Paradise, as defined by Merriam Webster, has the following meanings; 1. A very beautiful, pleasant, or peaceful place that seems to be perfect; 2. A place that is perfect for a particular activity or for a person who enjoys that activity; 3. A state of complete happiness. With its gorgeous panoramic views, huge expanse of sky, and the beauty and serenity that abounds we truly felt we had found “Paradise” when we came upon this 160 acre property in 2002.
Our goal, when starting this farm, was to use this beautiful setting to humanely and naturally raise animals. In addition we wanted to grow fruits, berries, and Christmas Trees.To that end we began clearing our hill which opened up the panoramic views of Merrimack Vally and surrounding hills including Joe Englsh which was once used for target practice during a war.
We proceeded to plant 500 blueberry bushes, 1200 Christmas trees, and worked the apple orchard already in place. We organically grow all our berries, but found the need to use the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) process to grow the other fruit allowing us to eliminate all but the absolutely necessary spraying of insecticides thereby using far less than the average orchard. Over the years we’ve added a variety of apple trees, pears, plums, peaches, table grapes, raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries. We officially opened our PYO apple business in 2008 and still operate this on weekends in the fall.
We began our journey into raising animals with Nubian goats, a loving breed whose milk has the highest quality buttermilk fat and is the best tasting. We then decided to raise free range chickens for their eggs and recently expanded into raising heritage breed all natural roaster chickens and duck. Noticing a need for humanely raised, all-natural, grass-fed meat we opened up pastures and grazing areas in order to raise Scottish Highlands. They are very hardy and produce a high quality beef. Incidentally they are the oldest breed of cow on earth. Our customers wanted lamb so we further expanded to add Romney sheep to our farm. In addition to their tasty meat they are known for their beautiful fleece from which lovely yarn is made. We sell all-natural non-dyed skeins of this yarn and sheep pelts. Finally, we added Heritage Breed pigs to meet a pork need. We raise Tamworths and Old Spots. We believe in the slow growth method allowing the animals to live and grow longer before their meat is ready. This adds wonderful taste to the meat. At present we have 20 goats, 100 chickens, 24 cows, 24 sheep, and 7 pigs with more babies on the way.
Comments
Our farm is filled with joy and we welcome people to come and look around and experience this unique place. Here’s what some of our visitors say:
“We just arrived back at home after a great trip from Athol MA to Paradise Farm and back. Our apples our delicious, our steaks are thawing, and our little one has already broken into the honey. You guys have created such a family friendly, quiet, quintessential New England harvest experience, we’d drive twice the hour and 20 minutes to experience it. We will send some great pictures of the Orchard your way in the next week. Thank you again and keep up the great work.”
Sincerely,
The Kelleys, Athol MA
“Thanks Wayne & Adrian for the great apple picking experience this weekend! My family had a wonderful time, the farm is beautiful and the view is breathtaking!
Thanks also for the box of apple drops, in the process of making sauce/jelly now and I will be sure to share with you once I get a big batch done. :)”
See you soon!
—Juli
“We stopped by, I think on 07 September, by chance after seeing road signs. You were on your tractor and the store was closed. It was me, my wife and brother. You were very kind to open the store and sell us some apples and some cider. I just want to thank you for your hospitality to us. I was visiting my brother who lives in Mass. We live in South Carolina. The apples were ‘great’ and the cider as well. Your place is beautiful and we really hope to get back your way again. I am heading back to Afghanistan soon, but letting you know how satisfying it is to meet really nice people as yourself and makes me feel good about wearing the uniform and being an American. God Bless.”
Gary S. Heinly
Chief Warrant Officer 2
SC JOC OPS
“Well, I need to praise you and curse you. 🙂 The meat is so wonderful that my boys now want “farm burgers” every meal… Which would be fine except I didn’t buy that much on my first trip! Well, that and the fact that a little diet diversity is good…
So… I’m wondering if we could come by this Friday after school (4:30ish again) and pick up another round… Let me know at your convenience.
They also love their “goat soap” and they refuse to use anything else! That’s particularly funny to me – boys that want to wash up…
Have a great afternoon!”
—Leslie
About Lyndeborough, New Hampshire
This territory was first settled in 1735 as Salem-Canada by descendents of soldiers from Salem, Massachusetts, who had fought in New England’s first war with Canada in 1690. When the new provincial government in New Hampshire came into being in 1763, a portion of Salem-Canada was regranted to Benjamin Lynde. The town was incorporated as Lyndeborough in 1764. Mr. Lynde was a Harvard classmate of Theodore Atkinson, president of the New Hampshire Governor’s Council. He later became chief justice of Massachusetts and presided over the trial involving the Boston Massacre. In the latter part of the 1800s, Lyndeborough was known as a glass-making center.