Pileated Farms is a Community Supported Agriculture organization and market farm homestead in Chatham. Co-owners Olivia Kingery and Brian Kakas focus on their relationship with the land and how to better that relationship at every turn. With CSA offerings, consumers could get, for example, a bunch of carrots, beets, kale or chard, a pound of grapes, a small garlic, purple bunching onions and more. (Photo courtesy of Olivia Kingery)

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story is Part 2 of a four-part series highlighting area farms for Community Supported Agriculture Week.

By DREYMA BERONJA

Journal Staff Writer

CHATHAM — Across an 80-acre homestead, there is a bit of something for everyone.

Apple trees, grape vines, a creek, old forests and a less-1-acre farm field run by Olivia Kingery and Brian Kakas.

Kingery is a born and raised Michigander who moved to the Upper Peninsula 10 years ago for college. After her move, Kingery knew she had found her place and never left.

Kakas grew up in Pennsylvania and has lived all around the world, moving to Michigan 12 years ago when he also realized he had arrived somewhere special, according to Pileated Farms website.

Together they run Pileated Farms. Outside of the farm, Kakas is a ceramic artist and Kingery is a writer. They both love finding inspiration from the farm and surrounding land.

Before Pileated Farms, Kingery worked on a small farm in Eben for three years before establishing Pileated Farms in 2021. Pileated Farms is a no-till farm that uses all organic practices and focuses on working with the land. According to Pileated Farms website, everything they do is fueled by joy and love for the natural world.

Although not certified organic, the plants and practices are all organic, meaning that non-GMO seeds are grown with no pesticides, herbicides or pollutants. Pileated Farms practices regenerative agriculture and the field is gas and oil free.

The biggest challenge Kingery said they face when running Pileated Farms is the changing climate.

“Not knowing if this season will be like last season or will be hotter or drier,” Kingery said in an email. “And, facing up against big agriculture is a challenge too, although one we aren’t going to back down from.”

With challenges, however, come rewards. To Kingery, her rewards from running a 0.3-acre farm are being able to eat food year-round from the farm they have preserved and the community that comes with running Pileated Farms.

Something Kingery wishes more people knew about local farms and community- supported agriculture offers is that local food doesn’t mean it’s boring.

“Many people think of root crops when it comes to local food, but there is not much more prized than the first tomato to hit the market. And it is even more prized if you have not had a fresh tomato since the last ripe one of the season,” Kingery said. “Same with broccoli, brussels sprouts, carrots, on and on. And all of these vegetables are available to the community through local farms.”

This is Community Supported Agriculture Week. It’s a time when farmers and farmer-support organizations across the country collectively promote CSA and share the importance of local farms and farmers.

“The future of food is local and we have to find a way to change the way our food systems operate,” Kingery said. “Small-scale farming, local farming and regenerative agriculture will help us find a way to keep feeding folks in the face of a changing climate.”

This will be the second year that Pileated Farms is hosting a CSA as well as participating in CSA Week. To Kingery, CSA is amazing because of the community.

“When you host a CSA you are creating a community that believes in what you are doing as a farm, and wants to be a part of the season no matter the ups or downs,” Kingery said. “Having that support from members, some who are friends and some who join brand new, is one of my favorite parts of farming.”

When members buy their shares early in the year, they are helping operations like Pileated Farms during the winter when they do not have an active revenue source.

“With the support of CSAs we are able to bring in money and start the year off stronger than if we had to wait for those first sales in May,” Kingery said. “Beyond the money aspect, our farm benefits by being supported by the community and raising awareness for the importance of local food.”

Pileated Farms 2023 CSA is offered on a monthly basis or a four-month package between June and September. Prices vary depending on month, delivery costs and additional add-ons. For a full breakdown of Pileated Farms’ CSA offerings for 2023, visit online at pileatedfarms.com/2023-csa.

Pileated Farms can be found online at pileatedfarms.com or on Facebook and Instagram by searching Pileated Farms. Interested consumers can also contact them via email at pileatedfarms@gmail.com.

Dreyma Beronja can be reached at 906-228-2500 ext. 248. Their email address is dberonj@miningjournal.net.