If asked several years ago what Ian Reilly thought he’d be doing three years from now, he would’ve answered, “Hmmm… probably the same thing I’m doing now.” Which at that time, was commuting to work, four miles by bike from his comfortable suburban home, sitting in front of a computer almost all day in an office with no windows. And now, as I type this, I can look out the window and see my husband, Ian, busily feeding our 240, eleven week old chickens. Being the “front” man is not Ian’s thing. As most of you who read this know, I get to be that “front” (wo)man – something I thoroughly enjoy, I might add. But, it is time for Ian to have the spotlight, and that is why I decided to conduct this interview with him.
Carolyn: When you were little, did you ever have a desire to become a farmer?
Ian: No, didn’t even know much about farming.
Carolyn: What did you dream of being when you grew up?
Ian: Policeman, Fireman, Astronaut, Doctor
Carolyn: Where were you raised?
Ian: South Florida, then North Central Florida.
Carolyn: What kind of outdoor things did you do?
Ian: time at the beach, ride my bike – but was indoors more often.
Carolyn: Have you always enjoyed being outside?
Ian: Not as much as I do now. I enjoy my outdoor “office.”
Carolyn: What has been your occupation most of your adult life?
Ian: I’ve been in Information Technology/Computers for most of my adult life. I did spend 4 years in the Marine Corps, then entered the IT field.
Carolyn: Was there something that prompted you to make a change in your career?
Ian: Yes, I came to the realization that I no longer had any joy in what I was doing in IT work. I wanted to do something that made a difference.
Carolyn: What is one of the most challenging parts of farming?
Ian: A challenging part of farming is never knowing what to expect. Animals have no regard for a farmer’s plans or schedules.
Carolyn: What is one of the best parts of farming?
Ian: Hmmm… some of the best parts of farming is watching the animals grow, appreciating the seasons one day at a time, and meeting people who are excited about us raising real food.
Carolyn: What do you think makes our farm so different than the typical American farm?
Ian: We’re different because we’ve broken from the norm of chemical use and land abuse. We’re trying to heal the land in everything we do… through our care of animals, our organic family garden, and sustainable forestry practices.
Carolyn: Where do you see yourself five years from now?
Ian: Right here; farming, healing the land, and raising a wider variety of pastured animals.
Carolyn: Thank you for sitting down with me and answering a few questions!
Farmer Profile:
Ian Reilly
If asked 5 years ago what Ian Reilly thought he’d be doing three years from now, he would’ve answered, “Hmmm… probably the same thing I’m doing now.” Which at that time, was commuting to work, four miles by bike from his comfortable suburban home, sitting in front of a computer almost all day in an office with no windows. And now, as I type this, I can look out the window and see my husband, Ian, busily feeding our 240, eleven week old chickens. Being the “front” man is not Ian’s thing. As most of you who read this know, I get to be that “front” (wo)man – something I thoroughly enjoy, I might add. But, it is time for Ian to have the spotlight, and that is why I decided to conduct this interview with him.
Carolyn: When you were little, did you ever have a desire to become a farmer?
Ian: No, didn’t even know much about farming.
Carolyn: What did you dream of being when you grew up?
