Preservation Orchard
Mt. Warner - Hadley, MA
Preservation Collaborative
Preservation Collaborative has grown in place organically, starting with founders Nicole Blum and Jonathan Carr’s goal of integrating synergistic agricultural practices into the varied orchard landscape of their farm. First joined by Rachel Haas and Matt Kaminsky of Meadowfed Lamb in 2018, rotationally grazed sheep and poultry were welcomed to add mowing and fertility with meat, egg, and fiber production. In 2021, Ava Blum-Carr and Joe Manning started Preservation Farm, a diverse no-till market garden producing organic vegetables and flowers on a rich bench of lowlands at the bottom of the hillside orchard.
Carr’s Ciderhouse
After buying the 40 acre orchard on Mt.Warner in 2003, we - Nicole and Jonathan - began the process of planting new apple orchard blocks with the intention of making hard cider. In 2012, Carr’s Ciderhouse Hard Cider was launched! Since those early days, our vision has grown to include a wide diversity of fruit and nut plantings to accompany our commitment to building a resilient farm with deep community in our valley.
Preservation Farm is run by Ava Blum-Carr (our daughter) & Joe Manning. They grow beautiful no-till organic vegetables and flowers for the farmstand, local farmer’s markets and small restaurants and grocers. Expect interesting varieties chosen for their flavor and beauty, with the highest standards in freshness and quality. Follow them on instagram @preservationorchard for captivating bug reports.
Meadowfed Lamb Silvopasture is the rotational grazing operation based at Preservation Orchard, co-owned and managed by Rachel Haas & Matt Kaminsky. Their herd of sheep and poultry flocks graze through the fruit and nut orchards in an intensive rotational system. The presence of grazing animals creates symbiosis for both the trees and animals. Grazing in orchards offers natural weed control, higher soil fertility, and reduced pest pressure for tree crops, while the dappled shade environment of the orchard keeps animals relaxed and sheltered from the elements. Meadowfed's products include 100% grass-fed lamb, organic pasture-raised chicken and eggs, woolen spun yarns, sheep's wool sponges, and more. Find their products for sale at the farmstand/cider garden and at several weekly farmers markets. More info about silvopasture and their operation at www.meadowfedlamb.com
What’s growing
Chestnuts
Two acres of thriving Chinese chestnuts for selling in fresh in the farmstand and for roasting at the cider Garden - the perfect cider snack.
Perry pears
Kieffer, Moonglow, and Ayers Sugar Pear are among the pears we grow for our traditional perry.
Hay
Inter-row haying is a valuable technique for orchard management and keeps our goat herd full all winter.
Cider Apples
We grow Golden Russet, Goldrush, Franklin, Virginia Crabapple, and a host of unusual cider apples for pressing into traditional natural hard ciders.
American Persimmons
Two acres of native persimmons will be yielding fruit for baking & vinegar making.
Berries
Canefruit, currants, aronia, and honeyberry are among the small fruit we grow to sell in the farmstand, and to add to shrubs, vinegars, & hard cider.
Heartnuts & hazelnuts
Resilient nut crops that thrive in our region include hazels and heartnuts (a Japanese Walnut variety). As our new plantings mature, we will be selling them in the farmstand for fresh eating
Cider Press
We still use the traditional elm press racks on our 125 year old Mt.Gilead oak frame cider press. This beautifully built machine can press up to 800 gallons in a day's work.