Hannah and Daniel Neeleman lifestyle influencers, known online under the name of Ballerina Farm, have collected global fascination on social networks. There, they give millions of followers an overview of the life of their dairy farm in Kamas Valley, where they raise eight young children.
Neelemans sell agricultural products from ballerina online, colostrum cow protein powder at sourdough entries.
This spring, they diversified in brick and mortar: a small farm stand in Kamas opened its doors in April, and the Midway Farm store will officially open this month.
Friday, the Neelemans, their children and their staff presented the new store to a herd of content creators, podcastors and journalists.
Hannah Neeleman said that the city on the Swiss theme was a natural setting for the farm store, which is hidden behind Café Galleria on Main Street.
“We liked Midway because our children were really small,” she said. “When this space came to rent, we were like, we have to do. It’s just a match made in paradise to be here, because we love this region so much and to be able to offer the community of fresh products and milk and things in our kitchen. ”
The couple envisages the store as a European style grocery store, where people stop regularly for fresh ingredients.
Inside, the shelves are filled with ballerina agricultural products such as flour, beeswax candles, Vichy aprons and jerky beef.
Hannah Neeleman said the store will join other local suppliers. She said the emphasis on seasonal products, inspired by the recent family passage to Ireland, where the Neelemans have attended the culinary school.
“I have the impression that there is something so beautiful to eat what is in season and what grows around you, and therefore I have the impression that it is the main thing on which we are going to focus in this kitchen,” she said.
The staff showed customers how the company manufactures some of its signature items, with a demonstration of soap manufacturing and an intensive course in the barattage of butter.
Ballerina Farm’s food director, who presented himself as chef Alex, showed the group how to make butter with the family’s dairy cream.
“Today we’re going to do it in Hannah style,” he said.
The guests sprang while the ballerina who became the entrepreneur poured samples of Babereurre to pass.
“Who wants one?” She called.
Outside, the staff organized sourdough bread alongside a butter tray dotted with flowers. There was a homemade ricotta and a range of fresh vegetables.
Hannah Neeleman sounded in her element as she asked questions about the goats of a staff member and explained the finest points in the manufacture of Babereur. But for the Neelemans, agriculture came with a steep learning curve.
Neither was raised in an agricultural family. Hannah Neeleman grew up in Utah aspiring to be a professional dancer. Her husband Daniel, raised in Connecticut, is the son of the Billionaire founder of JetBlue and other airlines.
“Honestly, I never had – I didn’t even have a growing fish,” said Daniel Neeleman. “Not a chicken, not a cat, not a dog, nothing. My family was the most agricultural family to see. We didn’t even have a garden.”
Now, the couple raises children at the heart of agricultural life.
“We have built a life that is really conducive to the closure of our children – like the ranch and the dairy products, the children are so involved,” said Hannah Neeleman. “Laws, my 6 year old child, she feeds the calves every day, and the boys help Daniel to mark the cattle.”
The eight -year -old father attributes the success of Ballerina Farm to the instinct of his wife.
“It was really surprising,” he said. “Hannah is a special person. She has a very good head on her shoulders. She has a very good discernment. And so it was a very large part of our company, it is only its things that check the intestines while we are heading towards unexplored territories. ”
The Farm Store ballerina is the last of these jumps in the unknown. It opens to the public on May 27.
In Kamas, the farm stand is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.