Turkana Farms, Germantown, NY . Once a 150 acre orchard, vineyard, and small dairy is now a vibrant center for rare breeds and sustainable ag.   The 39 acres, recently derelict and slated for subdivision, was rescued by Peter Davies and Mark Scherzer, who have woven a new tapestry in the old landscape.  Their farm practices are based on composted manures, pastured animals and poultry, locally produced feed grains and a holisitic farm philosophy. 

KARAKUL SHEEP:  Starting with four ewes and a ram four years ago, the herd is soon to reach 30. Native to central Asia and rare in America, these sheep have fat-tails and are and are thought to be one of the foundation breeds from which all breeds ultimately descend.  Processed yarns for rug making, fleeces for hand spinning, and bats for felting are available at the farm.  Lamb tails - serve grilled or on the skewer - is an ancient source for cooking oil.

HERITAGE TURKEYS & GEESE:  Smaller and slower growing than today’s standard turkeys, Bourbon Reds, Spanish blacks, Naragansetts and Royal Palms, are prized for flavor and texture rather than breast size and fast growth.  The birds graze in outdoor compounds but fatten primarily on certified organic grain.  They are distributed freshly slaughtered in lower Manhattan or at the farm the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.  We begin taking reservations in May and strongly suggest that you reserve early.  

To guard the turkeys and add a poultry offering for the Christmas holiday, we raise geese (Toulouse and Chinese). Our 2006 plans are for 125 heritage turkeys and 12 Toulouse and 8 Chinese geese. Order well in advance!

OSSABAW ISLAND & OSSABAW-CROSS PIGS:  In 2005 we were lucky to obtain 8 purebred and 3 cross-bred Ossabaw Island pigs.  These are an endangered breed descended principally from the pigs Spanish explorers  left on an island off the coast of Georgia in the early 16th century.  Like the Iberico pigs of Spain from which they descend, this flavorful small breed tends to a high proportion of more healthful fats, including fats high in omega-3 fatty acids, leading the Spanish to refer to them as “olive oil on four legs”.

OTHER PRODUCTS:    heirloom vegetables, pastured Cornish cross chickens and fresh eggs from our Rhode Island Reds. We market our  farm products to neighbors in Germantown and, through a small “virtual CSA”, to a few buildings in lower Manhattan whose residents receive weekly  “Green-E-Market” e-mail alerts in season and whose picked-to-order produce is delivered on Monday afternoons.

Farm visits  by prior arrangement. 518.537.3815.  daviesturkana@valstar.net.