Proprietors
The Oliphants
Proprietors Leonard and Linda Oliphant have undertaken extensive renovation and revitalization of Chanteloup for over fifteen years. They are responsible for planting many of the mature fruit trees including blueberries, apples, nectarines and plums and have spent years maintaining the soil ecology and fertility.
FARM MANAGER
Richard kouyoumjian
Richard Kouyoumjian, farm manager, earned his master’s degree in Plant and Environmental Sciences from Clemson University and his undergraduate in Biology from Lehman College, City University of New York. His master’s thesis was in sustainable agriculture for the evaluation of compost tea and biological fungicides for control of early blight on heirloom tomato production. He has worked as organic production manager for the five-star restaurant at Dos Brisas Ranch, Brenham, Tx . “I have been interested in historic small scale vegetable production since the mid-nineties” he says, when as a singer-songwriter living in New York City he grew his first “backyard” heirloom tomato garden and sold them through community supported agriculture (CSA).
Experience
Farming, history and sustainability have blossomed into his passion and experience. From planting an 18th century kitchen garden at the historic Van Cortlandt mansion Bronx, New York to working on the Clemson University student organic farm and heirloom garden to owner of his own micro-farm Good Things Grow Here he believes, “local small scale farming is relevant today as it was prior to world war two”. Distributing within a short distance saves fuel costs and consumption which translates into buying fresher food as well as simply knowing where your food comes from and who grows it. “Growing food in the past was a true agri-culture with a diversity of vegetables which reflected the rich multiplicity of both regional cuisine and the ethnic people who came to this country; each was unique and each had its own story”. This diversity and flavor authenticity is what inspires Richard as a vegetable producer, scientist and artist.