By Anne Mazar
During the industrial revolution of the 1800s, Mendon was the “bread basket” for the surrounding towns that used the rivers to power their manufacturing. Today, that tradition continues and with summer almost here, Mendon farms are growing and selling local produce, dairy products, eggs, flowers, garden plants and more.
There are many advantages to buying locally. Garden-fresh produce offers multiple health benefits. Supporting farms by buying their products can help to conserve the farmland that enhances the historical rural charm of the Mendon landscape. It’s good for the local economy. Eliminating the shipping helps to reduce fossil fuel use. Many of the farms use regenerative practices and no (or limited) pesticides; visit their websites to find out more. Meeting and supporting your farm neighbors also builds community.
You might be surprised by how much you can buy right in Mendon!
Below is an alphabetical listing of farms in Mendon, with the exception of the Daniels Farmstead Farmers Market, which is right over the Mendon border in Blackstone.
If you plan to sign up for a CSA share (Community Supported Agriculture), do so ASAP, before they run out of openings.
Besides the farms listed here, keep your eyes open for the many roadside stands that sell produce, flowers, eggs, maple syrup and other products.
On June 14 from 12-5 p.m., Vandervalk Farm & Winery will be hosting a Farmer Showcase where you can meet the local farmers and see their products in a festive atmosphere with food trucks and drinks.
If any are farms missing, please let us know! Contact us at Mendon Commons.
Backyard Fleurista
Products: Flowers and arrangements
Hours: By appointment or at pop-up events
Email: backyardfleurista@gmail.com
Website/info: BackyardFleurista
Owner/Manager: Monica Jacques
Cedar Hill Farm
43 Quissett Road
Products: Beef packaged and whole steers available for purchase. Split a cow with your neighbors or go in on a quarter with four people to save on beef by the pound if you have freezer space.
Hours: Sundays 9 a.m.-1 p.m. or by appointment
Telephone: (508) 400-0720
Website/info: Cedar Hill Farm
Owners/Managers: Mark and Michelle Manoogian
Daniels Farmstead Farmers Market
286 Mendon Street, Blackstone
Products: A variety of produce, handicrafts and more from local vendors
Hours: Sundays 11 a.m.-2 p.m., July through first Sunday in October
Email: info@danielsfarmstead.org
Website/info: Daniels Farmstead
Events: Check website for special events, such as local music, food and cultural events at the scenic 1750 historic farmstead
Owners/Managers: It is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit and has a board of trustees
Greener Acres Farms
51 Pleasant Street, Mendon
Products: Licensed and state inspected raw milk, dairy products, pasture-raised beef, eggs, honey, ice cream, maple syrup and other local items
Hours: Every day except Tuesdays and Thursdays 9 a.m.-6 p.m. (self-serve with cash or Venmo)
Telephone: (508) 328-0494
Email: greeneracresfarms@gmail.com
Website/info/info: Greener Acres
Owners/Managers: Peter Hawkes and Erin Hawkes
Imperial Gas and Country Store
1 Millville Street, Mendon
Products: While not a farm, it offers several local farm products from eggs to pumpkins (seasonal) to maple syrup and honey to flower bouquets (seasonal)
Hours: See website
Telephone: (508) 634-6205
Website/info: Country Store
Maple Farm Dairy
Products delivered to your door
Products: Milk delivered in glass bottles, a variety of other dairy items andother products (text at the number below to get a list of current items)
Telephone: (508) 478-6455
Website/info: Maple Farm Dairy (website may be out of date, but gives an idea of products offered)
Owner/Manager: Brian Gay
Mendon Farm
45 North Avenue, Mendon
Products: Duck/chicken eggs, vegetables, fruit, honey, soap and other items
Hours: Sells at Daniels Farmstead Farmers Market and see website
Telephone: (508) 653-6451
Email: mendonmassfarm1@gmail.com
Website/info: Mendon Farm
Events: See website
Owner/Manager: Annie Parnas
Peregrine Gardens
North Avenue, Mendon
Products: Vegetables and other homegrown produce
Farmstand Hours: July 4th through fall, Tuesdays and Saturdays 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Website/info: Peregrine Gardens
Owner/Manager: Dennis Shaheen – family-run local farm
Quissett Hill Farm
58 Quissett Road, Mendon
Products: They raise alpacas for their luxurious fiber, selling socks to hats made of alpaca fibers, tap trees for maple syrup and other products, pumpkins and can make customized gift baskets
Hours: Online shopping, by appointment or special events
Email: ji@quissetthillfarm.com
Website/info: https://quissetthillfarm.com/
Events: Check website for special events, such as experiencing alpacas up close, farm tours and shopping for their products
Owners/Managers: John Gomersall and Ivy Iacoi
Rebel Flower Farm
Products: Seasonal flowers, winter tulips and bouquets
Hours: Through pop-up events at local stores, check website for future farmstand details
Email: rebelflowerfarm@gmail.com
Website/info: Rebel Flower Farm
Events: See website
Owner/Manager: Keleigh Aten
The Hosta Farm of Mendon
52 Bates Street, Mendon
Products: Many varieties of hosta, waterlilies, lotus and other aquatic plants, trees, shrubs, perennials, and native plants (wholesale, but open to the public on certain days)
Hours: Open to the public on May 16 and 23, 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. (see the website for more open-to-the public dates)
Telephone: (508) 634-1914
Email: hosta_farm@yahoo.com
Website/info: Hosta Farm
Events: See website for events, such as Garden Walk with a Pro Tour and Job Shadow Tour
Owners/Managers: Rip and Ginger Sokol
Three Little Wrens Flower Farm
13 Leonard Road, Mendon
Products: Licensed and insured residential kitchen offering jams, jellies, several types of syrup, honey, and baked goods and flower CSA shares — spring, summer and fall, and flowers by the stem when in season at the stand; blueberry bushes (first come, first served); Christmas trees and holiday decorations
Hours: Every day spring through fall 9 a.m.-7 p.m. at the farm (self-serve) and online
Events: Check website to book online for special events, such as arts and agriculture events, wool felting classes, paint and sips, flower arranging workshops, cow cuddles and farm photography rentals at the scenic farm
Telephone: (774) 551-6540
Email: threelittlewrensfarm@gmail.com
Website/info: ThreeLittleWrensFarm
Owner/Manager: Kristina Wante
Tillfree Farm
6 Cemetery Street, Mendon
Products: It is not too late to sign up for their CSA. CSAs will offer weekly vegetables in season, such as spring greens, head lettuce, arugula, spinach, root veggies, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and sweet corn. They also offer eggs from their free-range chickens. The farm is built around regenerative, no-till practices. See website for CSA signup.
Telephone: (774) 287-4760
Email: tillfreefarm@gmail.com
Website/info:Tillfree Farm
Owners/Managers: David Stewart Jr. and Hope Tetreault
Vandervalk Farm
45 Lovell Street, Mendon
Products: Wine, blueberries, Christmas trees and other items
Hours: Winery, Fridays 2 p.m.- 9 p.m. and Sundays 12-5 p.m., pick your own blueberries, July (see website), and Christmas Trees (see website)
Telephone: (508) 478 9463
Email: vandervalkfarmwinery@gmail.com
Website/info: Vandervalk Farm
Events: Check website for special events, such as the Blueberry and Cranberry Festival, Full Moon Fridays, live music, food trucks, wine, beer, and the Farmer Showcase
Owners/Managers: Casey & Sue Vandervalk (owners), Lisa Vandervalk (wine), and Mary Anne and Chris Moran (Christmas trees)
Photo top of page: Dairy cows graze at Greener Acre Farms (Anne Mazar)
