the kosydars .:: director since may 2011

After graduating from WVU, Kate (Religious Studies) and Matt (Wildlife and Fisheries Management) got married in 2006.  They moved to Clarksburg, WV in 2007.  Audrey (3 ½ years) and Jonah (2 years) arrived shortly later and have enjoyed living in West Virginia their entire lives – a fact which is evident when they will serenade you with a version of Country Roads!  Kate just earned her MA in Pastoral Ministry from Duquesne University this May, and the whole family is psyched to be able to join the Nazareth Farm community!

jordan schiele .:: project coordinator since june 2011
volunteer staff since august 2009

Jordan, 25, a native of Sacrmento, CA had never gardened before, but you would have never guessed.  He is our gardener and really letting things grow.  A big fan of wool socks and the end of mountaintop removal, he'll be quick to make your head spin with an impossible 20 questions "idea" (hint: the first answer is St. Stephen).  Jordan loves a good debate and any game involving strategy - maybe you should try playing mafia or ninja with him in the O'Connor room! 

jessie schiele .:: volunteer staff since august 2009

Jessie is a 25 year old lady born and raised in Gaylord, MI.  Her heart is as large and wild as her hair.  When she was 18 her parents sent her on a trip around the world which installed a love for people and traveling.  She had spent the last year and a half before coming to the Farm incorporating both by traveling the country and volunteering with her now-husband Jordan.  Together they have worked in a variety of communities from Vermont to Mississippi.  At this point in her life she feels God's calling to settle down at Nazareth farm to live, love, learn and serve with a community of faithful people.

Running from the cold up in New England, and more recently from Colgate University, we were glad to have Eric join us here at the farm.  He is the current captain of our undefeated staff ultimate team and is ready for any form of competition at the drop of a hat.  While at the farm, Eric is looking forward to learning the art of blacksmithing, sporting a sweet mustache for Mo-vember, and meeting volunteers from all over the country.  Most of all, Eric likes to play; whether it is a guitar, a treachery filled game of Risk, or pretty much anything involving a disc.

Zack is a gentle giant who wears D&G glasses and loves animals and Virginia Woolf.  He JUST finished his English degree at the University of Michigan (Go BLUE! ;) ), and after a transformative experience amongst the beauty of Maine he felt the pull of the farm and moved here with his darling Kristina.  He's most looking forward to "learning new things about every thing."

Kristina is a sweet, small girl who loves ice cream, candy, and sharing hopes and dreams with anyone willing.  She came to the farm with her fiancé Zack after dropping out of her school's education program (but still graduating with a math degree 8) ), and is excited to learn all about home repair and the beautiful state of West Virginia.  What is she MOST looking forward to, though?  Meeting you!

Susan, born and raised in Western Pennsylvania, loves the trees and the mountains.  She enjoys walking through the woods pondering life and wondering at the beauty and complexity of God’s creation.  She can’t help but sing and can often be heard humming, do-do-ing, or la-la-ing while completing many a task.  She also loves to laugh and very much enjoys a well-crafted pun.  Susan is a recent graduate of Loyola University Maryland with a degree in Theology and can’t wait to put her Jesuit education to work by finding God in all things and caring fully for all the people she will meet and serve while at the Farm.

Allyson journeyed to West Virginia from the great state of Indiana. She found the Farm a few years ago and is ready to make it her home. Enjoying a good game of volleyball (or infinity ball), painting with the kids, and hanging out on the porch are some of her favorite activities. She can't wait to share all these experiences with you! If you want to learn more, check out this sweet article.

Robby (a.k.a.RAR) grew up with in California with his family and the mountains, but loves his new life in the hollow in West Virginia, the Mountain State. He spent a good chunk of the last 6 years at the University of Notre Dame studying Theology (and math, sorta), but was drawn to Naz Farm in the hopes of really living out his faith. He has found great joy in working with his hands, deepening his understanding of Catholic Social Teaching, living close to the earth and with the seasons, developing his gardening skills, and meeting and serving new people. Community, simplicity, prayer, music, mountains, high school and college students, and families have made Nazareth Farm feel like home to him, and his gentle, open, and fun-loving (sincere, honest..many words you could put in here) personality will make you feel at home, too. You might find him barefoot, un-showered, and singing, and ready to get to know you!