Farmer Dave was raised on Marsh Hill in Dracut, Massachusetts. He grew up working on the Brox Farm in Dracut learning the intricacies of New England farming from John Brox, who had been tilling that land since the 1920s. 

After graduating from college, Farmer Dave served in the Peace Corps as a crop extensionist in Ecuador. He taught organic agriculture in the Andes Mountains and worked with farmers to improve their soil health, crop yields, irrigation systems, crop storage, animal health, and marketing methods. All these efforts bettered local families' nutrition and livelihood. Since returning from Ecuador in 1997 he has been leasing the Brox Farm, growing a wider and wider array of fruits, vegetables, and flowers.

In 2003, he was asked to offer his fresh products to a neighboring community and began leasing the East Street Farm in Tewksbury as well. Working closely with those trying to preserve farmland for future agriculture, in 2006 he finally purchased his own farm in Dracut from the Leczynski family. This became known as Farmer Dave Dumaresq's Farm, or simply Farmer Dave's.

In 2007 Farmer Dave began a CSA program with 62 members. The CSA has now grown to over 1,000 members. All of the wide array of vegetables in the shares are grown by Farmer Dave's. The CSA has expanded from a 20-week main season share to a total of 38 weeks of vegetables a year with the addition of a spring share and a late fall share.  

This past spring he served for several weeks on the farmer-to-farmer program in the Republic of Georgia. He taught greenhouse vegetable growing technology near the Caucasus Mountains in newly built greenhouses heated by geothermal hot springs.  

Farmer Dave was one of the original two vendors at the East Boston Farmers Market when it began in 2008. We are proud to welcome him back for his fourth season at the market! 

5 medium tomatoes*, chopped
1 medium red onion*, diced
1 green pepper*, cut up
10 Greek olives
1/8-1/4 lb feta cheese
1 tsp dried marjoram
3 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp balsamic or red wine vinegar
salt & pepper to taste

*Indicates that this ingredient can be found at the East Boston Farmers Market

Directions: Prepare 1-2 hours before serving to allow flavors to develop. Mix the vegetables and cheese together, then toss with the oil, vinegar, and spices. This dish should be served at room temperature, as refrigeration will lessen the flavors. 

Wondering what fruits or veggies you'll find when you come visit us? Below is a list of some of the crops that you'll most likely come across today at the East Boston Farmers Market: