History of the farm
Back in 1990, Jenny and Jon learned about the concept of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) while living in an intentional community in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. We moved home to Northern Michigan to start the first CSA farm in Leelanau County in 1994. On rented land on French Rd, Meadowlark was powered by family and early share holders’ excitement. Our daughter Ella was born the second year of Meadowlark, our son Eli 2 years later, and in 2001 we moved to the land in Lake Leelanau where we have continued to farm into our 32nd year. In the beginning we worked off farm jobs and had 40 shareholders. We balanced taking care of the kids (with lots of help from the wider community) and growing the farm into something that could sustain many families’ nourishment. We now have over 500 people in our CSA, with close to 200 shares, employ 7 people, power the farm with solar panels and have 4 hoophouses.
In 2024, our son Eli and his wife Avalon joined the farm crew and began working the land alongside us, learning farming practices from Jenny and Jon and bringing fresh ideas to the table. This has ushered in a new era for the farm. In the 2026 season, Eli and Avalon are stepping into more managerial roles, and are excited about continuing the legacy of Meadowlark farm. At the heart of the farm is community and family - tending to the land through organic growing practices, participating in local food systems, and putting people and care for the earth before profit at every turn. We are always evolving and growing - trying new crops and methods, working with the beautiful Northern Michigan seasons and taking input about what works and doesn’t work. This is what it means to do Community Supported Agriculture, and we invite you to participate with us in establishing more mutual relationships with the land and each other.