David Buck and Tamra French began their farming journey in 2014 with chickens and a vegetable garden at their home in Naugatuck. The following year, they added goats and began making homemade soaps and lotions. “We really started making everything for ourselves, and it snowballed from there,” David shared. In 2020, they moved to their current Southbury property and fully committed to farming when David retired from the Meriden police force; Tamra is still a full-time police officer and an integral part of the farm.
Guardians Farm is situated on land with a rich agricultural history—its main barn dates to 1850, with silos added in 1910. “We had intentions of building a dairy, but it was more for goats and because people were asking for dairy products,” Tamra says. Farm friends moving to Georgia offered them two heifers, former 4-H project animals, one of which was bred. When the first calf was born in 2020, their dairy focus shifted to cows.
The pandemic presented challenges, including supply chain delays that postponed the arrival of their pasteurizer and bulk tank by eighteen months. However, they persisted, and in August 2024, Guardians Farm obtained its dairy license. “Having the cows first lit the fire – they were costing money,” David said. Now, they produce whole milk, chocolate milk, butter, and farmer cheese, with a vision to expand both their dairy production and agritourism efforts.
Agritourism and Community Engagement
Guardians Farm is more than just a dairy; it’s a place where people connect with agriculture. David and Tamra open their barnyard to visitors, offering hands-on experiences such as calf social time, which has been a huge success. “It creates a connection between people, the farm, and the cows. They know the cows producing their milk, and it gives them a reason to support their local farm,” David mentions.
Agritourism also extends to their on-site market, where they aim to stock products from other local farms, including chicken and duck eggs; they plan to add beef and pork products in the future. The farm’s growth strategy includes balancing customer demand and production, ensuring they always have enough milk for farm visitors while maintaining small wholesale accounts.
David and Tamra’s dedication to agriculture education led them to establish a 4-H club in 2021. “A couple of kids from Nonnewaug High School were working with us and wanted to show cows, so we started a 4-H club,” Tamra says. They created Dirt Road Dairy Farmers 4-H Club next, focusing on dairy projects, despite having no prior experience in 4-H or showing cows. “Every time we bring the kids to UConn 4-H Dairy and Beef Day, a dairy judging clinic, or anywhere else, we’re learning ourselves.”
Their commitment to youth development extends beyond UConn 4-H. They purchased embryos, and the kids showing the animals were there when the calves were born. “We love what kids get out of it and how passionate they are,” David adds. Their efforts are inspiring the next generation of farmers by showing them alternative paths into dairy farming.
Local Food System Support
David had a 22-year career with the U.S. Coast Guard before serving and retiring from the Meriden police department, and he found a strong support system among veteran farmers. “Homegrown Heroes – that’s my support system. I have a lot of people in the state now who I can count on and reach out to if I need something.” The farm hosted a Homegrown By Heroes farmers market in July of 2024 that became their busiest sales day ever. “Veterans are all very driven people, so when you buy from a veteran farmer, you get a superior product. During times of disaster, it’s also a group you can lean on because we’ve all been through stuff and can think through it differently.”
David and Tamra are passionate about educating the public on the importance of local food systems. Recently, they’ve noticed a growing interest in food sourcing. “People ask a lot about the cows’ diet. Social media has brought so much attention to highly processed foods, prompting people to ask more questions,” Tamra says. Local food systems provide infrastructure for our collective food security and the nutritious, high-quality products that support community health, both human and environmental.
To foster this awareness, Guardians Farm launched an Adopt a Calf program with local elementary schools. Their foster children’s school was the first participant, and the program now spans multiple towns. “We worked with the librarian and came up with a program – we had a Brown Swiss calf named Fearless was born in August of 2024, and the kids get weekly updates through videos their teachers can show.” This initiative has sparked interest among parents, leading them to ask how their kids can join UConn 4-H as well.
Looking Ahead
Guardians Farm continues to blend dairy production, education, and community engagement. “Whether it’s dairy or a different project, it may lead to more UConn 4-H members over time. Educating people so they learn what the process is and what goes into food production benefits everyone, even if they don’t get into agriculture,” Dave concludes. Through their dedication to sustainable farming, youth engagement, and veteran support, David and Tamra Buck are shaping the future of agriculture in Connecticut.
Article by Stacey Stearns