Willow-Marsh Reimagined: How a Crisis Sparked a Farm’s Bold New Future

In Ballston Spa, New York, Willow-Marsh Farm and Farm Store is turning a year of crisis into one of the most transformative chapters in its history. For owners Chuck and Sara Curtiss, what began as a devastating listeria outbreak has evolved into a catalyst for renewal—allowing them to reimagine everything from cow comfort to community connection. 

“We really feel like God put this opportunity in front of us,” Sara said. “Yes, financially, it’s been devastating—but we’ll come out of it stronger.” 

The listeria forced the Curtisses to pause raw milk production—an emotional and economic blow for a farm known for its clean, high-quality raw milk. After months of attempts to eradicate the bacteria, they chose another path. Out of necessity came innovation, and the couple seized the moment to build something better from the ground up. 

A New Era for Dairy at Willow-Marsh 

Central to Willow-Marsh’s rebirth is a state-of-the-art overhaul of its dairy operation. The old tie-stall barn is being renovated into a free-stall system—an open, cow-friendly design where animals can move, eat, and rest as they choose. The cows will have 24/7 access to grazing pastures. Rather than using sawdust, the new stalls will be lined with sand—an inorganic bedding choice aimed at eliminating bacterial growth and maximizing cleanliness. 

The barn’s crown jewel will be a robotic milking system. Unlike conventional setups, this technology allows cows to decide when they want to be milked. The robot evaluates milk from each teat in real time, detecting health issues long before they become visible. “It’s better than any human can do,” said Chuck. “You’re basically just managing the system, not doing the labor.” Willow-Marsh Farm will house one of approximately 200 Lely robotic milkers in the Northeast, about 120 of which are in New York.

The system not only improves cow health and milk quality—it also provides instant biofeedback through a phone app, giving the Curtisses constant insight into each cow’s wellbeing. “We used to struggle identifying problems fast enough,” Chuck added. “This system changes that.” 

Education and Transparency at the Core 

Sara and Chuck aren’t keeping these changes behind the scenes. Instead, they’re using them to deepen community engagement. Part of the barn will include a glass wall so visitors—especially school and homeschool groups—can watch the robotic milking process in action. A separate section will allow hands-on interaction with cows, reinforcing the farm’s mission to reconnect people with where their food comes from. 

“We already have a homeschool group on a waiting list,” Sara laughed. “They don’t even care when we’re ready—they just want in.”

Educational outreach will also extend to a new beekeeping center, with plans for a bee house where guests can meditate above buzzing hives and learn about the vibrational benefits of nature. Lesson plans, interpretive displays, and even sound baths are on the horizon. “We want to offer spaces for people to ground themselves, to raise their vibration, and to just learn,” Sara said. 

The Return of Raw Milk—and More 

Though they’ve adapted in the interim by bringing in milk from Battenkill Valley Creamery, the Curtisses are determined to bring their own raw milk back—with higher standards than ever before. The new system, they say, will allow for safer, more efficient milk production. 

The return of their creamery is timed to coincide with the relaunch of milking. They also plan to install a commercial kitchen for preparing healthy, farm-fresh grab-and-go meals—real food for people too busy to cook, but still mindful about ingredients. 

“We’ve been there ourselves,” Sara admitted. “You get home late, you’re exhausted, and you just want something decent that’s not junk. We want to offer that.” 

Expanding the Farm’s Offerings 

Willow-Marsh isn’t just revamping dairy—it’s also diversifying its product lines. The farm has invested in a premium beef herd, including Angus and Wagyu cattle. Their first Wagyu calf is already on the ground, and the Curtisses plan to double the herd over the next year. Eventually, they’ll offer USDA cuts, boxes, and shares to meet growing demand. 

“We’re raising beef the way it should be raised,” Chuck said. “Clean feed, no commercial grain, no chemicals. Just quality.” 

That philosophy also extends to new plans for raising free-range meat chickens in mobile “chicken tractors” and building a sugarhouse to start producing their own maple syrup and candies. Chuck’s nephew Spencer, who has a PhD in biology, will help lead the maple initiative—bringing both passion and science to the project. 

Farm Store, Food Truck, and Community Roots 

Even as the Curtisses work behind the scenes to overhaul the barn and build out new programs, the Willow-Marsh Farm Store remains open Thursdays through Sundays. It offers beef, pork, chicken, honey, local baked goods, teas, and unique finds like raw cheese from California and freeze-dried candies that have become a local favorite. 

In the next year or two, the Curtisses also hope to launch a farm-branded food truck, serving burgers made from their own beef. It will mostly operate in front of the store, but will also pop up at events like the Saratoga County Fair.

And soon, the farm itself will become even more accessible with the addition of a public walking trail, complete with benches for meditation and rest—offering visitors a way to connect with the land as deeply as the food it produces. 

Farming Forward—Together 

Chuck, a farmer since childhood, admits that some of these changes would have been hard to imagine years ago. “When you’ve been doing something for 60 years, it’s hard to shift,” he said. But Sara has been gently nudging him toward innovation—and now, he’s all in. From adopting non-GMO crops to planning fall cover crops and regenerative soil practices, Chuck has transformed the way he approaches farming. 

“I’ve seen the improvement,” he said. “Our soil is better, our weed control is better, and we’re getting more life back into the land.” 

Sara, proud of the progress, summed it up: “We’re doing this for the animals, for the community, and for the earth. We’re not just trying to stay in business—we’re trying to do it better.” 

In a time when small farms are often fighting just to survive, Willow-Marsh is choosing to thrive. Their journey proves that from adversity can come innovation—and from a family’s passion can grow a whole new vision of what farming can be. 

To learn more or plan a visit, go to https://www.willow-marshfarmstore.com. You can learn more about the events they host like classes, live music, bonfires, soundbaths, and a Christkindlmarkt Dec. 5-6th. The info will be available on their events pages online and their Facebook page.