About The Farmers
Ryan Voiland has been operating Red Fire Farm seven years. For over ten years prior to that, he farmed on rented land in Montague, Massachusetts, where he was a student in middle school. During his years of high school and college, the management and development of Old Depot Gardens was Ryan’s summer job and devotion.
After graduating from Cornell University with a degree in fruit and vegetable horticulture in 2000, Ryan pursued his goal of securing a permanent property for his farm business. With financing assistance from the Farm Service Agency (a department of the U.S. government) and First Pioneer Farm Credit, Ryan purchased the Red Fire Farm property prior to the 2001 growing season. Now, with seven successful growing seasons completed, Ryan is entering into his 8th year managing Red Fire Farm.
In 2008 the farm will employ a number of full time employees during the growing season in addition to about seven part time weeding and harvesting laborers.
Deb Andre has worked at Red Fire Farm since 2001. She does an excellent job of managing the farm stand in addition to performing general farm work and communicating with members.
Other core staff includes Patrick Bensen (grower and manager), Sarah Ingraham (marketing and special projects) and Matthew Belmont (grower and manager), as well as two other growers.
Three of the seasonal farm employees are apprentices who are interested in agriculture as a future career possibility. We also have a Chef and Food Educator who provides cooking demonstrations for the CSA and Farmers’ Market and makes farm-cooked meals for the crew. These folks live on the farm and participate in a regional farm-training program every other week.
Long-time Red Fire Farm employees, John White and Chanya Sae-Eaw are starting the Moon Flower Farm Project to provide fresh flowers to CSA members. John and Chanya are growing many gorgeous varieties of blossoms on rented Red Fire land in 2008. Visit the CSA Basics page to learn more about their Flower Share.