Meet the Team: Bethany

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January 8, 2025

Next in our ‘Meet the Team’ series on our blog, here’s a little about myself (Bethany here!).

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in the heart of Minnesota. Gravel roads, small towns (I mean very small…my town had a population of 300 and the next closest ‘town’ was only 80!), rolling hills, lakes and woods…that was home for me!

What did you do before you came to farming/Whiffletree?

I pursued music composition and creative writing for about five years before deciding it wasn’t for me. I also worked a couple office jobs in that time as well as doing the bookkeeping for my dad’s business (which I still am able to do remotely!).

What inspired you to become a farmer?

I am a country girl. I love the wide open spaces, going outside where it’s just me and nature, no sights or sounds of the city. I’ve always loved the idea of having my own little farm. I grew up gardening, and I loved setting the dinner table knowing everything except the proteins came from our own land. Every year, our family would also can and preserve anywhere from 300-450 quarts of garden produce. It was always in the back of my mind that it would be great if all our meat, eggs, and dairy came from our land too, but I thought unless you were born into a family who farmed or had land you just couldn’t do it. In 2022, after I decided music and writing weren’t what I wanted for a career, I explored other options…which brought me back to my girlhood dream of farming. After looking into it, I realized there are far more opportunities to get started in farming than I thought! I pursued learning about farming through internships in Minnesota, England, and Virginia, and it’s been quite the adventure!

What are some things you didn’t expect to learn that farming has taught you?

Something that has been reinforced to me is the value of the little things in life. It’s easy to get caught up in the rush of everyday life, but slowing down to enjoy the time I get to work with friends, the stunning nature around me, the amazing animals we care for…life is made up of all the little moments.

How has farming benefited you?

Farming has benefited me in multiple ways. I have come to have a much deeper appreciation of the healthy food we are able to eat and the hard work that goes into raising it. I’ve also had the opportunity to meet and work with some incredible people who have all had a hand in teaching me and helping me grow both in my learning and as a person. And while I’ve always loved nature, farming teaches the ways of nature to you in a very real way, so getting to experience that has been amazing.

What do you hope to accomplish through farming?

Whether it’s through having a farm of my own one day or working with other farms, I hope to be able to provide a place where good, nutritious food is produced, where our land is cared for, and where people’s lives and relationships are nourished.

How has your role at Whiffletree evolved in your time here?

I started out as an intern in August 2023, then was hired on full time for a few months after that. In those few months I managed our freezers, did a trial run managing wholesale, helped customers in the farm store, and assisted tracking and organizing data. I returned to Whiffletree full time September 2024, and I now manage wholesale, marketing, communications, and events.

Most memorable Whiffletree experience?

The second day of my internship at Whiffletree, we were short-staffed so I had to go feed and gather the eggs from our two laying flocks alone. When I arrived at the first flock, the hens were extremely hungry and were gathering close to the poultry net where the truck was parked. As soon as I turned the electricity off, the hens started swarming the fence, toppling it over and almost escaping. I don’t know that there’s anything as terrifying to an intern as hundreds of hens trying to escape. I still don’t know how I managed to keep the hens in but somehow I did…narrow escape!

What’s your favorite animal on the farm? And why?

The cattle! They’re such amazing creatures! There’s something very calming about going out to the field and watching them contentedly grazing. I love their curiosity…stand there long enough and they’ll slowly make their way closer to you trying to figure you out. And I love their playfulness…watching them jump and skip when they get a new paddock of grass or when they tussle with one another…it’s fun to watch.

Favorite hobby? Or favorite things you like to do when not working?

Hiking, music, art, and refinishing furniture are a few of my favorites!

Favorite food?

Bibimbap! It’s a Korean dish (my mom is Korean). Rice topped with Korean barbecued beef, kimchi, and assorted stir-fried veggies…it’s delicious!

Favorite dish you like to make with a Whiffletree item?

Stir-fries with ground beef or fajita strips, balsamic glazed chicken, or a good ole burger are a few of my favorites!

Meet the Team: Carmen

Carmen Ashwell is Whiffletree’s longest employee. For those of you who know her, you know what a fun person she is to be around… always ready with a word of encouragement, a funny personality that magnetizes people, a great and cheerful worker, and a gal of integrity. Read on to get a glimpse of the amazing person Carmen is! Where did you grow up? Any siblings? I grew up in Beautiful Bristow Virginia (beautiful is sarcastic… Bristow is typical bland suburbia). Siblings? Oh, I got some of those…nine to be exact! Before you ask, I am number 4! Two brothers and seven sisters, just as loud as it sounds! What did you do before you came to farming/Whiffletree? Was a very, very busy travel soccer player! Also worked at Chick-fil-a, awesome job by the way, can’t recommend enough! What inspired you to become a farmer? I have always LOVED animals! Steve Irwen was a huge inspiration to little Carmen, RIP Steve. I knew I wanted to work with my hands so farming has been a great fit! What are some things you didn’t expect to learn that farming has taught you? So sorry to be morbid but what I really didn’t expect to learn is how to slaughter chickens and put down sick or injured chickens. I never thought I would be able to do it because I love animals but I learned that reducing suffering shows respect for the animal and that is more important than my comfort. Again, sorry to be morbid, but now I’m a pro! How has farming benefited you? Farming has given me strength and confidence! I have gotten much more physically strong since I have been on the farm, I feel very capable! Farming gives me LOTS of opportunities for problem solving! At first I didn’t trust my judgment and asked for help at every decision point, now I make many decisions independently and with confidence, this is a big boost to my self esteem! What do you hope to accomplish through farming? Animal welfare! I am so proud to work at Whiffletree where our animals are treated with care and respect! I love to help make their lives happy and healthy! How has your role at Whiffletree evolved in your time here? From intern, to brooder manager, to delivery driver, to wholesale manager, Neighborhood Delivery management, primary Farm Store coverage, I have done many, many things! I took up Sunday chores last year and have been enjoying it so much! Great to do what I came here for, care for animals! Most memorable Whiffletree experience? Oh boy where to begin… I can’t pick just one! As an intern, during one of my first few weeks, Jesse took me out to the cattle to receive a hay delivery. We didn’t have a tractor with us but wanted to spread the hay throughout the paddock so Jesse asked the driver to drive around the paddock and we would push the bales off as he drove! We put our backs against one row of bales and stretched our legs out to kick the bales off of the moving trailer! We placed them well and it was soooo satisfying to watch the bales roll off the trailer! So fun! Another favorite was the great turkey escape of 2020! It was the middle of the day…I received a text that turkeys were out and it was all hands on deck! I ran to get my flag, a big red flag I used to shoo hens indoors. Out into the field I went and raised my giant red flag over my head to shoo the turkeys back into their netting, worked like a charm! I feel guilty saying it, but I sort of love chaos on the farm, big storms, birds out, cattle out, water down, etc. Love working as a team to figure out a problem! What’s your favorite animal on the farm? And why? Pigs!!! They are smart, cuddly, messy, and absolutely adorable! Such a carefree and beautiful lifestyle, and I think they love naps as much as I do! Favorite hobby? Or favorite things you like to do when not working? Favorite hobby is caring for my dog, Doctor Beverly Crusher (Know as Crush or Crusher). When I am not working, I am reading, spending time with friends and my fiance, and as of recently, swimming! Favorite food? Peruvian Chicken, yuca, sweet plantains, and chicha morada. That’s really a meal but they all belong together! Favorite dish you like to make with a Whiffletree item? Ropa Vieja with our Chuck Roast. My mothers recipe calls for Flank Steak (which is incredible!) but living alone in my early 20’s had me getting creative to keep things budget friendly! I made it with Chuck Roast for team lunch and it came out delicious! I was so proud and I think if my mom had tasted it she would have been too!

Meet the Team: Jesse

Hello 2025! Wow…can’t believe another year has gone by. We’re excited to launch into 2025 and keep doing what we’re doing plus get some new things going here at the farm! For the beginning of the year, we wanted to get a new series going on our blog, reintroducing you to the team at Whiffletree so you can meet all the great people involved in putting food onto your table. First off in the series is none other than our very own farmer, Jesse Straight! Here are the questions we asked Jesse... ~~~~~ Where did you grow up? I grew up in Warrenton! Born at Fauquier Hospital! Started out in Warrenton Lakes, and then moved to New Baltimore when I was 5, and grew up playing in the woods and romping on our neighbor's farm (sledding, squirrel hunting, fort building, camping with friends). I have 3 older brothers and 2 younger sisters. What did you do before you came to farming/Whiffletree? Liz and I got married the summer after I graduated from UVA. We stayed and worked in Charlottesville. I got a job working for Habitat for Humanity. I did that for a couple years, then I left to work as a carpenter working for a friend-- the 2 of us building quirky spec houses in Charlottesville. What inspired you to become a farmer? Reading Wendell Berry and Joel Salatin. Visiting farmers, dabbling in some farm enterprises myself. Loving working outside and being a part of life actually growing forth! Not many people actually get to work with life growing in front of you! And learning about how bad conventional food is. Here was an area where I could do some good. What are some things you didn’t expect to learn that farming has taught you? Running a farm business has really challenged me. It takes a lot of virtue to be a good boss and colleague. I want to be a really good boss and worker myself. And I have weaknesses and shortcomings. So the challenge of doing the thing I need to do now (not procrastinating the scary thing), and being a good boss challenges me to be a better person. How has farming benefited you? I have loved the work with the animals, plants, and soil, and with Liz and my kids, and with great employees and interns. It is a privilege to do this work with these great people. What do you hope to accomplish through farming? I hope to raise food that is incredibly tasty, and healthy for our customers, land, animals, and community. Additionally, in this work I aim to provide for my family. And like I said above, I hope this work challenges me and helps me to become a better person. How has your role at Whiffletree evolved in your time here? In the beginning, I did almost everything! But of course, we only had a small number of animals and customers. I did all the chores, all the marketing, all the communication, all the order packing, all the driving, etc. And it was intense, but also so exciting to be getting going! My favorite things to do now are: the chores (I love to be outside making animals happy on lush fresh pasture!), talking with and helping customers, strategizing on how to make our processes better, and writing newsletters and making videos to explain what we do and how we do it and why it is so good! Most memorable Whiffletree experience? I have a lot to choose from! On the rough side, Super Storm Sandy and the crazy storm we got in June of 2022 were very chaotic and tough--infrastructure damaged, animals everywhere, freezers down--all the stressful stuff! On the upside, I have a ton to pick from, but probably finding my wedding ring in the compost pile after being lost for 10 years! What’s your favorite animal on the farm? And why? I love the cattle. They are such incredible animals. Magical really. They take grass and water and turn into these beautiful huge animals. Their 4 chambered stomach is the most amazing and underrated thing ever! I love to move them to fresh pasture, and hear and see them chomping down the grass! Favorite hobby? Or favorite things you like to do when not working? I love cozying up and reading with my kids! We have read some awesome books! I love going for walks around the farm with Liz, the kids, and buddies. I love making trails on the farm. Me with a chainsaw and my kids or buddies, making trails is my favorite day. I love playing pickleball and pingpong. I love watching soccer. I love bonfires. I love getting friends together for all the above, and for the hot tub/cold plunge experience. I love playing with my little kids--chasing them around and getting them riled up. Favorite food? Thanksgiving dinner, steak caesar salad, fried chicken. Favorite dish you like to make with a Whiffletree item? Steak and grilled chicken! ~~~~~ And that’s Jesse Straight…say hi to him if you see him around the farm!

Reflections on 2024

2025 is just around the corner! It’s hard to believe another year has flown by. As always, it was a year filled with adventure, and looking back, we are grateful and encouraged by all we were able to accomplish. So here’s the recap of Whiffletree’s 2024! Whiffletree Crew: This year, we had another set of amazing interns come through our farm! Tyfani (Maryland): Tyfani joined us over the winter to gain some experience working on a regenerative livestock farm. She did a great job and was always cheerful and friendly. And bonus - she was a great cook! Now she attends the University of Maryland, pursuing a degree in horticulture. Lily (Florida): Lily came to join us during her gap year before starting school at the University of Florida. She was an excellent intern and worker, attentive to detail, and so great to have around!Caroline (Virginia): Caroline is a track and cross country runner at JMU. She joined us as an intern for the summer with the interest of maybe getting something going on her grandparent’s old farm. Every now and then on breaks from school she pops in for a couple days to work with us!Andrew (Virginia): Andrew is a local who graduated from the same high school as Jesse. He is a great and solid guy, and he is starting up his own business of growing mushrooms and micro-greens. We’re excited to see where that takes him! He also works part time now as the delivery driver for Whiffletree!Akili (Virginia): Another Virginia local, Akili is a fellow you might recognize from being featured in the newspaper for completing the Appalachian Trail last year. He did the summer internship with us and has since stayed on as an all-star, full time employee!Andy (Virginia): Andy grew up in a military family and attended college in Florida, but now lives with his family in Bristow, VA. He came for the fall internship, and was a good and thoughtful guy. He did great work with us! Anna (Virginia): Anna is a local to the Warrenton area, and her family has known Jesse since he was in high school. She helped out with chores, deliveries, and working the farm store, and she learned a lot! Her kind and cheerful spirit and smile were a treat, and she was a great worker!Lani (Virginia): Lani is a long-time customer who is digging into the details of regenerative livestock farming over this winter and into the spring of 2025. She is an enthusiastic and thoughtful addition to the team! Some of our team also had some pretty cool things they did this year or life changes that happened to them! Melanie (bookkeeper; inventory, processing, and freezer manager): Melanie and her husband Patrick are welcoming their first baby in January! The whole farm is so excited to meet their baby. Congratulations, Melanie and Patrick!Elliot (cattle manager): After two years of working as the cattle manager for Whiffletree Farm, Elliot is moving on to work for the farm who supplies us with our calves. He was great to have as our cowboy and will be missed!Carmen (farm store and neighborhood delivery manager): Carmen, who has been a part of the Whiffletree team for almost five years now, is engaged! We’re all excited for her and her fiance Brendon!Bethany (wholesale, communications, marketing, and events manager): Bethany took a six month leave from Whiffletree to go intern at a farm in England! She had an amazing time learning regenerative farming there and exploring England, Wales, and Scotland.Ben (pig manager): Ben is taking over as our cattle manager (and pig manager) here at Whiffletree! He’s excited for the opportunity and we’re looking forward to seeing what he’ll do with it. Whiffletree Farm: The farm has had a few big changes and fun happenings over the year…here are some of the highlights! We got a third freezer installed. That has been a huge help to us to have more storage for our products here on-farm, and the people who work the freezers and help pack orders are all very happy for the extra space!We welcomed Anthony Schiano as our new poultry manager. It’s been great to have him around and he’s done great work!A fun highlight was getting to supply a Neil Young concert with our beef patties. Neil Young is one of Jesse’s favorite artists, and it was cool to have a celebrity want his concert to be supplied with products that align with our standards!We got a vacuum sealer for our products! That has been a major difference in the quality of our poultry items. Retail and wholesale customers alike have all loved the change!One of Jesse’s daughters has added a couple dairy cows to the animals of Whiffletree Farm. We’re hoping for the older heifer to have a calf next year! The Straight Fam: Liz and I (Jesse) are very grateful for each other, our kids, my parents, all the farm team, our church, and all our friends. We are very blessed with all the good people that surround us. Here are some of the highlights this year from our family: Liz has done a great job homeschooling 7 of our 8 kids (Whew! No small task.)Our oldest daughter got her driver's license!Some of our older kids have really enjoyed being involved with a local theatre group.The kids and I have read/are reading so many good books together! I love Story Nights with the kids! Some examples: To Kill a MockingbirdThe VirginianLord of the RingsThe HobbitMossflowerThe Little House on the Prairie storiesFirst Farm in the ValleyMurder in the CathedralThe YearlingThe Sherlock Holmes storiesThe older kids do a great job helping on the farm (for pay!) and doing their school work and having fun with each other and friends. We are all looking forward to when my daughter’s new dairy cow has her first calf in August, and she starts milking! Blessings to you all, and thank you for all your support of our farm, our team, and our family! We will continue to work so diligently to raise you food that is tasty and truly healthy for you, the land, the animals, and our community! Jesse Straight