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Great-grandma Slinka would have been proud. Her familys fourth generation still farms, and grows the lavish amount of produce you see at the Green Market every Tuesday and Friday by the Greenwich Historical Society. The 400-acre Red Clover Farms is now more than 90 years old. The shovel passed from Slinka through Grandma Mary to its current proprietor, Kim Dulka.
"All my friends had the average home, family dog and did normal things during the summer," said Dulka. "Mine consisted of planting, haying, milking and of course, playing with my calf Rolo, who also had a leash like a dog."
On market days, Kim picks her produce early in the morning and hauls it over to her stands. The produce varies by season but usually includes vegetables, herbs, fresh cut flowers, artisan salts, jams, pies and teacakes. The original farm, begun in 1915, provided meat, poultry, eggs and fresh milk.
Dulka worked in the corporate world when she graduated from college but continued to make her own soaps and herbal blends. Her hobby became her business when she opened a day spa called Clary Sage in Southbury. After seven years, she decided it was time to sell and move back to her roots. "I felt like I got the most out of my business," said Dulka. "I wanted to re-establish our family farm."
Dulka and her family keep the farm organic and 100 percent natural meaning that they do not use any sort of chemical treatments. "I feel like I've truly come back to my roots," she said. "I am so honored to be a part of this wonderful organic, eating local movement. I have such appreciation for all the hard work generations of my family did and feel so blessed to be here."
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