Our People

David, Rhonda, & Joanna Brunner

Rhonda and David’s arrival at Asgaard represented a return to their rural ‘roots’ – Rhonda growing up in the East Tennessee foothills of the Smokey Mountains and David from Lake Erie’s shore in Northeast Ohio. Following years of work restoring this historic place, it was only a matter of time before Asgaard would reemerge as a diversified family farm. Joanna joined in 1991.

Who would have bet that the two kid goats Joanna brought home from Donna and Glen Pearce’s Welbian Farm a few years ago would so define Asgaard’s future. Kelly and Oreo were so cute - just like the 56 kids born at Asgaard this spring!

Rhonda has assumed full-time responsibility for the farm’s anchor activity – Asgaard Dairy. The goats were inspired by Joanna’s early interest, and award-winning goat’s milk cheeses have followed. David directs efforts across the activities of the farm: the field crops, the livestock and the forest bringing to bear the experiences of his childhood.

Jim Norman

Jim knows livestock. Period. He's our resident cowboy and comes with extensive experience farming here in the Adirondacks and horse training and breeding downstate. When Jim joined Asgaard in 2008, the only animals on the farm were seven dairy goats. He has proven instrumental in the careful development of both our goat herd and our new herd of grass-fed/ grass-finished cattle, as well as our pasture management practices. Jim lives on the farm with his wife, Carolyn, and their three apprentices (a.k.a. children) Ania, Zofia, and Jake. Jim is also a trained forester, a combat veteran, and an Assistant Chief in the Jay Volunteer Fire Department.

Billy Lincoln

A true local of the North Country, Billy heads up all aspects of the day-to-day operation and maintenance of the farm. Thanks to his very green thumbs, his primary responsibility is tending the garden's wide array of organic vegetables and herbs, from seed to market. He also researches and manages all aspects of raising laying hens and broilers on pasture, even attending poultry workshops in the region. Like everyone here, he'll spring into action wherever he's needed!

Shannon Duffield

info@asgaardfarm.com

With three farmers markets to attend each week, its nearly a full-time job! That's where Shannon comes in as our resident cheesemonger with her background in both sales and farming. When she's not at market, she's delivering our cheeses and meats to local shops and restaurants, keeping our website and Facebook page updated, and manning the on-farm store hours. As a Jane of all trades, she also oversees the pigs, milks the goats a couple times per week, and loves to muck the barns. Go find her at the next market!

Vicki Kirchner

Vicki joined the farm as a relief goat milker in the fall of 2007. Vicki came with no previous farm experience, but she quickly became hooked and has enjoyed all of the growth and changes that have taken place over the years. Although she is proud of her "speed milking" ability, she realizes that the goats will always go at their own pace. When Vicki isn't spending time with the does and kids at the farm, she is spending time with another type of kid at Lake Placid Elementary School where she is employed as a Speech Language Pathologist.

Tali Biale (Summer Intern)

Tali comes to Asgaard with a culinary background and interest in learning the art of cheese making. She was a pastry chef in New York City before leaving the city life to get back to basics as an apprentice on Fat Rooster Farm in Royalton, VT. After a season there, she returned to Brooklyn to teach after-school cooking classes through the Harlem Children's Zone. Here at Asgaard, Tali's main focus will be assisting Rhonda in the creamery, tending the herb garden, and possibly a few guest appearances at farmers markets with some creative ideas for incorporating goat cheese into your recipes.