Free Living Farm grew from Michael Zueger and Cara (Germain) Zueger's desire to be a source of truly healthful food while nurturing soil life and the ecology around them. Their journey began when they met in California in 2013 working for a conservation corps, leading them through transformative experiences across the West Coast, Hawaii, and Maine. After extensive farm apprenticeships including work with iconic organic farmer Eliot Coleman at Four Season Farm, they launched Free Living Farm in 2018 in Brookfield, MA, before relocating to Petersham in late 2021.

The farm operates on 2 acres of vegetables in Petersham, MA, serving CSA members, farmers markets, their farmstand, and restaurants. They also grow fruit, flowers, other perennial crops, and raise pasture-raised poultry. Cara leads as the primary crop planner, harvest and CSA coordinator, while Michael focuses on systems, soil fertility, plant health, and the business operations. Their complementary skillsets and shared passion drive their commitment to quality food production.

Free Living Farm is focused on soil health, plant nutrition, and ecological integrity, utilizing deep organic and holistic methods to grow the highest quality food possible. They have built a reputation for consistently and transparently providing some of the highest quality produce around, believing that how food is grown matters to ecological health, soil/plant/animal/human health, and the long-term sustainability of life and environmental quality. With nine years of CSA operation and a very high retention rate of satisfied members, they continue to cultivate community nourishment, empowerment, and ecology.

Vegetables

• Kale
• Collard greens
• Chard
• Spinach
• Asian greens
• Lettuce
• Herbs
• Squash
• Cucumbers
• Tomatoes
• Root vegetables
• Winter squash
• Asparagus

Meat

• Pasture-raised poultry

Fruit

• Apples