AFM Featured Vendor - Rabbit Run Farm

Hello!  We are Sofia and Derek and we own Rabbit Run Farm, a small scale vegetable and flower farm located in Worthington, MA.  We use regenerative farming methods that go beyond the organic agriculture standards. I’m Sofia and I own and operate the farm with my spouse Derek. This is our first season farming on our land. It has been a winding journey to get here and we are both elated to be a part of the Amherst Farmers Market as new members for 2026! We feel a deep connection to this work and love to share our passion for agriculture with others. 

Owning and operating our own farm is a dream over a decade in the making. Derek and I met in 2014 during my senior year of college. He had farmed for three years prior and was eager to return to it. We moved to Pennsylvania to work on a 35 acre farm. I loved the seasonal nature of being a farmhand, working hard in the summer and having time to travel during the winter. We both enjoyed getting to spend our days outside, doing rewarding work, meeting customers, producing delicious food, and getting to spend our days together. 

After that first season working together we knew we wanted to own a farm. We were daunted by the prospect of having to save enough money for acres of prime agricultural land and expensive equipment. We became interested in regenerative farms that grow a large volume of produce on just a few acres. We made the decision to work the following season on a farm that was highly productive, even though they were only farming 1.5 acres with hand tools. This experience was deeply impactful. We realized that we could own a farm without as much capital and by adopting regenerative farming methods, we could build healthy soils, grow nutrient dense food, and reduce our use of plastic and fossil fuels.

We worked for years as farm hands and then managed a farm in Cohasset, MA. We were always saving money to start the farm one day. In 2022 we decided to move to Western Massachusetts to start looking for land. We were drawn to this area because of its natural beauty, vibrant culture, agricultural roots, and proximity to central mass (where we both grew up). Finally we found land through the New England Farmland Finder, a program that connects existing farmers selling their land to farmers that are seeking land of their own. It was a special experience to connect with the previous owners of our farm and know the land was deeply loved prior to our arrival. 

It feels incredible to finally be building our own business from the ground up. We are excited to be doing work that helps feed our community and contributes to a strong local food economy. We are grateful that farming allows us to explore ways that agriculture can contribute towards slowing climate change and how farms can be more resilient in the face of extreme weather. We hope that our love for growing food will shine through in the produce we bring to market.

This year we have an expansive crop plan. We love to grow salad greens and aim to have them every week at the market. Complimenting our greens, throughout the season you will find we grow a little bit of everything, from cucumbers and tomatoes to gorgeous flower bouquets. We love to cook, and promise to bring the highest quality produce to market. We also strive to eat locally every week of the year and want to help you do the same. We use high tunnels to keep produce available year round. 

When we moved here we dreamed of having the opportunity to be a part of the Amherst Farmers Market. It is such a vibrant market with wonderful vendors and a dedication to local agriculture. We can’t wait for the market to start and look forward to meeting you on Saturdays at the Amherst Farmers' Market on the Amherst Common! 

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