Davoren Farm: On A Mission to Feed People

By Amber Michelle

Farley and Davoren didn’t start out to be farmers. In fact, Farley is an artist and Davoren works in construction. They employ a full-time farmer to work the 8-acres of farm land they lease, of which six acres are used to grow produce.  During the summer they rely on additional college students and volunteers to keep up with all the work that comes with the busiest season. 

“Thirty years ago, my husband was interested in antique tractors,” recalls Farley. “That interest led him to cutting hay. Hay is good for restoring and refreshing the land and for feeding animals. Along the way we decided that as long as we were farming, we should feed people. We started by planting vegetables on other people’s land and then we decided to lease our own land.”

Located in Garrison, New York, Davoren Farm has been in its current location for about seven years. The farm is organic meaning that they use no pesticides or chemicals when they grow their produce. “We’re not ‘certified organic’, but we practice organic farming. What that means is that during the summer we are battling weeds. A lot of work on a farm is keeping the weeds down, so the crops can grow.” explains Farley. “Chemicals damage soil and farming is all about the soil. We want to feed the soil naturally, plow under what is left over from the crops and then plant a cover crop, which is good for soil. When the soil is healthy the plants are bigger and more flavorful.” Due to the amount of weeding and land maintenance on an organic farm, it takes more people to do the work. That, notes Farley, is why it is more expensive to purchase organic foods and it is also why fewer farmers opt to go organic. 

Prior to the pandemic, Davoren Farm was selling its produce to restaurants and through its pop-up farm stand. Then in 2020 when  restaurants were struggling and people were sheltering in place due to Covid-19, Farley and Davoren made a shift. “We were growing lots of food. Our friends and family were eating well, but food insecurity increased everywhere. We decided to donate to food pantries and restaurants,” says Farley. 

Davoren Farm connected with Fred’s Pantry when they found it online. Farley and Davoren also happened to be driving through Peekskill one day during Fred’s Pantry hours and they saw the line of people waiting for food. “We didn’t realize how many hungry people there are,” comments Farley, who contacted Fred’s Pantry and started donating produce. In addition, Davoren Farm donates the money generated from its farm stand to Fred’s Pantry and other organizations that feed people.

As a result, they got in touch with Arthur Holmes, Coordinator for Fred’s Pantry x CHHOP. “Arthur and CHHOP are very easy to work with, so we are able to do more,” says Farley “It’s a very well-organized place. Arthur knows so much about what his clientele likes and that helped us know what to bring when we had it, such as cilantro and collard greens.”

Both Farley and Davoren are passionate about bringing attention to farmers in America and their issues. “Farm workers are the true heroes,” comments Farley. “They work hard and the number of farms is dwindling. The amount of farm land is being reduced every year. Farm workers need to be paid more and they need to be given days off, health insurance and sanitary working conditions, just like everyone else.”

Davoren Farm grows a variety of produce including sunflowers and corn, both of which are sold at its pop-up farm stand that operates during the summer. They also grow Sakura cherry tomatoes, eggplant, Shishito peppers, peas, okra,  peppers , onions, sweet potatoes and various leafy greens. Farley relates that they like to try growing new species of crops each year. 

“The goal of our farm is to grow vegetables that are flavorful, organic, local and fresh. We donate our produce because hungry people should be able to eat fresh and wonderful food,” concludes Farley.