As we wrap up February, I would like to share a family run business.  This family has built a life here and now their child has shared in their footsteps. You may drive by this beautiful piece of land every day and not know the owners. I would like to take this opportunity to share their family in our community.  The Century Oak Farm: 

In 1986, my parents Peter and Thelma Putriment, left their newly built home on the outskirts of a picturesque horse farm in Connecticut to move to a 150 plus-year-old home on a dairy in Janesville. It was my father’s dream to have a New York Thoroughbred horse farm, so, they packed up their 4 children, myself, two brothers and my sister to fulfill the dream.  I was 7 when we left our entire family in Connecticut for a falling down farm in New York, and I was 17 when I left that falling down farm for Europe, vowing that I couldn’t put enough distance between the farm and myself. 

However, almost 25 years after leaving I came back. In 2022 my husband Alex and I decided to sell our farm in Montgomery County and move our three boys to my family farm. It was not an easy decision. The home we built in Sprakers was beautiful and almost completely renovated, but the farm in Janesville was becoming too much for my dad to manage alone. Despite the challenges we knew that Janesville presented, I think both Alex and I fell in love with the land.  So, we decided to start over on what we now call Century Oak Farm. We have made some renovations on the property to allow my parents and my mother-in-law to continue to live on the farm with us. Additionally, we have begun the long process of restoring buildings and replacing fencing. I was also able to start a small partnership called Misty Mountain Thoroughbred LLC to continue my father’s work in the Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry. We have several broodmares who will foal this spring, as well as young racehorses beginning their training. We also have a small cow calf operation. We finish some of the animals for consumers, but many are sold as feeders. My husband, three boys and I also produce bailage and dry hay for our livestock and a fair amount of small square bales for sale.

My boys are now the third generation living on the farm and I dream of many more generations to come. Certainly not the same sentiments the 17-year-old version of myself had. However, a farm is not simply a place to live, it is a way of life.

Thank you Jeannie Stabinski for sharing her beautiful life she has built with her family. She was willing to share it for my column  and I am truly thankful.

A reminder to residents that there are two vacant spots available  on the Planning Board.  Please attend the town meeting, on the second Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. to inquire. The town is still within the 45 day period of a pay raise for the Highway Superintendent, you may voice your how you fell about this to Brenda Southworth.  The town is hiring for a full time CDL driver, if you are interested,  please reach out to Chad Evans.  

This Spring the Seward Farmers and Artisans Market is reopening. They are currently looking  for vendors. A vendor would need insurance,  a good that is handmade or gown. Please reach out to Angela Clapper if you are interested  518-337-3722.

This week is a homeschooling party for Valentine's day, put on Kimberly Buck 11:30  at the Fusion Church.  Saturday, The Dust, will be playing at Locomotions, start time 8:00 p.m. Or at The Peppercorn Tavern Matthew Vroman is playing,  Saturday evening as well. 

As for my house we have a little pig that has a medical  issue  the vets can not figure out. So in the morning I get to call Cornell to see if they can help. Flour,  a.k.a Tiny. She was the size a week old piglet at four months old. Tiny came to our home three years ago, in August. She was so small and so sick. We nursed her back to health, but she never grew like other pigs. She came from Cortland. We went to get her sister,  Sugar, and were told if we do not take her she will die.  If you know our small homestead,  we take in the ones people do not want. So we drove home with two girls, to give them a place to belong. Please send good vibes her way, she is feisty girl and we love her!