Owners and Farm Hands

Welcome To Aunt Bee's Farm
where we provide sustainable food and sustainable hope for the future

We are committed to providing food to our local and regional community that has been grown in a sustainable and environmentally conscience manner. Our food is grown without the use of chemicals and artificial fertilizers. Cover crops play a major role in our weed management program and provide habitat for beneficial insects. Our sustainable management plan is designed to maintain and promote a diverse ecosystem on our farm. Community out-reach and environmental education are an important component to our fundamental business philosophy.

GROWER

Rebecca McElheny (Aunt Bee) is the owner and head grower at Aunt Bee's Farm. Aunt Bee has been in the agricultural field for over 12 years. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Ornamental Horticulture from Delaware Valley College in 1997.

She has truly found her calling growing food. Until Joe and Beck's reunion, she had established experience in a wide range of horticultural practices from the transplanting of large, mature trees on estate properties to the cultivation of aquatic wetland plant species. Aunt Bee has also been an invited speaker on several topics ranging from growing herbs in container gardens to the culinary uses of herbs. Winter 2008 has found her conducting horticulture therapy at a short-long term care facility.

Aunt Bee's commitment to the art and science of farming is displayed in the quality of product that Aunt Bee's Farm provides. Her friendly disposition and creative intuition generate a continual 'fresh' presence to the farm. She loves being a farmer!

AGRONOMIST

Joseph Corona (Joe) is Aunt Bee's Farm agronomist. He is also the web site designer and head 'tech geek'. Joe has over 14 years of experience in the soil and wetland science field.
He obtained his Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science - Soil Science from Delaware Valley College in 1997. He obtained his Masters of Science in Environmental Science - Wetland Ecology from Lehigh University in 2004.

His experience in the field of soil and wetland science provides a unique and beneficial set of skills for the sustainable farm. Joe's innovate approach to growing food utilizing hydroponics and solar energy are a valuable asset to the Farm. He has been an invited speaker on various edible wild plant topics.

TEAM HISTORY

Aunt Bee and Joe met and became best friends throughout their time at Delaware Valley College. Upon graduation, they each went their separate ways to experience life. Aunt Bee traveled north to Alaska to experience life in the 'Great Frontier'. Joe traveled south to Florida to experience the subtropical ecosystems and extensive wetland habitats.

Six years later, Aunt Bee and Joe were reunited. Within a year, they were engaged and married. Henceforth, they have been jointly pursing their goal of living a sustainable life in upstate New York.

RODENT ACQUISITION SPECIALIST (RAS)

UPDATE: We lost Iris and her understudy Hazel to the hazards of the road. We have not only lost an important farm help but we have lost our best friends. Rest in Peace Iris and Hazel

This was the last family picture taken before the accident. Right to left is Iris and her daughter Hazel and son Bandit. Bandit lives in Bethlehem with Joe and visits the farm about once a month.

UPDATE: Meet our newest member to the team: BERNIE

We found Bernie at the Wanderer's Rest, a Humane Association animal shelter. He is a wonderful dog who is very eager to learn. Bernie is making himself at home at the farm and helping Aunt Bee deter the numerous groundhogs, rabbits, deer, chipmunks, and voles that raid our gardens for some of our delicious produce.

Bandit will also be joining the farm team for the 2009 growing season. His main duties will include rodent control and comic relief.

LITTLE HANDS, BIG HELP

From time to time, Aunt Bee has some help from her niece and nephew. Her niece, Emma, is a junior bee keeper. Her work on the farm goes towards her bee keeping outfit.

Emma and Teddy helping sift compost for Aunt Bee's Farm.