Angela started and managed the farm’s first CSA vegetable program and has always been interested in the ways in which a farm can build up the local community. After working as a licensed Nurse Practitioner with underserved populations in Austin, Texas, she returned to the farm in 2019 and has continued that work in Newport, Pennsylvania.

Her many interests include medicinal herbs and wholistic medicine, native plants, and ecological conservation. She has guided many of the native buffer projects on the farm and also cares for our fledgling bee hives. She is excited about creating a vibrant native garden along the Juniata River that can be used for recreation and education.

Favorite flower- poppies

Favorite native plant- ironweed

Favorite thing to do in nature- swim in a creek or lake on a hot summer day.

Phoebe started arranging flowers for market in middle school and although she went to school for a History and Theater Major, she never really stopped. In 2015, she started Flowers By Phoebe, a busy floral design studio in Goshen, IN which she ran until 2019 when she returned to the farm.

Her love for art and good design and her gregarious nature make her the natural choice to lead our floral bars and design workshops. She will also be the lead designer for all weddings and events. She is particularly excited about developing strong relationships with other local florists through our new wholesale flower line.

Favorite flower- specialty double tulips

Favorite native plant- winter berry holly

Favorite thing to do in nature- camping under stars.

Hope is the original founder of the farm and continues to be actively involved in many of the farm happenings. While her children try to get her to slow down and quit working so hard, she will often reply that she is, “just having fun.”

She is our official seed saver and tree seed starter, and she also loves to mow which helps immensely with establishing our native plantings and keeping the trails and camping areas on the farm tidy. Her love for people, her expertise in germinating seeds, and her love for the wild inspire us daily and we hope this new venture will bring her lots of joy.

Favorite flower- bleeding heart

Favorite native plant- jack-in-the-pulpit

Favorite thing to do in nature- plant trees

Philip can often be found with his camera in hand taking detailed photos of flowers. In addition to capturing beautiful photos for the newsletter, he also uses his background in information technologies to keep our computers and internet humming.

He is pursuing his passion for cooking and fermenting while working with the fine chefs at Millworks in Harrisburg and guides our catering operations for special events at the farm. His curiosity about bread baking has us all excited about putting in outdoor wood fired ovens this summer. He lives with Phoebe and their three black cats on the main farm.

Favorite flower- scabiousa pincushion

Favorite native plant- chicken-of-the-woods

Favorite thing to do in nature- camping

Debra and Hannah, along with their children Owen, Chandler and Chandler’s fiancé Andrew own and operate Village Acres Farm a vegetable, pastured poultry, and Shetland sheep operation. Debra took our father’s mantle on to her strong and capable shoulders when he passed. She is a renaissance farmer, comfortable crunching numbers, fixing her own plumbing, and helping to birth baby lambs. Her delight in the beauty of vegetables and perfectly plump broilers is fun to witness.

Hannah is the Executive Director of PASA a wonderful organization that supports farmers focused on sustainability. She can often be found on the weekends mowing pasture, moving chickens and sheep and does many of the hidden tasks on the farm like keeping communication lines open to vegetable CSA members, applying for grants, and managing the finances for Village Acres.

Owen, Chandler and Andrew are currently pursuing higher education, but they work hard tending animals when they are home on breaks and have helped with harvesting and marketing in the past. We will miss having them as part of the summer harvest and packing crew this coming season.

Favorite flower: Hannah-Ranunculus, Debra-Delphinium, Chandler- Calendula, Owen-Snapdragons, Andrew- Daffodils

Favorite native plant: Hannah- Redbuds, Debra-Trillium, Chandler-Goldenrod, Owen-Moutain Laurel, Andrew- Witch Hazel

Favorite thing to do in nature: Deb, Hannah and Owen- Hiking, Chandler- Swimming, Andrew-walking

Roy and Julie, and their daughters are active in supporting the missions of both Wilding Hope and Village Acres even though they have their own pastured beef, pork and lamb operation, Blue Rooster Farm, in East Waterford, PA. A district forester for the Michaux State Forest, Roy helps his sisters by caring for the woodland areas on all of the farms and has helped to guide the planning for the new riparian buffer plantings on the home farm.

Julie manages their animals and marketing in addition to working for the Pennsylvania Farm Services Agency. Her culinary talents are phenomenal and we have leaned on her expertise in the past for monthly farm breakfasts and catered meals.

Riley and Frances spent their high school years working summers on the farm in both vegetable and flower production. Now they are off to college and internships but their energy and engagement when they are home is very welcome.

Favorite Flower: Julie- Calendula, Roy-, Frances- Lilac, Riley-Dahlia

Favorite native plant: Julie-Sycamore, Roy-, Frances-Monarda fistula, Riley- Milkweed

Favorite thing to do in nature: Julie-hike, Roy-, Frances: hang out in streams, Riley- hike