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 in the area, now devotes his time to operating his own horticultural business.



Karen Vollmecke

Karen is chief farmer of Vollmecke Orchards & CSA. She is a 1984 graduate of the Longwood Gardens Professional Gardener Training Program. Prior to taking up farming full-time in 1989, she worked in the horticultural industry. Karen has 30 years of experience working in greenhouses, the landscape industry and public gardens where she has often taken a supervisory role. Her experience working with volunteers has also proved helpful. She now applies that knowledge to overseeing the Vollmecke work force of CSA working share members.

Karen is a former board member of the Chester County Extension and has served on various West Brandywine Township committees. She is a current member of the PA Vegetable Growers’ Association, the PA State Horticultural Society and the PA Sustainable Agriculture Association (PASA). Karen is the President of the Chester/Delaware County Fruit Growers Association and has recently begun serving on the board of the Chester County Agricultural Development Counsel.

In 2006, Karen was recognized as Farmer of the Year by the Chester County Board of Commissioners.

The Vollmecke Family farms with the assistance of a dedicated, dynamic workforce of CSA Work-Share Members as well as our valued "Friends of the Farm" whose applied talents enhance the quantity and quality of the work done here.



Advantages of Organic Growing

In those early farm 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 necessitated, 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 a broad array of healthy, nutritious food.



Transformation to Natural and Organic

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. In those early years, 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 challenging 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 need to 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 we get to know the people who consume the food we grow when they visit the farm and connect with the land that nourishes us all.

Since beginning the CSA program in 1998, a steady increase in consumer interest has resulted. People now seem eager to connect directly with "their" farmer and seem to understand the value of supporting 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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Vollmecke Orchards
155 Cedar Knoll Rd, Coatesville, PA 19320
Phone: (610) 383-4616
email: vollmeckecsa@hotmail.com