40 farmers under 40, Nos. 31-40

Meet the new crop of American farmers -- young and energetic idealists who are bringing local, sustainable food back to the table.

By Matt HickmanTue, Jul 21 2009 at 9:30 AM EST

< BACK: Farmers 21-30

31) Daniel Parson, 35

Parson Produce

Clinton, S.C.

Daniel Parson is in his 12th season of organic growing. He started in 1998 at Wildflower Organics in Dawsonville, Ga., where he worked for four years. Next, he managed the Clemson University student organic farm for two years, and operated Gaia Gardens in Decatur, Ga., for five years.

This year marks the start of a new venture — Parson Produce — featuring a CSA program and market garden near Clinton, S.C. Parson has two degrees from Clemson, a B.S. in biological sciences and an M.S. in plant and environmental science, focusing on cover crops and organic systems. He has presented on various organic topics to many state and regional groups, including Southern SAWG and Georgia Organics. Recently, he won the 2009 Georgia Organics Land Steward of the Year Award, which was presented at its conference in Decatur.

32) Pete Rasmussen, 26

Sandhill Farms

Eden, Utah

Pete Rasmussen is a garlic farmer at Sandhill Farms in the mountains of northern Utah, where he expresses his infatuation with garlic by growing more than 25 different varietals of the unique, colorful and pungent herb.

Sandhill Farms is supported by the local community through a CSA program. Garlactica, the Sandhill Farms annual garlic festival, celebrates ecological farming practices, community, food and great garlic. During the summer, Rasmussen manages the bulbs and beets in Eden, Utah, and come winter, when the garlic sleeps, he teaches organic gardening and nutritional cooking at Maxwell Park International Academy in Oakland, Calif.

33) Amy Rice-Jones, 27

Petaluma Bounty

Petaluma, Calif.

Amy Rice-Jones grew up in Colorado Springs, Colo., where she learned from her mother about the cultivation of many things wild and domesticated. She left Colorado to attend college in Walla Walla, Wash., where her main nonacademic activity was managing the school's organic garden. After graduating, she worked for an environmental consulting firm doing watershed restoration work. During that time, Rice-Jones gardened on her own and eventually was offered a piece of land to farm with a friend. They started a half-acre market garden together and sold produce at the farmers market and to local restaurants. This experience led Rice-Jones to UCSC's agroecology apprenticeship program, where she apprenticed for six months. She enjoyed the apprenticeship so much that she applied to be the assistant farm manager for the following season.

In November 2007, Rice-Jones started the development of an educational farm for Petaluma Bounty, a nonprofit in Petaluma, Calif., that strives to make healthy, fresh food available to everyone. She spent the first season at the Bounty Farm, clearing the land of wooden shacks full of trash and building the infrastructure to grow vegetables, herbs, flowers and fruit for the Petaluma community. Growing on just half an acre, the farm supplied produce to the low-income CSA business for 40 families, five restaurants in Petaluma, a farmers market and flowers to nine local businesses. Rice-Jones also taught classes to local high schools in sustainable agriculture and hosted several workshops for the general public. In 2009, with the help of a volunteer crew, she's planted more than 100 fruit trees, put in a beneficial hedgerow, and has begun to expand production of vegetables, herbs and flowers onto another acre.

34) Robert Servine, 36

35) Sonya Servine, 32

Good Karma Farm

Roy, Wash.

Good Karma Farm is a small family farm in Roy, Wash., started by Seattle native Robert Servine and his wife, Sonya, who's originally from Australia. The farm seeks to be as ecologically and socially sustainable as possible, and was founded on the basis of the Buddhist principle of "Right Livelihood," with the aim of providing healthy and delicious food for people while also making a positive impact on the planet. Robert and Sonya, both India-trained yoga teachers, don't use chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides or slaughterhouse byproducts. Instead, they make their own fertilizer and compost using naturally available ingredients. They provide a wide variety of high-quality fresh vegetables and vegetable starts, with many heirloom varieties and specialty crops.

36) Anna Stevenson, 27

ADAMAH

Falls Village, Conn.

Anna Stevenson is the farm manager at ADAMAH, a Jewish farming program in Falls Village, Conn. After graduating from Barnard College and the Jewish Theological Seminary, she lived in New York City for three years, and got involved with CSAs and farmers markets, but still felt that the farming should be left to the farmers.

She then spent a summer on a farm and realized not only that she loved it, but that she (city girl) too could be a farmer, and that farming met all her criteria for the perfect job and lifestyle: being healthy and strong, being outside and connected to the cycles of seasons and growing things, and making the world a better place by helping to change the face of the American food system. She plans to start a CSA farm with her soon-to-be husband, Naftali Hanau, in Rochester, N.Y., next year.

37) Wes Swancy, 37

38) Charlotte Swancy, 37

Riverview Farms

Ranger, Ga.

Riverview Farms is a certified organic family farm on 200 acres in the beautiful Appalachian foothills of northwest Georgia. In the fertile bottomlands of the Coosawattee River west of Carter's Lake, two generations of the Swancy family (Carter and Beverly Swancy purchased the farm in 1975; their three grown sons — including Wes and his wife, Charlotte — now work the farm as well) gently cultivate certified organic vegetables, Berkshire pork and grass-fed beef.

One of the oldest, and largest, certified organic farms in the state, Riverview Farms' goal is to work with the environment to enliven its land through the mutually supported functions of soil, grasses and animals as it produces organic vegetables and meats. With detailed attention to soil quality, animal husbandry, grass production and crop diversity, these methods surpass organic certification requirements.

39) Rebecca Terk, 35

Flying Tomato Farm

Vermillion, S.D.

Rebecca Terk's Flying Tomato Farm is a small (non-certified, but using organic and sustainable practices) diversified vegetable growing operation. Her customers are all local — she grows for market, for her CSA and for herself. She also practices food preservation — canning, freezing, pickling and fermenting — and teaches other people to grow and preserve as well. She's been president of the Vermillion Area Farmers Market Board for six years, and is co-creator and co-coordinator of the Vermillion Community Garden Project.

Terk grew up in Middlebury, Vt., and moved to South Dakota in 1993 to finish her B.A. in English. Later, she went on to earn an M.A. in English and M.A. in history, all from the University of South Dakota. She's worked on organic farms in Vermont and South Dakota, and spent a couple years working at Vermont Valley Community Farm/CSA (also certified organic) outside Madison, Wisc., picking beans as sandhill cranes flew overhead, farm-sitting and sometimes simply wandering out into the fields to gather a basket of the freshest veggies for dinner.

For Terk, it's about good food — and she says fresh, local and sustainable food is the best there is. It's also about a balance between working with her brain and working with her hands, and about fostering a sense of community at the community garden and farmers market.

40) Severine von Tscharner Fleming, 28

Smithereen Farm + Special Produce

Tivoli, N.Y.

Severine von Tscharner Fleming is an organizer, filmmaker and farmer. She's the director of the Greenhorns, a small nonprofit based in New York's Hudson Valley. The Greenhorns is a nonprofit network of collaborators working to promote, recruit and support young farmers in America. They run events, a radio show, a wiki-based guidebook, a wildly popular blog and more.

Apart from the Greenhorns, Fleming runs Smithereen Farm + Special Produce, where she raises rabbits, pigs, chickens, ducks, heirloom fruits and 2.6 acres of veggies. Major cash crops include meat, marjoram, pea shoots and rare lettuces.

< BACK: Farmers 21-30

Did we miss one? Enter a comment below on a farmer you think should have been nominated and we'll consider him or her as part of a future feature.

Photo credits

All photos are courtesy of the farmers pictured, unless specified otherwise below:

Jason Mraz: ZUMA Press
Molly Rockaman: Thomas Lampe
Padraic MacLeish: Erica Harvey
Wes and Charlotte Swancy (with Graham): T.C. Brodnax

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All (78)

Drew 05/16/2011 15:17 PM

http://www.terrafirmafarm.org

Ethan and Brie, both in their early 30's, established this organic farm. Wonderful food. Great education programs and summer camps teaching kids farm to plate. Supplies meat and produce to area restaurants. CSA.

bill in PA 03/27/2011 08:12 AM

people don't realize how hard it is to start farming. almost all farms that are working in the united states were passed down from one generation to the next. it is so hard to start a farm from scratch because of the cost of land and equipment, and even cattle. for someone to buy land and everything they need to start farming would put them in about a million dollar hole to start a 200 acre farm. most land owners that are farmers have been farming for many many decades. alot of the.... More

Faye 09/01/2010 11:12 AM

Here is one you do not see every day, especially in aquaculture. Vandy and Michael Passmore own Passmore Ranch, a sustainable freshwater fish farming operation in Sloughhouse, CA. They have been covered in a variety of media for their operation, its best practices, and their innovative manner of bringing live fish to their customers (most all of the top restaurants and markets in Sacramento carry their fish too) at Farmers Markets. It does not get any fresher than this! Vandy is 33 and.... More

Michael Passmore 09/01/2010 11:15 AM

You can read more about us @ www.facebook.com/passmoreranch.com

Take care and farm well.

Meighan Matthews Today 22:35 PM

We have an amazing collection of young farmers here in eastern Mass as well. Please consider: www.thefoodproject.org, Amanda Cather www.communityfarms.org, Verena Wieloch www.gainingground.org, the team at Landssake.org

Guest 01/09/2010 20:32 PM

Too bad you did not find any young canadian farmers to highlight.

Maryam 01/07/2010 22:36 PM

I'd like to nominate Amy Brown and Chris Babis of Common Thread Farm in Madison NY! www.commonthreadfarm.org

Nirinjan Singh 12/22/2009 23:52 PM

So many comments that there are not any minorities on the list. It's only a showing of 40 farmers in the whole USA, what out of 1000's of organic CSA's and farms. I did not see anyone from Michigan, that does not mean there's a bias against Michigan? NO
I'm sure they'll do another list later. You can only have so many people at a time. If you watch the doc, you'll be happy that there are 'minorities' in the film. We're all people trying to make a difference, why must other's.... More

joe88 12/20/2009 10:10 AM

I don't see any minorities among these young farmers. Is this systemic discrimination or are minorities not interested in farming?

Cara 11/19/2009 14:48 PM

I would like to add two farms for you to consider for next year:
Jeff Leindecker at Libery Farms - http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=196344667248&id=5778338...
and
Greg Boulus and Jennifer Montgomery at http://blackberrymeadows.com/

Both farms are in the Pittsburgh area and both have their own unique characteristics! worth a

Brett 11/19/2009 12:33 PM

The non-profit I work for just released a book of 50 rural entrepreneurs (a lot of them are food producers) under the age of 35. If you want to read more stories about young farmers the whole book is available online from SARE or you could order it there as well. The title is... Youth Renewing the Countryside : Outstanding Youth/Uncommon Wisdom

james 11/19/2009 00:34 AM

I was reviewing the article and expected my two friends highlighted, Emily & Mike from Three Springs Farm in Oklahoma.

Review their website...really worth checking out! Highlighting their work not only on their farm, growing delicious organic produce, but also for contributing in many ways to their community. Great article BTW, maybe you should make a list of 200 farmers under 40 in the US. Representing ethnic minorities in articles like this is also fundamental. Yes, all of.... More

james 11/19/2009 00:30 AM

I was reviewing the article and expected my two friends highlighted, Emily & Mike from Three Springs Farm in Oaklahoma.

James 11/19/2009 00:21 AM

I was reviewing the article and I half expected my two friends highlighted. They own Three Springs Farm in Oklahoma. check out their website...really worth checking out and highlighting the work they do, not only on their farm growing delicious organic produce, but for also contributing in many ways to their community. Great article BTW, maybe you should make a list of 200 farmers under 40 in the US. Representing ethnic minorities in articles like this is also fundamental. Yes, all of.... More

Joan Fischer 11/16/2009 21:21 PM

Wow. I must echo the folks who have commented on an appalling lack of ethnic diversity in the farmers selected. Pretty shameful!

Whitey 12/03/2009 18:54 PM

Its an equal palying field, this is not a race issue its a lazy Vs. working issue.

Helen 11/07/2009 22:17 PM

While there are exceptions to what is primarily a White middle class movement, while there are many Black, Asian, Latino/a, Vietnamese and Laotian young farmers, and while some could and should have been included in the 40 under 40 list, "What about the 3rd and 4th generation farmers of Mexican decent in Central Washington, Oregon and California? They are not featured because they just work the land- instead of designing and owning it. To be able to turn mass agriculture into sustainable.... More

Scott 10/27/2009 23:36 PM

Sean Jennings - 31
Terry Perry - 31
Mary Malko - 29
Mary Geraghty - 25

These guys are starting a farm just outside of Los Angeles based on Permaculture principles, including perennial food forests, rainwater harvesting, and more. Check out www.oldchimneyfarm.com to learn more.

Elana W. 09/25/2009 18:01 PM

Brad Donnay and his wife Leanne own and operate their organic goat dairy in Kimball, MN. Brad grew up on a dairy farm and is a trained cheesemaker, and they create exquisite farmstead chevre with their 120 goats.

Gaia permaculture designs 08/28/2009 22:15 PM

My partner, children and I live in an urban paradise, that albeit has aphids, and the soil is degraded, are working to feed ourselves. A nobel vision in this time. I give thanks for all the other people who are doing the same and more. Lets pull together as a species and start to support each other in our endeavors all of them, social, economic, and political. We really need each other. Thanks for this article very inspiring. Next time please add more cultures to the pretty pictures.of eite.... More

Anonymous 08/25/2009 17:57 PM

check out www.rhizospherefarm.com!

Anonymous 08/25/2009 15:01 PM

Alex Needham, 28
Alison Parker, 30
Radical Root Farm
www.radicalrootfarm.com

Anonymous 08/25/2009 12:35 PM

David Anderson in Frankton, Indiana has a new CSA called Missionberry Farms (www.missionberryfarms.com ). It's all organic and family owned. He's known by his customers, affectionately, as "Farmer Dave."

ryan family 08/22/2009 14:36 PM

just wanted to add a great organic farm from Salisbury MD to your list - Greenbranch Farm.
http://www.lankfordhome.com/index.htm
their vegetables are amazing and they offer some of the best tasting organic food at the Lewes DE market.
you can read all about them on their website - great story!
we've been enjoying their food all summer and can't get enough! .... More

luckyjoy65 01/15/2010 17:59 PM

I know that farm too and they do have awesome veggies and meat! The farmers are Ted and Julia Wycall, both right around 30 I think, plus their full-time hand Jeff, in his mid-20's.

Tana Butler 08/13/2009 19:42 PM

Brent Walker, formerly of Tennessee, graduated last year from the UCSC Farm & Garden's six-month agroecology program, and decided to stay in the area. (Sorry, Tennessee.) He is currently the farm manager for People's Grocery in Oakland.

http://www.peoplesgrocery.org/article.php/people

He is also one heckuva good cook!

Liz 08/22/2009 10:04 AM

While this list is certainly one of great people doing great things, where are Vermont or, for that matter, Vermont? It seems that a lot of these farms are on the West Coast, with a sprinkling of farms everywhere in the country except New England. Even in tiny Bennington, VT, there are many, many local small farms providing everything from vegies to lamb to honey. Within five minutes of my home, I can get locally produced chicken, vegies, lamb and beef, all organic. Please, let's see some.... More

Anonymous 08/22/2009 15:41 PM

The Midwest too! What the heck?

Laura from Wisconsin 08/12/2009 09:52 AM

I agree with the comments that we need to have all kinds and sizes of farms if we are going to meet the needs of all kinds of people. I am 33, I own and operate my own dairy farm. I, like every farmer you have profiled, have worked hard to incorporate my values into my farm. While my farm is different than these farms in size (300 milking cows) and farming method (mostly conventional) I think your young farmers and I would agree on far more than we would disagree. Once you farm and you.... More

jenny 08/11/2009 17:12 PM

http://www.snakeroot.net/FreedomFarm/

the most beautiful, abundant and vibrant/young farm in Maine. . . recently featured in Port City (.... More

treeforest 05/14/2010 17:57 PM

Yes! Yes! Maine needs to be represented in a serious way. A lot of vibrant youth farming organically and consciously all up and down the coast.

kcyardener 08/09/2009 02:12 AM

i'd like to add brooke salvaggio and daniel heryer of badseed farm, an urban "beyond-organic" farm on 3 acres in the midst of kansas city, with chickens, goats, and even an apprentice. they also run the badseed market in kc's bustling crossroads district, a nearly-year-round affair hosting not only the weekly farmers' market but also a series of educational workshops, arts events, and more. brooke and daniel are an inspiration to all of us here in kc! .... More

Deborah Yashar 08/06/2009 17:31 PM

Organic and true family farm in Salinas Ca led by young son Juan Perez who got his footing at ALBA.
our comments here

SCF 08/06/2009 01:58 AM

There are several young people active in keeping the South Central Farmers' Cooperative going. This is an 80 acre certified organic farm up in Bakersfield, CA that serves the Los Angeles area (with a much greater history and story to share). Alberto, Liz, Danny, Ubaldo, Xochitl, Sarah, Samuel and Edgar are all active farmers under 40 years who help oversee the production, distribution and CSA for the farm.

http://www.scfcoop.southcentralfarmers.com

.... More

Anonymous 08/05/2009 23:53 PM

Awesome organic produce from Santa Cruz.

Katharine Kunst 08/05/2009 21:13 PM

Check out an article about The Patch, 5 1/2 acres in the town of Sonoma, leased from a family that raises Clydesdales to Lazaro Calderon, who is 35. His card says The Patch, No Chemicals Since 1870. His produce is available at Farmers Markets and a farm stand on Second Street East in Sonoma. The farm stand is run by Leo Salais, who is not young. You can find the article on http://www.keepers.blogspot.com..... More

Dorothee Royal-Hedinger 08/05/2009 12:44 PM

What a great list! I have a submission for a great young farmer:
Jesse Hopkins who manages Colinwood Farm, an organic operation in Port Townsend, Washington. Here's a fun video in which Jesse takes us through the life-cycle of an organic zucchini plant from seed to harvest:
.... More

Anonymous 08/04/2009 21:20 PM

Located in Corvallis, Oregon, Peace Seedlings is a second generation seed farm run by Dylana Capular, 23.

gretli 07/31/2009 14:21 PM

Regarding all of these angry comments about the lack of "diversity" in this sampling of young farmers...
Color aside, I bet there's plenty of diversity among these farmers, as diversity comes in so many ways. But more to the point, if we constantly find fault in people who are trying to promote a positive movement, then we're taking two steps forward one step back. I think this article is wonderful, as so many young people of this generation have been working HARD to learn how to.... More

Brad 07/30/2009 12:13 PM

One more to add to the list. Amy's Farm www.amysfarm.com is a 10 acre farm located in Chino CA 30 miles east of Downtown LA and is ran by Amy Owen who is in her early 30's. The major business on the farm is a farm tour business that runs anywhere from 2000 to 5000 school aged children (through a agricultural tour of the property) in the busy months. They focus on heirloom vegetables and eggs that go to a 25.... More

cynthia 07/29/2009 18:57 PM

55 acres, large farm house, modern kitchen, barn, end of lane. well water for house. also outhouse and hand pump well on property. abuts state game lands. very private.
within trucking distance of philadelphia or nyc.
for family or small community.
inquiries at cccc41999@yahoo.com

Anonymous 07/28/2009 11:12 AM

Enter your comments here
Check out Roots Farm for your next article.

Samantha Nobles-Block 07/27/2009 20:11 PM

A young group of brothers in Capay Valley, CA have taken over the family organic farm and expanded it into a thriving CSA, and an organic produce retail store in the San Francisco Ferry Building.

JM 07/27/2009 15:13 PM

Kudos to the folks listed on this page for making a difference. However, like Pritha, I, too, was struck by the lack of racial and ethnic diversity in this article. People of color have worked towards sustainable agriculture for generations, and some are utilizing very innovative strategies and approaches to assure that healthy, fresh food is available to their communities.

The NY Times recently did an amazing piece on one urban farmer, Will Allen. The article is here: .... More

Laura Yaghoobian 07/27/2009 14:10 PM

Check-out Blooming Glen. A big favorite of mine run by an awesome couple Tom and Trish...www.bloomingglenfarm.com

Fern Mama 07/27/2009 13:48 PM

City Slicker Farms is dedicated to combating what they call "Environmental Racism", which can lead things such as to malnutrition, obesity and asthma.

"City Slicker Farms increases food self-sufficiency in West Oakland by creating organic, sustainable, high-yield urban farms and back-yard gardens. These spaces provide healthy, affordable food and improve the environment. We seek to serve all West Oakland residents, prioritizing people who have least access. Our farms and gardens.... More

Josh 07/27/2009 12:30 PM

I'd also add Freedom Farm to this list-based in Freedom, Maine and run by a young couple named Daniel and Ginger. They've got a wonderful operation and sell to farmers markets in Portland and Bar Harbor. Check them out!
http://www.snakeroot.net/FreedomFarm/

Anonymous 07/27/2009 09:52 AM

I'd like to nominate Jude Becker of Becker Lane Organic in Dyersville, IA.
http://www.beckerlaneorganic.com/index.php

John Borg Today 23:46 PM

Great article, but you missed one who is a twenty-something but been doing it his whole life. The most amazing organic farmer I know is Mickey Murch of Gospel Flat Farms in Bolinas, CA. He is an incredible visionary,, second generation organic farmer now helping run the farm he grew artist up on, doing incredible and highly creative work and taking community building and localism to incredible heights. He is new generation leading the farming scene in Bolinas, and if you know anything about.... More

Anonymous Today 16:27 PM

Jakir Manela (27) runs an organic farm with a CSA and environmental education programs as part of the Pearlstone Jewish Retreat Center. http://www.pearlstonecenter.org/farm.html
.... More

40 farmers under 40, Nos. 31-40

Meet the new crop of American farmers -- young and energetic idealists who are bringing local, sustainable food back to the table.

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Organic Farming & Gardening

40 farmers under 40, Nos. 31-40

Meet the new crop of American farmers -- young and energetic idealists who are bringing local, sustainable food back to the table.

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