Granite State Growers: LaValley Farms

It’s no surprise that agritourism is on the rise in New Hampshire, because fall is all about farms. From leaf peepers pulling over on the Kancamagus for a piping hot cup of apple cider, to teenagers running through flashlight corn mazes and pick-your-own apples galore, the state comes alive every fall as tourists and Granite Staters alike flock to local farms. New Hampshire’s local farms are the backbone of our communities, and many of them offer unique and interesting experiences that are as fresh as their produce; with the hope that visitors will stop by and stay a while, and then keep coming back.

Here’s a look at some of New Hampshire’s fabulous farms:

LaValley Farms, Hooksett (profile below)
Brookford Farm, Canterbury
Moulton Farm, Meredith
Miles Smith Farm, Loudon
Brookdale Fruit Farm, Hollis
Vernon Family Farm, Newfields

LaValley Farms, Hooksett

The LaValleys raise pastured hens who enjoy a cage-free, barn-free existence, all while helping to maintain their soil quality in their fields and help utilize their crops. You can find the produce from their fields at their farm store including a variety of other goods like honey, meats, flowers and veggie plants, and more.

Chris LaValley grew up playing in the fields across from the farm that he now owns. Even better? He co-owns it with his wife, Danielle, both high school sweethearts who grew up in and worked at Blake Farms as teenagers in Hooksett, and then purchased the property in 2006 that became LaValley Farms that many frequent today. The sense of family and community, and the connection between them, has been baked into the roots of the farm since its inception. 

“Our farm is our legacy, not just for our family but for our community family as well,”  Chris says. “We’re making sure every part of the farm can last forever, not just for my kids, but for yours as well.” 

The first-generation farm started on 50 acres with fruit and vegetables that the LaValleys sold at the farmstand. Now in its 18th year, the farm occupies 65 acres and includes a Manchester farmstand, pasture poultry, and horticulture and floral shop. 

“We slowly added more produce over the years from other regional New England areas and farms to fill ours out and supplement as needed,” Chris notes. “Not only are we passionate about bringing customers the freshest produce available, but we love that that means we’re able to support other farms in this way as well.”

Their original farmstand in Hooksett boasts fresh non-GMO produce picked daily that the LaValleys promise will taste as fresh as it looks. 

“We have watermelon, zucchini, lettuce, tomatoes, meats and everything in between,” Chris says. “People come to us for a variety of things, but in the summer, it’s corn. Paired with local sausage and other veggies,  it’s a summer staple for us around here.”

Stop by their greenhouse next door and you’ll also find an abundance of options to fit your gardening needs from bedding plants to vegetable plants. 

“We pride ourselves in being able to offer vegetable starter plants that are from the same plants that we grow on the farm,” Chris notes. “The same cucumber that you see and buy in our store, you can grow in your own garden. I hand-pick them — each is high yielding, disease resistant and made to grow in our tricky New Hampshire climate. We believe that starting you with a healthy plant will best set you up for long-term success.”

Not only do customers have the opportunity to reap the benefits of the LaValleys’ growing practices and legacy mindset in their own gardens, but local restaurants do too. Restaurants like Tucker’s look to LaValley for their pasture-raised eggs to use in their kitchens, and grocery stores sell their produce and other goods. 

“Having restaurants and stores support our farm allows practices like our egg operation to be big enough to be efficient,” Chris says. “We pour into each other, and like we tell our customers, investments in each other are investments in food security — keeping our land open, keeping our food close and keeping our food safe — which is priceless these days.”

From their farm fields to your kitchen table, the LaValleys are passionate about taking care of you as much as you take care of them.

“If the last few years have shown us anything, it’s the importance of community and how food ties us all together,” Chris says. “We’re so excited to finish up the summer season as we welcome in fall together with pumpkins, mums and turkeys. It may be the most beautiful time of year around here — we can’t wait to see you.”  lavalleyfarms.com

*CSA Program

Buying a community supported agriculture share gives you access to anything at the farmstand in Hooksett and at the Manchester cart. Once your  share is loaded on your card, you can use it for everything from fresh-picked produce to locally raised meat and handmade pies or local decorations.