About Us

Sheltered in the foothills of the Catskills, Mountain Dell Farm grows exceptional food and memorable experiences.  Founded in 1990, our farm has been a quarter-century work in progress, serving NYC restaurants and the local community for 29 years, functioning as home, business, artist residency and place of growth. In keeping with NOFA-NY, Northeast Organic Farmer's Association, our Farmer's Pledge farm promotes healthy food, fosters well-being, community, and personal achievement unique to homestead farming.

Mountain Dell Farm offers a place for apprentice growers to practice the art and science of farming, writers and artists to create, and individuals to reflect and dialog. The dell supplies plenty of open fields to forage, woods to wander, herb gardens to study, and a swimming pond to enjoy.

The unique private living quarters coupled with warm engagement at our bountiful table can be tailored to overnight and extended stays, residencies, and camping space between the months of May and October.

For further information, or to book your own stay, contact us.

 Mountain Dell is a member of World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) and participates in Community Shared Agriculture (CSA). We have spaces available to be used as a creative or nature residency. Visit our "opportunities" page to get more information or contact us with any questions.

Mark Dunau and Lisa Wujnovich

Mountain Dell Farm

2386 Roods Creek Road

Hancock, NY 13783

607-467-4034 farm or 607-644-5217 cell

mldunau@tds.net

kerry o'connor/Sustainable Energy Developments, Inc.

My experience at Mountain Dell Farm was one of the most formative, inspirational and challenging experiences of my lifetime. When I reflect upon my time with my Mountain Dell family, I instantly see lesson that I learned in the Dell radiating throughout my life ten years later. My experience at Mountain Dell challenged me mentally, physically and spiritually in ways that I am forever grateful. I learned a respect for the land that comes from hard work and discipline.  A respect for nature which ultimately controls all that we do.  A respect for community and the roles we each play as individuals. A respect for society and the influence that one person can exert in it. A respect for food and the sacred place it holds in our lives,

Marilyn McCabe/poet

My Orlando Prize-winning poem "On Hearing the Call to Prayer Over the Marcellus Shale on Easter Morning" came directly from my experience at the farm. Can't beat that.

Alana Jamieson/woofer

Mark and Lisa are incredibly welcoming and kind, and made me feel right at home. This is not to mention how experienced they are with organic farming. They've been running Mountain Dell Farm for ~30 years and are a wealth of knowledge on the subject. If there's anything you want to know that they haven't already explained, just ask! We harvested veggies and tended to the fields as part of the regular daily maintenance activities of running the farm. On top of it all, their property is located in a beautiful upstate NY setting with a cool converted dairy barn as the living quarters. It was a wonderful experience!

Toni Grekin/massage Therapist/csa member

When I started participating in Mountain Dell Farms CSA, I was overwhelmed with the variety and freshness and volume of the healthy greens that now filled my refrigerator.  There were lots of known vegetables, and many I had never seen before.  On advice of my daughter, “When in doubt, Mom, sauté in a little olive oil and serve over pasta!” I completely revamped my cuisine.  I had recently been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes and the addition of these amazing gifts of the earth in such great quantities have gone a long way in keeping me from ever needing insulin to manage my bloodsugar!

Yemana Saunder/ artist/retreat leader

 I attended a presentation of Lisa’s masks, and I will have this memory at hand for the time I live. Humanity....lovable in all our flaws.

Mary Jo Long/attorney/activist

I learned about floating row covers from Mountain Dell farmers. I don't mean just what it is. I mean how it really works to keep out soft plant-eating insects during those crucial early stages in a plant's development. I learned you don't have to leave it on forever. I learned about the weed of well-composted soils like Mark and Lisa's-- galansoga-- which is so wicked that its seeds ripen even after you pull it up. And I learned to think about how my gardens and fields and pastures look from the hawk's eye as she floats a hundred feet above.

Mike Bernhard/woodworker/HOMESTEADER

I have incorporated much of Mountain Dell's practice in my homestead garden, especially regarding succession planting of salad vegetables.  By making a small planting of those vegetables every three weeks, our kitchen is greens-supplied between May and October, but we never have too much at once. Thanks, Mark and Lisa.

Dennis marrero/Bluet Hill Farm

My first visit to MDF was in 2008 and it was the first time I ever set foot on a real farm. At the time I was still very much attached to my life as a city office worker who lived in suburbia. To learn that MDF was essentially operated by two individuals and some helpers during the summer months gave me a shot of confidence that I might one day be able to make a career change and become a farmer. They were very encouraging to me and happily answered all of my questions about the day-to-day operations of MDF.

Lindsy solomon/artist

I learned that to farm is to work with a living system that remains unpredictable and one must be ready to respond with consciousness and humor when dealing with all manners of bounty and crisis. I learned that fennel is most excellent when roasted. And how a collinear hoe can save your back. And best of all, I felt, tasted and smelled what it was like to be a part of a loving intelligent creative family who lives in a barn and knew that I was home.

Marie/educator/ex-executive

Working with Mark and Lisa amongst row upon row of beautiful vegetables, in a lovely peaceful setting is an educational and rewarding experience.Benefiting mind and body, it is the polar opposite of working in a corporate cubical. I feel healthier for just having been there.

JENNIFER SCHRIBER/DRUMSOMEDRUMS

When I was coming up short on realizing my own dreams, Lisa and Mark shared theirs with me—and they let me put my dog to his final rest on their land...

Helping Lisa double dig a healing herb garden was an incredible opportunity for me to learn and Lisa willingly shared her knowledge of medicinals.