Willow-Marsh Farm & Store

11/12/2026

🍫 It's THIS OR THAT THURSDAY! 🍫

Hi Farm Friends! 💛 Today we're settling a delicious debate. Are you a DARK chocolate lover, or do you prefer something a little sweeter?

We're featuring Confluence Chocolate, handcrafted right here in Ballston Spa, NY!

What makes Confluence special? They're a bean-to-bar chocolate maker! Chris, the owner, starts with cacao beans, roasting, grinding, and transforming them into chocolate. Different growing regions produce different flavors, and his careful roasting brings out those natural characteristics.

Here's what we have on our shelves!

🍫 ORIGIN: A 70% dark chocolate made with lightly roasted cacao beans. Rich, complex, and perfect for someone who appreciates the natural flavors of chocolate.

🍫 JOURNEY: A dark chocolate featuring cacao from Ecuador, offering a different tasting experience from Origin.

🍫 EXPLORER: A sweeter, smoother chocolate with a mild, milk-chocolate-style flavor, but made without dairy!

🍫 86% CAMINO VERDE: An intensely dark chocolate made with cacao from Ecuador. For those who believe the darker, the better!

🍫 70% ANAMALAI ESTATE: Made with cacao from India, featuring tropical fruit notes, fudge, floral hints, and touches of peanut and caramel.

🍫 SURVIVOR: A special 75% dark chocolate sprinkled with pomegranate and cranberry for a delicious combination of sweet, tart, and fruity flavors. Created to support breast cancer awareness and local organizations providing education and support.

Now for the fun part! Let's play THIS OR THAT!

🍫 Dark & Intense OR Smooth & Sweet?\
🍫 Pure Chocolate OR Chocolate with Fruit?\
🍫 70% Dark OR 86% Extra Dark?

And here's the BIG question: If you could choose just ONE of these six chocolates, which would you pick?

We love supporting local makers who put so much care into their products. If you haven't tried Confluence Chocolate yet, perhaps it's time for a little chocolate adventure!

👇 Tell us your pick in the comments!

11/12/2026

Good Morning, Farm Friends! 💛

UPDATE: All 4 half-gallons have now been spoken for.

🥛 We have two half-gallons of donated A2A2 raw milk available for pickup today, Thursday, November 12th!

Our generous donor did not specify that the milk needed to go to a SNAP recipient, so we'd like to open this opportunity to anyone who could use a little help or would simply like to try our raw milk for the first time.

The first two people who send us a private message will each receive a half-gallon of raw milk, free of charge!

❤️ And here's something we'd like to add! Willow-Marsh Farm will match the amount of milk being donated, which means we're adding another two half-gallons to help even more people!

That makes FOUR half-gallons available today!

Please keep in mind that all four must be picked up today. The milk was bottled yesterday, and any unclaimed donations will need to be discarded after closing.

We appreciate the generosity of our customers and love being able to pass that kindness along to others in our community! 💛

11/11/2026

Hi Farm Friends! 💛 ✨ Something BIG is coming! ✨

For a while now, we've been working behind the scenes on something very special here at Willow-Marsh Farm. It's a dream we've had for years, and one that will take a whole lot of planning, determination, creativity, and yes, financial resources to bring to life!

We have some pretty BIG ideas, and we're getting ready to do something we've never done before.

We're not quite ready to share the details, but we will tell you this: January 2027 is going to be interesting!

For now, we're planting the first little seed of what's to come. 🌱

Some dreams are simply too important to leave sitting on the shelf. Stay tuned, Farm Friends! We have a feeling this is going to be quite an adventure!

Now, just for fun, if you could make ONE big dream a reality for our farm, what would it be? A new crop, a new product, a new building, animals, or some other new addition to the farm? The sky's the limit!

11/11/2026

Hi Farm Friends! 💛 Today is Veterans Day.

Veterans Day is celebrated every year on November 11 to honor all men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces.

It is a day to recognize their service, sacrifices, courage, and commitment to protecting our country.

Why November 11?

Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day, commemorating the end of fighting in World War I on November 11, 1918. The armistice took effect at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation changing the name to Veterans Day to honor American veterans of all wars.

Veterans Day vs. Memorial Day

🇺🇸Veterans Day (November 11): Honors everyone who has served in the military, both living and deceased, with particular emphasis on thanking living veterans.

🇺🇸Memorial Day (last Monday in May): Specifically honors military personnel who died while serving our country.

🇺🇸Armed Forces Day (third Saturday in May): Recognizes those currently serving in the military.

The heart of Veterans Day is gratitude. It is an opportunity to thank those who answered the call to serve, whether during wartime or peacetime.

Thank you to all who have served our country. My father served, several of my uncles have served, and we have friends who have served. We appreciate all of you.

💛Chuck & Sara

11/10/2026

11/10/2026

Hi Farm Friends! 💛 🦃 Last Call for Thanksgiving Orders! 🥧

Today is the FINAL day to order your free-range Thanksgiving turkey and delicious pies from Mourningkill Bakeshop!

And what about sourdough from Ten Acres Homestead? Will you need a loaf (or two) for your Thanksgiving table? Which flavor is your favorite?

This is it, Farm Friends! Get those orders in TODAY, Tuesday, November 10th, between 2 PM and 6 PM.

🏡 Stop by Willow-Marsh Farm & Store or give us a call at 518-288-3347.

🥛 And let's not forget the raw milk! Tuesday is a great day to stock up! We have 25 gallons of our farm-fresh A2A2 raw milk available for walk-in purchases today.

See you at the farm! 💛

11/10/2026

Hi Farm Friends. 💛
Sadly, we are sharing that Chuck lost his uncle, Ozzy, last week. If anyone is interested, the calling hours are this afternoon. Ozzy was special. He loved hearing about our progress and supported our mission. I really enjoyed his farm store visits.

Oscar “Ozzie” Curtiss, 89, of Ballston Spa, NY, passed away peacefully at home on November 3, 2026, surrounded by his loving family after a long illness.

A man of gentle strength, generosity, and kindness, Ozzie was one of nine children born to Winifred and Schuyler Curtiss. He, his siblings, and his twin brother, Orville, grew up in a farming family, where he developed a lifelong devotion to family, faith, hard work, and his Ballston Spa community.

A skilled electrician, Ozzie was also the ultimate handyman, able to fix or build just about anything. He enjoyed hunting, spending time with friends at hunting camp, and bowling in local leagues.

Ozzie devoted many years to serving as Scoutmaster of his son John’s Boy Scout troop, where he was affectionately known as “Mr. C.” Scouting held a special place in his heart, as it also brought him together with his second wife, Norma, and her son, Mike, expanding his family and bringing more love into his life.

His commitment to his community extended to Christ Episcopal Church in Ballston Spa, where he faithfully served as treasurer for many years.

Ozzie was predeceased by his first wife, Claudia Cook; granddaughter, Allison Tucker; twin brother, Orville; and seven of his siblings.

He is survived by his wife, Norma; daughter, Elaine Vickery (Don); son, John Curtiss (Leeann); stepson, Michael Ebert; grandsons, Jack and Nicholas Vickery; brother, Charles Curtiss; and many loving nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

Ozzie will be remembered for his steady presence, willingness to help others, and the kindness he shared so freely. His legacy lives on in the family and community he loved.

Calling hours will be held Tuesday, November 10, from 10 AM to noon at Armer Funeral Home, Inc., 39 East High Street, Ballston Spa. A funeral service will follow at noon, with burial in Ballston Spa Cemetery.

11/09/2026

Hi Farm Friends! 💛 It's Market Monday!

Today we're shining the spotlight on Muranda Cheese Company, a family-owned artisan cheesemaker located in Waterloo, NY, in the beautiful Finger Lakes region!

Muranda began as an award-winning dairy farm and now produces more than 20 varieties of artisan cheese using milk from local Finger Lakes farms. We love supporting another New York agricultural business, especially one that knows a thing or two about good cheese!

Here are the seven delicious varieties you'll find at Willow-Marsh Farm & Store:

🧀 Aged British Cheddar – Aged for one year, this savory cheddar develops a wonderful combination of tangy, sweet, and nutty flavors.

🧀 Gotcha Gouda – Smooth, creamy, and buttery with a mild, slightly sweet flavor. A great choice for snacking or melting.

🧀 Farmhouse Parm – Aged for over a year, this firm cheese offers rich, nutty, savory Parmesan-style flavor. Delicious grated over pasta or enjoyed in small pieces.

🧀 Dilly Girl – Cheddar flavored with dill and garlic! A delicious combination of creamy cheddar, fresh herbal notes, and savory garlic.

🧀 Scallion Onion Cheddar – A flavorful cheddar with the mild, savory taste of scallions. Wonderful with crackers, on sandwiches, or melted into a grilled cheese.

🧀 Lady of the Lake – A cross between Gouda and Parmesan, combining Gouda's buttery richness with Parmesan's nutty, savory character.

🧀 Horseradish Cheddar – Creamy cheddar with a bold, zesty horseradish kick! A terrific choice for roast beef sandwiches or anyone who enjoys a little bite in their cheese.

Whether you're building a charcuterie board, making a sandwich, or simply enjoying cheese and crackers, there's something here worth trying!

Now for the important question: Which one would you try first? Or, if you're already a Muranda Cheese fan, which is your favorite? 😋

Stop by Willow-Marsh Farm & Store and explore our selection of locally made cheeses! YUM!

11/09/2026

Hi Farm Friends! 💛

⏰ The window is closing!

November 10th is the last day to place your orders for free-range turkey, delicious pies from Mourningkill Farm and Bakeshop, farm-fresh eggs from Thomas Poultry Farm, creamy Amish butter, and freshly baked sourdough from Ten Acres Homestead!

Don't let the deadline sneak up on you! Get your Thanksgiving orders in before it's too late! 🦃Gobble Gobble

11/08/2026

Hi Farm Friends! 💛 It's Soulful Sunday!

At Willow-Marsh Farm & Store, shopping local creates a ripple effect that supports far more than just our small business.

When you purchase our farm-raised beef, raw milk, or cheese, you're directly supporting Willow-Marsh Farm. Those dollars help us raise more cattle, care for our herd, and continue producing food right here in Ballston Spa.

When you purchase products from the other local farmers, bakers, makers, artisans, and small businesses whose goods fill our shelves, you're supporting their dreams, too!

Here's something you might not know. On average, about 65% of those sales goes directly to the person who made or produced the product. The remaining 35% helps us operate the farm store and keep those products available to you.

But there's a story behind every product.

🕯️ One local business owner makes candles so she can maintain a flexible schedule while caring for her child, who was born with a rare genetic disorder called CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder. She receives care at Boston Children's Hospital.

🌿 Another local mother turned her love of gardening, growing herbs, and spending time outdoors into a small business developing teas, balms, and salves.

💛 A third mother began making all-natural whipped body butter years ago to help soothe her toddler's eczema. Food-grade ingredients were important because, like most toddlers, he frequently put his hands in his mouth. Her line of natural products has grown as quickly as her son!

These are just three of the stories behind the products on our shelves.

When you shop local, you're helping families pay their bills, care for their children, pursue their passions, and build something meaningful. You're also helping keep farmland in production and small businesses in our communities.

That's what supporting local means to us.

The next time you visit Willow-Marsh Farm & Store, remember that you're not just buying a product. You're supporting the people and stories behind it.

Thank you for choosing to shop local! 💛

We'd love to know: What's your favorite locally made product?