Our farm and the way we live in every way reflects the realities of a joyous life, full of all its complications. We (meaning Mike and Cassie) co-own and operate this farm. For 14 years we did this as a couple – now we do it as farm partners. We are a true family farm, though the definition of what family means has evolved with us over time.

Mike & I first met at UW-Madison. He was working on an agronomy degree with the hope of starting an organic vegetable farm. I was teaching environmental studies at UW and MATC during the academic year, and working on farms in the summer.

We met and it clicked. We decided to build a life together.  We shared (and still do!) a commitment to spending our lives working to solve the climate crisis and towards a different, more sustainable and just future.

Together we began to grow food on our farm in a way that nourishes both our bodies and our soils.

Today we feed over 800 families through our vegetable share program. Each year we are working to expand the percentage of our shares that go to families experiencing food insecurity.

Our family includes three lovely, sassy, energy-demanding daughters.  And well, if you count the farm, we really share four children. Whether we are co-parenting or co-managing our operation, we bring to it our love, commitment, and willingness to constantly evolve.  Our lives are a messy, beautiful, chaotic intertwining of households, tractors, seedlings, crew lunches, princess drawings, dirty boots, sweet corn fritters, coyote howls, and dog-chewed crayons.

While I no longer teach in an academic setting, I find myself still teaching. My job as a farmer is not only to grow food, but to teach how to cook the food, and why what’s on the dinner plate matters.