Northborough Exposure is a Blog that was launched by local photographer Joyce Maranto. It is a blog about everyday people that we meet in the course of daily life in and around our town. In 2018 Joyce relocated out of state, and passed on Northborough Exposure to her equally talented, close friend, Susan Ogar. Sue looks forward to introducing you to more people around town.
For several years I watched the garden on Hudson Street grow and expand as I drove my son to and from hockey practice and games. For those of you in hockey families, you know how much time we spend at the rink… I’d see this dark-haired, tanned woman toiling away in the garden from April to November. Each year new rows of crops added, a new mini greenhouse constructed, and more growth.
One day, as I drove past the iconic aqueduct and onto the later part of Hudson Street, there was a sign and an “open” flag flapping in the wind. Yellick Farm Stand was born. I was thrilled to check out the amazingly fresh veggies, but also anxious to meet the woman from the garden who I began to think of as “The Farm Girl”.
Kerrie Tetreault-Yellick started the garden at her historic Hudson Street home four years ago. She describes it as a small family-owned and operated farm selling produce and cut flowers grown naturally without the use of pesticides or chemicals. Kerrie says her love of gardening was inspired by her grandmother Betty Tetreault and her passion for farming is rooted in 13 years of working on Berberian’s farm. “Working at Berbarians taught me to work hard but have fun playing in the dirt…” she says.
Named for the family’s dairy farm that was once across the street, the current farm stand happened by accident. After buying the house from her husband’s great grandparents, Kerrie expanded the garden. She says her husband was “tired of all the vegetables piling up on the counter.”
Each time I stop at Yellick’s, I get amazing produce, a genuine smile, good conversation and often an extra gift. On one stop, Kerrie advised me to add flowers to my container gardens to attract bees. I took her advice and ta-da, my flowering cucumber plants were pollinated and began bearing fruit. On another visit, I was greeted lovingly by a sweet black and while cat who followed me throughout my visit. But the best gift from Yellick’s is the taste of their fresh vegetables. I remember growing up convinced that I didn’t like tomatoes. It turns out, the problem was that I had never eaten a real tomato. A farm tomato.
If you have a minute, swing by and try one. Say “hi” to the Farm Girl (and the bees, butterflies and cat) while you are there.
