About the farm
Jean-Paul and Crystal founded Philia Farm in 2018 to be something new for both of them. For Jean-Paul, this would be a space for slowing down and farming at a scale that brought him far more meaningful interaction with the plants and environment; a welcomed shift towards intentionality and presence. For Crystal, the farm provides an opportunity to "walk the talk" after a career of advising farmers about best practices for their own land. Since she maintains the day job as a regional vegetable specialist, she has also carved out a section of the farm for use as a research facility, allowing her to deepend understanding of organic systems, seed production, and garlic production just steps from home.
Our farm is named after the Greek word "Philia", which is one of four types of love described in the Greek language. Philia is an empathic love in which one wants what is best for the other. Often referred to as "brotherly love", it is also the root of the name Philadelphia. The concept of honoring as equals those of your community, the land itself, and all the beings we share it with is of course fundamental to many cultures, including the Mohawk, who we acknowledge as the ancestral stewards of this land.
A little about Jean-Paul and Crystal
Crystal is a Northern Californian native who has lived in New York since 2007. She has wanted to work with plants for as long as she's known she'd someday have to get a job. She studied horticulture at the University of Wisconsin, where she also picked up a deep love of artisan cheddar and craft beers. Before becoming a Vegetable Specialist for Cornell Cooperative Extension, Crystal worked in botanic gardens and has a keen interest in how to help people see plants in all their glory.
In addition to serving as an evening and weekend farmer, Crystal also places many of her replicated research plots in a dedicated space at the farm. She loves deepening our understanding of garlic production, seed production, and various aspects of organic farming through her work. Come see her at a field day to nerd out on plant science, or at the farmers' market to talk about the many ways to love beets.
