Jian Ping's column
King's Hill Farm: An organic haven in Wisconsin
King's Hill Farm: An organic haven in Wisconsin
By Jian Ping
King’s Hill Farm is located at Mineral Point, Wisconsin. The farm covers a beautiful sprawling area of
over 800 acres. About half of the rolling terrain is preserved for native trees and prairie plants. In 2008, a
young couple, Joel and Jai Kellum, took over the management of this organic farm. My husband Francis and
I had been to the farm a few times before in the last few years. I enjoyed the scenic landscape, but was not
particularly impressed with the former operation. I was very pleasantly surprised in a recent visit. The
Kellums, together with a group of like-minded young people who want to support local, organic farming,
have transformed the farm. Following the basic principles of permaculture, they put in a mixed planting of
more than 40 acres of vegetables, herbs, flowers, and a variety of fruit trees and bushes. The farm has
become an organic haven — an interesting experiment in a self-sustaining local ecology.
Joel and Jai took Francis and me for a tour. We rode on a used golf cart, a practical and environmental
friendly way to get around the large farm. Two friendly dogs accompanied us throughout the tour, running
excitedly back and forth as if to show off the achievement in each field. The Kellums planted several plots
along the hillsides and valleys this year. They grew alfalfa last year and tilled them over to enrich the dark
soil. The first sight of the plants took my breath away. Emerging from a trail hidden by bushes and trees, I
saw long rows of neatly arranged vegetables and herbs. The lustrous green seemed to sparkle under the
golden sun. Scallions, leeks, sweet peas, fennels, and kales are ready for harvest. And cucumbers,
King’s Hill Farm is located at Mineral Point, Wisconsin. The farm covers a beautiful sprawling area of
over 800 acres. About half of the rolling terrain is preserved for native trees and prairie plants. In 2008, a
young couple, Joel and Jai Kellum, took over the management of this organic farm. My husband Francis and
I had been to the farm a few times before in the last few years. I enjoyed the scenic landscape, but was not
particularly impressed with the former operation. I was very pleasantly surprised in a recent visit. The
Kellums, together with a group of like-minded young people who want to support local, organic farming,
have transformed the farm. Following the basic principles of permaculture, they put in a mixed planting of
more than 40 acres of vegetables, herbs, flowers, and a variety of fruit trees and bushes. The farm has
become an organic haven — an interesting experiment in a self-sustaining local ecology.
Joel and Jai took Francis and me for a tour. We rode on a used golf cart, a practical and environmental
friendly way to get around the large farm. Two friendly dogs accompanied us throughout the tour, running
excitedly back and forth as if to show off the achievement in each field. The Kellums planted several plots
along the hillsides and valleys this year. They grew alfalfa last year and tilled them over to enrich the dark
soil. The first sight of the plants took my breath away. Emerging from a trail hidden by bushes and trees, I
saw long rows of neatly arranged vegetables and herbs. The lustrous green seemed to sparkle under the
golden sun. Scallions, leeks, sweet peas, fennels, and kales are ready for harvest. And cucumbers,
tomatoes, squash, peppers and eggplants are competing to follow suit. Edible flowers such
as nasturtium are in full bloom and strawberries are turning red. I crushed a peppermint leaf
to indulge myself in the refreshing aroma and chewed a piece of fresh basil and a bunch of
chives to taste their pungent flavor. Joel handed me a big sweet pea and I bit into it, crunchy
and full of sweet juice. I felt like a child again, fully connected to the soil and its abundance.
To prevent deer from damaging the plants, Joel circled each of the planted areas with solar
powered electric fences. A small creek runs across the farm, providing water and beauty to
the land. In addition to the vegetables, herbs, and fruit trees that are flourishing in the field,
King’s Hill is also an animal kingdom, with all the creatures being fed with organic food. Two
large lamas stood tall among fat turkeys, aggressive geese, and squawking ducks. Cage-
free hens and roosters pegged around in leisure, and six cute puppy dogs played joyfully
with one another. Jai said they would have four piglets in a couple of weeks and would have
more beehives and mushrooms next year. I gave Joel and Jai my heartfelt compliments.
King’s Hill Farm runs a Community Support Agriculture (CSA) program in which a member
buys a share that will entitle him/her to get a box of seasonal fresh vegetables on a weekly
or biweekly basis. “The food we produce for your family will be wholesome and healthy,”
Joel and Jai proudly declare on the farm’s website. “All produce and products are grown and
collected right here on King’s Hill.”
The CSA program at King’s Hill offers membership shares for three seasons: summer
(June-October), harvest (August-October) and winter (November to December). Detailed
information is available at www.kingshillfarm.com. King’s Hill delivers their products to
several locations for consumers to pick up in Madison, Mineral Point, and the Chicago area,
including twice a month at the Chicago Botanic Garden.
CSA is a program that enables consumers to buy local, seasonal, and in many cases,
organic produce directly from a farm. It has become popular over the last 20 years. Usually, a
farmer offers a certain number of shares to consumers. A “share” consists of a box (or bag)
of seasonal produce. In the case of King’s Hill, they also offer half a share (bi-weekly
supplies). Such a system benefits both the farmer and the consumer. It provides the farmers
a marketing vehicle to promote their products ahead of the busy season and once the
consumer base is established, making the planning for planting much easier. Farmers get
payments early in the season and know their consumers and their needs. As for consumers,
they receive the freshest produce, get exposed to new vegetables and if they want to, they
can visit the farm and see how the food they consume are produced. If they have children,
they can take them along and get them interested in the veggies from “their” farm.
as nasturtium are in full bloom and strawberries are turning red. I crushed a peppermint leaf
to indulge myself in the refreshing aroma and chewed a piece of fresh basil and a bunch of
chives to taste their pungent flavor. Joel handed me a big sweet pea and I bit into it, crunchy
and full of sweet juice. I felt like a child again, fully connected to the soil and its abundance.
To prevent deer from damaging the plants, Joel circled each of the planted areas with solar
powered electric fences. A small creek runs across the farm, providing water and beauty to
the land. In addition to the vegetables, herbs, and fruit trees that are flourishing in the field,
King’s Hill is also an animal kingdom, with all the creatures being fed with organic food. Two
large lamas stood tall among fat turkeys, aggressive geese, and squawking ducks. Cage-
free hens and roosters pegged around in leisure, and six cute puppy dogs played joyfully
with one another. Jai said they would have four piglets in a couple of weeks and would have
more beehives and mushrooms next year. I gave Joel and Jai my heartfelt compliments.
King’s Hill Farm runs a Community Support Agriculture (CSA) program in which a member
buys a share that will entitle him/her to get a box of seasonal fresh vegetables on a weekly
or biweekly basis. “The food we produce for your family will be wholesome and healthy,”
Joel and Jai proudly declare on the farm’s website. “All produce and products are grown and
collected right here on King’s Hill.”
The CSA program at King’s Hill offers membership shares for three seasons: summer
(June-October), harvest (August-October) and winter (November to December). Detailed
information is available at www.kingshillfarm.com. King’s Hill delivers their products to
several locations for consumers to pick up in Madison, Mineral Point, and the Chicago area,
including twice a month at the Chicago Botanic Garden.
CSA is a program that enables consumers to buy local, seasonal, and in many cases,
organic produce directly from a farm. It has become popular over the last 20 years. Usually, a
farmer offers a certain number of shares to consumers. A “share” consists of a box (or bag)
of seasonal produce. In the case of King’s Hill, they also offer half a share (bi-weekly
supplies). Such a system benefits both the farmer and the consumer. It provides the farmers
a marketing vehicle to promote their products ahead of the busy season and once the
consumer base is established, making the planning for planting much easier. Farmers get
payments early in the season and know their consumers and their needs. As for consumers,
they receive the freshest produce, get exposed to new vegetables and if they want to, they
can visit the farm and see how the food they consume are produced. If they have children,
they can take them along and get them interested in the veggies from “their” farm.
(Above) My husband Francis (who has a Ph.D. in
agriculture) shows couple Joel and Jai Kellum
how to save organic seeds; (below) King’s Hill
Farm is an organic farm in Wisconsin.
agriculture) shows couple Joel and Jai Kellum
how to save organic seeds; (below) King’s Hill
Farm is an organic farm in Wisconsin.
According to LocalHarvest, in some areas of the country, there is more demand than there are CSA farms to fill it. There is no official data
of how many CSA farms are in the U.S. since the government does not track them. LocalHarvest has a directory for over 2,500 CSAs around
the country and the list is expanding. In the first two months of 2009, 300 new CSAs joined the list.
King’s Hill Farm in Wisconsin is more than a regular CSA farm. Joel and Jai also offer educational weekend programs, sustainability and
farm tours, and Yoga class (Jai is a certified Yoga instructor). This is not simply an organic farm — it is about a holistic lifestyle, healthy living
and caring for the environment.
We left King’s Hill with anticipation and excitement. We know how dedicated Joel and Jai are to organic farming and healthy living and
trust that they will continue to expand their program next year. We plan to return for another visit soon. Next time we will roll up our sleeves
and get our fingers dirty!
Jian Ping is the author of “Mulberry Child: A Memoir of China” (www.mulberrychild.com). Also, visit www.smearedtype.com for more
information.
of how many CSA farms are in the U.S. since the government does not track them. LocalHarvest has a directory for over 2,500 CSAs around
the country and the list is expanding. In the first two months of 2009, 300 new CSAs joined the list.
King’s Hill Farm in Wisconsin is more than a regular CSA farm. Joel and Jai also offer educational weekend programs, sustainability and
farm tours, and Yoga class (Jai is a certified Yoga instructor). This is not simply an organic farm — it is about a holistic lifestyle, healthy living
and caring for the environment.
We left King’s Hill with anticipation and excitement. We know how dedicated Joel and Jai are to organic farming and healthy living and
trust that they will continue to expand their program next year. We plan to return for another visit soon. Next time we will roll up our sleeves
and get our fingers dirty!
Jian Ping is the author of “Mulberry Child: A Memoir of China” (www.mulberrychild.com). Also, visit www.smearedtype.com for more
information.