About the Farm Team

Farmer Max

Growing up in the San Juans, visiting the farmer's market, playing in the woods, taking pigs to the county fair, it's really no wonder I ended up where I am now. My whole life I have fostered a love for working outside, and a deep interest in what makes life flourish. I followed this interest through jobs in ornamental gardening, a degree in Biology from the University of Washington, and on to an internship on a small organic farm on Whidbey Island. That one year internship turned into a 5 year stay where I learned how to manage the farm system and build community along the way- I've since framed that wonderful time of my life as my "PhD in Farming."

Throughout that journey I dreamt up a business that would bring joy to communities through inspiring landscapes and nutrient rich foods, thus Four-Leaf Farm and Gardening LLC was born. My work is based off of a core belief that the solutions to most of the problems we encounter in our landscapes and food system can be found in the natural world. I use regenerative and organic principals to cultivate gardens that will flourish for the long-term with minimal maintenance. Rather than fight to impose my will on nature I strive to select plants best suited to the locations they will grow, and provide the right building blocks for nature to do the heavy lifting. When we pay attention to an ecosystem's form and function the result is vigorous growth without constant attention and costly additives.

Grow well,
Max Haenel
Owner and Operator @ Four-leaf Farm and Gardening LLC

Kelin the Little Witch

Kelin might not have chosen the farm life, but she chose a farmer for a partner, and she has gracefully fallen into life on the farm. She supports the farm system in innumerable ways; from taking care of the animals, to assisting with the vegetables, and always helping prop up farmer Max. She also makes the most of what the farm has to offer, crafting goat milk soaps, propagating native plants, and creating ceramic art inspired by the landscape.

Binney the Farmer's Mom

What happens when you raise your kids with a huge vegetable garden, tons of pets, and weekly trips to the farmers market? Well in our case one of them convinces you to move to the country and start a farm! Binney is an animal lover through and through and she helps keep all the critters on the farm happy and healthy. She also helps in the veggie garden and keeps her own flower garden.

Rosie the Farm Dog

Rosemary is an integral part of this team. She herds the chickens and the goats, chases deer off of the property, barks at coyotes in the night, and she loves to work as a customer service representative. If you see her feel free to give her a head scratch or throw her a stick.

Our Community!

This project would still be a dream if not for all the help we've gotten from our friends and family along the way. From clearing weeds, to building sheds, to pulling plastic over greenhouses, we could not be doing this alone. Thank you all for supporting our farm and helping us do the work we do!

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