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Leah Hennessey

New farmer brings the ‘moxie’ to her work

November 9, 2017 By marketeditor

By Himanee Gupta-Carlson

 

Photo courtesy of Pattie Garrett

Leah Hennessy decided to become a farmer on the day she had her first affectionate encounter with a goat.

Now the owner of Moxie Ridge Farm & Creamery, one of the Saratoga Farmers’ Market’s newer vendors, Hennessy recalls that she was on a business trip as a wine consultant in Provence, France. She had asked if she could visit a fromagerie, or cheese shop. A day with a regional cheesemaker was arranged.

At the end of the day, the cheesemaker took her to the barn to meet the goats. As the animals excitedly approached the equally excited American visitor, the cheesemaker murmured in French to a translator accompanying Hennessy. Hennessy caught the word “bisou.”

 

“I know what that means,” she exclaimed. “It means kisses.”

“That’s right,” replied the cheesemaker via the translator. “They like kisses.”

A yearling goat poked her nose through a fence, and Hennessy bent down.

She was hooked.

Hennessy had worked and lived in Hollywood for eight years. She packed up that life and returned to Albany where she grew up. She poured her savings into farmer-training seminars and courses and schooled herself in goat rearing, herd management, cheese-making, and sustainable agriculture while working at area farms.

In late 2016, through a partnership with Dirt Capital, and assistance from such organizations as American Farmland Trust, the Hudson Valley Agribusiness Development Corp., FARMroots, and the Agricultural Stewardship Association, she acquired the farm formerly operated by Longview Farm owners Dave and Liza Porter.

Cannonball Cheese by Moxie Ridge Farm

In her first year, Hennessy has brought French and other European inspired cheeses to market. She also offers chicken and goose eggs, poultry, goat milk and yogurt, and pork.

The ridge in the farm name reflects the area topography. Moxie reflects Hennessy herself – a tough woman determined to persist. She uses minimal machinery, relies on animals for land maintenance, and loves each and every animal under her stewardship passionately.

“All my life I’ve looked for something that would be meaningful to me and give me complete fulfillment,” says Hennessy, at her farm. “I’ve found it here.”

 

 

As if in agreement, chickens squawk, goats bleat, and a gaggle of geese parade between the farm entrance and her front steps.

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays at the Lincoln Baths Building in the Saratoga Spa State Park. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

 

Filed Under: Featured Article, News Tagged With: artisan cheese, cheese, chicken, farming, fulfillment, geese, goat, goat products, Leah Hennessey, Moxie Ridge Farm, new farmer, pork, Saratoga Farmers' Market

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A wonderful sunny market day! We have plenty of p A wonderful sunny market day!

We have plenty of produce in season, with tomatoes being the star of the show 🍅✨ With dozens of different varieties from our vendors, you’ll find plenty to make shakshuka (recipe on our website from last week!), sandwiches, soups, and more 🙂 

Corn and zucchini are also in season, perfect for a summer salad 🌽🥗

We hope to see you at High Rock Park today from 9-1!
It’s National Farmers’ market week! Stop by an It’s National Farmers’ market week! Stop by and celebrate with us tomorrow from 9-1 at High Rock Park! We will be joined by Saratoga’s Office for the Aging, CDPHP Comfort Food Community, Bicycle Benefits, the Academy for Life Long Learning and CCE Master Gardener! Tomorrows musicians are the Acorns and Running the River 🎉 Hope to see you there!

#saratogafarmersmarket #shopsmall #farmtotable #summer #agriculture #tomatoes #sweetcorn #saratogasprings #farmersmarket
Join us for POP Kids’ Club week 6! 4-H Robotics Join us for POP Kids’ Club week 6!

4-H Robotics Group will be bringing plenty of robots for kids to watch, play with, and even operate 🤖 Along with a larger robot that can be driven around!

We’ll also have supplies out for kids to construct their own designs with some produce and toothpicks 🍎🥦🛠

We hope to see you at High Rock Park tomorrow, Wednesday 8/3, any time between 3-6pm!
🫐🫐🫐 There are so many great vendors and p 🫐🫐🫐
There are so many great vendors and products here today for our Blueberry Festival!

We have…
Blueberry Lime jam from Kokinda Farm
Blueberry Lavender Lemonade from Slate Valley Farm
Blueberry hand pies from Nightwork Bread
Blueberry “woofles” from Mugsy’s Barkery
Adirondack Jill PB (with blueberries!) from Saratoga Peanut Butter Co.
Blueberry stickers
Fun crafts
And more!

We hope to see you today at High Rock, we’ll be here until 1! ☀️

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    • Featured Article
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