Horton’s Produce all in the family
The land on Timber Hill around Bluejacket has been feeding Robert Chism Horton’s family for generations.
It’s where his family farm, Horton Produce and Pumpkin Patch, is located and it’s where he and his father grow the produce that is now sold in a small shop building, at local Farmers Markets, and, when the restaurant opens, to Piguet’s Prime Time.
“My family started farming in 1887. We were the first to start a produce farm there,” Chism said. “My Great-Great Grandpa Phil Horton who was also known as the ‘Sage of Timber Hill’ started growing produce in the area when he came down from Indiana. He grew grapes, apples, peaches, strawberries, tomatoes and all other vegetables.
“Me and my dad Russell are 4th and 5th generation to continue with growing produce,” he said.
The farm was first intended to feed the family, which was common at that time. It was Chism’s great-grandfather who made it a commercial venture and it was his grandfather who was the first person who had a “day job” in addition to the farming duties. Chism is a Range Conservationist at USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, where he’s worked for 10 years.
The family purchased a shop building in January, out of which they sell available produce and vegetable plants for others to build their own gardens. Their popular produce, depending on the season, includes strawberries, sweet corn, various melons, tomatoes, and pumpkins. They also produce mums, which are popular all over the region including local school fundraisers.
While the “Farm to Fork” concept has been a way of life in his family for more than a century, Chism agrees it’s becoming popular again, especially after COVID-19.
“We end up eating a lot of vegetables and about everything we grow,” he said. “We freeze or can a lot of stuff.”
Chism said that before COVID, they would have a lot of leftovers to freeze or sell but now, it’s almost like they don’t have enough to sell at the local farmer’s market each week because the idea of locally grown, fresh food is so popular.
Local folks have also started wanting to do their own canning and freezing, which makes buying and growing local produce even more attractive, he said.
We love having the Horton family as part of our Farmers Market and can’t wait to serve you their strawberries and other produce in our restaurant!
