ASHLYN Bristle
34 | Rebop Farm | Co-owner and Co-manager
Residence: Brattleboro
Career highlight(s): The career highlight I'm most proud of is our farm's persistent pursuit of quality in all we do. We have been working hard to achieve quality benchmarks in soil health, milk quality, and plant and animal health, and in the last year have been seeing significant results that result in better, more nutritious food, a safer, more resilient watershed and food system, and a healthier ecosystem for our community.
Community Involvement: My community involvement includes organizing a neighborhood potluck, providing free workshops about soil health, organizing various workshops and events to help our community feel more connected to farms in our region. We farm as an act of community love and involvement!
What motivated you to live and work in Vermont? I was motivated to live and work in Vermont by the community of small farms and farmers here, the direct democracy of town meetings, and the stunning landscape.
Favorite part of your job? My favorite part of my job is interacting with and developing a relationship with the land our farm is on, every day. I also love the relationships we build with our customers, and of course the antics of the cows, sheep, pigs and poultry that we grow. They make sure it's never a boring job!
Most inspiring mentor and why: My most inspiring mentor is Chantal Deojay, the long-time farm manager at Farm & Wilderness. She taught me what it looks like to put your whole heart into the work that you do, while farming with passion and deep care for the animals and landscape under your care.
What three words best describe you: Three words that best describe me are tenacious, inquisitive, playful.
Favorite Vermont escape: My favorite Vermont escape is incredibly rare, since we can't leave the farm often! I'm looking forward to visiting Lake Willoughby next summer if we can dip away for a bit.
Favorite downtime activity: I knit like my life depends on it! I'm also an avid baker with a dangerous-to-self predilection for puff pastry.
Favorite Social Media and why: Instagram- I love the supportive farm community there!
If you had unlimited access to funds, which cause(s) would you support: The forty Acres & a Mule Project. (40acresproject.com)
Where do you see yourself professionally in the next 5-10 years? In the next 5-10 years I'd like to feel settled in our farm model, enough to really enjoy the growing season as it ebbs and flows, rather than feeling awash in the intensity of farming in high summer.
What career goal(s) would you like to accomplish in the next 5-10 years?
In the next 5-10 years I'd like to finish a graduate degree in Soil Science I've been laying the groundwork for over the last several years.
How has your job changed since this pandemic? During the pandemic, my job has changed significantly- demand is far outstripping supply, and farms are difficult to pivot quickly. We're trying our best to keep up despite the limitations of soil, water, sun, and pasture- they don't know we need to rush.