Matt Volz
Short bio: Born in Washington, D.C. Moved to Cazenovia shortly afterwards. In 1993, moved with my family to Philadelphia. Attended Middlebury College in Middlebury, VT, where I studied philosophy and began working on farms. In my junior year of college, I connected with a crazy couple from across Lake Champlain in Essex, NY. I worked with Mark and Kristin Kimball at Essex Farm during my last two years of college and continued to work there for another two years after graduating. In 2009, I moved back to VT and worked on a few farms there before beginning a search for my own farm. In the Spring of 2010, I was introduced to Kaye Osbourne and a few months later moved back to Caz to start the Greyrock Farm CSA.
Currently listening to: Glee Vol. 2, Sigur Ros, Bruno Mars and Rihanna.
Reading: Just finished The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
Has a crush on: ...
Favorite farm place: the horse stalls
Favorite farm animal: Pearl
Quote for the present: We shall not cease from exploration. And the end of all our exploring will be to
arrive where we started and know the place for the first time. -T.S. Eliot
When I’m not farming, I am: reading
5 things I must do before I die:
If I could have one person join the farm crew, it would be: my dad.
Currently listening to: Glee Vol. 2, Sigur Ros, Bruno Mars and Rihanna.
Reading: Just finished The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
Has a crush on: ...
Favorite farm place: the horse stalls
Favorite farm animal: Pearl
Quote for the present: We shall not cease from exploration. And the end of all our exploring will be to
arrive where we started and know the place for the first time. -T.S. Eliot
When I’m not farming, I am: reading
5 things I must do before I die:
- Release a heavy metal album that will be for some kid what In Flames’ Jester Race was for me
- Convince my mom and dad to move back to Caz
- Travel cross country on freight trains
- Sing karaoke
- Write something worth reading
If I could have one person join the farm crew, it would be: my dad.
Steven Googin
Short bio: I have lots to be thankful for. I have my family, friends, and health - the forces necessary for me to work in the direction of my dreams, hopes, and desires. Such as: to have at hand the tools necessary to create anything that will bring about a positive change in the world, to share those tools with those who can benefit from them, to support whichever community I inhabit from this day forth, to learn and teach as long as I am able to communicate, and to die with hefty smile wrinkles from ear to ear.
Currently listening to: Ghosts of the Great Highway by Sun Kil Moon, I can do it! by Louise Hay
Reading: Emails
Has a crush on: You. I hope you feel the way that I do. I get a rush when I’m with you. Ooh! I’ve got a crush on you…
Favorite farm place: Behind the barn at sunrise, in front of the barn at sunset
Favorite farm animal: May
Quote for the present: "If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping in a closed room with a mosquito." - African proverb
When I’m not farming, I: Sit on kids, pets, and houses, Deliver local farm fresh goods for CNYBounty (.com), play guitar, network, and hang with friends!
5 things I must do before I die:
If I could have one person join the farm crew, it would be: Dick Cheney
Currently listening to: Ghosts of the Great Highway by Sun Kil Moon, I can do it! by Louise Hay
Reading: Emails
Has a crush on: You. I hope you feel the way that I do. I get a rush when I’m with you. Ooh! I’ve got a crush on you…
Favorite farm place: Behind the barn at sunrise, in front of the barn at sunset
Favorite farm animal: May
Quote for the present: "If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping in a closed room with a mosquito." - African proverb
When I’m not farming, I: Sit on kids, pets, and houses, Deliver local farm fresh goods for CNYBounty (.com), play guitar, network, and hang with friends!
5 things I must do before I die:
- Build an Earthship
- Make a decent recording of my music
- Ride the North Country Trail on horseback
- Regain near-perfect vision with regular eye exercises
- Breast feed at least one of my children
If I could have one person join the farm crew, it would be: Dick Cheney
Tim Biello
Currently listening to: It depends on the time of day (among other things): a weird, pop radio station on my alarm clock (imagine the joy of waking up to Bobby Brown singing the Ghostbuster’s theme, or Digital Underground’s The Humpty Dance, and you have some sense of what it’s like when my alarm sounds); Joanna Newsome while I cook breakfast; a Bon Iver Pandora station by day (if I have someone else’s computer because mine is now too old to support the necessary operating systems that would allow me to use Pandora); and the Harry Potter soundtrack by night (note: this last one is only true when I am watching one of the movies, which I sometimes do).
Reading: I just finished Why Birds Sing (here’s my review: you can probably guess why they sing, so you don’t need to read it) and I’m now reading The Botany of Desire.
Has a crush on: My celebrity-crush is Rachel McAdams. My man-crush is probably Brad Pitt but it might be Christian Bale.
Favorite farm place: The hill or the grey rocks
Favorite farm animal: Bear. But I’m starting to have pretty strong feelings for Duke (And don’t worry JD, I’ll always love you, too – and I hope for your return…).
Quote for the present: “A Ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.” – J Shedd
When I’m not farming, I am: Having fun with friends and family
5 things I must do before I die:
1. Become equivalent to .5 Chad Vogels
2. Perfect unassisted flying
3. Return to Hawaii to tie up loose ends
Apparently, I only have 3 things that I “must do” before dying. I’m going to leave the other 2 “must do’s” open to suggestions and at my discretion.
4. TBD
5. TBD
What I most want to see happen at Greyrock Farm: Four horses, arranged two-up, plowing a field with my Oliver riding plow. (This is a short term, and somewhat self-serving desire, which is not to say that other things, like seeing the farm be successful and building a strong and supportive community, aren’t important to me too. It’s just the first thing that came to mind…)
If I could have one person join the farm crew, it would be: I’m going to change this question to “If I could have one person join the farm crew each day, for a one-day workday:” I think it would be great for each of our members – not all together, but one at a time – to come to the farm for a one-day workday.
Reading: I just finished Why Birds Sing (here’s my review: you can probably guess why they sing, so you don’t need to read it) and I’m now reading The Botany of Desire.
Has a crush on: My celebrity-crush is Rachel McAdams. My man-crush is probably Brad Pitt but it might be Christian Bale.
Favorite farm place: The hill or the grey rocks
Favorite farm animal: Bear. But I’m starting to have pretty strong feelings for Duke (And don’t worry JD, I’ll always love you, too – and I hope for your return…).
Quote for the present: “A Ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.” – J Shedd
When I’m not farming, I am: Having fun with friends and family
5 things I must do before I die:
1. Become equivalent to .5 Chad Vogels
2. Perfect unassisted flying
3. Return to Hawaii to tie up loose ends
Apparently, I only have 3 things that I “must do” before dying. I’m going to leave the other 2 “must do’s” open to suggestions and at my discretion.
4. TBD
5. TBD
What I most want to see happen at Greyrock Farm: Four horses, arranged two-up, plowing a field with my Oliver riding plow. (This is a short term, and somewhat self-serving desire, which is not to say that other things, like seeing the farm be successful and building a strong and supportive community, aren’t important to me too. It’s just the first thing that came to mind…)
If I could have one person join the farm crew, it would be: I’m going to change this question to “If I could have one person join the farm crew each day, for a one-day workday:” I think it would be great for each of our members – not all together, but one at a time – to come to the farm for a one-day workday.
Rochelle Bilow
Short bio: I'm a food writer-turned farmer. After attending Le Moyne College I moved to New York City to attend to the French Culinary Institute; from there I worked as a line cook in Manhattan restaurants. Desiring a closeness with my family and community that didn't exist in New York City, I decided to move back home to Syracuse to pursue a career in food and wine writing. I began writing for the Syracuse Post-Standard and an assignment led me to Greyrock. Before the article was even finished I had fallen in love with the farm. I now manage the CSA and Farmstand in addition to other various and sundry farmy tasks. I write for the Syracuse newspaper and Edible Finger Lakes.
Currently listening to: I used to be a dance teacher, so any music that could potentially be used for jazzercise is all right by me.
Reading: Oh, just the 12 different, unfinished books at my bedside.
Has a crush on: Most everyone I meet.
Favorite farm place: The woods behind the main vegetable field
Favorite farm animal: Tim
Quote for the present: "I was coming up against a cold, hard truth. I was well-educated, well-read, and well-traveled. I could hold my own in a cocktail conversation most places in the world. But when it came to physical work, I was virtually retarded." -Kristin Kimball
When I’m not farming, I am: Writing or practicing yoga.
5 things I must do before I die:
If I could have one person join the farm crew, it would be: I really want a pet bunny. And I know that's not technically part of the farm crew, but it's just how I feel.
Currently listening to: I used to be a dance teacher, so any music that could potentially be used for jazzercise is all right by me.
Reading: Oh, just the 12 different, unfinished books at my bedside.
Has a crush on: Most everyone I meet.
Favorite farm place: The woods behind the main vegetable field
Favorite farm animal: Tim
Quote for the present: "I was coming up against a cold, hard truth. I was well-educated, well-read, and well-traveled. I could hold my own in a cocktail conversation most places in the world. But when it came to physical work, I was virtually retarded." -Kristin Kimball
When I’m not farming, I am: Writing or practicing yoga.
5 things I must do before I die:
- Write a book
- Get said book published
- Kill, clean, cook and eat an animal - start to finish, and all by myself
- Make a positive impact on the community of recovering and recovered eating disordered victims
- Find joy in the process
If I could have one person join the farm crew, it would be: I really want a pet bunny. And I know that's not technically part of the farm crew, but it's just how I feel.
Sam Ehrenfeld
Short bio: Originally from New Jersey, I began farming in the fall of 2007 at Essex Farm in Essex NY, after getting a degree in history at Clark University. I worked at Essex for two years, and while there, I developed an intense interest in butchery and charcuterie. After leaving, I worked at Healthy Living Market in Burlington, VT, turning local livestock into fresh sausage. This past fall, I started working at the Rockville Market Farm in Starskboro, VT, managing a diversified livestock herd. In my winter months off, I decided to come out and help get Greyrock off the ground.
Currently listening to: Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros
Reading: The Road by Cormac McCarthy
Has a crush on: Britney from the MGMT show, Tiger sharks
Favorite farm place: Where else. . . the new butcher shop!
Favorite farm animal: Hogs
Quote for the present: Go big or go home.
When I’m not farming, I: like to take long walks on the beach, study polar exploration, eat barn squab
5 things I must do before I die:
If I could have one person join the farm crew, it would be: Obi-Wan Kenobi (As played by Alec Guiness)
Currently listening to: Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros
Reading: The Road by Cormac McCarthy
Has a crush on: Britney from the MGMT show, Tiger sharks
Favorite farm place: Where else. . . the new butcher shop!
Favorite farm animal: Hogs
Quote for the present: Go big or go home.
When I’m not farming, I: like to take long walks on the beach, study polar exploration, eat barn squab
5 things I must do before I die:
- Procreate
- Butcher in Europe with an old-school expert
- Travel, by canoe, across the entirety of Canada
- Retrace Shackleton’s journey
- Capture a Spanish Galleon laden with pieces of eight
If I could have one person join the farm crew, it would be: Obi-Wan Kenobi (As played by Alec Guiness)
Luke Targos
Short Bio: Raised in Crested Butte, a small ski town in western Colorado. Attended Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO, where I studied Environmental Studies and developed a passion for sustainable agriculture. During my junior year of college, I began an apprenticeship on a small-scale family farm in Colorado, where I spent two years focusing on organic vegetable production and management. Following my college graduation I connected with Matt and Greyrock Farm, eventually leading to Hank (my beloved dog) and I packing up and moving out East to aid in the success of Greyrock. We arrived in late October of 2011, and although the sun may not shine as much as it does in sunny Colorado, we hope to reside here for years to come.
Currently listening to: Kenny Chesney and Bon Iver
Reading: Butchers Guide to Well Raised Meat
Has a crush on: Carrie Underwood
Favorite farm place: The Dairy/Milk House
Favorite farm animal: Nelly and Bear
Quote for the present: "The best years of your life are the ones in which you decide your problems are your own. You don’t blame them on anyone or anything. You realize that you control your own destiny". - Albert Ellis
When I’m not farming, I am: Cooking
5 things I must do before I die:
If I could have one person join the farm crew, it would be: A Massage Therapist
Currently listening to: Kenny Chesney and Bon Iver
Reading: Butchers Guide to Well Raised Meat
Has a crush on: Carrie Underwood
Favorite farm place: The Dairy/Milk House
Favorite farm animal: Nelly and Bear
Quote for the present: "The best years of your life are the ones in which you decide your problems are your own. You don’t blame them on anyone or anything. You realize that you control your own destiny". - Albert Ellis
When I’m not farming, I am: Cooking
5 things I must do before I die:
- Go backpacking in Europe
- Learn how to play the guitar
- Have a cup of coffee with Joel Salatin
- Get married, have kids, and start a small family farm
- Kayak the Colorado River thru the Grand Canyon
If I could have one person join the farm crew, it would be: A Massage Therapist
Gillian Goldberg
Short bio:After graduating from Carnegie Mellon
University with a degree in philosophy and a short stint working in a factory packaging fudge, I moved to a small sheep farm in southwestern Pennsylvania.I wanted to get the factory out of my system and apply to graduate school, but instead stayed for two growing seasons, working on the sheep farm as well as a vegetable farm five miles down the road.In November of 2011, I sent Matt a totally unsolicited application for employment, visited twice in December, and joined the crew on April Fool’s Day.
Currently listening to:Kate Bush when I’m alone, William Basinski’s Disintegration Loops to
fall back asleep, and Black Sabbath, for my education.
Reading: Right now, it’s either Cormac McCarthy or Alice Munro
Has a crush on:Captain Joshua Slocum
Favorite farm place:On top of Beef Hill
Favorite farm animal:Chunk
Quote for the present:“For God’s sake, be economical with your lamps and candles!Not a gallon
you burn, but at least one drop of man’s blood was spilled for it.” –Herman Melville, Moby-Dick
When I’m not farming, I am: Writing letters, napping
5 things I must do before I die:
1.Knit my mom a pair of socks
2.Sail the islands of the South Pacific
3.Have a dog of my very own
4. Try an Esopus Spitzenburg, a favorite apple of Thomas Jefferson
5. To be able to squat while keeping my heels on the ground
What I most want to see happen at Greyrock Farm: Every fall, friends and family gather on the farm for our apple pressing day—we toast this year’s cider with last year’s cider and thank our trees for a sweet harvest.
If I could have one person join the farm crew, it would be: My friend and mentor Georgie Kovacovsky.
University with a degree in philosophy and a short stint working in a factory packaging fudge, I moved to a small sheep farm in southwestern Pennsylvania.I wanted to get the factory out of my system and apply to graduate school, but instead stayed for two growing seasons, working on the sheep farm as well as a vegetable farm five miles down the road.In November of 2011, I sent Matt a totally unsolicited application for employment, visited twice in December, and joined the crew on April Fool’s Day.
Currently listening to:Kate Bush when I’m alone, William Basinski’s Disintegration Loops to
fall back asleep, and Black Sabbath, for my education.
Reading: Right now, it’s either Cormac McCarthy or Alice Munro
Has a crush on:Captain Joshua Slocum
Favorite farm place:On top of Beef Hill
Favorite farm animal:Chunk
Quote for the present:“For God’s sake, be economical with your lamps and candles!Not a gallon
you burn, but at least one drop of man’s blood was spilled for it.” –Herman Melville, Moby-Dick
When I’m not farming, I am: Writing letters, napping
5 things I must do before I die:
1.Knit my mom a pair of socks
2.Sail the islands of the South Pacific
3.Have a dog of my very own
4. Try an Esopus Spitzenburg, a favorite apple of Thomas Jefferson
5. To be able to squat while keeping my heels on the ground
What I most want to see happen at Greyrock Farm: Every fall, friends and family gather on the farm for our apple pressing day—we toast this year’s cider with last year’s cider and thank our trees for a sweet harvest.
If I could have one person join the farm crew, it would be: My friend and mentor Georgie Kovacovsky.
