By Matthew Avitabile
MIDDLEBURGH — Tucked beneath Vroman’s Nose, in the peaceful town of Middleburgh, Muddy Brook Farm is a family-run farm stay where history, community, and sustainability come together.
Kade Iervolino and his family purchased Muddy Brook Farm in 2023 and has made it into a sustainable growing business. Iervolino works with his family on the project, which has taken on significant life in recent years.
Iervolino loves the peaceful and beautiful town of Middleburgh and its environs. His family had visited Greene County for about 20 years and more recently made the jump to Schoharie County.
Iervolino is excited to contribute to the local community, working to unlock the full potential of Muddy Brook Farm while fostering a spirit of connection and highlighting the importance of community here in the Valley.
Trista Shultes, owner of Gardens by Trista in Gilboa, has partnered with the family to enhance the property’s landscape design and honor its history, as the farm was once home to her grandparents, the Vanhoutens, for many years.
In addition, Middleburgh local Kayla Francis helps share Muddy Brook’s community-driven mission while managing the new Muddy Market debuting this year. The market showcases MBF’s own organically grown produce, along with handmade, vintage, and locally crafted artisan goods, fresh flowers, and seasonal specialties. Its goal is to create a welcoming hub where neighbors and visitors alike can gather, shop, and connect with the farm’s evolving vision.
The farm represents an opportunity to build a truly sustainable business model, Iervolino said. A central goal is to partner with local schools and charities, supporting the community while fostering an ethical approach to improving the surrounding environment.
Iervolino envisions Muddy Brook as a multipurpose farm. Hosting farm-to-table dinners, community events, educational opportunities, and more. His lifelong dream has been to create an environment where people can rediscover an appreciation for nature and the vital role it plays in our lives. ‘Getting your hands dirty on the farm and in the wild is an experience everyone should have,’ he said. ‘It’s a privilege to have such a unique and rewarding job.’
For Iervolino, cooking is storytelling. With a plate as his canvas, he conveys the journey from seed to harvest, bringing each ingredient’s life story full circle to the table for people to enjoy. Alongside this vision, he continues to grow the business, expanding the market garden with a diverse crop plan that includes unique produce, herbs, and flowers. The team is carefully researching what grows best, focusing on pest-resistant varieties while proudly maintaining fully organic practices. The farm also nurtures a young food forest filled with fruits and nuts, and next spring, they will begin cultivating shiitake mushrooms.
The farmhouse at Muddy Brook is currently available as an Airbnb rental, with the potential to evolve into a beautiful venue for gatherings and events. For Iervolino, operating a small farm has been both a rewarding challenge and a constant learning experience. He enjoys the problem-solving side of farming—balancing land management, business operations, and hands-on work in the garden. The opportunity to spend time outdoors, cultivating crops and caring for the property rather than being tied to a desk, is part of what makes the work so meaningful. Always looking ahead, Iervolino envisions what the farm could become in the future while continuing to share its growing story with the community today.
Muddy Brook Farm is more than a farm. It’s a place where history, community, and sustainability come together to shape a shared future in the Valley.
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