Where Chefs Become Farmers: The Story of Moonrose Farm
Just over the Rhode Island border in the quiet farming town of Rehoboth, Massachusetts, you’ll find a place where flowers bloom, vegetables flourish, and community is cultivated just as carefully as crops. Moonrose Farm is a woman-owned, chemical-free farm run by partners Melissa Denmark and Jordan Goldsmith—two chefs-turned-farmers whose love for local food evolved into a lifestyle and business rooted in sustainability, creativity, and connection.
Images provided by Moonrose Farm
Melissa, originally from Maryland, didn't set out to be a farmer. “I really didn’t get into farming until I met Jordan,” she says. “We both came from a culinary background. Jordan was a savory chef, and I focused on pastries—but we were both drawn to the farm-to-table movement.” Jordan, who grew up in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, was no stranger to growing food. Her childhood was filled with memories of a large home garden and fresh produce. She was the first to take the plunge, leaving her restaurant job to work on a farm—an experience that sparked a lifelong passion. Melissa followed soon after.
The couple began farming together in 2015, leasing land and building a customer base at local farmers markets. But they dreamed of something permanent. “We were living in Providence and looking for land in Rhode Island,” Melissa recalls. “It’s really tough—affordable farmland is hard to come by. Eventually, we expanded our search and found this beautiful property in Rehoboth.”
Jordan and Melissa
In 2019, they purchased just over seven acres along the Palmer River, and Moonrose Farm found its forever home.
Today, the farm is a vibrant hub offering a seasonal CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program, a bustling weekend farm stand, an on-site bakery, and a variety of classes for both kids and adults. Jordan wears many hats on the farm, overseeing a wide range of operations—from managing field production and maintaining equipment to marketing and crop planning. Melissa runs the bakery, farm stand, and educational programs.
Throughout the season, Moonrose hosts creative, hands-on workshops—from kids' baking series to adult flower arranging, including a popular bouquet-making class that invites participants to design their own seasonal floral creations using fresh-cut blooms from the farm.
Visitors can expect to find whatever is fresh out of the field—greens, herbs, root veggies, and cut flowers—alongside a spread of baked goods that rotate weekly. During peak season, the stand is open Fridays through Sundays, and in May, the team hosts their popular annual plant sale, featuring a mix of perennial and annual flower starts. “Annuals are great for keeping things fresh,” says Melissa. “They give gardeners the freedom to try something new each season.”
Of course, farming doesn’t come without challenges. Weather and climate unpredictability can throw a wrench in even the most carefully laid plans. But Moonrose Farm has created a resilient model with multiple revenue streams, including wholesale partnerships, CSA memberships, bakery sales, and educational offerings. “We’ve learned to prepare for pivots,” Melissa says. “Having different outlets helps us stay grounded.”
At the heart of Moonrose is a deep sense of community. Their CSA program—sold out through summer—fosters close relationships with local families. “We know all our members by name, and even their kids' names,” says Melissa. “It’s incredibly special to grow food for people you know and care about.”
Moonrose Farm is more than a farm—it’s a place where the land is nurtured, memories are made, and every season is celebrated. Whether you’re stopping by for a bunch of fresh herbs, a bouquet of wildflowers, or a perfectly flaky galette, you’ll find something grown—and given—with love.
