Our Past

I come to farming with a diverse background in International Agriculture, a Masters Degree in Sociology, and a passion around seed politics, plant varieties and plant breeding. I farmed in Athens for the past 15 years and bring a deep knowledge of plants and a passion for justice in all parts of the farm including valuing her own and others labor and caring for soil microorganisms.

My farm career is rooted in what many people think is a non agricultural past, growing up in NYC and later finding myself in the Agricultural College at Cornell University which paired wonderfully with my interest in food justice, food policy and the international food system.

Through some twists and turns of study bringing me to Madison, farm work and finally a job and relationship that brought me to Athens where I began my own farm career in 2006, raise my family, and never turned back. Cattail Organics now builds on what brought me to, and keeps me in farming – a focus on community connections, the work of building a more just food system, and also the beauty and challenge of producing incredible food.

Our Present

Cattail Organics which was founded in 2017 after life changes that provided the opportunity for a new farm in Athens (after 12 years on another one). I love all aspects of the farm – from spreadsheets, to variety trials, hard physical labor, social media, and eating. Farming is the backbone of my life, family and is my form of art.

Farming is really about food and food is actually about farming. Cattail Organics is focused on making these connections transparent and teaching eaters how to eat seasonally, organically, diversely and beautifully.  We have the highest standards for quality, flavor, food safety and cleanliness. We meet and exceed the organic standards as we are 100% no spray and have created wildlife plantings, beneficial insect habitat and manage our soil to reduce tillage and disturbance of all organisms. I steward a fresh water stream and pond, a 20 grove of maple trees, 5 acres of vegetables, 3 acres of beneficial insect habitat, and a growing small orchard.

The farm is also home to our family which includes my three kids and husband and co-farmer who has his own farm business (this is what happens when two farmers get married); my mother (right next door), and provides a meeting place of community for our CSA members, neighbors and friends.