The Outpost ~ Homegrown Farmstead

Homegrown Farmstead offers an assortment of cozy nests for farm stay accommodations. We have three guest rooms available in the shared farmhouse (Shelter, Burrow, and Habitat) and one private studio apartment (Outpost) which is on the same property just behind and up the hill from the farmhouse but in a separate building with its own driveway. Homegrown is a small farm in Bovina, NY located 2.5 hours Northwest of NYC at the edge of the Catskill Mountains. THE FARM - HOMEGROWN Homegrown is set on 25 acres near the top of Bramley Mountain (elevation ~ 2800 feet). Approximately half of the property is wooded with a meandering seasonal creek and trails for exploring. The other half of the property is comprised of green rolling pastures (where you can spot Homegrown’s lambs, goats, piglets, chickens, ducks, mini donkeys, and peacocks), orchards of apple, pear, and peach trees, and over 300 blueberry, raspberry, blackberry, and currant bushes. We also have a large organic fruit and vegetable garden and a vast open sky above the pastures for your evening stargazing pleasure. THE GUEST SPACE - THE OUTPOST This listing is for the Outpost which is a large private studio apartment in a separate building from the farmhouse with a separate driveway (also used to access the on-site farm store). The Outpost has a roomy and separated “alcove” eat-in kitchen that is private and fully stocked (with seating for three) as well as a spacious en suite private full bath with standup shower. The Outpost offers one queen bed with crisp white linens and high quality pillows you may be tempted to take home with you. There is also a hand-made single bed. The couch pulls out into a full / queen bed. Two single cushioned and partially inflatable sleeping mats are also available for additional guests. There is room to sleep up to 7 people but as it is a large studio these would be close quarters without much privacy except the bathroom (and a small room divider). The Outpost was initially built by a prior owner to serve as a motorcycle testing facility (and was later repurposed as the Bovina Town Court before being renovated and converted into a studio apartment). As such, the front door of the Outpost opens onto to a large paved area that historically served as a motorcycle training course (and two of the windows look out over this area which is less picturesque than the other magical mountain views on the farm). However, the Outpost is separated from the farmhouse by rolling green pasture and rows of white birch trees and currant bushes which allows guests additional space and more privacy from other guests than the guest rooms in the shared farmhouse. The other two windows in the Outpost offer views of green pastures and birch tree rows. All windows have room darkening privacy curtains. Just outside the Outpost is a private fire pit where you can roast marshmallows and stargaze as well as several outdoor seating areas with gorgeous mountain-top views down the valley where you can see miles of lush green sloping land in spring and summer, a warm harvest of golds, reds and yellows in autumn, and billowing clouds and snowy peaks in winter. Please inquire with owner whether split wood for the fire pit is available for purchase on-site during your stay (we try to stock it but if we run out guests can purchase logs in Delhi). The space offers TV with Roku, high speed fiber WiFi, small portable Bluetooth speaker, drawers, closet space, a luggage rack, iron and ironing board, flexible check in times and the ability for guests to check themselves in with a lock box. The space tends to stay at moderate temperatures in the summer but we offer a window air conditioner unit in hotter months as well as a fan. In the colder months the space has electric baseboard heat, an additional space heater, and lots of cozy blankets. All guests have access to the grounds and we encourage you to wander the property, take in the fresh air, watch the animals, and roam about the forest. We also offer the option to schedule a farm tour with a guide (for an additional cost) if you would like to interact with the animals. Apple picking and berry picking may also be scheduled in season (see pricing). Our little farm store is conveniently located on the property and is open 24-7 offering fresh eggs, organic berries, veggies and herbs (in season), and several types of meat (all from our farm). Enjoy our delicious Homegrown free-range eggs, maple sausage, and smoked bacon with a piping hot cup of local Foster’s coffee or Tay’s Tea and listen to the farm symphony and the roosters crow or watch the sunset from the high pastures while sipping a local wine or cider. FARM TOURS - These can be booked through our Airbnb listed experience or directly through us. $25 for the first person, $5 for each additional person (or child). The tour lasts between 30-60 minutes. We will show you what is growing around the farm at that time (in season), give you some time in with the animals to pet them, and answer any questions you have. If you book through Airbnb, please reserve for 1 person and then email us to let us know how many people you will be (otherwise you will be overcharged at $25 per person). U-PICK - We operate u-pick for blueberries in season (generally July & August) and apples and pears in season (generally September & October). There is no need to book or make an appointment as it is self-serve and always open when in season. Instructions, reusable orchard maps, baskets, quart containers and bug spray are available on the front porch of the main farm house and you pay in the cash box in our farm store. The "Spa" Package - The pool, hot tub, sauna, yoga / fitness room, and massage room are available to all guests at no extra charge. We try to (roughly) arrange times in advance for use of these facilities so everyone is ensured availability and privacy. We generally will only have one other guest room (max) filled during your stay so this should not restrict access. Children under 14 must be supervised by adults when using any of these facilities. Please shoot us a message letting us know when you would like to use these facilities. SWIMMING POOL - We have a small inflatable Intex pool (15' x 48") that can be used by guests. The pool is located in the lawn behind the main farm house. WHIRLPOOL HOT TUB - Located on the deck of the main farmhouse with gorgeous mountain views down the valley. (4 people) INFRARED SAUNA - Located on the lowest level of the main farmhouse. Can fit 4 people seated (if you want to lay down in the sauna - we recommend 2 people max). MASSAGE ROOM - There is a massage room upstairs in the main farmhouse (and another massage table we can set up in the yoga room if you want two massages scheduled at the same time). If you brought your own masseuse, just let us know when you would like to use the room. If you would like us to book a massage therapist for you, please let us know as far in advance as possible so we can coordinate with an outside vendor (prices typically range $100 - 130 for 60-90 minute sessions). YOGA / FITNESS ROOM - There is a yoga / fitness room in the main farmhouse that can accommodate 6 -7 people and an instructor (includes 2 aerial yoga setups, yoga mats, blocks, bands, meditation cushions, treadmill, dumbbells, jump ropes, bench, bolsters, foam rollers, pull up bar, etc). If you want to reserve the space only (with no instructor) just let us know when. If you would like to book private yoga instruction please let us know as far in advance as possible so we can coordinate with an outside vendor (prices typically range $100 - 150 for a 60-90 minute session). Homegrown is operated by Nicole & Josh. Josh is from the local area. Nicole is from downstate and often works in NYC. Our Bovina neighbor is fond of the saying that farming is pretty easy because we only work on days that end in ‘Y’. Even on weekends when we’re both at the farm we often find that we are up working before our guests rise for the day and until well after they’ve gone to supper and or retreated to bed. However, when our paths cross we enjoy making breakfast for our early risers or enjoying an evening drink by the fire pit once the day is done. We like the notion that we’re in the middle of nowhere yet just down the road from everywhere. Homegrown is located on a quiet mountain road and feels like a remote and peaceful retreat. However, it is quite centrally located and easily accessible to the surrounding towns. • Bovina Center - Five minutes drive down a dirt road past a cattle farm will bring you to downtown Bovina Center where you can enjoy a fabulous egg sandwich at Russell’s General Store or enjoy whatever mouth-watering dishes Sohail is serving up at Brushlands Eating House (don’t miss this Catskills gem). • Andes - The little hamlet of Andes is an 8 minute drive down Rt 28 where you’ll find Wayside Cidery, wine and antique shops, a darling ceramics shop, and the Andes Hotel Bar (a local favorite watering hole). • Bloomville - We are ten minutes from Bloomville. • Delhi - Twelve minutes drive in the opposite direction takes you to the heart of Delhi where you’ll find more practical necessities (i.e., gas station, grocery store, pharmacy, Tractor Supply, hardware store, as well as a main drag of bars, restaurants and shops. We are about 35 minutes from Oneonta, an hour from Cooperstown, 30 minutes to Margaretville and under an hour to four ski resorts – Belleayre, Platekille, Hunter and Windham. There are also countless options for hiking trails throughout the local area as well as all of Delaware County and the surrounding counties. Although there are buses that stop in Delhi, Homegrown is not walking distance from any public transportation options so you will likely need a car (or a bike and loads of energy for the steep mountain roads). Uber and taxis are not readily available in the area. Plenty of free parking. Bovina, Andes, Bloomville and much of the surrounding area has very limited cellular reception (varies somewhat from carrier to carrier). Alas, this is mountain life. We have high speed fiber optic WIFI on the farm though for those of us who need to stay plugged in and most people have good cell reception in Delhi and Margaretville. Our eclectic guest list has included Brooklynites in search of a gentler pace, drifters exploring New York’s expansive countryside, avid hikers and bikers, wedding and reunion guests, families on spring break, Delaware County college students and work travelers, Bovina natives returning to visit friends and family, locals in transition, and aspiring farmers.