Annie-Farell-Bio

Annie Farrell

Annie Farrell was born, and raised in NYC and spent summers in Northern Westchester County, where she fell in love with the farms that still operated there at that time. She settled in Bovina, NY, in Delaware County, where she built a stone house and learned farming skills from the old-timers, who remembered how to farm productively before ‘modern’ agriculture took over.

As the farms began to disappear, she was determined to offer alternatives to diversify the dairy farmers. The Delaco Agricultural Co-op, which she started, organized 40 farms into producing and delivering products locally.

She was inspired by Flying Foods International, the first Specialty Food venture in NYC, to demonstrate other, more valuable crops for the region, and built a business called ”Annie’s”, which delivered her and other producers specialty wares to NYC and the Union Square Greenmarket.

After selling that business, she was the first Director of the CADE project, (Center for Agricultural Development & Entrepreneurship), which continues to help farms diversify.

She was invited back to Westchester to create a model of Sustainable Agriculture on a 225-acre farm in Mt Kisco, NY, Cabbage Hill Farm, where she spent 10 years and built what was an example of local diverse, agriculture in Westchester County, including an Aquaponic Greenhouse, Heirloom breeds of livestock, and outdoor gardens.

She opened and was CEO of the Flying Pig Café, and Stafford Enterprises, a USDA slaughter facility.

She founded NELA, the New England Livestock Alliance, using several European models, and bred Devon cattle as one of the best breeds for efficient grazing production.

From 2002 to 2006,worked with Rainbeau Ridge Farm in Bedford to build a small example of an efficient, productive farm that now produces goat cheese, vegetables. maple syrup, honey, eggs, wool, and many educational opportunities for children and adults alike. They offer programs for young children, and cooking classes and workshops for adults.

Since 2006, she has worked at Millstone Farm in Wilton, with Betsy and Jesse Fink, building another model of a small, diverse family owned farm, using techniques that preserve and build Community and the environment.

She is involved in many land preservation groups and organizations.