Meet The Farmers
LEARN MORE ABOUT & VISIT THE CSA FARM
Get to know the farmers that we work with - what they grow and what they know. We hope that their stories will inspire and uplift you. By supporting small-scale farmers, you are making an impact to the preservation of diverse fertile soils and plant life, and health-giving food-security that sustains life on the planet. Biodynamic and organic farming also contribute to Regenerative Agriculture which draws down carbon from the atmosphere thus curbing climate change.
Farmer Frank Kurylo, Head Farmer of Kimberton CSA, our main CSA farm, certified Biodynamic
Originally intending on going into environmental law, Frank sought to gain a unique perspective by working on a farm. He got his start in farming as an intern at Kimberton CSA in 2012. It was then that he discovered the beauty of organic and Biodynamic agriculture, the local food movement, and all of the benefits and possibilities farming had to offer.
Realizing his passion aligned more with farming than law he continued that experience at Two Gander Farm in Downingtown, PA for three more seasons. He honed the skills necessary to grow vegetables and manage a CSA, then partnered with Andrew Turner in 2016 to take ownership of Kimberton CSA where they had interned together years before. He now manages the farm with a small team.
MORE ABOUT FRANK AND LIFE AT OUR CSA FARM
He says: “We are passionate farmers who care deeply for the land and the people who thrive off of it. Our goal is to provide the healthiest organic produce directly to our members, while using Biodynamic farming practices to protect our soil, our people, and our earth.”
At Spiritual Food CSA, our primary aim is to support and promote Biodynamic farming while providing the highest quality food for mind, body and spirit. We also work with others to round out the shares and to support local & regional farms and other organic providers. Local is a top priority for all of us involved with CSA but is sometimes sacrificed for the preference of Biodynamic. To learn what is special about Biodynamics and more about how the providers are selected and why it is not all local, click here.
Biodynamic farming in and of itself requires devoted and loving labor, and as such, it is not always easy to come by. There have been controversies over certification given the huge up-front financial and logistic burden on many small farmers “trying to do the right thing/dedicated to the principles of BD.” Over the years, we have realized the importance of building a trusting relationship with farmers committed to, at the very least, sustainability and regenerative diverse agriculture.
AS A CONSUMER BASED CSA SPIRITUAL FOODS SUPPORTS A NUMBER OF INDEPENDANT TRULY ORGANIC AND REGERNATIVE FAMILY FARMS
Here are the participating farms and providers who regularly supply produce and dry goods for our CSA.
BD refers to Biodynamic farms and all are certified.
Saul and Natalie Schwarz, Sweetwater Bakery, Camphill Kimberton, PA - handmade whole grain sourdough breads. Find out what’s so special about 100% sourdough bread.
The CSA Breads are made exclusively for us. The main ingredient, whole wheat flour, comes through Rockwell Organics from Martin Goeder (BD) in North Dakota.
John Krohn, Lady Oak Grove, Babson Park, Florida - mangoes, avocados, lemons, lychees.
Leroy Miller, Bird-in-Hand, PA - eggs
Lancaster Farm Fresh, Lancaster, PA - local, organic farm distributor
Rick Hood and family of Summer Creek Farm, Frederick, MD - squashes, potatoes and other fall vegetables
Certified Biodynamic
In addition, these specialty items from certified Biodynamic farms make their occasional appearance in our CSA boxes when available. As most items in this list are dry goods or supplements, they are part of the “Main Share.”
Hugh Williams and Hannah Bail of Threshold Farm (BD), Hawthorne Valley, NY - Apples, apple cider, and apple cider vinegar.
Tom and Jessica Czinski of Camphill Village Dairy, Kimberton, PA - cheese
Gena Nonini of Marian Farms (BD), Central CA - raisins, almonds
Andreas Schad of Beaver Farm (BD), Kimberton, PA - Rolled Oats
Helene Beck of Beck Grove, Southern CA - fresh and dried persimmons
Organic additional to round out shares
Steve Jones, Yuma, AZ - Fresh Dates
Good Humus Produce, Northern CA - dried fruit
Frankferd Farms, PA - farm distributor.
Camphill Village Kimberton Hills is where it all started - our original CSA and the home of our sister dairy program (also supplier of our CSA cheese) and Sweetwater bakery. It is also home of our annual summer camp retreats.