Our Story
We’ve completed another step of New Morning Farm’s transition to the next generation! After twelve years at New Morning Farm, two years of testing the waters by leasing and operating the farm business, and three years of careful negotiation, discussion, and some creative financing, Jenni has purchased the farmland and equipment! Jim and Moie have been working and preparing since 1998 for New Morning Farm to continue with their retirement. We’ve achieved this goal! Click here to read more about the transition.
Jim and Moie Kimball Crawford are the founders of New Morning Farm, a 95-acre certified-organic vegetable farm in south-central Pennsylvania. The Crawfords have farmed organically for over 45 years, and from the start, all produce was direct-marketed in Washington, D.C.
In 1972, Jim started growing a wide variety of vegetable crops on a small plot of rented land in West Virginia, with practically no capital and little experience. Moie joined him in 1974, and in 1978 they had their son Arlo, followed by daughter Jane in 1982.
In 1976, Jim and Moie purchased the farm in PA, which had been a small conventional dairy operation. With ambitious, innovative financing and much trial and error, they gradually built their soils organically, collected appropriate equipment, and designed and built various buildings for their specific needs.
From vending veggies out of the back of a pick-up truck to organizing and supervising three thriving weekly markets (and launching a fourth in late 2018), the Crawfords have built multi-faceted, successful direct-marketing system. Through the marketing (wholesale and retail) of various locally-produced foods like orchard fruits, cider, and baked goods, New Morning Farm is at the center of the PA-DC foodshed.
In 2019, Jim and Moie started transitioning the business to long time apprentice, and current farm operator, Jenni Glenister. Jenni is now in her 11th season at NMF, having started as an apprentice in 2009.
Organic farms are built upon the labor of the people who work them. We believe that our goal-oriented yet fun workplace is what has built the strong team that plants, weeds, harvests and brings to market all of our produce. Without these folks, New Morning Farm would not be the same. Read on to meet our team!
Knowledge Sharing and Collaboration
After starting from scratch with a “try anything once” attitude, the Crawfords have had the opportunity to test a great many approaches, theories, and techniques in their complex but integrated operation. They hope to attract others to farming and to their geographical area, believing that sustainable agriculture is of benefit to us all. They encourage collaboration among and between organic farmers, and enthusiastically share their knowledge and experience at conferences, workshops, farm visits and through the media.
The Crawfords have been active participants in the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture from the planning stages and Jim was a member of the first Board of Directors. Jim and Moie were honored in 2002 with the annual Leadership Award from PASA.
Jim frequently presents at workshops and seminars on topics like profitability, the apprenticeship program, and the growth of TOG. The farm often hosts field-day learning opportunities for PASA and nearby colleges and universities.
New Morning Farm in the News
Jim and Moie appear frequently on the radio and in print, including the Washington Post, the New York Times and the Atlantic.
Food Safety Modernization Act: "Organic Farmers Bash FDA Restrictions on Manure Use," from NPR's The Salt, and "Planned Safety Rules Rile Organic Farmers" from the LA Times.
NPR stories on farmers markets and young farmers.
Michelle Obama's book American Grown: Jim and apprentices provided guidance for the planning and planting of the White House Kitchen Garden in 2008.
