LilyFire Farms Gives Families

by Colleen Onuffer

For those looking to learn about life on the farm, LilyFire Farms has added a lineup of farm classes to its already popular farm school and other community opportunities.

Roxanne and Eric LaManna started LilyFire Farms on Humphrey Road in Chili in the fall of 2021.

“We dreamed of having a little haven where we could grow our own food, be as self-sufficient as possible, and have the opportunity to really align our life with nature as much as we could,” said Roxanne LaManna, owner and farmer of LilyFire Farms. “It became apparent very quickly that there was a need for us to raise foods not only for ourselves but for our community as well. We had so many people who started asking us, even while our first chickens were still just chicks, to sell them eggs and meat as soon as we could! Because of those frequent requests, we made the shift to raising more to sell to the community.”

Following organic principles as much as they are able, LilyFire Farm offers pasture-raised eggs, pork and poultry, specifically whole chicken and holiday turkey.

“It has always been our mindset that ‘you get the best and we get the rest’ because if it isn’t good enough for our own family’s table, we won’t expect you to put it on your table either,” said LaManna.

In addition to their farm-fresh products, LilyFire Farms offers hands-on experiences.

“We have what I’d call community opportunities — farm school and farm classes for kids (but any age can come learn too!), field trips, goat yoga, and hatching egg kit rentals,” said LaManna. The four-week hatching egg rental program includes 10 eggs, an incubator, brooder equipment and starter feed, as well as education and assistance from the farm. A week after the chicks have hatched, the kit and chicks get returned to LilyFire. “We are also working to have a truly locally-sourced, nearly-edible goat milk soap line available later this year.”

This is the second year LilyFire is running farm school, a sixweek series spread over seven weeks where kids (and parents!) can get an inside look into farms.

“The idea for farm school started from the fact that I home- school our kids. I follow something of an ‘unschooling’ approach and there is more than enough to learn from farm life that fits under the umbrella of academics,” explained LaManna. “When I started noticing a number of homeschoolers posting on social media that they needed an idea for a hands-on science program, I realized that what my kids were learning would make for a really unique and enjoyable science-focused educational offering for other kids.”

Farm school’s spring session began in May. Due to its popularity, LilyFire is planning a second round of classes that would run in July and August and perhaps a fall session as well.

“The goal of farm school is to give kids the high-level understanding of the many facets of what it takes to run a farm, but also to leave the classes with an idea of how to ‘farm where they are,’” said LaManna.

Classes are open to all ages, with elementary and middle school kids making up the most prevalent age groups. Participants learn how to grow a garden, how to attract and care for pollinators, how to compost, and learn about the biology of farm animals. Older kids also learn about the economics and business of farming.

New this year, LilyFire Farms is offering standalone farm classes for those who can’t commit to the seven-week course. Sessions are 60 to 90 minutes, ideal for ages eight to 18, and held on the second Saturday of the month from now through September. Classes will cover the bigger points of farming, allowing families to pick-and-choose sessions based on their interests.

“They’ll get a crash course in growing their own produce in one class, have a better understanding about livestock, livestock products, and raising methods, and in one session they’ll have the opportunity to talk to an actual farm vet for those interested in a career working with animals!” exclaimed LaManna.

When asked what kids enjoyed the most about last year’s farm school, LaManna said, “I think I’ve seen the most smiles when they get to go in with the pigs or get to try their hand at milking a goat! The opportunities that they’re unlikely to ever get elsewhere without visiting or owning a small farm are the ones that continued on page 18

My Hometown Neighbors

continued from page 17 stick with them.”

She personally agrees with the kids. While a lot of blood, sweat and tears go into owning and running a farm, spending time with the livestock is her favorite part of the day.

“Learning that pigs enjoy drinking right from the hose or like to play tug of war, recognizing that your goat is asking you for a hug and a snuggle, or simply enjoying antics of some ducks when they find even a postage stamp sized puddle! This combined with feeling like we live aligned with the seasons is something that is somewhat magical,” she said.

While cuddling cute animals is part of the job, there’s much more to farming than the picture-worthy moments.

“Farming is a soul-deep passion for those of us that do it. It’s a weight to carry at times, when a crop fails or an animal dies for some reason – loss due to predators, a newborn simply fails to thrive, or even when eggs don’t hatch. We carry a lot more than people realize, in silence,” she explained.

It’s all worth it, though, to be able to share what they do with others, allowing consumers to make informed decisions about what they buy and eat.

“We love it when you ask us to tell you about our farms. We love it when you get as excited as we do about pork for sale, or what we’ll offer next. And we especially love it when you go out of your way to source your family’s nourishment from local farms – not because we get paid, but because it’s your way of saying ‘we see you’ and ‘we appreciate what you do.’ And that means a lot more to farmers than people realize,” said LaManna.

LilyFire Farms is located at 50 Humphrey Road, Chili, New York 14546.