By: Allison Level, Master Gardener
Harrier Hill Farm is a small family-run business located in Wellington, CO. It is named for the harrier hawks you can see hanging in the air just a few feet above the landscape. Owner Debbie Sheaffer says, “The produce we sell is the same food we put on our own table. Our goal is to have fresh, healthy produce, so we do not use sprays on our vegetables.” The farm has a great variety of fresh vegetables and some fruits. This year they have summer squash, snow peas, spinach, lettuces, carrots, tomatoes, corn, green beans, beets and much more. Depending on the season, they may have plums, grapes, apples, gooseberries and currents.
It didn’t take the social media of Facebook to get started as a vendor at the market; it took the social connection of friends. They knew someone who had a booth at the market and their friends encouraged Harrier Hill to join in on the fun. Debbie and her husband regularly visited the market so it was a logical next step to share their produce as a vendor. When asked what she likes about the market Sheaffer answered, “I have enjoyed getting to meet new people in the community, reacquainting with old friends, plus getting ideas from others on gardening, canning, and recipes. The other vendors have been very friendly and supportive of the newbie.”
Next time you are at the market, stop by and say that you heard it through the grapevine…about their grapevines. They started a vineyard a couple of years ago. Later in the summer they hope to bring a few varieties of fresh grapes to the market. Debbie’s favorite is a Niagra grape that makes a beautiful golden jelly. She remarked, “While the jelly is cooking, it smells like honeysuckle – wonderful!” If you need grapes, greens, beans, or more… Harrier Hill will fit the bill.
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