Hobby farm plows into the past

Posted: Jan. 3, 2012

enlarge photo

Submitted Photo

Jennifer Martinez makes her own beauty and spa products which she sells in the gift shop at her farm, local farmers markets, and online. Products are made with natural products, and are chemical free.

Submitted Photo

Jennifer Martinez makes her own beauty and spa products which she sells in the gift shop at her farm, local farmers markets, and online. Products are made with natural products, and are chemical free.

Close

The modern world is all about bigger, better and faster while the slow, rural life is quickly fading away. But one little East Troy farm is proving that taking a step back and looking at the ways things used to be might not be all that bad.

Building heritage

Justin and Jennifer Martinez moved to their Swoboda Road, East Troy home around six years ago with their two daughters, Aurora, 16, and Anastasia, 10, and named their new homestead Vintage Hobby Farm. The couple both had family members who were farmers, and decided they wanted to try growing their own natural, organic food.

"It was all new to us," Jennifer said. "We just moved in and started putting up fences."

The purchase came with three acres of land and renting an additional two acres, the family took to farming five acres of land. In the fields they started to grow a variety of vegetables and filled their yard with animals. As the Marinez's researched what types of livestock to keep on their farm, they decided upon heritage breeds.

"We did it because they're easier to raise," Jennifer Martinez explained.

Heritage breeds are traditional breeds that were raised by farmers in the past before industrial agriculture came through and reduced breed variety. Jennifer Martinez said that heritage breeds are hardier and don't need antibiotics and hormones like commercial breeds do. She added that heritage animals are mild tempered and are able to give birth on their own, which makes farming easier for the family.

"We tried to look for the best types of animals. The heritage breeds are the best," she said.

Perhaps one of the more interesting animals the family raises are Scottish Highland Cattle, which were originally bred to withstand harsh life in the Scottish Highlands, thus forcing them to become one of the hardiest breeds of cattle in the world. The cattle are known for their long horns and long fur which keeps them warm and in turn keeps their meat lean.

A variety of heritage chickens and turkeys are also raised hormone and antibiotic free at Vintage Hobby Farm. Since heritage breed poultry take longer to get to market weight, they grow up healthier and better tasting.

The eggs from their cage-free chickens contain more nutrients than store-bought eggs due to a grass diet and free-range life.

Also on the farm are St. Croix sheep which are raised for their lean meat, as well Tamworth pigs, many barn cats, 35 ducks, a couple of dogs, and two borrowed horses so Aurora and Anastasia can learn how to ride.

"I love old stuff," Jennifer Martinez said. Her house is old, the farm is old, and it seemed fitting she would be drawn to old breeds of animals. "I think they're neat. They have a lot of characteristics that commercial breeds don't have."

A site to see

Vintage Hobby Farm hosts small groups who tour the farm and visit with the animals.

Kids can participate in a variety of classes on the farm including farm-hand fun, tea party, gardening for kids, active kids, old world games on the farm, outdoor art, exploring habits and imaginative healthy snacks.

Classes for adults include making a butterfly garden, theme gardens, planting in pots, bags and tires, heirloom verses hybrid, heritage verses commercial, growing and uses herbs, my first garden and homemade beauty products.

The farm also is home to a small shop were visitors can purchase fresh eggs, meat and produce. Vegetables are grown chemical, pesticide, and herbicide free. Although they are not certified organic, they follow the same guidelines.

"I don't want those chemicals in my body, and I don't want to give it to other people," Martinez said.

Not using chemicals creates a bit more work on the farm, "but it's worth it" in the quality, taste, and health benefits, she added. The heirloom vegetables are a bit more fragile than their commercial counterparts, but have a better taste and color.

The Martinez family is currently in the process of including dried grocery items to the shop. Jennifer explained that they plan to make homemade tortillas, pasta, prepackaged meals, canned goods, dried dips using ingredients from the farm and other local means as best as they can.

Natural beauty

Many years ago Jennifer started making homemade spa and beauty products with her daughters to be given away as gifts.

"I did it just for myself and gifts for years. I just decided maybe I should sell it," Martinez said.

The items were such a hit that the trio began making and selling the products on the farm.

Products are made using herbs grown on the farm, other natural products and are chemicals free. Labeled under the name A'staisrora Savon & Spa, items include face scrubs, eye creams, body washes, bath bombs, soaps, lip balms, perfumes, bug sprays and more.

As a way to give back to the community, Martinez sells the beauty products as fundraisers. Groups collect orders, Martinez fills them, and the group keeps 25 percent of the profit.

Martinez is currently in school for massage therapy, and hopes to have a spa using her products one day.

For more information, visit www.vintagehobby farm.com or call (262) 853-9168.