Know Your Farmer: Hungry Bear Farm
Fresh From the Market
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Meet Your Farmer: Hungry Bear Farm
“Agriculture is the art of turning sunlight into food.” — Anonymous
One of the joys of the Salem NH Farmers Market is welcoming a new farmer to our community. Every new farm brings another harvest of fresh, local food to share — and another story about the people who grow it.
This season, we’re delighted to welcome Gene and Marilyn Jonas of Hungry Bear Farm in Mason, NH, a family-run farm growing USDA Certified Organic produce with a commitment to healthy soil, sustainable practices, and plenty of experimentation.
From a career change to a life on the farm
Hungry Bear Farm began with an unexpected career transition. When Gene was laid off in December 2008, he saw an opportunity to pursue meaningful work of his own. He enrolled in the New Sentry Sustainable Farmer Project, a free course on the business of farming, and gained hands-on experience working at Brox Farm in Dracut, MA.
After moving to New Hampshire, Gene continued developing his skills by farming land in Milford and selling produce at the Keene and Jaffrey farmers markets. The farm’s name came from a black bear that had made a habit of feasting on the birdfeeders left behind by the previous homeowners. Apparently, the bear knew a good thing when it saw one!
In 2011, Gene and Marilyn began searching for farmland of their own. A wrong turn on Google Maps led them to a hay-covered field in Mason with a “For Sale by Owner” sign. The land had been cleared of rocks, a neighbor shared access to water, and soil testing revealed some of the region’s best growing ground. Sometimes the best things really do happen by accident.
Since 2018, the Jonas family has doubled its arable land, established its own water source, added high tunnels to extend the growing season, and built a storage facility. They’ve also planted fruit trees and berry bushes and established a shiitake mushroom operation using oak logs in the woods near their home.
Healthy soil, healthy food — and a spirit of experimentation
Gene believes that healthy soil grows healthy food. Hungry Bear Farm uses practices including no-till farming, cover cropping, composting, manuring, and crop rotation. The farm does not use synthetic chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or fungicides, or genetically modified seeds.
After following national organic standards since the farm’s early days, Hungry Bear Farm officially became USDA Certified Organic in March 2025.
But Gene isn’t content to grow only the familiar. Each winter, he researches and orders heirloom and unusual seeds, and the farm now cultivates at least 40 types of crops, from tomatoes to turmeric.
Among the more unusual offerings are goumi berries, a lesser-known fruit that ripens in late June, and gooseberries, with hopes of bringing some to the Salem market next season. Gene also grows ginger and turmeric in his high tunnels and has successfully cultivated shiitake mushrooms on oak logs for years. New peach, apple, and Asian pear trees are beginning to produce fruit, too, despite several years of drought.
Why Salem?
We asked Gene what brought him to our market, especially given the drive from Mason.
After a difficult couple of years for the farm’s CSA program, Gene began looking for additional opportunities to connect with customers. Following visits to the Salem market, he applied for a vendor opening and began attending in July.
His verdict?
“Great! I love this Salem Farmers Market!!!”
Gene says the drive is well worth it, and he’s grateful for the warm welcome. We’re thrilled to have Hungry Bear Farm as part of our Sunday community!
What’s growing for the rest of the season?
Fall brings plenty to look forward to. Gene reports a particularly good winter squash harvest, including a type of Hubbard squash that has yet to make its debut at the Salem market. Shoppers may also find onions, garlic, carrots, potatoes, peppers, and farm-made value-added products.
Recent additions include pickled carrots, medium-heat salsa, and Marilyn’s homemade garlic salt — a new favorite that Gene describes with characteristic enthusiasm.
Looking ahead, Hungry Bear Farm hopes to return to Salem in 2027. Gene offers the farm’s main-season CSA to its local community, and looking ahead, CSA shares could also become available to our Salem shoppers. Finding enough seasonal farm help remains an ongoing challenge, but paying off the farm’s land this year was a major milestone.
After a remarkably busy season, Gene is also looking forward to slowing down a little. When asked whether he still has more farming years ahead of him, he answered with a smile: “I do have some farming left in me.”
We hope so, Gene!
Get to know Hungry Bear Farm
Curious about CSA shares, farm practices, or what’s available each week? Visit hungrybearfarm.com for farm information and contact details.
And when you visit the Salem NH Farmers Market, stop by, say hello to Gene, and discover what this season’s harvest has in store.
Know Your Farmer. Know Your Food.