Ep11: Courage2Thrive — On today’s episode, Salt of the Earth, Rev. Dr. Robert Flanagan interviews Kirby Peters of Maple Bank Farm in Roxbury, CT. Don’t miss this episode about the future of farming

September 2026: Welcome to Ep11 of Father Bob’s Courage2Thrive show!

Salt of the Earth — Father Bob talks with Kirby Peters, who runs Maple Bank Farm in Roxbury, CT, about the art of running a 300 year-old farm, and the future of family farming

About our guest: Since 1730, Maple Bank Farm has provided quality fresh products while providing a destination that exemplifies what a farm stand can mean to a small town. Cared for by Kirby Peters, who runs the farm and the stand’s day-to-day operations, the farm is staffed by a small team of dedicated employees who love everything related to farming, agriculture, and fresh local food. Transparency at every step of the food production process is extremely important to us.

He started working at the farm in high school and decided to make agriculture his career after working in the field and at the farm stand. He earned a degree in agricultural science at Cornell University in 2017 and started his career in Austin, TX as a greenhouse manager. In 2022, Kirby decided to return to Roxbury to continue Maple Bank’s legacy. From cultivation & growing to picking & washing, we are passionate about giving the community a window into the local food system.​The vision for the future of our farm is to continue to provide the community with a marketplace where they can buy fresh produce, locally produced items, and seasonal specialty items.

Maple Bank Farm

About Maple Bank Farm: One of the oldest family-run farms in the United States, Maple Bank Farm has been in the Hurlbut family since its formation. Jonathan Hurlbut, the son of Joseph, who was the first settler of Roxbury, had farmed here since the early 1700s. In 1730, Jonathan established what is now Maple Bank Farm in the center of Roxbury. He built a small house within 100 feet of the current farm stand, which was lived in by 3 generations of Hurlbuts. The original foundation can still be seen today. In 1766, Gideon Hurlbut increased the farm by 44 acres: 10 acres for plowing, 8 acres for clear pasture, and 8 acres for mowing. Started as a subsistence farm with oxen, a horse, cows, chickens, sheep, and pigs, the farm provided tobacco, flax, and wheat to sustain their family.

By the early 1800’s the farm had passed hands to Thomas Hurlbut, son of Gideon, who played a key role in expanding the family farm by adding additional acreage. Thomas and Rhoda Hurlbut’s son Garry married Ann, and in 1830 they built the existing farmhouse on the hill to the right of the farmstand. Garry and Ann’s son Henry, after being inspired by a trip to Illinois, added another 34 acres to the farm along Ranny Hill. This additional acreage brought the farm to 114 acres.

Kirby Peters, Maple Bank Farm

In the early 1900s, Norman Hurlbut, Henry’s son, began producing products for the local market. He transitioned from a small dairy operation into the poultry business. The family began delivering eggs and poultry to households in Danbury and then expanded to Waterbury and Naugatuck. There were as many as 3000 poultry. Raising broilers was added to the regular egg customers. Turkeys, geese, and ducks were included on that list, dressing up to 30 poultry a week, producing many more turkeys during Thanksgiving and Christmas. The farmstand started as a picnic table next to the farm driveway, piled daily with fresh pickings on a self-service basis. In the 1950’s Lewis and Alden Hurlbut continued the retail routes to Danbury and Waterbury, selling fresh produce and eggs out of a pickup truck three days a week. Orchards were also established, which are the origins of the heirloom apple varieties still being sold. In 1963, Alden and Lewis built a more permanent roadside stand in the style of a gambrel barn.

Cathy and Howie Bronson have been operating Maple Bank Farm since 1980. Both have a strong background in agriculture. Howie grew up in Washington, CT, on his father’s dairy farm. This solid foundation grew as he studied agriculture at the University of New Hampshire. Howie’s love of the land spread from dairy to include fruit and vegetable farming. Cathy Lewis’ daughter grew up on Maple Bank Farm learning with a hands-on approach. Cathy and Howie married in 1978 and have two children, Linnea and Christopher. Cathy and Howie continued as the eighth generation of farming, including apples and poultry. Greenhouses, 1 acre of blueberries, and expanded orchards made it possible to provide more for local people. Focusing on the local customers’ needs, Cathy and Howie built a new stand in 1986 to handle an expanded line of farm products. Much was added, ranging from mixed baby salad greens, sweet corn, flowers, potted plants, and custom knitted wool stockings. The roadside farmstand has a backdrop of sloping hills dotted with sheep who wander down to the split-rail fence, hoping for a snack of fresh vegetables or fruits. Cathy and Howie feel very rooted in the values so often associated with farming, as their love of living off the land is deeply ingrained. They have taken joy in sharing the fruits of their labors with so many loyal and appreciative customers. Click here to learn more: maplebankfarmct.com

About our host: An esteemed Episcopal priest and author, Father Bob has dedicated his life to spiritual transformation and caring for others. With a profound connection to his faith and an unwavering commitment to helping those in need, he has touched countless lives through his ministry, writings, and teachings. Bob’s book, “Letters of an Unexpected Mystic,” was a 2023 Selah Book Award finalist in the Bible study category. Learn more: robertdflanagan.com