The Value of Intentional Farming
Gabriel and Joe operate Mountain Boys Homestead, a small farm located just outside Randolph, up on the hill beyond Bent Hill Brewery. These two young men are outstanding in what they do. They offer fresh, handpicked vegetables, high-quality meats, and eggs. And always ensure there’s something tasty and in-season for everyone.
While the terms “ESG” or “impact-driven” are often avoided these days, as cultural trends shift back and forth, their farm truly embodies those values in practice - without relying on buzzwords.
Their stand at the Randolph Farmers Market is not showy; it is functional. In summer you’ll find tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, beans, and tons of lettuce. They also grow less abundant items such as bok choy, eggplant and broccolini, and as the season turns, they move into winter greens and storage crops produced in greenhouses and cold-hardy beds.
The farm raises pasture-finished chicken and eggs and produces pork on a scale intended for local tables rather than wholesale. The goods are straightforward in quality and representative of small-scale, place-based agriculture.
Buying from this kind of operation matters for the practical reasons that are important to both farmers and consumers. CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) memberships and regular market purchases provide a predictable income that allows a farm to plan plantings and animal rotations from one season to the next.
Community Connections and Practical Benefits
For consumers, that relationship reduces transport, keeps prices transparent, and delivers produce that shows seasonal cadence. Gabriel and Joe’s pricing and offerings are calibrated to that model: CSA shares run 20+ weeks from late May through October, with two sizes (Small - $15 weekly value; Large - $30 weekly value), and optional egg and chicken add-ons.
Enrollment is now open for 2026, and the farm is seeking community feedback through a brief survey to refine delivery logistics and add-on details.
Where to find them this winter
This winter, Gabriel and Joe will be at the Northfield Winter Farmers Market (November through April) and at the Randolph Winter Market on December 20 at VTC’s Judd Hall, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Their winter inventory typically includes greenhouse greens, storage roots, and a rotation of preserved or frozen proteins when available. They currently have additional field greens available.
For my daughter’s recent wedding, Gabriel and Joe provided a salad accompanied by two dressings - balsamic and tahini-based - served so our guests could dress their plates themselves. They also made a delicious nut-free pesto that was a massive hit with everyone. True to the spirit of their market offerings, the dishes were simple, fresh, free of pretension, thoughtfully prepared and presented. It’s easy to see why Vermonters are drawn to their style - hearty, honest, and bursting with flavor.
As regular shoppers at the Randolph Farmers Market, we keep coming back year after year - next season will be Gabriel and Joe’s third year at the market - because their produce consistently delivers in the kitchen and because the economic approach behind their stand - direct sales, CSA membership, and loyal customers - sustains small farms like theirs.
If you want steady seasonal vegetables and a direct way to support local production, consider signing up for their CSA, completing the survey, or looking for them at winter markets. Keep up the good work, gentleman!
