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Farmer Profile — Marek Cieslik

New Entry farmer Marek Cieslik

New Entry farmer Marek Cieslik, graduated from the New Entry Farm Business Planning Course in 2008. Marek is originally from Poland, and has lived in the US since 1977.

Marek grew up on a family farm operated by his parents and grandparents. The farm was filled with livestock, including work horses, sheep, geese, and cows. The family grew wheat, barley, potatoes, apples, pears and berries on over 50 acres of property.  At that time, the main market outlet for the family farm produce was direct government sales. In some cases, the government would dictate which products the family would produce. Today, the market for agricultural products looks very different in Poland. The last time Marek visited his home, he noticed that the government agricultural exchange facility had been converted to a dance hall. Farmers are now responsible for creating their own markets, and selling directly to the public.

In 2008, during the first year of his farm business, Marek grew flowers and vegetables at Smith Farm, a New Entry training site located in Dracut, MA.  In 2009, Marek hopes to farm on an independent site, located in Littleton, MA (closer to his home in Townsend). Marek found this site through the New Entry Farmland Matching Program, which matches farmers interested in land, to farmland owners who are interested in keeping their farmland in production.

Marek has a high interest in growing herbs and flowers at his new site in Littleton. In addition, he plans to grow tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, potatoes, long beans, summer squash, and zucchini.  Marek plans to include basket arrangements and dried flowers as part of his value added business strategy.

Marek will sell his products at various outlets, including the farmers market in Maynard. In addition to marketing his own products, he plans to sell eggs purchased from a farmer who lives near his home. His long-term plans involve establishing a roadside stand on a busy road adjacent to his new farm. Marek may also buy in some Asian vegetables from other New Entry farmers to sell at his stand in Littleton.

In addition to his farming activity, Marek plans to take courses to become a nursing assistant. While in Poland, Marek attended a seamanship school to where he specialized in marine mechanics. He says, "there is a big difference between repairing large motors on ships, and repair of small farming equipment."  Still, he hopes to someday utilize his mechanical expertise and to market his skills in small farm equipment repair.