If you shopped the Roscoe Farmers' Market last season, there's a good chance you've me
t Eleanor Blakeslee-Drain.
About a year ago, Eleanor returned to the Catskills after completing farm apprenticeships in Massachusetts and Kentucky. She launched her own operation,
Berry Brook Farm, where in her first year, she sold at the local farmers' market, direct to stores, restaurants and caterers, and through a 10-week CSA.
Eleanor is actively involved in the region's beginning farmer community. Through her role as the
Farmhearts Fellow, she will lead the the
Catskills FarmLink and
Catskills CRAFT (Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farming Training) programs. Eleanorwill dedicate her fellowship to sharing her story as a beginning farmer in the Catskills while maintaining the programmatic mechanisms that offer land access, educational resources, training and networking opportunities to beginning farmers.
"Starting my own farm has given me a realistic and thorough understanding of what is needed to keep beginning farmers in the area and foster a vibrant community," Eleanor said. We are certainly glad she chose the Catskills for her farm, and we look forward to working with her for years to come!
If you see Eleanor, please help us extend a warm welcome to our newest team member!
Best,
Sonia Janiszewski
Farm to Market Manager
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Click to learn more about the organization fueling the Fellowship!
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