Shop Talk is a weekly column featuring locally owned and operated businesses. This week, we talk to Betsy Babcock, who owns and operates Handsome Brook Farm LLC in Franklin with her husband, Bryan.
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How long have you lived in the area?
We've lived here part time for six years, and full time for just over a year.
Tell me about your business:
We operate two businesses: A farm-based bed-and-breakfast in Franklin, which caters to a wide variety of guests, and a Northeast Organic Farming Association-certified organic berry farm, which will be open to the public for U-pick strawberries, raspberries and blueberries next year.
We have visitors from downstate stay with us who are attending the Franklin Stage Company productions, families from cities who want their children to see what farm life is like, relatives of people from the area, and people who are visiting the baseball camps or Soccer Hall of Fame.
Describe a typical day in your business:
Our day starts with feeding our assortment of farm animals. Often, our bed-and-breakfast guests like to help us, and we encourage them to do so. Then I make a homecooked breakfast for our guests, which includes homebaked pastries and farm-fresh eggs.
In the spring and summer, we spend time weeding, planting and harvesting our fruit. In the evenings we visit with our guests and relax.
How did you get started in this line of work?
We know how much people, including our friends and family, love the area. And we also observed that there was a need for a bed-and-breakfast in our area of Delaware County. That, coupled with our love for sharing this area with people, and our interest in growing fruit, gave us the idea for a bed-and-breakfast featuring a real farm experience.
Our rooms are all new, and feature private baths with touches like Jacuzzi tubs and towel warmers. People from the city are very comfortable, even though they are out in the country.
Where do you see this business in five years?
We would like to have many families spend time with us, experiencing this wonderful area. We would like to organize berry-picking groups, and farm days, for baseball camp and other families to enjoy during their "free time." And we hope to see many of our guests return year after year.
Describe a memorable moment in your workplace:
This week, we had a family stay with us from the city whose 3-year-old had never seen a sky filled with stars. He was absolutely enthralled with that. We had another child stay with us who loved feeding the pigs. Another who picked a broccoli plant that was nearly as large as he was. Tomorrow we're taking a family of six blueberry picking. Every day is memorable!
What have you learned from your work?
We are reminded every day of how blessed we are to live here. Our guests come to enjoy the beauty of our area, and tell us how lucky we are to live here. We are incredibly thankful. With the berry fields it is a continual learning process, mostly in terms of how to keeps pests out while remaining committed to organic practices.
What is the hardest thing you have to do?
During the spring and summer, there is very little, if any, down time. Fortunately we love what we do, so that really isn't much a problem.
The most enjoyable?
We love watching the excitement on children's faces when they do many "firsts" _ first time riding a horse, first time collecting eggs, first time petting farm animals. Being able to meet people from all over the world and share each others stories is also wonderful. And being able to introduce people to the joys of this area. Our guests tell us that they sleep better here than they ever have in their lives.
How do you define success for your business?
Seeing our guests end their stay with us happy and refreshed.
What are some advantages/drawbacks of doing business in this area?
Two of the key advantages doing business of this area are its natural beauty and sense of community.
During the summer there is plenty of activity for our guests to enjoy, and a wonderful climate. Of course the proximity of the colleges and baseball camps are an excellent draw for our bed-and-breakfast guests.
On the downside, most of the area attractions are very summer-seasonal in nature, so the winters are relatively slow.
What sets you apart from your competitors?
As a bed-and-breakfast with a farm focus, we are very family-oriented. With regard to the U-pick berry operation, we have a diversity of berries available (strawberries, raspberries and blueberries), we'll have wagon rides with our two Belgian draft horses, and we are certified organic. We are deeply committed to educating our guests about sustainable agriculture and sustainable practices.
What advice would you give to someone trying to enter your field of work?
If you are interested in opening a bed-and-breakfast, be sure that you are willing to share your home with others and give up a great deal of privacy.
If you are interested in starting a berry or orchard operation, keep in mind that it requires an investment up front, and takes years to realize a first harvest.
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To suggest a business for Shop Talk, contact Emily F. Popek at 432-1000, ext. 255, or epopek@thedailystar.com.
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