For anyone who lives their life in a very public manner, there are highs, and there are lows. But it’s the price you pay. For Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell, introduced to us all as the Fabulous Beekman Boys, and then as the latest winners of the Amazing Race, it’s a high right now! Josh and Brent bought the historic Beekman Farm in Sharon Springs, New York. But then both lost their jobs (hello recession) and there was the immediate need to take the farm and turn it into a more profitable business. It started with goats, and led to more products like cheese and chemical-free soaps.  So now the little farm that could has the Beekman 1802 Mercantile in town, right on Main Street; the Beekman 1802 Heirloom cookbook which is a part of the Kelly’s Kitchen collection of course, and many more products. Which leads us to their next endeavor.

   Josh was kind enough to give me a few minutes to talk about their efforts to help small farms stay alive and thrive at a time when so many are failing with a unique idea; since they’ve enjoyed their own homemade tomato sauce for some time at Beekman 1802, they’re now offering it for sale. But not just any sauce as Josh told me about the special tomato chosen for it, and for the name – the Mortgage Lifter Heirloom Tomato Sauce. Josh and Brent plan to sell the sauce and donate proceeds to the farms through a non-profit agency and their own committee.

   Sharon Springs may not be the biggest town in New York (population just over 500) but it’s a tight community that welcomes everyone to their annual festivals, and as residents. Take a look at Beekman 1802, and enjoy the full interview with Josh. You can catch replays of season two of the Fabulous Beekman Boys on the Cooking Channel, and stay tuned for news about a new season.

WORDS OF WISDOM FROM KELLY’S KITCHEN

“We’re two city guys who bought a farm. We've got a herd of goats. A llama. And a whole lotta drama. Farming ain't easy. But we make farming fabulous.” – Josh and Brent