the vintage recipe for farmsteading: Take hearts full of dreams, endless energy, an 1880’s farmhouse, add 50 acres of land and a 20 x 40 greenhouse, mix in some free-range chickens, pigs and Angus beef cows, 2 babies (aka budding farmhands) and you have a recipe for a wholesome family farmstead business.
Neither Cameron Zerbian nor his wife, Rachael grew up on a farm but both have a shared love of nature and a desire for wanting to eat foods that were raised naturally. In 2017 they bought an old house and property and they slowly and methodically turned their instincts into a pursuit of farming (and, also both having full time jobs), knowing that through farming they could live the life they believe in and share their bounty with the surrounding community.
They planted fruit trees, put up fencing, bought some pigs, laying hens and meat chickens, and started by selling the eggs and the USDA inspected pork. They built a 36′ farm shop where they plan to retail their products as well as products from other local agricultural businesses such as honey, soaps, maple syrup, breads, etc. In speaking about these subsidiary products Zerbian explained that their pig fat goes to the neighbor and to the Amish where the soaps are made of all natural ingredients. This year they purchased their first angus cattle herd and the newly built greenhouse allows them to grow their crops in a controlled environment, assuring the consistency of their produce.
They will be offering products from all the above both in retail and wholesale (all USDA certified high-quality pork and beef). They are also under construction on a single bedroom (sleep up to 4) air bnb where guests can immerse themselves on the farm and enjoy their products (farm to table), hoping to open by the fall.
Located across from Timber Lake at 6706 Plato Road in East Otto, the location is not only a perfect location for a farm, but a wonderful atmosphere to raise their new family, a two-year-old budding cowhand and a new springtime-born little man. Reach them at 716-474-6785 or cjzerbian@gmail.com. Many thanks to the Zerbians for adding to our natural food choices in the area.