The Value of Intentional Farming
No matter how difficult the year or inclement the weather, we all find joy in what is brought to the table. Gabriel & Joe
Gabriel Antonucci and Joe Melkonian operate Flint Brook Farm, an off-grid homestead 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.
As Gabriel put it, they see farming as "working with nature, plants, and animals. A way of turning sunlight and seeds into food that nourishes both body and community."
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 reflects the rhythm of the seasons. Joe noted that what keeps them motivated is "feeding the community with the most delicious food possible" and seeing neighbors return week after week with excitement of what's on offer.
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.
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 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.
That resilience and creativity matter in a place like Vermont, where, as Joe observed, " no matter how difficult the year or inclement the weather, we all find joy in what is brought to the table."
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.
And for the farmers themselves, being part of Randolph's food culture is its own reward. As they told me, " Vermont has a great food scene...and we love being a small part of that."
If you want steady seasonal vegetables and a direct way to support local production, consider signing up for their CSA, or looking for them at winter markets. Keep up the good work, gents!
