City Market Produce Team Tours Jericho Settlers Farm

On a sunny early summer day, the City Market Produce team traveled to Jericho, Vermont to learn more about Jericho Settlers Farm, a 200-acre farm that produces for year-round CSA programs, farmstands and wholesale customers like City Market, which has partnered with the farm for more than 20 years.

What started as a meat and vegetable farm in 2002 has grown to a fully dedicated organic vegetable farm—producing more than 75 types of certified organic vegetables and herbs, including tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, potatoes, lettuce, onions, garlic, and peppers.

On the farm

The Produce Team walked through several buildings with growing crops and learned about production on the farm. Jericho Settlers produces 30 acres of certified organic vegetables, flowers and herbs They also manage 2 acres of crops year-round inside hoophouses and greenhouses and specialize in year-round vegetable production—primarily of salad greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, and root vegetables.

The City Market team also saw how Jericho Setters Farm’s seasonal staff on a 9-month agricultural visa sort through and wash lettuce and learned about the cycles of crops throughout the season.

Past and future: sustainability in mind

The family-run farm is owned by Mark Fashing and Christa Alexander who chose the farm location because they live on two of the earliest settled farmsteads in Jericho, Vermont. Christa grew up on the farm in Jericho, and her parents still live there. Their children are the next generation and occasionally work on the farm.

Although the farm has historic characteristics, the owners implement sustainable practices throughout. Noticeable on the property are solar panels that support the entire farm’s electricity needs. A few of the greenhouses were even purchased from another local farm, reproposing existing infrastructure. Jericho Settlers also invested in new equipment that helps the farm prepare soil for planting seeds in a more efficient way, saving energy, gas and money.

Community focused, supporting local

City Market’s mission aligns with the farm’s philosophy that a thriving local food system is essential to a sustainable community. We couldn’t agree more! City Market is one of Jericho Settlers’ Farm’s biggest accounts, and both are committed to supporting the local food economy. Co-op Members and customers have come to appreciate the local fresh produce we offer, and Jericho Settlers Farm is an important part of that equation.