and sports, but it is Amy who holds the majority of the farm’ s sweat equity.“ I am just the farmer’ s husband,” Mark says.
Farming has not only changed how the Cullembers spend their time. It has also completely overhauled their diet.“ We went from my first son having Burger King on the way to day care and McDonald’ s for dinner to my last son being a farm-fed and farm-bred boy,” Amy says. At this point, the farm supplies 90 percent of their meat and 50 percent of their fruits and vegetables. Although Amy does enjoy a special bond with her animals and at times it has been difficult for her and the kids to use them for meat, it has been a learning process for them all.“ We do name our animals. We love and respect them, and they have a purpose,” Amy says.“ The kids and I understand and have accepted this.”
THE COMMUNITY Nothing makes Amy happier than sharing the many lessons she has learned from her trial-and-error farming experiment with others. She welcomes local homeschooling groups as well as people considering hobby farming to stop by and tour the farm.“ I feel honored when people call and want to bring their kids over,” she says.“ Other hobby farmers also use us as a sounding board.”
Sandy Malliet of Hancock met the Cullembers through an internet listing for organic eggs. Inspired by what Amy had accomplished on her farm, Sandy now has a growing hobby farm of her own.“ Amy’ s passion for the farm and animals is contagious,” Sandy says.“ She doesn’ t hesitate to tackle a new idea or project.” Sandy also credits Amy for being gracious and giving of her time and information.
Albert Sweitzer once said,“ Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” The orchard heavy with ripe fruit, the piglets nuzzling their mother and the quizzical eyes of the first farm-born calf are signs of the splendor that flourishes on the Cullember’ s plot on Spickler Road. It’ s safe to say that Amy and her family’ s efforts have been nothing less than abundantly successful. §
New Look, New Address �������������������������
Spring Open House in our new location
Friday, March 1- 10am – 8pm Saturday, March 2- 10am – 8pm
11 East Baltimore Street( block off square) Greencastle, PA
Hagerstown: The Best of Life in Washington County & Beyond March / April 2013 47