Caryl Watterson, owner and farmer at BrynTeg Farm, is a kind, warm-hearted soul whose heart is as full as her yield. Her presence is like a warm hug. I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know her over the last year and learn her story. It’s a story full of joy, faith, uncertainty, success, loss, gratitude..but most of all, love.
Caryl’s deep roots, passion and dedication to farming has allowed her to grow the farm over the last 47 years into what it is today. She serves our community as a produce market farm, growing fresh and delicious produce and providing to individuals, families, chefs, and schools. She also believes it is important to keep learning and teaching the next generation the importance of good growing practices and has implemented many workshops over the years. I am excited to bring you this interview, and I hope you enjoy hearing a piece of Caryl’s story with BrynTeg Farm. – Jessalyn Rich
Some BrynTeg Farm Background
BrynTeg means “Beautiful Hill” in Gaelic/Irish.
We area Produce Market Farm growing produce and marketing to individuals/families/chefs/schools.
It is important to keep learning and teaching the next generation the importance of good growing practices
I’ve grown micro-greens year-round for over twelve years. It remains a favorite and a mainstay for our farm. We will be offering a Microgreen CSA again and I give presentations and teach about growing your own micro-greens. This is a fun way to learn how to grow greens year-round.
At our farm you can learn how to grow your own food, composting, vertical growing, raised beds and boxes, etc. We’ve offered and have future plans for classes on gardening, making sauerkraut, fermenting, preserving, pickling, pesto and sauces, canning tomatoes, salsas and applesauce, apple cider vinegar, herbs with a purpose, and dehydrating.
In March, we have a professional orchardist teaching the art of pruning apples trees and April 1st on Apple Care workshop covering disease and pests for the backyard enthusiasts. You’ll be able to sign up for these classes soon. In the past we’ve had Wild Edible workshops on foraging and learning what is edible in your back yard. We are in the process of setting up a workshop for the public in May.
We know the importance of continuing to learn and there are endless opportunities we would like to offer you to learn with us.
About Caryl Watterson
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I have two wonderful daughters: Tara, owner of her own CPA firm helping small businesses with the world of numbers. Tara works behind the scenes on our farm website/online farm store and social media and is a farmer-in-training. She’s juggling many responsibilities.
Bretta moved to Australia in June, 2021, with her husband, Stephan, for a job transfer. She is a nature-inspired artist publishing art manuals and offering a farm-related Coloring with Bretta upcoming (link) in the month of February, in memory of her Daddy, Farmer Gary. Bretta helps behind the scenes with graphics, social media and photos. Our farm wouldn’t be where it is without my two daughters. They are precious.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I have deep, deep roots because my parents, grandparents, and great grandparents all lived in this local area. My forefathers settled in this area and set roots in Ashippun/Lebanon/StoneBank calling this area home.
Q: Please tell us about the Farm, what you do and how you chose/got started on this path.
Working the land is in my blood. I love the land and the soil. I grew up on a dairy farm in Ashippun and in 1976 purchased the acreage we now call BrynTeg Farm from my parents. Over the years we slowly planted and added fruit trees mentored by Bill Aeppler from Aeppler’s Apple Orchard. We planted asparagus, berry bushes and plants, grapevines, soft wood and hard wood trees, on our hillside property. We were thinking sustainable before it was a common word.
Q: How has the farm evolved over the years?
Before we started our own produce market farm, we grew a huge garden/gardens sharing the bounty with single-income families to encourage them along the way. It was through our daughter, Tara’s health, and the importance of pure, good food that our interest in the early 90’s took off and grew to where we are today. Many of our farm friends today are aware of the importance of knowing your farmer and knowing your food.
Q: What do you love most about what you do?
I love to continue learning and growing and teaching what I learned to reinforce it. There’s nothing like watching the next generation learn the excitement of growing.
Q: What has been a difficult challenge in your journey?
Facing farm life without my dear husband, Gary. We were an incredible team and could work hard, long hours together. Rooted and grounded our farm business into what it is today. With my two daughters we will establish a plan to keep moving forward. It will not be the same but we know we can keep growing.
Q: What is the most rewarding part of your work?
Seeds are incredible, tiny packets of life just waiting for me to plant them so they can spring to life. It never grows old to observe the wonders of nature whether a seed, a plant, a critter, the sky above or the land we walk on.
Q: What advice would you give to someone interested in growing their own produce or food?
Just start small whether its in your flowerbed growing a few veggies in the city or a 5 gallon bucket with soil – don’t be afraid – just do it. Just do it and don’t be afraid of failing. Grow and learn.
Caryl & Our Community
Q: What is your favorite thing about our community, favorite thing to do, or something unique about our community that you love?
I love the deep roots of so many families that call Lake Country home sweet home. Everyone loves to be transit and move here and there but it takes courage to stay grounded and be the ones that live day by day right here where parents, grandparents and our ancestors have walked the same ground. Our community offers sidewalks and roads around the lakes for exercise and enjoyment. We can find a bench and watch the sunset over the lake or to sit and chat with a friend. I don’t know another place I’d rather live than right here in this area.
Q: Is there an interesting person you’ve met here in our community? Why were they inspiring to you?
Each of the volunteers that have faithfully volunteered at our farm over the years. We couldn’t have succeeded in what we accomplished without their helping hands. Each individual that found their way to our farm wanted to learn and put what they learned into action in their own back yard.
Q: Do you have a favorite coffee shop, cocktail shop, or restaurant?
Wherever I go with my family or friends. I like cooking things up in my farm and home kitchen. I like ID in Delafield, and Java Hut & Whelan’s Coffee shops in Oconomowoc.
Q: What 3 words would you use to describe our community?
Home Sweet Home: Beautiful. Family-oriented. Welcoming.
For Fun
Q: What is your favorite book, TV show, movie, poem, or song? Why?
Actually, I like the sound of silence because you can listen to the wind, birds, and critters without the noise of everyday life. It’s always about being too busy we don’t take time to listen what’s right there us. I enjoy quietness and silence.
Q: Do you have a favorite recipe to make with ingredients from your farm?
I have lots of favorites because I really enjoy being in the kitchen and “cooking up a storm”! Sauces, Apple Cider Vinegar, Apple recipes, soups and salads, fermented garlic, seasonings…
Q: If you were a drink, what would you be??
I’d be a lettuce-parsley and water green drink.
Q: If you could go to lunch with anyone, who would it be with? Why?
I would love to have lunch together with my two daughters because they mean the world to me.
Q: What makes you the happiest?
Encouraging others along the way.
Q: Any general life advice you would like to share?
Live life one day at a time and don’t worry about tomorrow because tomorrow has enough trouble of its own. My dad lived this and it’s easier to say than do.
Where to Find Caryl Watterson
Owner and Farmer
BrynTeg Farm LLC
Home Office: 645 E Juneau Ave
Farm: N1087 St John’s Way
Oconomowoc, WI 53066
Email: info@bryntegfarm.com
