History

Fred C. Bottomley is the owner/operator of Fairland Farm, LLC. Both of these companies harvest by wet picking, as well as dry harvesting, depending on what type of fruit is being harvested and what the fruit will ultimately be used for. Dry harvested fruit is what you find as fresh fruit in supermarkets, generally only in the fall. Increased consumer demand now has some stores offering frozen fruit year round. Wet harvested fruit is what juices, sauces and most prepared cranberry products are made from.From a historical perspective, Fred has had an affiliation with cranberries that dates back ten generations. Fred is the tenth generation grandson of John Alden, one of the original Pilgrims to settle in the Plymouth Bay Colony. Everyone is familiar with the story of the Pilgrims, Thanksgiving and the fact that cranberries were most definitely a part of that first feast of Thanksgiving shared between the Pilgrims and the Native Americans who introduced them to this native berry. The Native Americans taught the Pilgrims how to use the cranberry both as a food staple and how to use it for it myriad of medicinal benefits. This connection to the first Thanksgiving has given the cranberry the misfortunate association as a fruit for the holiday season when, in fact, it was enjoyed year round by the Pilgrims and their Native American allies.

Fred’s eighth generation grandfather and his ninth generation grandfather, Lt. Ephraim Lane, Jr. and Col. Ephraim Lane, Sr. both carried cranberries off to war in the American Revolution. Both returned from the war and were farmer’s in Norton, Massachusetts. Fred’s great-grandfather, Gilbert Curtis went off to the Civil War and, as many Union Soldiers did, brought cranberries with him. Although captured and a prisoner-of-war at the Andersonville Prison, he returned to his hometown of Norton, Massachusetts and resumed farming as a way of life. It is only fitting that the primary bog of Fairland Farm is a 325 acre bog located in Norton, Massachusetts.

Ten generations in America and Fred is back to the basics of farming; bringing food to the table. Fairland Farm, LLC presently operate in the following communities: Norton, Dartmouth, Sharon andEaston and look to grow and continue on with this lifestyle adventure.

Fred is a graduate of Norton High School class of 1967 and Suffolk University class of 1971. He is a member of Pi Gamma Mu Society and is a member of many historical societies including: The General Society of Mayflower Descendents, Sons of the American Revolution and Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War.

Fairland Farm, LLC were formed to become stewards of the continuing agricultural history of Southeastern Massachusetts. Numerous communities of this culturally important area are impacted by the use of Best Management Practices which Fairland Farm prides itself on. Some of the bogs that have been placed in our care have existed prior to the Civil War. Not only are we mindful to the benefits to the food industry from the growing of cranberries but we are daily reminded that the surrounding support land, whether it be upland or lowland, is a significant resource for the various plants and animals that exist within our borders.

Our membership affiliations extend to:

Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association, Member
www.cranberries.org

Massachusetts Farm Bureau, Member
www.mfbf.net