Owning a small farm is a dream for many people, and very few make that dream a reality. Brittany and Donald Kammerzell, however, have turned their aspirations into a permaculture farm, complete with ducks, chickens, geese, quails, bees and goats.

They didn’t grow up on farms and never intended to be farmers. Their intention to eat more sustainably and locally led them down a path where they met people actively involved in farming.

“The quality difference is so profound that we never looked back,” said Brittany Kammerzell.

They moved from Mead to Berthoud in 2017. On their two-acre parcel, west of town, they have slowly created their own piece of farm paradise starting with bees. They eventually added birds and just recently, goats. Of course, the reality of farm ownership is much dirtier than the dream, however, Brittany wouldn’t change it for the world.

She calls it “farm therapy.” It is that hard to define feeling of being completely happy among the soft warbles of chickens, honks of geese and bleats of goats. The relationship to nature was one that Donald and Brittany hadn’t foreseen when they started Duckberry Farm, but the connection has been a deep one.

“It grounds us and improves my mood every day,” said Brittany. “Tending animals is a lot of work, and there are certainly bad moments, but on the whole, it has been an amazing experience with unexpected benefits.”

“It’s impossible to have a bad day when you have ducks,” she added.

Originally purchased to manage the garden, it turns out that Brittany and Donald love ducks and duck eggs. They have a variety including Muscovy Ducks that are good at sitting on eggs, even those that aren’t their own, and Runner Ducks, delightful to watch waddle upright around the farm.

Knowing she didn’t want to keep all the “farm therapy” to herself, Brittany started an Instagram page and a Facebook page for Duckberry Farm. 

“There are so many people who don’t have the ability to have their own animals or who really don’t want them, but love watching them,” said Brittany. “Whether it’s a video of the ducks swimming or a video of the goats getting into trouble, there is always something happening around here that’s interesting to see. It is wonderful that we can share the goofiness of our crazy animals and can bring a smile to someone else’s face as well as our own.”

Of course, Duckberry Farm, along with producing antics displayed on social media, also produces eggs, lots of eggs. Brittany sells her eggs locally using word of mouth and social media as her marketing tools.

Duckberry Farm sells chicken eggs, duck eggs, quail eggs and honey. While many people have not tried duck eggs or quail eggs, duck eggs are especially prized by bakers. The eggs are a bit larger than chicken eggs and have more fatty acid and protein. Bakers say the use of these eggs in bread and pastries gives a fluffier, lighter result.

Often described as rich and delicate, quail eggs may be tiny, but they are versatile. They taste great on things like burgers, plus, they make everything look fancy. Brittany enjoys sunny side-up quail eggs on burgers and sandwiches. Quail eggs are also cherished by those who feed their dogs a raw food diet.

Duckberry Farms also sells a few non-animal products like quilts made by Brittany. Many of these colorful creations are commissioned for special occasions. She also creates items like fleece hats, baby bibs, coasters and more.

In addition, Donald Kammerzell designs and welds metal art. Perhaps it is a silvery trout or a heron with a sparkly fish in its mouth. Examples of these creations, along with Brittany’s, can be seen at DuckberryFarm.com.

Follow along for “farm therapy” and farm shenanigans at facebook.com/DBFarmCO and instagram.com/duckberryfarm.

To become a customer contact Brittany through the website or by emailing [email protected].