The Barn at Sweet Fern Hill

The Barn at Sweet Fern Hill We offer fresh pasture raised eggs, raw local honey, seasonal fruit + veggies, herbs, hormone/antibiotic free pasture pork.

This past week we celebrated World Bee Day.What do bees and pollinators mean to our world?Everything. 🐝 They are the qu...
05/27/2026

This past week we celebrated World Bee Day.

What do bees and pollinators mean to our world?

Everything. 🐝

They are the quiet workforce behind nearly every beautiful and nourishing thing around us. Every buzzing bee, fluttering butterfly, hummingbird, moth, beetle, and native pollinator plays a role in keeping our ecosystems alive and our food supply thriving.

Pollinators are responsible for helping produce roughly one out of every three bites of food we eat. Apples, blueberries, pumpkins, almonds, cucumbers, coffee, chocolate — even the hay that feeds livestock — all depend on pollination in some way.

But their importance goes far beyond food.

Pollinators sustain wildflowers, forests, meadows, and countless native plants that provide shelter and food for wildlife. They support biodiversity, strengthen ecosystems, improve soil and water health, and help entire environments remain resilient and balanced.

Without them, the ripple effect would touch everything.

Our landscapes would become quieter.
Our harvests smaller.
Our ecosystems weaker.
Our world less vibrant.

Bees especially are often misunderstood. Most are not aggressive and have no interest in harming people. They are simply focused on survival, community, and the ancient work they have carried out for many thousands of years.

To care for pollinators is to care for the future.

Plant flowers.
Protect habitat.
Avoid unnecessary pesticides.
Support local beekeepers and native pollinator populations.
Leave a little wildness in your yard.

Because when pollinators thrive, the world thrives with them.

You may be familiar with San Marzano tomatoes, but have you ever heard of the “Pomodorino Vesuviano”?The Vesuvio Piennol...
05/27/2026

You may be familiar with San Marzano tomatoes, but have you ever heard of the “Pomodorino Vesuviano”?

The Vesuvio Piennolo cherry tomato (full name: Pomodorino del Piennolo del Vesuvio) is a tomato variety grown in the southern region of Campania, Italy, around Mount Vesuvius. You know the one — the volcano that buried the entire city and marina of Pompeii nearly 2,000 years ago.

In 79 AD, Pompeii was buried under up to 20 feet of volcanic ash, reducing what was once a thriving ancient port city to little more than oral history passed down through generations until its accidental rediscovery centuries later.

On a family trip to Italy last year, we not only walked the ancient streets and ruins of Pompeii, but we wanted to experience this still-active volcano up close and personal. And what better way to do that than on horseback?

Our guide, Carlo — owner of the horse ranch — gave us an unforgettable tour of the mountain while sharing the rich history of the region. After the ride, back at the ranch, he prepared a light snack of freshly made bruschetta and served wine crafted by one of his neighbors from locally grown grapes.

Both were incredible, but what completely stole my heart were the tomatoes.

Hanging from the rafters of the ranch house were bunches of vibrant red tomatoes clustered together like ornaments. The history of these tomatoes stretches back almost as far as Pompeii itself. They are one of the oldest and most traditional varieties grown in the region and are unique to this particular part of Italy.

The skin is thick, the flesh is firm, and they can be stored for many months. As they slowly dry, their flavor and fragrance become even more intense and concentrated.

Traditionally, Piennolo tomatoes are hung in bunches tied with h**p string — which is where the name “piennolo,” meaning “hanging” in Neapolitan dialect, comes from. The ripest fruits are often left to dry for about a month before being cut into pieces, called “pacchetelle,” and preserved in jars, made into paste, or used for bruschetta.

What makes them so special is the volcanic soil itself — the result of thousands of years of lava stratification — rich in minerals that give these tomatoes their distinctive flavor and character.

While we were there, Carlo could see how much I had fallen in love with the region, the mountain, and these tomatoes. Before we left, he gifted me a handful so I could dry the seeds and try growing them back home.

Those tiny seeds traveled with us through Naples, Florence, and Rome, then all the way across the Atlantic to New England.

Now that the weather is finally warming up here, we’re giving it a shot and trying to grow our own little version of these beautiful tomatoes.

Will they be exactly the same? I’m sure they won’t.

But if I can bring home even one small piece of such a magical place that holds such a special place in my heart, then that’s more than enough for me.

And honestly… this is a far better souvenir than an “I ❤️ Italy” t-shirt.

🐝 BEES SWARMING IN YOUR YARD? DON’T PANIC — CALL ME! 🐝If you suddenly see a large cluster of bees hanging from a tree, f...
05/16/2026

🐝 BEES SWARMING IN YOUR YARD? DON’T PANIC — CALL ME! 🐝

If you suddenly see a large cluster of bees hanging from a tree, fence, bush, or even your house, there’s a good chance it’s a honey bee swarm looking for a new home.

The good news?
🐝 Swarming bees are usually very calm and focused on protecting their queen — not attacking people.

Instead of spraying or destroying them, give them a chance to live and continue doing the important work our environment depends on. 🌎🌼

✅ Safe & humane bee swarm removal
✅ Bees relocated — not exterminated
✅ Most swarm rescues done at NO COST
✅ Fast response when possible

If you spot a swarm, send a photo and location details.

📞 Call/Text 508-942-4106
🐝 “Saving the bees… one swarm at a time.” 🌻

Update, we have 4 beautiful flower arrangements left and a still have the Bloom Bar open to make your own bouquets!Raw l...
05/10/2026

Update, we have 4 beautiful flower arrangements left and a still have the Bloom Bar open to make your own bouquets!

Raw local honey
Honeycomb
Crushed Comb

A few left, swing by Sunday or Monday and grab yours before they are gone!

05/10/2026

Swing by!! The Barn at Sweet Fern Hill for a beautiful treat!

We have a few pre-made flower arrangements left for that special Mama in your life or come by bright and early and make ...
05/09/2026

We have a few pre-made flower arrangements left for that special Mama in your life or come by bright and early and make one to bring her.

We also have our honey 🍯 , crushed comb + honey comb out at the barn as well!

Swing by Saturday till 7pm or Sunday from 7am to 7pm.

Dutcher Milling offers log removal
05/07/2026

Dutcher Milling offers log removal

Self serve stand open. 7am to 7pm214 Purchase St Middleboro Raw local honeyCrushed honeycomb Whole honeycomb
05/04/2026

Self serve stand open. 7am to 7pm
214 Purchase St Middleboro

Raw local honey
Crushed honeycomb
Whole honeycomb

02/13/2026

Do you know we have apparently raised an entire generation of people who don't know they can eat the stem of the broccoli 🤔

This weekend’s forecast says we might get no snow… or seven feet of it. So basically, anything could happen.Fill your ga...
01/21/2026

This weekend’s forecast says we might get no snow… or seven feet of it. So basically, anything could happen.

Fill your gas tanks, stack your firewood, make sure you’ve got clean water, and be prepared in case the power decides to take a little vacation. If you’re already prepared, there’s no need to wipe the grocery store shelves—this isn’t the apocalypse, it’s just winter being dramatic.

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Middleboro, MA

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