Farm achieves bigger piece of pie with green technology

Stone Bend Farm, a short drive from Ithaca and Enfield, is a state-of-the-art farm that is unique to Tompkins County and offers more than just a stunning view.

Built from the ground up with a sole focus on sustainability, owner Terry Bloom has created the only greenhouse of its kind with a geothermal matrix. The matrix uses insulation, concrete and gravel to create a sustainable future for the greenhouse, using minimal fossil fuels, electricity and power outside of what nature provides.

Using the Earth’s constant temperature, which stabilizes around 55 degrees, the 4,200-square-foot structure allows air to circulate from the ground to regulate temperature throughout the building. Air is pulled up through pipes under the cement and then is circulated back through the greenhouse, which will acclimate the greenhouse to the weather according to seasonal temperature changes.

With very little background in agriculture, Bloom started working at the Green City Farmers Market in Chicago selling mushrooms. Eventually, he was running the mushroom farm that provided the produce to the market. He soon began envisioning a place of his own where he could build something original and sustainable for his family that could evolve and grow. 

When he discovered the available property at 196 Porter Hill Rd. in Newfield, he knew he had found the location that would bring his vision to life. With the ultimate goal of having a permanent place to put down roots that would stay in his family for generations to come, Stone Bend Farm was born in 2016.

Feeling that terms like “farm to table,” “organic” and “natural” get thrown around too easily these days, Bloom was committed to creating an authentic and organic experience. 

“We know it’s organic and chemical-free because we grow it ourselves right here,” Bloom explained.

Searching for ways to create revenue to sustain his vision, Bloom purchased a stone pizza oven to offer custom pizzas at pop-up locations as well as the farm. With the addition of a production kitchen on the premises, he has created a culinary offering that makes the term “farm to table” an authentic reality.

He also partnered with a network of like-minded local purveyors to use their offerings for ingredients, as well as those he grows at the farm, to offer a high-quality and fully organic pie.

“Even the ingredients for the pizza dough are grown right across the street by our neighbors,” Bloom said.

Bloom wanted his farm to not only use local produce but to be a family affair as well. Bloom explained with pride that his 8-year-old son, Pfeiffer, and 4-year-old son, Leland, helped to install insulation and sand the wood for the greenhouse where the vegetables are grown and the cheese for the pizza is made.

While pop-up locations have created enough revenue to sustain the farm, Bloom decided to have a permanent event every Saturday evening at the farm to provide a relaxed, family-style experience for the community. Those attending can enjoy live music and pizza as well as local beers and ciders offered in the taproom that is being constructed within the greenhouse.

“I’m focused on creating an authentic product and magical experiences more than profit,” Bloom said. “The currency I deal with is memories because I’m nostalgic. Growing up, we moved around a lot because of my parents’ jobs. I wanted to have a place where my family could put down roots and share that place with others.”

While remaining committed to the ideals that are the foundation of Stone Bend, Bloom continues to steadily expand on his ideas by offering camping facilities and event venue options. A custom-constructed taproom within the greenhouse is set to open at the end of October. It will feature local beers and ciders from the region.

“Partnering with other like-minded local purveyors has allowed me a lot of opportunity to create and share magical experiences and keep moving forward and growing,” Bloom said. “Sometimes, I just walk into the greenhouse and look around and stop and marvel at where I am and feel a selfish sense of pride recognizing that we’ve done well with what we set out to accomplish.”

Stone Bend features an elevated patio, picnic tables, a chicken coop, fire pits and paths that wind peacefully through the 20 acres that comprise the farm. Visitors can enjoy the authentic experience Bloom has carefully cultivated. 

Guests are also encouraged to wander the paths that lead to the campgrounds that Stone Bend offers. 

“When I see that what I do brings people so much happiness and that they genuinely enjoy their experience, it confirms that I’m getting things right and makes all the effort and work well worth it,” Bloom said.

To learn more about Stone Bend, visit it in person, call (607) 339-6889 or go to stonebend.com.