The Team
Nina Patterson
Farm Owner
Nina has always been dedicated to the local organic food movement but never dreamed she would own a farm. In fact, she never imagined she would tend anything larger than her vegetable garden. But when she arrived in Washington with her husband and three children, they were in love from the moment they stepped foot on the land they would soon call home. Now, Nina is turning her dream into a reality with lots of help from experienced farm managers, Paul and Rachel, and the constant support of her family. Health, regenerative farming, action against climate change and addressing food insecurity are the priorities with which Nina works every day. She also loves reading, dance parties and swimming in Lake Waramaug.
Paul Simoneau
co-Farm Manager
Paul has been growing vegetables since 2008 - starting first in the Southwest, then the Pacific Northwest, he's finally settled down to farm here in New England at Helmstead Farm. He loves eating what he grows when he's not working and has great appreciation for a tightly wrapped head of Radicchio, a perfectly blanched Cauliflower and a thick stand of Oats and Peas.
Rachel Detweiler
co-Farm manager
Rachel entered the farming field after a previous career in surface pattern design. She’s been growing cut flowers specifically since the summer of 2017. She loves the reliability and structure of perennials alongside the complexity of growing annual flower crops. Land stewardship is ultimately at the heart of her mission as a grower. At Helmstead, she looks forward to crafting a long-term vision for the farm and the land upon which it stands.