The Farmplate Blog

NAME: A.M. Thomas

FARM: East Hill Farm

AGE: 25

Can you provide some brief background information about your farm? In your opinion, what makes it special or unique?

East Hill CSA is a project of the Rochester Folk Art Guild, a nonprofit organization and community of craftspeople and farmers. We use old fashioned, chemical-free, hands-on organic methods to grow fruit, vegetables, herbs, eggs, pigs, and chickens for the community and for sale through our CSA in Rochester, NY. Our farm also produces ceramics, wood turnings, wooden toys, furniture and boats, hand-woven items, and clothing made from natural fibers.

Why do you believe farming is important, particularly for the younger generation, and why did you decide to become a farmer? 

Farms are a microcosm of civilization. If we have heartless, industrial, unhealthy farms, then our country will be heartless, industrial, and unhealthy. But if we have good farms that care for our land and the food that they produce, then our country will be rich with wellness.

I believe that good farms should be the center of culture. The good farm has the potential to connect a community with its land, environment, and health. I became a farmer because I wanted to feel that connection and, more importantly, foster that connection for those around me.

Note: This post is part of FarmPlate's new series about young farmers. If you want to be included, know someone we should profile or have comments/questions about our series, please contact Jeff Gangemi at jgangemi@farmplate.com.