MEET THE GROWERS
Jake TenHarmsel
Jake was born and raised in Holland, Michigan. He graduated from Western Michigan University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science from a double major in both Environmental Science and Communications.
Ashley TenHarmsel
Ashley was born and raised in Calumet, Michigan. She also graduated in 2009 from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Earth Science and a minor in Spanish.
Ashley and Jake met in 2007 while working at a flower production greenhouse in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
During the fall of 2009 the pair traveled to Missiones, Argentina where they attended Mama Roja, a sustainable living institute. For two months they developed their knowledge about organic gardening, seed saving, adobe building and many other sustainable practices. After spending time in Argentina, they traveled up to Bahia de Caraquez, Ecuador where they lived for three months volunteering with the Planet Drum Foundation. The primary focus of the project was the reforestation and recovery of the highly damaged and fragile Dry Tropical Forest ecosystem.
In the spring of 2011 they moved to Silt, Colorado where they apprenticed at Peach Valley CSA and worked with farmers Ken and Gail Khuns. It was there that they learned how to grow vegetables on a several acre scale, raise hens for egg production and how to run a CSA. The following season they worked at Early Morning Orchard. There they focused on managing orchards and growing produce for several markets. After being away for some time, the pair decided to come home and put their education and passion into growing fresh and healthy food. They started North Harvest CSA Farm in 2013.
Although not certified organic, their practices are natural and chemical free. They encourage their members to certify the farm themselves. In other words, they invite you to come out to the farm and observe their practices and even get involved if you like, as that is what Community Supported Agriculture is all about.
