Rhys

Rhys’ interest in agriculture was first piqued while studying Landscape Architecture at Mississippi State. From there he volunteered for the Peace Corps in Kenya where he built rain cachement tanks with farmers. Rhys came to Featherstone Farm in 1998. He was in the midst of a successful career in commercial apple production. “We were living in Yakima, Washington where I managed chemical intensive orchards” he says. “I wanted more satisfying work and a stronger connection with the community,” Rhys says about that point in time. When Rhys and Tracy first resettled in Minnesota they considered purchasing an orchard along the river. The switch to organic vegetables happened serendipitously and Rhys has no regrets about leaving chemical management behind. Rhys is married to Tracy and they have two daughters, Hayley and Devin.

Rhys’ work at Featherstone includes overseeing all hiring and labor, managing the CSA and farmer’s markets, greenhouse production and pest and disease management. He loves the soil science and entomology that are the foundation of good agriculture. His careful record keeping is the glue that keeps the whole farm held together.