New Year, New Growth: Reflecting on 2024 and Looking Ahead at Clover Brooke Farm

New Year, New Growth: Reflecting on 2024 and Looking Ahead at Clover Brooke Farm

By Andrea Parent-Tibbetts

As we welcome 2025, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the incredible year we’ve had at Clover Brooke Farm. From record-breaking attendance to exciting new collaborations, 2024 was a year of growth, learning, and connection.

A Record-Breaking Year

This past year, we were thrilled to welcome 4,400 visitors to the farm—a 14% increase compared to 2023. Our Animal Experiences remained a highlight, with 4,118 participants meeting, walking, and bonding with our beloved alpacas, llamas, donkeys, Pygora Goats, bunnies and the most important-Cricket and Rascal- Our Meeter’s and Greeter’s when you arrived to the farm.

Our Learn on the Farm workshops continued to grow, engaging 168 participants in hands-on activities like soap-making and fiber arts. We also took the magic of Clover Brooke Farm on the road with 10 off-site engagements, including charming Wedding Alpacas and festive Live Nativities.

Educational partnerships played a key role in our mission. We worked weekly with Camp Ramapo participants, teaching job skill-based farming tasks, and partnered with Hawk Meadow Montessori Middle School to provide students with hands-on experiential learning that connected them to the land and sustainable practices.

On the professional front, I was honored to present at the Greater Appalachian Llamas & Alpacas Association annual conference in Saratoga Springs, NY. My sessions, “Hosting Farmstays” and “Events on the Farm: Is It Really Worth It?”, offered valuable insights into agritourism, sparking meaningful conversations with fellow farmers.

Seasonal Preparations

Winter at Clover Brooke Farm is a time of planning, preparation, and thoughtful care for our animals and operations. Our llamas, alpacas, and pygora goats enjoy cozy shelters, warm bedding, and specially adjusted diets to keep them healthy and happy during colder months.

Behind the scenes, we’ve been hard at work processing the 350 pounds of fiber sheared in 2024. This included classing 120 lbs of Shetland wool, 93 lbs of alpaca/llama fiber, 31 lbs of alpaca thirds for felted sheets, and 11 lbs of mohair. These fibers are sent to the mill and returned as stunning worsted, DK, and custom blends, including alpaca/wool, alpaca/wool/mohair, and wool skeins. We’re particularly excited to see the mohair blends come to life!

Winter also brings dreams of warmer days as we plan an expansion of our Eco-Dyeing Garden, building on the success of growing indigo and other botanical plants for natural dyeing. It’s also a time to focus on indoor projects, from updating our website to planning new workshops and events for the year ahead.

Workshops and Events

We’re excited to announce an expanded schedule of winter and spring workshops! Returning favorites like Soap-Making, Loofah Crafting, and The Art of Beer Brewing will be joined by new fiber arts classes such as Wet Felting Bowls, Needle Felting, and Loofah Making.

Did you see us on News Channel 12?

This summer, we’re thrilled to launch our first-ever Botanical Dyeing Art Camp-‘Camp Chromatic’ where participants will explore the vibrant world of natural dyeing using plants grown in our garden. For fiber enthusiasts, we’ve started the community Fiber Group, a monthly gathering to share projects, learn new techniques, and celebrate all things fiber.

We continue to host the 4-H Spitters Club, where youth learn camelid animal husbandry and fiber arts, and we’re excited to bring back our cherished Mother’s Day Tea with Alpacas Fundraiser, a favorite event for families looking to create lasting springtime memories.

Sustainability Goals

At Clover Brooke Farm, sustainability remains at the heart of everything we do. In 2025, we aim to reduce waste, improve soil health, and expand our use of renewable energy. Enhancing our rotational grazing program is a priority, especially after facing challenges with Red Flag Warnings during a dry fall season.

We’re proud to join the Climate Beneficial Fiber Partnership, an initiative that helps farms improve soil health, reduce carbon emissions, and strengthen local economies through sustainable fiber production.

Additionally, we participated in the Annual Winnakee Land Trust Historic Barn Tour, welcoming 150 visitors to learn about our regenerative farming practices and the role of fiber farming in sustainability. These opportunities help us share our mission while connecting with a broader community.

Looking Ahead

As we reflect on an incredible 2024, we’re grateful for the support of our visitors, participants, and partners. Your enthusiasm and involvement fuel our passion for sustainability, education, and creativity.

With new workshops, expanded programming, and exciting partnerships on the horizon, 2025 promises to be another amazing chapter in Clover Brooke Farm’s story. Thank you for being part of our journey—here’s to a vibrant, sustainable, and inspiring new year!

**2024 In the News-Clover Brooke Farm

The Art of Beer Brewing-Channel 12 News

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With Every Fiber: Breeders and Craft Artisans of the New York Sheep and Wool Festival

These Wellness Events Are Perfect for Summer in the Hudson Valley

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Farm to Table Camp

The farm-to-table camp at Clover Brooke Farm offers several benefits for children. Firstly, it provides them with hands-on experiences in agriculture and farming, allowing them to learn about where their food comes from and the importance of Regenerative Agriculture. This can foster a sense of appreciation for nature and a desire to protect the environment. What actually is Farm to Table?

Secondly, the camp enables children to develop important life skills such as teamwork, responsibility, and problem-solving. By engaging in farm-related activities like planting, harvesting, and caring for animals, they learn the value of hard work and develop a sense of accomplishment.

Teaching healthy eating habits are for life

Furthermore, the farm-to-table camp promotes healthy eating habits by teaching children about nutritious food options and encouraging them to explore a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole foods. This can have a long-lasting impact on their well-being and help prevent lifestyle-related diseases.

Lastly, the camp offers a unique and immersive environment where children can connect with the natural world and understand the lifecycle of animals and farming.. This can be therapeutic and provide a break from the digitally- dominated world, allowing them to develop a deeper understanding and respect for all living beings.

Overall, the farm-to-table camp at Clover Brooke Farm Summer Camp is important because it educates children about sustainable practices, cultivates essential life skills, promotes healthy eating habits, and nurtures a connection between children and the natural world.

Instilling the joy of growing your own food

Another key aspect of the farm-to-table camp at Clover Brooke Farm is teaching children about gardening and the joy of growing their own food. Through hands-on activities, children have the opportunity to learn about planting seeds, nurturing plants, and harvesting their own produce. 

By engaging in gardening tasks, children acquire valuable knowledge about the entire growing process, understanding the importance of soil health, sunlight, and water in nurturing plants. They also learn about the significance of organic farming practices, avoiding harmful pesticides, and ensuring the consumption of chemical-free produce.

Moreover, children get to evaluate and appreciate the taste, texture, and quality of the fresh produce they cultivate themselves. They can compare it to store-bought produce, understanding the benefits of growing their own food in terms of flavor and overall nutritional value. Mom approved -Mom Approved !

Growing their own food also provides children with a sense of autonomy and pride. They get to enjoy the fruits (and vegetables) of their own labor, witnessing the direct impact of their hard work. This experience instills a deeper appreciation for the effort and resources that go into food production, helping children become more mindful consumers.

Inspiring lifelong passion for gardening and healthy eating

Additionally, learning to garden and enjoying the creations from their own garden can inspire a lifelong passion for gardening and healthy eating. It empowers children to make informed choices about the food they consume and opens doors for exploring creative recipes and cooking with the produce they cultivate.

In summary, the farm-to-table camp at Clover Brooke Farm Summer Camp offers children the opportunity to learn gardening skills, evaluate healthy produce, and experience the unique benefits of growing their own food. It teaches them the importance of organic farming practices, fosters a deep appreciation for nutritious and flavorful food, and ignites a lifelong passion for gardening and culinary creativity.