By Julia Howard
Amy Hoge cares deeply about living things, from the countless flowers and vegetables that she grows to the cats, chickens, and six dogs that live on her farm. “It gets noisy around here,” she laughs in response to the farm’s name. Bark Hill Farm, located in Hebron in Washington County, is one of the Saratoga Farmers’ Market’s newest vendors.
Seven years ago, Amy and her family purchased an 11-acre plot with an 1800s farmhouse that stands on the property. In 2020, Amy decided to shift from her career as a veterinary technician to pursue farming full-time.
“The decision to start Bark Hill Farm felt right for my family and me as we pivoted through 2020,” Amy says. “It was time to pursue my passion for growing flowers and vegetables and making them available to the community.”
Amy grows approximately forty varieties of seasonal vegetables and several types of flowers on three-quarters of an acre. The rest of the property is pasture and woodland that she utilizes for grazing laying hens and hay production.
“I believe that locally-grown, nutritious food is something that our community deserves access to. The same can be said about our flowers; I love seeing the joy they bring to people, and I feel good knowing that our growing methods are good for the environment.” Amy explains.
Bark Hill Farm is Certified Naturally Grown, meaning there is no use of synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, or GMOs.
As a female business owner in agriculture, Amy takes each day with its blessings and challenges. “I love offering new products as the weeks change, and I love the community aspect of growing for local markets and getting to talk directly with customers,” Amy says. “It’s also challenging to grow as a business without outgrowing what I can handle.”
You can find Bark Hill Farm at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market on Wednesdays from 3-6 pm at High Rock Park and the Spa City Farmers’ Market on Sundays. Seasonal varieties of produce and flowers are available at Bark Hill’s farmstand, open seven days a week at 2079 County Rt 47, Hebron, and through the farm’s CSA, available at www.barkhillfarm.com.
This week’s recipe: Roasted Root Vegetable
The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Wednesdays from 3 to 6 p.m. This Saturday is the final market at the Wilton Mall for the season. Markets will return to High Rock Park on Wednesday, June 1. Find us online at saratogafarmersmarket.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
