Fort Plain farm continues to grow with help from microgrant

FORT PLAIN, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Fort Plain farm was the recent recipient of a microgrant. The funding was given out by the Montgomery County Business Development Center to small businesses with five or fewer employees.

The money has helped the farm owner branch out in more ways than expected.

With the backdrop of the rolling hills of Fort Plain, Bowterra Farm sits on two acres of orchards where you'll find fruit growing, poultry, and thousands of pounds of mushrooms.

"So, we are a diverse permaculture farm," owner Bradley Bowers said. "We actually raise animals based on the needs of our soil."

Bowers left the corporate world to run the self-sufficient farm. To help its growth, Montgomery County recently awarded Bowterra a $10,000 microgrant.

"We're not just putting up a store," Bowers explained. "We're bringing people to the region, which is cool."

By going beyond the basics and connecting the community to the land. It's one of only four farms in the country with a hive house -- a small Airbnb with an unusual experience.

"Underneath a bench is bee hives," Bowers said. "You go in and lay on top of the hives. They're separated, but you feel all the vibrations."

Linnea Melucci is the hive house manager.

"You're going to hear the sounds of the bees working in the hives producing honey," she said.

Agriculture meets therapy, the smell of honey and buzzing of bees helping visitors be mindful of the present.

"If you want to make a farm community viable, you need ways to connect people to your farm and connect people from a higher income source," Bowers said.

Bowers is putting his degree in environmental science and policy to good use. At a time when more family farms are shuttering, he's trying to think outside the box for what agriculture can offer.

While you can visit the farm, you can also find their products at markets in Clifton Park and Troy. Five thousand dollars is still on the way from the microgrant.