We would like to introduce you to another one of our wonderful vendors, Bob of Nook & Cranny Farm in Brooktondale. Here he is at the Thursday evening Hancock Street market with his farm intern, Tori.
The Brussels sprout is the icon of Nook & Cranny Farm, as it is one of Bob’s favorite vegetables to grow. This is quite an honor for the Brussels sprout, as Nook & Cranny grows pretty much every kind of vegetable that can be grown in our climate.
Nook & Cranny Farm has been a regular vendor at Ithaca Farmers’ Markets since 2005, mostly at the Wednesday and Thursday evening markets. This year, they can be found at East Hill Plaza on Wednesdays from 4 to 7, and at Hancock Street on Thursdays from 4 to 7. They are occasionally found at the Tuesday market at Dewitt Park from 9 to 2 as well. Along with vegetables, they sell eggs from their flock of chickens.
This week, the broccoli looked particularly spectacular!
Bob originally came from Syracuse and has been growing vegetables his whole life, but got really serious about it 15 years ago when he bought the land in Brooktondale which became Nook & Cranny Farm. These days, three full-time workers (along with an assortment of part-time CSA work-share members) produce vegetables for the farm’s 60-something CSA holders, the Ithaca Farmers’ Markets, local restaurants, and Brookton’s Market in Brooktondale. The produce includes several thousand pounds of potatoes, another one of Bob’s favorite foods.
As much success as the farm has enjoyed, Bob has made an intentional effort to keep the farm from expanding too rapidly. Nook & Cranny keeps the focus on operating on a human scale, growing healthy food for local people, and being a part of the community. Tori, one of the full-season interns, reports that working on the farm can be hard, but it is always satisfying, rather than stressful.
Stop by their booth on Wednesday or Thursday and say hello to Bob or one of the other friendly Nook & Cranny farmers. While you’re there, pick out some fresh, local produce to bring home!