For many reasons, small scale farmers are some of the best conservationists. They are truly in touch with nature: they know the weather, they know the soil, they are well versed in all the elements that make their crops flourish.

The Westerly Land Trust is proud to provide open green space for local farmers to grow and flourish. Barlow Nature Preserve is home to two female owned and operated organic farms, Echo Rock Flowers and Frontier Farm.

Echo Rock Flowers

Stephanie Bennett is the proud owner and operator of Echo Rock Flowers in Westerly, RI. She has been growing specialty cut flowers for retail markets since 2019 and works hard to offer fresh, unique and sustainably-grown local flowers to her customers. Her operation began in the garden at the Barlow Nature Preserve and she has since expanded to a plot in the field, and more recently has taken over the ‘big red tunnel’ up on the hill. 

Her operation is seasonal, running primarily from April until October. She offers bouquet subscriptions (Spring, Summer, and Dahlia) that sell out every year with people on the waitlist! Join Stephanie amongst the flower fields at one of her Date Night Picnics or Floral Design Workshops. You can also find her whimsical farm bouquets at Sandy’s Fine Food Emporium and William Wright & Co.  Follow along on Instagram @echo_rock_flowers or visit her website at www.echorockflowers.com 

Frontier Farm

Cassidy Whipple owns and operates Frontier Farm, a 2.5 acre diversified vegetable and herb farm. Environmental stewardship, soil health, food accessibility, and community are Cassidy’s top priorities. Her vegetables and herbs are grown sustainably without synthetic chemicals or fertilizers, and 100% of the farm’s electricity consumption is offset by solar power. The farm utilizes a science-based regenerative approach and no-till methods whenever possible, focusing on soil health as the foundation for plant health. 

Frontier Farm operates seasonally, selling produce through a CSA program and at local farmers’ markets. Keep an eye out for their seedlings at the Wilcox Park Garden Market Fair in May! You can find more information and stay up to date by visiting their website at www.frontierfarmri.com or follow along on Instagram @frontierfarmri  

Drop Off Your Food Scraps

WLT has become a drop off site for Clew Compost, a micro-community composter based in Pawtucket, CT.

Please feel free to drop off household compost in the bright green bin at the Barlow Farm Stand (449 Westerly-Bradford Road). We ask that you ensure the lid is securely closed when you leave and that if the bin is full, you come back next time.  

Learn more about Clew Compost and the services they offer at clewcompost.com 

Want even more sustainable, local agriculture?

Watch Keepers of the Land, a short film produced by the Westerly Land Trust and Frame + Focus Media highlighting the important intersection of land conservation and sustainable agriculture.