Local farm project: Cooper’s Coop and Homestead launches

When the going gets tough, the tough get going. 

In the face of rising food costs, one Newfield couple has taken the initiative to launch Cooper’s Coop and Homestead, a personal farm project they’d like to share with others.

“We decided to create a homestead because we wanted to be self-sufficient with our immediate family,” said Garry Cooper. “With food prices rising, we wanted to be able to provide meat, eggs, herbs and veggies to eat for ourselves.”

While the homestead was initially created by Cooper and his fiancée Shelby Chiszar for their family, the couple quickly became inspired. Cooper said they hope to help the Newfield community through their farming project, as the economic environment continues to be difficult for many. 

Cooper’s Coop and Homestead plans to specialize in eggs, vegetables and herbs and looks forward to expanding its offerings in the future. 

The couple’s timing for a homestead that provides eggs has worked out well. 

“Smaller producers of eggs didn’t get affected by the avian flu due to not having large, commercial amounts of chickens,” Cooper explained. “I understand completely why egg prices have gone up due to this flu because of supply and demand. It’s a real thing in our economy.”

With egg prices significantly higher than a year ago, providing low-cost local eggs benefits many in the community and has resulted in loyal customers.

It’s no surprise that Cooper and Chiszar come from families that enjoyed gardening, so they have a wealth of experience and, luckily, green thumbs.

“This is the thing we love doing,” said Cooper, who added that he and Chiszar are teaching their young daughter homesteading skills.

While it may sound whimsical, launching a homestead has been challenging, but the couple says the rewards have been worth every hardship they have encountered. 

“There is a lot of time and effort that needs to be put into such a project,” said Cooper. “And you never get a day off.”

Despite the hard work, one benefit of having a homestead is providing fresh food, which Cooper said appeals to many, especially now.

“I think people are charmed by farms because it’s a simpler, fresher option. With all the additives in food now, it’s a healthier option for all of us.”

For those who want to catch a glimpse into the world of Cooper’s Coop and Homestead, a Facebook page shares homestead happenings, including entertaining video clips of their chickens and rabbits, which they breed.

All in all, Cooper says he is grateful for the ongoing support of the community and hopes to return the favor. He noted the relationships he’s formed with local businesses, such as Cudlin’s Meat Market and Rainbow Acres Farm, which offer him advice when needed. 

As the farm project gains steam, Cooper and Chiszar eventually want to teach children and adults about their homesteading practices.

“We are not at the scale of doing that here at the moment, but eventually we would love to host those kinds of events here,” said Cooper.

Cooper’s Coop and Homestead can be contacted via email at coopshomestead92@gmail.com or on Facebook.

Newfield Notes appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Email story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com.

In brief:

Planning Board Member Vacancy

The Newfield Planning Board is currently accepting applications for a vacant planning board position. Interested Newfield residents may find additional information on the Newfield town website. 

Newfield Hamlet residents and those involved in agriculture are especially encouraged to apply.

Please contact Leo Tidd at ltidd@newfieldny.org with any questions. 

Newfield History and Activity Center unveils new exhibit that explores businesses of yesteryear

A new exhibit has opened at the Newfield History and Activity Center. 

The exhibit, The Businesses of Newfield, features interesting information, photos and several artifacts from businesses of the past.

Admission is free, and visitors can check out the exhibit on the second and fourth Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

The Newfield History and Activity Center is located next to the library at 192 Main St.

The Newfield Babe Ruth Summer Baseball Program teams up with Ithaca’s Texas Roadhouse for fundraiser

The Newfield Babe Ruth Summer Baseball Program is hosting a fundraiser on Sunday, March 26, at Texas Roadhouse in Ithaca from noon to 9 p.m.

The fundraiser applies for dine-in or take-out orders. Diners are asked to inform their server that they’d like 10% of their bill to go toward the baseball program.

Texas Roadhouse is located at 719-25 S. Meadow St. in Ithaca.

Call-ahead seating is encouraged. Please call 607-272-1621 for arrangements.

Monthly Lego Night at the Newfield Public Library offers an opportunity to showcase creative building skills

The Newfield Public Library is hosting Lego Night on the first Thursday of every month. The evening allows guests of all ages to use their imaginations while building something special from the library’s stock of Legos.

Adults are encouraged to participate. 

At the end of the evening, the librarians gather the Lego creations to be placed on display for the month.

The next Lego Night will be held Thursday, March 2, at 6 p.m. on the second floor.