by Shane Smith, Outreach Coordinator
The Agape Homestead
story is literally one of a Phoenix rising from the ashes. Burnt to the ground in October of 2010 the
Straughan family has rebuilt the farm on an adjacent property in Center
Ossippee. Fortunately, no one was hurt
in the fire but the Straughans lost everything including most of their animals, cheese
store, processing area, delivery vehicle, and home-school curriculum. Due to a series of fortunate events and the help of the community, a few months after the fire the Straughans
were back to milking 28 goats including six that survived the fire. Today the farm is thriving complete with a
new barn, processing area, and a farm store which features not only their products but products from other local
farms and local craftspeople as well. 
In their local community, the
Straughans are known for their goats and their commitment to feeding the poor
through the Agape Ministry Food Pantry.
On the day of our visit there was a bustle of activity as a commercial kitchen is on the verge of being completed so that the farm
can begin to can, preserve, freeze and process their own produce and to rent out
the space to others to use as well.
The Co-op carries a variety of soft
goat cheeses from Agape Homestead.
No comments:
Post a Comment