Spirit Wild Farm began as an idea while Serina was pursuing a PhD in medieval literature. People in the Middle Ages had a different, interconnected relationship with the natural world. Most people worked outside since houses were often dark and drafty. Brambles were used for fencing, trees cut for frames, and forest parks reserved for hunting by kings and nobles. Herbs like the common dandelion or the forgotten lovage were used in dishes and tinctures. Animals could exemplify a moral lesson through a fable or bestiary and provided goods such as clothing and vellum. Honey is considered one of the most nutritious foods on the planet and in the Middle Ages mead (wine made from honey) was a precious beverage, thought to be the drink of choice for gods and poets. And so we began this new adventure by attempting to reproduce mead from medieval recipes found in the manuscripts Serina had transcribed during her dissertation.

We started two hives in the backyard and fell in love with working alongside our honeybees. After grad school Serina decided to pivot toward a new vision: one that encourages us to rekindle a relationship with the natural world, inspire curiosity about ideas and cultural histories, and cultivate relationships with the community and land that nourishes us.

As our post-industrial society continues to push us toward longer hours in cubicles, offices, fluorescent lights, and time spent in front of a computer, we know deep down that this isn’t how we are meant to live. Spirit Wild Farm aims to change this habit by promoting holistic living and thinking, providing a place to replenish the soul surrounded by the beauty of forests and mountains, and encouraging a connection with the natural world. By living sustainbly, we can become re-acquainted with the land, live with her rhythms, and help conserve the earth for future generations.

Our farm grows open-pollinated non-GMO heirloom and historical produce and fruit trees that each have a story to tell and some of which originated in the Middle Ages. We also create eco-ethical products and foster a place of learning that connects agrarian life, nature, art, and cultural thought―an alternative “grad school” for lifelong learners, dreamers, and doers.