Slow Farm is a biodiverse and USDA certified organic U-Pick farm and farmstand devoted to the principles of Slow Food, agroecology, and justice in the food system. Slow Farm’s 187 acres are located in SE Michigan, 3 miles north of Ann Arbor, and include woods, native prairie, and wetlands. We grow mainly heirloom produce and flowers, and provide an organic farm experience demonstrating “closed loop” practices that benefit social and ecological well-being.
Who We Are
Kim (she/her)
Owner
Driven by a desire to point the food system towards social justice and ecosystemic health, Kim founded Slow Farm in 2017. She did not come from a farming background, but the farm teaches her how to be a farmer each and every day! Kim is particularly passionate about sharing the experience of agroecology. She loves that people of all backgrounds come to Slow Farm and discover, with full sensory immersion, another possibility of what farming, food, and community can look like. She also loves the butterflies, flowers, birds, and the circle of the seasons and foods — May bringing asparagus, June with its strawberries, August and the juicy tomatoes, and October, of course, with pumpkins.
Glen (he/him) Comptroller
Though Glen grew up on a dairy farm, he worked in academia and the corporate world for 35 years. But after meeting Kim, he decided it was time to return to his roots and see what organic farming is all about. He’s sure that his father would smile hearing this. If you’re looking for Glen on the farm, you can probably find him doing one of his favorite things: chatting with all the cool folks who visit the farm or tending to tomatoes in our hoophouse. Also: he’s a Cubs fan for life, so be careful with any baseball talk!
Zach (he/him) Production Manager
Zach started his career working as an engineer in the auto industry. Covid caused him to reassess his values and, after quitting his office job, set off to the Rockies to learn about farming. There he met Magda and the two have been growing food together ever since. Zach loves working in the fields, picking weeds and shoveling compost. He loves talking about growing food and is happy to field questions about soil and crops. Zach enjoys hiking with Magda, riding bikes and fretting over his 1986 VW Vanagon.
Magda (she/they) Production Manager
Magda is a poet, witch and farmer. She loves folklore, pop culture and the stuff in between. When not saving seeds or working in the field, they write a tarot newsletter that fosters connection within ourselves and the lands we inhabit. After a degree in biochemistry, she worked in various environmental and food-based jobs until resigning mid-covid to pursue farming. They met Zach on a beautiful seed farm in Colorado and have been taken with each other (and farming) ever since.
Claire Farmhand
Claire is an amateur gardener and novice farmer. Her interest in farming first developed when she started working at a plant nursery in 2020, and she is thrilled to be working at Slow Farm this year and learning from the amazing crew every day. Claire studied music and children’s literature during her undergraduate degree, and she plans to pursue a master’s degree in Library Science in the fall. She believes deeply in the importance of community-building, connecting with each other and the earth we inhabit. In her free time, she loves to play guitar, read books, play Legend of Zelda, or go on long, quiet walks in the woods.
Juri (he/him) Farmhand
Juri is a new farmer who was drawn to farming by his love of gardening, farmers markets, produce, and cooking, along with his drive to build sustainable and healthier communities. Prior to joining Slow Farm, he worked in federal policy and advocacy with a focus on social justice and equity issues, including working to ensure that all people have access to fresh produce. After moving from D.C. to Michigan with his family, Juri decided that it was the perfect time to learn about organic farming and local food systems. Juri is originally from San Francisco, California and attended Gettysburg College where he received a B.A. in political science. He is a passionate SF sports fan (Warriors, Giants, 49ers) and in his free time loves to explore parks and breweries in the area with his family and their dog. Juri is excited for his first season at Slow Farm and experiencing the changing seasons and growing delicious food!
Mika
Farmhand
This is Mika’s fifth season at Slow Farm! She initially came to organic farming due to concerns about the environmental and climate impacts of industrial agriculture, but has found deep joy and connection for herself as well. She has loved witnessing the seasonal changes, feeling her coexistence with other small creatures, and having her hands on the same ground that older generations would have also touched. Mika brings with her experience from ricefields and zone 9B farmlands in her native Japan, as well as a background in small evergreens, flowers, herbs, and summer vegetables. She’s passionate about composting, growing Asian vegetables, and cultivating a sixth sense for farming! If you’re looking for her, you’ll probably find her harvesting or seeding — those tasks are the ones she loves best!