Hen and Hare Microfarm
Photo by Marilyn Isaac Photography
Story by Lex Nelson
Photo by Marilyn Isaac Photography
Jessica Harrold and her husband, Ammon, scored an unusual dowry for a modern-day couple: “When we got married my dad gave us his favorite cow as my wedding present,” Jessica remembered. “So, ‘you know you’re from Idaho when.’”
Perhaps it’s no surprise Jess followed in her farming family’s footsteps. Since 2017, she has run Hen & Hare Microfarm: a less-than-two-acre operation in South Boise.
Hen & Hare got its start before the cow, when Jess grew herbs for her apothecary brand, Apis. She had pet rabbits and chickens — then Ammon came along.
“... He was interested in raising meat rabbits, which is something I had considered, but I knew I couldn't process them myself because I viewed rabbits more as pets. So when he taught himself how to butcher then it became more of an option in my mind,” Jess said.
Three years later, they got their meat rabbit business off the ground and Ammon’s butchery expertise expanded. He now teaches on-farm chicken and turkey butchering classes, showing attendees where their food comes from and how to kill it.
“Meat is a super complicated topic,” Jess said. “Usually I feel like the two sides are you either eat it or you don’t, and you’re either anti-meat or you’re pro-meat. But there’s nuance to it that a lot of people don’t consider. I think that’s exactly where small farms come in.”
Photo by Marilyn Isaac Photography
Animal welfare and sustainability are key at Hen & Hare; they till minimally, prioritize pollinator habitat, and even have a “Give a Shit” program that recycles rabbit manure as fertilizer and benefits local nonprofits.
The farm is home to Jacob sheep, rabbits, chickens, turkeys, and geese. Jess also grows flowers, herbs, and fruit for jams, mustards, and Apis products.
“We can’t just be one thing. It’s kind of like monoculture vs permaculture,” Jess said.
Shoppers can find both Hen & Hare and Apis products at the Boise Farmers Market in season, or place an order at HenandHare.com. To learn more about the farm, follow @henandhare on Instagram.
