East Willow Farm

by Nicole Zappone @TheChronicleCT

Off Route 66 in Columbia is a farm home to several animals, including cows, chickens, goats, pigs and even turkeys. Husband and wife Tom and Kyla Satkowski are first-generation farmers and share some of the responsibilities with their 15-year-old daughter, Ally, and their 12-year-old son, TJ, with the hope of them taking over in the future.

Tom and Kyla Satkowski of East Willow Farm

The pair grew up in Berlin, where they started a family. “I always wanted to have a farm, and we thought it would be a great idea to raise our children in this environment,” Tom Satkowski said. It was in the spring of 2016 that the family decided to move to a small farm in Hebron.

“I think before our boxes were unpacked, I had built my first chicken tractor and started raising meat birds,” Satkowski said. “Over the course of three years, we had started raising pigs, laying hens, an apiary and growing a good amount of produce.” It was providing friends and family with their hard work, which encouraged them to try selling at a farmers’ market.

In 2019, the family had the opportunity to move to a larger farm in Columbia, where it is currently located. East Willow Farm covers about 25 acres. “By this time, we were attending about five markets per week, and Kyla and I were both talking about how great it would be to have a little farm store,” Satkowski said.

In March of 2020, they moved up the road to Columbia and opened their farm store on May 16 of that year. “We had no intention to grow as large as we did, but everything just fell into place,” Satkowski said. “We took it slow, focused on raising the animals with their health in mind and in a natural environment, using rotational grazing in pastures and in the woods.”

Currently, the pair raises woodland-raised pigs, Hereford beef, pastured-raised meat birds and turkeys for Thanksgiving.

The farm store stocks various cuts of pork and beef, including nitrate-free options. There is also a sign-up sheet for their poultry, which is processed fresh on the farm about every eight weeks. They offer monthly meat community-supported agriculture shares with a variety of options.

Options include a half share, which provides about 14-16 pounds of meat, including pork, beef and chicken. Prices vary depending on the package chosen. Customers can pay monthly. There is also a pastured poultry package, which includes chickens and eggs.

“We work with many different local farms to bring fresh seasonal produce, goat milk soaps, pottery, crafters, raw milk, cheeses, maple syrup, honey, ice cream, baked goods and more,” Satkowski said.

In the spring, the greenhouse is open for vegetable plants, annuals and hanging baskets. There are also seasonal items such as mums, pumpkins and Christmas wreaths. The farm also offers raw dog food and treats. The butcher processes the food and offers chicken, turkey and beef. Treats include pig ears, chicken feet and beef liver.

While Tom and Kyla Satkowski tend to the farm, they try to get their kids involved as well.

“I always wanted to have a farm,” Tom Satkowski said. “My friends had farms, and I wasn’t new to it. More or less, we wanted to raise our kids on a farm.” When asked if the kids show any interest in farming, their daughter, Ally, is more interested than their son, TJ.

“My daughter shows beef cattle and she’s very into farming,” Tom Satkowski said. “My son is not very into it. He likes to help by walking and helping with the cows. It’s not really his thing, but I won’t pressure him into it.”

Satkowski said he travels with Ally to various shows and can do up to at least a dozen a year.

This winter, the family will expand the farm a little so some of the animals have more space to roam.

The turkeys will be processed a few days before Thanksgiving. Almost half of them have been claimed. The turkeys they have are broad-breasted whites, a popular breed known for more meat. Heritage turkeys take longer to feed and grow. “A lot of people think they like the heritage turkeys, but they are definitely not as good,” Kyla Satkowski said. “They are tougher.”

The farm stand is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. East Willow Farm is located at 402 Route 66 in Columbia.

For more information call 860-538-2747 or visit eastwillowfarm.com.