Granite State Growers: Vernon Family Farm

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:

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

Vernon Family Farm, Newfields

Nicole and Jeremiah, their three daughters and dog, Yeti stand in front of their farm store

The minute that you pull into the driveway at Vernon Family Farm, you’re considered part of the family. Whether you’re doing your weekly shopping at the farm store or attending a Friday summer night live music event, this family farm focuses on creating a community space that serves as your home away from home — a mission that owners Jeremiah and Nicole Vernon have been passionate about since they founded their 33-acre farm in Newfields in 2014. 

“It’s been our focus since day one to be the people who grow your food and bring community together through it,” Nicole says. “It’s been a wild last few years, especially for us, and it couldn’t be more evident that connecting with each other, pouring into you as you pour into us, is what holds us together.”

The Vernons founded Vernon Family Farm  in 2014, but they came into their new family business with a decade of prior experience in farming everything from livestock to vegetables. 

As a first-generation, owner-operated pastured livestock farm, they pasture-raise chickens (one of their most popular draws), cows, pigs and lambs, all using regenerative practices, and they sell their meat along with products from over 50 local farms and makers at their year-round farm store — a community favorite. 

“The store started as a household freezer, and we were able to build it up to what you visit now with display cases and shelves,” Nicole says. “It’s open from Wednesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. as a one-stop shop for eating local food with an intentional focus on fresh and frozen protein like pastured chicken and other grass-fed and pastured meats, fruits, vegetables, sauces and spices. We also have our bone broths, soups, pot pie and others. It’s consistent with what’s available in that season.”

Shopping at the store is a great way to get to know your local farmer, but the Vernons know that may be intimidating for some. The solution? Agritourism events. 

“Our agritourism events are a great, safe and easy way to taste the food grown and raised on our pastures, walk through the wildflower meadow, visit the grazing animals and enjoy live music with family and friends,” Nicole says. “Tacos and beer are less intimidating than starting in the farm store. They are also the first step to a lasting relationship with your farmer.”

Their event season starts in May and runs through October with a rotating roster of talent from Wellfleet to the dam Ezra Group stopping by the Vernon Family stage from Friday to Sunday nights. Vernon Kitchen, the sister catering comp-any of Vernon Family Farm, now has a kitchen off-site in Kensington where they cook up their famous fried chicken and a taco bar to bring the food to you while you enjoy the show. (Don’t forget to drop into the farm store for dessert and a few groceries to bring home with you.)

After long days and seasons of dealing with the stress of owning and running a farm, and the unpredictable New England summer weather, it’s the community the Vernons have built that keeps Nicole and her family and farming staff going. 

“At the end of the day, we do this because of our passion for our farm and our family, and we love sharing both with you,” Nicole says. “Farming is difficult but incredibly rewarding. All of what we’ve experienced to date is an authentic example of how it truly takes a community to fight the good fight and make amazing things happen. We can’t wait to welcome you to the farm.” vernonfamilyfarm.com

*Get a Monthly NH Meat Box Subscription

Sign up for a local meat share with rotating monthly items ranging from a variety of cuts like grass-fed beef, pasture-raised lamb and/or chicken and more. Choose from a subscription level with a box perfect for a couple or family, and pick up your box on the second Saturday of each month.

*Buy a Debit-Style CSA

CSA (community supported agriculture) programs were created to help alleviate the stress of high expenses for farms, but Vernon Family Farm’s is a little different. Instead of purchasing a share at the farm where you’ll receive several boxes of produce (including items you may or may not love), you can partake in their debit-style CSA where you can pick whatever you want. Use your CSA membership throughout the year at your local farmers market or their farm store where goods are available from more than 30 farms year-round.