Daisey Hill: new name, but not by much

MILLERTON — The farm’s name is slightly different — it’s now Daisey Hill instead of the former Daisi Hill Farm — but the tree-lined drive around Indian Lake Road still leads to the beautiful and bountiful farm that’s served the community for decades. 

The business changed hands —- and names for legal reasons — during the Christmas tree season, when Jessica and Jim Cookingham purchased the farm they’d worked on for years from the previous owner, Donald Totman. Totman, despite retirement, is still in evidence as he provides valuable help with the transition. 

Jim had been on the land since he turned 18 some 25 years ago, and Jessica joined the effort about three years later. The family, which lives in the adjacent farm house, includes 17-year-old Hailey. Hailey recently added to the vibrancy of the springtime flowers as she and a friend lent a hand after-school in the spacious shelters awash with dozens of colorful plants.

At the end of a long spring-time day, Jim explained the purchase when he said, “It’s been our life.”

“We couldn’t just let it go,” Jessica agreed. 

Together, they enthused about the ways in which they intend to keep the farm running just as it has been, proudly selling their own crops as well as the homemade jams and pickles, put up by Jessica’s mother, Judy Marks, and her aunt, Joanne Parmalee. 

Jim is particularly pleased to assure their customers that what they sell at the farm is raised there. 

“It’s all grown right across the road there,” he said. “You know what’s in it, you known what’s been on it. And it’s hand-picked by the owner and the grower.”

As the season progresses, fresh produce will be available every day, but customers are already happily fulfilling their home garden needs at the farm just as they have for years. At this point, the farm features annuals, perennials, hanging baskets, herbs and vegetable starts as well as supplies such as the mulch needed to keep the beds healthy and productive. 

As Jim said, “Nothing has changed except for we pay the bills now.”

Jessica added, “We still have the same materials … the same outlook.” 

“We want to be a farm out in the country,” Jim added. “We don’t want to be commercialized. We just want to keep it the farm feel.” 

Both expressed their deep appreciation to Totman and his wife, Rebecca, who are working with them, as well as to his brother, Richard Totman, who has been “a big help” providing practical advice including the best way to manage the purchase of the land. 

“We couldn’t have done it without them,” Jessica noted. “We’re fortunate Donald has the trust and is helping us out as we do it on the run.”

Jim added, “We also need to thank all our loyal customers,” many of whom Jessica said have been coming for so long they know them by name.    

That includes Amanda Halle of Salisbury, Conn., who took advantage of a perfect May afternoon to pick up a variety of starters in time to get them in the ground for predicted spring rains.  

She said she makes the trip across the border because, “I love Daisey Hill … the varieties — it is always so beautiful — look at these flowers — the colors. Growing their own plants makes a big difference. And it’s  a family business.”

Although the Cookinghams do plan for a seamless transition, maintaining the same variety of goods and services, the enthusiastic duo does have plans to make their own mark. The pair said it will build on to what for years has been a tremendously popular venture. 

They noted that some of the animals in the petting zoo are getting on in years, and so they plan to add some new ones such as baby goats and pheasants. Time and money permitting, the play area will receive a face lift and will include the water wheel they recently built along with fossils and gems to make for exciting exploration. 

Jim proudly noted, “The children that used to come here are now bringing their own children. We want to have it ready for them for the fall program.” 

Citing the dawn-to-dark efforts needed to help a small farm thrive, Jim noted that just as he started at the farm as a youngster, there are now new youngsters working there part time. But, he added, the majority of the efforts being made at the farm are their own. 

“It’s hard work,” he said, “and it’s a business, but we love it.”   

Located at 438 Indian Mountain Road, Daisey Hill is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.