Living Acres Farm Joins The National Society of Descendants of Farmers of American Farmers 1176-1900
By Mary Gardner-Ruch, 10/4/21
On Sunday, October 3rd during the Alfred Farmers Market, Meredith Chilson, New York State Ambassador for The National Society of Descendants of Farmers 1776-1900, along with Kimberly Conroy, from Cuba, presented Living Acres Farm with a National Award. Farmers, Aleksandr (Sasha) and Amanda Khodorkovskiy were recognized by this organization for their agricultural contribution to Allegany County. Amanda comes from at least 6 generations of farmers in America. Sasha’s mother worked on a collective farm in Russia before moving to the United States. The couple met serving as interns on the Hawthorne Valley Farm in Ghent, NY. They started Living Acres Farm in Alfred Station 12 years ago.
Living Acres Farm, located in Alfred Station NY, is a family-owned and operated diversified vegetable operation. They practice sustainable growing methods on approximately 3 acres and proudly provide their local community with nutrient-dense vegetables from June until November.
Their farming philosophy is centered around soil health. Sasha and Amanda believe that healthy soils make healthy plants which in turn make healthy people. They strive to keep the organic matter in their soils high and the proper nutrients balanced by applying compost, cover crops, and natural soil amendments. No pesticides or herbicides are used in the growing of their vegetables. Living Acres is a low-mechanized farm that relies mostly on the power of humans.
Their vegetables, herbs, and flowers can be obtained through their CSA, Community Supported Agriculture, and at the Corning and Alfred Markets. They also sell to The Rogue Carrot and some of the local restaurants in the area.
The National Society Descendants of American Farmer’s mission is to identify and honor the memory of our ancestors, who were farmers living in the United States between July 4, 1776, and December 31st, 1900. The organization awards scholarships to college students following in our American farmer’s footsteps. They promote membership by engaging in related educational, historical, genealogical, patriotic, literary, and social activities that commemorate our American Farmer ancestors.
Amanda’s Grandmother’s Mother, and her Great Grandmother, Mildred Wolfer Henry came from a long line of farmers. Her father, William, can be traced back twelve generations of farmers. They came to America from Ebingen, Germany. Mildred had brothers. Her brother, Fred Wolfer, farmed in Northern Allegany County, like his father before him. They were known for using horses to help with the farm work. Wolfer relatives from Centerville and the Fillmore area still farm today.
Amanda’s Great Grandfather on her Grandfather Gardner’s side of the family was a farmer in Wellsville. His name was Charles Gardner. His family line were farmers that can be traced back to George Adam Gardner who came here just before the Revolutionary war. Charles Gardner’s mother, Rachael Barrett came from a farm family. The Barrett Farm in Armstrong County PA is still owned by the Barrett family.
For more information on The National Society Descendants of American Farmers, you can visit their website www.nsdoaf.com; email at nsdoaf@gmail.com, or check out their Facebook page.
If you are interested in the Living Acres Farm, check out their website https://www.livingacresfarm.com. You can find them on Facebook or come to the Alfred Farmers Market on Sundays through October from 11 am to 3 pm.
