Russo's Roots

Certified Organic Farmers James Russo and Libby Tarleton of Russo’s Roots are located in Canterbury, Connecticut.

James and Libby purchased the farm that is now Russo’s Roots in 2014. The farm is nestled on 26 acres in the hills of eastern Connecticut. The farm’s roots date back to the 1930s when Finnish immigrants established a chicken farm. Since taking ownership of the property, James and Libby have slowly converted pastures into productive vegetable fields by transforming the soil into a diverse living system teeming with microorganisms that support healthy, nutritious vegetables.

The farm produces a wide range of vegetables, including tomatoes, carrots, kohlrabi, puntarella, red napa cabbage, oriental eggplants, and shishito peppers. They also strive to push the envelope and grow things you wouldn’t normally find in our northern climate, such as ginger and turmeric. You can find Russo’s Roots products at their farmstand in Canterbury, the Willimantic farmers’ market, or purchase a Summer, Fall, or Winter community-supported agriculture (CSA) share.

When asked about why they pursued organic certification for their farm and products, James and Libby explained that “We have always been involved in organic farming even before there was a government certification system. As the lifeblood of the farm, we know that if we want healthy plants, we need to start with healthy soil. Through compost, cover crops, soil testing, organic fertilization, reduced tillage, and other techniques, we have nurtured a healthy and active soil environment for our plants.”