YOUR HOSTS
Rita Rosenberg and Don Barber have lived on the RoseBarb farm for three decades. Together they have built RoseBarb Farm into an oasis that supports them, their family, the local community and the guests who stay at the cottage. In collaboration with their children and grandchildren, Rita and Don, intentionally share the knowledge they have within their networks, the greater community and with the guests who enjoy a stay at the RoseBarb Farm Cottage.
Don is an Ithaca native who grew up on a nearby dairy farm. His diverse career includes engineering, owning a residential construction firm, serving as Town of Caroline Supervisor and so much more, in addition to his continuous civic engagement. He has many life experiences he will share with you through his stories as you walk the land with him and his horses or by an evening bonfire.
Rita moved to Ithaca over 40 years ago from Rhode Island, and has grown to become quite the “girl farmer” as one of her young guests named her. She is retired from working in education, but has never stopped sharing her love for teaching and learning. She loves working in her garden, harvesting and preserving vegetables and fruit, preparing homegrown meals, and helping bring in the year’s supply of hay.
Don & Rita love sharing their farm with guests, neighbors, friends and family, and look forward to sharing it with you.
“Hosts Rita and Don truly made us feel at home. They are such a delightful couple that we wish we could have stayed much longer. We loved everything about the farm: the fresh organic produce; the star gazing and outside fire; the egg collecting among others. Most outstanding though were Rita and Don's hospitality and the comfortable cottage.”
Anna & Joe, Belize City, Belize
THE FARM
Rita and Don farm by the same values in which they live. Founded in the concept of nurturing and cooperative learning and working, they possess transferable skills that support organic farming, sustainable agriculture and food security.
Founded in 1990, RoseBarb Farm is a solar-powered homestead, situated on 50 acres of land and a hub for practicing sustainable farming, building healthy soil and offering ongoing education. It also provides Don, Rita and members of their community with a huge array of fresh fruits, vegetables and poultry.
The Farm is evolving to become home to three generations of the RoseBarb family, in addition to chickens, horses, turkeys and a plethora of wildlife.
"Just being at RoseBarb will make you breathe deeper and easier. Rosebarb Farm is a true gem!
Rita showed our son how to collect eggs from the chickens and Don offered a low-key horse ride and explained how the hay elevator moves bales to the barn loft. It doesn't get any better than that for a four-year-old, and our son has not stopped talking "Farmer Don," even six months later! It's worth noting that Rita and Don are living a very self-sustaining lifestyle.”
- Wyatt and family, July 2017