WHY WE FARM Farming isn’t easy. The hours are long, the work exhausting, and you never know what curve ball Mother Nature will throw next. So, why would anyone want to farm? We asked that question of some farmers here in Pennsylvania, and here’s what they had to say.
I think working on an organic farm is a way of the future, to change from monocultures and things like that. That’s probably why I farm, I believe in it, I think it’s good overall for the future.” “That’s a tough one. Because I’m 10th generation and I didn’t have many options. That’s all I ever knew.”
tyler zajac
PASA Member Since 1992 Farmer • Tait Farm Foods • Boalsburg, Pa. farm favorite: “I’d say kale; I like the greens.”
tom culton PASA Member Since 2005 Owner • Culton Organics • Lancaster, Pa.
“I grew up in a farming lifestyle ... And then once I went to college I realized the best thing for me to do was to go back to the farm and help sustain it. And it’s just a beautiful place, it’s preserved and it’s where I get to raise my kids. Fresh air, fresh food — can’t beat it.”
emily bryant montgomery PASA Member Since 2005 Cheesemaker • Calkins Creamery • Honesdale, Pa. farm favorite: “Our brie-style cheese. It’s just fun and buttery and light and it’s just so neat to see the milk go to curds in that way.”
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2013 FARMBOOK
“My turkeys. Because they taste much different from other turkeys ... and they greet me every morning at the door. Yeah I’d say the turkeys are my fraises du bois.”
“It’s an experience for my twin six year-old boys and for quality food for my family.”
al benner PASA Member Since 2006 Owner • Old School Farm • Honesdale, Pa. farm favorite: “I don’t have one. I like to do a little bit of everything … [But] my one son really likes the Icelandic sheep and my other boy really likes to collect the eggs.”
“I’ve always wanted to do it and my mission in life is to feed people. I don’t care if I’m putting the food on the plates or I’m growing it or I’m promoting it or I’m writing about it — I just want people to have access to healthy food.”
sandra miller PASA Member Since 2002 Owner • Painted Hand Farm • Newburg, Pa. farm favorite: “I’m a goat farmer, I love baby goats.”
To provide my family and community with local, organic, healthy vegetables — with nutrientdense vegetables.”
“Because I love producing nutritious food for people and healing the earth.”
josiah taylor
PASA Member Since 2012 Manager • Mill Hollow Farm • Edgemont, Pa. “It’s probably tea herbs because I’ve been growing them the longest and I feel such a visceral effect when I make teas or when I use herbs.”
don hess
PASA Member Since 2002 Vegetable Grower • Dancing Hen Farm & CSA • Stillwater, PA farm favorite: “Kale. Because it’s so good for you … packed with nutrients.”