Know Your Farmer: Brookford Farm — A Harvest for Every Season
Fresh From the Market
Where community, food and stories meet.
October brings the transition from late summer into the heart of autumn, shifting our focus to the harvest and all the delicious ways to enjoy and preserve the season’s bounty. From fall fairs and farm harvests to hearty soups and Sunday stews, this is the time of year to celebrate the people who grow our food.
This week, we’re getting to know Brookford Farm, a family-run operation that works year-round to bring fresh, thoughtfully produced food to our tables.
A Farm Rooted in Tradition and Sustainability
Brookford Farm is a first-generation, diversified, certified organic family farm located along the Merrimack River Valley in Canterbury, New Hampshire. The farm encompasses more than 600 acres and is founded on sustainable agriculture, biodynamic practices, and a commitment to community-connected food production.
Founders Luke and Catarina Mahoney developed their farming philosophy through hands-on experience abroad. When Luke was young, he traveled to Russia to study agriculture, where he met Catarina at a biodynamic farm that provided meaningful work and dignity for individuals with disabilities. They worked side by side for five years, learning about agriculture and sustainable living.
The couple later moved to Germany with their young son to work at a larger, diversified biodynamic farm. Catarina completed a formal apprenticeship focused on biodynamic vegetable farming, while Luke worked with livestock.
Returning to New Hampshire, the Mahoneys purchased Brookford Farm and initially concentrated on dairy production. As demand grew for their minimally processed dairy products, they expanded into pastured meats, eggs, and vegetables.
In 2012, Brookford moved its entire operation and staff to its current 613-acre property, continuing to build a diverse, integrated farm.
At Brookford, the goal is to work with nature rather than against it. Crop rotation, plant-based nutrients, and animal manure help maintain soil fertility and health. The farm’s regenerative approach emphasizes the interconnectedness of its crops, livestock, and land.
From Pasture to Your Plate
Brookford’s Jersey and Guernsey cows graze on pastures of clover, grasses, and herbs. The farm produces raw milk and uses its milk to make cheese, yogurt, and curds. Brookford is licensed by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services for its dairy operation.
The farm’s beef comes from grass-fed, grass-finished cattle. During the growing season, the animals graze on rotational pastures. In winter, they receive stored forage, including hay and haylage, rather than grain.
Brookford’s heritage pigs forage in pastures and enjoy food from the farm’s fields and creamery, supplemented with non-GMO grain. The result is a selection of pork products, including bacon, sausage, and other cured meats — perfect for your next charcuterie board.
The farm’s hens have access to open pastures and are fed non-GMO feed. Their eggs feature rich, golden yolks, and the farm also offers chicken and other poultry products. Additional offerings include organ meats and pet food patties for four-legged family members.
You’ll find a selection of Brookford’s meats at the farmers market each week, individually packaged or available for bulk purchase. Stop by the stand and talk with Luke and Catarina about what’s available.
Celebrating the Harvest
Brookford grows more than 40 varieties of certified organic, non-GMO vegetables and fruits on approximately 35 acres. Harvesting crops at their peak helps bring seasonal freshness to the farm’s offerings, and what you find at the market changes throughout the growing season.
October is a wonderful time for hearty greens, root vegetables, and winter squash. Think roasted vegetables, warming soups, and slow-simmered stews — just the thing for a crisp autumn afternoon or a Sunday football gathering.
The farm also offers naturally fermented vegetable products, including sauerkraut, kimchi, and pickled vegetables. Catarina and her mother, Anne Katharine, prepare these products using ingredients grown on the farm.
Beyond its own harvest, Brookford helps customers fill their pantries with additional products, including oils, flours, and honey. The farm also offers frozen meals, making it easier to enjoy convenient, locally sourced food at home.
Beyond the Farmers Market
With so many products available, you might wonder why Brookford doesn’t bring everything to its weekly market stand. The answer is simple: there’s only so much a farm can do!
Catarina’s mother, Anne Katharine, helps with the operation, and the farm also works with other New England businesses to offer a wider selection of goods. By purchasing finished products from regional producers, Brookford gives customers the convenience of one-stop shopping while supporting other local businesses.
The farm offers online ordering and home delivery to many ZIP codes, with customers able to choose a delivery day that works for them. Orders can also be delivered to the farmers market for convenient pickup.
Brookford generally limits orders to one week in advance to help ensure product freshness and availability. The farm also offers a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, and market customers can sign up at any time — there are no set enrollment dates.
For holiday meals, Brookford may not offer the traditional turkey found at many farms, but it has another centerpiece in mind: a prime roast from its grass-fed cattle. Pair it with seasonal root vegetables and other farm-fresh sides for a memorable meal.
For current offerings, online ordering, delivery details, and CSA information, visit Brookford Farm’s website or stop by its farmers market stand to speak with the family.
We Asked Brookford Farm: What’s Next?
We caught up with the Brookford team to learn how the season has unfolded, what changes as winter approaches, and what shoppers can look forward to in the coming months.
1. The harvest season may be winding down, but the work never stops. How are you preparing for winter?
“We have a while yet. We continue harvesting until about Thanksgiving.
“But we’re now starting to move the cows off our primary pasture fields and onto ‘sacrifice fields,’ where grazing isn’t the priority. Using these areas allows the other pastures to recover and regenerate during the colder, non-growing months.
“We’ll also begin supplementing their diet with feed and hay. The cows will continue to enjoy fresh air and sunlight as long as possible, and we use holding barns when needed to protect them from inclement weather.
“During this soil-resting phase, we typically plant cover crops, such as ryegrass and winter grains, to hold the soil and its nutrients in place and help prevent erosion.”
2. Did Brookford face any particular challenges this year?
“Drought was definitely a challenge. Usually, during droughts, we do all kinds of irrigation, including watering at night and using every pump available for day and night watering. Fortunately, the Merrimack River runs right by the property.”
3. How do you offer such a wide variety of products, and why don’t you bring everything to the market?
“We can’t do it all! Catarina’s mom, Anne Katharine, helps out a lot, but we also work with New England businesses to ensure consistent quality.
“We buy the finished products so our customers can enjoy one-stop shopping with us while purchasing from local sources. They know they’re still supporting businesses in our region.”
4. Can customers special-order items, including holiday meats? How does home delivery work, and when can people sign up for a CSA?
“We don’t generally take special orders outside the options available on our online ordering page. We do offer delivery in many ZIP codes, and customers can choose which day of the week works best for them. We can also bring orders to the farmers market for easy pickup.
“The only limitation is that we can’t accept orders more than a week ahead, which helps us ensure the highest possible product freshness and availability.
“As for CSAs, our market customers can sign up anytime. There are no set dates when you have to enroll.”
5. What’s on the menu for the coming holidays?
“We don’t offer turkeys like many farms do, but we do offer our prime roast, sourced from our 100% grass-fed cattle. It’s a showstopper of a roast — one your dinner guests will talk about well past the holidays!
“Don’t forget our selection of root vegetables for salads and side dishes. We’ll have a big selection through the holidays and beyond.”
Make Brookford Part of Your Seasonal Shopping
As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, make Brookford Farm a stop for your seasonal cooking and holiday meal planning. Whether you’re looking for fresh vegetables, pasture-raised meats, dairy products, or something new for your pantry, the family is happy to help you find what you need.
October reminds us that a successful harvest is about more than what comes out of the fields. It’s about the farmers who care for the soil, the families who nurture their farms, and the community that brings the food to our tables.
Let’s celebrate the beauty of the season and thank the people who make it possible for us to enjoy the fruits — and vegetables — of their labor, one delicious bite at a time.