The Lake Divide Farm Team!

Meet the Lake Divide Farm Team!

Every Lake Divider is critical to the function of the farm. Each individual brings unique skills and perspective to the job and makes it possible to grow all the food that we do. Here is a glimpse into who we are and why we do what we do.

Jim Neumann

Office and washstation manager, mechanic and coordinator, builder extraordinaire, Jim is the guy who keeps things moving smoothly. We all count on him to get the details right. Jim pulls joy from constructing and tending the farm's various systems and enjoys guiding the farms development toward a place of sustainability and permanence.

Helen Chandler

Flow master! She sets people up for their jobs and offers course correction through the day. As the head farmer, Helen's job involves crop planning and carrying out those plans. She is in the greenhouse, field, and at the computer. She loves being outside everyday and nurturing the land and her community.

Helen can't help it. Yes, it is a weed, but look at how gigantic it is! All that growth in one year? And what is a weed anyway? Our futile attempt to classify the natural world according to our preferences? She loves to see creatures thrive and this is a great example.

Amy M.
Is starting her second season at Lake Divide and we couldn't be happier. With a can do attitude to beat the rest, we are sure to get it all done!

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Malcolm M.
Will only be moonlighting at Lake Divide this year while he attends school to learn the ins and outs of diesel mechanics. We are glad for any time he is about.

"I was born and raised in Chicago where my relationship with the environment started out exploring woods and playing sports. My ancestors have had a deep and powerful relationship with the environment, especially agriculture. When I met Mr. Yordy for horticulture in high school his passion opened me up to a different understanding and connection with plants. After nerding out in college and seeing more truth, I found myself part of a lineage of naturalists, activists and farmers. After making some decisions, I now help grow food as my role in creating access to harmony."

Malcolm has a musical background and brings a rhythm to the farm tasks. He has lots of experience working with plants in a greenhouse setting and an excellent eye for plant as well as machine health!

The 2020 Team: All together now!

It was a crazy year, between Jim's surgery and lengthy recovery and the global pandemic. We got through it together, rough and tumble as it was. We are so luck and grateful to have had such a tenacious team.

We had returning team members Lizz, Malcolm, Shana, and Kat, plus a whole new slue of brawny brains.

Fabulous Crew from Previous Years!

Lizz W.
Lizz worked with us for 3 years and we had a glorious time. We were sad to see her go and wish her the best of luck.

"The passion for growing food came to me in 2012. For me, farming has always been greater than the sum of its parts. It is a career and lifestyle centered in sustainability, education, and community. It's been a profession that has allowed me limitless opportunities to grow as a person, and I couldn't be happier. Being intentional with our small bit of Earth, providing honest nutrition to those who want and need it, and playing in the dirt all day? Yes, please!
This will be my second year at Lake Divide Farm and my seventh growing season working with organic veggies."

Here is Lizz, enthusiastically planting garlic! You can find her this year at the Saturday Ann Arbor Farmers' market.

Sean has an intellectual interest in farming and the capability of exploring it through experience. You can find him Saturday mornings helping out at market Saturday mornings (which one? wait and see!)

Janet H.

Sean P.

"I turned to farming as a next step toward a closer relationship with ethical, sustainable food sources and living a life respectful of the natural world. I'm a storyteller at heart, a photographer by trade, and I always strive to push myself out of my comfort zone. I enjoy cooking (my partner is very grateful,) teaching myself to sew (currently patterning a pair of overalls,) getting lost while driving on backroads or walking game trail (my true passion), backpacking (wilderness and travel) and seeing how far I can hike in a day."

""Recently, I came across an old story I wrote about wanting to be a farmer when I grew up. And now, here I am, 25 years later, fulfilling my fourth grade dream! A close relationship with nature has always been important to me and a significant factor in my career/personal choices. I worked for the National Park Service for six seasons and later for Arizona State Parks. In between seasonal ranger stints, I worked for two nonprofit organizations, running mobile farmers markets in food insecure neighborhoods. Last fall, I moved back to Michigan after ten years. I’m excited to be a part of the Lake Divide team, in the field, and farming in my home state! "

Janet has great focus and care in her work and her humor. You can find her this year on Thursdays at the Northville Farmers' Market.

Tenacity is the word that comes to mind when thinking of Mattie. No matter what the task, her mind is fully engaged. You can find her this year at either Detroit's Eastern Market.

Mattie K.

"I'm an Ohio country kid who ended up in Chicago doing environmental & other social justice organizing for the last six years. Incredibly wise and generous Native people, activists and friends showed me a different knowledge and connection to this world, universe, life and plants and how to care for and respect them. I left the city and some misinformed ideas of careers and success, found farming and growing, and here we are. I believe that all people should have access to the knowledge and means to feed and heal themselves and the earth that sustains us, and will work to do that for as long as I can."

Cody S.

"This is my first season working on a farm. I am a Michigan native who recently relocated back to the mitten. After studying environmental science, I knew that I wanted a sustainable profession and organic farming seemed to fit that bill perfectly. I am looking forward to learning as much as I can this season and meeting more of the community."

With an easy going a attitude, Cody rolls through the days. He is adaptable and ready to laugh. You can find him on Saturdays at the Chelsea Farmers' Market.

Brianna and Tony from the 2018 Crew!
Brianna and Tony, along with Lizz, worked on the farm in 2018, one of the most critical growth years of the farm. We added markets, expanded crop production, and developed our communication abilities! We learned a lot together!

Tony G.

Tony is the one and only Lake Divider (besides Helen and Jim) to ever live and work at Lake Divide Farm. He was always liable to turn up during an evening weeding session and keep me company.

Brianna G.

Motivated and task oriented, Brianna kept the ball moving, even when it was uphill!

It could be YOU!
We are still hiring for the 2020 season! This could be your chance to get in on the ground floor of a growing community.

Exie the dog!

Master morale booster, crop protector, comic relief – Exie is our fearless companion!
Jim and I adopted her from a rescue in April of 2011 when she was four months old. Now, at six years, she is a polished farm dog. She stays off the beds, escorts visitors and guards our vegetables. She is still as willful as when she was a puppy, exploring the world on her own, but we all have our quirks, and Exie wouldn't be Exie without hers.

Exie the Dog! Photo by A.E. Scott Designs

Boomer the dog intern!

Boomer bumbled into our lives and fit perfectly. He is a wild snuggler and hunter of all small furry, vegetable eating creatures. His legs are wild, he adores Exie, and he is up for anything.

Jade the Dog intern (feat. Boomer)

Jade comes to work with Malcolm and Mattie and learns the tricks of the trade. She is a hilarious and loving dog with a secret move called the seal where she lets her rear legs drag out behind her. A good reminder to stretch! Boomer and Jade are getting along great, learning to romp and play on the farm without causing damage.