Farming often conjures up images of modern tractors whirring across fields, but at Copper Penny Farm in Adamstown, Chuck Gardetto and his family are reviving a time-honored tradition. Alongside his wife Nancy, Chuck uses two Belgian draft horses, Jim and Jake, to work the land and cultivate the soil. It’s more than just a nod to farming history — it’s a way of life, rooted in sustainability and family.
The couple didn’t start as farmers. Nancy has a background in 4-H, having grown up in Upstate New York, and Chuck worked in a completely unrelated field. Despite their lack of direct agricultural experience, their mutual interest in farming led them down a path. “We started the farm in 2007 after we met and eventually got married,” Chuck says.
What began with a few chickens quickly blossomed into a full-fledged farming operation. After adding goats and pigs, the Gardettos found themselves with enough animals to supply others with meat and eggs. Today, they raise Galloway cattle, Katahdin sheep, pigs and chickens, selling the products directly to customers through their on-farm store.
“We both had an interest in farming, which led us to start reading books and attending conferences to learn as much as we could,” Chuck says. “We liked the idea of raising our own food and knowing exactly what the animals were being fed and how they were treated. All our livestock are raised in pastures, eating grass or locally sourced feed.”
The Gardettos now cultivate more than 100 acres of land, complemented by an unexpected yet impactful farming choice — a pair of Belgian draft horses. Despite modern machinery, Chuck found himself drawn toward working with the powerful, stocky horses.
“I’ve studied draft horse farming for several years before deciding to invest in a team and the equipment,” Chuck says. “We have a farm size that fits using horses for at least some of the tasks, allowing me to move away from using tractors.”
Jim, a 4-year-old Belgian draft, and Jake, who is 5, are a key part of Copper Penny Farm. Standing 17 hands high, these horses not only perform heavy-duty tasks but also bring a kind of harmony to the farm. “While driving the team, I feel that you can see and hear what is going on around you, gaining a better perspective on the land you’re working,” Chuck says. “You can start a tractor and drive it around to complete the work then park it and walk away. The horses have personalities that you need to learn and take into account.”
Working with draft horses is both an art and a science. Before getting started, Chuck harnesses the team and hitches them to various implements like a forecart, farming implement or wagon. Once in motion, the horses are tasked with a range of responsibilities, such as spreading manure tedding hay to help it dry faster, raking hay to prepare for baling, transporting hay to storage, and managing other day-to-day farm needs.
The hay can be mixed grasses or warm season annuals, such as Japanese or pearl millet, Sudan or sorghum Sudan grass. Spreading poultry litter on the field aids in building soil health on the farm. Chuck plans to expand their duties to include tasks like cutting hay, planting seeds and discing soil, all as part of an effort to rely less on machinery.
But working with horses isn’t just about checking off daily tasks. Their welfare is a priority. “You have to be mindful of how much work they can handle based on the temperature and conditions,” Chuck explains. “When finished, they need to have their harness removed, possibly a clean-off with the hose and water, and then put back into their pasture. This adds another dimension to the farming.”
Belgian draft horses, with their strong, stocky build, are especially suited for pulling heavy loads and farming equipment for extended periods (given adequate rest). While breeds such as Percherons and Suffolks are also excellent for draft farming, finding a trained and affordable team is no easy feat. That challenge led Chuck to choose Jim and Jake, whose personalities he has learned to appreciate and work with.
And owning the draft horses takes another step beyond the fields. “By using the draft horses for farming, I am also teaching my kids how to care for, drive, and farm with horses,” Chuck says. “My kids may not farm after they grow up and choose a different career path, but we are planting memories they will cherish for a lifetime.”
Hungry for more? Read about horse therapy. Learn more about draft horses.
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