We have some big news …
Friends,
To our long-time subscribers and loyal customers, we have big news to share today! After 38 years of management by JP and Marian Welch, Justamere Tree Farm is changing ownership following JP and Marian’s decision to retire.
Today’s newsletter is coming to you from the farm’s new owners — Kelly, Kim and Deb — but before we introduce ourselves, we want to share a message to you all from JP and Marian:
Back in 1982 we were two back-to-the-landers with a shared scrappy vision of homesteading and living off the land. We settled in the Berkshires to put down roots, raise a family and see what the future held?? We fell in love with this little dot on the map called Worthington and a 26-acre wooded lot with a brook and hunting cabin.
We've farmed this land for the past 38 years and lived our dream and raised our family. The woods have been our livelihood, the earth our roots, the trees are grounding and we've known little else but the love of this land and its pulse that hums through each season. When we reflect on the past and the journey, the most memorable part for us is that we actually were able to live off the land and make a living by just walking out our own doorstep every day and working in nature. In those early days the hardest part was becoming established and here we are, years later with a business that is known, loved and supported by so many.
The thought, care and support that you have shown us over the years allowed us to live our truth and we truly will never stop being grateful to you all. Our hearts are full today as we pass on these traditions to dear friends and we urge you to not say goodbye, but rather hello to the new warm faces of Justamere Tree Farm.
Over the course of this past winter we've had the immense privilege to meet and befriend three talented, smart, funny, rockstar women whom will be taking over ownership and growth of Justamere Tree Farm.
— JP and Marian
Now it’s our turn to introduce ourselves! As JP and Marian shared, we’ve spent much of the past six months being mentored and taught everything we need to know to carry on the legacy of maple farming at Justamere Tree Farm.
Spending more time at home in recent weeks has provided us all the opportunity to pay more attention to the changing season. Most of us welcome the change of winter slowly ceding to spring. New blossoms represent the potential of wonderful things to come. With the right nurturing and some cooperation from Mother Nature, something delicious is only a few months away.
Like everything else they’ve done, JP and Marian put together a meticulous advertisement to find the right, aspiring maple farmers to continue stewarding this land. Whether they found us or we found them matters little, it was love at first sight! All three of us fell in love with the life and the farm Marian and JP built over almost 4 decades.
For those of you wondering, nothing is going to change at Justamere Tree Farm. After all, how can you improve on perfection? The farm staff that make many of the delicious products you enjoy are staying on here at Justamere. In fact, J.P. was here yesterday overseeing the making of the maple candy. His endorsement was, “that tastes just like what I make!”
You might be wondering who we are, so let us tell you about ourselves. Our company is a small, women-owned business. We were so enamored with the purpose and dedication that JP and Marian brought to their business and their land, we couldn’t imagine a better way to live a life that spoke to our values and expressed how we wanted to walk in this world. Each of us dedicated our first career to public service and we feel that continuing to value and honor the land and provide 100% sustainable products to all of you is a continuation of that commitment.
Please reach out to us if you have any questions about us or our product line. We will continue to send out newsletters and updates to social media, where you will learn more about us and our values. We would love to hear from you. The farm’s email address, website and phone number will stay the same. Online ordering doesn’t change, and we will keep you updated on our schedule of fairs and festivals on our website. We are using technology in whole new ways. For example, we will be at the virtual Maryland Sheep and Wool festival on May 2 and 3, because the live event was cancelled for the year.
We are excited to be the new owners, and we are very happy that JP and Marian will be just a couple of miles down the road ready to share advice when we need it. Most of all, we look forward to producing quality products for you and continuing the legacy that has been entrusted to us. And remember: we're still offering free shipping on every order over $59. We look forward to getting an order in the mail to you soon!
Kelly, Kim and Deb