What is the value in living a life if the life is not truly lived to the fullest? How do we find purpose and fulfillment? What can we do that can make an impact on the world, or at least a little portion of it? Why did we choose a path that little think to venture down? How can we give back to the Earth for all she provides and protect her for the future? 

The Farm Story

The farm on Northford Road in Wallingford, Connecticut has been in the Cooke family since the mid 1700's. Up until the 1990's it operated as a dairy farm and at its peak operated over 1000 acres of land and 400 head of Holstein milkers, dry cows, heifers, calves, and one or two bulls. These days the farm has retained 100 acres and runs a hay operation as well as leases 8 acres and two buildings to Muddy Roots Farm.
Currently, Muddy Roots Farm leases 7 acres for animal production and an acre for vegetable production. The poultry operation is run on 4 acres of pasture and raise pigs on two to three acres of a mix of pasture and forest. Their crop enterprise currently consists of a a half to 3/4 acres of high tunnel crops and outdoor production combined. All crops are free of genetic engineering and manipulation.
Bringing nutrient dense and safe food to the community has always been a top priority. Special care and focus are given to maintaining the land and protecting and providing for the flora and fauna on the farm.
Muddy Roots Farm cannot claim to be the government owned word “organic” as choices were made to not pay into a system such as is required to use the title, but practicing as organically and naturally as possible has been the mission from the beginning; Trust, integrity, and honesty gives meaning and understanding to consumers.

Meet Your Farmers

CHRIS WELLINGTON

A Veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Chris grew up playing in 400 acres of town-owned land in Salem, CT. He was up at 4am milking cows for a local dairy farmer after graduating High School. After leaving the Corps in 2007, Chris landscaped before heading to Maine in 2008 to work in Ski Patrol at Sunday River. He returned in the Spring and apprenticed as a farrier (horseshoer) before migrating into stone masonry. In 2010-2011 he worked as a private security contractor in Baghdad and finally ended up back home to attend school.
His interest in farming began in 2015 as his growing interest and immersion in the benefits of homegrown food expanded along with the desire to minimize his carbon footprint. 
Chris is the handyman of the farm and it shows in the careful construction of the "chicken tractors" and reconstruction of the bull-barn turned brood-house. Chris attends many seminars and workshops for Veteran Farmers to expand his knowledge of all things farming and network with other like-minded folks.
Chris is in control of processing the poultry and heading the building and maintenance of infrastructure on the farm. He also works closely with local chefs from various restaurants to supply them with crops grown on the farm.

KIRSTEN MARRA

Kirsten grew up on the former Co-Ag/Cooke Farm, the land which Muddy Roots Farm currently leases. Her grandfather and great-great-grandfather were dairy farmers, but even with agriculture in her blood, it wasn't until post-college that she took an interest in farming after continuous visits with her Aunt in Vermont who practices self-sufficiency and neighborly bartering. This lifestyle was intriguing and she was awed with the amount of harvest that could come from a small area and the friendly neighbors who would trade raw milk or honey, for chicken and vegetables.
With this newfound interest in the self-sustainable lifestyle she began with a 12x20 vegetable plot in 2007 growing tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, and squash. Incentivized by the success in feeding her family, that plot expanded year after year. Trial and error was a good teacher and the internet had plenty of resources. As time went on, the interest in crops remained and a new interest came to light in the preservation of native pollinators and learning to attract beneficial insects to the garden to do their part in the management of pest species, as well as utilizing natural control methods to combat disease, and also practicing soil regeneration by use of natural resources.
Kirsten's focus is on crop production and poultry/livestock management. She handles most customer interactions and marketing of the farm products.