Buy fresh Buy Local LbNA #49386

Alderbrook Farm can be found on the corner of Fisher Road and Russells Mills Road in South Dartmouth. You can use a GPS or internet maps to help you locate and navigate your way to the farm. The farm is a working farm whose owners live on the property. You are welcome to visit the farm anytime throughout the year between the hours of 6am – 5pm. The farm has a variety of vegetation and animals as well as a store from which visitors can purchase locally produced items such as eggs, milk, baked goods, freshly brewed coffee and of course fruits & vegetables.
Alderbrook Farm was established in 1898 by the Manley family. When you visit, be sure to say hello to the friendly owners Allen and Nancy Manley. Their family run farm has a variety of animals and vegetation on either side of the Alder brook. The farm was named after the Alder Brook that runs through it, of which the alder plant grows along its bank. Consequently, the brook does have dry spells, in which case no water may be running through the property on your particular visit. The alders are a deciduous flowering shrub/tree that produces small green cones in the summer months from which seeds are released, much like conifers. Alders form a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen fixing bacteria. The bacteria, unlike plants and animals, are able to take in nitrogen from the atmosphere and convert it into a usable form for plants and animals. The nitrogen becomes deposited into the soil and can be used by nearby plants. The decomposing leaves of the alder make rich compost. Because of this symbiotic relationship, alders are capable of living in harsh, infertile environments. The alder also provides food nectar for bees, moths and butterflies. The alder bark is also said to have anti-inflammatory properties, alleviating skin irritations from poison oak and insect bites.
After entering the property and parking your vehicle or bike, start you tour by visiting the two peafowl. Argus, the peacock, and Jasmine, the peahen, came to the farm as strays. A rooster may also be a neighbor of these majestic birds, can you guess which breed of rooster this is? Now place yourself on the dirt path that seems to divide the property east & west. Your journey on the path will take you North/Northwest. Traveling along the path, to your immediate right you will find Abby & Angel the sheep; Missy and peanut the Pygmy Goats; Zoie, a pot-bellied pig who spent her early years cooped up in a city apartment. S’mores and Gea are two Dwarf Nigerian goats that may also like some of your attention! To the left of the dirt path you will see the neat rows of delicious local vegetable and herbs.
Following the path northward you will come to a bridge that will take you over the Alder Brook. This is where you will find the beneficial alder plant described earlier. Can you find the cones on the alder? Living on the other side of the brook, scattered throughout the field are another group of animals. To the right penned up, Rock, the Canadian Goose hangs out (careful, he bites). The three donkeys (Ace, Jack & Momma) grazing in the field, are a breed of donkeys thought to be the donkeys Mary and Jesus rode on. This is because of the cross-like pattern on the hair across the back of their shoulders. You will also find grazing in the field a few very large oxen.
Up ahead you will come to a fork in the path: to the left live chickens and pigs. The right lies your destination. On top of the hill, a yellow and green barn blocks a large granite sitting boulder. Find the boulder, sit, take a deep cleansing breath, & enjoy the scenery. Once you are ready to continue, look to the small building on your right. In back and underneath this composting toilet building you will find your treasure.