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| Jan and Albert Vollmecke purchased the farm in West Brandywine Township, Chester County in 1984 thinking that it would be a fun and rewarding retirement project. Little did they know what they were getting themselves into. Daughter Karen and son Karl joined them in the actual everyday farming work, each adding professional horticultural training to the mix. The Vollmeckes worked hard together in those early years to develop the farm as well as repairing and making improvements to the multiple dwellings in order to realize their dream. |
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| Although Albert passed away in 1989, Jan,
known by many as that “personable voice on the other end of the phone,” continues
on with the dream. Karen is the chief farmer and can often be found
on one of the tractors or running about overseeing the harvest and
care of the produce. Karl, still involved with the operation in a
consulting capacity, spends most of his time operating his own business,
Advanced Horticultural Solutions. In those early years, the Vollmeckes grew a pick-your-own strawberry crop, along with apples, asparagus, various leafy greens and acres of pumpkins. Many customers came to the farm to pick their own crops or purchase from the “sales porch.” Some produce was sold to local markets, garden centers and restaurants. They also participated in a farmers market in Philadelphia.
The interest in growing organically arose after viewing first-hand how growing just a limited number of crops allowed disease problems to build up in the soil (despite crop rotation). After experimenting with composting, the Vollmeckes became convinced that growing organically, though extremely challenging with all the changes, was clearly benefiting the soils and crops they grew. As the soils became more enriched through the use of compost and cover cropping, the vegetable plants they grew and harvested became more vibrant, and disease issues became less prevalent.
Today, the tremendous variety of plants grown each season allows for longer crop rotations. The expanded number of crops grown adds complexity to the daily workload, but it also adds interest to the Vollmeckes as farmers and to their CSA members and customers looking for healthy, nutritious food.
The Vollmeckes knew they wanted to grow organically, so they set about changing not only what they grew but how they marketed it. In order to grow organically, they needed to find enough people to purchase their vast variety of produce. At that time, restaurants and other markets were not willing to pay the premium which would allow the farm to make the transition to growing organically. Direct marketing seemed to be a necessity.
From a labor standpoint, it is difficult to be a farmer and marketer, too. With increased crop variety comes added work and management in the fields. Being tied to a “market day” means we are often not home on the perfect day to cultivate or tend to a crop. Tasks should be accomplished within a window of time; miss that window and troubles can ensue.
By developing our Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, people interested in enjoying our produce now come to us. We can stay at the farm and perform special timely tasks when they need to be done. An added benefit is that members also get to visit the farm and connect with the land that nourishes us all.
Since beginning the CSA program in 1998, a fantastic increase in consumer interest has resulted. People now seem eager to connect directly with “their” farmer and support a local quality-based food system.
Today, it is truly a pleasure to see and experience the wonderful community that has arisen around this farm and the people who tend and support it.
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