Highlighting Schartner Farm

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Continuing the Bolton Economic Development Committee’s series on highlighting local farms and promoting our “Backyard Bolton” market being held on the Town Common several Saturday’s during August & September, I recently sat down with Eric & Kristen Schartner of Schartner Farms located on West Berlin Road in Bolton.

The farm was started in the late 1800’s by Eric’s great grandfather & grandmother, Julius & Marie who settled in Bolton after moving here from Austria.  In 1902 Eric’s grandfather Henry took over the farm and changed the name to “Schartner Farm”.  Eric’s uncle Herb took over and transitioned the farm from a dairy business to a fruit & vegetable farm.  Eric’s father and mother, Robert and Sandee, ran the farm from the early 1990’s until Robert passed away.  Eric & Kristen took over the farm in 2009 and live on the property in the original farmhouse, which was built in 1773.  They have a total of 100+ acres which includes woodlands,ponds,animal pastures, apple & peach orchards, pumpkin patch, and extensive corn maze that Eric and his brother started in 2010.  It’s hard work keeping up the farm and starts with pruning the trees in January, spraying in April, and the busy fall season ending the last weekend in October. Family members help out at the farm stand, including Eric’s mom and their 2 children, Julia and Jack.

In addition to apple and pumpkin picking,hay rides, and the corn maze in the fall season, Schartner Farms hosts many other events throughout the year including the Bolton 5K on October 6th, Taste of the Maze on October 27-28th, Evening Maze for the Berlin Memorial School Fundraiser, Private Corporate Functions, and Team Building Events for Sales Groups.

In 2014, Farm & Ranch Magazine nominated Schartner Farm as “Best Farm of the Year”!

Kristen will be at the “Backyard Bolton” market selling the excess bounty from her home garden as well as hand painted signs that she makes and sells in the farm store.

Newgrange Farm: Highlighting Small Farms in Bolton

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In the weeks leading up to Backyard Bolton on the Bolton Town Common, the Economic Development Committee wants to highlight some of our local small farms who will be attending the market.

I recently sat down with Conor and Annemarie Nagle and their children who own Newgrange Farm located on Green Road. The farm is named after an ancient tomb in Ireland, from where the family is originally from.

Prior to moving to Bolton, Conor & Annemarie lived in Acton,MA. They wanted to get a dog but decided to get goats instead. Since buying the farm in Bolton the herd has grown and they now raise dairy and market goats, chickens and bees.

Newgrange Farms sell the eggs at their farm stand on Green Road for $4 a dozen.  With the goat milk, they produce all natural goat milk soap which they package and sell at Bolton Orchards, Pole Hill Provisions, & Harvard Alpaca Ranch.  They also do custom order soap for events such as weddings and baby showers.

Newgrange Farms will be selling their eggs and soaps at the Backyard Bolton market. Stop by to say hello and check out the soap and eggs they offer!  There may even be some baby goats on show!

The Bolton Economic Development Committee is excited to be hosting “Backyard Bolton”, a community Market held on the Town Common on August 25th, September 8th, and September 22nd, which will help to promote our small farms, back yard growers, and small batch products produced in town.  Crafters and makers of in home produced items such as jam’s, soaps, eggs, honey, etc… are welcome.  Our hope is that this will be a great opportunity for us to come together as a community and help small farms and in home businesses which are the backbone of Bolton and deserve our support.