Van Noble Farm celebrates 10 years

When arriving at the sprawling 43-acre Van Noble Farm, you will likely be greeted by the two fearless pig protectors, Sasha and Boomer. This cattle dog pair not only serves as the welcoming committee to visitors, but they are also the sibling doggie duo that ensures the swine are fine.

These adorable assets perfectly convey the approachable and friendly reputation that the farm and its owner have cultivated since taking over the property in 2016.

Prior to setting up in his current, permanent location, Devon Van Noble established his farm in 2012 on rented land in Enfield.

“I had rented a farm for several years,” he said. “When this property became available, I decided to make the move and expand.”

Van Noble studied agricultural policy at Cornell University and knew that he wanted to work in an industry involving farms.

In 2016, Van Noble Farm was one of two farms in the region awarded a grant of $40,362 from the state’s New Farmers Grant Fund, allowing Van Noble to purchase land as well as expand operations and production.

The initiative was created to assist and encourage the success of New York’s next generation of farmers and was critical in helping to keep the regional and statewide agricultural economy strong.

“I had worked at The Piggery from 2011 until 2013,” Van Noble said. “They helped me secure a contract that allowed me to purchase and raise pigs. I would then sell them the pigs that I raised for their shop.”

When new owners purchased and took over The Piggery, the contract that the original owners helped Van Noble secure ended.

“We needed to find a new direction for the farm,” Van Noble explained. “We had already been holding pig roasting events and we also had pop-up events featuring roasting. We’ve had events at South Hill Cider and various other locations. We were at the Ithaca Farmers Market too.”

Limitations created by pandemic mandates caused Van Noble concern and prompted the expansion of the catering services the farm had already been offering.

“It was unclear if we would be able to survive,” Van Noble said. “Catering is what really saved the day. I would say 65% of our revenue now comes from catering.”

As more events and weddings started booking the farm’s services, Van Noble decided to start offering sides and to expand event services.

“We now offer a full-service catering experience,” Van Noble said.

In another move to expand the farm’s offerings, Van Noble launched a packaged food line in 2020 (full article at tinyurl.com/y8jdchje), offering a small-batch, smoked and cured pork line that includes sausage, pulled pork and bacon.

“We started offering our package goods at the Ithaca Farmers Market, and people were very receptive,” Van Noble said.

Van Noble’s commitment to using the freshest ingredients often leads to experimental products.

“A lot of what we produce is dictated by what’s available,” Van Noble explained. “For example, we have a goat sausage that incorporates fennel and ginger. We get the ginger from right down the road at Tree Gate Farm.”

Van Noble added that although they do grow a small amount of vegetables, they rely largely on neighboring farms in the region for the freshest ingredients.

“A lot of what we end up making is experimental, depending on the offerings of what is fresh, available and in season,” Van Noble explained.

The farm now offers community-supported agriculture (CSA) monthly subscriptions as well. The three- or six-month subscriptions include bacon, sausage and a collection of mixed pork products. The products use the pigs Van Noble raises and are butchered on site. The meat is processed in the commercial kitchen located on the farm.

Van Noble Farm currently raises mulefoot crosses and Yorkshire Hereford hogs.

Mulefoot crosses are an American hog breed named for its most distinctive feature: the solid, non-cloven hoof similar to a mule’s hoof. Yorkshire Hereford pigs are a three-way cross breed of Duroc, Hampshire and Yorkshire and get their name from strikingly beautiful color patterns that resemble Hereford cattle.

“We were fortunate that, in 2020, we were granted a pandemic relief emergency government loan,” Van Noble said. “We are going to expand our processing space, commercial kitchen space and buy more equipment.”

The grant will also allow the farm to celebrate its 10-year anniversary by purchasing a building that will allow the farm to butcher and smoke on a much larger scale.

Boasting precious piglets, picturesque pastures and packaged products, Van Noble Farms enters its 10th year with positivity and pride.

“We’ve got a lot planned for 2022,” Van Noble said with a smile. “You’re going to see our van and its colorful logo that my mom designed going all over the place.”

Trumansburg Connection appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Send story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com.