Jacob and Anna D’Lamater own and operate a 40-acre, all-natural farm that adheres to organic practices at a homestead at 475 North Fletcher Road in Lima Township.
Purchased in April 2021, Jacob D’Lamater retired from his full-time job as a delivery driver for Frito Lay last year to pursue his dream of becoming a full-time farmer.
He’s the general manager of the husband-and-wife family operation and oversees the daily operations.
New mom Anna D’Lamater is a chemist by profession, and oversees all the administrative tasks of the business.
The couple recently married on the farm on Dec. 27, 2022 and almost 3-month-old daughter, Indigo, was born in February.
The trio make Jacob’s Fresh Farm truly a family farm of love.
Two weeks ago, I visited the farm for a tour and you, too, can visit the farm during a special event on Friday, May 5 during Jacob’s Fresh Farm Spring Plant Sale. There will be thousands of plants available for purchase from starts to mature plants, raspberry, blueberry, strawberry, succulents, annuals, lavender, herbs, flower baskets and produce baskets and many types of vegetables.
The season opening sale runs from noon to 6 p.m. and continues daily through June 18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The couple and several full-time and part-time employees grow more than 180 varieties of produce, flowers and fruit in six large greenhouses as well as in the surrounding farm fields.
Anna D’Lamater says they offer many varieties that you might not find elsewhere locally. Some of those specialty items include sweet and spicy bagged greens, microgreens, numerous types of herbs, fruits and honey.
In addition, Jacob says they have over 100 colonies of bees in their apiary that produce about 500 gallons of honey each season.
Also selling their produce and flowers at several local farm markets, including the two in Chelsea, they offer CSA’s (community supported agriculture) and sell their produce to stores such as Agricole and Argus Farm Stops.
The D’Lamaters employ 5-6 full-time people during the peak summer season as well as part-time folks throughout the year. They are currently looking for a few more people. The ideal candidate would have some farming experience, but they are willing to teach novices who have a willingness to learn and a passion for growing food.
The couple pays their employees a livable wage, a practice that’s extremely important to them both. “Watching farmers and employees work 70 hours a week and still qualify for food stamps has really bothered me, and this is reflects in our prices,” Jacob D’Lamater says.
With 10 acres dedicated to U-pick strawberries, lavender, sunflowers, and pumpkins, the couple also offers family-friendly activities and educational opportunities.
They hope to incorporate expanded educational programs in the future as the operation evolves.
Also on the property is a self-serve farm stand that’s conveniently open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and features a variety of produce from greens to mushrooms to jams and jellies, lavender, candles, soaps and even peacock feathers.
Jacob D’Lamater says he welcomes the opportunity to help other small farmers and vendors by carrying some of their items in the little store. Contact him if you’d like to sell your items there. He can be reached on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Jacobsfreshfarm or through his website www.jacobsfreshfarm.com.
