Dear Friends,
It is with a heavy heart that Eric and I write to you today. We have made the very hard decision to pause operations at The Grey Barn at the end of this summer season. We will be open all summer long so do please join us at the Farmstand, on a Tour, on a Tasting or just to wander around with our chickens and eat some cheese.
Increased costs and changing market dynamics since the pandemic have made it clear to us that our current business model is no longer viable. It has always been important to us that we pay living wages and offer benefits to our employees. It has also been essential to us that we do the absolute best job that we can in caring for this land and our animals. The costs of farming and cheesemaking have risen dramatically over the past few years and raising prices again to our customers is simply untenable.
Many of you have stopped by our farmstand for cheese, bread and meat, a tour and tasting, or maybe even bought milk from the fridge on the porch back in the early days. For all of you we are thankful. We hope you enjoyed all of your experiences here and look forward to seeing you all again over the next several months. We still plan to have lots of cheese, meat and bakery goodies throughout this summer—so please do come and see us in the farmstand and stock up on your favorites! The farm will be open all summer and we would love for you to come by the shop, join us on a tasting or tour and say hello again to the animals before September.
Eric and I need time to pause and reflect on what our future holds. Sixteen years ago, we made the choice to relocate to Chilmark and to raise our family and business here, but a lot has changed and we need to pause to figure out what’s next for The Grey Barn and for our family. We have looked out our kitchen windows at the pasture every morning, deep green with summer grass or covered in a deep bed of snow, nothing but silence across the expanse. We love it here. It has been an unbelievable privilege that we are incredibly grateful for and we are so deeply appreciative of everyone who has supported us, especially all of the amazing employees we have had the opportunity to work side by side with over the years. Thank you.
Most Sincerely,
Molly & Eric Glasgow
