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 Osborne and a few months later moved back to Caz to start the Greyrock Farm CSA.
Currently listening to: Decapitated - Nihility, This American Life podcast
Reading: Seed catalogs
Has a crush on: my wife, Lela "Big Time" Niemetz
Favorite farm place: the Farmstore breakfast nook
Favorite farm animal: Olivia, one of our big, Brown Swiss beauties.
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: sleeping, eating, singing.
5 things I must do before I die:
If I could have one person join the farm crew, it would be: my dad, Bernie Sanders
Currently listening to: Decapitated - Nihility, This American Life podcast
Reading: Seed catalogs
Has a crush on: my wife, Lela "Big Time" Niemetz
Favorite farm place: the Farmstore breakfast nook
Favorite farm animal: Olivia, one of our big, Brown Swiss beauties.
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: sleeping, eating, singing.
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, Bernie Sanders
Lela Niemetz
Short bio: Grew up in the big city of Cleveland, NY. Studied and lived in Buffalo for 7 years. Played basketball for Daemen College, while gaining a B.S. in Science. Continued on to D’Youville College for my M.S. in nutrition and dietetics. Worked on my first farm in Little Valley, NY. One of my favorite college experiences. Thank you Native Offerings! Moved home in 2012. Practiced as a conventional, registered dietitian for 3 years. Decided it wasn’t for me. Started my own business: FoodFeasible LLC. This was going to be focused on individual nutrition counseling, but then I was introduced to the Essex, NY world and everything changed. FoodFeasible is focused on farming, local whole foods, culinary education, and I am determined to make these things niche-less. I want to always be part of the solution. FoodFeasible endeavors led me to Greyrock Farm on a blustery April day. Unbeknownst to me, I would meet Matt Volz, my fiancé over a conversation on scrapple. I spend as much time as I can at Greyrock, while growing FoodFeasible. Our animals are sacred to me. Matt and I will spend most of our Summer in the vegetable fields.
Currently listening to: Josh Garrels album- Home, Moby-Andrew Weatherhall Remix -Another Perfect Life, and always new music.
Reading: Just picked up All the Pretty Horses again. Usually something nutrition or recipe related. Anything Lowell, my brother, recommends.
Has a crush on: oh man. MATT VOLZ- no question.
Favorite farm place: The cabin, the farm store, the barns, the fields, the woods, the hill.
Favorite farm animal: Nancy makes my heart smile. Dillon because even though Matt says he is easily distracted, I have a feeling he “gets it”. I love the way Bubbles leads. Dutch is majestic. The pigs are special.
Quote for the present: “It all begins and ends in your mind. What you give power to has power over you.” -Leon BrownWhen I’m not farming, I am: FOODFEASIBLE
5 things I must do before I die:
If I could have one person join the farm crew, it would be: My brother Lowell and his son Caleb.
Currently listening to: Josh Garrels album- Home, Moby-Andrew Weatherhall Remix -Another Perfect Life, and always new music.
Reading: Just picked up All the Pretty Horses again. Usually something nutrition or recipe related. Anything Lowell, my brother, recommends.
Has a crush on: oh man. MATT VOLZ- no question.
Favorite farm place: The cabin, the farm store, the barns, the fields, the woods, the hill.
Favorite farm animal: Nancy makes my heart smile. Dillon because even though Matt says he is easily distracted, I have a feeling he “gets it”. I love the way Bubbles leads. Dutch is majestic. The pigs are special.
Quote for the present: “It all begins and ends in your mind. What you give power to has power over you.” -Leon BrownWhen I’m not farming, I am: FOODFEASIBLE
5 things I must do before I die:
- Live in the woods, off the woods.
- Convince Matt that it is a GREAT idea to manage the vegetables with a mini donkey team pulling a vegetable cart.
- Make eating whole, ethically, sustainably, and locally unbound and available to everyone.
- Listen to cows with bell collars grazing.
- Find time to learn how to play the Viola, take boxing lessons, and learn how to rock climb.
If I could have one person join the farm crew, it would be: My brother Lowell and his son Caleb.
Alumni
Stephen Green
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Short bio: Hello! My name is Stephen. I graduated from Allegheny College in 2014, and began working at Greyrock not long thereafter. I primarily studied German Studies in school, but enjoyed a number of other courses as well, such as Sex & Gender (Psychology), Theories of Nationalism, feminist theory courses, etc. This will be my third season on a farm. I’ve discovered a definite passion for this kind of work. I’ve met fantastic people through farming, who similarly enjoy hard, productive work, and sharing the fruits (and vegetables) of their labor. In addition to farming I enjoy playing guitar, and chess.
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Currently listening to: Everything. I listen to so much music. Something I look forward to very much during the week is discovering new albums at night before I go to bed, and delving into them the next day, as I work.
Reading: I’ve been stuck on this dang Nietzsche book for about a year now. I find it very insightful, and it inspires a lot of productive thinking, but I don’t sit down to read it often, so it feels like it’s hard to make much progress.
Has a crush on: That’s a secret.
Favorite farm place: Tough question. Last season, when I would clean the barn in the mornings, I loved the way the early sunlight would enter the doors and windows at the eastern end of the barn. The light always looked soft and warm where it touched the walls, contrasted with cool, dark-blue shadows. I also really enjoy walking through the woods harvesting ramps.
Favorite farm animal: Piglets are so fun. Last season I would squat down and carve up apples for them individually when I would go out to feed them. They’re usually a little nervous to get near you, but, if you’re patient, they’ll come up and eat the slices from your hand.
Quote for the present: “What day is it?”, asked Pooh. “It’s today,” squeaked Piglet. “My favorite day,” said Pooh.
When I’m not farming, I am: Working on music; tossing a frisbee; hiking; playing board games or chess
5 things I must do before I die: I don’t really have a bucket list.
What I most want to see happen at Greyrock Farm: I want to see Greyrock grow. It’s great hearing that there have been lots of new customers interested in our raw milk, and all of the other produce that Greyrock (and other local farms) have to offer. I believe sustainable farm practices and healthy food are important and attainable goals, so it’s exciting to see people investing in those goals.
If I could have one person join the farm crew, it would be: My best friend, Doug. He lives in Wisconsin.
Reading: I’ve been stuck on this dang Nietzsche book for about a year now. I find it very insightful, and it inspires a lot of productive thinking, but I don’t sit down to read it often, so it feels like it’s hard to make much progress.
Has a crush on: That’s a secret.
Favorite farm place: Tough question. Last season, when I would clean the barn in the mornings, I loved the way the early sunlight would enter the doors and windows at the eastern end of the barn. The light always looked soft and warm where it touched the walls, contrasted with cool, dark-blue shadows. I also really enjoy walking through the woods harvesting ramps.
Favorite farm animal: Piglets are so fun. Last season I would squat down and carve up apples for them individually when I would go out to feed them. They’re usually a little nervous to get near you, but, if you’re patient, they’ll come up and eat the slices from your hand.
Quote for the present: “What day is it?”, asked Pooh. “It’s today,” squeaked Piglet. “My favorite day,” said Pooh.
When I’m not farming, I am: Working on music; tossing a frisbee; hiking; playing board games or chess
5 things I must do before I die: I don’t really have a bucket list.
What I most want to see happen at Greyrock Farm: I want to see Greyrock grow. It’s great hearing that there have been lots of new customers interested in our raw milk, and all of the other produce that Greyrock (and other local farms) have to offer. I believe sustainable farm practices and healthy food are important and attainable goals, so it’s exciting to see people investing in those goals.
If I could have one person join the farm crew, it would be: My best friend, Doug. He lives in Wisconsin.
Jayme Fowler
Short Bio: I grew up a city kid in Omaha, Nebraska. After I graduated highschool I travelled around, went to University in Canada for a few years where I was lucky enough to be exposed to farming, left university to work for a community gardening non-profit in Omaha, worked on a CSA veggie farm in Oregon, interned at a humanistic free school elementary for a year in LA, finished my undergraduate degree in Sustainable Agriculture and Education at the Evergreen State College in Washington State, hung out with cows working on a fresh dairy farm in Nebraska, learned to drive horses working on a horse-powered 230 member CSA in Sparta, Ontario, had the privilege of learning to drive oxen and work with farmers from across the world at Tillers International this past year, and now i'm so happy to be at Greyrock! And in the near future, hopefully, you'll find me farming somewhere within an hour of Omaha.
Currently listening to: Shovels and Rope, John Prine, McCarthy Trenching, Jolie Holland, Gillian Welch, and Matt playing One Direction and Sam Cook on the guitar around the dinner table in the evenings.
Reading: Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver, Animals in Translation by Temple Grandin, The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
Has a crush on: Cary Ann Hearst, my asthma doctor
Favorite farm place: Lush and sunny pasture far away from the road
Favorite farm animal: Horses
Quote for the present: "Listen to your gut"
When I’m not farming, I am: Playing music, reading, spending time with friends and family, soaking in a tub or pond
5 things I must do before I die:
1. Record an album (doesn't even have to be good)
2. See John Prine live (actually, I crossed this off in my first week at Greyrock!!!)
3. Be a farmer
4. Be as good to my mama as she was to me
5. Do a back walk-over
What I most want to see happen at Greyrock Farm: a big ole live music barn dance hootenanny!
If I could have one person join the farm crew, it would be: Charlotte LaLiberté, the queen babe of my farm heart.
Currently listening to: Shovels and Rope, John Prine, McCarthy Trenching, Jolie Holland, Gillian Welch, and Matt playing One Direction and Sam Cook on the guitar around the dinner table in the evenings.
Reading: Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver, Animals in Translation by Temple Grandin, The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
Has a crush on: Cary Ann Hearst, my asthma doctor
Favorite farm place: Lush and sunny pasture far away from the road
Favorite farm animal: Horses
Quote for the present: "Listen to your gut"
When I’m not farming, I am: Playing music, reading, spending time with friends and family, soaking in a tub or pond
5 things I must do before I die:
1. Record an album (doesn't even have to be good)
2. See John Prine live (actually, I crossed this off in my first week at Greyrock!!!)
3. Be a farmer
4. Be as good to my mama as she was to me
5. Do a back walk-over
What I most want to see happen at Greyrock Farm: a big ole live music barn dance hootenanny!
If I could have one person join the farm crew, it would be: Charlotte LaLiberté, the queen babe of my farm heart.
Jason Eaton
Short Bio: Grew up in Vermont. Started working in farming and forestry at age 16. Studied Natural Resource Ecology and Environmental Ed at university. Managed a $7 million portfolio of socially responsible investments. Decided shoveling manure would be more fun. Got a shovel and joined Greyrock.
Listening to: Chill Out Mix on Pandora
Reading: "Making Hay" by Ann Larkin Hansen
Has a Crush on: A certain pin up model.
Favorite Farm Place: The hay stacks at nap time.
Favorite Farm Animal: Dylan
Quote for the Present: "Its not about the money."
When I'm not farming, I'm...: Sleeping
Five things I must do before I die:
1) Grow my boy into a man.
What I most want to see happen at the farm:
Getting a 4x4 3/4 ton diesel pick up truck with a goose neck hitch and trailer brakes.
If I could have one person join the farm crew it would be: Bernie
Listening to: Chill Out Mix on Pandora
Reading: "Making Hay" by Ann Larkin Hansen
Has a Crush on: A certain pin up model.
Favorite Farm Place: The hay stacks at nap time.
Favorite Farm Animal: Dylan
Quote for the Present: "Its not about the money."
When I'm not farming, I'm...: Sleeping
Five things I must do before I die:
1) Grow my boy into a man.
What I most want to see happen at the farm:
Getting a 4x4 3/4 ton diesel pick up truck with a goose neck hitch and trailer brakes.
If I could have one person join the farm crew it would be: Bernie
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.
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)
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.
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