Farmers
Justin Morace
Originally a city boy, Justin was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA where he studied and worked in print design and web development until 2009. Looking for a change, he decided to pursue his passion for draft horses. This brought Justin to Palmer, Massachusetts where he co-founded Blue Star Equiculture, a draft horse sanctuary and organic farm. Here, through years of training and caring for homeless drafts—Justin found his true calling… farming! While teaching courses in the art of draft-horsemanship at UMass Amherst, Justin met Nell. With her background in vegetable production, Nell and Justin have spent their years together teaching each other their trades… and finally, the fruits of their labor: Ironwood Farm!
Nell Finnigan
A native Mainer, Nell grew up in Eliot (she is aware this is dangerously close to Massachusetts). After trying her hand at a few different food-related disciplines, Nell graduated with a degree in Plant Soil and Insect Sciences in 2011. Certain she was destined for agricultural education, Nell found work at the Hartsbrook School in Hadley, MA teaching “Agricultural Arts”. Almost immediately, she realized that trying to impart the value of the agricultural life she’d never really lived rang a little hollow… she needed to get on a farm! Nell found Misty Brook Farm in their last year in Massachusetts. She and Justin climbed on board and moved to Albion! After three years at Misty Brook, Nell and Justin bought a farm, and POOF… Ironwood Farm is born.
Horsepower
Instead of tractors, our garden is powered by draft horses. From breaking ground, to cultivating to hauling the harvest, we turn to our equine partners in grime for their strength and grace. Ancient and sacred, we take great joy in the relationship between (wo)man and horse and appreciate their diligent work ethic! Their hooves are much gentler on the land, and their pace and strength is just right for the garden!
Billy
Bill is a big horse in a little horse body. He’s got the spirit, stamina, and appetite of a horse twice his size. Neck and neck with Rye for the horse who enjoys hard work most on the farm, he learns more and more about being a slow, steady farm horse everyday. With his little pink nose and big ol’ belly, Billy is in the running for the cutest horse ever… no really, he is.
Skip
Born with a mustache Justin can only aspire to, Skip really is the world’s most patient horse. Willing to fall asleep at the drop of a hat, this horse can stand still for an eternity. Unmatched at tedious tasks like cultivating teeny plants and running the transplanter, Skip really doesn’t like to do anything too hard (he and Nell get along really well). Skip loves his stall, eating and finding something he can itch his legs on.
Rye
Our Resident meathead! Rye is a big boy who loves heavy work. He endurance is unparalleled and he is never happier than when he is logging with Justin and his buddy Barley. While perfectly capable, he thinks light work like cultivating and transplanting is an insult to his skill set. Justin and Rye don’t see eye-to-eye on this issue.
Barley
Our rock. This horse will help us out, no matter the task! Unflappable, patient and superbly handsome—if you see a team in the field, Barley is probably in it. The only thing he seems to struggle with is weight of his lower lip (it is often drooping). King of the herd, Barley rules with a quiet grace… unless you cross him!