PHOTOS BY SYDNEY LEEMHUIS
Danielle and Blake were building their careers in the arts. Danielle was a dancer in the Corps de Ballet of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre for 17 years. Blake received his degree in classical music composition and worked in the yachting industry as a captain.
During that time, he was approached by Glenn Beck to compose original music for his 2009 stage production,“ The Christmas Sweater: A Return to Redemption.” The premiere was held at Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh, and the production included an 11-city tour.
Blake wanted to remain in western Pennsylvania, so a move to Los Angeles or New York was not an option. While searching for his next chapter, he visited Lucca, Italy, where his family originated. After discovering his forebears were known for making limoncello( a lemon liqueur), he returned to Pittsburgh and opened a distillery in the Strip District, which was an immediate success.
Unfortunately, a few years later, the business experienced a serious setback when COVID-19 struck in 2020. After regrouping, Blake and Danielle headed for Danielle’ s family home in Erie County. While there, Blake became increasingly enthralled with the beautiful 1849 farm next door.
Almost on a lark, he decided to enroll in an online regenerative farm program in Sweden. He loved the idea of restoring the land and honoring the ancient methods that produced good, healthy food while leaving the land in better condition than before.
The couple soon found themselves living on the 100-acre farm, raising chickens and pigs and growing vegetables. It was their original intention to raise food to feed only their family, but neighbors and members of the community kept requesting products from the farm.
Each year, they have increased the number of animals they raise, and now Danielle grows flowers for fresh-cut bouquets and arrangements. There is also a distillery where Blake produces his popular limoncello, along with other spirits.
One very important development at Ridgemeade Farm has been the addition of sheep, with a herd of 75. Blake enlisted the advice of legendary herdsman John Jamison.
Jamison has been known by chefs around the world for producing the best lamb in the United States. Even famed chef Julia Child was a fan and bought lamb exclusively from him for her dishes. Jamison and his wife,
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