Featherbed Lane Farm: A Model for Community-Driven, Sustainable Agriculture in Ballston Spa
Nestled in the countryside of Ballston Spa, New York, Featherbed Lane Farm is quietly redefining what it means to farm with intention, integrity, and community at the heart of every decision. Run by Tim Biello, this 60-acre farm is not only a beacon of sustainable agriculture but also a prime example of how deep community ties and ecological mindfulness can form the backbone of a thriving local food system.
The Free Choice CSA Model: Empowering Members with Flexibility and Abundance
At the center of Featherbed Lane Farm’s operations is their unique Free Choice CSA (Community Supported Agriculture)—a model that distinguishes them from most traditional CSA programs. Unlike box-style CSAs, where members receive a pre-packed assortment of vegetables each week, Featherbed Lane invites members to visit the farm every Saturday and select exactly what they want from a vibrant farm store setup.
“It’s like their own farmer’s market,” Tim explains. “Members take as much as they need for the week for the members of their household, based on an honor system.”
This innovative approach gives families the freedom to eat what they love and try new things—reducing food waste and encouraging a stronger connection to their food. Kids are often seen picking out vegetables and snacking as they walk, engaging directly with the harvest in a way grocery store produce rarely inspires.
What’s more, the CSA is year-round—52 weeks a year—a rarity even among farms in New York. With the help of greenhouses and an impressive stockpile of storage crops like squash, potatoes, carrots, and leeks, the farm maintains a steady supply of produce through even the coldest months. Eggs, flowers, honey, mushrooms, and other products sourced from neighboring farms round out the offerings.
Powered by Horses and Heart
Featherbed Lane’s fields are worked primarily not by tractors—but by a team of draft horses named Bear and Duke. Tim has partnered with these Percherons for over a decade, using them for everything from plowing and cultivating to compost spreading and sleigh rides for CSA members.
“They’re gentler on the soil,” Tim says. “They’re powered by grass and sun, and their waste is fertilizer.”
The horses are part of the farm’s core philosophy: to work with nature rather than around it. While Tim is quick to acknowledge that great farming can happen with tractors too, his decision to use draft horses stems from a commitment to environmental stewardship and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Soil-First Farming
At Featherbed Lane, soil health isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a daily focus. The farm employs cover cropping extensively, often interseeding into standing vegetable crops to outcompete weeds and ensure living roots remain in the ground as harvest winds down.
Compost is another critical piece of the fertility puzzle. Members contribute food scraps weekly, which are blended with horse manure, straw, wood chips, and bedding to create rich, biologically active compost. Combined with occasional natural mineral amendments, this practice feeds the soil—and, in turn, the plants—without synthetic inputs.
No Sprays, No Shortcuts
Pest management at Featherbed Lane avoids chemical shortcuts. The farm uses no synthetic or organic biocides, relying instead on crop rotation, healthy soils, floating row covers, and beneficial insects to keep plants resilient.
“We want this to be food that’s safe for our families, our workers, and our members,” Tim emphasizes. “I take my kids out there to pick carrots and strawberries and eat them right from the field.”
Community Commitment and Shared Values
Tim doesn’t just run the farm full-time—he also works part-time for the American Farmland Trust, helping other farmers find land and navigate the challenges of long-term viability. He understands firsthand how difficult it is to secure land access and has made it part of his mission to support others through the same journey.
Back on the farm, the CSA model is structured to be inclusive and community-focused. Featherbed Lane offers a sliding scale payment system, allowing families to contribute what they can afford. Some members pay above the suggested amount to subsidize others, and grants from local nonprofits help close the gap. The farm also donates food weekly to a local pantry.
“It’s a constant tension,” Tim admits. “You need to charge enough to pay your farmers well and invest in your land, but you also want your food to be accessible. We try to meet people where they’re at.”
Farming for Every Season
Even during New York’s harsh winters, the CSA doesn’t stop. The farm leans on cold-hardy storage crops and greenhouse-grown greens to provide variety through the quieter months. “From April to December, there’s something new every week,” Tim says. “In winter, it’s a bit more consistent, but still fresh, local, and nutrient-dense.”
That seasonal rhythm, paired with the weekly trips to the farm store, helps members connect deeply to the cycles of local food. It’s an experience that’s hard to replicate in grocery store aisles.
More Than a Farm—A Movement
Featherbed Lane Farm in Ballston Spa is more than a farm—it’s a living, breathing example of what’s possible when sustainability, transparency, and community are at the forefront. Through the Free Choice CSA, horse-powered cultivation, regenerative practices, and a heartfelt commitment to equity, Tim Biello and his team are not just growing vegetables—they’re growing a model for what food systems can become.
To learn more or become a member, visit FeatherbedLaneFarm.com.