Serenbe Farms

Faces of the Farmers

Faces of the Farmers

Paige Witherington, farm manager–I grew up a outdoor enthusiast in West Tennessee and fell in love with farming the first time I put my hands in the dirt. That very first day volunteering on a farm in Montana, I learned so much and I was amazed that the most delicious lettuce that was enjoying for dinner was a product of my hard work.

I began managing Serenbe Farms in 2006 after two years of farming at the beautiful Sisters Hill Farm in the Hudson Valley of New York, a year and half at Clemson’s student run garden, and a handful of other farm work across the country.

After graduating from Clemson University with a degree in Biosystems Engineering, I decided I didn’t want to be an engineer; I wanted to create solutions by developing local food systems.  I’m happy to be back in the South where we need more small sustainable farms and have a suitable climate for growing. I’m very pleased to have a supportive community here in Georgia, Serenbe and beyond.

Justin Dansby, manager–Born in South Carolina, I began working with my father on his tree farm at an early age. The fascination with planting and cultivating a crop to reap such an incredible reward got me hooked.

At Clemson University I majored in Computer Science and minored in Forestry. Upon graduation, I moved to Sisters Hill Farm in New York and began working as an intern. This internship solidified my future. I had a chance to be a key player on a working farm and was able to complete my own chicken livestock operation. Baking a fresh chicken with my own carrots and potatoes was the consummate experience I needed to change my life forever.

I’ve been at Serenbe Farms part-time for a few years and moved into a full-time position in 2010. I enjoy the many working facets of Serenbe Farms, it always keeps me on my toes. I feel lucky to live in a place where organic farming is truly respected as a career and our community is so involved.

Serenbe Farms 2011 apprentices:

Maya Velasco–I’m a native of Atlanta and graduated from Agnes Scott College in 2009, where I studied Political Science and Spanish.  I spent my summers in college working outside, maintaining trails in national parks and forests. Through my summer jobs, I recognized how much I appreciate working with the land and the challenges of physical work.

In 2009, Georgia Organics had their annual conference at Agnes Scott, which I attended as a volunteer.  Sitting in on some of the sessions, there was a moment when I realized farming could be the perfect path for me. I’m looking forward to farming because it allows for both intellectual and physical challenges, and it represents a commitment to sustainability.  I’m intrigued by the organic and local food movement in Georgia, and I am especially excited to begin farming this season at Serenbe.

Ryan Graycheck–I grew up in a large family in Macon, GA. I have always enjoyed the outdoors and have gardened with my family since I was a kid. I have held various jobs in the landscaping and horticulture field and find working in the dirt very therapeutic and rewarding. After graduating from the University of Georgia with a degree in Landscape Architecture in May of 2009 I spent the next year and a half working seasonal jobs and traveling around the western US. During this time I was fortunate enough to taste some of the healthiest and freshest food and drink the west coast has to offer and my interest in local organic food and farming began.

I am happy to be back in the south and am very excited to once again be staining my clothes red with Georgia clay while improving our soils to grow delicious organic food for Serenbe and beyond! Realizing the impact that sustainable agriculture can have on our environment, economy, and society I am looking forward to learning the ins and outs of sustainable food production while working towards securing a greener, healthier future for many generations to come. I look forward to a wonderful and productive season at Serenbe Farms.

A few previous interns:

Ashley Rodgers, 2010 apprentice and current farm manager, White Oak Pastures–Ashley is currently starting and managing a small organic vegetable farm for White Oak Pastures in Bluffton, GA. White Oak Pastures raises and sells grass fed beef and is the largest certified organic farm in the state. Her main focus is vegetable production, but she is also responsible for a project using Black Soldier Flies to recycle cattle processing by-products and she’s planting a half acre orchard.  Ashley will be selling her vegetables, and eggs at a few farmers markets in Tallahassee, FL.

Natalie Sevin, 2009 apprentice and current farm manager Sugar Creek Farm, Advance, NC–After a season of renting land and farming her parents front and back yard, Natalie is now managing a larger operation near Winston-Salem, NC.

Jack Matthews, 2008 apprentice and current farm manager, Full Moon Farm, Athens, GA,–Jack spent a successful year and a half farming at Cure Organic Farm in Boulder, CO.  Since then he’s moved back to his native  Georgia where he will be managing the CSA and vegetable operation at Full Moon Farm in Athens.  “I believe my experience with Paige led me to discover a lifestyle and love for agriculture that I might not have otherwise found. I continue to build upon the education I received at Serenbe Farms, and look forward to the years of farming ahead.”

MK Wyle and Andrew Barnet, 2008 apprentices currently searching for land–“Going in, I had no idea that 9 short months at Serenbe would leave me pathologically addicted to farming.”  2010 brought MK to Barre, MA, where she managed one acre of vegetables as part of a “Whole Farm” CSA (milk, meat, eggs, and veg).  Since, Andrew and MK (who met at Serenbe Farms!) have tied the knot and are looking for a piece of land in SW Virginia to place their roots.  Their goal is simple…growing good food and future farmers.