About Us

Sarah,

Sarah grew up in the Bay Area. As a teenager, she woke up early to shop with her mother at the farmers' market. She started helping her mother cook meals and by senior year she took over the job. In college at UC Berkeley, she volunteered at the Edible Schoolyard and worked at the Ferry Plaza Farmers' Market. After graduation, she worked for 2 years as a line cook at restaurants in Los Angeles and New York. She loved the intensity of the kitchen and the skills she gained, but disliked the late shifts and being inside all day. On a whim, she decided to work for a summer as a camp counselor at the farm camp at Hawthorne Valley Farm in Harlemville, NY. While there, she fell in love with farming and with Seth.

Jesse

For the past 10 years, Jesse has been working alongside Sarah to help grow and develop the farm and the surrounding community. His role here spans a variety of tasks, from tractor maintenance and carpentry to assisting with other projects. Over the years, he has contributed his skills to ensure the farm runs smoothly, and it’s been incredibly rewarding for him to watch it grow. Outside of work, he is a proud father of two sons, and he feels fortunate to share the experience of working with his family by his side, alongside his partner, Celeste. Being able to balance family life with the work he does on the farm has been a true blessing. It’s a life that is both fulfilling and deeply connected to the land, the animals, and the community around him.

Celeste

Celeste has been working for Sarah since 2020 tending the flower field and helping with CSA chores when needed. She has two sons and has been fortunate enough to have them at work aside her surrounded by pollinators and beautiful flowers. She is married to Jesse and they both feel very grateful to be part of the farm family. Another thing that she contributes is processing the hot peppers and dry corn for cornmeal.

Alexis

Alexis traveled here from Florida with her dog Shiloh. It was her second cross-country trip! She loves going to the river, dancing, and learning from other cultures. She gives thanks everyday for the land and the people.

Stephanie

Stephanie works on the veggie crew here at Open Field! Her favorite vegetable to farm and eat is eggplant! She also loves her 2 kitty cats who you might see sneaking around the bushes.

Seth,

Seth grew up on the east coast and knew from a young age that he was interested in farming. After volunteering on an organic farm in high school, he studied sustainable agriculture at Sterling College in Northern Vermont. After graduation, he became a staff member of the Visiting Students Program at Hawthorne Valley Farm, helping to run weekly programs for Waldorf schools that came to the farm. There he also gained tractor knowledge, helped in the dairy barn and started a firewood program.

For 3 years after Hawthorne Valley, Seth and Sarah were fortunate to work on several small organic farms throughout New England and to learn about farming from accomplished mentors. 

Danny

Since 2021, Danny been working with Sarah, assisting with various animal chores such as feeding the chickens, grazing the cattle, and helping with the sheep when needed. He also takes care of mowing the herb garden and flower fields and handles the collection and cleaning of eggs. He feels that it has been incredibly fulfilling to be part of this community and witness the farm provide nutritious food for everyone. He is proud to contribute to such meaningful work and enjoys being surrounded by the rhythm of farm life.

AJ

AJ has been at Open Field Farm for almost 5 years. She tends to the sheep and slings on the veggie crew. Her favorite crops are tomatoes and chicories. Her least favorite crop is celery. She says its like biting into water with hair in it.

Cici

Cici grew up in Napa and developed a love for farming by working at a tractor and auto parts store in highschool. This led her to pursue a degree in Sustainable Agriculture from UC Davis (go aggies!) and then land here at Open Field! Some of her favorite things about Open Field are the smell of the herb circle on a warm night, the farm babies running around, and all the interesting rocks that can be found in veggie beds. She will be working in the CSA barn starting the winter and is always up for a chat and a laugh!

Seda

Seda grew up, up and down the west coast. Her goal right now is to learn about growing food and plants from farmers and teachers of all different backgrounds while also seeing the world! She is excited to stay another season at Open Field, working on veggie crew and learning from this beautiful bountiful land. This past season has encouraged and nurtured her creativity outside of work and that has been such a blessing! She has learned so much working alongside herbs and flowers this season and is so grateful for the guidance and learning moments Kelsey, Sarah and Celeste have given her.

& Fam

In 2005, they married and settled in New Hampshire to look for their own farm and to start a family. Their bicoastal farm search started in the East but eventually they moved West. While they were searching Seth worked as a carpenter for several years, gaining invaluable building knowledge. He started and managed a CSA in Half Moon Bay for 3 years. Sarah ran the home front, including the children: Margrethe born in 2006, Oliver born in 2009, and Teddy born in 2012.

These days, Seth has taken a step back from the farm to focus on his health, while Sarah has taken over the lion’s share of managing the day to day operations.

Margrethe is in her first year of college, Oliver is focused on his high school soccer career, and Teddy loves to read and perform theater.

Kelsey

Kelsey has been working at the farm for almost 8 years now! She has been on the veggie crew, in the CSA barn, and now she tends to the herb gardens and blends the herbal teas. She studied herbalism at the California School of Herbal Studies and is grateful to be able to use her knowledge to serve the Open Field community. Her favorite parts of being here are being surrounded by beauty and the wonderful community of both staff and members. She feels very blessed to be raising her son in such a special place. Also, her favorite vegetable is kabocha squash!

Alyssa

Alyssa has been on the veggie crew for three years, and they like harvest days the best - it is the only thing that the crew consistently does all year, and there is nothing better than touching plants and picking beautiful food. Their favorite vegetable is eggplant! In their off time, they play volleyball, spend even more time outside, and hang out with friends and family.

Ellie

Ellie is part of the veggie crew! She grew up in Washington state and moved here to California about 7 months ago. She started farming while she was in college and fell in love with it. She loves the impact that farming makes on her life and the people we grow food for. In her free time, she loves to read, bake and cook. She loves animals, Harry Potter and music.