Chris Cho of Sharon Farm Market expands north

EAST CANAAN — A farmer’s work is never done, ever, but particularly during planting season.

Work is continuing apace at the new Sharon Farm in East Canaan as the 12 acres of vegetable fields are getting an application of fresh organic soil from McEnroe Farm in Millerton. And, one day soon, the roadside farm stand will begin offering the yields of those fields.

The new owner of the farm stand is Chris Cho, who bought the 130-acre expanse along the Blackberry River last August.

Cho also owns the Sharon Farm Market at Sharon Shopping Center and expects that the East Canaan farm stand will begin by offering seasonal vegetables, farm fresh eggs and meats, all organically produced.

Cho has begun the process of becoming certified as an organic farm, a process that can take up to two years to complete, he said.

“It’s beautiful here,” Cho said, gesturing toward the Blackberry River flowing through the property to the rear and the hills beyond.

Cho anticipates that the stand will offer organic tomatoes, strawberries, asparagus, swiss chard, kale, mesclun for salads, and more.

Organic meats will also be a specialty, including chicken, pork and lamb.

The Sharon Farm addition brings to three the number of  farm market offerings along this rural stretch of Route 44 between North Canaan and Norfolk. Last summer, the original Ford farm stand operated by Ty Ford relocated a stone’s throw east of Cho’s stand and continued to operate through the season. Ford said he will continue to run his locally produced meat and vegetable stand in the new location this summer. Farther west, Freund’s Farm Market and Bakery remains a year-round option.

Expecting to be open only weekends at first until the harvested produce becomes more abundant, Cho could see adding weekdays at that point, and remaining open until the end of October.

Future plans include restoration of the existing antique barn, Cho said, and incorporating it into the farm business. And, one day there will be a new stand replacing the older Ford Farm stand.

Getting the fields ready and ensuring smooth operations is Jose Olivera, farm manager, who has recently moved from Chicago, bringing with him 15 years of organic farming experience.

Expecting to open his new organic  Sharon Farm stand for summer trade, owner Chris Cho, right, and farm manager Jose Olivera recently oversaw soil preparation at the 130-acre East Canaan farm. Photo by Leila Hawken

A customer stopped recently at the partially opened Sharon Farm stand on Route 44 in East Canaan. Photo by John Coston

Expecting to open his new organic  Sharon Farm stand for summer trade, owner Chris Cho, right, and farm manager Jose Olivera recently oversaw soil preparation at the 130-acre East Canaan farm. Photo by Leila Hawken