About Prospect Farm
Our story
We are Lane and Meryl Nevins of Prospect Farm, a diversified livestock farm committed to raising animals with integrity and in harmony with nature. Our mission is to offer honest and nourishing meat to our regional community.
We established the farm in 2011 at a time when it was still primarily a vision. Over the years we continued to workshop our ideas, gain experience, and set roots in the area - molding us into the operation we are today.
Like many young farmers, access to land was our biggest hurdle early on - so we moved properties as needed and adapted as we went. Not until 2016 did we get the opportunity to own our own farm- the original farm that the 2011 vision began on!
Located directly on Route 2 in Lunenburg, in the Northeast Kingdom of VT, we now call a 70 acre old dairy farm our home. A remarkable CT River Valley spot, nestled on the NH border, known to locals as “The Flats.” The property, which hadn’t been in use for many years, continues to need much love. Luckily we have plenty of that to give! The longer we are here the more we learn about this land and how to best steward it - providing us with the consistency we need to be the best farmers we can!
Why we do it
We started farming with a dream of cultivating the land and building a better future for our region's food system. Our perspective on farming and what it means to us is continually evolving, but that original dream has never changed. In many ways the farm is less a means of producing meat and more the pursuit of an independent, self supporting life - one that is meaningful and delicious!
In hindsight, there have been countless influences, small successes and big bumps in the road that can account for how Prospect Farm was forged. Ultimately, it can best be described as our calling.
As we grow older, so much of what we find meaningful in this way of life is sharing it with each other, and as our family grows, with our children. Being with them on our land through the seasons everyday, teaching them, learning from them, and continuing to build on that original dream is the most rewarding.
Despite the hardships and uncertainties that naturally come along with farming, it has proven to be incredibly fulfilling work. We are passionate about engaging with our community, and it’s an honor to feel like we are making a positive dent in the uphill food system battle. It’s why we do it!
Who we are
Lane is a man on a mission around these Prospect parts. Especially now that we have wild kiddos, we truly couldn’t do it without him! These days he is in charge of all things animals. He’s the one out there moving the poultry every day all summer long, chipping ice out of the livestock water troughs in the winter, observing our pasture, seeing out the rotation schedule, fiddling with the machinery, hauling the animals, maintaining the roadways, building the infrastructure. In his very limited to zero free time he likes to fly fish, play music, maybe get to play golf once a year and make our daughter Saoirse laugh like no other.
Meryl used to be more involved with the animal care, but now that mothering energy has been shifted to our human children! She plans, coordinates and communicates all the moving pieces of the farm. Incoming animal schedules, coordinating with the processing facilities, packing orders, communicating with customers, operating our CSA program, facilitating the donation deliveries, writing this website, and paying the bills! Outside of the business, Meryl loves working in the garden, homesteading projects, playing with her 35mm cameras, swimming in rivers and skiing on mountains, and dancing with our daughter who has some serious moves.
Saoirse, our two year old daughter, is the real boss to be reckoned with around here. She is the best chicken wrangler, chick feeder, gigantic dog herder, schedule negotiator, and seed planter we’ve ever come across!
Farm Staff
What’s a farm without a couple big hounds? Otto runs with the A Squad, not a more loyal or dependable being on earth. Baby Hugo aka Slobber Muffin has a lot to learn, but you can’t find a more well meaning guy.
