Why I Work in Farmland Protection: An Origin Story

Originally written for, and posted on, American Farmland Trust

The first time that I hopped onto the back of a rusted-out pick-up truck at Rosedale Farms in Simsbury, Connecticut, my life changed forever.

I grew up in a place and time where the only things parents told their kids were to go to college, get a good job (preferably lawyer or doctor), and live a more or less traditional New England life.

But that future never felt right to me. It wasn’t until I turned 14 and started working on the farm that I began to realize that there were many different paths forward, including through long, grueling hours spent working outside to grow food for your community. That was a life my parents’ generation fought to escape, but in which I found a great deal of comfort and optimism.

Over the next decade, the farm would mean pretty much everything to me. It was my escape in the bad times and my favorite place on earth during the good ones. In high school, I’d work full time in the spring through the end of the season in the fall. In college, I’d come home and work in the summers. My brother worked there; my sister did too and most of my friends. I helped plant a vineyard (pictured below in its current form).

And I made countless memories that I still think back on and smile about all the time.

Today, I’m more than a decade into a career in farmland protection, but the place it all started was at Rosedale’s, a third-generation family farm on the banks of the Farmington River that will celebrate its 100th birthday this year. Over the years, the farm has always evolved with the needs of its customers. The farm started as a dairy farm in 1920, the cows are now gone, but in their place Rosedale’s now grows an array of fruits, vegetables, and cut flowers. It also has a vineyard, bakery, CSA program, and farm-to-table dinners; and it serves as one of the hottest wedding venues in the area.  

The fact that this farm is thriving today is a testament to the hard work of the Epstein family, but also by a decision to protect Rosedale’s permanently from development with a conservation easement. In 2004, farm owners Marshall and Lynn Epstein worked with Simsbury Land Trust to protect the farm in perpetuity using funding from the State of Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Program. This program is funded through the state’s Community Investment Act. While they could have earned far more selling the farm to a developer, it was important to Marshall and Lynn that the land remains in agriculture. 

As I get older and farther away from my formative years working at Rosedale’s, I feel so grateful to the Epsteins for making the decision to protect their land. Each time I return to visit, the town feels busier. There are new homes and stores where farms or open space used to be. But then there’s Rosedale’s. It still is, and always will be, a farm. 

And that’s why I feel so honored to work for American Farmland Trust. I get to work every day to help ensure future generations of kids have the opportunity to learn the types of lessons that can only be taught out in between rows of sweet corn.

Rosedale Salt Block Watermelon

Nothing says summer like watermelon and keeping it local at Rosedale is a great way to enjoy this summertime favorite during the last weeks of the season. Refreshing and sweet, watermelon is low in calories and high in vitamin C – healthy, delicious and refreshing – how can you beat it?

My favorite way to enjoy watermelon is to keep it simple and just put it on a salt block, topped with feta cheese and pinch of mint.

If you do not have a salt block, you should get one!  But you can make this dish in a bowl on a plate.

Ingredients: 

• • 1 Rosedale watermelon cut into chunks
• • 4 oz crumbled feta cheese
• • 1/4 cup chopped mint
• • salt to taste

Directions:

This one is really simple – just cut the watermelon, place it on the salt block and top with the feta and mint.

Melon with Mozzarella and Prosciutto

Before Rosedale, I have never even heard of an Orange Flesh Melon – but, after trying it, I’m now a huge fan!

The Orange Flesh Melon is similar to the Honeydew on the outside but tastes like a Cantaloupe. Perfection! It is sweet, juicy and refreshing.

Here’s the best part, one cup of orange flesh melon contains only 60 calories, but it offers over 100 percent of your daily needs for vitamin A, over 50 percent of the daily needs for vitamin C, and is a great source of potassium.

You can use this fruit in any recipe that calls for Cantaloupe or Honeydew.

I recently decided to try this delightful fruit for one of my favorite ways to eat melons from Martha Stewart– paired with mozzarella and prosciutto - I hope you enjoy it too!

Ingredients:

• • 1 Rosedale Orange Flesh Melon - halved and seeded
• • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• • 3/4 lb mozzarella – cut into bite sized pieces
• • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• • 1/3 pound thinly sliced prosciutto
• • 1/4 cup torn basil

Directions:

With a large melon baller, scoop melon flesh into a large bowl (or cut into bite-size pieces). Add mozzarella, oil, and red-pepper flakes; season with salt and pepper and stir to combine. Arrange prosciutto along edges of a large serving platter. Stir basil into melon mixture, transfer to center of platter, and serve.

Rosedale Stuffed Heirlooms

Ever wonder why Rosedale tomatoes look so funny? It’s because they are Rosedale Heirlooms!

This week, we’re featuring the Rosedale Yellow Heirloom tomato - our prized varietal that has been passed down through generations right here at Rosedale. They are prized for their color, shape and flavor and differ from todays commercial hybrid tomatoes, which are bred for durability rather than taste. These heirlooms are a great source of potassium, antioxidants and also vitamins A and C. They’re also a fantastic source of lycopene which may protect against certain types of cancer.

One of my favorite ways to enjoy these delicious heirloom’s is stuffed and roasted!

Ingredients:

• • 4 Rosedale yellow heirloom tomatoes
• • 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• • Salt and pepper to taste
• • 4 ounces goat cheese
• • 1/3 cup creme fraiche
• • 1 tablespoon thyme

Directions:

• • Preheat oven to 400 degrees
• • Carefully cut a circle from the top of the tomato with a sharp serrated knife. Use a spoon to gently hollow out the center of the tomato still leaving a bit of flesh around the sides.
• • Place the tomatoes upside down on paper towel to drain excess liquid
• • Place the tomatoes in a baking dish, drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper and roast for 25-30 minutes (until the tomatoes just start to wrinkle).
• • Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes. Pour out any excess liquid that accumulated inside the tomato cavity while roasting.
• • Combine the goat cheese, creme fraiche, thyme, olive oil, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Whip with a handheld blender or vigorously with a whisk until fluffy. Set aside.
• • Spoon the goat cheese filling into the tomatoes
• • Serve quickly and enjoy

Rosedale Ratatouille

If you’re like me, I’ll bet that you can’t eat just one Rosedale Sungold Tomato!

These little gems have earned their reputation as a local favorite for their remarkably sweet flavor and there are so many ways to enjoy them – on kebabs, in salads, in pasta, or by themselves…you’ll never find a shortage of ways to intergrate them into your summer menu.

But when I got my Rosedale CSA this week, I made something that I consider to be one of the great, super-healthy comfort foods - Rosedale Ratatouille - and the Rosedale Sungold Tomatoes were definitely the star of the dish!

Ingredients:

• • 1 Rosedale eggplant, finely diced (I like the peel, so I leave it on)
• • 3/4 cup Rosedale zucchini, finely diced (I used Rosedale patty pan squash instead)
• • 1/2 cup Rosedale peppers, finely diced
• • 1/2 cup Rosedale sungold tomatoes sliced in half (optional)
• • 1/4 cup Rosedale onions, finely diced or sliced
• • 1 tablespoon garlic, finely minced
• • 1/8 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
• • 1 tbsp of mixed fresh herbs finely chopped (basil, thyme, oregano etc.)
• • sea salt and freshly ground pepper salt to taste
• • a chunk of parmesan cheese for grating (optional)

Directions:

• • Sauté the diced eggplant in olive oil on low to medium heat until it’s soft and lightly browned (about 5-7 minutes). Remove from pan and put in bowl
• • In the same pan sauté the patty pan squash and peppers at the same time on low to medium heat until they’re lightly browned (about 3-5 minutes depending on how finely diced it is). Remove from pan and place with eggplant in bowl
• • In the same pan, turn down the heat to low and sauté the garlic and onions until barely translucent (about 2-5 minutes)
• • Re-add the cooked vegetables to the pan. Add the herbs and tomatoes. Sauté for 3-5 minutes or when all the vegetables are equally done but not overly mushy
• • Put the vegetables on a pretty plate and add a few grinds of pepper and sea salt. Top with parmesan cheese and enjoy

Rosedale Pickled Green Beans

It’s time to get pickled!

Green Beans are a summer staple. They are a great eaten raw in salads, with a dip or cooked in a summer stir-fry. 

Pickling is a different and delicious way to enjoy green beans. You can add them to a sandwich or burger instead of a pickle or enjoy them on a cheese plate (my favorite).

Mexican Corn Salad

Rosedale’s corn has become a summer tradition in the Farmington Valley and it’s much more than just a delicious vegetable – it’s something that we look forward to year round! Rosedale’s local corn is a great source of antioxidants, such as lutein and zeaxanthin and is known to promote eye health and is a rich source of many vitamins and minerals. One of my favorite ways to enjoy Rosedale corn is with this tempting treat - Rosedale Mexican Corn Salad!

Ingredients

• 3 ears (any variety) of Rosedale corn - cut off cob
• 2 cups Rosedale cherry tomatoes, cut in 1/2
• 1/4 cup red onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup Rosedale green pepper, chopped
• 1 whole avocado, cut into bite sized pieces
• 1/4 cup cotija cheese, crumbled
• Cilantro to taste
• Salt to taste (if needed - Cotija is salty)
• Olive oil drizzled over entire salad

Directions

1. Simply mix all the ingredients together and enjoy!

Crispy Patty Pan Squash

Crispy Patty Pan Squash is an funny looking squash – round and shallow with scalloped edges. Some think it looks like a flying saucer. The Patty pan comes in a variety of colors and at Rosedale, you’ll find white, yellow and green varietals. I first tried deep fried Pattypan squash in college – it was delicious but I’ve discovered a recipe that’s just as delicious and much healthier!

Ingredients

• 2 Rosedale Patty pan squash - any color
• 1 cup bread crumbs
• 3/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• ¼ cup yellow corn meal
• 1 T. fresh rosemary, chopped
• ½ T. salt
• ¼ T. pepper
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup milk

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425º
2. Slice squash, discarding end pieces
3. Mix together all dry ingredients in a flat dish and the eggs and milk in a bowl
4. Dip each piece into egg mixture first, coating both sides
5. Dip each piece into dry ingredients coating both sides 6.Bake for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway through

Rosedale Pesto Zuccini Noodles

Zucchini are low in calories and are a great source of vitamin A, C, and potassium and fiber. and they are definitely one of my favorite vegetables because they’re so versatile. You can slice ‘em thin, sprinkle on some parmesan cheese and bake them for a “zucchini parm chip” or you can slice them slightly thicker and add them to kabobs.

My favorite is to turn them into noodles- otherwise known as “zoodles”!

Ingredients:

• 2-3 medium Rosedale zucchini
• 1 cup Rosedale cherry tomatoes (any color)
• 3 Tablespoon pesto
• salt and pepper
• 1/2 cup pine nuts

Directions:

Use a spiralizer to transform zucchini into zoodles (You can pick one up on Amazon or any store that sells kitchen tools). Place the tomatoes and pine nuts onto a rimmed baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake at 400 degrees for 15- 20 minutes.

Gently cook the zucchini noodles in a non stick skillet for 4-5 min.

Combine the zucchini noodles and pesto, tossing until well coated. Top with tomatoes and pine nuts.

Rosedale Green Pea Hummus

This delicious and protein packed dip is quick and healthy and can be used as a spread for a sandwich or as a dip with Rosedale vegetables or healthy crackers.

This is definitely one of my favorite ways to Rosedale!

Ingredients

• 1 cup Rosedale Peas
• 1/4 Cup Cilantro
• 2 Tablespoons Tahini
• 2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice
• 1 Small Clove Minced Garlic
• Salt

Directions

Bring a small pot of salted water to a boil. Add peas; cook until tender (2 minutes) then drain.

Add all ingredients to a food processor and pulse until desired consistency.

Strawberry Spinach Salad

The Salad

• 10 Rosedale strawberries – sliced thin
• 2 cups fresh spinach – roughly cut
• 1/2 small avocado – cubed
• 1/4 cup red onion – sliced thin or chopped

Instructions:

Divide spinach onto 2 plates, top with other ingredients and enjoy!

The Dressing

• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 Tbsp dijon mustard
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

In a small blender – combine all ingredients. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.