Eldredge Farm is dedicated to building a profitable and sustainable biodynamic agricultural system which includes the soil, plants, animals and humans and provides for our customers exceptional products and services.
Eldredge Farm & Nursery, which comprises approximately 17 acres at 24 Eldredge Farm Cartway in the town of Brewster (and Harwich), is an agricultural producer directly engaged in the production of agricultural products, including crops; livestock; forestry products; horticultural stock (greenhouse and potted plants); compost production; and upland and wetland habitat protection. This property, formerly known as Red Gate Farm has for generations farmed cranberries, blueberries and vegetables for the local community.
Eldredge Nursery is in its’ fourth year of horticultural operation. In our four nursery greenhouses we grow many varieties of perennials, as well as ornamental grasses (1-5 gallon), hydrangeas, shrubs, and trees. Our tree selection includes Mimosa (3’tall), Leyland’s (3-4’, 4-5’ and 6-7’), and Kousa Dogwood, with more to chose from. These products are marketed wholesale to local nurseries and garden clubs. We also retail to the general public at farmers markets throughout the Cape.
Eldredge Farm Community Supported Agricultural program is a local producer of vegetables and salad field greens and serves both the consumer market, as well as local restaurants. Our desire is to produce the healthiest, most nutritious food that we can so you can feel good about eating it and feeding it to your family. The vegetables have been well received, and marketing is now critical to its continued success and future profitability. (Read the University Of Massachusetts overview of a CSA.)
The farm and nursery compost area provides for the environmentally friendly disposal for waste items reducing the impact on landfills and producing something that is valuable to our needs. Our compost provides us with enhanced soil productivity and soil health that engender increased agricultural productivity, improved soil biodiversity, reduced ecological risk and a better environment. Most commonly used in the compost area are fall leaves, lawn clippings and animal manure.
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The Barnyard
Free Range Turkeys
Our turkeys are allowed to roam freely over our farm scratching, flying and eating grass and bugs along with an all natural antibiotic free food. Free ranging keeps these birds lean and their evening grains give them a deep and rich taste. Prices are $5.50 /pound with birds ranging from 8-40 lbs.
 | Broad Breasted Bronze Beautiful to behold, these stately lords of the barnyard must be seen to be appreciated. The metallic sheen of the feathers changes from copper to bronze to burnished gold as the light moves across them. Four feet in length, six feet from wing tip to wing tip, a full grown tom will weigh in at about 38 pounds. Hens easily go 22 pounds. No wonder the Pilgrims gave thanks for the wild ancestors of these present-day beauties. |
 | Blue Slate Originating in Mexico 2000 years ago, Blue Slates were taken to Europe and then brought to the American Colonies. They were recognized as a standard breed in the U.S. in 1874. They come in three color phases: solid black, solid blue and blue flecked with black spots. Many times the birds are a combination of each phase coloring. These beautiful birds are of medium size and quite rare. |
 | Bourbon Red Turkey Many people feel that this turkey is one of the most beautiful of all turkey varieties. It has a very dark, rich, chestnut color that is edged in black on many of the feathers. The wing tips and the back one half of the tail are white giving it a very striking appearance. It will not grow as large or as fast as the bronze or white turkeys but is good to eat and will be a wonderful addition to the farm. |
 | Royal Palm Turkey A remarkably attractive bird, the Royal Palm displays some of the nicest colors of all turkey varieties. These birds are quite small compared to other turkeys. Mature toms weigh 15-20 pounds and hens are considerably lighter at 10-12 pounds. They are striking in appearance. These beautiful birds have a white base color and most feathers are banded with a bright metallic black color. The contrast of this black/white combination is truly radiant. The Royal Palm is not a common variety and therefore we have a limited supply. |
 | GeeseBuff Geese Buff geese, unlike other geese, are very calm and have a wonderful disposition. They are very light buff color sometimes described as being fawn. They have origins in the United States which is unusual as most geese come from outside the US. Young geese ( up to one year old) will weight between 12 and 16 pounds and older geese several pounds heavier. |
Our free-range chickens range outdoors in the barnyard area and woodlands. They do what all chickens do naturally: eat bugs, greens, and whatever leftovers they can scrounge or scratch up. The nutritional value of free-range eggs makes this a worthwhile endeavor for the farmer wanting to produce higher quality eggs for a healthier diet. Recently,Mother Earth News did an egg study comparing free-range eggs to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) nutrient data for commercial eggs. The findings showed that free-range chicken eggs produced the following results: Besides the obvious nutritional benefits, free-range eggs simply taste better! |  Buff Orpington hens roosting in a mimosa tree. |
Orpington History
The black Orpington was created and introduced in 1886 by William Cook. This new hybrid bird was then named after William\'s residence in Kent. To create the black he crossed it with Minorcas, Plymouth Rock and Langshans. The White Orpington followed 3 years later and was a cross between a White Leghorn and a Black Hamburg and a White Dorking. This was not such a popular colour at the time. The Buff Orpington was introduced later as people wanted a buff coloured bird. The Queen Mother was apparently a keeper of this bird.
Behaviour
Orpingtons are birds which like to be free range. They have a very strong tendency to go broody and therefore make great mothers. Their eggs are small and pinkish. They are greedy birds and need exercise to keep fit. Their wingspan is short therefore they can be kept in areas with low fences.
 A White Cochin Rooster HistoryCochins originated from China in the early 1850s where it was known as the Shanghai or the Cochin-China. The original birds were received by Queen Victoria which led to great popularity for the breed. It was believed that the Chinese bred them with such profuse feathering for filling duvets. The Cochin has no sharp angles and is very rounded in appearance. They are the largest of the heavy breeds and cockerels can weigh in at 12lbs! They are broad birds too and this is enhanced by the enormous amount of feathers that they have. The plumage is soft with short broad feathers. BehaviourThe Cochins rounded appearance unfortunately affects its health as the birds tend to suffer from metabolism and heart problems which is compounded by their rather lazy lifestyle. They like to be kept on short grass and will not venture onto longer vegetation as this damages the feathers on their feet. |  Sultan Hen This breed is supposed to have lived in the Sultans castle gardens in what used to be called Constantinople and was originally known as Sultans Fowl. They are not good layers and tend to be kept for ornamental purposes because of their distinct appearance. The Sultans are small, fully feathered chickens. The neck has a very heavy plumage which gives the head a shortened appearance. The head has a muff, three clumps of feathers which form a beard and a very large, globular crest. In front of that is a V-shaped or horn comb which is hidden by the crest. They have 5 toes and their hocks are very well developed and are described as vulture hocks while the legs are heavily feathered. Sultans are best kept in small runs as they are rather poor foragers. Their crest feathers have a tendency to freeze when the temperatures drop below zero and they find it very hard to cope with poor weather. They are calm birds which are not known for aggression and can be handled easily so make excellent pets. |
We have added Indian Runner Ducks to the farm, not only for their beauty and usefullness but, for their eggs. Properly managed for egg production, good strains of Indian Runner ducks are prolific layers who commonly lay 200 or more eggs a year. The yoke is rich like eating cream and the white is fluffy in texture. A duck eggs's richness and deep orangy-yellow color make them perfect for lemon curd or custard or any baked good. The eggs are good for children who can't eat regular chicken eggs, because of allergies.
Indian Runners are hardy birds who are both very excitable and wonderfully social, with a strong urge to flock together. While excitable, they are timid but trainable. They are a naturally a high-strung breed. Indian Runner Ducks can be handled by people without problem, so they are often exhibited. They do particularly well if they are calmly socialized after hatching. However, they still remain easily excitable and are prone to panic if cornered. They can climb over a two to three foot enclosure for food or to flee something that scares them.
Runners are the most active foragers of all breeds. They range over a large area eating insects, snails, slugs, weeds, forbes, and other edibles.
Indian Runners have a long history as a domestic breed. Ancient Javan temple carvings depict images of Indian Runners. For example, temple carvings on the stones of the temple of Boeroe Boeddha, Java, (Indo China) carved 2000 years ago show Runner-type ducks.
Pork
If you'd like to enjoy
pork that tastes far better than the plastic-wrapped meat you buy in a
supermarket, Eldredge Farm sells pigs "on the hoof" and can raise for
you your own pig. The farm raises your pig and takes care of the
slaughter. The slaughter is done in the field by a professional - quick,
efficient, and humane. The difference between homestead pork and that from the
store is unbelievable. It is firmer, seems to be less salty, and is much leaner
and higher in Omega-3 fatty acids. Just one of the chunky critters can produce
a great deal of premium, low priced meat for a family.
A four- to eight-week-old piglet should weigh anywhere from 20 to 50
pounds and will, after five months, weigh
200 to 220 pounds. This will yield approximately 135 pounds of
"retail" meat products . . . consisting of roughly 24 pounds of ham,
20 pounds of bacon, 17 pounds of pork roast, 18 pounds of picnic shoulder, 7
pounds of pork chops, 8 pounds of sausage, 7 pounds of
"miscellaneous" cuts, 6 pounds of salt pork, and 31 pounds of lard.
(You may also want to utilize some of the "extra" pig parts in the
form of scrapple, sweetbreads, chitterlings, or "mountain oysters".)
We offer halves or whole processed pigs. You may customize your order to the cuts you want or order our standard package. Most pigs will weigh about 80 lbs for a half or 160 lbs for whole. Orders may be picked up at the farm.
